University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE SECOND.

Nero, Octavia, Seneca.
Ne.
Who,
Perfidious woman, who art thou, that thus
All Rome is up in arms at thy return,
And dares to shout thy name? What dost thou here?
What plottest thou with that pernicious traitor?
Ye both are in my power. The foolish people
In vain demands to see thee. Ah! I hope,
At least, if I am forced to it, as thou
Deservest to be shewn, to shew thee dead.

Oct.
Dispose of me, oh Nero, as thou wilt.
But of each popular commotion, ah!
Believe that I am innocent. I ask,
(I swear to thee) I neither ask, nor hope,
Aught from the people's love: in spite of me,
When it might injure thee, do thou prevent
Th'involuntary error by my death.

Ne.
I would that every one, or ere thou'rt punished,
Should know thee as thou art, a malefactor.

Sen.
And dost thou hope the people to deceive
With such a base untruth?

Ne.
Thou also, thou,
Thou cowardly fomenter of disturbance,
Which thou thyself avoidest; occult source
Of these rebellious movements; thou shalt be
Ere long the puny victim of my vengeance.