ACT · IV

ACT · IVSCENE · 1The tavern at Naples(as in I. 2).GRIPUS, MARINERS and SENECIO.GRIPUS.ISAY weather permitting: it’s always weather permitting.1568MARINERS.1st Mar.There was no weather permitting in it. I heard the Admiral say he had his orders to sail for the Adriatic, and the ships at Formiæ were to join him here last night.Gri.Weather permitting.1st M.No: no weather permitting. If it had been weather permitting, would they have put out in the teeth of a sou’-wester? that’s what I look at.2nd M.No sailor would have done it; least of all Regulus.Gri.Then ’twas Cæsar’s fault not to have said weather permitting.3rd M.Eight firstrates: the pick of the fleet.1st M.Nay, seven, mate. The Ulysses is put in for repairs.SENECIO.What is it you talk of, fellows?1st M.Why, where have you been, sir? Half the fleet’s ashore off Misenum.Seo.Wrecked?Gri.Ay, that they be.Enter Epicharis.EPICHARIS.Is it true, Gripus? Is the squadron lost?Gri.True enough.Ep.Was the Admiral with them?1st M.Regulus: ’twas Regulus at Formiæ, lady.Ep.Not Proculus?1st M.Nay, he’s with his ships in the bay.Ep.And the crews?2nd M.Ther’ll not be many stand up, when they come ashore.Ep.Poor fellows! And whose fault was this?Gri.Cæsar’s, I say, lady: and none else.Seo.Epicharis, see, I am returned. 1600Ep.Well, I see you, sir. Have you been to Rome and back so soon?Seo.Yes, my house is pulled down. But I saw the Christians burned.Ep.Hark, sir; I have news for you. (Takes him aside and speaks with him.)Enter Proculus.PROCULUS.What! a dozen of you fellows here! Up with you! be sharp, and off to the point. See if you can’t be of some use. You may save a life or two yet.Mar.We have no orders, my lord.Pro.Where do you expect to find your orders? Go and help your mates. You may get into a scrape yourselves some day.Mar.Very willing, my lord; so we be sent. (All drain their cups standing.)Pro.Come, leave your possets.Mar.Ay, ay, my lord.[Exeunt Mariners.Pro.Epicharis, wine!Ep.Gauran, my lord?Pro.Yes.—And you, sir, I think are the gentleman that begged to go aboard the fleet to get clear of the earthquake. What did I tell you?Seo.You did not tell me, my lord, that Cæsar ordered you to be shipwrecked. (Epicharis serves Pro. with wine.)Pro.Well, ’twas his doing: I’ll bear no blame of it. Three days ago it was Cæsar’s intention to go to Greece; we must therefore be ready to meet him at Brundisium. Never had more stringent orders. Now he has forgot all about it, and gone to Rome:and I have lost a third of the fleet for nothing. May all the gods....Ep.The fire took him to Rome.Seo.The Romans, my lord, can never spare him long: their bread depends on him.Pro.Can’t that old shrimper Tigellinus feed ’em on sprats?Seo.Hi, hi!Pro.Well, sir!Seo.I shan’t tell.Ep.The wine will soothe you, my lord. (Refilling his cup, she signs to Senecio, who goes out.)Pro.Thank you, lass.Ep.Did Cæsar give the order himself?Pro.Don’t talk to me. Ha, that fellow’s gone, is he? He is not one to blab?Ep.How should I know, my lord?Pro.What’s his name?Ep.Senecio.Pro.Senecio, yes, of course: one of Nero’s intimates: and I called Tigellinus an old shrimper: ’twould cost me my life if he heard it.Ep.No man is safe.1650Pro.Nor woman either, Epicharis: guard your tongue.Ep.I am a Greek, my lord.Pro.What’s that to serve thee?Ep.Nothing truly; and yetI have no share in Rome’s reproach; I laughRather to see my country’s conquerorsThemselves enslaved. I have no pride in Cæsar:Let him be a madman, one day burn his city,The next day wreck his fleet,—poison his brother,—Murder his mother,—behead his wife,—I care not.Let all his courtiers be curs, and heSing in the theatre.... In Greece a tyrantHad little heart for singing; nay, at nightHe slept not, thinking what undaunted spiritsWere lying wide-awake for torturing shameTill they could kill him.Pro.By Jove, thou hast a tongue!Ep.And they that like it not may cut it out.Pro.Drink with me, lass (offers his cup).Ep.I would I were a RomanBut for one day.Pro.I love thee for thy spirit.Ep.Thou lov’st to hear the words thou dar’st not say.Pro.Well, give me more.Ep.Greek as I am, my lord,And woman, were I now as near to CæsarAs I am to you, I’d stab him to the heart.Pro.I would not stay thee.Ep.But thou wouldst not do it.1675Pro.Bah! thou’rt a Greek to brag what thou wouldst do:I am a Roman, and would do the thingBefore I spake it.Ep.Yet mightst never do it.Pro.Thou know’st me not.Ep.Then none knows thee, my lord.Were there a plot among the brave in Rome,Which they should fear to break to thee, and sayWe know him not, we cannot risk to sound him,A woman might; then should they send a woman,Some woman that thou lov’st, to learn thy mind,What wouldst thou say?Pro.Then were it time to speak.Ep.The brave in Rome have plotted: I am the woman—Their messenger.Pro.What! a conspiracy?’Gainst Cæsar’s life?Ep.They bid thee bring the navy.Pro.Art thou in earnest?Ep.I am a Greek, my lord;And risk my life for Roman liberty.Pro.What are their names?Ep.The best in Rome.Pro.Who are they?Ep.In time I’ll tell their names.Pro.And what the plot?Ep.In three days Cæsar will be slain: ’tis askedOf thee that thou wilt bring thy ships to Ostia,And seize the granaries till Rome is ours.Pro.What are their names?Ep.With fair securityI will tell all.Pro.And what securityFor me?Ep.Enough, my lord, even in this riskTo well content thee.Pro.Tell me the chief names.Ep.When I have won thee.Pro.Thou hast won me: tell.Ep.In good time all.Pro.What would they have me do?Ep.First bring the officers whose names are hereTo meet me here to-night. Then I shall seeWho is to trust.(Giving a paper)Pro.(reading the paper). Give me the names of thoseWho sent thee.Ep.In good time.Pro.I would not harm thee.Ep.Thou canst not.Pro.See, Epicharis, I’ll help theeOut of this mischief. Give me up the names,And thou shalt be informer.Ep.Ah, Proculus,Play not that part; thou that so oft in secretHast cursed the tyrant to me; now play notThat part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus,To the nobleness within thee, that hast not onlyA heart sufficient, but in face and figureLookest the hero: thou that mightest standFor a statue of Brutus, and outdo the manAs nature made him: Be thou from this dayNamed with the noblest; Proculus the brave,Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and deliveredRomans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thouBe Proculus the futile; Proculus,Who aided first infamous AnicetusTo murder Agrippina, and then perceivingRemorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool,Sought to win favour of the parricide,—And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,—1725And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved,On the eve of liberty?Pro.That day’s not come.Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety.To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome:In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar.Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free,And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready[Exit.In one hour hence.Ep.Ah, wretched Roman slave,Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way;Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too,If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus:He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest.But what care I for thee? what is’t to meThat Piso be set up on Nero’s throne?Only make void that throne, only tear outThat monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus,I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my taleReady, and false Senecio for my witness.[Exit.Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour.SCENE · 2A street in Rome.Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS.SCEVINUS.No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.I am sworn.LATERANUS.Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet.Sce.I know there’s not a man among you allDurst risk his life but I. I have made my will:I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,Dies by this hand to-day.NATALIS.For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!Have patience. Piso is unprepared.1750Lat.Scevinus,Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voiceOf the party.—We do not choose thee.—Sce.Whóm chóose ye?Lat.No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needsMore judgment than thou usest.Nat.And more caution.Sce.Caution and judgment are for cowards. By GodI have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.Nat.(to Lat.). We must prevent him.Lat.(to Nat.).Shall we seize him?Sce.My lords,I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,And make him ready: I shall to the palaceTo screen my purpose in some usual conduct.[Exit.To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well.Lat.Come after him, Natalis: we must makeA show of yielding, and delude him gently[Exeunt.By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all.SCENE · 3A room in the palace. NERO and POPPÆA meeting.NERO.Empress! the emperor of the world salutes thee,Bows to thee.POPPÆA.And embraceth?Ner.And embraceth.—Didst thou sleep well in thy new chamber?Pop.I did.Ner.How doth it please?Pop.’Tis fine. It hath no fault,Save that it lies so far from thine.Ner.In thatSee how I trust thee.Pop.I shall need my litterIn this new palace: ’tis a morning’s journeyFrom end to end. What distances!Ner.Yes, space:Grandeur in space: we cannot emulateStarry distinctions and ethereal peace;1775Mortal conditions hamper us . . . yet I’ll teachThe world what may be done; and my new RomeShall stand for a type: the streets all laid out broad,Straight and intelligible; and all the housesOf fireproof stone from Alba and Gabii.In four years ’twill be finished.Pop.Four whole yearsOf rubbish-heaps and hammering?Ner.Come seeThe plans in the library.Pop.Would you believeThe plans of architects can cheer a woman?Ner.If thou wert happy thou wouldst love to seeAll that I do, and for my sake admire.I wish that thou wert happier. Think, Poppæa,What cause thou hast, being for thy peerless beautyChosen the world’s Augusta. I could wishThou didst smile oftener.Pop.Well, consider, love,I have cause for care.Ner.I wish that thou couldst sing:Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once,When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm,How I diverted thee with sprightly music?Then I should love if, when I came to see thee,I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber....(Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily.)Who’s there? (Vatinius gives a note to Nero.)(Reads.) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from NaplesWith secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’(To Vat.) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady,[Exit Vat.Whichever is most secret—or all three.(To Poppæa, who is going.) Thou needst not go, love.Pop.Why! if ’tis a lady.Ner.Pooh! ’tis some state affair.[Exit.Pop.I hate affairs.Ner.Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly!And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn1805To rid the world of this and all its plagues!Enter Tigellinus with Proculus and Epicharis; Vatinius following.Ner.Good-day, Lord Proculus; what brings you here?PROCULUS.Forgive the intrusion, Cæsar.Ner.The lady’s looksAre ample excuse. You ask leave to be married?Pro.Nay, Cæsar; I accuse her.Ner.Bravo! divorce?TIGELLINUS(aside to Nero).His story is urgent.Ner.What is it?EPICHARIS.Mighty Cæsar,This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish chargeNot worth your ear. I have a witness with meWould make short matter of it, might he enter.Ner.By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back?His name?Ep.Senecio.Ner.Good. We know him, lady.Vatinius, fetch him in. (Exit Vat.) What is the charge?Pro.This woman, sire....Ner.(interrupting). What is thy name, fair lady?Ep.Epicharis, your majesty.Pro.This ladyWas known to me at Naples.Ner.I understand:Spare your excuses.Pro.At a tavern.Ner.Ho!You sailors! (Vat. re-enters with Senecio.)(To Epicharis) See your witness, lady, is come.Pro.She took occasion of her intimacyTo draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life.Ner.Ha!Pro.Entrusted by conspirators at RomeThree days ago to tamper with me.Ner.By heaven!And thou dost laugh? (to Epic.)Ep.Will Cæsar hear the end?Ner.(to Pro.). Give me the names at once.Pro.I know no names,Cæsar; she would not tell.Ner.No names? and whomWert thou then to conspire with?Pro.She would tellNothing of her confederates, unlessI brought together certain officers,Whose loyalty I know suspicious.Ner.Dost thou? By God,I’ll have théir names.Pro.I was to sail to Rome,And seize the granaries.Ner.Enough. Now, madam;What dost thou answer?Ep.If Cæsar need an answerTo a charge so empty, ’tis enough to sayI have never been in Rome.Ner.’Tis not enough.Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the senseHe avers?Ep.I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardonFor jesting with his name.Ner.Thou didst? and why?Ep.Here is my witness; Lord SenecioWill say that my story is true. Holding with himSome talk of Proculus, I laid a wagerThat I could make the Admiral believeAnything, no matter how ridiculous:And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in,And if I went too far, ’twas in my fearTo lose my money.Ner.Is this so, Senecio?SENECIO.’Twas so, sire; I backed the Admiral, and lost.Ner.(to Proc.). You sailors are so clumsy. You are a fool.Pro.Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest:She would outface me.VATINIUS.As Octavia didThat old sea-mutton Anicetus.Tig.Hish!Ner.First, sir,Send me these same suspicious officers.Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy taleSo much respect,—she goes not free. (To Tig.) Good master,Keep her in custody.Ep.(aside to Proculus). Hear me! I warn thee.Join, or be first to die!Pro.Now, Cæsar, againShe invites me to conspire.Ner.Come, man; she mocks thee:She hath won the privilege. (To Tig.) Take her away;But treat her well. You follow me: I goTo judge the cases argued yesterday.No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest,When others are all jesting.[Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus and Vatinius with Nero.SCENE · 4A room in Piso’s house.Enter PISO with NATALIS.PISO(at door).Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them.[Exit Nat.’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five,Five of them here together! ’tis enoughTo damn an innocent: mere informationBy any vagabond. Why should they come?Re-enter Natalis with Rufus, Lateranus, Lucan, Flavus and Asper.Come in, my lords; come in.All.Good-day, Lord Piso.Pis.Your purpose, gentlemen? Ye would not comeIn such a dangerous body to my houseWithout great cause.RUFUS.’Tis urgency, my lord.We have met to-day, and voted with one voiceImmediate action. That madman ScevinusHath taken the whole affair upon himself,And full of mystery walks at large, paradingHis self-importance; wearing on his faceThe secret of our lives. You must come forward,Or we are lost.Pis.I shall not move.1880Ruf.My lord!My lord! my lord! (A servant has been speaking with Natalis at the door.)NATALIS(to Piso).Here is another come.[Exit Nat.Pis.Bring him in.—(To Ruf.) Nay, Rufus, I shall not move.Why should you come to me? I made no promiseBut this, when Nero is dead, to be your Cæsar.ASPER.The men, my lord, whose hands you grasped in faithNeed your support. A Cæsar we must have;Stand by us or withdraw.Pis.May I ask the nameOf the last speaker?Asp.Asper, my lord.Pis.By heaven!Asper thou art.Re-enter Natalis with Senecio.Nat.Betrayal! betrayal!SENECIO(excitedly). My lords, we are betrayed.All.Betrayed!Pis.Scevinus is it?Seo.No. Proculus,The Admiral. He hath brought to Nero a womanFrom Naples, who was sent to gain him over.LUCAN(aside).Epicharis failed me!Pis.A woman too!Ruf.What names hath she betrayed?Seo.No names at all.She outfaced the Admiral with a lie, and ISwore it was true.Pis.Hath she not mentioned me?Seo.No, my lord, none.Luc.(aside). Well done!1900Pis.Maybe then she knows nothing.Seo.Ay, she knows:She told me.Luc.You?Seo.Yes; me, sir.Pis.What is her name?Seo.Epicharis.Ruf.Who is Epicharis?Pis.Ay, who is she? how came she in the plot?Seo.Lucan perhaps may know.Luc.I have heard the name,And mentioned with my uncle, the physician.If that is what Senecio means, ’tis nought.FLAVUS.Where is she? let us see her.Seo.TigellinusHath her in custody.Ruf.She will be questioned.Fla.We must not wait.Pis.Who, now, is guilty of this?I have other evidence too that your secretHas been ill-kept, gentlemen.—When I sentA messenger to Seneca this morning,He was refused admission.—Seneca knows.LATERANUS.My lords, we are all in danger: there’s no timeTo investigate. Act,—act ere we be lost!Ruf.But how to act?Lat.The plan I have always urged:Remember, sirs, how Julius fell. To-morrowAre the Circensian games, Nero will come:I, under the pretence of some request,Will kneel to him, as Cimber knelt to Cæsar;And as I beg my boon I’ll drag him down,If one of you will slay him.Fla.That will I.Asp.And I.Seo.Or Lord Scevinus.Ruf.Better, Sir,Do without him. And I still hold my plan1925The best, that Cæsar should be asked to supper:Then nought were risked. Once more I pray Lord PisoTo save unneeded bloodshed.Pis.I could not do it:Nor were it wise, in face of the great pitySuch treachery would stir.Asp.And the delay:To-morrow is late.Ruf.Then Lateranus hath it:We adopt his disposition. You, my lord,Must be by dawn to-morrow in Ceres’ templeClad in imperial purple: I with my guardsWill keep the doors; and when the deed is doneWill bring you forth, and lead you through the city,Proclaiming you with shouts.Pis.Well, let it be so.I give consent. Let nothing stop you now:But each man learn his part and act it bravely.Your lives are forfeit. Secrecy and despatch—And now depart.Ruf.Be you in Ceres’ temple.Pis.I understand. I shall await you there.Action, Rufus, is now your only hope;Let nothing stop you. Fail me not.Ruf.Nay, trust me.Lat.Bravo, Lord Piso.Fla. and Asp.Hail, great Cæsar!Pis.Hush!Depart your different ways: be no more seenThan cannot be avoided. I see noneUntil to-morrow.[Exeunt.All(going).To-morrow! to-morrow!SCENE · 5A room in the palace. Enter NERO and TIGELLINUS with a drawn sword(R.).Ner.Fury and Hell! Murder me, would he! A plot,A damnable hellish plot! Stab me! by God,1950Arrest him and fetch him hither.Tig.Bethink you, Cæsar,Now of Epicharis.Ner.Ah, true, by heaven!The impudent drab: she knew it all. Send straightTo the prison, and have her questioned. Rack and fire:Torture truth from her.Tig.I will. Whist! Cæsar, I seeThe man himself.Ner.Come out! he may be armed.We’ll close the doors upon him and shut him in,[Exeunt hastily(L.).">Till we have got assistance.Enter Scevinus and Quintian(R.).SCEVINUS.How the sun shines to-day, Quintian! Great Phœbus,The Python-slayer, smiles upon my deed.QUINTIAN.Hush! walls have ears.Sce.When the gods favour a man,They set his mind at ease: he disregardsYour fearful chances. Think you, Quintian,’Tis the April air intoxicates me so,And floats my head with birdlike confidence?Is it the April morning air? Ah, no;’Tis the air of the eve of liberty.—Is thatNot poetry, good fellow?Qu.Well, they sayOccasion makes a poet of any man.Sce.It pleases me to walk about the palace,And count the columns: with my eye I measureThe carven friezes and gold roofs, and sayAll this is thine, Scevinus: stretch but forthThy hand and take it from its master: give itBack to the world. These busts, Hellenic statues,1975All these are thine, Scevinus! Let us goTo the western court, where we may gaze on Rome.Qu.Ay, if you will.Sce.All this is thine, Scevinus!Open the door!Qu.’Tis closed.Sce.(trying it). Shut fast! ’Tis strange.I never knew this door shut up before.Qu.We can go back the same way we came in,And round by the north corridor.(Going hurriedly back to first door.)Sce.We will.By God, ’tis closed too: fast. We are locked in.Qu.What can it mean?Sce.(going again to the second door). They both are fast.Qu.I hearFootsteps without.Sce.Here, here! my dagger: take it.Qu.Nay, curse thee, I’ll not have it.Sce.They will search me.Qu.Throw it out of the window.Sce.(throwing).So!Qu.They are coming.Sce.By God, Quintian, I forgot. It was the daggerThat should have pierced my heart, if I was taken.Qu.Brave it out. I know nothing.Re-enter Nero and Tigellinus preceded by Guards(L.).Ner.Ha! Quintian too, my feathery Quintian.(To Tig.) What of him, master?Tig.(to Ner.).Send him out.Ner.Begone, sir:And thank thy littleness.[Exit.Qu.I am Cæsar’s slave.Ner.Now, sir, we have thee; we know all: go down,Fall on thy knees. (Sce. kneels.) Confess, and tell me firstWhy in the temple of Capitoline JoveThou didst present and dedicate a sword.Tig.This sword, sir, sharpened too, and tempered freshly.Sce.Most mighty Cæsar, I know not on oathWhy I am treated thus. What of this sword?Ner.Is it not thine?2000Sce.Pray let me see it near.Tig.I’d like to put it, sir, where thou couldst feelMore than thou saw’st of it. Dost see it now?Sce.’Tis mine. O sacred heirloom of my house,Left to my father by my grandfather....Ner.Invoke not thy curst ancestors to me.Sce.It hath been stolen from me: some slave, Cæsar,Knowing the store I set by it, hath purloined it.Tig.One of those thieves whom thou three days agoDidst liberate,—when thou mad’st thy will—? We know.Why didst thou that?Sce.It is the time of yearI fix my household, and reward my servants.And for my will, it is my habit oftTo change the disposition of my goods,As they change, and my friends.Ner.Thou hast changed thy friends,Say’st thou, of late! As for thy change of will,Thy little damnèd will, the estate of felonsPasses to Cæsar at their execution.Tig.And why, sir, shouldst thou lay up in thy houseA store of bandages, styptics and drugsGood for fresh wounds?Sce.I did not: I pray you, Cæsar,Who hath informed against me?Ner.Question me,Wilt thou?Tig.He hath been seen, sire, with Natalis.Sce.Never, I know him not.Ner.Get up, sir.—Take himTo torture, till he tell.Sce.Cæsar, I pray2025Have me not tortured. I am innocent.Ner.Villain, I’ll have thee drawn out limb from limb;And thou shalt taste at leisure from this swordWhat stabbing is. Take him away.Sce.Nay, Cæsar,Have me not tortured. I am innocent.Tig.Take him off, guards.Sce.Indeed I am innocent.[Exeunt Guards carrying off Scevinus.Cæsar, Oh Cæsar!Tig.The informer Milichus, Scevinus’ slave,Saith he was with Natalis, Piso’s man:Shall I seize Piso?Ner.Not yet, no, I am safeHere in the palace. Have the city guarded,And go first to the prison: look thyselfTo the torture of Epicharis: from herLearn all, and bring it to me here. A womanIs delicately nerved: use thy full artMost exquisitely.Tig.She hath confessed by this:I sent at once.Ner.Return then soon.[Exit.Tig.I shall.Ner.A plot! and this contemptible ScevinusI could almost forgive; that woman never.She fooled me to my face, laughed as she fooled me:A Common woman! Cæsar! me! on the eveOf being the ridicule of history:My wisdom a mockery,—my insight,—to the end of timeSchoolboys to laugh at turning of my page,The favourite tale to spice their dreary task.Nero! and I who, when my very mother,She who upraised me, dared to plot against me,Scrupled not, I, for my world-reaching schemesAnd absolute power, I scrupled not to hideSonship in Cæsardom: yes, and for thatHave oped my soul-gates to the powers of hell,And daily face spectres of horror, ghostlyEnvironments, the blue upbraiding lipsOf shadowy forms, that kiss in mockery,And poison peace upon the paths of sleep.To have borne in vain the murderer’s scaring plague,To be by a common woman—killed: I doubt not,Had but occasion served, she would have done it.Have laughed to do it, laughed on when ’twas done.Ah! by that lately-laughing, cherruping mouthShall all her damned conspirators be snared:Yes, and a thousand times shall she scream truth,Ere I will hear; a thousand times shriek forthThe names of those her shrieks shall shriek to hell,Ere she go after them. (Re-enter Tigellinus.) What, Tigellinus!What saith Epicharis?Tig.Nothing.Ner.Nothing?Tig.Nothing.Cæsar will never get a word from her.Ner.Thou hast not killed her, fool?Tig.Nay, Cæsar: but no corpseKeeps better silence.Ner.Where’s thy art, man? UseRack, redhot pincers, the slow fire . . .Tig.Not all together make her give a sound.Ner.Persist.Tig.They do; but ’tis beyond our powerTo match the first pangs; and they moved her not.I came to say we had forgot Senecio.Ner.True: take him.Tig.And to torture?Ner.Rack him well.2080But make this woman speak. Use better art.Tig.I found the torturers sitting round their task:Their zest had cooled. Without a cry or scream’Tis a dull sport.Ner.She is a Christian, then.Tig.The Christians never plot: I think in that,Cæsar, you wrong them.Ner.I? Thou know’st them little:They are the time’s worst plague. I do not careIf they burned Rome or no: were they all burned’Twould richly compensate the world. Hark, friend!The people might be masters; what they lackThis Christ provides. Were I to prophesy,I’d say that should their cursed doctrines spread,They would one day drown all, learning and beauty,Wisdom and rule and art. For that I hate them,And love to destroy them.I AM THEIR ANTI-CHRIST.

