Anicetus.

Cæsar hath summoned me.

Ner. Good Anicetus, tell me, is there none Greater than Cæsar?

Anic. Nay, Cæsar, there is none.

Ner. But were there one to whom it might be said Cæsar owed life and fortune—dost thou take me?

Anic. Cæsar would say the Augusta.

Ner. Nay, thou’rt dull: ’Twas thee I meant.

Anic. Me, Cæsar!

Ner. Dost remember Boasting to me that thou hadst sailor means To do a certain thing?

Anic. Ay.

Ner. Do it now. I’ll owe thee life and fortune. Canst thou be trusted?

Anic. My love for Cæsar follows hand in hand With his command in this.

Ner. Then do it, I say; No words, no explanation. Agrippina Will come to Baiæ: there have thou thy ship.

Anic. I will have one at Bauli, one at Baiæ: If she take either it shall serve the turn.

Ner. Go now contrive thy means; let nothing ’scape thee To me or any other: when ’tis done Hold thy head high.

Anic. Cæsar, I go to do it. [Exit.

Ner. Now comes my part: ay, though it vex my soul To stoop; tho’ this be Cæsar’s greatest wrong, That he must patch his faultless power with guile, And having all command, miss of his will But for a subterfuge .... yet for this once I’ll do it—’tis little; but to write a letter, Feign to discard Poppæa, as mistrusting Her love and character; and from that vantage I surely win my mother to come forth And join the court at Baiæ—she will come.