THE TRAGEDY OF JULIA AGRIPPINA; Empress of Rome.  
By T. M  
LONDON, Printed by Ric. Hodgkinson for Thomas Walkly, and are to be sold at his shop at the Flying Horse near York house. 1639.   

The Speakers.  

Claudius Caesar.  
Nero Caesar.  
Britannicus.  
Seneca.  
Burrhus.  
Vitellius.  
Pollio.  
Crispinus.  
Geta.  
Otho.  
Montanus.  
Petronius.  
Pallas.  
Narcissus.  
Anicetus.  
Agrippina.  
Octavia.  
Poppaea.  
Fulvia.  
Act.  
Locusta.  
L.   
ACTED 1628.   

OCTOB. 26. 1638. Imprimatur,  
MATTH. CLAY.   
MEGAERA ascends. Megaera. 
THus to the Roman Palace, as our home  
And proper mansion, is Megaera come  
No stranger to these walls: not more in Hell  
Then here, do mischiefs, and we Furies dwell  
Let the unenvied Gods henceforth possess  
Poor peasant's hearts, and rule in Cottages;  
Let Virtue lurk among the rural Swains,  
Whilst Vice in Rome's Imperial Palace reigns,  
And rules those breasts, whom all the world obeys.  
What though the Gods and Virtue first did raise  
Rome to that height it holds? they did but make  
An Empire large enough for us to take,  
And build a strength for us to manage now,  
Though Virtue made the Roman greatness grow:  
She now forsakes it at the height: the Powers,  
And fruits of all her diligence are ours.  
But to preserve that interest, and keep high  
Our hold in this commanding family,  
A blacker Fury than myself must rise,  
To fill these roofs with fresh Impieties.  
Rise cruel Ghost, ascend Caligula,  
That lately didst the world's proud sceptre sway  
Beyond our wish; who though an Emperor,  
In wickedness were't greater then in power;  
And clothed with flesh among mankind didst dwell  
A Fiend more black than any was in Hell.  
From those dark vaults ascend; to blast this fair  
And gorgeous Palace, like that poisonous air,  
Which Earthquakes from the grounds torn entrails breath  
To fill the world with pestilence and death.  
He comes; He comes: the very house begins  
To shake with horror of approaching sins.  
The night grows blacker then before, and I  
myself am filled with new Impiety.  CALIGULA'S Ghost. 
Why am I raised from the vaults below?  
What mischiefs can an aery shadow do?  
What can a naked Ghost perform? In vain  
Are all intents, unless I reigned again  
Obeyed by all the Roman power, and wore  
That wicked body which I had before.  
What then I did you know, and if your power  
Could have maintained me longer Emperor,  
I had outdone your wishes, and given birth  
To such new mischiefs, as the suffring earth  
Had groaned to feel: what my intentions were  
Did to the world in those black books appear,  
When all Rome's Senate were to death designed,  
And chests of poison that I left behind,  
Which since my death into the Ocean thrown,  
Poisoned the waves for many leagues, and on  
Poor fishes wrought that execution,  
Which on mankind I meant they should have done.  
What can I now perform alas?  MEGAERA. Enough. 
With thy contagious presence blast this roof;  
Infect th' Imperial House with all the ill  
That Hell and thou canst bring. Let mischief still  
Reign here, and keep out banished Piety,  
justice, and Conscience; let no sacred tie  
Of Nature, or Religious laws restrain  
Their Patricidal hands: all names be vain  
Of brother, child, or parent. let the wife  
With impious rage destroy her husband's life,  
The brother kill the brother, and the Son  
Rip up his parents bowels.  GHOST. 
'Twill be done.  
The actors are my kindred, and like mine  
Must play their parts: ambitious Agrippine,  
Pursue thy cruel projects, and upon  
A husband's murder raise thy Impious Son,  
That he may play the Parricide again,  
And murder thee, that gav'st him life and reign.  
That all the world astonished at so high  
Ingratitude and foul Impiety,  
May fear the monster's reign, yet suffer more  
Than they could fear, or ere was felt before.  
Let what no foes, no furies durst conspire  
To act 'gainst Rome, nor I myself desire  
When I was Prince; be cursed Nero's crimes.  
Let his dire story in succeeding times  
From all earth's tyrant's elf the wonder draw,  
And men almost forget Caligula.  MEGAERA. 
The Fates consent; that thunder, which we hear  
From Acheron, confirms the Omen there.  
Down wicked Ghost into thy cell below,  
we must no longer bide; the Cocks do crow,  
The twinkling stars begin to hide their heads  
The day would dawn, and from Aurora's bed  
Would Titan rise, but that he fears to see  
Such instruments of hell's impiety.  
The Gods themselves forbid our longer stay,  
For fear our presence should retard the day. Exeunt.   
A Tragedy.  

ACT. I. SCEN. I.  PALLAS, VITELLIUS, POLLIO. Pallas. 
NOw is the time noble Vitellius,  
For you, and you most honoured Pollio,  
To make that service you have done complete  
To royal Agrippina; briefly thus:  
The two commanders o'th' Praetorian camp  
Crispinus Rufus, and that Lucius Geta  
Must be displaced, and some of nearer trust  
To her designs advanced in their room,  
Or else our power will ne'er be full, they love  
Britannicus too well, this is the thing  
The Empress wishes; let your eloquence  
And wisdom further it in Caesar's ear.  Vitelli. 
Fear us not Pallas; but what successors  
Have we to take their charge?  Pallas. 
One must take all.  
You may pretend the inconvenience  
Of two commanders, and so take from Caesar  
All jealousy of the plot.  Pollio. 
Who shall it be?  Pallas. 
Burrhus Afranius a wise valiant man,  
Beloved and honoured by the soldiers.  
None can except against him, and the change  
Will not displease the camp: nor can his merit  
Make him less thankful to her; knowing well,  
'Twas in her power to make it otherwise.  
But the advancing of such able men  
As Seneca and Burrhus will take off  
All envy from the Empress and ourselves.  
Then we with praise have wrought our purposes,  
And made our party strong, while Seneca  
Shall sway the Senate, Burrhus rule the camp  
To her designs: but I'll presume no farther  
T'instruct your wisdoms, or much less to doubt  
Your true affections to the state and honour  
Of Agrippina, who will then have power  
To make more large requital to her friends,  
In which most high and happy rank, you two  
Are chiefly seated: she acknowledges  
herself indebted to your eloquence  
Noble Vitellius, who in Senate lately  
You proved her marriage lawful, and being Censor,  
Deposed Silanus from his Praetorship,  
Who should have married young Octavia.  
To you, brave Pollio, whose persuasions  
Have been the cause young Nero now enjoys  
That happy marriage, which Silanus lost.  
But most of all she owed to both your pains  
In causing Caesar to adopt her Nero.  Vitellius. 
'Twas hard to work at first. Caesar stuck at it,  
Alleging that the Claudian family  
Never adopted any, and besides  
When Lucius Geta and Crispinus Rufus  
In love they bore to young Britannicus  
Told him that that adoption to the world  
Would be ridiculous: by precedent  
we did refute it, showing how Tiberius  
Having a Son and Nephew both alive,  
Adopted th' issue of Germanicus.  Pallas. 
My Lords, 'twas nobly carried; this design  
That now we have in hand, though not so hard  
To work, will prove as advantageous.  
Be you with Caesar; I'll go satisfy  
The Empress of your loves.  Vitellius. Pollio. 
Farewell brave Pallas. Exeunt Vitel. & Pol.  Pallas. 
Farewell my Lords. Go flattering Senators,  
Go use your best persuasive eloquence,  
Whilst I alone upon your envy rise,  
Whilst I enjoy in Agrippina's love  
The fruit of your obsequious diligence.  
What though my birth be humble, and my style  
But one of Caesar's freedmen, though I boast not  
Patrician blood, nor in my galleries  
Display old ranks of noseless ancestors,  
Or ear-crop images, if I enjoy  
whatever high Nobility can give  
Respect and power: the state can witness it.  
The Senate fear me, and in flattery  
Have sued to Caesar to confer on me  
Praetorian and Quaestorian ornaments.  
Which I at last vouchsafed to accept.  
When my command alone has doomed to death  
The noblest of that order; men whose names  
Old Rome has boasted of, whose virtues raised  
Her to that envied height that now she holds.  
Their murders stupid Caesar rather chose  
To take upon himself, then question me.  
Let dull Patricians boast their airy titles,  
And count me base, whilst I commend their lives,  
And for the furtherance of my high intents,  
Make noblest men my hated instruments.  Enter NARCISSUS. 
But ha! Narcissus? yes; there comes a man  
That was my rival once, whom I feared more  
Than all the Lords of Rome, my fellow freed man,  
That knew our ways of power; that not the Senate,  
But Caesar's chamber did command the world,  
And rule the fate of men: but Fortune 's turned,  
And he not worth my regard or fear.  
In mastering him I feel my greatest strength exit.  Narcissus. 
Not look upon me! am I fallen so low?  
Did I in equal place with this proud man,  
Nay far above him, sway the state, and rule  
Great Caesar's heart, while Messallina lived,  
And was not there content (Oh punishment  
Of my ambitious aims) but caused the death  
Of that loose Empress to bring in th' expulsed  
Aelia Petina, and instead of her  
Have let this tigress Agrippina in  
This dragon spirit to devour us all  
Except proud Pallas her adulterer?  
What unavoided dangers every way  
Threaten this life? For if young Nero reign,  
I die, that sought to cross his mother's match:  
If ere Britannicus do reign, I die  
That caused his mother's death. What shall I do?  
Where shall I lean for safety? better trust  
The innocent goodness of Britannicus  
Then Agrippina's fierce and cruel nature;  
Nor can I hope more goodness from her son.  
That may give longer respite to my fear.  
Besides it bears the greater show of justice,  
And honest service to my Royal Master.  
Since we must fall, it is some happiness  
To fall the honest way, if we may call  
That honesty at all, or real virtue  
To which necessity enforces us,  
And we by fortune not election practise.  Enter GETA, CRISPINUS. 
Here comes two friends of young Britannicus:  
Hail Lucius Geta, hail Crispinus Rufus.  Geta. 
Narcissus hail.  Narcissus, 
Brave Romans you are come  
Fitly to ease my overburdened breast  
Of weighty thoughts, which I dare freely trust  
Unto your noble ears.  Geta. 
You may Narcissus  
Trust truth with us.  Crispinus. 
Or any honest secret.  Geta. 
What is't you would with us?  Narcissus. 
You know my Lords,  
(And I must needs confess) I was a means  
Of Messalina's death; but all the Gods  
Can witness with me how unwillingly  
I lent a hand to that sad action;  
And but for Caesar's safety, which I prize  
Above my life and fortunes, and which then  
I thought endangered much by her hold act,  
Nought in the world could ere have moved me to it.  Crispinus. 
What hence would you infer?  Narcissus. 
Then Know my Lords,  
How little I respect my private ends  
To do the public service, and can lose  
myself for Caesar's good: it may be thought  
When the most hopeful Prince Britannicus  
Shall wear that wreath which all the world adores,  
To me it may be fatal, as a foe  
Unto his mother: but I rather wish  
myself for ever lost, then that brave Prince  
Should not succeed his father.  Geta. 
How! succeed?  
What fear is there of that?  Crispinus. 
What power on earth,  
Can bar his right, whilst we command the camp?  
I'd rather see (which all the Gods avert)  
Rome rent again with civil broils, than he  
Should lose unjustly the Imperial throne.  Narcissus. 
Y'are true and Noble friends; and here I vow  
To join with you, and use my uttermost power  
T' advance the honour of Britannicus.  Crispinus. 
What danger threatens it?  Narcissus. 
Do you not know  
To whom the Son of Agrippina's married;  Crispinus. 
Yes.  Narcissus. 
And that honour were enough for him.  
Without adoption too, were his aims private,  
And that his crafty Mother did not cast  
A way for him to the succession.  Crispinus. 
'Twas strangely done of Caesar I confess.  Narcissus. 
They make the faction strong, and cunningly  
Increase the train of Nero, and displace  
The faithful servants of Britannicus.  
Wise Seneca's recalled from banishment  
By Agrippina's means, not for the love  
She bears his virtue; but to make him hers,  
That Seneca's authority may gain  
The people's love to her ambitious son,  
Of whose young years he takes tuition.  Crispinus. 
I think no less.  Geta. 
Besides to make the match  
For her young Nero with Octavia.  
Noble Silanus died, who might have proved  
A faithful prop to Claudius' family.  Narcissus. 
In blood that fatal marriage was begun,  
I fear the Omen; Agrippina's fierce  
And cruel nature has too much been seen  
In this short time. Lollia Paulina, Niece  
To Cotta Messalinus, and late wife  
To Caius Caesar, for no other cause  
Then aiming once at Claudius' marriage  
Is banished Italy; her goods are seized,  
And but five millions of Sesterces left her  
Of all her great estate; but there the malice  
Of this fell woman stays not: now we hear  
A Tribune is dispatched away, to kill  
The banished Lady, and bring back her head.  Crispinus. 