The tavern at Naples(as in I. 2).

GRIPUS, MARINERS and SENECIO.

GRIPUS.

ISAY weather permitting: it’s always weather permitting.1568

MARINERS.

1st Mar.There was no weather permitting in it. I heard the Admiral say he had his orders to sail for the Adriatic, and the ships at Formiæ were to join him here last night.

Gri.Weather permitting.

1st M.No: no weather permitting. If it had been weather permitting, would they have put out in the teeth of a sou’-wester? that’s what I look at.

2nd M.No sailor would have done it; least of all Regulus.

Gri.Then ’twas Cæsar’s fault not to have said weather permitting.

3rd M.Eight firstrates: the pick of the fleet.

1st M.Nay, seven, mate. The Ulysses is put in for repairs.

SENECIO.

What is it you talk of, fellows?

1st M.Why, where have you been, sir? Half the fleet’s ashore off Misenum.

Seo.Wrecked?

Gri.Ay, that they be.

Enter Epicharis.

EPICHARIS.

Is it true, Gripus? Is the squadron lost?

Gri.True enough.

Ep.Was the Admiral with them?

1st M.Regulus: ’twas Regulus at Formiæ, lady.

Ep.Not Proculus?

1st M.Nay, he’s with his ships in the bay.

Ep.And the crews?

2nd M.Ther’ll not be many stand up, when they come ashore.

Ep.Poor fellows! And whose fault was this?

Gri.Cæsar’s, I say, lady: and none else.

Seo.Epicharis, see, I am returned. 1600

Ep.Well, I see you, sir. Have you been to Rome and back so soon?

Seo.Yes, my house is pulled down. But I saw the Christians burned.

Ep.Hark, sir; I have news for you. (Takes him aside and speaks with him.)

Enter Proculus.

PROCULUS.

What! a dozen of you fellows here! Up with you! be sharp, and off to the point. See if you can’t be of some use. You may save a life or two yet.

Mar.We have no orders, my lord.

Pro.Where do you expect to find your orders? Go and help your mates. You may get into a scrape yourselves some day.

Mar.Very willing, my lord; so we be sent. (All drain their cups standing.)

Pro.Come, leave your possets.

Mar.Ay, ay, my lord.[Exeunt Mariners.

Pro.Epicharis, wine!

Ep.Gauran, my lord?

Pro.Yes.—And you, sir, I think are the gentleman that begged to go aboard the fleet to get clear of the earthquake. What did I tell you?

Seo.You did not tell me, my lord, that Cæsar ordered you to be shipwrecked. (Epicharis serves Pro. with wine.)

Pro.Well, ’twas his doing: I’ll bear no blame of it. Three days ago it was Cæsar’s intention to go to Greece; we must therefore be ready to meet him at Brundisium. Never had more stringent orders. Now he has forgot all about it, and gone to Rome:and I have lost a third of the fleet for nothing. May all the gods....

Ep.The fire took him to Rome.

Seo.The Romans, my lord, can never spare him long: their bread depends on him.

Pro.Can’t that old shrimper Tigellinus feed ’em on sprats?

Seo.Hi, hi!

Pro.Well, sir!

Seo.I shan’t tell.

Ep.The wine will soothe you, my lord. (Refilling his cup, she signs to Senecio, who goes out.)

Pro.Thank you, lass.

Ep.Did Cæsar give the order himself?

Pro.Don’t talk to me. Ha, that fellow’s gone, is he? He is not one to blab?

Ep.How should I know, my lord?

Pro.What’s his name?

Ep.Senecio.

Pro.Senecio, yes, of course: one of Nero’s intimates: and I called Tigellinus an old shrimper: ’twould cost me my life if he heard it.

Ep.No man is safe.1650

Pro.Nor woman either, Epicharis: guard your tongue.

Ep.I am a Greek, my lord.

