University of Virginia Library

Actus III.

Scena. I.

Petronius, Otho, Montanus.
Petronius.
Is Nero fir'd?

Otho.
Extremly. I at first
Seem'd melancholy to loose Acte so,
And hee seem'd loath to wrong mee; but at last
When his desires were high, I cunningly
Withdrew my interest, and gave way to his.
Which hee has taken for the greatest favour
That ever man could doe him and I hope
It has endear'd him strongly.

Montanus.
Thou wilt grow
A happy man.

Petronius.
Tis the best way to rise.
The wench is faire, and of behaviour
Wanton enough to make the arrantst novice
A perfect scholler in the schoole of Venus.
Seneca himselfe rather will give way
That hee should satisfie his lust on her
Then seeke th'adulteries of noble women.

Montanus.
But gentlemen, have you not heard the newes?
There is a great combustion in the Palace
As I have been inform'd theeves, are fall'n out.
The two proud freemen Pallas and Narcissus
Are clashing 'gainst each other.

Petronius.
I am glad ont.
I hope some curious rogeries will come on't.
Those are the fellowes that have rul'd the state
These many yeeres, and trampled on the lives
Of noble men Cæsar's credulous weakenesse.
But yet mee thinks Narcissus should not dare
Not to contest with Pallas he has got
Too great a start of him, and is too neere
Acquainted with the empresse.

Montanus.
So they say.

Otho.
Has a fine time on't who would think the rogue
Sould bee so ambitious as to court an Empresse?

Petronius.
'Twas her ambitions to bee made the wife
Of Claudius, that first made her prostitute
Her selfe so low, and court this fellows love,
Whom she perceiv'd to have a ruling power
Over his doating master, to ambition
Shee sacrific'd her honour tis well known.

Montanus.
And hee by dooing of the Empresse, takes
The surest way of keeping Cæsars love.

Petronius.
Yes, there's no doubt of that. You know the proverbe.

Enter to then Anicetus.
Anicetus.
Well met my Lords; I come to finde you out.

Otho.
What's the newes Anicetus?

Anicetus.
Great my Lord.
Cæsar, is wondrous sick; 'tis thought to death.
The Pallas is by souldiers guarded round.
A great and frequent Senate is assembling.
The Consuls and the Priests are making vowes
For Cæsar's safety.

Montanus.
Claudius is old

Petronius.
There have been other wayes to end a Prince
Besides old age. But what is that to us?
Come let's away and shew our forwardnesse
To joy or mourning as occasion serves.
I am prepar'd for both.

Montanus.
And so am I.

Otho.
Both must be done, if Cæsar dye, our greife
Must last but till the successor bee known;
And then wee must rejoyce.

Petronius.
Tis true.

Otho.
But I
Shall have true cause of joy if Nero reigne,

Exeunt.
Britannicus, Octavia, Xenophon.
Britannicus.
Shall I not see my father ere hee dy?

Octavia.
Good Xenophon.

Xenophon.
Good Madam pardon mee,
Nothing is now so great an enemy
To his disease as noise and company.
Hee's lately fall'n into a gentle slumber.
Deep sleeps his feaver will not let him take.
I'll certify your highnesse when hee wakes.
And wait upon you.

Octavia.
Thankes good Xenophon.

Exeunt.
Agrippina.
Agrippina.
I long to heare what favour Nero findes
In the Pretorian campe, how Cæsar's death
Is by the souldiers and the Senate taken.
Enter Pallas.
Welcome my dearest Pallas What's the newes?

Pallas.
Madam, as good as Jove himselfe could send,
No sooner in the campe was Cæsar's death
Divulgd, but Burrhus enters to his charge,
And Nero with him, who by all the cohorts
Was presently saluted Emperour.
Only some few were silent, and a while
Stood still expecting young Britannicus;
But when they saw their expectation
Was all in vaine, and none but Nero came,
Fearing at last to loose the Donative
Which Burrhus promis'd them in Neros name,
They joyn'd themselves unto the greater part.

Agrippina.
Britannicus within the Pallace here
Is safe enough for comming forth to day.
The Senate have scarse heard of Cæsar's death
For wee conceal'd it till all things were ready.

Pallas.
Now in a Princely chariot mounted high
Guarded by Burrhus and the souldiers
Nero sets forward to the Senate house.
But having past the campe, you need not feare
The Senate, Madam.

Agrippina.
Pallas thou wert never
A messenger of lucky newes to mee.
A safe contriver of the highest plots,
A happy instrument thou hast deserv'd
What ere thou hast enjoy'd, though thou have tasted
That which a Cæsar su'd to tast, and bought
The world in recompence.