Oh barbarous cruelty!  Narcissus. 
Yet more I fear,  
Since her Domitius is adopted now.  
I fear she'll shortly aim at higher blood.  Geta. 
we'll guard the life of young Britannicus.  Narcissus. 
And I'll be vigilant for Caesar's safety.  
When all her ends are wrought his death is next.  Enter BRITANNICUS. Geta. 
Here comes the youthful hope of Rome and us.  Britanicus. 
Tell me, my friends, am not I Caesar's son?  Crispinus. 
My Lord, who dares to question it?  Britannicus. 
I'm sure,  
I was his eldest son, and whilst I lived  
I thought that Caesar had not lacked an heir  
But I at last have found an elder brother,  
Domitius is adopted Caesar's son  
His name is Nero now. I cannot tell  
What is my fault.  Geta. 
Excellent youth, how much  
Beyond his years he apprehends his wrongs?  Crispinus. 
Fear not sweet Prince, though Agrippina's son  
be two year elder than yourself, the Senate  
Will never judge that an adopted Son  
Shall in succession be preferred before  
The true and natural heir.  Britannicus. 
You ever loved me,  
Pray do so still.  Geta 
While we have breath, my Lord,  
you shall command our lives.  Crispinus 
How unawares  
Has feeble Caesar wrought a snare to catch  
His own unhappy life in! grow sweet prince,  
Grow up to strengthen the Imperial house,  
And curb the furious malice of thy foes.  Enter NERO, PALLAS. Nero. 
Brother Britannicus hail.  Britannicus. 
Haile to you  
Domitius Aenobarbus.  Nero. 
Do you scorn  
My salutation, or not know my name?  Britannicus. 
That was your father's name; and why not yours?  Nero. 
How's that? Proud boy. Exeunt Brit. & reliq.  Pallas. 
Well, let them go, my Lord.  
'Twas not the brain of young Britannicus  
That could give birth to this minurious scorn,  
Though for his years, the boy be capable.  
But riper heads than his: there went his counsel  
Crispinus Rufus, and that Lucius Geta,  
Who swell the youth with boasting hopes, and think  
Their power can give protection to his pride.  
I'll make them see their error, and perceive,  
One breath of mine can blow them from their strength  
This news I'll bear to Agrippina straight.  
Come Prince; Britannicus shall find anon  
What feeble props his pride has leaned upon. Exeunt.  AGRIPPINA, SENECA, VITELLIUS, POLLIO. Agrippina. 
You are my Judges.  Seneca. 
Your poor servants, Madam.  Agrippina. 
Nay that must be your office; you have read  
My Commentaries over, and I look for  
A faithful censure: I am sure, my Lords,  
You have both learning able to discern,  
And such integrity as will not flatter.  
Speak Seneca; I see they look on you:  
How do you like them?  Seneca. 
Royal Agrippina,  
Such, and so good they be, that ablest men  
May boldly speak, and not offend the truth,  
Nor you at all; the style is full and Princely.  Vitellius. 
Stately and absolute, beyond whate'er  
These eyes have seen; and Rome, whose majesty  
Is there described, in after times shall owe  
For her memorial to your learned pen,  
More than to all those fading monuments  
Built with the riches of the spoiled world.  
When rust shall eat her brass, when times strong hand  
Shall bruise to dust her marble Palaces,  
Triumphal Arches, Pillars, Obelisks,  
When Julius' Temple, Claudius' Aqueducts,  
Agrippa's Baths, and Pompey's Theater,  
Nay Rome itself shall not be found at all,  
Historians books shall live; those strong records,  
Those deathless monuments alone shall show  
What, and how great the Roman Empire was.  Pollio. 
The act is Noble; not the present world  
Alone shall owe to Agrippina's worth  
(As for her gracious government it does)  
But future ages shall acknowledge more  
To the rich labours of her Royal pen.  Agrippina. 
The wisest Princes never sought to raise  
Their present state alone, but to preserve  
Themselves immortal by an endless fame.  
For memory of me, besides these books,  
If that our Augurs fail not in their skill,  
Or flatter not, that German Colony,  
Which I of late deducted o'er the Rhine  
To Ubium, for evermore the name  
Of Agrippina's Colony shall bear.  Vitellius. 
That act, though great, declares your power alone,  
Your wealth and greatness: but these learned books  
Express your wisdom, and for these you owe  
Nothing at all to Fortune.  Agrippina. 
Thus I mean  
To spend all time which from affairs of state,  
And business of our Empire can be spared.  Seneca. 
Is she already turned our Emperor?  Agrippina. 
Those wretches have too narrow souls, who think  
That persons great and eminent in state  
Can spare no time to purchase same by writing,  
But what they steal from action and employment,  
As if no mind were large enough for both.  
Who was more full of action, and more fit  
To rule, nay rule the world, than Julius Caesar?  
Yet he was of my mind.  Seneca. 
Oh strange male spirit!  
Can there be found no other parallel  
But Julius Caesar to a woman's mind?  Agrippina. 
Yet Julius was too blame, he toiled too much  
To get his honour, and too much debarred  
His nature the free use of Princely pleasures.  
Sure Lucius Sulla had an ample mind;  
'tis Sulla's Character, that Sallust gives him,  
A free and great enjoyer of his pleasures,  
Yet how industrious his actions speak,  
He found fit time to rule the Roman world,  
And write both Greek and Latin Commentaries.  Seneca. 
The souls of Sulla and of Caesar both  
I think have entered her.  Agrippina. 
Well worthy friends,  
You do approve my way of writing then.  Seneca. 
Yes gracious Madam; and because you named  
Great Julius to us, I was thinking now  
That as in blood, so in your styles of writing  
There was some nearness.  Agrippina. 
Seneca, I thank you;  
But I confess your positive approbation  
Pleased me as well as that comparison.  Seneca. 
Does not your Majesty esteem his book?  Agrippina. 
Indifferent well; a good loose careless way.  
I think directly with Asinius Pollio,  
Had Caesar lived, he would have mended it;  
The man had far more in him then that shows.  Seneca. 
Yet under favour, Madam, some have thought  
Those Commentaries hardly could be mended,  
A style so strong, naked, and beautiful,  
Free from affected words, and from all gloss  
Or dress of Oratory, as in stead  
Of leading others in a way to write,  
It quite discourages the ablest men.  
So Hirtius thought, and that famed Cicero,  
The greatest master of Rome's eloquence.  Agrippina. 
Are those your authors then? that Hirtius  
Was Caesar's servant partial in his heart,  
Or else he flattered him; for Cicero,  
They were so far out of his tedious strain,  
He could not censure them.  Seneca. 
Yet able men  
Can truly censure of another style  
Then what themselves have used.  Agrippina. 
He was not able,  
No, not in Oratory; had I ruled  
Rome and her Senate then, as now I do,  
Not all th' Orations that e'er Cicero  
Made in the Senate, should have saved one hair  
Of an offendor, or condemned a Mouse.  Vitellius. 
How confident she is in censuring!  Seneca. 
I am amazed: but let her have her way.  
Forgive my silence noble Cicero;  
Here thy defence is vain; but what I spare,  
The tongues of all posterity shall speak.  Enter PALLAS, Tribune. Pallas. 
The Tribune, Madam, is returned and brings  
Lollia Paulina's head.  Agrippina. 
Let him come in.  Tribune. 
Your pleasure, great Augusta, is performed.  Agrippina. 
Let me peruse this face: ha! 'tis much changed.  
Her teeth shall make me sure, they did not grow Dio.  
The common way; I am confirmed; 'tis she.  
Reward him Pallas.  Tribune. 
The Gods preserve  
Augusta Agrippina.  Agrippina. 
O pale death,  
Thou mock of beauty, and of greatness too:  
Was this the face, that once in Caesar's love  
Was Agrippina's rival, and durst hope  
As much 'gainst me, as my unquestioned power  
Has wrought on her? Was this that beauty, once  
That wore the riches of the world about it?  
For whose attire, all lands, all seas were searched,  
All creatures robbed? This! This was that Paulina,  
Whom Cajus Caesar served, whom Rome adored  
And the world feared.  Seneca. 
Such a sight methinks  
Should make her sadly think of humane frailty.  Agrippina. 
Take hence the head, lest in her death she gain  
A greater conquest o'er me, than her life  
Could ever do, to make me shed a tear.  
I would not wrong the justice I have done  
So much as to lament it now: You know  
My friends, she had a spirit dangerous.  
And though my nature could have pardoned her,  
Reason of state forbade it, which then told me  
Great ruins have been wrought by foolish pity.  Seneca. 
Would she had such a nature! but 'tis now  
Too late to give her counsel.  Pallas. 
So let all  
That dare contest with Agrippina, fall. Enter servant.  Servant. 
Caesar is come to visit you.  Agrippina. 
Now friends,  
Vitellius, Pollio, Pallas second me.  Enter CAESAR, ANTISTIUS. Caesar. 
How fares my Agrippina?  Agrippina. 
Wondrous well,  
When I am blessed with Caesar's company.  Caesar. 
That shall be oft, my love, when Rome's affairs,  
And public business will give me leave.  Agrippina. 
I would partake myself of those affairs,  
Rather than want your presence  Pallas. 
I believe it.  Caesar. 
Thou shalt; 'tis only for thy dearest sake  
I love my fortunes, thy sweet fellowship  
Makes light the burden of my government.  Agrippina. 
To ease great Caesar's care, shall ever be  
The height of my desires: before you came  
My heart was sad. I sent for these my friends  
T' impart the reason to them.  Caesar. 
Sad; for what?  Agrippina. 
Weighing the troubles of a Princely state,  
And all the dangers that still threaten it.  Caesar. 
Dangers!  Pallas. 
she strikes upon the fittest string;  
No passion reigns in him so much as fear.  Agrippina. 
we were devising of the fittest means  
To give your state security: you know  
Your strongest guard is the Praetorian camp.  Caesar. 
Most true.  Agrippina. 
That camp commanded now by two,  
May be by Captains too ambitious strife  
Divided into factions, and so made  
Less serviceable, should your safety need them.  Vitellius. 
Caesar remembers when that bold attempt  
Of Silius was, how the Praetorian camp  
Was by their general strife in mutiny,  
And had not one been chosen for that day  
To rule them all, Caesar had not been safe.  Pollio. 
Wise men in calms provide for storms to come.  
None knows how dangerous the times may prove,  
Though now the state be safe, and may the Gods  
To Caesar's honour long preserve it so.  Seneca. 
What new design is this, that all of them aside.  
Second so readily, and I was not  
Acquainted with it? If't prove mischievous,  
I thank the Empress for my ignorance.  Agrippina. 
Burrhus Afranius is a worthy man,  
Fit for the place, and faithful, well-beloved  
By all the soldiers: such a change, my Lord,  
None can except against: Let him take all.  Seneca. 
whate'er her ends may be, this proposition  
For noble Burrhus' sake, I must approve.  Caesar. 
'Tis true, my love, I make no question  
Of Burrhus' worth, and fitness for the place:  
But what offence have Geta and Crispinus  
Been e'er accused of? Or what just suspicions  
Are there of them?  Agrippina. 
I will not be unjust,  
To accuse guiltless men, although I price  
Thy safety, Caesar, equal to my life.  
I know no crimes of note they have commit.  Vitellius. 
Caesar, it is no loss to them at all;  
They both have plenteous fortunes to retire to.  Pollio. 
And in so near a cause, who dares examine  
Great Caesar's counsels, or inquire the reason?  Agrippina. 
Shall Burrhus have it Caesar? speak thy pleasure.  
Or if my care offend, I shall hereafter  
Forbear to meddle.  Caesar. 
No, sweet Agrippina;  
Since thou wilt have it so; go Pallas, draw  
The warrant straight, and seal it in our name:  
Let Geta and Crispinus be removed,  
And Burrhus take possession presently.  
This day, my love, the Britane prisoners  
Sent from Ostorius Scapula, and late  
Arrived at Rome, shall be in public showed.  
There thou shalt see that brave Barbarian Prince,  
That bold Caractacus, whose stubborn spirit  
So many years contemned the Roman power.  
He now is taken.  Pollio. 
'Twas a victory  
Sent from the Gods to honour Claudius' reign.  Agrippina. 
Had he been basely taken, or at first  
Yielded himself, as he had got no honour,  
But been forgotten in his fall, and nought  
Had e'er been mentioned of him but his death:  
So had thy glory Caesar been far less.  Vitellius. 
Not warlike Syphax the Numidian King,  
Stubborn Jugurtha, nor great Perseus  
Ere brought to Rome by their captivity  
More real honour then this Britane Prince.  Caesar. 
Nor do we price our name Brittannicus  
Fetched from that Island, less than Scipio  
His honoured name of Africanus prized.  Pollio. 