Pro.What’s that to serve thee?Ep.Nothing truly; and yetI have no share in Rome’s reproach; I laughRather to see my country’s conquerorsThemselves enslaved. I have no pride in Cæsar:Let him be a madman, one day burn his city,The next day wreck his fleet,—poison his brother,—Murder his mother,—behead his wife,—I care not.Let all his courtiers be curs, and heSing in the theatre.... In Greece a tyrantHad little heart for singing; nay, at nightHe slept not, thinking what undaunted spiritsWere lying wide-awake for torturing shameTill they could kill him.Pro.By Jove, thou hast a tongue!Ep.And they that like it not may cut it out.Pro.Drink with me, lass (offers his cup).Ep.I would I were a RomanBut for one day.Pro.I love thee for thy spirit.Ep.Thou lov’st to hear the words thou dar’st not say.Pro.Well, give me more.Ep.Greek as I am, my lord,And woman, were I now as near to CæsarAs I am to you, I’d stab him to the heart.Pro.I would not stay thee.Ep.But thou wouldst not do it.1675Pro.Bah! thou’rt a Greek to brag what thou wouldst do:I am a Roman, and would do the thingBefore I spake it.Ep.Yet mightst never do it.Pro.Thou know’st me not.Ep.Then none knows thee, my lord.Were there a plot among the brave in Rome,Which they should fear to break to thee, and sayWe know him not, we cannot risk to sound him,A woman might; then should they send a woman,Some woman that thou lov’st, to learn thy mind,What wouldst thou say?Pro.Then were it time to speak.Ep.The brave in Rome have plotted: I am the woman—Their messenger.Pro.What! a conspiracy?’Gainst Cæsar’s life?Ep.They bid thee bring the navy.Pro.Art thou in earnest?Ep.I am a Greek, my lord;And risk my life for Roman liberty.Pro.What are their names?Ep.The best in Rome.Pro.Who are they?Ep.In time I’ll tell their names.Pro.And what the plot?Ep.In three days Cæsar will be slain: ’tis askedOf thee that thou wilt bring thy ships to Ostia,And seize the granaries till Rome is ours.Pro.What are their names?Ep.With fair securityI will tell all.Pro.And what securityFor me?Ep.Enough, my lord, even in this riskTo well content thee.Pro.Tell me the chief names.Ep.When I have won thee.Pro.Thou hast won me: tell.Ep.In good time all.Pro.What would they have me do?Ep.First bring the officers whose names are hereTo meet me here to-night. Then I shall seeWho is to trust.(Giving a paper)Pro.(reading the paper). Give me the names of thoseWho sent thee.Ep.In good time.Pro.I would not harm thee.Ep.Thou canst not.Pro.See, Epicharis, I’ll help theeOut of this mischief. Give me up the names,And thou shalt be informer.Ep.Ah, Proculus,Play not that part; thou that so oft in secretHast cursed the tyrant to me; now play notThat part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus,To the nobleness within thee, that hast not onlyA heart sufficient, but in face and figureLookest the hero: thou that mightest standFor a statue of Brutus, and outdo the manAs nature made him: Be thou from this dayNamed with the noblest; Proculus the brave,Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and deliveredRomans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thouBe Proculus the futile; Proculus,Who aided first infamous AnicetusTo murder Agrippina, and then perceivingRemorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool,Sought to win favour of the parricide,—And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,—1725And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved,On the eve of liberty?Pro.That day’s not come.Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety.To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome:In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar.Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free,And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready[Exit.In one hour hence.Ep.Ah, wretched Roman slave,Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way;Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too,If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus:He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest.But what care I for thee? what is’t to meThat Piso be set up on Nero’s throne?Only make void that throne, only tear outThat monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus,I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my taleReady, and false Senecio for my witness.[Exit.Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour.SCENE · 2A street in Rome.Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS.SCEVINUS.No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.I am sworn.LATERANUS.Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet.Sce.I know there’s not a man among you allDurst risk his life but I. I have made my will:I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,Dies by this hand to-day.NATALIS.For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!Have patience. Piso is unprepared.1750Lat.Scevinus,Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voiceOf the party.—We do not choose thee.—Sce.Whóm chóose ye?Lat.No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needsMore judgment than thou usest.Nat.And more caution.Sce.Caution and judgment are for cowards. By GodI have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.Nat.(to Lat.). We must prevent him.Lat.(to Nat.).Shall we seize him?Sce.My lords,I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,And make him ready: I shall to the palaceTo screen my purpose in some usual conduct.[Exit.To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well.Lat.Come after him, Natalis: we must makeA show of yielding, and delude him gently[Exeunt.By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all.SCENE · 3A room in the palace. NERO and POPPÆA meeting.NERO.Empress! the emperor of the world salutes thee,Bows to thee.POPPÆA.And embraceth?Ner.And embraceth.—Didst thou sleep well in thy new chamber?Pop.I did.Ner.How doth it please?Pop.’Tis fine. It hath no fault,Save that it lies so far from thine.Ner.In thatSee how I trust thee.Pop.I shall need my litterIn this new palace: ’tis a morning’s journeyFrom end to end. What distances!Ner.Yes, space:Grandeur in space: we cannot emulateStarry distinctions and ethereal peace;1775Mortal conditions hamper us . . . yet I’ll teachThe world what may be done; and my new RomeShall stand for a type: the streets all laid out broad,Straight and intelligible; and all the housesOf fireproof stone from Alba and Gabii.In four years ’twill be finished.Pop.Four whole yearsOf rubbish-heaps and hammering?Ner.Come seeThe plans in the library.Pop.Would you believeThe plans of architects can cheer a woman?Ner.If thou wert happy thou wouldst love to seeAll that I do, and for my sake admire.I wish that thou wert happier. Think, Poppæa,What cause thou hast, being for thy peerless beautyChosen the world’s Augusta. I could wishThou didst smile oftener.Pop.Well, consider, love,I have cause for care.Ner.I wish that thou couldst sing:Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once,When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm,How I diverted thee with sprightly music?Then I should love if, when I came to see thee,I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber....(Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily.)Who’s there? (Vatinius gives a note to Nero.)(Reads.) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from NaplesWith secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’(To Vat.) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady,[Exit Vat.Whichever is most secret—or all three.(To Poppæa, who is going.) Thou needst not go, love.Pop.Why! if ’tis a lady.Ner.Pooh! ’tis some state affair.[Exit.Pop.I hate affairs.Ner.Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly!And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn1805To rid the world of this and all its plagues!Enter Tigellinus with Proculus and Epicharis; Vatinius following.Ner.Good-day, Lord Proculus; what brings you here?PROCULUS.Forgive the intrusion, Cæsar.Ner.The lady’s looksAre ample excuse. You ask leave to be married?Pro.Nay, Cæsar; I accuse her.Ner.Bravo! divorce?TIGELLINUS(aside to Nero).His story is urgent.Ner.What is it?EPICHARIS.Mighty Cæsar,This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish chargeNot worth your ear. I have a witness with meWould make short matter of it, might he enter.Ner.By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back?His name?Ep.Senecio.Ner.Good. We know him, lady.Vatinius, fetch him in. (Exit Vat.) What is the charge?Pro.This woman, sire....Ner.(interrupting). What is thy name, fair lady?Ep.Epicharis, your majesty.Pro.This ladyWas known to me at Naples.Ner.I understand:Spare your excuses.Pro.At a tavern.Ner.Ho!You sailors! (Vat. re-enters with Senecio.)(To Epicharis) See your witness, lady, is come.Pro.She took occasion of her intimacyTo draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life.Ner.Ha!Pro.Entrusted by conspirators at RomeThree days ago to tamper with me.Ner.By heaven!And thou dost laugh? (to Epic.)Ep.Will Cæsar hear the end?Ner.(to Pro.). Give me the names at once.Pro.I know no names,Cæsar; she would not tell.Ner.No names? and whomWert thou then to conspire with?Pro.She would tellNothing of her confederates, unlessI brought together certain officers,Whose loyalty I know suspicious.Ner.Dost thou? By God,I’ll have théir names.Pro.I was to sail to Rome,And seize the granaries.Ner.Enough. Now, madam;What dost thou answer?Ep.If Cæsar need an answerTo a charge so empty, ’tis enough to sayI have never been in Rome.Ner.’Tis not enough.Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the senseHe avers?Ep.I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardonFor jesting with his name.Ner.Thou didst? and why?Ep.Here is my witness; Lord SenecioWill say that my story is true. Holding with himSome talk of Proculus, I laid a wagerThat I could make the Admiral believeAnything, no matter how ridiculous:And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in,And if I went too far, ’twas in my fearTo lose my money.Ner.Is this so, Senecio?SENECIO.’Twas so, sire; I backed the Admiral, and lost.Ner.(to Proc.). You sailors are so clumsy. You are a fool.Pro.Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest:She would outface me.VATINIUS.As Octavia didThat old sea-mutton Anicetus.Tig.Hish!Ner.First, sir,Send me these same suspicious officers.Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy taleSo much respect,—she goes not free. (To Tig.) Good master,Keep her in custody.Ep.(aside to Proculus). Hear me! I warn thee.Join, or be first to die!Pro.Now, Cæsar, againShe invites me to conspire.Ner.Come, man; she mocks thee:She hath won the privilege. (To Tig.) Take her away;But treat her well. You follow me: I goTo judge the cases argued yesterday.No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest,When others are all jesting.[Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus and Vatinius with Nero.SCENE · 4A room in Piso’s house.Enter PISO with NATALIS.PISO(at door).Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them.[Exit Nat.’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five,Five of them here together! ’tis enoughTo damn an innocent: mere informationBy any vagabond. Why should they come?Re-enter Natalis with Rufus, Lateranus, Lucan, Flavus and Asper.Come in, my lords; come in.All.Good-day, Lord Piso.Pis.Your purpose, gentlemen? Ye would not comeIn such a dangerous body to my houseWithout great cause.RUFUS.’Tis urgency, my lord.We have met to-day, and voted with one voiceImmediate action. That madman ScevinusHath taken the whole affair upon himself,And full of mystery walks at large, paradingHis self-importance; wearing on his faceThe secret of our lives. You must come forward,Or we are lost.Pis.I shall not move.1880Ruf.My lord!My lord! my lord! (A servant has been speaking with Natalis at the door.)NATALIS(to Piso).Here is another come.[Exit Nat.Pis.Bring him in.—(To Ruf.) Nay, Rufus, I shall not move.Why should you come to me? I made no promiseBut this, when Nero is dead, to be your Cæsar.ASPER.The men, my lord, whose hands you grasped in faithNeed your support. A Cæsar we must have;Stand by us or withdraw.Pis.May I ask the nameOf the last speaker?Asp.Asper, my lord.Pis.By heaven!Asper thou art.Re-enter Natalis with Senecio.Nat.Betrayal! betrayal!SENECIO(excitedly). My lords, we are betrayed.All.Betrayed!Pis.Scevinus is it?Seo.No. Proculus,The Admiral. He hath brought to Nero a womanFrom Naples, who was sent to gain him over.LUCAN(aside).Epicharis failed me!Pis.A woman too!Ruf.What names hath she betrayed?Seo.No names at all.She outfaced the Admiral with a lie, and ISwore it was true.Pis.Hath she not mentioned me?Seo.No, my lord, none.Luc.(aside). Well done!1900Pis.Maybe then she knows nothing.Seo.Ay, she knows:She told me.Luc.You?Seo.Yes; me, sir.Pis.What is her name?Seo.Epicharis.Ruf.Who is Epicharis?Pis.Ay, who is she? how came she in the plot?Seo.Lucan perhaps may know.Luc.I have heard the name,And mentioned with my uncle, the physician.If that is what Senecio means, ’tis nought.FLAVUS.Where is she? let us see her.Seo.TigellinusHath her in custody.Ruf.She will be questioned.Fla.We must not wait.Pis.Who, now, is guilty of this?I have other evidence too that your secretHas been ill-kept, gentlemen.—When I sentA messenger to Seneca this morning,He was refused admission.—Seneca knows.LATERANUS.My lords, we are all in danger: there’s no timeTo investigate. Act,—act ere we be lost!Ruf.But how to act?Lat.The plan I have always urged:Remember, sirs, how Julius fell. To-morrowAre the Circensian games, Nero will come:I, under the pretence of some request,Will kneel to him, as Cimber knelt to Cæsar;And as I beg my boon I’ll drag him down,If one of you will slay him.Fla.That will I.Asp.And I.Seo.Or Lord Scevinus.Ruf.Better, Sir,Do without him. And I still hold my plan1925The best, that Cæsar should be asked to supper:Then nought were risked. Once more I pray Lord PisoTo save unneeded bloodshed.Pis.I could not do it:Nor were it wise, in face of the great pitySuch treachery would stir.Asp.And the delay:To-morrow is late.Ruf.Then Lateranus hath it:We adopt his disposition. You, my lord,Must be by dawn to-morrow in Ceres’ templeClad in imperial purple: I with my guardsWill keep the doors; and when the deed is doneWill bring you forth, and lead you through the city,Proclaiming you with shouts.Pis.Well, let it be so.I give consent. Let nothing stop you now:But each man learn his part and act it bravely.Your lives are forfeit. Secrecy and despatch—And now depart.Ruf.Be you in Ceres’ temple.Pis.I understand. I shall await you there.Action, Rufus, is now your only hope;Let nothing stop you. Fail me not.Ruf.Nay, trust me.Lat.Bravo, Lord Piso.Fla. and Asp.Hail, great Cæsar!Pis.Hush!Depart your different ways: be no more seenThan cannot be avoided. I see noneUntil to-morrow.[Exeunt.All(going).To-morrow! to-morrow!

Pro.What’s that to serve thee?

Ep.Nothing truly; and yetI have no share in Rome’s reproach; I laughRather to see my country’s conquerorsThemselves enslaved. I have no pride in Cæsar:Let him be a madman, one day burn his city,The next day wreck his fleet,—poison his brother,—Murder his mother,—behead his wife,—I care not.Let all his courtiers be curs, and heSing in the theatre.... In Greece a tyrantHad little heart for singing; nay, at nightHe slept not, thinking what undaunted spiritsWere lying wide-awake for torturing shameTill they could kill him.

Ep.Nothing truly; and yet

I have no share in Rome’s reproach; I laugh

Rather to see my country’s conquerors

Themselves enslaved. I have no pride in Cæsar:

Let him be a madman, one day burn his city,

The next day wreck his fleet,—poison his brother,—

Murder his mother,—behead his wife,—I care not.

Let all his courtiers be curs, and he

Sing in the theatre.... In Greece a tyrant

Had little heart for singing; nay, at night

He slept not, thinking what undaunted spirits

Were lying wide-awake for torturing shame

Till they could kill him.

Pro.By Jove, thou hast a tongue!

Ep.And they that like it not may cut it out.

Pro.Drink with me, lass (offers his cup).

Ep.I would I were a RomanBut for one day.

Ep.I would I were a Roman

But for one day.

Pro.I love thee for thy spirit.

Ep.Thou lov’st to hear the words thou dar’st not say.

Pro.Well, give me more.

Ep.Greek as I am, my lord,And woman, were I now as near to CæsarAs I am to you, I’d stab him to the heart.

Ep.Greek as I am, my lord,

And woman, were I now as near to Cæsar

As I am to you, I’d stab him to the heart.

Pro.I would not stay thee.

Ep.But thou wouldst not do it.

1675Pro.Bah! thou’rt a Greek to brag what thou wouldst do:I am a Roman, and would do the thingBefore I spake it.

Pro.Bah! thou’rt a Greek to brag what thou wouldst do:

I am a Roman, and would do the thing

Before I spake it.

Ep.Yet mightst never do it.

Pro.Thou know’st me not.

