ACT · V

ACT · VSCENE · 1A strong room in the palace dungeon. TIGELLINUS seated at a tableCENTRE. NATALIS scared, and with his hands bound behind him, standsR.before two Guards.TIGELLINUS(to Guards).[Exeunt Guards.Leave him.—Natalis, thou hast had a taste of the rack?NATALIS(kneels).Mercy, my lord; have mercy on me I pray thee:I will tell all, and better without torture.Tig.So far I have had mercy, sir: I have shown thee2100In this Epicharis what thou mayst look for,Should I lack mercy. Canst thou too be silent?Nat.Nay, my lord, nay. My lord, I am not brave.Knowing I cannot suffer, I will speak truthWithout the torture.Tig.Truth, fool! what is that?I haggle not with thee for thine own tale:That cannot serve thee. I require of theeSuch answers as best please me.Nat.I will confess.Tig.Thou hast betrayed thy master Piso; nowTell me, was Seneca in this conspiracy?Nat.No, my lord.Tig.(calling). Guards!(Enter Guards.)Nat.I swear he was not.Tig.Guards!Take him to torture.Nat.Oh, my lord, have pity!Ask me not this.Tig.I’ll ask thee nothing elseWhile thou art parting with thy skin. Once more:Was Seneca in this conspiracy?Nat.He was.Tig.Just as I thought; hold fast to that;Else, by great Jupiter, the things thou hast seenAre nothing.—Take him off and send in the other.[Exeunt Guards with Natalis.Now I am rid of Seneca. This methodIs easy and short. The foolish rich ScevinusMay serve me another way.Enter two Guards with Scevinus, whose hands are bound before him.(To Guards.) Leave him.—(Exeunt Guards.) Scevinus,Cæsar hath ordered thee the rack.SCEVINUS(kneels).My lord,Have pity upon me I beg. I turn informer.I will betray it all: I withhold nothing.Tig.Thou hast seen the torture of Epicharis....Sce.O, my dear lord, not that! mercy!Tig.Since sheHath baulked my inquisitors, I have promised themSome noisy victim to restore their credit.Sce.Not me, not me!Tig.And why not thee? I think theeA likely fellow.Sce.My lord, I am too tender.2130The least prick of my finger, or if the wineI drink be overheated, ’tis enoughTo put me in a frenzy: I should dieAt first stretch of the rack.Tig.Pooh! man: they’d keep theeAlive for a week.—Sce.O spare me, good Tigellinus!Spare me, I pray, kind Tigellinus, spare me!Tig.Shall I? and if I do, what is it worth?Hast thou two thousand sesters?Sce.Oh, my lord,I have not the tenth of it.Tig.(calling).Guards!(Enter Guards.)Sce.I swear I have not.Tig.Get up, that is the price.—Guards, take him off.—I’ll make good use of thee.Sce.Sir, I might find it.Tig.(motioning Guards back). Hark, thou canst raise the money, and mayst writeFrom prison to thy friends: and if ’tis paidTo me to-night, I will respect thy wish.—Guards, take this prisoner to the outer cell;Let him there write what missives he desires,And see they be delivered in the city.[Exeunt severally.SCENE · 2A room in the house of Piso.Enter FLAVUS and PISO, meeting.FLAVUS.My lord, I come from Rufus.PISO.Give thy message.Fla.Natalis and Scevinus both are taken.All must be known; and your complicityThe first: meanwhile Rufus is unsuspected;Cæsar hath summoned him to sit as judgeIn trial of the accused this afternoon.He has therefore this last hope, but only this,That you with all your friends proceed at onceTo the fort of the guard: he will proclaim you there,Relying on the people, who well knowYour prudence, and may passively acceptThe revolution as a thing accomplished.Seeing you countenance it, and have your titleSupported by the guards.Pis.Calls he this hope?’Tis the forlorn hope.Fla.Desperation, my lord,Is not despair. I venture it with gladness.Pis.So do not I. I am no doubt betrayedAlready and watched.Fla.Rufus may still be clear:The informers will not name him while the guardsRemain their last resource.Pis.Bid him act quickly,And for himself.Fla.My lord, he looks to you.Unless you appear we cannot gain the people.Consider how we have all trusted our livesTo your concerted action: now stand forthAnd help us as you can.Pis.Stay, man; considerHow I have trusted my life to your action;And what ye have done with it: my stake in thisCompares no more with thine than does my prizeIn the success with thine: I should be Cæsar,Thou Flavus still: so, if we fail, I sufferIn like degree, my family dishonoured,My rich estates cónfiscate, my innocent,Honest dependants, whom I count by thousands,All plunged in misery: to them my dutiesForbid this reckless hazard.—Return to Rufus,And say so much. I utter no reproach’Gainst thee nor any other; I forgiveWhat reproach thou didst hint. I know thou’rt brave;Thou hast wished well, and I with thee; but nowOur ill-built ship founders. I am your captain;My word is each man for himself: my partI shall act no less bravely, that I seeAll goes to the bottom.Fla.Defer, my lord, to the last.I’ll save you if I may. I will go armedTo the trial.Pis.Act for thyself; think not of me.Now bear my word to Rufus. Go this way.[Exit, showing Flavus out.SCENE · 3The previous scene withdraws and discovers an open court of the palace disposed for the trial, the seats in a half-circle. Nero’s at centre, back, the seat for the Judge at left front: the raised platform for the accused at right front. Guards behind NERO, and lining the half-circle.Enter LUCAN, FLAVUS and ASPER(L.).They stand talking under cover of Judge’s seat. Guards and most of audience are assembled.LUCAN.Rufus will do his best: trust we to RufusTo minimize the matter; ’tis his interest.FLAVUS.If Cæsar come unguarded, I will kill him.ASPER.I will stand by thee. Is Lateranus here?Luc.He said he should not come. I pray you bothWait: let us first see who is betrayed.Fla.Go thou,And wait thy death. (Lucan goes to his place.)Asp.Let us die bravely, Flavus;’Tis all we can. (Coming forward to centre.)2200Fla.We will. Ah, see! he is guarded.EnterR.Nero, Tigellinus and Rufus; preceded by Guards, who thrust Flavus and Asper back, making passage for Cæsar.NERO(at centre).Here is our court. I love the open air:It savours more of justice, heavenly justice;And while we sit, we breathe. Rufus, ascend.(Showing Judge’s seat.)Cæsar is plaintiff, and in his own causeMight bear a bias: so I make thee judge.My counsel, Tigellinus, sit by me. (They sit.)Fla.(to Asp.) I’ll not despair. I’ll keep my dagger ready.Be near him if I rush. (Asper takes a seat on Rufus’ proper left.)Ner.Is it in order. Rufus,That I speak first?RUFUS.’Twere well for form’s sake, Cæsar,To state the purpose of this court, and readThe names of those denounced. Where are the informers?Ner.Bring in the prisoners.—As for this court, general,’Tis called to inquire upon a matter knownTo most here: they that know it not may gather itAs we proceed; I will premise thus far:—You will hear certain citizens confessThat they, with others whom they name, were joinedIn a conspiracy to murder another,And him your chiefest citizen, myself.Rome at the first had kings, and being returnedTo an autocratic rule, in the exigencyOf wide dominion, I, her king, her Cæsar,Her prætor, tribune, consul, typifyThe general weal: who aims at my life, aimsAt Rome and all. Therefore, though Cæsar needsNo sanction to his sentence, he invitesThe public ear unto the public wrong,That all, before the guilty are arrested,May hear the evidence, and self-impeachment2230Of the two chief informers. There they are;Natalis and Scevinus.—(They have been brought in guarded during Nero’s speech, and now stand up.R.)As plaintiff I shall watch the case, as CæsarI watch the judge. Proceed!TIGELLINUS.Scevinus.SCEVINUS.Here, sir.Tig.Thou in this writing hast confessed the truthOf all the several charges brought against theeBy thy slave Milichus.Sce.I have, my lord.Tig.’Tis true there was a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life,And thou the instrument?Sce.My lord, ’tis true:I crave great Cæsar’s mercy.Tig.In hope of that,And moved by late contrition, thou hast revealedThe names of thy confederates.Sce.I have.Ruf.Will Cæsar let me scan the information?Ner.No need. Take each in turn.Tig.(to Sce.).I ask thee, therefore,Now to confirm this paper in open court.Who was the head of this conspiracy?The man who thought to sit in Cæsar’s place,When ye had murdered Cæsar?Sce.Calpurnius Piso.Tig.Stand forth, Natalis.NATALIS.Here, my lord.Tig.Art thouOf Piso’s household?Nat.I am, my lord.Tig.Then thouShouldst know: was Piso head of this conspiracy?Nat.He was, my lord.Ner.Judgment!—Ruf.Arrest Calpurnius Piso on this charge.Ner.(to Tig.). Send and arrest him. (Tig. speaks to those behind.)Fla.(to Ruf.).Let me by thee, Rufus!—Send me to Cæsar with some paper, Rufus!—Now I may reach him.—To save Piso, Rufus!—Ruf.(to Flav., thrusting him back). Be still!Tig.(looking up). Order! who speaks?Ner. whispers to Tigellinus, who sets two Guards before Nero’s seat.Ruf.(to Flav.). See, fool; he hath smelt thee.Tig.I’ll ask Natalis further if he knewOf any other chief man in the stateCognizant of this plot, or joined therein.Nat.Calpurnius Piso was the chief, my lord.Tig.No other? and I have here thy writing!Fla.(aside to Rufus).Now,General, thy turn is come.Ruf.(to Natalis).Speak, sir!Nat.I pray,Rufus, to urge not this: nay, from my heartI say . . .Tig.’Tis written here.Ruf.This witness, Cæsar,I do not trust.Tig.Carry Natalis outTo torture.Nat.I will speak.Tig.Then name, sir, name!Nat.Seneca.Ruf.Seneca!Tig.Yes, Seneca.Let Seneca be arrested. Judge, what sayst thou?Ruf.Let Seneca be arrested.Fla.(to Ruf.).Villain thou art!Ner.(to Tigell. who has whispered to him). Leave2270Seneca to me.Tig.These are the heads. Now will I read three names:Tell me, Scevinus, if I read aright:Quintian, Senecio, Lucan.Sce.I denounce them.Ner.Three hypocritical and fawning curs,The lap-dogs of the palace. Where áre they?Tig.They are here, Cæsar.—Quintian, stánd forth.QUINTIAN.Here,My lord.Tig.Dost thou confess?Qu.I give ScevinusThe lie direct.Ner.We found thee in his company,The hour of his arrest.Qu.Cæsar, I knewOf nothing ’gainst thy life. ’Tis true that oftI have spoken against Vatinius; were he Cæsar,I should be guilty: but yourself have lovedTo prick me to it; and so, maybe, my tongueHath given Scevinus undeserved occasionTo think me of his party.Ner.Rufus, judge!Ruf.I look for evidence.Tig.Dost thou?—Then, Quintian,To save thy life wilt thou inform?Qu.I will.Tig.Then was not Lucan with you?Qu.He was.Ner.O Quintian,Quintian! if I forgave thee for thy treason,I could not for thy folly. Arrest him.Ruf.Arrest Quintian.The next?Tig.Senecio, General, hath confessed.His evidence we will take later. Where isLucan?Luc.I am here, my lord, ready to answer.Ruf.Then let us hear thine answer.Luc.I denyThe charge of treason: but so far confessMy intimacy with the accused, that oftMy zeal for senatorial forms hath led meTo listen to them, when the words that passedMight tell against me: and if I was betrayed2300By antiquarian taste, to trust these menAgainst advice and warning . . .Ner.Ah! thou sayestAgainst advice. Who warned thee?Luc.Cæsar, I said . . .Ner.Sir, I will know who warned thee of this plot,And warned not me.Luc.Sire, I meant not so much.Tig.We heard thee.Luc.I make appeal to Rufus, whetherI must betray the innocent.Ner.If thou lookFor thine own pardon.Tig.We can make thee speak.Ruf.Tell us, sir, who these wondrous patriots were,Who set thy private safety above Cæsar’s.Luc.If Cæsar bids me speak, I may hide nothing.I will confess it was my mother, Atilia,Who warned me against these men. Punish not herFor not betraying her son.Ner.Nay, sir, but theeWho in this bungle of prevaricationBetrayest thine own mother. Judge!Ruf.Arrest him.Luc.I am arrested, Cæsar, not condemned.Ner.Thou’lt see. Stand by!—(To Tigell.) Another woman! whyComes not Epicharis?Tig.I know no causeFor the delay. I’ll send again.Ner.Do so.(To Scevinus.) Go on, sir: who is next?Sce.Plautius Lateranus.Ner.Plautius Lateranus! Have more careWhom thou accusest. This is one bounden to meBy special favours: from disgrace I raised himTo sit among the senate, and now he is chosenConsul.Tig.Dost thou denounce him?2325Sce.I do, my lord.Ner.Whom then can Cæsar trust? Judge, Rufus, judge!Tig.Judge!Ruf.Let him be arrested.Ner.Send to his house.Enter an Officer.OFFICER.Cæsar, being sent to arrest Calpurnius Piso,We found him dead.Ruf.Dead! how?Ner.Is Piso dead?Fla.(to Rufus). See how thou hast ruined all!Ruf.(to Flavus)Speak not to me!Off.He died by his own hand as we arrived.I viewed the body.Tig.He must have killed himselfTo escape the confiscation.Ner.Bah! he hath robbedThe treasury.Tig.We shall have pickings yet.Ruf.Cæsar, the untimely suicide of the accusedConfirms the charge against him in so farAs he hath declined to meet it. But the trialFalls to the ground: we lose both the defenceAnd the chief witness.Ner.Not so. My chief objectRemains, and my chief witness.—(To Tig.) Where is Epicharis?Tig.I see a litter passing ’neath the trees.Ner.Meet them, and bring her in.—[Exit Tigellinus.I now produce a woman in the court.Her name Epicharis: she lives at Naples,And there was used by the conspiratorsTo tamper with the navy: the AdmiralArrested her; but she, being charged before me,Turned off suspicion with a specious tale,Which I more readily believed, because2350I hate informers, nor will lightly thinkEvil of anyone. SenecioConfirmed her story, but hath since confessedHe knew it false: himself, as he affirms,Was not in Piso’s confidence; this womanKnew all. Now Piso towards SenecioTrusted too much in trusting but a little,Trusting Epicharis much he trusted well:For in the extreme of torture she hath not flinched,Nor given a sound: but seeing her silence nowConfuted by so many tongues, she hath yielded,And promised to speak truth. See, here she is.During this speech Epicharis has been borne in on the litter, and is set down at the centre of the stage.Her speech shall now unmask what traitorous facesStill screen their villany.Ruf.A woman, Cæsar;And in the pangs of torture, and fear of death!What evidence is this?Ner.What would ye object?Ruf.Shall Romans have their free lives played with thus?Ner.What puts thee in fear? Silence!—Epicharis,I bid thee now speak truth before the court.Piso is dead. Thou seest thy comrades taken.Truth may not save thy life: yet speak the truthAs thy last hope. Let no man interrupt her.EPICHARIS(speaks from the litter).Cæsar, I thank thee that in all my tortureThou hast spared my tongue to tell thee truth at last:That I am admitted where my free confession2375May reach the public ear, nay not deniedThine own ear, and for that I thank thee most;And for my torture I thank thee too: ’tis provedI speak not lightly, and must be well believed.Thou bidst me, mighty Cæsar, tell thee truth:Weak is my tongue to tell the mighty truthsCæsar dare hear, and none hath dared to tell:And I die . . . hearken quickly. Of all thou seestThere is not one whom thou canst trust: all hate thee . . .Yet needst thou not, great Cæsar, fear them much;For all are cowards: nay, there is not among themOne brave enough to kill thee. And yet again,Great Cæsar, I counsel thee to fear them too;For all the world ’gainst one will have their way.I know thou fear’st. Then who is most thy foe?Whom first to kill? That I can tell thee, Cæsar:For none of all thou seest, or ever saw’st,Or wilt see again, nay, not thy murdered mother,Thy poisoned brother, thy beheaded wife,Whose bloody ghosts watch on the banks of hellTo mark thy doom, none hateth thee as I,Defieth thee as I, curseth thee as I.O emperor of the world, thine hour is come.Within thy cankered soul dwell side by sideRemorse and vanity to drive thee mad:The grecian furies hound thee, the christian devils2401Dispute for thee. Fly to thy dunghill, Cæsar,Where thou must perish . . .Ner.Will none there stop her mouth?Ep.Plague-spotted, abhorred for ever—by all—accurst—Asp.Let no man interrupt her!Ner.Who spoke? Arrest him.