Paris.

Most mighty and most honoured Cæsar, I cannot speak for shame.

Petr. Why, man, thou’st spoken.

Ner. He opens well.

Petr. Like the nurse in Seneca’s tragedy.

Par. The tale I bring, my lords, is little suited To make your sport.

Petr. No?

Ner. This is excellent.

Pop. I think he is in earnest.

Ner. ’Tis his art.

Par. I am a messenger now, and no actor, Sent by your royal aunt Domitia To unmask a thing, which, though the gods be praised That in discovery have wrought prevention, Is yet a damnèd plot....

Ner. (rising). A plot, a plot! [All rise. Stand off; stand off! a plot, thou say’st? a plot?

Pop. (aside to Nero). Pray heaven this prove not now some fresh contrivance Of the empress.

Ner. Stand all aside. Art thou in earnest?

Par. Pardon me, Cæsar. Did this plot concern Less than thy life...

Ner. My life! by all the gods, Speak but his name who dares.

Par. Will Cæsar’s ear Grant me indulgence?

Ner. Speak, fool, or thou diest.

Par. The matter is disclosed by certain freedmen Engaged by the empress.

Ner. Ah!

Pop. (to Nero). Said I not so?

Ner. Be this proved, ’tis the last.

Pop. (to Nero). Ay, till the next.

Ner. Paris, as thou would’st live another moment, Speak now but truth.

Par. (shows a paper). See here the evidence. If Cæsar read this, ’twill give certain colour To worst suspicion. Here are writ the names.

Ner. Read me the names.

Par. Rubellius Plautus.

Ner. Ha! Enough. I know ’tis true the villain’s blood Hath from Augustus equal claim with mine. Who else?

Par. Balbillus and Arruntius Stella, With Fænius Rufus, and your royal mother, And some who ’scape the crime disclosing it.

Ner. I’ll have their lives to-night.

Tig. I pray now, Cæsar, Grant me this order.

Anic. Or me.

Ner. Nay, who are ye? Go, Tigellinus, fetch me Burrus hither.

Par. I have his name set down with the conspiracy.

Ner. Burrus?

Par. ’Tis question of him, nothing certain.

Ner. Escort him here unarmed; I’ll speak with him.

Tig. Cæsar, I go. [Exit.

Ner. Give me thy paper, sirrah.

What have we here? [Reads.

Petr. (to Servt.) Call me my servant there.

Anic. Wilt thou go?

Petr. Ay, ’tis sadly out of place, This business at this time. Look, Anicetus, Thou’rt new to Cæsar’s suppers; let me tell thee There’s ever something wrong. See how he takes it! Mad, mad!

Ner. (aside). I see. Plautus. This hits my life: Britannicus being dead, that hope cut off, She looks to Plautus’ claim: and I to be Poisoned or what appears not: yet I doubt not Poisoned. ’Tis found in time. Now ’tis plain war; The strongest wins. Poison! ’Tis life for life. Nay, maybe already I have swallowed down Some death-steeped morsel; ay, this very night Have tasted of it, and the subtle drug Runs in my veins concocting: my spirit sickens, I faint and tremble. What is it?

Anic. (advancing). Cæsar, a word.

Ner. What would’st thou say?

Anic. (to Ner.) ’Tis I can do this thing. None that be here lack will: I have the means. ’Twere easy, would you give me the command.

Ner. What would be easy?

Anic. Why, this thing that hangs, Which you for Rome so wisely, and for you Rome and your friends have wished. If but your foe Step on a ship of mine, I’ll beg my death If it touch land again. We go to Baiæ, And there upon the hazard of the sea May this disorder sleep.

Enter Burrus with Tigellinus.

Ner. (to Anic.) I thank thy zeal;

There is no need; give way.—Burrus, thou’rt called Upon a stern occasion. Is’t not death To any man or woman whosoe’er That plots to murder Cæsar?