Seleucus.

I warned you, lady, How impotent and vain an arm hath truth Unhelped by art.

Dom. Thou did’st but well, and now I shall lean more on thee. Hast thou persuaded Poppæa of her fortune?

Sel. Ay, my lady, I promised her two Cæsars.

Dom. Two! how two?

Sel. A secret that of art; our divination Hath many such. The gods are favourable.

Dom. Talk not to me of gods. One was enough; Yet the other matters not. Two Cæsars indeed! Most favourable gods!—See, here I give you Two hundred sesterces: but for that sum Require another service.

Sel. I thank you, madam.

Dom. Locusta hath been seen with Nero.

Sel. Ah, How knew you that?

Dom. Attend to what I say. I fear ’tis for Britannicus: the Empress, Ridding herself, cannot have quitted him. If ’tis his death is aimed at—and ’tis for thee To probe and reach the truth—then if ’tis possible Thou must prevent it. Go, give him a message, He must not sup with Cæsar if he is bid. Find you the probabilities, and lay The warning where is need.

Sel. ’Twere a good office, lady.

Dom. Go quickly then. If thou do well in this, I will reward thee well.

Sel. I will deserve it. [Exeunt.