 | Octavia |  |
SCENE THE SECOND.
Tigellinus.Ti.
'Tis certain, if Octavia triumph'd now,
79
Nero himself assures me. Too intense
Is his disdain; Octavia's innocence
Too manifest; no refuge has she left.
Yet I'm constrain'd to summon up to-day
All my dexterity. I must persuade him
That all his fear is provident precaution;
And make him fancy that the guiltiest vengeance
Would be pronounced, even by sages, just.
Lord of the world, I hold thee; I alone
Hold thee, and absolutely. To myself
Shall it belong, in time, t'intimidate
And to encourage thee. Woe, if thou lose
This salutary fear! To evil deeds,
What further impulse, or to virtuous deeds,
What further hindrance would remain to thee?
| Octavia | |