Thy style, O Caesar, is the greater far  
Drawn from the conquest of another world,  
Which nature meant by interposing cold  
And stormy seas, to guard from Latian arms.  Vitellius. 
Great Julius Caesar did but only show  
That land to us, whose conquest was reserved  
By heaven's decree to honour Claudius' name.  Agrippina. 
Caesar, let's sit together; one Tribunal  
Will hold us both.  Caesar. 
It shall be so, my love,  
Thou, as myself, shalt pardon or condemn.   

ACTUS II.  POPPAEA, OTHO. Poppaea. 
MY love, dear Otho, fain would bid thee stay:  
But danger now forbids it, for my Lord  
Returns by this time homewards from the Palace.  Otho. 
we must obey the Time's necessity  
Sweetest Poppaea, though I part from thee  
With such a sadness as will lose by all  
Comparisons and cannot be expressed  
But by itself, to say that Otho parts  
From fair Poppaea, is more tragical  
Than soul from body, honour from a man.  Poppoea. 
I could, methinks, flatter my fears, to keep  
Thee ever here.  Otho. 
And I can scorn all fears,  
And dangers too, if thou command me stay.  Poppaea. 
No, go, my Love, and warily let's meet  
That we may often meet: but why should still  
Our highest bliss want freedom?  Otho. 
'Tis my fair one,  
The envy of the Gods, who think the state  
Of men would equal theirs, if greatest joys  
Were easiest to obtain, and therefore still  
In horrid dangers wrap their dearest gifts,  
As all the Poets ancient fables taught.  
Fire-breathing Bulls did guard the Colchian fleece;  
A waking dragon kept the golden fruit.  
But thou, Poppaea, in my thoughts a prize  
Of greater value, and more lustre far  
Then that which drew the bold Thessalian forth  
So far from Greece, or made Alcmena's son  
Invade th' Hesperides, art kept from me  
By stronger guards, the awful Roman laws,  
Those laws resist our love.  Poppaea. 
Oh where was Otho  
Then, when my virgin blossom was the hope  
Of thousand noble youths? hadst thou been seen  
Poppaea's bed and beauties had been thine,  
And with a lawful uncontrolled flame  
Had met thy wish in those delights, which now  
we are enforced to steal.  Otho. 
Must it be so  
For ever then?  Poppaea. 
It must while Rufus lives.  Otho. 
Nor can I blame blessed Rufus, if he strive  
To keep that wealth, which if it lay beyond  
The Indian Ganges, Scythian Tanais,  
Or horned Ammon's scorched and thirsty sands,  
Would draw the Roman Monarch to forsake  
His world's Imperial seat there to enjoy,  
And think those banished that remained at Rome.  
If I were Caesar, and condemned by fate  
To want Poppaea's love, I should be poor.  
No other dear prerogative could that  
High wreath bestow, but only power to make  
Thee mine without a rival: I might then  
With boldness take thee from Crispinus' arms.  Poppaea. 
But could that act be lawful?  Otho. 
Canst thou doubt it?  
Where two loves meet can marriage be unlawful?  
Of which love is the soul, the very form  
That gives it being no dead outward tie,  
But natures strong and inward sympathy.  
Can make a marriage, which the Gods alone  
Have power to breed in us, and therefore they  
Have only power to tie so sweet a knot.  
I am thy mate; nor did thy father, when  
He gave that snowy hand unto another,  
Ought but rebel against the God's decree.  Poppaea. 
Thou art to good an advocate, and I  
Too partial for a judge.  Otho. 
be constant to me  
Till fortune give a bolder privilege.  
And warrant to our love, of which I have  
Received such fair presages, as I cannot  
Despair; meanwhile by stealth I must behold  
Those starry eyes, and think myself most happy  
In that, though no man know my happiness.  Poppaea. 
Can men count those delights a happiness  
Which they conceal?  Otho. 
Yes, those that truly love. Enter Fulvia.  Fulvia. 
Madam, my Lord is come.  Poppaea. 
Farewell dear Otho.  Otho. 
Farewell: love guard thee till we meet again. exit.  Enter CRISPINUS, GETA. Crispinus. 
Come Lucius study to forget it now,  
And let's be truly merry; my Poppaea  
Bid Lucius Geta welcome, my colleague  
That was, but still my friend.  Poppaea. 
You are most welcome.  Geta. 
Thanks fairest Lady.  Poppaea. 
But my Lord, what means  
That speech of yours, that Lucius Geta once  
Was your colleague and is not.  Crispinus. 
I tell thee,  
Great Agrippina has commanded Caesar  
To command Pallas to command us two.  
To quit our charge and suddenly resign  
The government of the Praetorian camp  
〈◊〉 Burrhus' hand; at which he storms; but I  
be merrier far, and lighter than before.  
we may live freely now; Caesar has ta'en  
〈◊〉 weighty burden from my weary neck.  
Thank his goodness.  Geta. 
Thank his sottishness,  
'tis that has pleasured you. ah friend it needs  
Must grieve all noble hearts, that can love justice,  
And pity suffering innocence, to see  
The harmless years of young Britannicus  
Exposed to all the malice of his foes,  
And stupid Caesar made the instrument  
To ruin his own son: whilst his great power  
By others is abused against himself  
And his posterity.  Crispinus. 
I do believe it.  Geta. 
His servants all, that to himself were true,  
Or faithful to his son, are murdered now,  
Or else displaced by her: our truth's the cause  
That we have lost our places.  Crispinus. 
'tis no matter;  
we lose no honour by our truth; and since  
While we had power, we faithfully discharged  
Our trust to Caesar, let's no longer strive  
To guard him 'gainst his will; but take his gift.  
He gives us ease, and freedom, to retire,  
And taste the sweets of privacy, and there  
Enjoy our lives free from the glorious noise,  
And troubles of a Court; instead of waiting  
On Caesar now, on thee I will bestow  
That time, my fair Poppaea, and attend  
On thy delights; thou wilt not cast me off  
As Caesar does.  Fulvia. 
She cannot promise you  
I know her heart better than you in that.  Crispinus. 
None can describe the sweets of country life  
But those blessed men that do enjoy, and taste them.  
Plain husband men, though far below our pitch  
Of fortune placed, enjoy a wealth above us.  
To whom the earth with true and bounteous justice  
Free from wars cares returns an easy food.  
They breathe the fresh and uncorrupted air,  
And by clear brooks enjoy untroubled sleeps.  
Their state is fearless, and secure, enriched  
With several blessings, such as greatest Kings  
Might in true justice envy, and themselves  
Would count too happy, if they truly knew them.  Geta. 
'tis true, Crispinus, greatest Monarchs oft  
Have in the midst of all their careful glories  
Desired such lives as those plain people lead.  Crispinus. 
Let us enjoy that happiness than Lucius  
The country sports and recreations  
And friends as innocent as we, with whom  
we need not fear the strength of richest wine  
In drawing out our secrets: but well filled  
At suppertime may hold a free discourse  
Of Caesar's weakness, of the wealth and pride  
Of his freedmen, how lordly Pallas rules;  
How fierce and cruel Agrippina is,  
What slaves the Roman Senate are become,  
And yet next morn awake with confidence.  Poppoea. 
All this, my Lord, you may discourse at Rome  
If you can wisely choose your company.  Crispinus. 
Well said Poppaea, thou art a woman right  
Thou lov'st the city well.  Geta. 
I cannot blame her,  
Such beauty seeks no corners, but may well  
Become th' Imperial city of the world.  Crispinus. 
Come Lucius Geta, let's go in and laugh  
At our proud enemies, enjoy their malice,  
And drown our cares in rich Falernian wine  
As ancient as Opimius' Consulship.  Enter to them NARCISSUS. Geta. 
Here comes a man, Crispinus, I believe  
Is sorry for this change.  Crispinus. 
I think so Lucius.  Narcissus. 
Haile noble Romans.  Crispinus. 
Haile to you Narcissus.  
How dare you venture a salute on us,  
Or make a visit to such guilty men?  Narcissus. 
Guilty my Lord, in what?  Crispinus. 
In being wronged.  
Those that are wronged in Court, are made offenders.  Narcissus. 
I must confess, my Lord, it was a wrong  
To you and your Colleague to be displaced,  
But you have spirits great enough to scorn  
That injury, and pity him that did it,  
I mean that suffered his proud foes to do it  
Rather against himself than you; the wrong  
Must fall on Caesar, and his hapless house.  
Blinded by fate, and near his fall, he throws  
Away the best supporters of his state.  Geta. 
The thought of that as I am true, Narcissus,  
Afflicts me more than mine own loss can do.  Crispinus. 
For me, I think myself well freed from trouble  
Were't not for fear of poor Britannicus.  Narcissus. 
I do believe it, noble Lords; but you  
Are now discharged, and may retire with safety.  
My part is yet to play, a part of danger,  
And I will act it bravely: here I vow  
By all the Gods, no fear shall make me shrink  
Till I have once more righted Claudius  
Against the lusts and treasons of a wife.  
Nor do I boast of Messalina's death.  
It was the Time's necessity, that made  
Me then to show my power: that power perchance  
Is yet as much; nor shall the Lordly Pallas,  
Though swelled with Agrippina's lustful favours,  
And backed by her authority, he think  
Himself sole ruler in th' Imperial house,  
Find that Narcissus is so fallen in spirit  
But that I dare attempt as much as then.  
Great Caesar's safety is as much in danger  
As then it was, his nuptial bed as stained,  
And I will die, or take the same revenge,  
That then was taken; all their plots and treasons  
Will I reveal to Caesar, and pursue it  
With such a dauntless constancy, that if  
The Gods forget not to be just, this day  
Proud Agrippina, and her minion fall.  
The young Britannicus shall stand secure  
In his high birthright; Messalina's ghost  
Shall then perchance, although she hate me now,  
forgive the hand that caused her overthrow,  Geta. 
Bravely resolved, Narcissus.  Crispinus. 
You shall do  
An act that all good men shall thank you for.  
Will you go in, and taste my wine.  Narcissus. 
Not now.  
I came but only to reveal my purpose  
To you, whose noble wishes may befriend it,  
And when occasion serves, may truly witness  
My just intents; this hour I am expected  
By Caesar in his gardens; there I'll put  
My life upon the hazard; every minute  
May breed a change, and all delays have danger.  
For Caesar upon those discoveries  
That I already have made to him, uttered  
Some words last night at supper in his wine.  
Of which I fear that Agrippina took  
Too great a notice; therefore speed must help us.  
Farewell my Lords.  Ambo. 
Farewell: the Gods assist thee. Exeunt.  OTHO. Otho. 
So rich a bondage is Poppaea's love,  
That I were base if I should with for freedom,  
Nay more, ingrate, should I desire to change  
So sweet a care for quietness itself;  
Should I suppose that state, which some dull souls  
Call calm content, were half so rich, so free  
As are these pinings, this captivity.  
Were there in love no cares, no sighs, no fears,  
There were in love no happiness at all.  
What bliss, what wealth did e'er the world bestow  
On man, but cares and fears attended it?  
Yet who so base, as, to be freed from those,  
Would throw away the highest bliss on earth?  
Let silly shepherds, whose poor narrow souls  
Not much exceed the beasts they tend and feed,  
That know, like them, no farther regions  
Than some few fields, no larger bounds of pleasure  
Then satisfaction of bare natures needs,  
be still secure since they have nought to lose,  
And rest content because they never knew  
What cities were, and gorgeous Palaces.  
Should Monarchs, who are taught to know th' extent  
Of nature's wealth, and what the world affords,  
Forgo their glorious fortunes, 'cause they want  
That wretched thing, which only ignorance,  
And low contempt can give, Security?  
Should I forgo my fair Poppaea's love  
Because some cares, some fears, and sighs attend it:  
When every smile of hers can recompense  
A thousand such? were too much poorness in me  
Had I ne'er seen those starry eyes of hers  
More hapless far my ignorance had been.  
I had, like wretched men, that are borne blind,  
ne'er known there was a Sun to guild the world.  
But to enjoy her love without all fears,  
Without all rivals, were a bliss beyond  
Mortality: the Gods would envy me.  
she's now another man's: that may be thought  
The greatest bar to Otho's happiness.  
But I have framed in my jealous thoughts  
A greater bar then that: young Nero Caesar,  
In whose acquaintance I of late have found  
So near a room, as fair presages tell us,  
Is like to weareth th' Imperial wreath: his power  
May take her for me from Crispinus' arms.  
But then perchance I lose her more than ever.  
Or should he see her now to rival me  
I were undone: he's amorous, and oft  
Solicits me to let him see my Mistress.  
I for that friendship, which I dare not lose,  
Dare not deny his importunity.  
And therefore to prevent what may ensue  
(For yet he never heard Poppaea's name)  
I have made love to the fair freed woman  
Young Act of mean rank, but such a face,  
As whosoever had not seen Poppaea  
Would think this Act nature's Masterpiece.  