—Epicharis’ last words are spoken as the Soldiers surround her. She struggles on the litter violently, and falls back dead. Other Guards arrest Asper.Who art thou, sir? thy name?Asp.My name is Asper.I am centurion under Rufus.Ner.Rufus,Know’st thou thy man?Ruf.I grieve, sire, it is true:He is one of my centurions.Ner.Question him.Tig.(who is standing by Epicharis, to Nero). Epicharis is dead.Ner.Ye have killed her, fools?Hath she got quit?Tig.’Twas her own doing, Cæsar:She meshed her neck among the cords, and soHath reft her of what little life remained.Ner.Remove her to the prison, and let physiciansAttend her at once.Tig.She is dead.(They carry Epicharis out.)Ner.Rufus, proceedWith thy centurion.Asp.If all hate thee, Cæsar,How wilt thou bid that hater question this?Ruf.What, fellow?Asp.Thou that sittest there to judge,And shouldst stand here, wilt thou dare question me?Ruf.I, fellow?Ner.Ha! Rufus, thou turnest pale.Ruf.With anger I turn pale, that in your presenceA traitor should defame me.Ner.Be cool, sir:Thou wast suspected, now accused thou art.2423Thou hast but one appeal: In thy worst case’Tis to thy friends (pointing to accused).Ruf.Call not those men my friends.Ner.I’ll see. Speak, traitors all; was Rufus with you?Luc., Sce., and others.He was. He is guilty.Ner.Arrest the judge.Ruf.Who dares?What officer of mine dares raise his handAgainst his general?CASSIUS.That will I, my lord;Knowing that thou deservest more than all.Ruf.Help! help!—(To Flavus.) Now, man, strike now or never.Fla.Hush!(Rufus is seized after a struggle.)I am the last.Ner.(stepping down). Now will I mount myself the judge’s seat.(Fla. rushes forward to stab Nero.)Ner.Ha! Murder! (Tigellinus, who has watched Flavus, intercepts him. Flavus is seized.)Tig.Clear the Court!The inner line of Guards faces outwards, and all present except the prisoners are driven from centre into the wings, and the court begins to clear.Ner. (to Flavus, who is held before him). Who art thou, sir?Fla.A tribune and an honest soldier, Cæsar;And none more faithful, while you well deserved.But I began to hate you from the dayYou killed your mother, and debased yourself,Performing to the people: and I am freedFrom all my oaths, by all the gods in heaven,With all the world; and sworn with half the worldTo kill thee or be killed.Ner.Fool! I shall kill thee,With thy half world, and rule the other half.(The curtain falls, or scene shuts across.)SCENE · 4A room in the palace. Enter Tigellinus.TIGELLINUS.Rufus, my rival, is condemned to die:The city troops are mine: I am secure:Cæsar I hold by flattery, Rome by force.Sophronius Tigellinus of Agrigentum!Of Agrigentum,—well done! be content.Thou hast the second place in all the world,And rulest the first; while of thine envious foes,2450Sulla, Plautus, and Piso, all three are dead:A few remain: but on the Spaniard SenecaShall the Sicilian eagle swoop to-night,As on a flying hare. Poppæa, in thisMy keen ally, hunts with me eagerly.Enter Nero and Poppæa.Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail!(They salute.)The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits?NERO.Fear not,I have dined.Tig.Dined well, I pray the gods.Ner.Superbly.—We sent to speak with thee of Seneca;What should be done.Tig.What hath been done already?Ner.Hark, I will tell thee. I sent a letter to him,Pressing the information of Natalis;—‘Why, if thou knewest of this plot’—I said—‘Didst not thou warn me? And if thou knewest not,What was thy reason why thou didst refuseAudience to Piso, alleging that such meetingsWere good for neither; adding also,I holdThy life needful for mine?’ Now I awaitHis answer.Tig.The tribune is returned.Ner.Impossible;Seneca is in Campania.Tig.Nay, your majesty;He is in the suburbs: he returned to-day,Trusting his wit before his innocence.[Exit Tigellinus.Ner.Go, fetch the tribune in.POPPÆA.Why dally thus?Ner.I dally not: I go the shortest wayTo find if he be guilty.Pop.Stick you at that?2475Ner.Romans are free. There is no man can be touchedOn an unproven charge.Pop.Are you not Cæsar?Ner.Cæsar administers the law, while itCan minister to him.Re-enter Tigellinus.Tig.Here is his answer written.Ner.Read it us, Tigellinus.Tig.If I can . . .The letters are so pinched and shaky . . . it needsThe scholarship of Cæsar.Ner.Give it to me.(Reads.) ‘To Cæsar, Lucius Annæus SenecaGreeting . . . In answer to thy message; first’Tis true that once Natalis came to meFrom Piso, and begged that I would visit him:And I excused myself on plea of sickness,And need of quiet: As to the words imputed,However I may prize thy safety, Cæsar,I have no cause to set a private person’sAbove my own; nor do I stoop to flattery,As well thou knowest; nor to such shallow artsAs would hide treason in a salutation.’Tig.Is that the sum?Ner.’Tis all. He is not guilty.Tig.Not guilty!Ner.Nay.Pop.Why, he confesses it.Ner.I know the man: his mind is here at ease.The style is pithy and careless. When he has aughtTo excuse, he is wordy.Tig.He was wordy enoughIn the matter of Agrippina, true.Ner.Well, sir!Pop.And in the matter of Britannicus.2500Ner.Why raise these matters now?Tig.These are the mattersThat Seneca harps on: while he lives they live.Pop.These are the deeds Epicharis charged against thee.Tig.This was the root of Flavus’ hate.Pop.’Tis thisThe people mean, who whisper when I pass,‘Octavia, Octavia.’Tig.And he now persuadesHalf Rome ’twas not himself who did these things,But thou . . . which thou, permitting him to live,Indorsest with thy name; dost set, I say,The imperial warrant on the black account:As orphans sign away their patrimonyTo scheming uncles; as unwitting pupilsTo crafty tutors fall a prey.Ner.One lessonHe taught me perfectly, that is to hate him.Pop.Thy hate and love go by half measures, Nero.Tig.’Twere pretty, Cæsar, wert thou a private person,To play the philosopher upon the manWho led thee astray—albeit to sacrificeThy wife and friend,—if he who saved thy lifeMay style himself thy friend . . .Ner.Yes, friend; thou savedstMy life to-day.2520Tig.And yet saved not, if thouWilt throw it straight away, and with thy saviour’s.Ner.Stay, I am resolved: I will not vex you further:I yield. I know there is no man in the world,Nor ever was, but hath his flaw: In some’Tis a foul blot, that in the eye of natureStands out unpardonable and unredeemedBy all the school of virtues, howsoe’erThey dance in grace around it: In another’Tis like a beauty-mark, a starry mole2530Which on a virgin’s body but sets offThe dazzling flesh, that else were self-extinguishedIn its own fairness.—Yet by these flecks and flaws,Whate’er they be, ’tis fated that men fall:And thus may I, nay must; unless in timeI heed good warning, for my fault is gross.I am over-generous; yes; ye say it; I know it.That is my flaw. It is because my schemesAre wider than his own, that Seneca hates me:Because the world hath tasted more of freedomUnder my rule than under any CæsarWho went before—and that can no man question—It is for this my throne hath more been envied,And by more plots and treacheries besieged,Than ever others were: and when I saw(My safety and the people’s good being one)I must make holocaust of private feelingsTo that which helped the whole, then ’twas for thatThe bungling crowd condemned me, & where I lookedFor gratitude to be my consolation,2550I met reproach. ’Twas Seneca, ye say,Who did those things. ’Tis true those deeds were hisIn reason and connivence; but in the act,Doing and suffering they were mine, and are.Yet now, if he withdraw his countenance,Condemn, wear vulgar horror on his face,And turn men’s hearts against me, what could moveMy anger more if I were vain or cruel?No. Have your will;—and if I hinder not,He cannot blame me; since I do but playSeneca to your Cæsar.Tig.I thank thee, sire.He dies to-night; or shall we wait to have himCompose the palliation?[Exit Tig.Ner.Jest not; ’tis done.Pop.You have talked too long, Nero; come in & rest.Ner.He was my tutor once, and once I loved him.Pop.You might have done it with a nod.Ner.He is old:I rob him not of much. The end of lifeIs tedious, I believe. Come back, Poppæa;And while we are in our prime, let us be merry[Exeunt.And thank the gods.SCENE · 5(As epilogue.)Scene withdraws and shows Seneca’s garden in the suburbs: a table set out under a tree.Enter SENECA, THRASEA, and PRISCUS.SENECA.This way: I have bid them set a table, Thrasea,Under my favourite tree. Here let us sit,And watch the April sunset; the mild airPermits this summer pleasure.THRASEA.I long doubtedWhether to come upon an invitation2575Written before these troubles.Sen.You did wellNot to desert me. Fannia too shall comfortMy grieved Paullina.—Here is the best wineOf all my vineyards: drink to my long journey:—But first remember solemnly our friendsWho have already died to-day: I pourThis cup to them, and specially must nameMy nephew Lucan.Thr.’Tis an ancient custom.Sen.(offering to Thrasea).And should be kept.Thr.(taking and sprinkling). I’ll name the gentle Piso.PRISCUS(taking from Thrasea).(Sprinkling.)This to Epicharis.Thr.Well spoken, son.No better wish than that we all may dieBravely as she.Sen.So be it! Now let us sit.(They sit.)And I between (sitting). I would so spend this hour,.That ye shall not forget it in after-days,When ye think of me. ’Tis the last time, friends,That ye will sup with me.Pr.Nay, say not so:I trust you have escaped.Sen.Look on yon sun:An hour hence he will set; and now he sinksSmiling eternal promises. Ye bothShall see him rise, but I—I shall not see it.This tree shall hang its branches, and anotherMay sit and comfort his poetic sadness.As I have done, only not I: I onlyNot here . . . not there, where I have been: all thingsHave hitherto existed with me, henceforthAll will exist without me.2600Pr.Have more hope.Sen.Nay, it is so; what else could Cæsar mean?Thr.Your answer may convince him.Sen.Nay, good Thrasea;These be the last hours of my life: I’d sayTo you, my friends, what I have most at heart.And first rejoice with me that I departWith all my senses perfect, not as some,Tortured by pain and praying for release;Nor like a man, who walking in the dark,Comes to a brink upright, and steppeth overUnhesitatingly, because he knows not.Nor is my term much shortened, I shall dieLike aged Socrates, and with his hopeThat the spirit doth not perish;—I mean notA senseless immortality of fame:That I shall have, but more I’ll have; I dreamOf life in which I may be Seneca again,Seneca still.Thr.Now if thou couldst convince us,Seneca, of that, ’twere worthy thy last hour.Teach me to picture what thou thinkst to see,That land betwixt oblivion and regret;Where is’t? how is it?Sen.It lies not in the scopeOf demonstration, Thrasea; but my heartBears witness to it: the best that I could sayIs in my books. What all mankind desires,2625The mind requires; what it requires believes:And calls it truth. I hold that one God made us,And at our death receives our spirits kindly:We shall meet elsewhere those whom we leave here.Pr.This will not comfort Romans: Nero again,And Tigellinus....Sen.Why may there not beDistinction, Priscus, as old fables tell;Rewards for good, and punishments for ill?The myths are gross and brutal, but philosophyFinds reason in religion.Thr.Then the vulgar,’Gainst whom you have waged your philosophic war,Hold the last truth.Sen.The sanction of all truthLies in our common nature. A religionBased on the truth of what all men desireMust carry all before it.Thr.But you saidPhilosophy found reason in religion.What is your ground?Sen.My first is this, that elseAll were unjust. It needs a second lifeTo set this even.Thr.You have not found in lifeIts own reward?Sen.Nay, I have not.Thr.I know notIf ’tis not sadder, this profound impeachmentOf God’s whole constitution as we see it,Than the belief that death’s our end of all.To live in conscious harmony with natureMay satisfy our being; but religion2650Looks like the poetry which childhood makesTo cloke its empty terrors, or bedizenIts painted idols: such is my persuasion.Pr.And mine.Sen.Ah, Priscus, thou art young. I onceLooked forward into life with a proud heart,Nor saw the exigency and ironyOf all-subduing Fate. Consider, Priscus,Whether your father’s virtue or Nero’s crimesHave found their recompense.Pr.If Thrasea’s heartIs comforted by virtue, sir, and NeroMade wretched by his crime . . .Sen.Then put it thus:If any were to make a tragedyOf these events, how would it pass or please,If Nero lived on at the end unpunished,Triumphing still o’er good?Thr.Yes, Seneca:But see you make not now your god of the stageThe God of Nature. Our true tragedyIs just this outward riddle, and the godThat mends all, comes not in pat at his cueOn a machine, but liveth in our heartsResolving evil faster than it falls,As the sun melts the snow.Sen.’Tis not enough,Thrasea, ’tis not enough: there must be more.Hear you a tramping? That is Cæsar’s men:They will surround the garden. Come aside.(Comes to front with Thrasea.)2675Stand by me, Thrasea, to the last. I would notSlur the last act of life. Be thou my witnessOf word and deed.Enter Paullina with Fannia, who goes to Priscus.PAULLINA.O Seneca, they are come;They are come again.Sen.Dear wife, remember, and help me.—See, friends, the sun is almost set; ’tis timeWe went within.Pau.Alas!(weeping.)Sen.(to Paullina). Thy tears distract me,And shame us both.Enter a Centurion.CENTURION.Annæus Seneca!Sen.Well, sir: thy message? Art not thou Silvanus,That stoodst with Rufus and with Subrius Flavus?How hast thou wriggled out?Cent.I am Silvanus,And bring thee Cæsar’s bidding.Sen.Is it death?Cent.’Tis death.Pau.Shame on thee.Sen.Hush, wife: be brave.—A manNeed not be shamed, sirs, that his wife bewail him.(To Paullina.) Go thou, Paullina, fetch my will.Cent.Stay, madam:’Tis not allowed.Sen.This is unkind: my wealthWas Cæsar’s gift: but now he takes from meMore than he ever gave, my life: ’tis meanTo grudge me my last freedom, the little useI’d make of his old favours. I but wishedTo leave mementoes to three loving friends,Who have supped with me to-night.—In lieu thereofThe example of my constancy shall beMore lively undelayed by gentle speechesAnd farewell gifts. Come with me, all is ready.Cent.I await thee.Sen.Farewell, friends! Farewell, Paullina!Pau.Not to me here.Sen.Yes, we must part: the dayIs not much hastened. See how skeleton-likeAlready the hand, with which I go to shearThe filmy threads of life.Pau.But I will dieWith thee.Sen.Be still. Let not thy heart rebel.Now is the hour of proof.Pau.If ’twere God’s will.Sen.All is God’s will: and as we lived togetherIn love, so now we part.Pau.Why should we part?What thou doest I will do: I fear not death.I’ll hold my little candle by thy sun....Sen.It may not be. Use thy high courage ratherTo live. Yes, live in peace: live long.Pau.With theeMurdered! Alas!Sen.Give me thy last embrace.Pau.Was not my faith then true? Are we not one?Sen.Yes, yes: we are one.Pau.Then now forbid me notTo die with thee.FANNIA.Do not this thing, madam!Pau.Nay, hold me not!Sen.Paullina, dost thou makeThis desperate choice truly with all thy heart?Pau.With all my heart.Sen.Thou dost? Dear wife, I thoughtCæsar could part us: now I can forgive him.—To you, my friends, farewell! Thrasea, farewell!Priscus, farewell! Fannia, farewell!—Paullina,(Taking her hand)Since thou canst dare, we will go hand in handTo learn the mighty secret; we will set forth2724Together unto the place where all have gone.