Pallas.
If ever Pallas
Had any fire that could advance his thoughts
To high and great exploits, hee kindled it
At your cælestiall beauty, as from heaven
Prometheus stole that active fire, by which
Hee durst himself adventure to create
The noblest creature man. What act on earth,
What undertaking should he tremble at
Whom Agrippinas favours animate?
And what had I been but a peece of earth
Cold, dull, and uselesse, had I not been quickn'd
By your ætheriall touch.

Agrippina.
The happinesse
Of this high day has made thee eloquent

Pallas.
The love of royall Agrippina can
Inspire the dullest Soule with life and language.
When the Idalian Queene was pleas'd to grace
A shepheards boy more then his humble thoughts
Could hope or wish, the ravish'd tongue forgot
That rurall language which before it us'd.

Agrippina.
Ah Pallas what a glorious change is here!
How is the lownesse of our late despaire
Turn'd to the height of joy and happinesse?

Pallas.
Quicke resolution well purfu'd will cure
The saddest state.

Agrippina.
Goe thou and heare more newes,
Whilest I dispose of things about the Palace

Exeunt.
A Senate, Pollio Consul, Vitellius, Seneca, Otho, Petronius, Montanus.
Pollio.
May all the Gods accept our sacrifice,
And bee propitious to the vowes, that wee
Have vow'd for Cæsar's safety.

Vitellius.
Let the great
Divine and sacred Nero Claudius
The care of heaven, sole ruler of the earth,
And Romes high Father not forsake his world
So soone t'encrease the number of the Gods,

Enter Burrhus.
Burrhus.
Haile to the Consul, and this sacred Senate.
Great Claudius Cæsar's dead, in whose high throne
With one consent the souldiers have agreed
To seat young Nero his adopted sonne;
And do by mee entreat your suffrages
Fathers conscript; to ratifie their choice.

Seneca.
Let not young Nero's yeeres disparage him,
Nor trouble you, since happy presidents
May well be showne, grave Fathers. Great Augustus
Of glorious memory, no more in debt
To yeeres then hee began to rule the state,
With what successe not one in all this noble
And great assembly can bee ignorant.
But weigh with mee the difference of the times.
The state is setled, and has flourish'd long
In peacefull government; no civill rents.
No factions now, nor armies are a foot
To staine with Latian blood Philippi plaines,
To dye the Actiak and Sicilian Seas,
And through all regions beare th'unnaturall wounds
Of bleeding Rome. No such affrighting names
As Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Lepidus.
Great Pompey's sonne, or feirce Antonius
Arm'd with the power of halfe the Roman world
Stand to oppose him. Oh yee Gods how great!
How many dangers had beset the state
When young Augustus mannag'd it! yet hee
Withstood and vanquish'd all those difficulties.
And why should Nero our elected Prince
Ag'd like Augustus, not bee able now
To sway a peacefull scepter? for the right
To this high, wreath although Britannicus
Were borne the naturall sonne of Claudius,
A Prince of hope enough, and may by some
Bee thought much wrong'd in this election,
Yet weigh it rightly, and no wrong is done.
For Nero was adopted. But besides
The claime of his adoption, hee is borne
A truer heire to our Imperiall house
Sprung up from the loines of great Augustus Cæsar.
Britannicus from Liviaes sonnes alone.

Vitellius.
Nor are the yeeres of young Britannicus
So ripe as his to govern.

Pollio.
Seneca,
Has wisely shewed his undoubted right,
And I with joy approve the souldiers choise.

Octavia.
The Gods preserve Nero our Emperour.

Otho.
Now is the height of all my wishes reach'd.

Enter Nero with Tribune.
Tribune.
Roome for Cæsar.
Hee goes on, and takes his state.

Pollio.
Haile Nero Cæsar.

Seneca.
Haile great Emperour.

Vitellius.
Ever Augustus.

Otho.
Most invincible

Petronius.
Most sacred Tribune

Montanus.
Holyest highest Priest.

Pollio.
Father of Rome

Nero.
That honorable title
Is yet too weighty for my tender yeeres.
Then let mee weare it, fathers, when my paines
My toile and travell for the publike weale
By ayde and favour of the Gods have made
Mee worthy of it. But your free consent
Fathers conscript, your powerfull suffrages
Powerfull and honor'd as the voice of heaven
In confirmation of the souldiers choise
Fils mee with joy immortall, and shall binde
My best indeavours to requite that love.
My heart is cleare, my education
Was not in factious, in tumultuous times,
Or civil broiles, my former life has been
As free from doing as receiving wrong;
And therefore bring I to th'Imperiall Throne.
No feares, no grudges, hatred or reveneg.
This sacred Senate, which the world adores,
Shall still retaine her old prerogative
While Nero lives. My privat house affayres
Shall from the free Republicke bee divided,
And never turne the course of common Justice.
No publike Office shall bee bought for gold.
The sacred Consulary power shall judge
As heretofore, th'affaires of Italy
And forreigne provinces. My care alone
Sall bee to rule and lead the Souldiers.
And such to all the people will I bee
As I would wish th'immortall Gods to mee.