On her will I divert young Nero's love.  
And to that purpose I have got her picture.  
But here he comes. Enter Nero.  Nero. 
What Otho, still retired?  
Where lives the face that breeds this melancholy?  
There is no other cause can do't: I know  
Thou art not busied with affairs of state.  
I prithee let me see her: a friend's counsel  
May ease thy passion.  Otho. 
'tis not fit a Prince  
Should stoop so low as to the passions  
Of private men.  Noro. 
The name of friend admits  
Of no such distance.  Otho. 
Sr. no man, whom you  
Are pleased to call a friend, deserves that name,  
Unless he know himself to be your servant.  Nero. 
Come prithee leave thy fooling, and be plain.  
Where there is no familiarity  
Society is lost: why art thou fearful  
To let me see her whosoe'er she be?  Otho. 
Sr. I could give you a plain common reason,  
If she be foul, she is not worth your sight.  
If fair, you are too great a rival for me.  
But yet, know Sr. I am so free from those  
Unworthy fears, that I dare trust my life,  
My love, and all I have into your hands.  Nero. 
Spoke like a friend, and thou mayst safely do't.  
Then first behold her picture, and by that  
Find whether she be worth the sight or no.  Nero. 
Can any mortal beauty be so sweet?  Otho. 
I would there were not.  Nero. 
Sure the painter flatters.  Otho. 
Oh no, he had not art enough to reach  
The glory of it; were the substance here  
How dull would this now lovely table show!  
See how his greedy eyes devour the picture.  
he's caught, he's caught; Cupid I thank thee now.  Nero. 
I never saw true beauty till this hour.  
But wherefore didst thou wish there were no substance  
So sweet as this? why wouldst thou be deprived  
Of such a happiness? but I perceive  
It is thy fear: come, let it not be so.  
I but desire to see whether the painter  
Have erred or no: and do not think, my Otho,  
That I will wrong thy love so much, or make  
My wife Octavia jealous.  Otho. 
Sr. howe'er,  
My life, my love, and fortunes all are yours. Exeunt.  CLAUDIUS, NARCISSUS. Narcissus. 
Your Majesty may yet prevent it all,  
And justly throw upon the traitor's heads  
That ruin which so boldly threatens you,  
And your too much abused family.  
Yet Caesar may be safe, if he will use  
That power the Gods have put into his hands.  Caesar. 
What course, Narcissus, can we run, to make  
The people sensible of our estate,  
What danger threatens us, and how our Justice  
Is forced to meet the treasons of a wife?  Narcissus. 
Let not too vain a care of popular breath,  
Or what the Vulgar may surmise, outweigh  
The safety of your person and your house.  
But I am most assured that all the world  
Except yourself, have long observed their plots,  
And if they see your wakened Justice now  
Arise to censure Agrippina's death,  
They will not think the execution done  
Too soon on her: these humble knees, Oh Caesar.  
Which for your safety I so oft have bowed  
Before the Gods, now to your sacred self  
I bow, entreating that you would be safe,  
And not believe the Gods by miracle  
Will work for you whilst you neglect yourself.  Caesar. 
Arise Narcissus, 'tis th' unhappy fate  
Of Princes ever (as Augustus Caesar  
Was wont to say) the people ne'er believe  
That treasons were complotted 'gainst their persons  
Until those treasons take effect, and then  
Too late perchance they pity and believe.  Narcissus. 
But was the wise Augustus therefore slow  
Or timorous to cut offenders off?  
Feared he the people's whispers? Caesar, no.  
He well knew to use the sword he had.  
He had not else lived till times gentle hand  
Dissolved in peace his long felicity,  
And made the world by such continuance  
Of power, believe he was a God on earth.  Caesar. 
But some offenders are too great to suffer  
The common course of Justice: against such  
Wise Princes have forborn to draw the sword,  
And rather sought some ways of policy  
How to ensnare them.  Narcissus. 
Caesar, those are ways  
As much unfit for Princes as unsafe.  
As many Monarchs have in dangerous times  
Been ruined quite by going ways too low  
(Though they have seemed subtle) as proud subjects  
Have been undone by playing Princes parts.  
And as this high, and open way befits  
The power and person of earth's greatest Monarch:  
So it befits the Time's necessity.  
You have already, Caesar, showed your sword,  
And if you strike not now, you do not right  
yourself at all, but only arm your foes  
With plots of mischief to prevent their own,  
And hasten on your quick destruction.  
You have already threatened, and those speeches  
By Agrippina, and her minion Pallas  
Were overheard; who, like seen snakes will now  
Bestir themselves in a more desperate fury.  
I have already cast mine own poor life  
Into the utmost hazard: but alas!  
That is a thing not now considerable.  
The Gods above can tell how willingly  
For Caesar's safety I would sacrifice  
This life; make me the chiefest instrument  
Impose what part of this exploit you please  
Upon Narcissus' hand, and if I fail  
To execute, I'll not refuse to die.  Caesar. 
Oh my Narcissus; I have found thy faith  
In other services: it is resolved,  
Their pride shall feel my justice; thou shalt see  
How soon I will secure myself and thee. Exeunt.  AGRIPPINA, PALLAS. Agrippina. 
we are discovered Pallas: all our drifts  
Are sounded by Narcissus, and by him  
Laid ope to Caesar, who dissembling yet  
The knowledge of it, seeks a sudden way  
To ruin both of us: nor had we feared  
So soon as felt his fury, had not wine  
Betrayed his thoughts to us; you know last night  
What speeches Caesar in his drunkenness  
Let fall before us; and 'twas lately told me  
That meeting young Britannicus he wept,  
Confessed that he had wronged him, and there vowed  
A quick redress: what counsel shall we take?  Pallas. 
we have no time for counsel: but must act  
As soon as think: we go not now to work  
But to prevent a mischief, and our cure  
Must be as strong, and quick of operation  
As our disease is dangerous and sudden.  
That bird, that sees the snare, and will be caught  
Deserves his death: and since that Caesar knows  
His purpose is discovered (as Narcissus  
Has before this informed him that we heard it)  
he'll quickly act what else he had deferred.  
No way is left us but to meet the danger,  
And for prevention first attempt to do  
That which we fear to suffer.  Agrippina. 
By what means  
Shall we procure his death? for poison slow  
Perchance may fail to lend a timely help  
Unto our safety; and too quick a venom  
May make the fact suspected.  Pallas. 
Should the fact  
be ne'er so much suspected, your estate  
Would be more safe than now it is; but who  
Would dare to utter it when Caesar's dead,  
And your own Son the Emperor: for so  
My confidence assures me it will be.  
Therefore be speedy, Madam; for your danger  
Where fame, where life, and Empire all are threatened,  
Gives you no nice election. So't be done  
No matter how.  Agrippina. 
Thou hast confirmed me, Pallas.  
The way's resolved already; there were lately  
The fairest mushrooms sent from Lybia  
That ere these eyes beheld, a meat which he  
Affects with greediness; in one of those  
Caesar shall meet his death; if that should fail  
His chief Physician Xenophon is mine.  
But are things stung, and ready to confirm  
The Empire upon Nero.  Pallas. 
'tis the best  
And happiest time, before Britannicus  
be grown to riper years, while yet he wears  
His childish robe, and Nero has been shown  
To all the people in triumphal weeds.  
But when the deed is done, place warily  
Your guards about the Palace gates, and keep  
Britannicus within; whilst Nero backed  
By Seneca and Burrhus, by the camp  
And Senate be saluted Emperor,  
And all be settled sure.  Agrippina. 
How fit a time  
To work his own destruction Caesar chose  
To tempt with threatening Agrippina's fury!   

ACTUS III. SCENA. I.  PETRONIUS, OTHO, MONTANUS. Petronius. 
Is Nero fired?  Otho. 
Extremely. I at first  
Seemed melancholy to lose Act so,  
And he seemed loath to wrong me; but at last  
When his desires were high, I cunningly  
Withdrew my interest, and gave way to his.  
Which he has taken for the greatest favour  
That ever man could do him and I hope  
It has endeared him strongly.  Montanus. 
Thou wilt grow  
A happy man.  Petronius. 
'tis the best way to rise.  
The wench is fair, and of behaviour  
Wanton enough to make the arrantst novice  
A perfect scholar in the school of Venus.  
Seneca himself rather will give way  
That he should satisfy his lust on her  
Then seek th'adulteries of noble women.  Montanus. 
But gentlemen, have you not heard the news?  
There is a great combustion in the Palace  
As I have been informed, thieves are fallen out.  
The two proud freemen Pallas and Narcissus  
Are clashing 'gainst each other.  Petronius. 
I am glad on't.  
I hope some curious rogueries will come on't.  
Those are the fellows that have ruled the state  
These many years, and trampled on the lives  
Of noble men Caesar's credulous weakness.  
But yet methinks Narcissus should not dare  
Now to contest with Pallas he has got  
Too great a start of him, and is too near  
Acquainted with the empress.  Montanus. 
So they say.  Otho. 
Has a fine time on't who would think the rogue  
Should be so ambitious as to court an Empress?  Petronius. 
'Twas her ambitions to be made the wife  
Of Claudius, that first made her prostitute  
herself so low, and court this fellows love,  
Whom she perceived to have a ruling power  
Over his doting master, to ambition  
She sacrificed her honour 'tis well known.  Montanus. 
And he by doing of the Empress, takes  
The surest way of keeping Caesar's love  Petronius. 
Yes, there's no doubt of that. You know the proverb.  Enter to them ANICETUS. Anicetus. 
Well met my Lords; I come to find you out.  Otho. 
What's the news Anicetus?  Anicetus. 
Great my Lord.  
Caesar, is wondrous sick; 'tis thought to death.  
The Pallas is by soldiers guarded round.  
A great and frequent Senate is assembling.  
The Consuls and the Priests are making vows  
For Caesar's safety.  Montanus. 
Claudius is old  Petronius. 
There have been other ways to end a Prince  
Besides old age. But what is that to us?  
Come let's away and show our forwardness  
To joy or mourning as occasion serves.  
I am prepared for both.  Montanus. 
And so am I.  Otho. 
Both must be done, if Caesar die, our grief  
Must last but till the successor be known;  
And than we must rejoice.  Petronius. 
'tis true.  Otho. 
But I  
Shall have true cause of joy if Nero reign, Exeunt.  BRITANNICUS, OCTAVIA, XENOPHON. Britannicus 
Shall I not see my father ere he die?  Octavia. 
Good Xenophon.  Xenophon. 
Good Madam pardon me,  
Nothing is now so great an enemy  
To his disease as noise and company.  
he's lately fallen into a gentle slumber.  
Deep sleeps his fever will not let him take.  
I'll certify your highness when he wakes.  
And wait upon you.  Octavia. 
Thanks good Xenophon. Exeunt.  AGRIPPINA. Agrippina. 
I long to hear what favour Nero finds  
In the Praetorian camp, how Caesar's death  
Is by the soldiers and the Senate taken.  Enter PALLAS. 
Welcome my dearest Pallas What's the news?  Pallas 
Madam, as good as Jove himself could send,  
No sooner in the camp was Caesar's death  
divulged, but Burrhus enters to his charge,  
And Nero with him, who by all the cohorts  
Was presently saluted Emperor.  
Only some few were silent, and a while  
Stood still expecting young Britannicus;  
But when they saw their expectation  
Was all in vain, and none but Nero came,  
Fearing at last to lose the Donative  
Which Burrhus promised them in Nero's name,  
They joined themselves unto the greater part.  Agrippina. 
Britannicus within the Palace here  
Is safe enough for coming forth today.  
The Senate have scarce heard of Caesar's death  
For we concealed it till all things were ready.  Pallas. 
Now in a Princely chariot mounted high  
Guarded by Burrhus and the soldiers  
Nero sets forward to the Senate house.  
But having passed the camp, you need not fear  
The Senate, Madam.  Agrippina. 
Pallas thou wert ever  
A messenger of lucky news to me.  
A safe contriver of the highest plots,  
A happy instrument thou hast deserved  
whate'er thou hast enjoyed, though thou have tasted  
That which a Caesar sued to taste, and bought  
The world in recompense.  
Pallas. If ever Pallas  
Had any fire that could advance his thoughts  
To high and great exploits, he kindled it  
At your celestial beauty, as from heaven  
Prometheus stole that active fire, by which  
He durst himself adventure to create  
The noblest creature man. What act on earth,  
What undertaking should he tremble at  
Whom Agrippina's favours animate?  
And what had I been but a piece of earth  
Cold, dull, and useless, had I not been quickened  
By your etherial touch. Agrippina.  
The happiness.  
Of this high day has made thee eloquent  Pallas 
The love of royal Agrippina can  
Inspire the dullest Soul with life and language.  
When the Idalian Queen was pleased to grace  
A Shepherd's boy more than his humble thoughts  
Could hope or wish, the ravished tongue forgot  
That rural language which before it used.  Agrippina. 