A strong room in the palace dungeon. TIGELLINUS seated at a tableCENTRE. NATALIS scared, and with his hands bound behind him, standsR.before two Guards.

TIGELLINUS(to Guards).[Exeunt Guards.Leave him.—Natalis, thou hast had a taste of the rack?NATALIS(kneels).Mercy, my lord; have mercy on me I pray thee:I will tell all, and better without torture.Tig.So far I have had mercy, sir: I have shown thee2100In this Epicharis what thou mayst look for,Should I lack mercy. Canst thou too be silent?Nat.Nay, my lord, nay. My lord, I am not brave.Knowing I cannot suffer, I will speak truthWithout the torture.Tig.Truth, fool! what is that?I haggle not with thee for thine own tale:That cannot serve thee. I require of theeSuch answers as best please me.Nat.I will confess.Tig.Thou hast betrayed thy master Piso; nowTell me, was Seneca in this conspiracy?Nat.No, my lord.Tig.(calling). Guards!(Enter Guards.)Nat.I swear he was not.Tig.Guards!Take him to torture.Nat.Oh, my lord, have pity!Ask me not this.Tig.I’ll ask thee nothing elseWhile thou art parting with thy skin. Once more:Was Seneca in this conspiracy?Nat.He was.Tig.Just as I thought; hold fast to that;Else, by great Jupiter, the things thou hast seenAre nothing.—Take him off and send in the other.[Exeunt Guards with Natalis.Now I am rid of Seneca. This methodIs easy and short. The foolish rich ScevinusMay serve me another way.Enter two Guards with Scevinus, whose hands are bound before him.(To Guards.) Leave him.—(Exeunt Guards.) Scevinus,Cæsar hath ordered thee the rack.SCEVINUS(kneels).My lord,Have pity upon me I beg. I turn informer.I will betray it all: I withhold nothing.Tig.Thou hast seen the torture of Epicharis....Sce.O, my dear lord, not that! mercy!Tig.Since sheHath baulked my inquisitors, I have promised themSome noisy victim to restore their credit.Sce.Not me, not me!Tig.And why not thee? I think theeA likely fellow.Sce.My lord, I am too tender.2130The least prick of my finger, or if the wineI drink be overheated, ’tis enoughTo put me in a frenzy: I should dieAt first stretch of the rack.Tig.Pooh! man: they’d keep theeAlive for a week.—Sce.O spare me, good Tigellinus!Spare me, I pray, kind Tigellinus, spare me!Tig.Shall I? and if I do, what is it worth?Hast thou two thousand sesters?Sce.Oh, my lord,I have not the tenth of it.Tig.(calling).Guards!(Enter Guards.)Sce.I swear I have not.Tig.Get up, that is the price.—Guards, take him off.—I’ll make good use of thee.Sce.Sir, I might find it.Tig.(motioning Guards back). Hark, thou canst raise the money, and mayst writeFrom prison to thy friends: and if ’tis paidTo me to-night, I will respect thy wish.—Guards, take this prisoner to the outer cell;Let him there write what missives he desires,And see they be delivered in the city.[Exeunt severally.SCENE · 2A room in the house of Piso.Enter FLAVUS and PISO, meeting.FLAVUS.My lord, I come from Rufus.PISO.Give thy message.Fla.Natalis and Scevinus both are taken.All must be known; and your complicityThe first: meanwhile Rufus is unsuspected;Cæsar hath summoned him to sit as judgeIn trial of the accused this afternoon.He has therefore this last hope, but only this,That you with all your friends proceed at onceTo the fort of the guard: he will proclaim you there,Relying on the people, who well knowYour prudence, and may passively acceptThe revolution as a thing accomplished.Seeing you countenance it, and have your titleSupported by the guards.Pis.Calls he this hope?’Tis the forlorn hope.Fla.Desperation, my lord,Is not despair. I venture it with gladness.Pis.So do not I. I am no doubt betrayedAlready and watched.Fla.Rufus may still be clear:The informers will not name him while the guardsRemain their last resource.Pis.Bid him act quickly,And for himself.Fla.My lord, he looks to you.Unless you appear we cannot gain the people.Consider how we have all trusted our livesTo your concerted action: now stand forthAnd help us as you can.Pis.Stay, man; considerHow I have trusted my life to your action;And what ye have done with it: my stake in thisCompares no more with thine than does my prizeIn the success with thine: I should be Cæsar,Thou Flavus still: so, if we fail, I sufferIn like degree, my family dishonoured,My rich estates cónfiscate, my innocent,Honest dependants, whom I count by thousands,All plunged in misery: to them my dutiesForbid this reckless hazard.—Return to Rufus,And say so much. I utter no reproach’Gainst thee nor any other; I forgiveWhat reproach thou didst hint. I know thou’rt brave;Thou hast wished well, and I with thee; but nowOur ill-built ship founders. I am your captain;My word is each man for himself: my partI shall act no less bravely, that I seeAll goes to the bottom.Fla.Defer, my lord, to the last.I’ll save you if I may. I will go armedTo the trial.Pis.Act for thyself; think not of me.Now bear my word to Rufus. Go this way.[Exit, showing Flavus out.SCENE · 3The previous scene withdraws and discovers an open court of the palace disposed for the trial, the seats in a half-circle. Nero’s at centre, back, the seat for the Judge at left front: the raised platform for the accused at right front. Guards behind NERO, and lining the half-circle.Enter LUCAN, FLAVUS and ASPER(L.).They stand talking under cover of Judge’s seat. Guards and most of audience are assembled.LUCAN.Rufus will do his best: trust we to RufusTo minimize the matter; ’tis his interest.FLAVUS.If Cæsar come unguarded, I will kill him.ASPER.I will stand by thee. Is Lateranus here?Luc.He said he should not come. I pray you bothWait: let us first see who is betrayed.Fla.Go thou,And wait thy death. (Lucan goes to his place.)Asp.Let us die bravely, Flavus;’Tis all we can. (Coming forward to centre.)2200Fla.We will. Ah, see! he is guarded.EnterR.Nero, Tigellinus and Rufus; preceded by Guards, who thrust Flavus and Asper back, making passage for Cæsar.NERO(at centre).Here is our court. I love the open air:It savours more of justice, heavenly justice;And while we sit, we breathe. Rufus, ascend.(Showing Judge’s seat.)Cæsar is plaintiff, and in his own causeMight bear a bias: so I make thee judge.My counsel, Tigellinus, sit by me. (They sit.)Fla.(to Asp.) I’ll not despair. I’ll keep my dagger ready.Be near him if I rush. (Asper takes a seat on Rufus’ proper left.)Ner.Is it in order. Rufus,That I speak first?RUFUS.’Twere well for form’s sake, Cæsar,To state the purpose of this court, and readThe names of those denounced. Where are the informers?Ner.Bring in the prisoners.—As for this court, general,’Tis called to inquire upon a matter knownTo most here: they that know it not may gather itAs we proceed; I will premise thus far:—You will hear certain citizens confessThat they, with others whom they name, were joinedIn a conspiracy to murder another,And him your chiefest citizen, myself.Rome at the first had kings, and being returnedTo an autocratic rule, in the exigencyOf wide dominion, I, her king, her Cæsar,Her prætor, tribune, consul, typifyThe general weal: who aims at my life, aimsAt Rome and all. Therefore, though Cæsar needsNo sanction to his sentence, he invitesThe public ear unto the public wrong,That all, before the guilty are arrested,May hear the evidence, and self-impeachment2230Of the two chief informers. There they are;Natalis and Scevinus.—(They have been brought in guarded during Nero’s speech, and now stand up.R.)As plaintiff I shall watch the case, as CæsarI watch the judge. Proceed!TIGELLINUS.Scevinus.SCEVINUS.Here, sir.Tig.Thou in this writing hast confessed the truthOf all the several charges brought against theeBy thy slave Milichus.Sce.I have, my lord.Tig.’Tis true there was a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life,And thou the instrument?Sce.My lord, ’tis true:I crave great Cæsar’s mercy.Tig.In hope of that,And moved by late contrition, thou hast revealedThe names of thy confederates.Sce.I have.Ruf.Will Cæsar let me scan the information?Ner.No need. Take each in turn.Tig.(to Sce.).I ask thee, therefore,Now to confirm this paper in open court.Who was the head of this conspiracy?The man who thought to sit in Cæsar’s place,When ye had murdered Cæsar?Sce.Calpurnius Piso.Tig.Stand forth, Natalis.NATALIS.Here, my lord.Tig.Art thouOf Piso’s household?Nat.I am, my lord.Tig.Then thouShouldst know: was Piso head of this conspiracy?Nat.He was, my lord.Ner.Judgment!—Ruf.Arrest Calpurnius Piso on this charge.Ner.(to Tig.). Send and arrest him. (Tig. speaks to those behind.)Fla.(to Ruf.).Let me by thee, Rufus!—Send me to Cæsar with some paper, Rufus!—Now I may reach him.—To save Piso, Rufus!—Ruf.(to Flav., thrusting him back). Be still!Tig.(looking up). Order! who speaks?Ner. whispers to Tigellinus, who sets two Guards before Nero’s seat.Ruf.(to Flav.). See, fool; he hath smelt thee.Tig.I’ll ask Natalis further if he knewOf any other chief man in the stateCognizant of this plot, or joined therein.Nat.Calpurnius Piso was the chief, my lord.Tig.No other? and I have here thy writing!Fla.(aside to Rufus).Now,General, thy turn is come.Ruf.(to Natalis).Speak, sir!Nat.I pray,Rufus, to urge not this: nay, from my heartI say . . .Tig.’Tis written here.Ruf.This witness, Cæsar,I do not trust.Tig.Carry Natalis outTo torture.Nat.I will speak.Tig.Then name, sir, name!Nat.Seneca.Ruf.Seneca!Tig.Yes, Seneca.Let Seneca be arrested. Judge, what sayst thou?Ruf.Let Seneca be arrested.Fla.(to Ruf.).Villain thou art!Ner.(to Tigell. who has whispered to him). Leave2270Seneca to me.Tig.These are the heads. Now will I read three names:Tell me, Scevinus, if I read aright:Quintian, Senecio, Lucan.Sce.I denounce them.Ner.Three hypocritical and fawning curs,The lap-dogs of the palace. Where áre they?Tig.They are here, Cæsar.—Quintian, stánd forth.QUINTIAN.Here,My lord.Tig.Dost thou confess?Qu.I give ScevinusThe lie direct.Ner.We found thee in his company,The hour of his arrest.Qu.Cæsar, I knewOf nothing ’gainst thy life. ’Tis true that oftI have spoken against Vatinius; were he Cæsar,I should be guilty: but yourself have lovedTo prick me to it; and so, maybe, my tongueHath given Scevinus undeserved occasionTo think me of his party.Ner.Rufus, judge!Ruf.I look for evidence.Tig.Dost thou?—Then, Quintian,To save thy life wilt thou inform?Qu.I will.Tig.Then was not Lucan with you?Qu.He was.Ner.O Quintian,Quintian! if I forgave thee for thy treason,I could not for thy folly. Arrest him.Ruf.Arrest Quintian.The next?Tig.Senecio, General, hath confessed.His evidence we will take later. Where isLucan?Luc.I am here, my lord, ready to answer.Ruf.Then let us hear thine answer.Luc.I denyThe charge of treason: but so far confessMy intimacy with the accused, that oftMy zeal for senatorial forms hath led meTo listen to them, when the words that passedMight tell against me: and if I was betrayed2300By antiquarian taste, to trust these menAgainst advice and warning . . .Ner.Ah! thou sayestAgainst advice. Who warned thee?Luc.Cæsar, I said . . .Ner.Sir, I will know who warned thee of this plot,And warned not me.Luc.Sire, I meant not so much.Tig.We heard thee.Luc.I make appeal to Rufus, whetherI must betray the innocent.Ner.If thou lookFor thine own pardon.Tig.We can make thee speak.Ruf.Tell us, sir, who these wondrous patriots were,Who set thy private safety above Cæsar’s.Luc.If Cæsar bids me speak, I may hide nothing.I will confess it was my mother, Atilia,Who warned me against these men. Punish not herFor not betraying her son.Ner.Nay, sir, but theeWho in this bungle of prevaricationBetrayest thine own mother. Judge!Ruf.Arrest him.Luc.I am arrested, Cæsar, not condemned.Ner.Thou’lt see. Stand by!—(To Tigell.) Another woman! whyComes not Epicharis?Tig.I know no causeFor the delay. I’ll send again.Ner.Do so.(To Scevinus.) Go on, sir: who is next?Sce.Plautius Lateranus.Ner.Plautius Lateranus! Have more careWhom thou accusest. This is one bounden to meBy special favours: from disgrace I raised himTo sit among the senate, and now he is chosenConsul.Tig.Dost thou denounce him?2325Sce.I do, my lord.Ner.Whom then can Cæsar trust? Judge, Rufus, judge!Tig.Judge!Ruf.Let him be arrested.Ner.Send to his house.Enter an Officer.OFFICER.Cæsar, being sent to arrest Calpurnius Piso,We found him dead.Ruf.Dead! how?Ner.Is Piso dead?Fla.(to Rufus). See how thou hast ruined all!Ruf.(to Flavus)Speak not to me!Off.He died by his own hand as we arrived.I viewed the body.Tig.He must have killed himselfTo escape the confiscation.Ner.Bah! he hath robbedThe treasury.Tig.We shall have pickings yet.Ruf.Cæsar, the untimely suicide of the accusedConfirms the charge against him in so farAs he hath declined to meet it. But the trialFalls to the ground: we lose both the defenceAnd the chief witness.Ner.Not so. My chief objectRemains, and my chief witness.—(To Tig.) Where is Epicharis?Tig.I see a litter passing ’neath the trees.Ner.Meet them, and bring her in.—[Exit Tigellinus.I now produce a woman in the court.Her name Epicharis: she lives at Naples,And there was used by the conspiratorsTo tamper with the navy: the AdmiralArrested her; but she, being charged before me,Turned off suspicion with a specious tale,Which I more readily believed, because2350I hate informers, nor will lightly thinkEvil of anyone. SenecioConfirmed her story, but hath since confessedHe knew it false: himself, as he affirms,Was not in Piso’s confidence; this womanKnew all. Now Piso towards SenecioTrusted too much in trusting but a little,Trusting Epicharis much he trusted well:For in the extreme of torture she hath not flinched,Nor given a sound: but seeing her silence nowConfuted by so many tongues, she hath yielded,And promised to speak truth. See, here she is.During this speech Epicharis has been borne in on the litter, and is set down at the centre of the stage.Her speech shall now unmask what traitorous facesStill screen their villany.Ruf.A woman, Cæsar;And in the pangs of torture, and fear of death!What evidence is this?Ner.What would ye object?Ruf.Shall Romans have their free lives played with thus?Ner.What puts thee in fear? Silence!—Epicharis,I bid thee now speak truth before the court.Piso is dead. Thou seest thy comrades taken.Truth may not save thy life: yet speak the truthAs thy last hope. Let no man interrupt her.EPICHARIS(speaks from the litter).Cæsar, I thank thee that in all my tortureThou hast spared my tongue to tell thee truth at last:That I am admitted where my free confession2375May reach the public ear, nay not deniedThine own ear, and for that I thank thee most;And for my torture I thank thee too: ’tis provedI speak not lightly, and must be well believed.Thou bidst me, mighty Cæsar, tell thee truth:Weak is my tongue to tell the mighty truthsCæsar dare hear, and none hath dared to tell:And I die . . . hearken quickly. Of all thou seestThere is not one whom thou canst trust: all hate thee . . .Yet needst thou not, great Cæsar, fear them much;For all are cowards: nay, there is not among themOne brave enough to kill thee. And yet again,Great Cæsar, I counsel thee to fear them too;For all the world ’gainst one will have their way.I know thou fear’st. Then who is most thy foe?Whom first to kill? That I can tell thee, Cæsar:For none of all thou seest, or ever saw’st,Or wilt see again, nay, not thy murdered mother,Thy poisoned brother, thy beheaded wife,Whose bloody ghosts watch on the banks of hellTo mark thy doom, none hateth thee as I,Defieth thee as I, curseth thee as I.O emperor of the world, thine hour is come.Within thy cankered soul dwell side by sideRemorse and vanity to drive thee mad:The grecian furies hound thee, the christian devils2401Dispute for thee. Fly to thy dunghill, Cæsar,Where thou must perish . . .Ner.Will none there stop her mouth?Ep.Plague-spotted, abhorred for ever—by all—accurst—Asp.Let no man interrupt her!Ner.Who spoke? Arrest him.—Epicharis’ last words are spoken as the Soldiers surround her. She struggles on the litter violently, and falls back dead. Other Guards arrest Asper.Who art thou, sir? thy name?Asp.My name is Asper.I am centurion under Rufus.Ner.Rufus,Know’st thou thy man?Ruf.I grieve, sire, it is true:He is one of my centurions.Ner.Question him.Tig.(who is standing by Epicharis, to Nero). Epicharis is dead.Ner.Ye have killed her, fools?Hath she got quit?Tig.’Twas her own doing, Cæsar:She meshed her neck among the cords, and soHath reft her of what little life remained.Ner.Remove her to the prison, and let physiciansAttend her at once.Tig.She is dead.(They carry Epicharis out.)Ner.Rufus, proceedWith thy centurion.Asp.If all hate thee, Cæsar,How wilt thou bid that hater question this?Ruf.What, fellow?Asp.Thou that sittest there to judge,And shouldst stand here, wilt thou dare question me?Ruf.I, fellow?Ner.Ha! Rufus, thou turnest pale.Ruf.With anger I turn pale, that in your presenceA traitor should defame me.Ner.Be cool, sir:Thou wast suspected, now accused thou art.2423Thou hast but one appeal: In thy worst case’Tis to thy friends (pointing to accused).Ruf.Call not those men my friends.Ner.I’ll see. Speak, traitors all; was Rufus with you?Luc., Sce., and others.He was. He is guilty.Ner.Arrest the judge.Ruf.Who dares?What officer of mine dares raise his handAgainst his general?CASSIUS.That will I, my lord;Knowing that thou deservest more than all.Ruf.Help! help!—(To Flavus.) Now, man, strike now or never.Fla.Hush!(Rufus is seized after a struggle.)I am the last.Ner.(stepping down). Now will I mount myself the judge’s seat.(Fla. rushes forward to stab Nero.)Ner.Ha! Murder! (Tigellinus, who has watched Flavus, intercepts him. Flavus is seized.)Tig.Clear the Court!The inner line of Guards faces outwards, and all present except the prisoners are driven from centre into the wings, and the court begins to clear.Ner. (to Flavus, who is held before him). Who art thou, sir?Fla.A tribune and an honest soldier, Cæsar;And none more faithful, while you well deserved.But I began to hate you from the dayYou killed your mother, and debased yourself,Performing to the people: and I am freedFrom all my oaths, by all the gods in heaven,With all the world; and sworn with half the worldTo kill thee or be killed.Ner.Fool! I shall kill thee,With thy half world, and rule the other half.(The curtain falls, or scene shuts across.)SCENE · 4A room in the palace. Enter Tigellinus.TIGELLINUS.Rufus, my rival, is condemned to die:The city troops are mine: I am secure:Cæsar I hold by flattery, Rome by force.Sophronius Tigellinus of Agrigentum!Of Agrigentum,—well done! be content.Thou hast the second place in all the world,And rulest the first; while of thine envious foes,2450Sulla, Plautus, and Piso, all three are dead:A few remain: but on the Spaniard SenecaShall the Sicilian eagle swoop to-night,As on a flying hare. Poppæa, in thisMy keen ally, hunts with me eagerly.Enter Nero and Poppæa.Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail!(They salute.)The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits?NERO.Fear not,I have dined.Tig.Dined well, I pray the gods.Ner.Superbly.—We sent to speak with thee of Seneca;What should be done.Tig.What hath been done already?Ner.Hark, I will tell thee. I sent a letter to him,Pressing the information of Natalis;—‘Why, if thou knewest of this plot’—I said—‘Didst not thou warn me? And if thou knewest not,What was thy reason why thou didst refuseAudience to Piso, alleging that such meetingsWere good for neither; adding also,I holdThy life needful for mine?’ Now I awaitHis answer.Tig.The tribune is returned.Ner.Impossible;Seneca is in Campania.Tig.Nay, your majesty;He is in the suburbs: he returned to-day,Trusting his wit before his innocence.[Exit Tigellinus.Ner.Go, fetch the tribune in.POPPÆA.Why dally thus?Ner.I dally not: I go the shortest wayTo find if he be guilty.Pop.Stick you at that?2475Ner.Romans are free. There is no man can be touchedOn an unproven charge.Pop.Are you not Cæsar?Ner.Cæsar administers the law, while itCan minister to him.Re-enter Tigellinus.Tig.Here is his answer written.Ner.Read it us, Tigellinus.Tig.If I can . . .The letters are so pinched and shaky . . . it needsThe scholarship of Cæsar.Ner.Give it to me.(Reads.) ‘To Cæsar, Lucius Annæus SenecaGreeting . . . In answer to thy message; first’Tis true that once Natalis came to meFrom Piso, and begged that I would visit him:And I excused myself on plea of sickness,And need of quiet: As to the words imputed,However I may prize thy safety, Cæsar,I have no cause to set a private person’sAbove my own; nor do I stoop to flattery,As well thou knowest; nor to such shallow artsAs would hide treason in a salutation.’Tig.Is that the sum?Ner.’Tis all. He is not guilty.Tig.Not guilty!Ner.Nay.Pop.Why, he confesses it.Ner.I know the man: his mind is here at ease.The style is pithy and careless. When he has aughtTo excuse, he is wordy.Tig.He was wordy enoughIn the matter of Agrippina, true.Ner.Well, sir!Pop.And in the matter of Britannicus.2500Ner.Why raise these matters now?Tig.These are the mattersThat Seneca harps on: while he lives they live.Pop.These are the deeds Epicharis charged against thee.Tig.This was the root of Flavus’ hate.Pop.’Tis thisThe people mean, who whisper when I pass,‘Octavia, Octavia.’Tig.And he now persuadesHalf Rome ’twas not himself who did these things,But thou . . . which thou, permitting him to live,Indorsest with thy name; dost set, I say,The imperial warrant on the black account:As orphans sign away their patrimonyTo scheming uncles; as unwitting pupilsTo crafty tutors fall a prey.Ner.One lessonHe taught me perfectly, that is to hate him.Pop.Thy hate and love go by half measures, Nero.Tig.’Twere pretty, Cæsar, wert thou a private person,To play the philosopher upon the manWho led thee astray—albeit to sacrificeThy wife and friend,—if he who saved thy lifeMay style himself thy friend . . .Ner.Yes, friend; thou savedstMy life to-day.2520Tig.And yet saved not, if thouWilt throw it straight away, and with thy saviour’s.Ner.Stay, I am resolved: I will not vex you further:I yield. I know there is no man in the world,Nor ever was, but hath his flaw: In some’Tis a foul blot, that in the eye of natureStands out unpardonable and unredeemedBy all the school of virtues, howsoe’erThey dance in grace around it: In another’Tis like a beauty-mark, a starry mole2530Which on a virgin’s body but sets offThe dazzling flesh, that else were self-extinguishedIn its own fairness.—Yet by these flecks and flaws,Whate’er they be, ’tis fated that men fall:And thus may I, nay must; unless in timeI heed good warning, for my fault is gross.I am over-generous; yes; ye say it; I know it.That is my flaw. It is because my schemesAre wider than his own, that Seneca hates me:Because the world hath tasted more of freedomUnder my rule than under any CæsarWho went before—and that can no man question—It is for this my throne hath more been envied,And by more plots and treacheries besieged,Than ever others were: and when I saw(My safety and the people’s good being one)I must make holocaust of private feelingsTo that which helped the whole, then ’twas for thatThe bungling crowd condemned me, & where I lookedFor gratitude to be my consolation,2550I met reproach. ’Twas Seneca, ye say,Who did those things. ’Tis true those deeds were hisIn reason and connivence; but in the act,Doing and suffering they were mine, and are.Yet now, if he withdraw his countenance,Condemn, wear vulgar horror on his face,And turn men’s hearts against me, what could moveMy anger more if I were vain or cruel?No. Have your will;—and if I hinder not,He cannot blame me; since I do but playSeneca to your Cæsar.Tig.I thank thee, sire.He dies to-night; or shall we wait to have himCompose the palliation?[Exit Tig.Ner.Jest not; ’tis done.Pop.You have talked too long, Nero; come in & rest.Ner.He was my tutor once, and once I loved him.Pop.You might have done it with a nod.Ner.He is old:I rob him not of much. The end of lifeIs tedious, I believe. Come back, Poppæa;And while we are in our prime, let us be merry[Exeunt.And thank the gods.SCENE · 5(As epilogue.)Scene withdraws and shows Seneca’s garden in the suburbs: a table set out under a tree.Enter SENECA, THRASEA, and PRISCUS.SENECA.This way: I have bid them set a table, Thrasea,Under my favourite tree. Here let us sit,And watch the April sunset; the mild airPermits this summer pleasure.THRASEA.I long doubtedWhether to come upon an invitation2575Written before these troubles.Sen.You did wellNot to desert me. Fannia too shall comfortMy grieved Paullina.—Here is the best wineOf all my vineyards: drink to my long journey:—But first remember solemnly our friendsWho have already died to-day: I pourThis cup to them, and specially must nameMy nephew Lucan.Thr.’Tis an ancient custom.Sen.(offering to Thrasea).And should be kept.Thr.(taking and sprinkling). I’ll name the gentle Piso.PRISCUS(taking from Thrasea).(Sprinkling.)This to Epicharis.Thr.Well spoken, son.No better wish than that we all may dieBravely as she.Sen.So be it! Now let us sit.(They sit.)And I between (sitting). I would so spend this hour,.That ye shall not forget it in after-days,When ye think of me. ’Tis the last time, friends,That ye will sup with me.Pr.Nay, say not so:I trust you have escaped.Sen.Look on yon sun:An hour hence he will set; and now he sinksSmiling eternal promises. Ye bothShall see him rise, but I—I shall not see it.This tree shall hang its branches, and anotherMay sit and comfort his poetic sadness.As I have done, only not I: I onlyNot here . . . not there, where I have been: all thingsHave hitherto existed with me, henceforthAll will exist without me.2600Pr.Have more hope.Sen.Nay, it is so; what else could Cæsar mean?Thr.Your answer may convince him.Sen.Nay, good Thrasea;These be the last hours of my life: I’d sayTo you, my friends, what I have most at heart.And first rejoice with me that I departWith all my senses perfect, not as some,Tortured by pain and praying for release;Nor like a man, who walking in the dark,Comes to a brink upright, and steppeth overUnhesitatingly, because he knows not.Nor is my term much shortened, I shall dieLike aged Socrates, and with his hopeThat the spirit doth not perish;—I mean notA senseless immortality of fame:That I shall have, but more I’ll have; I dreamOf life in which I may be Seneca again,Seneca still.Thr.Now if thou couldst convince us,Seneca, of that, ’twere worthy thy last hour.Teach me to picture what thou thinkst to see,That land betwixt oblivion and regret;Where is’t? how is it?Sen.It lies not in the scopeOf demonstration, Thrasea; but my heartBears witness to it: the best that I could sayIs in my books. What all mankind desires,2625The mind requires; what it requires believes:And calls it truth. I hold that one God made us,And at our death receives our spirits kindly:We shall meet elsewhere those whom we leave here.Pr.This will not comfort Romans: Nero again,And Tigellinus....Sen.Why may there not beDistinction, Priscus, as old fables tell;Rewards for good, and punishments for ill?The myths are gross and brutal, but philosophyFinds reason in religion.Thr.Then the vulgar,’Gainst whom you have waged your philosophic war,Hold the last truth.Sen.The sanction of all truthLies in our common nature. A religionBased on the truth of what all men desireMust carry all before it.Thr.But you saidPhilosophy found reason in religion.What is your ground?Sen.My first is this, that elseAll were unjust. It needs a second lifeTo set this even.Thr.You have not found in lifeIts own reward?Sen.Nay, I have not.Thr.I know notIf ’tis not sadder, this profound impeachmentOf God’s whole constitution as we see it,Than the belief that death’s our end of all.To live in conscious harmony with natureMay satisfy our being; but religion2650Looks like the poetry which childhood makesTo cloke its empty terrors, or bedizenIts painted idols: such is my persuasion.Pr.And mine.Sen.Ah, Priscus, thou art young. I onceLooked forward into life with a proud heart,Nor saw the exigency and ironyOf all-subduing Fate. Consider, Priscus,Whether your father’s virtue or Nero’s crimesHave found their recompense.Pr.If Thrasea’s heartIs comforted by virtue, sir, and NeroMade wretched by his crime . . .Sen.Then put it thus:If any were to make a tragedyOf these events, how would it pass or please,If Nero lived on at the end unpunished,Triumphing still o’er good?Thr.Yes, Seneca:But see you make not now your god of the stageThe God of Nature. Our true tragedyIs just this outward riddle, and the godThat mends all, comes not in pat at his cueOn a machine, but liveth in our heartsResolving evil faster than it falls,As the sun melts the snow.Sen.’Tis not enough,Thrasea, ’tis not enough: there must be more.Hear you a tramping? That is Cæsar’s men:They will surround the garden. Come aside.(Comes to front with Thrasea.)2675Stand by me, Thrasea, to the last. I would notSlur the last act of life. Be thou my witnessOf word and deed.Enter Paullina with Fannia, who goes to Priscus.PAULLINA.O Seneca, they are come;They are come again.Sen.Dear wife, remember, and help me.—See, friends, the sun is almost set; ’tis timeWe went within.Pau.Alas!(weeping.)Sen.(to Paullina). Thy tears distract me,And shame us both.Enter a Centurion.CENTURION.Annæus Seneca!Sen.Well, sir: thy message? Art not thou Silvanus,That stoodst with Rufus and with Subrius Flavus?How hast thou wriggled out?Cent.I am Silvanus,And bring thee Cæsar’s bidding.Sen.Is it death?Cent.’Tis death.Pau.Shame on thee.Sen.Hush, wife: be brave.—A manNeed not be shamed, sirs, that his wife bewail him.(To Paullina.) Go thou, Paullina, fetch my will.Cent.Stay, madam:’Tis not allowed.Sen.This is unkind: my wealthWas Cæsar’s gift: but now he takes from meMore than he ever gave, my life: ’tis meanTo grudge me my last freedom, the little useI’d make of his old favours. I but wishedTo leave mementoes to three loving friends,Who have supped with me to-night.—In lieu thereofThe example of my constancy shall beMore lively undelayed by gentle speechesAnd farewell gifts. Come with me, all is ready.Cent.I await thee.Sen.Farewell, friends! Farewell, Paullina!Pau.Not to me here.Sen.Yes, we must part: the dayIs not much hastened. See how skeleton-likeAlready the hand, with which I go to shearThe filmy threads of life.Pau.But I will dieWith thee.Sen.Be still. Let not thy heart rebel.Now is the hour of proof.Pau.If ’twere God’s will.Sen.All is God’s will: and as we lived togetherIn love, so now we part.Pau.Why should we part?What thou doest I will do: I fear not death.I’ll hold my little candle by thy sun....Sen.It may not be. Use thy high courage ratherTo live. Yes, live in peace: live long.Pau.With theeMurdered! Alas!Sen.Give me thy last embrace.Pau.Was not my faith then true? Are we not one?Sen.Yes, yes: we are one.Pau.Then now forbid me notTo die with thee.FANNIA.Do not this thing, madam!Pau.Nay, hold me not!Sen.Paullina, dost thou makeThis desperate choice truly with all thy heart?Pau.With all my heart.Sen.Thou dost? Dear wife, I thoughtCæsar could part us: now I can forgive him.—To you, my friends, farewell! Thrasea, farewell!Priscus, farewell! Fannia, farewell!—Paullina,(Taking her hand)Since thou canst dare, we will go hand in handTo learn the mighty secret; we will set forth2724Together unto the place where all have gone.

