University of Virginia Library

Scæ. II.

Otho, Piso.
Piso.
Yet be advis'd, and let us end this strife.

Oth.
Deny thy words, and I will spare thy life.

Piso.
Deny my words? what didst thou ever see
In all my life, to raise this thought in thee?
My Nature's hot, provoke me, Sir, no more:
I do prononce again she is a whore.

Otho.
Blasphemer, Peace; rage does my heart-strings tear:
Wert thon my Father, I could not forbear.

Piso.
Sir, I dare Fight.

Otho.
Guard well thy Life.

Piso.
I do.
This sport was ne'r unwelcom until now.
[Fight.]
You bleed.

Otho.
No matter, Sir, the wound's but slight.

Piso.
O, Brother, hear me, for I will not Fight.

Otho.
You must.

Piso.
I cannot. Heav'ns! what have I done?

Otho.
Thou art a coward; pr'ythee, Boy, begone.

Piso
Curse on my hand that drew your preious blood!
Poppea is an Angel, chaste and good:
I'le flatter you; I care not what I say,
Rather than still pursue this fatal fray.

Otho.
Now I believe what thou hast said is true;
Pity has done what anger could not do:
O, she is false, forsworn, and I am lost,
My Soul is ship-wrack'd on its most lov'd coast;
By thy Victorious mercy I'm undone.
Go, Noble brother, leave this wretch alone;
O, my heart's sick! your pardon, pray no more;
Here I will lie, and my hard hap deplore.

Piso.
Then I will sit for ever by your side
Take it not ill, if I this tameness chide:
Rouse up your wrath, let anger chase away
These sullen clouds; Revenge will bring the day
Again, and make your honour shine more bright,
While it damns her to shades of death and night.

Otho:
Ha! thou hast wak'd my Soul from its dull rest;
Revenge, thou gen'rous fire, enrich my brest.
Poppea passes over the Stage.
O glorious Whore! I'le sink her with a blow,
She's rotten ripe for ruin; let me go.

Piso.
You see her guards will your Revenge oppose,
And thus, for nothing, we our lives shall lose.

Otho.
Down, down, my swelling heart; O, I am sad:
Hold, my weak eyes; this sight has made me mad.

Piso.
Blinded with rage, our Reason's apt to stray:
Be rul'd by me; I'le shew the safest way.

Exeunt.