Ah Pallas what a glorious change is here!  
How is the lowness of our late despair  
Turned to the height of joy and happiness?  Pallas 
Quick resolution well pursued will cure  
The saddest state.  Agrippina. 
Go thou and hear more news,  
Whilst 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 be propitious to the vows, that we  
Have vowed for Caesar's safety.  Vitellius. 
Let the great  
Divine and sacred Nero Claudius  
The care of heaven, sole ruler of the earth,  
And Rome's high Father not forsake his world  
So soon t' increase the number of the Gods,  Enter BURRHUS. Burrhus. 
Exile to the Consul, and this sacred Senate.  
Great Claudius Caesar's dead, in whose high throne  
With one consent the soldiers have agreed  
To seat young Nero his adopted son;  
And do by me entreat your suffrages  
Father's conscript; to ratify their choice.  Seneca. 
Let not young Nero's years disparage him,  
Nor trouble you, since happy precedents  
May well be shown, grave Fathers. Great Augustus  
Of glorious memory, no more in debt  
To years than he began to rule the state,  
With what success not one in all this noble  
And great assembly can be ignorant.  
But weigh with me the difference of the times.  
The state is settled, and has flourished long  
In peaceful government; no civil rents.  
No factions now, nor armies are a foot  
To stain with Latian blood Philippi plains,  
To die the arctic and Sicilian Seas,  
And through all regions bear th' unnatural wounds  
Of bleeding Rome. No such affrighting names  
As Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Lepidus'  
Great Pompey's son, or fierce Antonius  
Armed with the power of half the Roman world  
Stand to oppose him. Oh ye Gods how great!  
How many dangers had beset the state  
When young Augustus managed it! yet he  
Withstood and vanquished all those difficulties.  
And why should Nero our elected Prince  
Aged like Augustus, not be able now  
To sway a peaceful sceptre? for the right  
To this high, wreath although Britannicus  
Were borne the natural son of Claudius,  
A Prince of hope enough, and may by some  
be thought much wronged in this election,  
Yet weigh it rightly, and no wrong is done.  
For Nero was adopted. But besides  
The claim of his adoption, he is borne  
A truer heir to our Imperial house  
Sprung up from the loins of great Augustus Caesar.  
Britannicus from Livia's sons alone.  Vitellius. 
Nor are the years of young Britannicus  
So ripe as his to govern.  Pollio. 
Seneca,  
Has wisely showed his undoubted right,  
And I with joy approve the soldier's choice.  Octavia. 
The Gods preserve Nero our Emperor.  Otho. 
Now is the height of all my wishes reached.  Enter NERO with TRIBUNE. Tribune. 
Room for Caesar.  
He goes on, and takes his state.  Pollio. 
Haile Nero Caesar.  Seneca. 
Haile great Emperor.  Vitellius. 
Ever Augustus.  Otho. 
Most invincible  Petronius 
Most sacred Tribune  Montanus. 
Holiest highest Priest.  Pollio. 
Father of Rome  Nero 
That honourable title  
Is yet too weighty for my tender years.  
Then let me wear it, fathers, when my pains  
My toil and travel for the public weal  
By aid and favour of the Gods have made  
Me worthy of it. But your free consent  
Father's conscript, your powerful suffrages  
Powerful and honoured as the voice of heaven  
In confirmation of the soldier's choice  
Fills me with joy immortal, and shall bind  
My best endeavours to requite that love.  
My heart is clear, my education  
Was not in factious, in tumultuous times,  
Or civil broils, my former life has been  
As free from doing as receiving wrong;  
And therefore bring I to th' Imperial Throne  
No fears, no grudges, hatred or revenge.  
This sacred Senate, which the world adores,  
Shall still retain her old prerogative  
While Nero lives. My private house affairs  
Shall from the free Republic be divided,  
And never turn the course of common Justice  
No public Office shall be bought for gold.  
The sacred Consulary power shall judge  
As heretofore, th' affairs of Italy  
And foreign provinces. My care alone  
Sall be to rule and lead the Soldiers.  
And such to all the people will I be  
As I would wish th' immortal Gods to me.  Vitellius. 
Oh speech most worthy Jupiter himself!  
Worthy for ever to be registered  
In brazen Pillars for the world to read.  Pollio. 
Let public thanks by Senate be decreed  
To Caesar's grace and goodness.  Nero. 
No Asinius,  
Let me deserve them first, first give me leave  
What I have promised to perform in deeds,  
That then if thanks or praises be bestowed  
They my be judged as due, and better Crown  
Your own true justice, and the PRINCE's merits.  Pollio. 
Oh happy Rome in such an Emperor!  
Long may he reign on earth, and late, oh late  
Become a glorious star in Heaven  Tribune. 
What word.  
Will Caesar give the watching soldiers?  Nero. 
The excellent mother, Tribune, is their word.  
Your company, noble Consul, we'll entreat  
Home to the Palace.  Pollio. 
I'll attend on Caesar.  Exeunt. Manent OTHO, PETRONIUS, MONTANUS. Montanus. 
The Prince has promised fair.  Petronius. 
Life Seneca.,  
That made the speech for him had been too blame.  Otho. 
Well, let him speak as Seneca instructs  
In public still say I, I know his heart  
And secret thoughts better than Seneca  
Shall ever do; and there are Jovial days  
A-coming, gallants, say I prophesy.  Montanus. 
Will it be lawful to eat Lybian mushrooms,  
And British oysters without being cited  
Before the censor?  Otho. 
Yes Curtius, and to whore  
For vacuation after them; those gifts  
Will be Court virtues. Come, the Prince is hopeful.  Petronius. 
Would I might have the bringing of him up.  Otho. 
If I can help it, thou shalt have a share  
In his tuition. Welcome Anicetus, Anicetus  
Is it to me you come?  Anicetus. 
To you, my Lord.  
Caesar desires your company at the palace.  Otho. 
Caesar's desire, is a command, which I  
With joy obey. return my humble duty  
Good Anicetus, I'll attend him straight.  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 near acquaintance.  
Now fair Poppaea's mine and mine alone.  
Caesar must grant my first petition,  
Or else deny the love he swore to me  
If ere he wore the world's Imperial wreath.  
His power must fetch Poppaea from her husband.  
Nor is the deed so envious. Other Princes  
Have done the like, and yet not taxed in story.  Petronius. 
Besides, he knows Crispinus never loved him,  
And was an enemy to his adoption.  
'Gainst him perchance he will the sooner grant it.  Exeunt. 
Agrip This is the day that sets a glorious Crown  
On all my great designs 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 suffering Fortune, holding in her hand  
The fate of nation. Is there not a name  
Above Augusta to inform the world  
How great I am? What Roman Deity  
Shall I assume? the petty Goddesses  
Would all resign; but that they blushing think  
Their styles and altars are too mean for me.  
●acinion Juno shall be proud to share  
Her glories all with me, and think her power  
Graced with my fellowship would brighter shine;  
Or leave her name, and be adored by mine.  Enter NERO, POLLIO, SENECA. Burrhus. 
My Nero is returned, hail Nero Caesar.  Nero. 
Haile great and dear Augusta, best of Mothers.  
To whose sole care and goodness Caesar owes  
All those rich honours that he wears today,  
And will acknowledge ever  Agrippina. 
Brighter still  
For many years let this blessed day return,  
That does bestow for my dear Lord and husband  
The ne'er enough lamented Claudius  
too true a solace on my grieved Soul.  
This is that Caesar now, on whom my hopes  
And comforts all rely.  Nero. 
This is that Caesar.  
Who in obedience and true filial love  
To Agrippina will for ever strive  
With virtuous emulation to excel  
Her most admired and exemplary goodness.  Pollio. 
How well this piety becomes them both.  Pallas. Enter Pallas 
Long live great Nero Caesar.  Nero. 
Thanks good Pallas.  
we are indebted to thy faithful service;  
And therefore till we find some greater means  
To make requital, still retain that office  
Which in our father Claudius' time thou held'st.  
be still our steward of th' Imperial house.  Agrippina. 
He has deserved it.  Nero. 
For the funerals  
Of our dead father, in what state and order  
They shall be celebrated, we refer  
To you dear Mother.  Agrippina. 
Let the order of them  
be like Augustus Caesar's. Let him have  
A Censors funerals 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  
Than we to our divinest Claudius. Exeunt   

ACTUS IIII.  NARCISSUS, GETA. Narcissus. 
If we be bound to think the Gods consider  
This humane world, why are we not as well  
Bound to believe the greatest members of it  
On whom the fates of all the rest depend,  
Should be their greatest care? why should the Gods  
Extend their narrow providence, and show  
Their power in woods and rural villages,  
Yet think th' Imperial family of Rome  
Not worth their care at all? for if they had  
Where slept their justice, when great Claudius  
Was murdered by his servants and his wife,  
And they adored, and honoured by the state  
For acting that accursed deed! what right  
Can all the subject world receive from thence!  
What good can dwell upon the earth with safety?  
Proud Pallas, thou hast got the victory  
o'er poor Narcissus, and mayest safely triumph  
With thy false Empress; for no law can reach  
The height you soar at now but yet take heed  
That very crime, the same Impiety  
That aided you in your foul enterprise  
To vanquish me and justice on my side,  
May one day pull you down.  Geta. 
Alas Narcissus!  
Too truly Rufus, thou, and I foresaw  
This fatal storm 'gainst Claudius' woeful house.  
Britannicus is now the object grown  
Of all men's pity.  Narcissus. 
In the wrong he did  
Into his hopeful son he needs must see  
His own destruction woven. But if Claudius,  
When I detected all their plots to him,  
Had been of nature quick and resolute  
He had prevented all, and scaped his murder.  
'tis certain he was poisoned  Geta. 
Rome itself  
I fear will rue that sad adoption,  
And in the wrongs of young Britannicus  
Will bear too deep a share. while the fierce rule  
Of Agrippina lasts.  Narcissus. 
What better hope  
Does Nero promise us?  
Those that are near, Xiphilin  
And inward with his nature, do suspect  
In him all seeds of vice and tyranny,  
Though smothered for a time, at least, not hurtful  
While he refrains from meddling with the state  
That his night rambling revels, drinking feasts,  
And cruel sports that he's delighted in,  
Are vices of his nature, not his youth.  Geta: 
'tis true, Narcissus, I of late have heard  
Many begin to fear the prophecy  
of Aenobarbus his detested sire Xiphilin.  
That nothing good could be begot 'twixt him  
And Agrippina. Too too true alas!  
Such prophecies of some of our late Princes  
Have proved to Rome, as that Augustus made  
Of the slow-jawed Tiberius, and Tiberius.  
Of his successor Caius, whom he named  
A Phaëton to the unhappy world.  Narcissus. 
All that I hope for is a wretched life,  
If that be not too much for me to hope.  
Into Campania will I go, but there  
If death pursue me, Caesar's arms are long,  
And I am armed for any accident.  
Let none, but with a spirit prepared to die,  
Dare to adventure on prosperity.  Geta. 
Rufus and I are both resolved to leave  
The city too, we are not safe within it.  
But far perchance, removed from her sight  
we may escape fell Agrippina's spite.  Enter to them CRISPINUS. Crispinus. 
Ah Lucius Geta, I am now enforced  
To that retirement, which we lately talked of.  
Because my danger moved me not before,  
Fresh cause is given me. Now I would not breathe  
The air of Rome for all the wealth within it.  Geta. 
What cause is that Crispinus? speak  Crispinus. 
Poppaea,  
That was my wife is carried from my house,  
And divorced from me by command from Caesar,  Narcissus 
The Prince begins his reign most hopefully.  Crispinus. 
Do you not wonder how I bear it thus?  Geta. 
I must confess the loss is wondrous great.  Crispinus. 
True, had she been my chaste and faithful wife,  
The loss had been beyond all estimation.  
Nor could a manly spirit have borne the wrong.  
But she was none of mine, her heart, my Lucius.  
As I have since discovered, long ago  
Was given to wanton Otho, and with him  
'tis thought she stole her close adulterous hours.  
For on that Otho, Nero has bestowed her. Xiphilin ex Dione  
Wanting her heart, that gaudy piece of Earth  
That men call beauty, I should soon have scorned,  
Though Caesar's warrant had not come at all.  
Shall we be gone, my friend?  Geta. 
With all my heart.  
It was my fear Poppaea would have caused  
Your stay too long.  Crispinus. 
I'll put her from my thoughts.  Narcissus. 
Farewell my Lords, all happiness attend  
Your Country life, though I can hope for none.  Crispinus 
Farewell Narcissus may the Gods protect thee. Exeunt. Otho,  Otho, Poppaea. 
Thus greatest Monarchs oft have given away  
What they themselves ne'er saw, nor e'er knew how  
To value truly. Nero has bestowed  
A gift unknown on me, which I, that taste  
How sweet it is, would not again forgo  
For all his empire's wealth.  Poppaea. 
Nor would I change  
My Otho's love for great Augustus' state.  Otho. 