TIGELLINUS(to Guards).

[Exeunt Guards.Leave him.—Natalis, thou hast had a taste of the rack?

Leave him.—

Natalis, thou hast had a taste of the rack?

NATALIS(kneels).

Mercy, my lord; have mercy on me I pray thee:I will tell all, and better without torture.

Mercy, my lord; have mercy on me I pray thee:

I will tell all, and better without torture.

Tig.So far I have had mercy, sir: I have shown thee2100In this Epicharis what thou mayst look for,Should I lack mercy. Canst thou too be silent?

Tig.So far I have had mercy, sir: I have shown thee

In this Epicharis what thou mayst look for,

Should I lack mercy. Canst thou too be silent?

Nat.Nay, my lord, nay. My lord, I am not brave.Knowing I cannot suffer, I will speak truthWithout the torture.

Nat.Nay, my lord, nay. My lord, I am not brave.

Knowing I cannot suffer, I will speak truth

Without the torture.

Tig.Truth, fool! what is that?I haggle not with thee for thine own tale:That cannot serve thee. I require of theeSuch answers as best please me.

Tig.Truth, fool! what is that?

I haggle not with thee for thine own tale:

That cannot serve thee. I require of thee

Such answers as best please me.

Nat.I will confess.

Tig.Thou hast betrayed thy master Piso; nowTell me, was Seneca in this conspiracy?

Tig.Thou hast betrayed thy master Piso; now

Tell me, was Seneca in this conspiracy?

Nat.No, my lord.

Tig.(calling). Guards!

(Enter Guards.)Nat.I swear he was not.

Nat.I swear he was not.

Tig.Guards!Take him to torture.

Tig.Guards!

Take him to torture.

Nat.Oh, my lord, have pity!Ask me not this.

Nat.Oh, my lord, have pity!

Ask me not this.

Tig.I’ll ask thee nothing elseWhile thou art parting with thy skin. Once more:Was Seneca in this conspiracy?

Tig.I’ll ask thee nothing else

While thou art parting with thy skin. Once more:

Was Seneca in this conspiracy?

Nat.He was.

Tig.Just as I thought; hold fast to that;Else, by great Jupiter, the things thou hast seenAre nothing.—Take him off and send in the other.[Exeunt Guards with Natalis.Now I am rid of Seneca. This methodIs easy and short. The foolish rich ScevinusMay serve me another way.