Ep.Then none knows thee, my lord.Were there a plot among the brave in Rome,Which they should fear to break to thee, and sayWe know him not, we cannot risk to sound him,A woman might; then should they send a woman,Some woman that thou lov’st, to learn thy mind,What wouldst thou say?

Ep.Then none knows thee, my lord.

Were there a plot among the brave in Rome,

Which they should fear to break to thee, and say

We know him not, we cannot risk to sound him,

A woman might; then should they send a woman,

Some woman that thou lov’st, to learn thy mind,

What wouldst thou say?

Pro.Then were it time to speak.

Ep.The brave in Rome have plotted: I am the woman—Their messenger.

Ep.The brave in Rome have plotted: I am the woman—

Their messenger.

Pro.What! a conspiracy?’Gainst Cæsar’s life?

Pro.What! a conspiracy?

’Gainst Cæsar’s life?

Ep.They bid thee bring the navy.

Pro.Art thou in earnest?

Ep.I am a Greek, my lord;And risk my life for Roman liberty.

Ep.I am a Greek, my lord;

And risk my life for Roman liberty.

Pro.What are their names?

Ep.The best in Rome.

Pro.Who are they?

Ep.In time I’ll tell their names.

Pro.And what the plot?

Ep.In three days Cæsar will be slain: ’tis askedOf thee that thou wilt bring thy ships to Ostia,And seize the granaries till Rome is ours.

Ep.In three days Cæsar will be slain: ’tis asked

Of thee that thou wilt bring thy ships to Ostia,

And seize the granaries till Rome is ours.

Pro.What are their names?

Ep.With fair securityI will tell all.

Ep.With fair security

I will tell all.

Pro.And what securityFor me?

Pro.And what security

For me?

Ep.Enough, my lord, even in this riskTo well content thee.

Ep.Enough, my lord, even in this risk

To well content thee.

Pro.Tell me the chief names.

Ep.When I have won thee.

Pro.Thou hast won me: tell.

Ep.In good time all.

Pro.What would they have me do?

Ep.First bring the officers whose names are hereTo meet me here to-night. Then I shall seeWho is to trust.(Giving a paper)

Ep.First bring the officers whose names are here

To meet me here to-night. Then I shall see

Who is to trust.

(Giving a paper)

Pro.(reading the paper). Give me the names of thoseWho sent thee.

Pro.(reading the paper). Give me the names of those

Who sent thee.

Ep.In good time.

Pro.I would not harm thee.

Ep.Thou canst not.

Pro.See, Epicharis, I’ll help theeOut of this mischief. Give me up the names,And thou shalt be informer.

Pro.See, Epicharis, I’ll help thee

Out of this mischief. Give me up the names,

And thou shalt be informer.

Ep.Ah, Proculus,Play not that part; thou that so oft in secretHast cursed the tyrant to me; now play notThat part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus,To the nobleness within thee, that hast not onlyA heart sufficient, but in face and figureLookest the hero: thou that mightest standFor a statue of Brutus, and outdo the manAs nature made him: Be thou from this dayNamed with the noblest; Proculus the brave,Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and deliveredRomans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thouBe Proculus the futile; Proculus,Who aided first infamous AnicetusTo murder Agrippina, and then perceivingRemorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool,Sought to win favour of the parricide,—And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,—1725And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved,On the eve of liberty?

Ep.Ah, Proculus,

Play not that part; thou that so oft in secret

Hast cursed the tyrant to me; now play not

That part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus,

To the nobleness within thee, that hast not only

A heart sufficient, but in face and figure

Lookest the hero: thou that mightest stand

For a statue of Brutus, and outdo the man

As nature made him: Be thou from this day

Named with the noblest; Proculus the brave,

Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and delivered

Romans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thou

Be Proculus the futile; Proculus,

Who aided first infamous Anicetus

To murder Agrippina, and then perceiving

Remorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool,

Sought to win favour of the parricide,—

And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,—

And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved,

On the eve of liberty?

Pro.That day’s not come.Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety.To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome:In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar.Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free,And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready[Exit.In one hour hence.

Pro.That day’s not come.

Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety.

To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome:

In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar.

Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free,

And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready

In one hour hence.

Ep.Ah, wretched Roman slave,Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way;Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too,If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus:He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest.But what care I for thee? what is’t to meThat Piso be set up on Nero’s throne?Only make void that throne, only tear outThat monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus,I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my taleReady, and false Senecio for my witness.[Exit.Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour.

Ep.Ah, wretched Roman slave,

Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way;

Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too,

If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus:

He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest.

But what care I for thee? what is’t to me

That Piso be set up on Nero’s throne?

Only make void that throne, only tear out

That monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus,

I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my tale

Ready, and false Senecio for my witness.

Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour.

A street in Rome.Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS.SCEVINUS.

A street in Rome.

Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS.

SCEVINUS.

No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.I am sworn.

No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.

I am sworn.

LATERANUS.

Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet.

Sce.I know there’s not a man among you allDurst risk his life but I. I have made my will:I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,Dies by this hand to-day.

Sce.I know there’s not a man among you all

Durst risk his life but I. I have made my will:

I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,

Dies by this hand to-day.

NATALIS.

For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!Have patience. Piso is unprepared.

For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!

Have patience. Piso is unprepared.

1750Lat.Scevinus,Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voiceOf the party.—We do not choose thee.—

Lat.Scevinus,

Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voice

Of the party.—We do not choose thee.—

Sce.Whóm chóose ye?

Lat.No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needsMore judgment than thou usest.

Lat.No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needs

More judgment than thou usest.

Nat.And more caution.

Sce.Caution and judgment are for cowards. By GodI have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.

Sce.Caution and judgment are for cowards. By God

I have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.

Nat.(to Lat.). We must prevent him.

Lat.(to Nat.).Shall we seize him?

Sce.My lords,I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,And make him ready: I shall to the palaceTo screen my purpose in some usual conduct.[Exit.To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well.

Sce.My lords,

I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,

And make him ready: I shall to the palace

To screen my purpose in some usual conduct.

To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well.

Lat.Come after him, Natalis: we must makeA show of yielding, and delude him gently[Exeunt.By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all.

Lat.Come after him, Natalis: we must make

A show of yielding, and delude him gently

By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all.

A room in the palace. NERO and POPPÆA meeting.NERO.

A room in the palace. NERO and POPPÆA meeting.

NERO.

Empress! the emperor of the world salutes thee,Bows to thee.

Empress! the emperor of the world salutes thee,

Bows to thee.

POPPÆA.

And embraceth?

Ner.And embraceth.—Didst thou sleep well in thy new chamber?

Ner.And embraceth.—

Didst thou sleep well in thy new chamber?

Pop.I did.

Ner.How doth it please?

Pop.’Tis fine. It hath no fault,Save that it lies so far from thine.

Pop.’Tis fine. It hath no fault,

Save that it lies so far from thine.

Ner.In thatSee how I trust thee.

Ner.In that

See how I trust thee.

Pop.I shall need my litterIn this new palace: ’tis a morning’s journeyFrom end to end. What distances!

Pop.I shall need my litter

In this new palace: ’tis a morning’s journey

From end to end. What distances!

Ner.Yes, space:Grandeur in space: we cannot emulateStarry distinctions and ethereal peace;1775Mortal conditions hamper us . . . yet I’ll teachThe world what may be done; and my new RomeShall stand for a type: the streets all laid out broad,Straight and intelligible; and all the housesOf fireproof stone from Alba and Gabii.In four years ’twill be finished.

Ner.Yes, space:

Grandeur in space: we cannot emulate

Starry distinctions and ethereal peace;

Mortal conditions hamper us . . . yet I’ll teach

The world what may be done; and my new Rome

Shall stand for a type: the streets all laid out broad,

Straight and intelligible; and all the houses

Of fireproof stone from Alba and Gabii.

In four years ’twill be finished.

Pop.Four whole yearsOf rubbish-heaps and hammering?

Pop.Four whole years

Of rubbish-heaps and hammering?

Ner.Come seeThe plans in the library.

Ner.Come see

The plans in the library.

Pop.Would you believeThe plans of architects can cheer a woman?

Pop.Would you believe

The plans of architects can cheer a woman?

Ner.If thou wert happy thou wouldst love to seeAll that I do, and for my sake admire.I wish that thou wert happier. Think, Poppæa,What cause thou hast, being for thy peerless beautyChosen the world’s Augusta. I could wishThou didst smile oftener.

Ner.If thou wert happy thou wouldst love to see

All that I do, and for my sake admire.

I wish that thou wert happier. Think, Poppæa,

What cause thou hast, being for thy peerless beauty

Chosen the world’s Augusta. I could wish

Thou didst smile oftener.

Pop.Well, consider, love,I have cause for care.

Pop.Well, consider, love,

I have cause for care.

Ner.I wish that thou couldst sing:Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once,When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm,How I diverted thee with sprightly music?Then I should love if, when I came to see thee,I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber....(Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily.)Who’s there? (Vatinius gives a note to Nero.)(Reads.) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from NaplesWith secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’(To Vat.) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady,[Exit Vat.Whichever is most secret—or all three.(To Poppæa, who is going.) Thou needst not go, love.

Ner.I wish that thou couldst sing:

Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once,

When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm,

How I diverted thee with sprightly music?

Then I should love if, when I came to see thee,

I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber....

(Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily.)

Who’s there? (Vatinius gives a note to Nero.)

(Reads.) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from Naples

With secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’

(To Vat.) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady,

Whichever is most secret—or all three.

(To Poppæa, who is going.) Thou needst not go, love.

Pop.Why! if ’tis a lady.

Ner.Pooh! ’tis some state affair.

[Exit.Pop.I hate affairs.

Pop.I hate affairs.

Ner.Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly!And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn1805To rid the world of this and all its plagues!

Ner.Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly!

And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn

To rid the world of this and all its plagues!

Enter Tigellinus with Proculus and Epicharis; Vatinius following.

Ner.Good-day, Lord Proculus; what brings you here?

PROCULUS.Forgive the intrusion, Cæsar.

Ner.The lady’s looksAre ample excuse. You ask leave to be married?

Ner.The lady’s looks

Are ample excuse. You ask leave to be married?

Pro.Nay, Cæsar; I accuse her.

Ner.Bravo! divorce?

TIGELLINUS(aside to Nero).

His story is urgent.

Ner.What is it?

EPICHARIS.Mighty Cæsar,This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish chargeNot worth your ear. I have a witness with meWould make short matter of it, might he enter.

EPICHARIS.Mighty Cæsar,

This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish charge

Not worth your ear. I have a witness with me

Would make short matter of it, might he enter.

Ner.By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back?His name?

Ner.By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back?

His name?

Ep.Senecio.

Ner.Good. We know him, lady.Vatinius, fetch him in. (Exit Vat.) What is the charge?

Ner.Good. We know him, lady.

Vatinius, fetch him in. (Exit Vat.) What is the charge?

Pro.This woman, sire....

Ner.(interrupting). What is thy name, fair lady?

Ep.Epicharis, your majesty.

Pro.This ladyWas known to me at Naples.

Pro.This lady

Was known to me at Naples.

Ner.I understand:Spare your excuses.

Ner.I understand:

Spare your excuses.