There to enjoy where both extremely love  
Is such a happiness (as I have heard  
Some do observe) it seldom does befall  
A married pair, or if it do, that bliss  
Endures not long, so envious are the fates.  
But that's a dream, my love, I do not fear.  Poppaea. 
Thou needest not fear Poppaea's constancy  
Though Caesar were thy rival,  Otho. 
Sweet I do not;  
I dare not wrong thy truth, or take so much  
From mine own happiness, as to suspect  
Thy constant mind at all: but Caesar's power  
Is of extent as large as man's desire.  
'Twas that, that made thee mine; and nought but that  
That gave, can take my happiness away.  
Thou hast a face, Poppaea, that would clear  
A ravisher from guilt, that would excuse  
The treason of a friend, and make my wrong  
No stain to Caesar's honour, though the Gods,  
Or Cato were his judges.  Poppaea. 
Caesar would not;  
He loves thee well besides a noble mind  
Would scorn to taste the fruits of forced love,  Otho. 
A long besieging is as forcible  
As an assault, and wins the fort as sure  
Though not so soon.  Poppaea. 
Nay spare your arguments.  
I can look through them; thou art fearful, Otho,  
That I should long to see the Court: alas  
I have no such ambition to be known  
To Agrippina or Octavia.  Otho. 
Mistake me not, sweet love, I am so far  
From jealousy of thee, that 'twas my purpose  
To make it my request that thou wouldst go  
And see great Caesar's Court: nor do I think  
Octavia would be jealous, or that danger  
That once befell the fair Calphurnia,  
Whom Agrippina banished Italy  
Because that Claudius Caesar praised her beauty,  
Should fall on thee.  Poppaea. 
It shall not fall on me,  
I will no see the Court: fie Otho fie  
How wretchedly in striving to conceal  
Thy jealousy, thou dost betray it to me!  
Why dost thou tell me so of Caesar's power,  
Octavia's wrath, Calphunia's banishment  
Through Agrippina's envy? 'tis thy love  
Better than all these subtle tricks will keep  
My thoughts at home.  Otho. 
It shall appear to thee  
I do not fear at all; or if I did,  
'tis not the failing of thy constancy.  
Enjoy what freedom thou desir'st, Poppaea.  
Now for a little while excuse my absence,  
I must forsake thee, though unwillingly.  
Caesar, I fear, expected my return  
Long before this love has beguiled the time,  
And made my stay seem shorter than it is.  
But I shall think till I return again  
The hours are long, till then farewell Poppaea. Exit.  Poppaea. 
I find his fears already, my estate  
Was better far before Rufus Crispinus  
Was grave. and knew not wantonness enough  
To make him jealous as this Otho does  
That too unlawful love, which then I showed  
To Otho, is the mother of these fears.  
Is old Seleucus the Magician come; Enter Fulvia  Fulvia: 
Madam he waits without,  Poppaea. 
Go call him hither.  
Seleucus is the master of his Art.  
All his predictions hitherto have proved  
Most true and certain. why should I desire  
To know my future fate; and hasten woe  
(Should it prove ill) before the time of woe?  
But 'tis a longing that I cannot check Enter Seleucus.  
Welcome Seleucus, have you found it out?  Seleucus. 
Madam, your scheme is drawn, and there I find  
The stars allot another husband to you  Poppaea. 
Another after Otho?  Seleucus. 
Yes, a third.  Poppaea. 
What shall he be?  Seleucus 
The greatest Prince on earth.  Poppaea 
Ha, Caesar?  Seleucus. 
Yes; it must be Caesar, Madam.  
And 'tis as true as if the oracles  
Of Jove and Phoebus had foretold it both.  Poppaea. 
This Caesar that now lives?  Seleucus. 
I can no further  
Instruct you Madam; what you hear is true.  Poppaea. 
Drink this Seleucus for my sake. Farewell.  Exit Seleucus 
To be Augusta is the greatest gift  
The fates can give; nor does it seems to me  
A thing so much unlikely. Otho's fear  
Perchance was fatal. If it were, in vain  
His care will be, nor can he then accuse  
Me, but the fates that overruled my love.  AGRIPPINA, PALLAS. Agrippina. 
It is decreed, Silanus must not live.  
Th' Imperial blood, that runs within his veins  
Were there no other cause, is crime enough.  
He is descended in the same degree.  
That Nero is from great Augustus' loins.  
And some have lately whispered that his age  
Is more mature for sovereignty than Nero's.  
Besides thou know'st his brother Lucius,  
That should have married young Octavia,  
By us was hunted to his death; and he  
May meditate revenge.  Pallas. 
You need not fear  
A spirit so sluggish as Silanus is.  
Your brother Caius Caesar, in the midst  
Of all his fears and jealousies to which  
He sacrificed so many noble branches  
Of your Imperial house, contemned Silanus  
As one in whom there was no spirit, or danger,  
And called him nothing but the golden beast.  Agrippina. 
we cannot tell, if times of trouble come,  
How much that beast by courage of attendants  
And confluence of soldiers may be changed.  
He is Proconsul now of Asia,  
And may here after, if the people should  
Malign our government, bring power against us.  Pallas. 
If you will have it so Publius Celerius  
And Aelius now going for Asia  
Have undertaken there to poison him.  Agrippina. 
Let it be done. But Pallas, first of all  
Let a centurion be dispatched into  
Campania, to kill Narcissus. there Xiphilin.  
He must not live, that did contrive our ruin  
And knows, I fear, the means by which we scaped it.  
By our command it shall be warranted.  
But tell me Pallas, ere thou goest, are all  
The German soldiers come?  Pall: 
Madam they are.  
You have a royal guard.  Ag: 
Go dearest Pallas,  
Dispatch Celerius into Asia,  
And the Centurion to Campania. Exit Pallas  
Now Agrippina is herself, and all  
The power and dignity she holds, her own.  
I do not owe it to a marriage bed,  
Or poor dependence on a husband's love,  
Where every minion might have rivaled me.  
There is no power, no state at all, but what  
Is independent, absolute and free.  
Besides my proper and peculiar guards  
Two lictors by the Senate are assigned  
Distinct from Caesar and the consul's state  
To wait on me, that all the world at last  
Th' Imperial power may in a woman know.  
I was an Empress but ne'er reigned till now. Exit  A banquet. Enter NERO, BRITANNICUS, OTHO, PETRONIUS, MONTANUS, act. Ne. 
Come sit my friends, they here are freely welcome  
That bring free Jovial hearts far hence be all  
Sad looks, sour gestures, and Censorious thoughts.  
They fit not Nero's table. kiss me Act,  
And smile upon the feast.  act: 
Caesar's command  
Is warrant strong enough.  Nero. 
And thou shalt find  
No rigid Cato's here.  Petronius. 
True, great Caesar,  
Let such sour Scauri sit at home, and write  
Against the pleasure of this happy age  
Dull satyrs, such as water, or the lees  
Of Tuscan wine beget, let them admire  
Those old penurious times. when Curius fed  
On leeks and onions, when Fabritius  
Feasted the frugal Senate with hung beef  
And rusty bacon, and in earthen pots  
Drunk small Etrurian wine, let them be still  
Such as themselves would make themselves, unworthy  
To taste the plenty that Rome now enjoys.  Nero. 
Why did our famed ancestors so far  
Extend their conquering arms, and strive to get  
The riches of the world, but that their Nephews  
Might now enjoy them? 'twere ingratitude  
To their rich labours, should we scorn to use  
What they have got: or if the use of it  
In us be riot, sure 'twas avarice  
In them, that toiled so much to purchase it.  Otho. 
Which of those rigid Censors, that declaim  
Against the vices of the times, and tax  
Rome as luxurious now would call it virtue  
In a rich Citizen, whose storehouses  
Were fraught with the best provisions, his chests crowded  
His cellars full of rich Campanian wine  
Yet he himself to drink the coursest lees,  
To feed on acorns, pulse, and crabs, to wrong  
His nature, and defraud his Genius?  
'tis said the Furies keep pined Tantalus  
From tasting those delicious fruits he sees.  
Such would the Roman virtue be, should she  
Affright her sons the masters of the world  
From tasting that which they themselves possess.  Petronius. 
'tis true; those former ages were most frugal;  
we thank them for't, the better is our fare.  
Let those that list, now when they have no need,  
Still imitate, and boast their hungry virtue,  
Whilst we poor sinners are content with pheasants,  
Numidian hens, and Lybian purple wings  
Wild goats, boars, hares, thrushes, and mushrooms,  
Oysters, and mullets, and such vicious meats.  Nero. 
Fill me some wine. Montanus melancholy,  
And silent now?  Montanus. 
Caesar, I was but listening  
To hear Petronius good morality,  Nero. 
Otho I know cannot be melancholy,  
He is a bridegroom, and but new possessed  
Of that fair treasure he has courted  
So long, well Otho, I must have a sight  
Of fair Poppaea,; such I know she is.  Otho· 
she is unworthy of great Caesar's sight.  Nero. 
A round, go Anicetus bring the lots;  
Because that no respect of power shall let  
The freedom of our mirth, whoever draws  
The longest cut shall be our King tonight,  
And be obeyed whate'er he shall command.  
I will resign my chair to him. Come draw. Enter Anicetus they draw.  
'tis I that am your King.  Montanus. 
I shall believe  
That Fortune has her eyes.  Britannius 
In getting Crowns  
Nero, thy fortune is too good for mine.  Nero. 
I know none envy me.  Britannicus 
No envy can  
Redress my wrongs.  
I will begin with Otho.  
I do command thee send by Anicetus  
Some trusty token that immediately  
May fetch Poppaea hither to the banquet.  Otho. 
It shall be done, this ring will fetch her hither,  Exit Anicetus. 
I ever though 'twould come to this.  Petronius. 
Thy plot  
Of bringing Act in, I see has failed.  Otho. 
I care not much; he would at last have seen her.  Nero. 
Thou wilt not frown my Act, though thou see  
Another beauty here.  act. 
No royal Caesar,  
Nor shall you hear me envious, or detracting,  
Although I know Poppaea is a Lady  
Whose beauty does as far excel poor Act  
As Cinthia does the lesser stars, or Venus  
The other Sea-nymphs.  Nero. 
Freely spoke, fair Act.  act. 
Here you shall find the saying does not hold  
That women are detractors from each other.  Nero. 
Mean time begin a health.  Montanus 
So please it Caesar·  
To great Augusta, Agrippina's health.  Nero. 
Let it go round. And now Petronius  
I come to thee, I do command thee write  
A Satire presently against those pleasures  
Thou didst so lately praise, against th' attire,  
And costly diet of this notorious age.  
This is thy Task.  Petronius. 
I must obey the King:  
And now's the fittest time for such a satire.  
I never find my virtue of that strength  
As to contemn good Victuals, but upon  
A well filled stomach.  Nero. 
Give him wine to heighten't.  Petronius. 
I've writ already a Satiric Poem  
In a grave angry way, where I complain  
That Rome's excess, corruption, luxury,  
Ruined the present government, and 'twixt  
Caesar, and Pompey caused a civil war.  
Listen, and hear my castigations.  
Now all the world victorious Rome had won  
All lands, all Seas, the morn and evening Sun,  
Nor was content; the Ocean's furrowed over  
With armed ships; if any far-hid shore,  
Or land there were, whence burnished gold was brought  
It was their foe: by impious war they sought  
(Fates fitted so) for wealth, old known delight  
They scorn, and Vulgar bare-worn pleasure slight.  
Pearls in th' Assyrian lakes the soldiers love.  
Bright polished earth in hue with purple strove.  
Numidia marble brings the Scythian yields  
His early fleece, the Arabs spoil their fields,  
But see more ruin yet, and greater wounds  
Of injured peace, the Mauritanian grounds  
"And Libyan Ammon's farthest woods, to get  
" Wild beasts are searched whose teeth a price must set  
"Upon their death, fierce Tigers fetched from far,  
" And stalking stately on the Theater  
"Are fed with humane slaughter to delight  
" The people's eyes: after the persian rite  
" (Alas I shame to speak it, and display  
" The ruin-threatening fates) they cut away  
"Manhood from growth spoiled youths, for Venery  
" Softening their nature, to keep back thereby  
"In spite of time, their age herself in kind  
" Abused nature seeks, but cannot find.  
"They dote on Catamites, weak bending hams,  
" Uunerved bodies, and a thousand names  
"Of new attires, loose hair of men, in whom  
" All man is lost! lo slaves from Afrique come,  
"Rich Citron boards, bright purple, which to view  
" cozening the senses bear a gold like hew.  
"A wanton train, in wine and surfeits drowned  
" The far fetched table do encompass round.  
"The wealth that all the spacious world contains  
" By lawless arms the roaming soldier gains,  
"Their gluttony grows witty; guilt-heads caught  
" At Sea, alive are to their tables brought.  Nero. 