Tig.Just as I thought; hold fast to that;

Else, by great Jupiter, the things thou hast seen

Are nothing.—Take him off and send in the other.

[Exeunt Guards with Natalis.

Now I am rid of Seneca. This method

Is easy and short. The foolish rich Scevinus

May serve me another way.

Enter two Guards with Scevinus, whose hands are bound before him.

(To Guards.) Leave him.—(Exeunt Guards.) Scevinus,Cæsar hath ordered thee the rack.

(To Guards.) Leave him.—(Exeunt Guards.) Scevinus,

Cæsar hath ordered thee the rack.

SCEVINUS(kneels).

My lord,Have pity upon me I beg. I turn informer.I will betray it all: I withhold nothing.

My lord,

Have pity upon me I beg. I turn informer.

I will betray it all: I withhold nothing.

Tig.Thou hast seen the torture of Epicharis....

Sce.O, my dear lord, not that! mercy!

Tig.Since sheHath baulked my inquisitors, I have promised themSome noisy victim to restore their credit.

Tig.Since she

Hath baulked my inquisitors, I have promised them

Some noisy victim to restore their credit.

Sce.Not me, not me!

Tig.And why not thee? I think theeA likely fellow.

Tig.And why not thee? I think thee

A likely fellow.

Sce.My lord, I am too tender.2130The least prick of my finger, or if the wineI drink be overheated, ’tis enoughTo put me in a frenzy: I should dieAt first stretch of the rack.

Sce.My lord, I am too tender.

The least prick of my finger, or if the wine

I drink be overheated, ’tis enough

To put me in a frenzy: I should die

At first stretch of the rack.

Tig.Pooh! man: they’d keep theeAlive for a week.—

Tig.Pooh! man: they’d keep thee

Alive for a week.—

Sce.O spare me, good Tigellinus!Spare me, I pray, kind Tigellinus, spare me!

Sce.O spare me, good Tigellinus!

Spare me, I pray, kind Tigellinus, spare me!

Tig.Shall I? and if I do, what is it worth?Hast thou two thousand sesters?

Tig.Shall I? and if I do, what is it worth?

Hast thou two thousand sesters?

Sce.Oh, my lord,I have not the tenth of it.

Sce.Oh, my lord,

I have not the tenth of it.

Tig.(calling).Guards!

(Enter Guards.)Sce.I swear I have not.

Sce.I swear I have not.

Tig.Get up, that is the price.—Guards, take him off.—I’ll make good use of thee.

Tig.Get up, that is the price.—Guards, take him off.—

I’ll make good use of thee.

Sce.Sir, I might find it.

Tig.(motioning Guards back). Hark, thou canst raise the money, and mayst writeFrom prison to thy friends: and if ’tis paidTo me to-night, I will respect thy wish.—Guards, take this prisoner to the outer cell;Let him there write what missives he desires,And see they be delivered in the city.[Exeunt severally.

Tig.(motioning Guards back). Hark, thou canst raise the money, and mayst write

From prison to thy friends: and if ’tis paid

To me to-night, I will respect thy wish.—

Guards, take this prisoner to the outer cell;

Let him there write what missives he desires,

And see they be delivered in the city.

[Exeunt severally.

A room in the house of Piso.

Enter FLAVUS and PISO, meeting.

FLAVUS.

My lord, I come from Rufus.

PISO.

Give thy message.

Fla.Natalis and Scevinus both are taken.All must be known; and your complicityThe first: meanwhile Rufus is unsuspected;Cæsar hath summoned him to sit as judgeIn trial of the accused this afternoon.He has therefore this last hope, but only this,That you with all your friends proceed at onceTo the fort of the guard: he will proclaim you there,Relying on the people, who well knowYour prudence, and may passively acceptThe revolution as a thing accomplished.Seeing you countenance it, and have your titleSupported by the guards.

Fla.Natalis and Scevinus both are taken.

All must be known; and your complicity

The first: meanwhile Rufus is unsuspected;

Cæsar hath summoned him to sit as judge

In trial of the accused this afternoon.

He has therefore this last hope, but only this,

That you with all your friends proceed at once

To the fort of the guard: he will proclaim you there,

Relying on the people, who well know

Your prudence, and may passively accept

The revolution as a thing accomplished.

Seeing you countenance it, and have your title

Supported by the guards.

Pis.Calls he this hope?’Tis the forlorn hope.

Pis.Calls he this hope?

’Tis the forlorn hope.

Fla.Desperation, my lord,Is not despair. I venture it with gladness.

Fla.Desperation, my lord,

Is not despair. I venture it with gladness.

Pis.So do not I. I am no doubt betrayedAlready and watched.

Pis.So do not I. I am no doubt betrayed

Already and watched.

Fla.Rufus may still be clear:The informers will not name him while the guardsRemain their last resource.

Fla.Rufus may still be clear:

The informers will not name him while the guards

Remain their last resource.

Pis.Bid him act quickly,And for himself.

Pis.Bid him act quickly,

And for himself.

Fla.My lord, he looks to you.Unless you appear we cannot gain the people.Consider how we have all trusted our livesTo your concerted action: now stand forthAnd help us as you can.

Fla.My lord, he looks to you.

Unless you appear we cannot gain the people.

Consider how we have all trusted our lives

To your concerted action: now stand forth

And help us as you can.

Pis.Stay, man; considerHow I have trusted my life to your action;And what ye have done with it: my stake in thisCompares no more with thine than does my prizeIn the success with thine: I should be Cæsar,Thou Flavus still: so, if we fail, I sufferIn like degree, my family dishonoured,My rich estates cónfiscate, my innocent,Honest dependants, whom I count by thousands,All plunged in misery: to them my dutiesForbid this reckless hazard.—Return to Rufus,And say so much. I utter no reproach’Gainst thee nor any other; I forgiveWhat reproach thou didst hint. I know thou’rt brave;Thou hast wished well, and I with thee; but nowOur ill-built ship founders. I am your captain;My word is each man for himself: my partI shall act no less bravely, that I seeAll goes to the bottom.

Pis.Stay, man; consider

How I have trusted my life to your action;

And what ye have done with it: my stake in this

Compares no more with thine than does my prize

In the success with thine: I should be Cæsar,

Thou Flavus still: so, if we fail, I suffer

In like degree, my family dishonoured,

My rich estates cónfiscate, my innocent,

Honest dependants, whom I count by thousands,

All plunged in misery: to them my duties

Forbid this reckless hazard.—Return to Rufus,

And say so much. I utter no reproach

’Gainst thee nor any other; I forgive

What reproach thou didst hint. I know thou’rt brave;

Thou hast wished well, and I with thee; but now

Our ill-built ship founders. I am your captain;

My word is each man for himself: my part

I shall act no less bravely, that I see

All goes to the bottom.

Fla.Defer, my lord, to the last.I’ll save you if I may. I will go armedTo the trial.

Fla.Defer, my lord, to the last.

I’ll save you if I may. I will go armed

To the trial.

Pis.Act for thyself; think not of me.Now bear my word to Rufus. Go this way.

Pis.Act for thyself; think not of me.

Now bear my word to Rufus. Go this way.

[Exit, showing Flavus out.

The previous scene withdraws and discovers an open court of the palace disposed for the trial, the seats in a half-circle. Nero’s at centre, back, the seat for the Judge at left front: the raised platform for the accused at right front. Guards behind NERO, and lining the half-circle.

Enter LUCAN, FLAVUS and ASPER(L.).They stand talking under cover of Judge’s seat. Guards and most of audience are assembled.

LUCAN.

Rufus will do his best: trust we to RufusTo minimize the matter; ’tis his interest.

Rufus will do his best: trust we to Rufus

To minimize the matter; ’tis his interest.

FLAVUS.

If Cæsar come unguarded, I will kill him.

ASPER.

I will stand by thee. Is Lateranus here?

Luc.He said he should not come. I pray you bothWait: let us first see who is betrayed.

Luc.He said he should not come. I pray you both

Wait: let us first see who is betrayed.

Fla.Go thou,And wait thy death. (Lucan goes to his place.)

Fla.Go thou,

And wait thy death. (Lucan goes to his place.)

Asp.Let us die bravely, Flavus;’Tis all we can. (Coming forward to centre.)

Asp.Let us die bravely, Flavus;

’Tis all we can. (Coming forward to centre.)

2200Fla.We will. Ah, see! he is guarded.

Fla.We will. Ah, see! he is guarded.

EnterR.Nero, Tigellinus and Rufus; preceded by Guards, who thrust Flavus and Asper back, making passage for Cæsar.

NERO(at centre).

Here is our court. I love the open air:It savours more of justice, heavenly justice;And while we sit, we breathe. Rufus, ascend.(Showing Judge’s seat.)

Here is our court. I love the open air:

It savours more of justice, heavenly justice;

And while we sit, we breathe. Rufus, ascend.

(Showing Judge’s seat.)

Cæsar is plaintiff, and in his own causeMight bear a bias: so I make thee judge.My counsel, Tigellinus, sit by me. (They sit.)

Cæsar is plaintiff, and in his own cause

Might bear a bias: so I make thee judge.

My counsel, Tigellinus, sit by me. (They sit.)

Fla.(to Asp.) I’ll not despair. I’ll keep my dagger ready.Be near him if I rush. (Asper takes a seat on Rufus’ proper left.)

Fla.(to Asp.) I’ll not despair. I’ll keep my dagger ready.

Be near him if I rush. (Asper takes a seat on Rufus’ proper left.)

Ner.Is it in order. Rufus,That I speak first?

Ner.Is it in order. Rufus,

That I speak first?

RUFUS.

’Twere well for form’s sake, Cæsar,To state the purpose of this court, and readThe names of those denounced. Where are the informers?

’Twere well for form’s sake, Cæsar,

To state the purpose of this court, and read

The names of those denounced. Where are the informers?

Ner.Bring in the prisoners.—As for this court, general,’Tis called to inquire upon a matter knownTo most here: they that know it not may gather itAs we proceed; I will premise thus far:—You will hear certain citizens confessThat they, with others whom they name, were joinedIn a conspiracy to murder another,And him your chiefest citizen, myself.Rome at the first had kings, and being returnedTo an autocratic rule, in the exigencyOf wide dominion, I, her king, her Cæsar,Her prætor, tribune, consul, typifyThe general weal: who aims at my life, aimsAt Rome and all. Therefore, though Cæsar needsNo sanction to his sentence, he invitesThe public ear unto the public wrong,That all, before the guilty are arrested,May hear the evidence, and self-impeachment2230Of the two chief informers. There they are;Natalis and Scevinus.—(They have been brought in guarded during Nero’s speech, and now stand up.R.)As plaintiff I shall watch the case, as CæsarI watch the judge. Proceed!

Ner.Bring in the prisoners.—As for this court, general,

’Tis called to inquire upon a matter known

To most here: they that know it not may gather it

As we proceed; I will premise thus far:—

You will hear certain citizens confess

That they, with others whom they name, were joined

In a conspiracy to murder another,

And him your chiefest citizen, myself.

Rome at the first had kings, and being returned

To an autocratic rule, in the exigency

Of wide dominion, I, her king, her Cæsar,

Her prætor, tribune, consul, typify

The general weal: who aims at my life, aims

At Rome and all. Therefore, though Cæsar needs

No sanction to his sentence, he invites

The public ear unto the public wrong,

That all, before the guilty are arrested,

May hear the evidence, and self-impeachment

Of the two chief informers. There they are;

Natalis and Scevinus.—(They have been brought in guarded during Nero’s speech, and now stand up.R.)

As plaintiff I shall watch the case, as Cæsar

I watch the judge. Proceed!

TIGELLINUS.Scevinus.

SCEVINUS.Here, sir.

Tig.Thou in this writing hast confessed the truthOf all the several charges brought against theeBy thy slave Milichus.

Tig.Thou in this writing hast confessed the truth

Of all the several charges brought against thee

By thy slave Milichus.

Sce.I have, my lord.

Tig.’Tis true there was a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life,And thou the instrument?

Tig.’Tis true there was a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life,

And thou the instrument?

Sce.My lord, ’tis true:I crave great Cæsar’s mercy.

Sce.My lord, ’tis true:

I crave great Cæsar’s mercy.

Tig.In hope of that,And moved by late contrition, thou hast revealedThe names of thy confederates.

Tig.In hope of that,

And moved by late contrition, thou hast revealed

The names of thy confederates.

Sce.I have.

Ruf.Will Cæsar let me scan the information?

Ner.No need. Take each in turn.

Tig.(to Sce.).I ask thee, therefore,Now to confirm this paper in open court.Who was the head of this conspiracy?The man who thought to sit in Cæsar’s place,When ye had murdered Cæsar?

Tig.(to Sce.).I ask thee, therefore,

Now to confirm this paper in open court.

Who was the head of this conspiracy?

The man who thought to sit in Cæsar’s place,

When ye had murdered Cæsar?

Sce.Calpurnius Piso.

Tig.Stand forth, Natalis.

NATALIS.Here, my lord.

Tig.Art thouOf Piso’s household?

Tig.Art thou

Of Piso’s household?

Nat.I am, my lord.

Tig.Then thouShouldst know: was Piso head of this conspiracy?

Tig.Then thou

Shouldst know: was Piso head of this conspiracy?

Nat.He was, my lord.

Ner.Judgment!—

Ruf.Arrest Calpurnius Piso on this charge.

Ner.(to Tig.). Send and arrest him. (Tig. speaks to those behind.)

Fla.(to Ruf.).Let me by thee, Rufus!—Send me to Cæsar with some paper, Rufus!—Now I may reach him.—To save Piso, Rufus!—

Fla.(to Ruf.).Let me by thee, Rufus!—

Send me to Cæsar with some paper, Rufus!—

Now I may reach him.—To save Piso, Rufus!—

Ruf.(to Flav., thrusting him back). Be still!

Tig.(looking up). Order! who speaks?

Ner. whispers to Tigellinus, who sets two Guards before Nero’s seat.

Ruf.(to Flav.). See, fool; he hath smelt thee.

Tig.I’ll ask Natalis further if he knewOf any other chief man in the stateCognizant of this plot, or joined therein.

Tig.I’ll ask Natalis further if he knew

Of any other chief man in the state

Cognizant of this plot, or joined therein.

Nat.Calpurnius Piso was the chief, my lord.

Tig.No other? and I have here thy writing!

Fla.(aside to Rufus).Now,General, thy turn is come.

Fla.(aside to Rufus).Now,

General, thy turn is come.

Ruf.(to Natalis).Speak, sir!

Nat.I pray,Rufus, to urge not this: nay, from my heartI say . . .

Nat.I pray,

Rufus, to urge not this: nay, from my heart

I say . . .

Tig.’Tis written here.

Ruf.This witness, Cæsar,I do not trust.

Ruf.This witness, Cæsar,

I do not trust.

Tig.Carry Natalis outTo torture.

Tig.Carry Natalis out

To torture.

Nat.I will speak.

Tig.Then name, sir, name!

Nat.Seneca.

Ruf.Seneca!

Tig.Yes, Seneca.Let Seneca be arrested. Judge, what sayst thou?

Tig.Yes, Seneca.

Let Seneca be arrested. Judge, what sayst thou?

Ruf.Let Seneca be arrested.

Fla.(to Ruf.).Villain thou art!

Ner.(to Tigell. who has whispered to him). Leave2270Seneca to me.

Ner.(to Tigell. who has whispered to him). Leave

Seneca to me.

Tig.These are the heads. Now will I read three names:Tell me, Scevinus, if I read aright:Quintian, Senecio, Lucan.

Tig.These are the heads. Now will I read three names:

Tell me, Scevinus, if I read aright:

Quintian, Senecio, Lucan.

Sce.I denounce them.

Ner.Three hypocritical and fawning curs,The lap-dogs of the palace. Where áre they?

Ner.Three hypocritical and fawning curs,

The lap-dogs of the palace. Where áre they?

Tig.They are here, Cæsar.—Quintian, stánd forth.

QUINTIAN.

Here,My lord.

Here,

My lord.

Tig.Dost thou confess?

Qu.I give ScevinusThe lie direct.

Qu.I give Scevinus

The lie direct.

Ner.We found thee in his company,The hour of his arrest.

Ner.We found thee in his company,

The hour of his arrest.

Qu.Cæsar, I knewOf nothing ’gainst thy life. ’Tis true that oftI have spoken against Vatinius; were he Cæsar,I should be guilty: but yourself have lovedTo prick me to it; and so, maybe, my tongueHath given Scevinus undeserved occasionTo think me of his party.