Pro.At a tavern.

Ner.Ho!You sailors! (Vat. re-enters with Senecio.)(To Epicharis) See your witness, lady, is come.

Ner.Ho!

You sailors! (Vat. re-enters with Senecio.)

(To Epicharis) See your witness, lady, is come.

Pro.She took occasion of her intimacyTo draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life.

Pro.She took occasion of her intimacy

To draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life.

Ner.Ha!

Pro.Entrusted by conspirators at RomeThree days ago to tamper with me.

Pro.Entrusted by conspirators at Rome

Three days ago to tamper with me.

Ner.By heaven!And thou dost laugh? (to Epic.)

Ner.By heaven!

And thou dost laugh? (to Epic.)

Ep.Will Cæsar hear the end?

Ner.(to Pro.). Give me the names at once.

Pro.I know no names,Cæsar; she would not tell.

Pro.I know no names,

Cæsar; she would not tell.

Ner.No names? and whomWert thou then to conspire with?

Ner.No names? and whom

Wert thou then to conspire with?

Pro.She would tellNothing of her confederates, unlessI brought together certain officers,Whose loyalty I know suspicious.

Pro.She would tell

Nothing of her confederates, unless

I brought together certain officers,

Whose loyalty I know suspicious.

Ner.Dost thou? By God,I’ll have théir names.

Ner.Dost thou? By God,

I’ll have théir names.

Pro.I was to sail to Rome,And seize the granaries.

Pro.I was to sail to Rome,

And seize the granaries.

Ner.Enough. Now, madam;What dost thou answer?

Ner.Enough. Now, madam;

What dost thou answer?

Ep.If Cæsar need an answerTo a charge so empty, ’tis enough to sayI have never been in Rome.

Ep.If Cæsar need an answer

To a charge so empty, ’tis enough to say

I have never been in Rome.

Ner.’Tis not enough.Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the senseHe avers?

Ner.’Tis not enough.

Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the sense

He avers?

Ep.I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardonFor jesting with his name.

Ep.I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardon

For jesting with his name.

Ner.Thou didst? and why?

Ep.Here is my witness; Lord SenecioWill say that my story is true. Holding with himSome talk of Proculus, I laid a wagerThat I could make the Admiral believeAnything, no matter how ridiculous:And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in,And if I went too far, ’twas in my fearTo lose my money.

Ep.Here is my witness; Lord Senecio

Will say that my story is true. Holding with him

Some talk of Proculus, I laid a wager

That I could make the Admiral believe

Anything, no matter how ridiculous:

And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in,

And if I went too far, ’twas in my fear

To lose my money.

Ner.Is this so, Senecio?

SENECIO.

’Twas so, sire; I backed the Admiral, and lost.

Ner.(to Proc.). You sailors are so clumsy. You are a fool.

Pro.Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest:She would outface me.

Pro.Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest:

She would outface me.

VATINIUS.

As Octavia didThat old sea-mutton Anicetus.

As Octavia did

That old sea-mutton Anicetus.

Tig.Hish!

Ner.First, sir,Send me these same suspicious officers.Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy taleSo much respect,—she goes not free. (To Tig.) Good master,Keep her in custody.

Ner.First, sir,

Send me these same suspicious officers.

Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy tale

So much respect,—she goes not free. (To Tig.) Good master,

Keep her in custody.

Ep.(aside to Proculus). Hear me! I warn thee.Join, or be first to die!

Ep.(aside to Proculus). Hear me! I warn thee.

Join, or be first to die!

Pro.Now, Cæsar, againShe invites me to conspire.

Pro.Now, Cæsar, again

She invites me to conspire.

Ner.Come, man; she mocks thee:She hath won the privilege. (To Tig.) Take her away;But treat her well. You follow me: I goTo judge the cases argued yesterday.No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest,When others are all jesting.[Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus and Vatinius with Nero.

Ner.Come, man; she mocks thee:

She hath won the privilege. (To Tig.) Take her away;

But treat her well. You follow me: I go

To judge the cases argued yesterday.

No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest,

When others are all jesting.

[Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus and Vatinius with Nero.

A room in Piso’s house.Enter PISO with NATALIS.PISO(at door).

A room in Piso’s house.

Enter PISO with NATALIS.

PISO(at door).

Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them.[Exit Nat.’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five,Five of them here together! ’tis enoughTo damn an innocent: mere informationBy any vagabond. Why should they come?

Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them.

[Exit Nat.

’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five,

Five of them here together! ’tis enough

To damn an innocent: mere information

By any vagabond. Why should they come?

Re-enter Natalis with Rufus, Lateranus, Lucan, Flavus and Asper.

Come in, my lords; come in.

All.Good-day, Lord Piso.

Pis.Your purpose, gentlemen? Ye would not comeIn such a dangerous body to my houseWithout great cause.

Pis.Your purpose, gentlemen? Ye would not come

In such a dangerous body to my house

Without great cause.

RUFUS.

’Tis urgency, my lord.We have met to-day, and voted with one voiceImmediate action. That madman ScevinusHath taken the whole affair upon himself,And full of mystery walks at large, paradingHis self-importance; wearing on his faceThe secret of our lives. You must come forward,Or we are lost.

’Tis urgency, my lord.

We have met to-day, and voted with one voice

Immediate action. That madman Scevinus

Hath taken the whole affair upon himself,

And full of mystery walks at large, parading

His self-importance; wearing on his face

The secret of our lives. You must come forward,

Or we are lost.

Pis.I shall not move.

1880Ruf.My lord!My lord! my lord! (A servant has been speaking with Natalis at the door.)

Ruf.My lord!

My lord! my lord! (A servant has been speaking with Natalis at the door.)

NATALIS(to Piso).

Here is another come.

[Exit Nat.Pis.Bring him in.—(To Ruf.) Nay, Rufus, I shall not move.Why should you come to me? I made no promiseBut this, when Nero is dead, to be your Cæsar.

Pis.Bring him in.—(To Ruf.) Nay, Rufus, I shall not move.

Why should you come to me? I made no promise

But this, when Nero is dead, to be your Cæsar.

ASPER.

The men, my lord, whose hands you grasped in faithNeed your support. A Cæsar we must have;Stand by us or withdraw.

The men, my lord, whose hands you grasped in faith

Need your support. A Cæsar we must have;

Stand by us or withdraw.

Pis.May I ask the nameOf the last speaker?

Pis.May I ask the name

Of the last speaker?

Asp.Asper, my lord.

Pis.By heaven!Asper thou art.

Pis.By heaven!

Asper thou art.

Re-enter Natalis with Senecio.

Nat.Betrayal! betrayal!

SENECIO(excitedly). My lords, we are betrayed.

All.Betrayed!

Pis.Scevinus is it?

Seo.No. Proculus,The Admiral. He hath brought to Nero a womanFrom Naples, who was sent to gain him over.

Seo.No. Proculus,

The Admiral. He hath brought to Nero a woman

From Naples, who was sent to gain him over.

LUCAN(aside).

Epicharis failed me!

Pis.A woman too!

Ruf.What names hath she betrayed?

Seo.No names at all.She outfaced the Admiral with a lie, and ISwore it was true.

Seo.No names at all.

She outfaced the Admiral with a lie, and I

Swore it was true.

Pis.Hath she not mentioned me?

Seo.No, my lord, none.

Luc.(aside). Well done!

1900Pis.Maybe then she knows nothing.

Pis.Maybe then she knows nothing.

Seo.Ay, she knows:She told me.

Seo.Ay, she knows:

She told me.

Luc.You?

Seo.Yes; me, sir.

Pis.What is her name?

Seo.Epicharis.

Ruf.Who is Epicharis?

Pis.Ay, who is she? how came she in the plot?

Seo.Lucan perhaps may know.

Luc.I have heard the name,And mentioned with my uncle, the physician.If that is what Senecio means, ’tis nought.

Luc.I have heard the name,

And mentioned with my uncle, the physician.

If that is what Senecio means, ’tis nought.

FLAVUS.

Where is she? let us see her.

Seo.TigellinusHath her in custody.

Seo.Tigellinus

Hath her in custody.

Ruf.She will be questioned.

Fla.We must not wait.

Pis.Who, now, is guilty of this?I have other evidence too that your secretHas been ill-kept, gentlemen.—When I sentA messenger to Seneca this morning,He was refused admission.—Seneca knows.

Pis.Who, now, is guilty of this?

I have other evidence too that your secret

Has been ill-kept, gentlemen.—When I sent

A messenger to Seneca this morning,

He was refused admission.—Seneca knows.

LATERANUS.

My lords, we are all in danger: there’s no timeTo investigate. Act,—act ere we be lost!

My lords, we are all in danger: there’s no time

To investigate. Act,—act ere we be lost!

Ruf.But how to act?

Lat.The plan I have always urged:Remember, sirs, how Julius fell. To-morrowAre the Circensian games, Nero will come:I, under the pretence of some request,Will kneel to him, as Cimber knelt to Cæsar;And as I beg my boon I’ll drag him down,If one of you will slay him.

Lat.The plan I have always urged:

Remember, sirs, how Julius fell. To-morrow

Are the Circensian games, Nero will come:

I, under the pretence of some request,

Will kneel to him, as Cimber knelt to Cæsar;

And as I beg my boon I’ll drag him down,

If one of you will slay him.

Fla.That will I.

Asp.And I.

Seo.Or Lord Scevinus.

Ruf.Better, Sir,Do without him. And I still hold my plan1925The best, that Cæsar should be asked to supper:Then nought were risked. Once more I pray Lord PisoTo save unneeded bloodshed.

Ruf.Better, Sir,

Do without him. And I still hold my plan

The best, that Cæsar should be asked to supper:

Then nought were risked. Once more I pray Lord Piso

To save unneeded bloodshed.

Pis.I could not do it:Nor were it wise, in face of the great pitySuch treachery would stir.

Pis.I could not do it:

Nor were it wise, in face of the great pity

Such treachery would stir.

Asp.And the delay:To-morrow is late.

Asp.And the delay:

To-morrow is late.

Ruf.Then Lateranus hath it:We adopt his disposition. You, my lord,Must be by dawn to-morrow in Ceres’ templeClad in imperial purple: I with my guardsWill keep the doors; and when the deed is doneWill bring you forth, and lead you through the city,Proclaiming you with shouts.

Ruf.Then Lateranus hath it:

We adopt his disposition. You, my lord,

Must be by dawn to-morrow in Ceres’ temple

Clad in imperial purple: I with my guards

Will keep the doors; and when the deed is done

Will bring you forth, and lead you through the city,

Proclaiming you with shouts.

Pis.Well, let it be so.I give consent. Let nothing stop you now:But each man learn his part and act it bravely.Your lives are forfeit. Secrecy and despatch—And now depart.

Pis.Well, let it be so.

I give consent. Let nothing stop you now:

But each man learn his part and act it bravely.

Your lives are forfeit. Secrecy and despatch—

And now depart.

Ruf.Be you in Ceres’ temple.

Pis.I understand. I shall await you there.Action, Rufus, is now your only hope;Let nothing stop you. Fail me not.

Pis.I understand. I shall await you there.