No more, my furious Satirist, thou hast chid  
The times sufficiently.  Petronius. 
If you be pleased  
I have obeyed.  Nero. 
Well, I perceive Petronius  
A man may write a Satire, and yet be  
No Scaurus, Curius, or Fabritius.  Petronius. 
A Satirist should be the contrary,  
And know those vices, which he means to tax.  Nero. 
Brother Britannicus thy task is next,  
Stand up and sing a song.  Britannicus 
Give me some time:  
I cannot do't extempore, what subject?  Nero. 
Choose that yourself.  Britannicus. 
Then give me leave to sing  
Mine own misfortunes, how I came to lose  
The Roman sceptre.  Nero. 
How! that will not fit  
A feast of mirth.  Britannicus. 
No, let them laugh that win.  Petronius. 
A good smart youth.  Nero. 
This must not be endured.  
I must be freed from this continual fear:  
Then be excused, be merry Gentlemen,  
I wonder Anicetus stays so long.  Enter ANICETUS with POPPAEA. 
But see they come, is this Poppaea, Otho.  Otho. 
'Tis she great Caesar.  Nero. 
Wonder of her sex!  
Bright paragon of Rome! all beauties yet  
That I have seen, have been but foils to set  
A greater lustre on this star of light.  Otho. 
His eyes are fixed; his changing looks do speak  
A depth of passion, or my jealous fears.  
Dazzle mine eyes too much.  Petronius. 
'tis so; she's lost.  
If ever Lady were a tennis ball  
'tis this, she's bandied so from one to tother.  Nero. 
Must then another reap the envied fruit  
Of my injustice? must Poppaea be  
My crime, that took her from her other Lord,  
To be his pleasure?  Otho. 
Is great Caesar sad!  Nero. 
No Otho, still she shows more fair and fair.  
I cannot check my love; sit fairest Lady.  
And with your lustre grace our feast. I see  
Thou art a most incomparable judge  
In beauty, Otho, and were I to choose  
A wife again, I'd trust no eye but thine.  Otho. 
Would I might serve you Sr. in any thing.  Nero. 
But tell me thy opinion in one question.  
Which dost thou think the noblest in a Prince,  
If he would use his power, and do an act  
That may be thought unjust, to do't for friendship.  
Or satisfaction of his own delight.  Otho. 
Sr. had you made the case a private man's  
(For the delights of Princes, as themselves,  
we must count sacred) I could soon resolve it.  Nero. 
Let it be so for 'tis the same in justice.  Otho. 
I think it noblest then to do't for friendship.  
For friendship ever was held honourable,  
But satisfaction of our own delights  
A thing of weakness rather than of honour.  Petronius. 
I see his drift.  Nero. 
Augustus Caesar then  
And I by power have done the self same act.  
But in the cause I have excelled Augustus,  
For he to satisfy his own hot love  
From Claudius Nero took fair Livia.  
I from Crispinus took a brighter beauty  
To show myself no lover. but a friend.  
do not mistake me Otho, and suppose  
I do repent the favour I have done  
I know 'tis well bestowed.  Otho. 
'twas such a favour  
That I confess, great Caesar, as no tongue  
Can be enough expressive; so 'tis hard  
To find a heart that's large enough to pay  
Sufficient thanks in thought, but pious men  
Have still acknowledged that no thanks of ours  
Can equalise the bounty of the Gods.  
And Princes are like them, should I think less  
I should both wrong the giver, and the gift.  Nero. 
In valuing her aright thou show'st thyself  
As wise as just. I wish thee joy of her.  
But fairest Lady, since it was so late  
Before you graced our feast, I cannot think  
That I have entertained you yet at all.  
The scene shall therefore change, another room  
Shall bid Poppaea welcome to the Court.  Exeunt. VITELLIUS, POLLIO. Vitellius. 
Yet Caesar and his mother well agree.  Pollio. 
The Gods continue it, but Vitellius,  
I fear the sequel. Agrippina's fierce  
And haughty disposition will too much  
Provoke her son 'tis thought; and he too forward  
To throw all nature off.  Vitellius. 
I think so too.  
And therefore I could wish that Agrippina  
Would go a gentler way, she must not build  
Too much upon her merits, though we know  
'twas she that put the sceptre in his hand.  
For vicious natures, where they once begin  
To take distaste, and purpose no requital,  
The greater debt they owe, the more they hate  Pollio. 
Besides she'll find it harder far to work  
Her ends upon a son than 'twas to rule  
A doting husband.  Pollio. 
Time will show it all,  
And we ere long shall know which way to lean.  Exeunt. BURRUS, SENECA. Burrhus. 
Will Agrippina sit today with Caesar  
On his Tribunal, to give audience  
To those Armenian Ambassadors?  Seneca. 
There is no doubt she would; but I have spoiled  
That state I hope; for I have counselled Nero.  
That if she come, he shall arise and meet her,  
As if he did it in respect, and duty  
Deferring th'audience of th'ambassador,  
I hope she will not understand our drift.  Burrhus. 
Pray heaven she do not, for you know her fierceness.  Seneca. 
It would be Rome's disgrace, the senate's shame  
And my great crime if the Ambassadors  
That come to plead their Country's cause at Rome,  
Should see a woman perching up with Caesar  
Into the chare to give them audience.  
And sit commanding o'er the Roman ensigns:  
'twas not the custom of our Ancestors  
To see such sights.  Burrhus. 
True Lucius Seneca,  
Our Ancestors had no such kind of women,  
She in her heart's a man, and you mistake  
If you esteem her only Caesar's mother;  
Not his Colleague, and partner in the Empire  
Or more than so.  Seneca. 
I am not so ingrateful  
To hate the woman, since I know it was  
Her favour, that repealed my banishment.  
But I dislike these things, that foreign states  
In her unseemly carriage should behold Xiphilin.  
The shame of Rome, and would she keep a temper  
Fitting the quality of her sex and place,  
I should admire the bravery of her mind.  Enter NERO, VITELLIUS, POLLIO, NERO, takes his state, after them the Ambassadors. Embassadors. 
Long live great Nero Caesar, the chief care  
Of heaven, and highest sovereign of the Earth,  
The Princes of Armenia, Vologeses  
And Tiridates greet your Majesty  
By us, and do congratulate the honour,  
Which since divinest Claudius left the earth  
To make a God in'heaven, is fallen on you.  
And to your high Tribunal do refer  
The controversy that is now betwixt them.  Nero. Enter Agrippina. 
My mother's come, defer th'ambassadors  
As 'twas appointed Seneca.  Seneca. 
I will.  Nero. 
Hail dearest mother.  Agrippina. 
Wherefore rises Caesar  
From his Tribunal when affairs of state  
Are brought before him?  Nero. 
No respect can be  
Too much for me to give great Agrippina.  Agrippina. 
Excuse me, Caesar, if it be respect,  
'tis now unseasonable, take your seat,  
I'll fit with you myself, and here th'affairs  
Of these Armenian Ambassadors.  Nero. 
we have deferred the business a while,  
And thought upon a fitter time to hear it.  Agrippina. 
If you arise because the audience  
Is ended or deferred upon just reasons,  
'tis not respect to me that made you rise,  
As you alleged at first, but I have found it,  
The reason that deferred this audience  
Was Agrippina's coming.  Burrhus. 
This I feared.  Seneca. 
'twas carried ill of Caesar at the first.  Agrpppina. 
I see thou blushest, Nero, and may'st justly,  
To call that reverence, which was affront,  
Was a dissembling not befitting Caesar.  
And to affront a mother so deserving  
Was not the duty that befitted Nero.  Nero. 
Can nearest Agrippina. think her Nero.  
Will ever do an act that may be judged  
Affront to her  Agrippina. 
This was thou know'st it Nero.  
And so does thy adviser Seneca  
From him it came, no other Senator  
Durst to have counselled my disgrace but he  Seneca. 
Never will Seneca, so much obliged  
To Agrippina's royal favour, wish  
Or council her disgrace.  Agrippina. 
Oh Seneca.  
Philosophy ne'er taught ingratitude.  
If you had thought the place unfit for me,  
You might have told me privately before,  
Not used this trick which howsoe'er it hold  
In stoicism, I'm sure is nought in state.  Vitellius. 
she pays him home.  Pallas. 
Her spirit cannot brook  
The least appearance of an injury.  Agrippina. 
Caesar, I'll leave thee now, nor shall my presence  
be any hindrance to thy state affairs.  Nero. 
I'll go along with you.  Agrippina. 
For Seneca  
I'll shortly teach him new Philosophy.  Exeunt. manent. BURRHUS, SENECA. Seneca. 
she's full of anger; but it moves not me,  
Since what I did was just, and for the honour  
Of Rome and Caesar; honest actions  
Will be enough protection to themselves.  Burrhus. 
Take the best courses to prevent her fury.  Seneca. 
Ah noble Burrhus, it must be hereafter  
Our greatest care to curb that woman's pride,  
And what we can remove her from all rule  
And government of state, for Agrippina  
Is of too hot and fierce a disposition.  Burrhus. 
What should we do? 'twere pity to incense  
Her son against her.  Seneca. 
The Gods forbid that we  
Should strive to make the Prince unnatural.  
But to prevent this inconvenience  
I will persuade young Caesar not with purpose  
To wrong his mother, somewhat to abate  
Her dangerous greatness, to remove from her  
Part of her guard of German soldiers,  
And to displace her wicked counsellor  
That insolent and Lordly freedman Pallas.  Burrhus. 
You need not use persuasions to your Pupil  
(The Gods forgive it if I judge amiss)  
To stand against his mother, I much fear  
He will too quickly hate her, for no reason  
To state belonging; but because she grows  
Imperious over him, and strives to curb  
His lust and riots, those, those Seneca  
I fear are seeds of future tyranny  
And for his love (as if the fates decreed  
To make his passions all preposterous)  
His virtuous wife noble Octavia  
The only instance in this wicked age  
Of women great and good, is loathed by him.  Seneca. 
That most afflicts me: could we find a cure  
For that disease, all other maladies  
A riper age will in some part redress,  
And I will strive to change them by degrees,  
And get him to forsake his loose associates.  
But let us first endeavour to remove  
Fierce Agrippina from all rule of state.  Burrhus. 
I'll join with you, and use my best endeavours.  Exeunt. NERO. Nero. 
Shall I that am an Emperor, be checked,  
Controlled and baffled in my Palace thus?  
I will remove this mother far from me,  
And give command to Burrhus to provide  
That house that was Antonia's for her.  
The Palace shall be free to my delights,  
I make no doubt but that the people know,  
And hate her pride, and will the less repine  
At what I do against her, I have told her  
(For she provoked me past all patience)  
Part of my mind already, she shall rue  
Perchance too late the fierceness she has showed  Exit. AGRIPPINA. Agrippina. 
Ingrateful Nero, is thy mother's power  
So soon offensive grown? canst thou so soon  
Cast off all filial duties, and forget  
What I deserve from thee? wouldst thou deprive  
Me of all power that gave all power to thee?  
Did I so wickedly for thee procure  
The height of human state, that thou shouldst take  
All state from me with greater wickedness?  
Oh wronged Claudius, this sad punishment  
My bloody treason, and ingratitude  
To thy offended Manes justly pays.  
By the most loving, and most injured Lord,  
The worst of wives was more beloved than now  
The best of mothers by a wicked Son.  
I'll make him know what hand it was that raised  
His fortunes to this height: but wherefore weeps  Enter Octavia. 
My dear Octavia?  Octavia. 
What accursed fate  
Pursues the woeful Claudian family?  Agrippina. 
Dear daughter speak thy grief.  Octavia. 
Was I bestowed,  
Or rather lost in marriage, to advance  
Upon my brother's ruin, Nero's state  
To be by him despised, hated and made  
A base freed-woman's slave?  Agrippina. 
What freed woman?  Xiphilin. Octavia. 
act thy Nero's concubine my mistress  
That dares within the palace to contest  
Nay to revile Octavia.  Agrippina. 
She dares not,  
Nor shall she do't, I'll slit the strumpet's nose,  
If she dare speak 'gainst thee.  Octavia. 
You cannot mother.  
Nero delights in none but her, his soul  
In Act lives; on her he does bestow  
That love, that's due to me: But me he loathes;  
Oh dismal love, Oh fatal marriage!  Agrippina. 
Take comfort sweet Octavia, I'll redress  
Thy wrongs, or venture mine own fall with thee.  Enter Nero. Nero. 
You have complained I see, Octavia.  
Is there a chiding toward?  Agrippina 
Has thy guilt,  
And th' unkind wrongs thou hast already done  
Unthankful Nero, to thy virtuous wife.  Xiphilin. 
Armed thee with such an impudence, that now  
Thou canst prevent her just accusing thus?  Nero. 
How's this?  Agrippina. 
methinks although thou hadst no spark  
Of goodness left thee, yet in Policy  
Thou shouldst not dare maintain a base borne strumpet  
Against thy lawful wife great Claudius' daughter.  Nero. 
methinks in policy you might remember  
You speak to Caesar, not a child.  Agrippina. 