Qu.Cæsar, I knew

Of nothing ’gainst thy life. ’Tis true that oft

I have spoken against Vatinius; were he Cæsar,

I should be guilty: but yourself have loved

To prick me to it; and so, maybe, my tongue

Hath given Scevinus undeserved occasion

To think me of his party.

Ner.Rufus, judge!

Ruf.I look for evidence.

Tig.Dost thou?—Then, Quintian,To save thy life wilt thou inform?

Tig.Dost thou?—Then, Quintian,

To save thy life wilt thou inform?

Qu.I will.

Tig.Then was not Lucan with you?

Qu.He was.

Ner.O Quintian,Quintian! if I forgave thee for thy treason,I could not for thy folly. Arrest him.

Ner.O Quintian,

Quintian! if I forgave thee for thy treason,

I could not for thy folly. Arrest him.

Ruf.Arrest Quintian.The next?

Ruf.Arrest Quintian.

The next?

Tig.Senecio, General, hath confessed.His evidence we will take later. Where isLucan?

Tig.Senecio, General, hath confessed.

His evidence we will take later. Where is

Lucan?

Luc.I am here, my lord, ready to answer.

Ruf.Then let us hear thine answer.

Luc.I denyThe charge of treason: but so far confessMy intimacy with the accused, that oftMy zeal for senatorial forms hath led meTo listen to them, when the words that passedMight tell against me: and if I was betrayed2300By antiquarian taste, to trust these menAgainst advice and warning . . .

Luc.I deny

The charge of treason: but so far confess

My intimacy with the accused, that oft

My zeal for senatorial forms hath led me

To listen to them, when the words that passed

Might tell against me: and if I was betrayed

By antiquarian taste, to trust these men

Against advice and warning . . .

Ner.Ah! thou sayestAgainst advice. Who warned thee?

Ner.Ah! thou sayest

Against advice. Who warned thee?

Luc.Cæsar, I said . . .

Ner.Sir, I will know who warned thee of this plot,And warned not me.

Ner.Sir, I will know who warned thee of this plot,

And warned not me.

Luc.Sire, I meant not so much.

Tig.We heard thee.

Luc.I make appeal to Rufus, whetherI must betray the innocent.

Luc.I make appeal to Rufus, whether

I must betray the innocent.

Ner.If thou lookFor thine own pardon.

Ner.If thou look

For thine own pardon.

Tig.We can make thee speak.

Ruf.Tell us, sir, who these wondrous patriots were,Who set thy private safety above Cæsar’s.

Ruf.Tell us, sir, who these wondrous patriots were,

Who set thy private safety above Cæsar’s.

Luc.If Cæsar bids me speak, I may hide nothing.I will confess it was my mother, Atilia,Who warned me against these men. Punish not herFor not betraying her son.

Luc.If Cæsar bids me speak, I may hide nothing.

I will confess it was my mother, Atilia,

Who warned me against these men. Punish not her

For not betraying her son.

Ner.Nay, sir, but theeWho in this bungle of prevaricationBetrayest thine own mother. Judge!

Ner.Nay, sir, but thee

Who in this bungle of prevarication

Betrayest thine own mother. Judge!

Ruf.Arrest him.

Luc.I am arrested, Cæsar, not condemned.

Ner.Thou’lt see. Stand by!—(To Tigell.) Another woman! whyComes not Epicharis?

Ner.Thou’lt see. Stand by!—(To Tigell.) Another woman! why

Comes not Epicharis?

Tig.I know no causeFor the delay. I’ll send again.

Tig.I know no cause

For the delay. I’ll send again.

Ner.Do so.(To Scevinus.) Go on, sir: who is next?

Ner.Do so.

(To Scevinus.) Go on, sir: who is next?

Sce.Plautius Lateranus.

Ner.Plautius Lateranus! Have more careWhom thou accusest. This is one bounden to meBy special favours: from disgrace I raised himTo sit among the senate, and now he is chosenConsul.

Ner.Plautius Lateranus! Have more care

Whom thou accusest. This is one bounden to me

By special favours: from disgrace I raised him

To sit among the senate, and now he is chosen

Consul.

Tig.Dost thou denounce him?

2325Sce.I do, my lord.

Sce.I do, my lord.

Ner.Whom then can Cæsar trust? Judge, Rufus, judge!

Tig.Judge!

Ruf.Let him be arrested.

Ner.Send to his house.

Enter an Officer.

OFFICER.

Cæsar, being sent to arrest Calpurnius Piso,We found him dead.

Cæsar, being sent to arrest Calpurnius Piso,

We found him dead.

Ruf.Dead! how?

Ner.Is Piso dead?

Fla.(to Rufus). See how thou hast ruined all!

Ruf.(to Flavus)Speak not to me!

Off.He died by his own hand as we arrived.I viewed the body.

Off.He died by his own hand as we arrived.

I viewed the body.

Tig.He must have killed himselfTo escape the confiscation.

Tig.He must have killed himself

To escape the confiscation.

Ner.Bah! he hath robbedThe treasury.

Ner.Bah! he hath robbed

The treasury.

Tig.We shall have pickings yet.

Ruf.Cæsar, the untimely suicide of the accusedConfirms the charge against him in so farAs he hath declined to meet it. But the trialFalls to the ground: we lose both the defenceAnd the chief witness.

Ruf.Cæsar, the untimely suicide of the accused

Confirms the charge against him in so far

As he hath declined to meet it. But the trial

Falls to the ground: we lose both the defence

And the chief witness.

Ner.Not so. My chief objectRemains, and my chief witness.—(To Tig.) Where is Epicharis?

Ner.Not so. My chief object

Remains, and my chief witness.—(To Tig.) Where is Epicharis?

Tig.I see a litter passing ’neath the trees.

Ner.Meet them, and bring her in.—[Exit Tigellinus.I now produce a woman in the court.Her name Epicharis: she lives at Naples,And there was used by the conspiratorsTo tamper with the navy: the AdmiralArrested her; but she, being charged before me,Turned off suspicion with a specious tale,Which I more readily believed, because2350I hate informers, nor will lightly thinkEvil of anyone. SenecioConfirmed her story, but hath since confessedHe knew it false: himself, as he affirms,Was not in Piso’s confidence; this womanKnew all. Now Piso towards SenecioTrusted too much in trusting but a little,Trusting Epicharis much he trusted well:For in the extreme of torture she hath not flinched,Nor given a sound: but seeing her silence nowConfuted by so many tongues, she hath yielded,And promised to speak truth. See, here she is.

Ner.Meet them, and bring her in.—

[Exit Tigellinus.

I now produce a woman in the court.

Her name Epicharis: she lives at Naples,

And there was used by the conspirators

To tamper with the navy: the Admiral

Arrested her; but she, being charged before me,

Turned off suspicion with a specious tale,

Which I more readily believed, because

I hate informers, nor will lightly think

Evil of anyone. Senecio

Confirmed her story, but hath since confessed

He knew it false: himself, as he affirms,

Was not in Piso’s confidence; this woman

Knew all. Now Piso towards Senecio

Trusted too much in trusting but a little,

Trusting Epicharis much he trusted well:

For in the extreme of torture she hath not flinched,

Nor given a sound: but seeing her silence now

Confuted by so many tongues, she hath yielded,

And promised to speak truth. See, here she is.

During this speech Epicharis has been borne in on the litter, and is set down at the centre of the stage.

Her speech shall now unmask what traitorous facesStill screen their villany.

Her speech shall now unmask what traitorous faces

Still screen their villany.

Ruf.A woman, Cæsar;And in the pangs of torture, and fear of death!What evidence is this?

Ruf.A woman, Cæsar;

And in the pangs of torture, and fear of death!

What evidence is this?

Ner.What would ye object?

Ruf.Shall Romans have their free lives played with thus?

Ner.What puts thee in fear? Silence!—Epicharis,I bid thee now speak truth before the court.Piso is dead. Thou seest thy comrades taken.Truth may not save thy life: yet speak the truthAs thy last hope. Let no man interrupt her.

Ner.What puts thee in fear? Silence!—Epicharis,

I bid thee now speak truth before the court.

Piso is dead. Thou seest thy comrades taken.

Truth may not save thy life: yet speak the truth

As thy last hope. Let no man interrupt her.

EPICHARIS(speaks from the litter).

Cæsar, I thank thee that in all my tortureThou hast spared my tongue to tell thee truth at last:That I am admitted where my free confession2375May reach the public ear, nay not deniedThine own ear, and for that I thank thee most;And for my torture I thank thee too: ’tis provedI speak not lightly, and must be well believed.Thou bidst me, mighty Cæsar, tell thee truth:Weak is my tongue to tell the mighty truthsCæsar dare hear, and none hath dared to tell:And I die . . . hearken quickly. Of all thou seestThere is not one whom thou canst trust: all hate thee . . .Yet needst thou not, great Cæsar, fear them much;For all are cowards: nay, there is not among themOne brave enough to kill thee. And yet again,Great Cæsar, I counsel thee to fear them too;For all the world ’gainst one will have their way.I know thou fear’st. Then who is most thy foe?Whom first to kill? That I can tell thee, Cæsar:For none of all thou seest, or ever saw’st,Or wilt see again, nay, not thy murdered mother,Thy poisoned brother, thy beheaded wife,Whose bloody ghosts watch on the banks of hellTo mark thy doom, none hateth thee as I,Defieth thee as I, curseth thee as I.O emperor of the world, thine hour is come.Within thy cankered soul dwell side by sideRemorse and vanity to drive thee mad:The grecian furies hound thee, the christian devils2401Dispute for thee. Fly to thy dunghill, Cæsar,Where thou must perish . . .

Cæsar, I thank thee that in all my torture

Thou hast spared my tongue to tell thee truth at last:

That I am admitted where my free confession

May reach the public ear, nay not denied

Thine own ear, and for that I thank thee most;

And for my torture I thank thee too: ’tis proved

I speak not lightly, and must be well believed.

Thou bidst me, mighty Cæsar, tell thee truth:

Weak is my tongue to tell the mighty truths

Cæsar dare hear, and none hath dared to tell:

And I die . . . hearken quickly. Of all thou seest

There is not one whom thou canst trust: all hate thee . . .

Yet needst thou not, great Cæsar, fear them much;

For all are cowards: nay, there is not among them

One brave enough to kill thee. And yet again,

Great Cæsar, I counsel thee to fear them too;

For all the world ’gainst one will have their way.

I know thou fear’st. Then who is most thy foe?

Whom first to kill? That I can tell thee, Cæsar:

For none of all thou seest, or ever saw’st,

Or wilt see again, nay, not thy murdered mother,

Thy poisoned brother, thy beheaded wife,

Whose bloody ghosts watch on the banks of hell

To mark thy doom, none hateth thee as I,

Defieth thee as I, curseth thee as I.

O emperor of the world, thine hour is come.

Within thy cankered soul dwell side by side

Remorse and vanity to drive thee mad:

The grecian furies hound thee, the christian devils

Dispute for thee. Fly to thy dunghill, Cæsar,

Where thou must perish . . .

Ner.Will none there stop her mouth?

Ep.Plague-spotted, abhorred for ever—by all—accurst—

Asp.Let no man interrupt her!

Ner.Who spoke? Arrest him.—

Epicharis’ last words are spoken as the Soldiers surround her. She struggles on the litter violently, and falls back dead. Other Guards arrest Asper.

Who art thou, sir? thy name?

Asp.My name is Asper.I am centurion under Rufus.

Asp.My name is Asper.

I am centurion under Rufus.

Ner.Rufus,Know’st thou thy man?

Ner.Rufus,

Know’st thou thy man?

Ruf.I grieve, sire, it is true:He is one of my centurions.

Ruf.I grieve, sire, it is true:

He is one of my centurions.

Ner.Question him.

Tig.(who is standing by Epicharis, to Nero). Epicharis is dead.

Ner.Ye have killed her, fools?Hath she got quit?

Ner.Ye have killed her, fools?

Hath she got quit?

Tig.’Twas her own doing, Cæsar:She meshed her neck among the cords, and soHath reft her of what little life remained.

Tig.’Twas her own doing, Cæsar:

She meshed her neck among the cords, and so

Hath reft her of what little life remained.

Ner.Remove her to the prison, and let physiciansAttend her at once.

Ner.Remove her to the prison, and let physicians

Attend her at once.

Tig.She is dead.(They carry Epicharis out.)

Ner.Rufus, proceedWith thy centurion.

Ner.Rufus, proceed

With thy centurion.

Asp.If all hate thee, Cæsar,How wilt thou bid that hater question this?

Asp.If all hate thee, Cæsar,

How wilt thou bid that hater question this?

Ruf.What, fellow?

Asp.Thou that sittest there to judge,And shouldst stand here, wilt thou dare question me?

Asp.Thou that sittest there to judge,

And shouldst stand here, wilt thou dare question me?

Ruf.I, fellow?

Ner.Ha! Rufus, thou turnest pale.

Ruf.With anger I turn pale, that in your presenceA traitor should defame me.

Ruf.With anger I turn pale, that in your presence

A traitor should defame me.

Ner.Be cool, sir:Thou wast suspected, now accused thou art.2423Thou hast but one appeal: In thy worst case’Tis to thy friends (pointing to accused).

Ner.Be cool, sir:

Thou wast suspected, now accused thou art.

Thou hast but one appeal: In thy worst case

’Tis to thy friends (pointing to accused).

Ruf.Call not those men my friends.

Ner.I’ll see. Speak, traitors all; was Rufus with you?

Luc., Sce., and others.He was. He is guilty.

Ner.Arrest the judge.

Ruf.Who dares?What officer of mine dares raise his handAgainst his general?

Ruf.Who dares?

What officer of mine dares raise his hand

Against his general?

CASSIUS.

That will I, my lord;Knowing that thou deservest more than all.

That will I, my lord;

Knowing that thou deservest more than all.

Ruf.Help! help!—(To Flavus.) Now, man, strike now or never.

Fla.Hush!(Rufus is seized after a struggle.)I am the last.

Fla.Hush!

I am the last.

Ner.(stepping down). Now will I mount myself the judge’s seat.(Fla. rushes forward to stab Nero.)Ner.Ha! Murder! (Tigellinus, who has watched Flavus, intercepts him. Flavus is seized.)

Ner.(stepping down). Now will I mount myself the judge’s seat.

(Fla. rushes forward to stab Nero.)

Ner.Ha! Murder! (Tigellinus, who has watched Flavus, intercepts him. Flavus is seized.)

Tig.Clear the Court!

The inner line of Guards faces outwards, and all present except the prisoners are driven from centre into the wings, and the court begins to clear.

Ner. (to Flavus, who is held before him). Who art thou, sir?

Fla.A tribune and an honest soldier, Cæsar;And none more faithful, while you well deserved.But I began to hate you from the dayYou killed your mother, and debased yourself,Performing to the people: and I am freedFrom all my oaths, by all the gods in heaven,With all the world; and sworn with half the worldTo kill thee or be killed.

Fla.A tribune and an honest soldier, Cæsar;

And none more faithful, while you well deserved.

But I began to hate you from the day

You killed your mother, and debased yourself,

Performing to the people: and I am freed

From all my oaths, by all the gods in heaven,

With all the world; and sworn with half the world

To kill thee or be killed.

Ner.Fool! I shall kill thee,With thy half world, and rule the other half.

Ner.Fool! I shall kill thee,

With thy half world, and rule the other half.

(The curtain falls, or scene shuts across.)

A room in the palace. Enter Tigellinus.TIGELLINUS.

A room in the palace. Enter Tigellinus.

TIGELLINUS.

Rufus, my rival, is condemned to die:The city troops are mine: I am secure:Cæsar I hold by flattery, Rome by force.Sophronius Tigellinus of Agrigentum!Of Agrigentum,—well done! be content.Thou hast the second place in all the world,And rulest the first; while of thine envious foes,2450Sulla, Plautus, and Piso, all three are dead:A few remain: but on the Spaniard SenecaShall the Sicilian eagle swoop to-night,As on a flying hare. Poppæa, in thisMy keen ally, hunts with me eagerly.

Rufus, my rival, is condemned to die:

The city troops are mine: I am secure:

Cæsar I hold by flattery, Rome by force.

Sophronius Tigellinus of Agrigentum!

Of Agrigentum,—well done! be content.

Thou hast the second place in all the world,

And rulest the first; while of thine envious foes,

Sulla, Plautus, and Piso, all three are dead:

A few remain: but on the Spaniard Seneca

Shall the Sicilian eagle swoop to-night,

As on a flying hare. Poppæa, in this

My keen ally, hunts with me eagerly.