Action, Rufus, is now your only hope;

Let nothing stop you. Fail me not.

Ruf.Nay, trust me.

Lat.Bravo, Lord Piso.

Fla. and Asp.Hail, great Cæsar!

Pis.Hush!Depart your different ways: be no more seenThan cannot be avoided. I see noneUntil to-morrow.

Pis.Hush!

Depart your different ways: be no more seen

Than cannot be avoided. I see none

Until to-morrow.

[Exeunt.All(going).To-morrow! to-morrow!

All(going).To-morrow! to-morrow!

A room in the palace. Enter NERO and TIGELLINUS with a drawn sword(R.).Ner.Fury and Hell! Murder me, would he! A plot,A damnable hellish plot! Stab me! by God,1950Arrest him and fetch him hither.Tig.Bethink you, Cæsar,Now of Epicharis.Ner.Ah, true, by heaven!The impudent drab: she knew it all. Send straightTo the prison, and have her questioned. Rack and fire:Torture truth from her.Tig.I will. Whist! Cæsar, I seeThe man himself.Ner.Come out! he may be armed.We’ll close the doors upon him and shut him in,[Exeunt hastily(L.).">Till we have got assistance.Enter Scevinus and Quintian(R.).SCEVINUS.How the sun shines to-day, Quintian! Great Phœbus,The Python-slayer, smiles upon my deed.QUINTIAN.Hush! walls have ears.Sce.When the gods favour a man,They set his mind at ease: he disregardsYour fearful chances. Think you, Quintian,’Tis the April air intoxicates me so,And floats my head with birdlike confidence?Is it the April morning air? Ah, no;’Tis the air of the eve of liberty.—Is thatNot poetry, good fellow?Qu.Well, they sayOccasion makes a poet of any man.Sce.It pleases me to walk about the palace,And count the columns: with my eye I measureThe carven friezes and gold roofs, and sayAll this is thine, Scevinus: stretch but forthThy hand and take it from its master: give itBack to the world. These busts, Hellenic statues,1975All these are thine, Scevinus! Let us goTo the western court, where we may gaze on Rome.Qu.Ay, if you will.Sce.All this is thine, Scevinus!Open the door!Qu.’Tis closed.Sce.(trying it). Shut fast! ’Tis strange.I never knew this door shut up before.Qu.We can go back the same way we came in,And round by the north corridor.(Going hurriedly back to first door.)Sce.We will.By God, ’tis closed too: fast. We are locked in.Qu.What can it mean?Sce.(going again to the second door). They both are fast.Qu.I hearFootsteps without.Sce.Here, here! my dagger: take it.Qu.Nay, curse thee, I’ll not have it.Sce.They will search me.Qu.Throw it out of the window.Sce.(throwing).So!Qu.They are coming.Sce.By God, Quintian, I forgot. It was the daggerThat should have pierced my heart, if I was taken.Qu.Brave it out. I know nothing.Re-enter Nero and Tigellinus preceded by Guards(L.).Ner.Ha! Quintian too, my feathery Quintian.(To Tig.) What of him, master?Tig.(to Ner.).Send him out.Ner.Begone, sir:And thank thy littleness.[Exit.Qu.I am Cæsar’s slave.Ner.Now, sir, we have thee; we know all: go down,Fall on thy knees. (Sce. kneels.) Confess, and tell me firstWhy in the temple of Capitoline JoveThou didst present and dedicate a sword.Tig.This sword, sir, sharpened too, and tempered freshly.Sce.Most mighty Cæsar, I know not on oathWhy I am treated thus. What of this sword?Ner.Is it not thine?2000Sce.Pray let me see it near.Tig.I’d like to put it, sir, where thou couldst feelMore than thou saw’st of it. Dost see it now?Sce.’Tis mine. O sacred heirloom of my house,Left to my father by my grandfather....Ner.Invoke not thy curst ancestors to me.Sce.It hath been stolen from me: some slave, Cæsar,Knowing the store I set by it, hath purloined it.Tig.One of those thieves whom thou three days agoDidst liberate,—when thou mad’st thy will—? We know.Why didst thou that?Sce.It is the time of yearI fix my household, and reward my servants.And for my will, it is my habit oftTo change the disposition of my goods,As they change, and my friends.Ner.Thou hast changed thy friends,Say’st thou, of late! As for thy change of will,Thy little damnèd will, the estate of felonsPasses to Cæsar at their execution.Tig.And why, sir, shouldst thou lay up in thy houseA store of bandages, styptics and drugsGood for fresh wounds?Sce.I did not: I pray you, Cæsar,Who hath informed against me?Ner.Question me,Wilt thou?Tig.He hath been seen, sire, with Natalis.Sce.Never, I know him not.Ner.Get up, sir.—Take himTo torture, till he tell.Sce.Cæsar, I pray2025Have me not tortured. I am innocent.Ner.Villain, I’ll have thee drawn out limb from limb;And thou shalt taste at leisure from this swordWhat stabbing is. Take him away.Sce.Nay, Cæsar,Have me not tortured. I am innocent.Tig.Take him off, guards.Sce.Indeed I am innocent.[Exeunt Guards carrying off Scevinus.Cæsar, Oh Cæsar!Tig.The informer Milichus, Scevinus’ slave,Saith he was with Natalis, Piso’s man:Shall I seize Piso?Ner.Not yet, no, I am safeHere in the palace. Have the city guarded,And go first to the prison: look thyselfTo the torture of Epicharis: from herLearn all, and bring it to me here. A womanIs delicately nerved: use thy full artMost exquisitely.Tig.She hath confessed by this:I sent at once.Ner.Return then soon.[Exit.Tig.I shall.Ner.A plot! and this contemptible ScevinusI could almost forgive; that woman never.She fooled me to my face, laughed as she fooled me:A Common woman! Cæsar! me! on the eveOf being the ridicule of history:My wisdom a mockery,—my insight,—to the end of timeSchoolboys to laugh at turning of my page,The favourite tale to spice their dreary task.Nero! and I who, when my very mother,She who upraised me, dared to plot against me,Scrupled not, I, for my world-reaching schemesAnd absolute power, I scrupled not to hideSonship in Cæsardom: yes, and for thatHave oped my soul-gates to the powers of hell,And daily face spectres of horror, ghostlyEnvironments, the blue upbraiding lipsOf shadowy forms, that kiss in mockery,And poison peace upon the paths of sleep.To have borne in vain the murderer’s scaring plague,To be by a common woman—killed: I doubt not,Had but occasion served, she would have done it.Have laughed to do it, laughed on when ’twas done.Ah! by that lately-laughing, cherruping mouthShall all her damned conspirators be snared:Yes, and a thousand times shall she scream truth,Ere I will hear; a thousand times shriek forthThe names of those her shrieks shall shriek to hell,Ere she go after them. (Re-enter Tigellinus.) What, Tigellinus!What saith Epicharis?Tig.Nothing.Ner.Nothing?Tig.Nothing.Cæsar will never get a word from her.Ner.Thou hast not killed her, fool?Tig.Nay, Cæsar: but no corpseKeeps better silence.Ner.Where’s thy art, man? UseRack, redhot pincers, the slow fire . . .Tig.Not all together make her give a sound.Ner.Persist.Tig.They do; but ’tis beyond our powerTo match the first pangs; and they moved her not.I came to say we had forgot Senecio.Ner.True: take him.Tig.And to torture?Ner.Rack him well.2080But make this woman speak. Use better art.Tig.I found the torturers sitting round their task:Their zest had cooled. Without a cry or scream’Tis a dull sport.Ner.She is a Christian, then.Tig.The Christians never plot: I think in that,Cæsar, you wrong them.Ner.I? Thou know’st them little:They are the time’s worst plague. I do not careIf they burned Rome or no: were they all burned’Twould richly compensate the world. Hark, friend!The people might be masters; what they lackThis Christ provides. Were I to prophesy,I’d say that should their cursed doctrines spread,They would one day drown all, learning and beauty,Wisdom and rule and art. For that I hate them,And love to destroy them.I AM THEIR ANTI-CHRIST.

A room in the palace. Enter NERO and TIGELLINUS with a drawn sword(R.).Ner.Fury and Hell! Murder me, would he! A plot,A damnable hellish plot! Stab me! by God,1950Arrest him and fetch him hither.

A room in the palace. Enter NERO and TIGELLINUS with a drawn sword(R.).

Ner.Fury and Hell! Murder me, would he! A plot,

A damnable hellish plot! Stab me! by God,

Arrest him and fetch him hither.

Tig.Bethink you, Cæsar,Now of Epicharis.

Tig.Bethink you, Cæsar,

Now of Epicharis.

Ner.Ah, true, by heaven!The impudent drab: she knew it all. Send straightTo the prison, and have her questioned. Rack and fire:Torture truth from her.

Ner.Ah, true, by heaven!

The impudent drab: she knew it all. Send straight

To the prison, and have her questioned. Rack and fire:

Torture truth from her.

Tig.I will. Whist! Cæsar, I seeThe man himself.

Tig.I will. Whist! Cæsar, I see

The man himself.

Ner.Come out! he may be armed.We’ll close the doors upon him and shut him in,[Exeunt hastily(L.).">Till we have got assistance.

Ner.Come out! he may be armed.

We’ll close the doors upon him and shut him in,

">Till we have got assistance.

Enter Scevinus and Quintian(R.).

SCEVINUS.

How the sun shines to-day, Quintian! Great Phœbus,The Python-slayer, smiles upon my deed.

How the sun shines to-day, Quintian! Great Phœbus,

The Python-slayer, smiles upon my deed.

QUINTIAN.

Hush! walls have ears.

Sce.When the gods favour a man,They set his mind at ease: he disregardsYour fearful chances. Think you, Quintian,’Tis the April air intoxicates me so,And floats my head with birdlike confidence?Is it the April morning air? Ah, no;’Tis the air of the eve of liberty.—Is thatNot poetry, good fellow?

Sce.When the gods favour a man,

They set his mind at ease: he disregards

Your fearful chances. Think you, Quintian,

’Tis the April air intoxicates me so,

And floats my head with birdlike confidence?

Is it the April morning air? Ah, no;

’Tis the air of the eve of liberty.—Is that

Not poetry, good fellow?

Qu.Well, they sayOccasion makes a poet of any man.

Qu.Well, they say

Occasion makes a poet of any man.

Sce.It pleases me to walk about the palace,And count the columns: with my eye I measureThe carven friezes and gold roofs, and sayAll this is thine, Scevinus: stretch but forthThy hand and take it from its master: give itBack to the world. These busts, Hellenic statues,1975All these are thine, Scevinus! Let us goTo the western court, where we may gaze on Rome.

Sce.It pleases me to walk about the palace,

And count the columns: with my eye I measure

The carven friezes and gold roofs, and say

All this is thine, Scevinus: stretch but forth

Thy hand and take it from its master: give it

Back to the world. These busts, Hellenic statues,

All these are thine, Scevinus! Let us go

To the western court, where we may gaze on Rome.

Qu.Ay, if you will.

Sce.All this is thine, Scevinus!Open the door!

Sce.All this is thine, Scevinus!

Open the door!