Vitellius.
Oh speech most worthy Jupiter himselfe!
Worthy for ever to be registed
In brazen Pillars for the world to read.

Pollio.
Let publike thanks by Senate bee decreed
To Cæsar's grace and goodnesse.

Nero.
No Asinius,
Let me deserve them first, first give me leave
What I have promis'd to performe in deedes,
That then if thankes or praises bee bestow'd
They my bee judg'd as due, and better Crowne
Your owne true justice, and the Princes merits.

Pollio.
Oh happy Rome in such an Emperour!
Long may hee reigne on earth, and late, oh late
Become a gloroius starre in Heaven

Tribune.
What word.
Will Cæsar give the watching souldiers?

Nero.
The excellent mother, Tribune, is their word.
Your company, noble Consul, wee'll entreate
Home to the Pallace.

Pollio.
I'll attend on Cæsar.

Exeunt.
Manent Otho, Petronius, Montanus.
Montanus.
The Prince has promis'd faire:

Petronius.
Else Seneca,
That made the speech for him had been too blame.

Otho.
Well, let him speake as Seneca instructs
In publicke still say I, I know his heart
And secret thoughts better then Seneca
Shall ever doe; and there are Joviall dayes
A comming, gallants, say I prophecy.

Montanus.
Will it bee lawfull to eat Lybian mushroms,
And British oysters without being cited
Before the censor?

Otho.
Yes Curtius, and to whore
For vacuation after them; those gifts
Will bee Court vertues. Come, the Prince is hopefull.

Petronius.
Would I might have the bringing of him up.

Otho.
If I can helpe it, thou shalt have a share
In his tuition. Welcome Anicetus, Anicetus
Is it to mee you come?

Anicetus.
To you, my Lord.
Cæsar desires your company at the pallace.

Otho.
Cæsars desire, is a command, which I
With joy obey, returne my humble duty
Good Anicetus, I'll attend him strait.

Exit Anicetus.
Otho.
Now my mad shavers, do you know me yet?

Petronius.
Yes, very well; the question is if thou
Wilt know us now.

Otho.
Tut man, Nero shall know you.
I'll bring you both into his neare acquaintance.
Now faire Poppæa's mine and mine alone.
Cæsar must grant my first petition,
Or else deny the love hee swore to mee
If ere hee wore the worlds Imperiall wreath.
His power must fetch Poppæa from her husband.
Nor is the deed so envious. Other Princes
Have done the like, and yet not tax'd in story.

Petronius.
Besides, hee knowes Crispinus never lov'd him,
And was an enemy to his adoption.
'Gainst him perchance hee will the sooner grant it.

Exeunt
Agrip.
This is the day that sets a glorious Crown
On all my great designes this day declares
My power, and makes the trembling world to know
That Agrippina. only can bestow
The Roman Empire, and command the wheel
Of suffring Fortune, holding in her hand
The fate of nation. Is there not a name
Above Augusta to enforme the world
How great I am? What Roman Deity
Shall I assume? the petty Goddesses
Would all resigne; but that they blushing think
Their stiles and altars are too meane for mee.
Lacinion Juno shall bee proud to share
Her gloryes all with mee, and think her power
Grac'd with my fellowship would brighter shine;
Or leave her name, and bee ador'd by mine.

Enter Nero, Polliò, Seneca,
Burrhus.
My Nero is return'd, haile Nero Cæsar.

Nero.
Haile great and deare Augusta, best of Mothers.
To whose sole care and goodnesse Cæsar owes
All those rich honours that he weares to day,
And will ackowledge ever

Agrippina.
Brighter still
For many yeeres let this blest day returne,
That does bestow for my deare Lord and husband
The ne're-enough lamented Claudius
So true a solace on my greiv'd Soule.
This is that Cæsar now, on whom my hopes
And comforts all rely.

Nero.
This is that Cæsar.
Who in obedience and true filiall love
To Agrippina will for ever strive
With vertuous æmulation to excell
Her most admir'd and exemplary goodnesse.

Pollio.
How well this piety becomes them both.

Pallas.
Enter Pallas
Long live great Nero Cæsar.

Nero.
Thankes good Pallas.
Wee are indebted to thy faithfull service;
And therefore till wee finde some greater meanes
To make requitall, still retaine that office
Which in our father Claudius time thou held'st.
Bee still our steward of th'Emperiall house.

Agrippina.
Hee has deserv'd it.

Nero.
For the funerals
Of our dead father, in what state and order
They shall bee celebrated, wee refer
To you deare Mother.

Agrippina.
Let the order of them
Bee like Augustus Cæsar's. Let him have
A Censors funeralls with divine honours,
And put among the number of the Gods.
Nor shall our grandmother great Livia
With her Tiberius to Augustus show
More piety, or more magnificence
Then wee to our divinest Claudius.

Exeunt