Enter Nero and Poppæa.Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail!(They salute.)The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits?NERO.Fear not,I have dined.Tig.Dined well, I pray the gods.Ner.Superbly.—We sent to speak with thee of Seneca;What should be done.Tig.What hath been done already?Ner.Hark, I will tell thee. I sent a letter to him,Pressing the information of Natalis;—‘Why, if thou knewest of this plot’—I said—‘Didst not thou warn me? And if thou knewest not,What was thy reason why thou didst refuseAudience to Piso, alleging that such meetingsWere good for neither; adding also,I holdThy life needful for mine?’ Now I awaitHis answer.Tig.The tribune is returned.Ner.Impossible;Seneca is in Campania.

Enter Nero and Poppæa.

Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail!(They salute.)The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits?

Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail!

(They salute.)

The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits?

NERO.

Fear not,I have dined.

Fear not,

I have dined.

Tig.Dined well, I pray the gods.

Ner.Superbly.—We sent to speak with thee of Seneca;What should be done.

Ner.Superbly.—

We sent to speak with thee of Seneca;

What should be done.

Tig.What hath been done already?

Ner.Hark, I will tell thee. I sent a letter to him,Pressing the information of Natalis;—‘Why, if thou knewest of this plot’—I said—‘Didst not thou warn me? And if thou knewest not,What was thy reason why thou didst refuseAudience to Piso, alleging that such meetingsWere good for neither; adding also,I holdThy life needful for mine?’ Now I awaitHis answer.

Ner.Hark, I will tell thee. I sent a letter to him,

Pressing the information of Natalis;—

‘Why, if thou knewest of this plot’—I said—

‘Didst not thou warn me? And if thou knewest not,

What was thy reason why thou didst refuse

Audience to Piso, alleging that such meetings

Were good for neither; adding also,I hold

Thy life needful for mine?’ Now I await

His answer.

Tig.The tribune is returned.

Ner.Impossible;Seneca is in Campania.

Ner.Impossible;

Seneca is in Campania.

Tig.Nay, your majesty;He is in the suburbs: he returned to-day,Trusting his wit before his innocence.[Exit Tigellinus.Ner.Go, fetch the tribune in.POPPÆA.Why dally thus?Ner.I dally not: I go the shortest wayTo find if he be guilty.Pop.Stick you at that?2475Ner.Romans are free. There is no man can be touchedOn an unproven charge.Pop.Are you not Cæsar?Ner.Cæsar administers the law, while itCan minister to him.Re-enter Tigellinus.Tig.Here is his answer written.Ner.Read it us, Tigellinus.Tig.If I can . . .The letters are so pinched and shaky . . . it needsThe scholarship of Cæsar.Ner.Give it to me.(Reads.) ‘To Cæsar, Lucius Annæus SenecaGreeting . . . In answer to thy message; first’Tis true that once Natalis came to meFrom Piso, and begged that I would visit him:And I excused myself on plea of sickness,And need of quiet: As to the words imputed,However I may prize thy safety, Cæsar,I have no cause to set a private person’sAbove my own; nor do I stoop to flattery,As well thou knowest; nor to such shallow artsAs would hide treason in a salutation.’Tig.Is that the sum?Ner.’Tis all. He is not guilty.Tig.Not guilty!Ner.Nay.Pop.Why, he confesses it.Ner.I know the man: his mind is here at ease.The style is pithy and careless. When he has aughtTo excuse, he is wordy.Tig.He was wordy enoughIn the matter of Agrippina, true.Ner.Well, sir!Pop.And in the matter of Britannicus.2500Ner.Why raise these matters now?Tig.These are the mattersThat Seneca harps on: while he lives they live.Pop.These are the deeds Epicharis charged against thee.Tig.This was the root of Flavus’ hate.Pop.’Tis thisThe people mean, who whisper when I pass,‘Octavia, Octavia.’Tig.And he now persuadesHalf Rome ’twas not himself who did these things,But thou . . . which thou, permitting him to live,Indorsest with thy name; dost set, I say,The imperial warrant on the black account:As orphans sign away their patrimonyTo scheming uncles; as unwitting pupilsTo crafty tutors fall a prey.Ner.One lessonHe taught me perfectly, that is to hate him.Pop.Thy hate and love go by half measures, Nero.Tig.’Twere pretty, Cæsar, wert thou a private person,To play the philosopher upon the manWho led thee astray—albeit to sacrificeThy wife and friend,—if he who saved thy lifeMay style himself thy friend . . .Ner.Yes, friend; thou savedstMy life to-day.2520Tig.And yet saved not, if thouWilt throw it straight away, and with thy saviour’s.Ner.Stay, I am resolved: I will not vex you further:I yield. I know there is no man in the world,Nor ever was, but hath his flaw: In some’Tis a foul blot, that in the eye of natureStands out unpardonable and unredeemedBy all the school of virtues, howsoe’erThey dance in grace around it: In another’Tis like a beauty-mark, a starry mole2530Which on a virgin’s body but sets offThe dazzling flesh, that else were self-extinguishedIn its own fairness.—Yet by these flecks and flaws,Whate’er they be, ’tis fated that men fall:And thus may I, nay must; unless in timeI heed good warning, for my fault is gross.I am over-generous; yes; ye say it; I know it.That is my flaw. It is because my schemesAre wider than his own, that Seneca hates me:Because the world hath tasted more of freedomUnder my rule than under any CæsarWho went before—and that can no man question—It is for this my throne hath more been envied,And by more plots and treacheries besieged,Than ever others were: and when I saw(My safety and the people’s good being one)I must make holocaust of private feelingsTo that which helped the whole, then ’twas for thatThe bungling crowd condemned me, & where I lookedFor gratitude to be my consolation,2550I met reproach. ’Twas Seneca, ye say,Who did those things. ’Tis true those deeds were hisIn reason and connivence; but in the act,Doing and suffering they were mine, and are.Yet now, if he withdraw his countenance,Condemn, wear vulgar horror on his face,And turn men’s hearts against me, what could moveMy anger more if I were vain or cruel?No. Have your will;—and if I hinder not,He cannot blame me; since I do but playSeneca to your Cæsar.Tig.I thank thee, sire.He dies to-night; or shall we wait to have himCompose the palliation?[Exit Tig.Ner.Jest not; ’tis done.Pop.You have talked too long, Nero; come in & rest.Ner.He was my tutor once, and once I loved him.Pop.You might have done it with a nod.Ner.He is old:I rob him not of much. The end of lifeIs tedious, I believe. Come back, Poppæa;And while we are in our prime, let us be merry[Exeunt.And thank the gods.

Tig.Nay, your majesty;He is in the suburbs: he returned to-day,Trusting his wit before his innocence.

Tig.Nay, your majesty;

He is in the suburbs: he returned to-day,

Trusting his wit before his innocence.

[Exit Tigellinus.Ner.Go, fetch the tribune in.

Ner.Go, fetch the tribune in.

POPPÆA.

Why dally thus?

Ner.I dally not: I go the shortest wayTo find if he be guilty.

Ner.I dally not: I go the shortest way

To find if he be guilty.

Pop.Stick you at that?

2475Ner.Romans are free. There is no man can be touchedOn an unproven charge.

Ner.Romans are free. There is no man can be touched

On an unproven charge.

Pop.Are you not Cæsar?

Ner.Cæsar administers the law, while itCan minister to him.

Ner.Cæsar administers the law, while it

Can minister to him.

Re-enter Tigellinus.

Tig.Here is his answer written.

Ner.Read it us, Tigellinus.

Tig.If I can . . .The letters are so pinched and shaky . . . it needsThe scholarship of Cæsar.

Tig.If I can . . .

The letters are so pinched and shaky . . . it needs

The scholarship of Cæsar.

Ner.Give it to me.(Reads.) ‘To Cæsar, Lucius Annæus SenecaGreeting . . . In answer to thy message; first’Tis true that once Natalis came to meFrom Piso, and begged that I would visit him:And I excused myself on plea of sickness,And need of quiet: As to the words imputed,However I may prize thy safety, Cæsar,I have no cause to set a private person’sAbove my own; nor do I stoop to flattery,As well thou knowest; nor to such shallow artsAs would hide treason in a salutation.’

Ner.Give it to me.

(Reads.) ‘To Cæsar, Lucius Annæus Seneca

Greeting . . . In answer to thy message; first

’Tis true that once Natalis came to me

From Piso, and begged that I would visit him:

And I excused myself on plea of sickness,

And need of quiet: As to the words imputed,

However I may prize thy safety, Cæsar,

I have no cause to set a private person’s

Above my own; nor do I stoop to flattery,

As well thou knowest; nor to such shallow arts

As would hide treason in a salutation.’

Tig.Is that the sum?

Ner.’Tis all. He is not guilty.

Tig.Not guilty!

Ner.Nay.

Pop.Why, he confesses it.

Ner.I know the man: his mind is here at ease.The style is pithy and careless. When he has aughtTo excuse, he is wordy.

Ner.I know the man: his mind is here at ease.

The style is pithy and careless. When he has aught

To excuse, he is wordy.

Tig.He was wordy enoughIn the matter of Agrippina, true.

Tig.He was wordy enough

In the matter of Agrippina, true.

Ner.Well, sir!

Pop.And in the matter of Britannicus.

2500Ner.Why raise these matters now?

Ner.Why raise these matters now?

Tig.These are the mattersThat Seneca harps on: while he lives they live.

Tig.These are the matters

That Seneca harps on: while he lives they live.

Pop.These are the deeds Epicharis charged against thee.

Tig.This was the root of Flavus’ hate.

Pop.’Tis thisThe people mean, who whisper when I pass,‘Octavia, Octavia.’

Pop.’Tis this

The people mean, who whisper when I pass,

‘Octavia, Octavia.’

Tig.And he now persuadesHalf Rome ’twas not himself who did these things,But thou . . . which thou, permitting him to live,Indorsest with thy name; dost set, I say,The imperial warrant on the black account:As orphans sign away their patrimonyTo scheming uncles; as unwitting pupilsTo crafty tutors fall a prey.

Tig.And he now persuades

Half Rome ’twas not himself who did these things,

But thou . . . which thou, permitting him to live,

Indorsest with thy name; dost set, I say,

The imperial warrant on the black account:

As orphans sign away their patrimony

To scheming uncles; as unwitting pupils

To crafty tutors fall a prey.

Ner.One lessonHe taught me perfectly, that is to hate him.

Ner.One lesson

He taught me perfectly, that is to hate him.

Pop.Thy hate and love go by half measures, Nero.

Tig.’Twere pretty, Cæsar, wert thou a private person,To play the philosopher upon the manWho led thee astray—albeit to sacrificeThy wife and friend,—if he who saved thy lifeMay style himself thy friend . . .

Tig.’Twere pretty, Cæsar, wert thou a private person,

To play the philosopher upon the man

Who led thee astray—albeit to sacrifice

Thy wife and friend,—if he who saved thy life

May style himself thy friend . . .

Ner.Yes, friend; thou savedstMy life to-day.

Ner.Yes, friend; thou savedst

My life to-day.

2520Tig.And yet saved not, if thouWilt throw it straight away, and with thy saviour’s.

Tig.And yet saved not, if thou

Wilt throw it straight away, and with thy saviour’s.

Ner.Stay, I am resolved: I will not vex you further:I yield. I know there is no man in the world,Nor ever was, but hath his flaw: In some’Tis a foul blot, that in the eye of natureStands out unpardonable and unredeemedBy all the school of virtues, howsoe’erThey dance in grace around it: In another’Tis like a beauty-mark, a starry mole2530Which on a virgin’s body but sets offThe dazzling flesh, that else were self-extinguishedIn its own fairness.—Yet by these flecks and flaws,Whate’er they be, ’tis fated that men fall:And thus may I, nay must; unless in timeI heed good warning, for my fault is gross.I am over-generous; yes; ye say it; I know it.That is my flaw. It is because my schemesAre wider than his own, that Seneca hates me:Because the world hath tasted more of freedomUnder my rule than under any CæsarWho went before—and that can no man question—It is for this my throne hath more been envied,And by more plots and treacheries besieged,Than ever others were: and when I saw(My safety and the people’s good being one)I must make holocaust of private feelingsTo that which helped the whole, then ’twas for thatThe bungling crowd condemned me, & where I lookedFor gratitude to be my consolation,2550I met reproach. ’Twas Seneca, ye say,Who did those things. ’Tis true those deeds were hisIn reason and connivence; but in the act,Doing and suffering they were mine, and are.Yet now, if he withdraw his countenance,Condemn, wear vulgar horror on his face,And turn men’s hearts against me, what could moveMy anger more if I were vain or cruel?No. Have your will;—and if I hinder not,He cannot blame me; since I do but playSeneca to your Cæsar.

Ner.Stay, I am resolved: I will not vex you further:

I yield. I know there is no man in the world,

Nor ever was, but hath his flaw: In some

’Tis a foul blot, that in the eye of nature

Stands out unpardonable and unredeemed

By all the school of virtues, howsoe’er

They dance in grace around it: In another

’Tis like a beauty-mark, a starry mole

Which on a virgin’s body but sets off

The dazzling flesh, that else were self-extinguished

In its own fairness.—Yet by these flecks and flaws,

Whate’er they be, ’tis fated that men fall:

And thus may I, nay must; unless in time

I heed good warning, for my fault is gross.

I am over-generous; yes; ye say it; I know it.

That is my flaw. It is because my schemes

Are wider than his own, that Seneca hates me:

Because the world hath tasted more of freedom

Under my rule than under any Cæsar

Who went before—and that can no man question—

It is for this my throne hath more been envied,

And by more plots and treacheries besieged,

Than ever others were: and when I saw

(My safety and the people’s good being one)

I must make holocaust of private feelings

To that which helped the whole, then ’twas for that

The bungling crowd condemned me, & where I looked

For gratitude to be my consolation,

I met reproach. ’Twas Seneca, ye say,

Who did those things. ’Tis true those deeds were his

In reason and connivence; but in the act,

Doing and suffering they were mine, and are.

Yet now, if he withdraw his countenance,

Condemn, wear vulgar horror on his face,

And turn men’s hearts against me, what could move

My anger more if I were vain or cruel?

No. Have your will;—and if I hinder not,

He cannot blame me; since I do but play

Seneca to your Cæsar.

Tig.I thank thee, sire.He dies to-night; or shall we wait to have himCompose the palliation?

Tig.I thank thee, sire.

He dies to-night; or shall we wait to have him

Compose the palliation?

[Exit Tig.Ner.Jest not; ’tis done.

Ner.Jest not; ’tis done.

Pop.You have talked too long, Nero; come in & rest.

Ner.He was my tutor once, and once I loved him.

Pop.You might have done it with a nod.

Ner.He is old:I rob him not of much. The end of lifeIs tedious, I believe. Come back, Poppæa;And while we are in our prime, let us be merry[Exeunt.And thank the gods.

Ner.He is old:

I rob him not of much. The end of life

Is tedious, I believe. Come back, Poppæa;

And while we are in our prime, let us be merry

And thank the gods.

(As epilogue.)