Qu.’Tis closed.

Sce.(trying it). Shut fast! ’Tis strange.I never knew this door shut up before.

Sce.(trying it). Shut fast! ’Tis strange.

I never knew this door shut up before.

Qu.We can go back the same way we came in,And round by the north corridor.

Qu.We can go back the same way we came in,

And round by the north corridor.

(Going hurriedly back to first door.)Sce.We will.By God, ’tis closed too: fast. We are locked in.

Sce.We will.

By God, ’tis closed too: fast. We are locked in.

Qu.What can it mean?

Sce.(going again to the second door). They both are fast.

Qu.I hearFootsteps without.

Qu.I hear

Footsteps without.

Sce.Here, here! my dagger: take it.

Qu.Nay, curse thee, I’ll not have it.

Sce.They will search me.

Qu.Throw it out of the window.

Sce.(throwing).So!

Qu.They are coming.

Sce.By God, Quintian, I forgot. It was the daggerThat should have pierced my heart, if I was taken.

Sce.By God, Quintian, I forgot. It was the dagger

That should have pierced my heart, if I was taken.

Qu.Brave it out. I know nothing.

Re-enter Nero and Tigellinus preceded by Guards(L.).

Ner.Ha! Quintian too, my feathery Quintian.(To Tig.) What of him, master?

Ner.Ha! Quintian too, my feathery Quintian.

(To Tig.) What of him, master?

Tig.(to Ner.).Send him out.

Ner.Begone, sir:And thank thy littleness.

Ner.Begone, sir:

And thank thy littleness.

[Exit.Qu.I am Cæsar’s slave.

Qu.I am Cæsar’s slave.

Ner.Now, sir, we have thee; we know all: go down,Fall on thy knees. (Sce. kneels.) Confess, and tell me firstWhy in the temple of Capitoline JoveThou didst present and dedicate a sword.

Ner.Now, sir, we have thee; we know all: go down,

Fall on thy knees. (Sce. kneels.) Confess, and tell me first

Why in the temple of Capitoline Jove

Thou didst present and dedicate a sword.

Tig.This sword, sir, sharpened too, and tempered freshly.

Sce.Most mighty Cæsar, I know not on oathWhy I am treated thus. What of this sword?

Sce.Most mighty Cæsar, I know not on oath

Why I am treated thus. What of this sword?

Ner.Is it not thine?

2000Sce.Pray let me see it near.

Sce.Pray let me see it near.

Tig.I’d like to put it, sir, where thou couldst feelMore than thou saw’st of it. Dost see it now?

Tig.I’d like to put it, sir, where thou couldst feel

More than thou saw’st of it. Dost see it now?

Sce.’Tis mine. O sacred heirloom of my house,Left to my father by my grandfather....

Sce.’Tis mine. O sacred heirloom of my house,

Left to my father by my grandfather....

Ner.Invoke not thy curst ancestors to me.

Sce.It hath been stolen from me: some slave, Cæsar,Knowing the store I set by it, hath purloined it.

Sce.It hath been stolen from me: some slave, Cæsar,

Knowing the store I set by it, hath purloined it.

Tig.One of those thieves whom thou three days agoDidst liberate,—when thou mad’st thy will—? We know.Why didst thou that?

Tig.One of those thieves whom thou three days ago

Didst liberate,—when thou mad’st thy will—? We know.

Why didst thou that?

Sce.It is the time of yearI fix my household, and reward my servants.And for my will, it is my habit oftTo change the disposition of my goods,As they change, and my friends.

Sce.It is the time of year

I fix my household, and reward my servants.

And for my will, it is my habit oft

To change the disposition of my goods,

As they change, and my friends.

Ner.Thou hast changed thy friends,Say’st thou, of late! As for thy change of will,Thy little damnèd will, the estate of felonsPasses to Cæsar at their execution.

Ner.Thou hast changed thy friends,

Say’st thou, of late! As for thy change of will,

Thy little damnèd will, the estate of felons

Passes to Cæsar at their execution.

Tig.And why, sir, shouldst thou lay up in thy houseA store of bandages, styptics and drugsGood for fresh wounds?

Tig.And why, sir, shouldst thou lay up in thy house

A store of bandages, styptics and drugs

Good for fresh wounds?

Sce.I did not: I pray you, Cæsar,Who hath informed against me?

Sce.I did not: I pray you, Cæsar,

Who hath informed against me?

Ner.Question me,Wilt thou?

Ner.Question me,

Wilt thou?

Tig.He hath been seen, sire, with Natalis.

Sce.Never, I know him not.

Ner.Get up, sir.—Take himTo torture, till he tell.

Ner.Get up, sir.—Take him

To torture, till he tell.

Sce.Cæsar, I pray2025Have me not tortured. I am innocent.

Sce.Cæsar, I pray

Have me not tortured. I am innocent.

Ner.Villain, I’ll have thee drawn out limb from limb;And thou shalt taste at leisure from this swordWhat stabbing is. Take him away.

Ner.Villain, I’ll have thee drawn out limb from limb;

And thou shalt taste at leisure from this sword

What stabbing is. Take him away.

Sce.Nay, Cæsar,Have me not tortured. I am innocent.

Sce.Nay, Cæsar,

Have me not tortured. I am innocent.

Tig.Take him off, guards.

Sce.Indeed I am innocent.[Exeunt Guards carrying off Scevinus.Cæsar, Oh Cæsar!

Sce.Indeed I am innocent.

Cæsar, Oh Cæsar!

Tig.The informer Milichus, Scevinus’ slave,Saith he was with Natalis, Piso’s man:Shall I seize Piso?

Tig.The informer Milichus, Scevinus’ slave,

Saith he was with Natalis, Piso’s man:

Shall I seize Piso?

Ner.Not yet, no, I am safeHere in the palace. Have the city guarded,And go first to the prison: look thyselfTo the torture of Epicharis: from herLearn all, and bring it to me here. A womanIs delicately nerved: use thy full artMost exquisitely.

Ner.Not yet, no, I am safe

Here in the palace. Have the city guarded,

And go first to the prison: look thyself

To the torture of Epicharis: from her

Learn all, and bring it to me here. A woman

Is delicately nerved: use thy full art

Most exquisitely.

Tig.She hath confessed by this:I sent at once.

Tig.She hath confessed by this:

I sent at once.

Ner.Return then soon.

[Exit.Tig.I shall.

Tig.I shall.

Ner.A plot! and this contemptible ScevinusI could almost forgive; that woman never.She fooled me to my face, laughed as she fooled me:A Common woman! Cæsar! me! on the eveOf being the ridicule of history:My wisdom a mockery,—my insight,—to the end of timeSchoolboys to laugh at turning of my page,The favourite tale to spice their dreary task.Nero! and I who, when my very mother,She who upraised me, dared to plot against me,Scrupled not, I, for my world-reaching schemesAnd absolute power, I scrupled not to hideSonship in Cæsardom: yes, and for thatHave oped my soul-gates to the powers of hell,And daily face spectres of horror, ghostlyEnvironments, the blue upbraiding lipsOf shadowy forms, that kiss in mockery,And poison peace upon the paths of sleep.To have borne in vain the murderer’s scaring plague,To be by a common woman—killed: I doubt not,Had but occasion served, she would have done it.Have laughed to do it, laughed on when ’twas done.Ah! by that lately-laughing, cherruping mouthShall all her damned conspirators be snared:Yes, and a thousand times shall she scream truth,Ere I will hear; a thousand times shriek forthThe names of those her shrieks shall shriek to hell,Ere she go after them. (Re-enter Tigellinus.) What, Tigellinus!What saith Epicharis?

Ner.A plot! and this contemptible Scevinus

I could almost forgive; that woman never.

She fooled me to my face, laughed as she fooled me:

A Common woman! Cæsar! me! on the eve

Of being the ridicule of history:

My wisdom a mockery,—my insight,—to the end of time

Schoolboys to laugh at turning of my page,

The favourite tale to spice their dreary task.

Nero! and I who, when my very mother,

She who upraised me, dared to plot against me,

Scrupled not, I, for my world-reaching schemes

And absolute power, I scrupled not to hide

Sonship in Cæsardom: yes, and for that

Have oped my soul-gates to the powers of hell,

And daily face spectres of horror, ghostly

Environments, the blue upbraiding lips

Of shadowy forms, that kiss in mockery,

And poison peace upon the paths of sleep.

To have borne in vain the murderer’s scaring plague,

To be by a common woman—killed: I doubt not,

Had but occasion served, she would have done it.

Have laughed to do it, laughed on when ’twas done.

Ah! by that lately-laughing, cherruping mouth

Shall all her damned conspirators be snared:

Yes, and a thousand times shall she scream truth,

Ere I will hear; a thousand times shriek forth

The names of those her shrieks shall shriek to hell,

Ere she go after them. (Re-enter Tigellinus.) What, Tigellinus!

What saith Epicharis?

Tig.Nothing.

Ner.Nothing?

Tig.Nothing.Cæsar will never get a word from her.

Tig.Nothing.

Cæsar will never get a word from her.

Ner.Thou hast not killed her, fool?

Tig.Nay, Cæsar: but no corpseKeeps better silence.

Tig.Nay, Cæsar: but no corpse

Keeps better silence.

Ner.Where’s thy art, man? UseRack, redhot pincers, the slow fire . . .

Ner.Where’s thy art, man? Use

Rack, redhot pincers, the slow fire . . .

Tig.Not all together make her give a sound.

Ner.Persist.

Tig.They do; but ’tis beyond our powerTo match the first pangs; and they moved her not.I came to say we had forgot Senecio.

Tig.They do; but ’tis beyond our power

To match the first pangs; and they moved her not.

I came to say we had forgot Senecio.

Ner.True: take him.

Tig.And to torture?

Ner.Rack him well.2080But make this woman speak. Use better art.

Ner.Rack him well.

But make this woman speak. Use better art.

Tig.I found the torturers sitting round their task:Their zest had cooled. Without a cry or scream’Tis a dull sport.

Tig.I found the torturers sitting round their task:

Their zest had cooled. Without a cry or scream

’Tis a dull sport.

Ner.She is a Christian, then.

Tig.The Christians never plot: I think in that,Cæsar, you wrong them.

Tig.The Christians never plot: I think in that,

Cæsar, you wrong them.

Ner.I? Thou know’st them little:They are the time’s worst plague. I do not careIf they burned Rome or no: were they all burned’Twould richly compensate the world. Hark, friend!The people might be masters; what they lackThis Christ provides. Were I to prophesy,I’d say that should their cursed doctrines spread,They would one day drown all, learning and beauty,Wisdom and rule and art. For that I hate them,And love to destroy them.I AM THEIR ANTI-CHRIST.

Ner.I? Thou know’st them little:

They are the time’s worst plague. I do not care

If they burned Rome or no: were they all burned

’Twould richly compensate the world. Hark, friend!

The people might be masters; what they lack

This Christ provides. Were I to prophesy,

I’d say that should their cursed doctrines spread,

They would one day drown all, learning and beauty,

Wisdom and rule and art. For that I hate them,

And love to destroy them.I AM THEIR ANTI-CHRIST.

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