Seneca.

The Armenian papers came through me last evening; I sent them on at once.

BURRUS (refusing a seat).

Nay, thank ye, Seneca: I have been two hours in the saddle.

Sen. ’Tis a matter Of heavy import.

Bur. I demanded audience.

Sen. Well?

Bur. All is settled.

Sen. And who has the commission To undertake the Parthian?

Bur. Corbulo.

Sen. ’Tis good. I like the choice. And what said Nero?

Bur. He told me well and wisely what to do, When I had shown him all that must be done.

Sen. I wish his judgment were as tractable With me. Took he your word?

Bur. The affair went pat. What luck for Corbulo!

Sen. Pray sit, good Burrus, And let us talk: my thought is most at ease When I am sitting.

Bur. I pray you then be seated.

Sen. (sitting). Burrus, my difficulties day by day Increase. The cares of empire are as nothing To managing an emperor.

Bur. Why, what’s the matter?

Sen. Give but attention to me.

Bur. I attend.

Sen. Do so most carefully: ’tis not a business That may be brushed aside.

Bur. I am all attention.

Sen. Nero has broken with Britannicus: Heard you of that?

Bur. Heard of it? I was there.

Sen. Well, that has brought to head the jealous difference ’Twixt Cæsar and his mother. Since he first, At our advice, as was most fit, denied her A place in power, she has striven to force a title Out of her power for mischief: this you have seen: But now to hear how she hath edged her practice; She overskins her old accustomed hate Of young Britannicus, speaks kindly of him, Hints of his right; nay, even hath dared upbraid Cæsar with usurpation. This was matched With words from him, which she no sooner heard Than in her rage disordered flew she hither To win me to her part; when seeing that I Stood firm, she fled in furious passion, saying That I should learn what temper she was of.

Bur. I would that all the gods and goddesses Might burn them up to cinders.

Sen. Peace, I say. Cannot you sit? I need your best advice.

Bur. Except the lad.—Advice concerning what?

Sen. Why this new phase of court affairs. See you,

[Takes a paper.

’Twas my just counterpoise of warring forces Ensured stability. Here Agrippina, Saved from her own ambition in the splendour Of her son’s estate, serves in his interest To guard Britannicus, whom else he had feared. The boy, in favour of his sister’s title, Sinks his own right. Then Nero’s youthful passions, Growing to hatred of Octavia’s bed, Are stayed at equilibrium, as my judgment And knowledge of the world enables me; And all goes well, when an important factor, The empress, rounds, and plays me false to her motive, As here assumed, and vitiates with that flaw The nice adjustment of each several item.— I go to expound you this; you scarce attend, Or answer with an oath.

Bur. A pious prayer To extricate you from a world of trouble.

Sen. O, I can do it, Burrus, trust to me. I place them all as chessmen, and I find Delight in difficulty: but ’tis hard, When one has chosen, strengthened a position, To change the value of a piece. I think Much of your judgment, and I ask you now What you would do. I must decide to-day.

Bur. Why must?

Sen. As if you knew not.

Bur. If your art Be to adapt yourself to every change....

Sen. You know ’tis not. I say, should Nero now Banish his mother?

Bur. Hark ye, Seneca, If you remember, I foresaw this trouble. I know no remedy, nor is’t my office To arrange the affairs of the palace, gods be praised. But this is clear to me, that our three friends Will never live together: what I urge Is, separate them: if you cannot that, We must not stick in balance when they break. Whene’er that happens, our pre-eminent duty Lies in our oath to Cæsar, and our second May be his mother’s pleasure, to whose schemes We owe our place. [Knocking heard.

Sen. Who’s there? come in.

Enter Servant.