Scene withdraws and shows Seneca’s garden in the suburbs: a table set out under a tree.Enter SENECA, THRASEA, and PRISCUS.SENECA.This way: I have bid them set a table, Thrasea,Under my favourite tree. Here let us sit,And watch the April sunset; the mild airPermits this summer pleasure.THRASEA.I long doubtedWhether to come upon an invitation2575Written before these troubles.Sen.You did wellNot to desert me. Fannia too shall comfortMy grieved Paullina.—Here is the best wineOf all my vineyards: drink to my long journey:—But first remember solemnly our friendsWho have already died to-day: I pourThis cup to them, and specially must nameMy nephew Lucan.Thr.’Tis an ancient custom.Sen.(offering to Thrasea).And should be kept.Thr.(taking and sprinkling). I’ll name the gentle Piso.PRISCUS(taking from Thrasea).(Sprinkling.)This to Epicharis.Thr.Well spoken, son.No better wish than that we all may dieBravely as she.Sen.So be it! Now let us sit.(They sit.)And I between (sitting). I would so spend this hour,.That ye shall not forget it in after-days,When ye think of me. ’Tis the last time, friends,That ye will sup with me.Pr.Nay, say not so:I trust you have escaped.Sen.Look on yon sun:An hour hence he will set; and now he sinksSmiling eternal promises. Ye bothShall see him rise, but I—I shall not see it.This tree shall hang its branches, and anotherMay sit and comfort his poetic sadness.As I have done, only not I: I onlyNot here . . . not there, where I have been: all thingsHave hitherto existed with me, henceforthAll will exist without me.2600Pr.Have more hope.Sen.Nay, it is so; what else could Cæsar mean?Thr.Your answer may convince him.Sen.Nay, good Thrasea;These be the last hours of my life: I’d sayTo you, my friends, what I have most at heart.And first rejoice with me that I departWith all my senses perfect, not as some,Tortured by pain and praying for release;Nor like a man, who walking in the dark,Comes to a brink upright, and steppeth overUnhesitatingly, because he knows not.Nor is my term much shortened, I shall dieLike aged Socrates, and with his hopeThat the spirit doth not perish;—I mean notA senseless immortality of fame:That I shall have, but more I’ll have; I dreamOf life in which I may be Seneca again,Seneca still.Thr.Now if thou couldst convince us,Seneca, of that, ’twere worthy thy last hour.Teach me to picture what thou thinkst to see,That land betwixt oblivion and regret;Where is’t? how is it?Sen.It lies not in the scopeOf demonstration, Thrasea; but my heartBears witness to it: the best that I could sayIs in my books. What all mankind desires,2625The mind requires; what it requires believes:And calls it truth. I hold that one God made us,And at our death receives our spirits kindly:We shall meet elsewhere those whom we leave here.Pr.This will not comfort Romans: Nero again,And Tigellinus....Sen.Why may there not beDistinction, Priscus, as old fables tell;Rewards for good, and punishments for ill?The myths are gross and brutal, but philosophyFinds reason in religion.Thr.Then the vulgar,’Gainst whom you have waged your philosophic war,Hold the last truth.Sen.The sanction of all truthLies in our common nature. A religionBased on the truth of what all men desireMust carry all before it.Thr.But you saidPhilosophy found reason in religion.What is your ground?Sen.My first is this, that elseAll were unjust. It needs a second lifeTo set this even.Thr.You have not found in lifeIts own reward?Sen.Nay, I have not.Thr.I know notIf ’tis not sadder, this profound impeachmentOf God’s whole constitution as we see it,Than the belief that death’s our end of all.To live in conscious harmony with natureMay satisfy our being; but religion2650Looks like the poetry which childhood makesTo cloke its empty terrors, or bedizenIts painted idols: such is my persuasion.Pr.And mine.Sen.Ah, Priscus, thou art young. I onceLooked forward into life with a proud heart,Nor saw the exigency and ironyOf all-subduing Fate. Consider, Priscus,Whether your father’s virtue or Nero’s crimesHave found their recompense.Pr.If Thrasea’s heartIs comforted by virtue, sir, and NeroMade wretched by his crime . . .Sen.Then put it thus:If any were to make a tragedyOf these events, how would it pass or please,If Nero lived on at the end unpunished,Triumphing still o’er good?Thr.Yes, Seneca:But see you make not now your god of the stageThe God of Nature. Our true tragedyIs just this outward riddle, and the godThat mends all, comes not in pat at his cueOn a machine, but liveth in our heartsResolving evil faster than it falls,As the sun melts the snow.Sen.’Tis not enough,Thrasea, ’tis not enough: there must be more.

Scene withdraws and shows Seneca’s garden in the suburbs: a table set out under a tree.Enter SENECA, THRASEA, and PRISCUS.SENECA.

Scene withdraws and shows Seneca’s garden in the suburbs: a table set out under a tree.

Enter SENECA, THRASEA, and PRISCUS.

SENECA.

This way: I have bid them set a table, Thrasea,Under my favourite tree. Here let us sit,And watch the April sunset; the mild airPermits this summer pleasure.

This way: I have bid them set a table, Thrasea,

Under my favourite tree. Here let us sit,

And watch the April sunset; the mild air

Permits this summer pleasure.

THRASEA.

I long doubtedWhether to come upon an invitation2575Written before these troubles.

I long doubted

Whether to come upon an invitation

Written before these troubles.

Sen.You did wellNot to desert me. Fannia too shall comfortMy grieved Paullina.—Here is the best wineOf all my vineyards: drink to my long journey:—But first remember solemnly our friendsWho have already died to-day: I pourThis cup to them, and specially must nameMy nephew Lucan.

Sen.You did well

Not to desert me. Fannia too shall comfort

My grieved Paullina.—Here is the best wine

Of all my vineyards: drink to my long journey:—

But first remember solemnly our friends

Who have already died to-day: I pour

This cup to them, and specially must name

My nephew Lucan.

Thr.’Tis an ancient custom.

Sen.(offering to Thrasea).And should be kept.

Thr.(taking and sprinkling). I’ll name the gentle Piso.

PRISCUS(taking from Thrasea).

(Sprinkling.)This to Epicharis.

This to Epicharis.

Thr.Well spoken, son.No better wish than that we all may dieBravely as she.

Thr.Well spoken, son.

No better wish than that we all may die

Bravely as she.

Sen.So be it! Now let us sit.(They sit.)And I between (sitting). I would so spend this hour,.That ye shall not forget it in after-days,When ye think of me. ’Tis the last time, friends,That ye will sup with me.

Sen.So be it! Now let us sit.(They sit.)

And I between (sitting). I would so spend this hour,.

That ye shall not forget it in after-days,

When ye think of me. ’Tis the last time, friends,

That ye will sup with me.

Pr.Nay, say not so:I trust you have escaped.

Pr.Nay, say not so:

I trust you have escaped.

Sen.Look on yon sun:An hour hence he will set; and now he sinksSmiling eternal promises. Ye bothShall see him rise, but I—I shall not see it.This tree shall hang its branches, and anotherMay sit and comfort his poetic sadness.As I have done, only not I: I onlyNot here . . . not there, where I have been: all thingsHave hitherto existed with me, henceforthAll will exist without me.

Sen.Look on yon sun:

An hour hence he will set; and now he sinks

Smiling eternal promises. Ye both

Shall see him rise, but I—I shall not see it.

This tree shall hang its branches, and another

May sit and comfort his poetic sadness.

As I have done, only not I: I only

Not here . . . not there, where I have been: all things

Have hitherto existed with me, henceforth

All will exist without me.

2600Pr.Have more hope.

Pr.Have more hope.

Sen.Nay, it is so; what else could Cæsar mean?

Thr.Your answer may convince him.

Sen.Nay, good Thrasea;These be the last hours of my life: I’d sayTo you, my friends, what I have most at heart.And first rejoice with me that I departWith all my senses perfect, not as some,Tortured by pain and praying for release;Nor like a man, who walking in the dark,Comes to a brink upright, and steppeth overUnhesitatingly, because he knows not.Nor is my term much shortened, I shall dieLike aged Socrates, and with his hopeThat the spirit doth not perish;—I mean notA senseless immortality of fame:That I shall have, but more I’ll have; I dreamOf life in which I may be Seneca again,Seneca still.

Sen.Nay, good Thrasea;

These be the last hours of my life: I’d say

To you, my friends, what I have most at heart.

And first rejoice with me that I depart

With all my senses perfect, not as some,

Tortured by pain and praying for release;

Nor like a man, who walking in the dark,

Comes to a brink upright, and steppeth over

Unhesitatingly, because he knows not.

Nor is my term much shortened, I shall die

Like aged Socrates, and with his hope

That the spirit doth not perish;—I mean not

A senseless immortality of fame:

That I shall have, but more I’ll have; I dream

Of life in which I may be Seneca again,

Seneca still.

Thr.Now if thou couldst convince us,Seneca, of that, ’twere worthy thy last hour.Teach me to picture what thou thinkst to see,That land betwixt oblivion and regret;Where is’t? how is it?

Thr.Now if thou couldst convince us,

Seneca, of that, ’twere worthy thy last hour.

Teach me to picture what thou thinkst to see,

That land betwixt oblivion and regret;

Where is’t? how is it?

Sen.It lies not in the scopeOf demonstration, Thrasea; but my heartBears witness to it: the best that I could sayIs in my books. What all mankind desires,2625The mind requires; what it requires believes:And calls it truth. I hold that one God made us,And at our death receives our spirits kindly:We shall meet elsewhere those whom we leave here.

Sen.It lies not in the scope

Of demonstration, Thrasea; but my heart

Bears witness to it: the best that I could say

Is in my books. What all mankind desires,

The mind requires; what it requires believes:

And calls it truth. I hold that one God made us,

And at our death receives our spirits kindly:

We shall meet elsewhere those whom we leave here.

Pr.This will not comfort Romans: Nero again,And Tigellinus....

Pr.This will not comfort Romans: Nero again,

And Tigellinus....

Sen.Why may there not beDistinction, Priscus, as old fables tell;Rewards for good, and punishments for ill?The myths are gross and brutal, but philosophyFinds reason in religion.

Sen.Why may there not be

Distinction, Priscus, as old fables tell;

Rewards for good, and punishments for ill?

The myths are gross and brutal, but philosophy

Finds reason in religion.

Thr.Then the vulgar,’Gainst whom you have waged your philosophic war,Hold the last truth.

Thr.Then the vulgar,

’Gainst whom you have waged your philosophic war,

Hold the last truth.

Sen.The sanction of all truthLies in our common nature. A religionBased on the truth of what all men desireMust carry all before it.

Sen.The sanction of all truth

Lies in our common nature. A religion

Based on the truth of what all men desire

Must carry all before it.

Thr.But you saidPhilosophy found reason in religion.What is your ground?

Thr.But you said

Philosophy found reason in religion.

What is your ground?

Sen.My first is this, that elseAll were unjust. It needs a second lifeTo set this even.

Sen.My first is this, that else

All were unjust. It needs a second life

To set this even.

Thr.You have not found in lifeIts own reward?

Thr.You have not found in life

Its own reward?

Sen.Nay, I have not.

Thr.I know notIf ’tis not sadder, this profound impeachmentOf God’s whole constitution as we see it,Than the belief that death’s our end of all.To live in conscious harmony with natureMay satisfy our being; but religion2650Looks like the poetry which childhood makesTo cloke its empty terrors, or bedizenIts painted idols: such is my persuasion.

Thr.I know not

If ’tis not sadder, this profound impeachment

Of God’s whole constitution as we see it,

Than the belief that death’s our end of all.

To live in conscious harmony with nature

May satisfy our being; but religion

Looks like the poetry which childhood makes

To cloke its empty terrors, or bedizen

Its painted idols: such is my persuasion.

Pr.And mine.

Sen.Ah, Priscus, thou art young. I onceLooked forward into life with a proud heart,Nor saw the exigency and ironyOf all-subduing Fate. Consider, Priscus,Whether your father’s virtue or Nero’s crimesHave found their recompense.

Sen.Ah, Priscus, thou art young. I once

Looked forward into life with a proud heart,

Nor saw the exigency and irony

Of all-subduing Fate. Consider, Priscus,

Whether your father’s virtue or Nero’s crimes

Have found their recompense.

Pr.If Thrasea’s heartIs comforted by virtue, sir, and NeroMade wretched by his crime . . .

Pr.If Thrasea’s heart

Is comforted by virtue, sir, and Nero

Made wretched by his crime . . .

Sen.Then put it thus:If any were to make a tragedyOf these events, how would it pass or please,If Nero lived on at the end unpunished,Triumphing still o’er good?

Sen.Then put it thus:

If any were to make a tragedy

Of these events, how would it pass or please,

If Nero lived on at the end unpunished,

Triumphing still o’er good?

Thr.Yes, Seneca:But see you make not now your god of the stageThe God of Nature. Our true tragedyIs just this outward riddle, and the godThat mends all, comes not in pat at his cueOn a machine, but liveth in our heartsResolving evil faster than it falls,As the sun melts the snow.

Thr.Yes, Seneca:

But see you make not now your god of the stage

The God of Nature. Our true tragedy

Is just this outward riddle, and the god

That mends all, comes not in pat at his cue

On a machine, but liveth in our hearts

Resolving evil faster than it falls,

As the sun melts the snow.

Sen.’Tis not enough,Thrasea, ’tis not enough: there must be more.

Sen.’Tis not enough,

Thrasea, ’tis not enough: there must be more.

Hear you a tramping? That is Cæsar’s men:They will surround the garden. Come aside.

Hear you a tramping? That is Cæsar’s men:

They will surround the garden. Come aside.

(Comes to front with Thrasea.)

2675Stand by me, Thrasea, to the last. I would notSlur the last act of life. Be thou my witnessOf word and deed.

Stand by me, Thrasea, to the last. I would not

Slur the last act of life. Be thou my witness

Of word and deed.

Enter Paullina with Fannia, who goes to Priscus.

PAULLINA.

O Seneca, they are come;They are come again.

O Seneca, they are come;

They are come again.

Sen.Dear wife, remember, and help me.—See, friends, the sun is almost set; ’tis timeWe went within.

Sen.Dear wife, remember, and help me.—

See, friends, the sun is almost set; ’tis time

We went within.

Pau.Alas!(weeping.)

Sen.(to Paullina). Thy tears distract me,And shame us both.

Sen.(to Paullina). Thy tears distract me,

And shame us both.

Enter a Centurion.

CENTURION.

Annæus Seneca!

Sen.Well, sir: thy message? Art not thou Silvanus,That stoodst with Rufus and with Subrius Flavus?How hast thou wriggled out?

Sen.Well, sir: thy message? Art not thou Silvanus,

That stoodst with Rufus and with Subrius Flavus?

How hast thou wriggled out?

Cent.I am Silvanus,And bring thee Cæsar’s bidding.

Cent.I am Silvanus,

And bring thee Cæsar’s bidding.

Sen.Is it death?

Cent.’Tis death.

Pau.Shame on thee.

Sen.Hush, wife: be brave.—A manNeed not be shamed, sirs, that his wife bewail him.(To Paullina.) Go thou, Paullina, fetch my will.

Sen.Hush, wife: be brave.—A man

Need not be shamed, sirs, that his wife bewail him.

(To Paullina.) Go thou, Paullina, fetch my will.

Cent.Stay, madam:’Tis not allowed.

Cent.Stay, madam:

’Tis not allowed.

Sen.This is unkind: my wealthWas Cæsar’s gift: but now he takes from meMore than he ever gave, my life: ’tis meanTo grudge me my last freedom, the little useI’d make of his old favours. I but wishedTo leave mementoes to three loving friends,Who have supped with me to-night.—In lieu thereofThe example of my constancy shall beMore lively undelayed by gentle speechesAnd farewell gifts. Come with me, all is ready.

Sen.This is unkind: my wealth

Was Cæsar’s gift: but now he takes from me

More than he ever gave, my life: ’tis mean

To grudge me my last freedom, the little use

I’d make of his old favours. I but wished

To leave mementoes to three loving friends,

Who have supped with me to-night.—In lieu thereof

The example of my constancy shall be

More lively undelayed by gentle speeches

And farewell gifts. Come with me, all is ready.

Cent.I await thee.

Sen.Farewell, friends! Farewell, Paullina!

Pau.Not to me here.

Sen.Yes, we must part: the dayIs not much hastened. See how skeleton-likeAlready the hand, with which I go to shearThe filmy threads of life.

Sen.Yes, we must part: the day

Is not much hastened. See how skeleton-like

Already the hand, with which I go to shear

The filmy threads of life.

Pau.But I will dieWith thee.

Pau.But I will die

With thee.

Sen.Be still. Let not thy heart rebel.Now is the hour of proof.

Sen.Be still. Let not thy heart rebel.

Now is the hour of proof.

Pau.If ’twere God’s will.

Sen.All is God’s will: and as we lived togetherIn love, so now we part.

Sen.All is God’s will: and as we lived together

In love, so now we part.

Pau.Why should we part?What thou doest I will do: I fear not death.I’ll hold my little candle by thy sun....

Pau.Why should we part?

What thou doest I will do: I fear not death.

I’ll hold my little candle by thy sun....

Sen.It may not be. Use thy high courage ratherTo live. Yes, live in peace: live long.

Sen.It may not be. Use thy high courage rather

To live. Yes, live in peace: live long.

Pau.With theeMurdered! Alas!

Pau.With thee

Murdered! Alas!

Sen.Give me thy last embrace.

Pau.Was not my faith then true? Are we not one?

Sen.Yes, yes: we are one.

Pau.Then now forbid me notTo die with thee.

Pau.Then now forbid me not

To die with thee.

FANNIA.

Do not this thing, madam!

Pau.Nay, hold me not!

Sen.Paullina, dost thou makeThis desperate choice truly with all thy heart?

Sen.Paullina, dost thou make

This desperate choice truly with all thy heart?

Pau.With all my heart.

Sen.Thou dost? Dear wife, I thoughtCæsar could part us: now I can forgive him.—To you, my friends, farewell! Thrasea, farewell!Priscus, farewell! Fannia, farewell!—Paullina,(Taking her hand)Since thou canst dare, we will go hand in handTo learn the mighty secret; we will set forth2724Together unto the place where all have gone.

Sen.Thou dost? Dear wife, I thought

Cæsar could part us: now I can forgive him.—

To you, my friends, farewell! Thrasea, farewell!

Priscus, farewell! Fannia, farewell!—Paullina,

(Taking her hand)

Since thou canst dare, we will go hand in hand

To learn the mighty secret; we will set forth

Together unto the place where all have gone.

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