'tis true,  
Thou hast forgot the duty of a child.  Nero. 
I will be better known; if I be Crossed  
In my delights, I will be bold to cross  
You in your pleasures too  Agrippina. 
Oh heavens, what pleasures  
What joys or studies have I ever had  
But to prefer thee Nero? are my cares  
And all my labours thus requited now?  
Let not too vain and foolish confidence  
Of what thou art, make thee presume to wrong  
Thy mother and thy wife; or thou shalt know  
The empire's lawful heir is yet alive.  
The wronged Britannicus is growing up  
To take his right, and to revenge the wrongs  
Which he and all his family sustain Xiphilin.  
I'll go myself to the Praetorian Camp,  
And plead his cause before the Soldiers.  
There let one-handed Burrhus, and that base  
Unthankful exile Seneca, appear  
Against the daughter of Germanicus.  Nero. 
Yes plead the cause of young Britannicus;  
And when y' have done, provide an advocate  
To plead your own.  Exeunt Nero. Agrippina. 
Gone so abruptly from us!  
Slights he mine anger so?  Octavia. 
Madam I fear  
You took too harsh a way; his looks were wild  
And full of rage; my sad misgiving soul  
Tells me some mischief's working in his thoughts.  Agrippina. 
Fear not, Octavia, we'll take the best  
And surest courses to prevent the ill  
That may ensue: and if mature advice  
And council cannot bridle him, we'll use  
Another means to curb his insolence:  
I have already by my bounty made  
Most of the Tribunes and Centurions.  
My guards are strong, and shall be vigilant  
Over the safety of Britannicus,  
As mine own person, there's no open act  
Of mischief can be on the sudden wrought.  Octavia. 
The Gods I hope will guard our innocence.  Exeunt. NERO solus. Nero 
My fears have been too slow, and 'twas high time  
That Agrippina's thundering threats had waked  
My sleeping mischiefs; which shall now no more  
Study disguises, but appear in bold  
And open acts with Caesar's stamp upon 'em,  
fearless of vulgar whispering jealousies.  
Upon thy death, Britannicus, a price  
No less than Rome's imperial wreath is set.  
The deed, when done, will privilege itself,  
And make the power of Nero strong enough  
To warrant his misdeed, who dare revenge  
Or blame th' offence that frees me from a rival?  
But I shall leave a worse, and nearer far  
Behind, my mother Agrippina lives;  
She lives my rival, nay my partner still,  
Nay more than that my Queen and Governess.  
I am no Prince, no man, nothing at all  
While Agrippina lives, must 〈◊〉 then live  
To make me nothing? must the name of mother  
Outweigh a sceptre? could the name of husband  
Protect her Claudius? no; her own example  
Shall teach me state: but first Britannicus  
Must be removed; his death assures my state,  
And makes me able to contest with her.  
That gentle poison, which Locusta gave him,  
If poison 'twere, whilst we did vainly fear  
The people's talk, has kept my fears alive.  
Where is this hag?  Enter Locusta. Locusta. 
Caesar.  Nero. 
Witch. beats her.  
Fiend, fury, devil.  Locusta. 
Mercy, mercy, Caesar.  Nero. 
I'll hew thy cursed carcase into atoms,  
Thou gav'st Britannicus an antidote  
In stead of poison.  Locusta. 
'twas a gentle poison,  
And such as you commanded me to make;  
Hold Caesar hold; I will redeem all yet.  Nero. 
Do it or die, make me a poison strong,  
A quick and speeding one.  Locusta. 
It shall be done.  
No sooner tasted, but it shall destroy.  Nero. 
I'll see the trial of it, and reward  
Thy service well; but if Britannicus  
Out live this day, this day shall be thy last.  Exeunt  

ACTUS V. SCENA. I.  BURRHUS, VITELLIUS, ANNICETUS, Soldiers Burrhus. 
It is the will of, Caesar, soldiers  
You must be all discharged from guarding her.  
But you shall have allowance, and thus much  
I'll promise for your comforts, you shall be  
The next that are ascribed into the list  
Of the Praetorian camp.  Souldiers. 
Thanks noble Burrhus.  Burrhus. 
Go Anicetus, give command that straight  
That house, which was Antonia's be prepared  
For Agrippina, and her family.  
Caesar will have the Palace to himself.  Vitellius. 
Does Agrippina know't  Burhus. 
Not yet I think.  
Is there displeasure then twixt her and Caesar?  Burhus. 
I know not. you'll excuse my haste, my Lord  
I must take leave.  exit Burhus. Vitellius. 
I like not these new turns.  
I came to visit her: but now I'll spare  
My hail this morn. whither so fast my Lord?  Pollio. 
To visit Agrippina.  Vitellius. 
Stay, I'll tell you.  
There is some difference 'twixt her and Caesar.  
Her guards are ta'en away. I parted now  
From Burhus, who discharged them. she herself  
Shall be removed from the Imperial palace.  Pollio. 
I like not that; I'll spare my visit then.  exeunt PETRONIUS, MONTANUS. Montanus. 
Otho will lose his wife then.  Petronius. 
Yes, no doubt;  
And I believe must leave the City too.  
Nero's extremely fired, and he will have her  
Alone; poor Otho must not rival Caesar  
Nor indeed is it fitting that the husband  
Should make th'adulterer a cuckold.  Montanus. 
Dost thou believe, Petronius, that this change  
Pleases Poppaea?  Petronius 
Yes, I warrant her.  
she thinks her beauty never could have done her  
A greater service.  Montanus. 
But she seemed to love  
Otho extremely.  Petronius. 
I confess Montanus  
I think her appetite stood well to Otho;  
For it is a rascal of a winning carriage  
And curious feature; but she has enjoyed him  
Sometime already, and that passion  
Which you call love, does move in a degree  
So low, and feeble, it is soon swallowed up  
In the deep torrent of ambition.  
Poppaea's proud; nor can that breast of hers  
Harbour a love so strong, but it must yield  
To pride her quality predominant.  Montanus. 
What can she be but Nero's concubine?  
I see not what high honour lies in that.  Petronius. 
You cannot tell what she may be in time.  Montanus. 
She cannot be Augusta; that high name  
Octavia, while she lives, will keep, he dares not  
Forsake that wife( howe'er he do affect her)  
To whom he may be said to owe the Empire.  Petronius. 
For mine own part, I know not how 'twill go.  
But I dare swear Poppaea ere this time  
Has asked and heard what the Chaldaeans say  
About her fortunes: our fine dames of Rome  
Must still be tampering with that kind of cattle.  
Their dogs, their monkeys, and themselves do nothing  
Without th' advice of such a cunning man,  
Hast thou seen Otho lately?  Montanus. 
Yes today:  Petronius. 
How does he look upon the business?  Montanus. 
Faith somewhat sad; but Caesar seems to use him  
So wonderful kindly that he cannot think  
he's wronged at all.  Petronius. 
Prithee let's find him out. Exeunt.  PALLAS solus. Pallas. 
No longer steward of th' Imperial house!  
Are greatest benefits so soon forgot  
By wicked Princes? 'tis and ever was  
The fate of Courts, Monarchs unjustly hate  
Acknowledgement: what power, what honour now  
Does Nero, hold but what he owes to me?  
My merit, nay my wickedness, which did  
To him increase the merit, for this heart  
Has bled the more for my ingratitude  
To my best master Claudius, his sad wrongs  
Another now revenges! oh Narcissus,  
Perchance the conquest that I got o'er thee,  
When we two strove about the successor  
To Claudius Caesar, will hereafter prove  
More fatal to the conqueror, then him  
That lost the day, thou in Campania  
Didst happily, though hunted to thy death  
By us; and carriedst to thy grave the honour  
Of aiding the just side, oh Royal Empress,  Enter Agrippina. 
I fear our care to raise unthankful Nero  
Will prove at last our own destruction  
My places loss I weigh not, but for fear  
It prove a step to your dishonour, Madam.  Agrippina. 
'tis for my sake that thou hast lost it, Pallas,  
With me my friends are hated. Oh sad fate  
That follows impious actions! well perchance  
And happily might I have lived if wronged  
Britannicus had reigned! Oh would the loss  
Of this unworthy life could yet procure  
That injured Prince his due.  Pallas. 
Can fortune turn  
The course of things so strangely, that you Madam,  
The Prince his mother and his raiser too  
Should wish the other's reign  Agrippina. 
It can, it can.  
This is the power and justice of the Gods,  
That when we think ourselves most safe in ill,  
Can frustrate all our confidence, and make  
That power, which seemed to be our prop, to be  
Our only cause of ruin, we are children,  
Vice makes us children, like to them, we cry  
For Knives to hurt ourselves with, and the Gods  
To punish us oft grant what we desire.  An horse brought in OCTAVIA. following. Pall. 
What doleful noise is this?  Agrippina 
Ay me, I fear.  Octavia. 
Oh dismal day! Oh wretched family!  
Fly back bright Phoebus to the Eastern shore,  
Or hide thy head; thou hast at Rome beheld  
A feast more black then ere Mycenae saw.  
Oh dearest brother, sweet Britannicus.  Agrippina. 
Britannicus.  Octavia. 
Murdered Britannicus,  
Poisoned at Nero's table.  Agrippina 
Break my heart  
The greatest woe, that could befall, is come.  
Forgive me, gentle Soul, 'twas I that gave  
That viper life, and rule to ruin thee.  
Thou needest not curse me; the impiety  
Of him that killed thee, will revenge thy death.  Pallas 
Fair hope of Rome, sweet flower untimely cropped,  
What parentasion shall sad Pallas make  
T'appease thy wronged ghost, and expiate  
My foul offences? to the King and Queen  
Of fable night I'll build two grassy altars;  
And yearly there, if any years at all  
I have to live. with sad libations  
Invoke the manes of Britannicus,  
Thou from the groves of fair Elysium  
For ever wailed for ever honoured Prince,  
Deign to accept my humble sacrifice.  
Or if those rights be too too mean for thee,  
Perchance the Genius of afflicted Rome  
Shall weep hereafter o'er thy grave, and wail  
Th' untimely death of her Britannicus.  Agrippina. 
Gentle to thee let earth and water prove.  Exit Octavia, 
This woeful murder of Britannicus.  & funus. 
Bodes ill to me, and my presaging soul  
Is filled with ghastly fears. Ah Pallas, Pallas,  
This is the entrance into Parricide,  
And but the Prologue to a mother's death.  Pallas. 
Would I could speak to your distress and fears  
A true and real comfort, such a one  
As might not flatter your estate, and make  
You weaker than before, by taking from you  
All study of prevention.  Servant. Servant. 
Caesar. Madam,  
Is come to visit you.  Agrippina. 
Pallas farewell. Enter Nero.  Nero. 
What weeping Madam? what unworthy cause  
Dares force a tear from great Augusta's eye  
While Nero lives: if 't be my brother's death,  
That caused this sorrow, I could join in tears  
Had not that tragedy already robbed  
Mine eyes of moisture,  Agrippina. 
This hypocrisy  
Makes me less trust his nature then before.  Nero. 
The Gods have robbed me of one comfort now  
The fellowship of sweet Britannicus,  
That all my piety may be confined  
To you, dear mother, you contain alone  
Within a parent's sacred name, all styles  
Of kindred now, all bonds of pious love.  
Fear not a change in me.  Agrippina. 
I do not Caesar.  Nero. 
Minerva's feast is celebrated now  Nero. 
Minerva's feast is celebrated now  
Five days at Baiae thither you shall go Xiphilin.  
And feast with me dear mother, there forget  
All jealous fears, and you shall never more  
Complain of Nero. If the stratagem aside.  
Of Anicetus prosper, her complaint  
Shall be to Pluto, and the Ghosts below. exeunt.  OTHO with his Commission. Otho. 
The Government of Lusitania.  
By Nero's grace and favour is bestowed  
On me! Oh glorious name of banishment!  
Yet welcome now, since fair Poppaea's lost.  
I thank thee, Nero, thou providest a brave  
And honourable cure for that sad wound  
Thou hast inflicted on my love-sick Soul.  
How great a torture had it been to me  
To live in Rome divorced from her, and see  
That beauty folded in another's arms!  
Hence wanton thoughts; fond love for ever vanish,  
Collect my soul whate'er thou hast within thee  
Of Roman left, and answer to the call  
Bright honour makes, some favourable God  
Pitying the lusts and riots of a youth  
So much misled, has sent this seeming loss  
To wake me from so base a lethargy.  
Employed in foreign action, I shall live  
Free from th' infectious vices of this Court,  
And far from seeing the abhorred effects  
Of future tyranny, which needs must break  
From Nero's vicious nature. At my birth  
The Augurs promised high and glorious hopes.  
This is the way to bring them. Spain shall find  
Another Otho then was sent from Rome.  
Poppaea promised here to meet, and take  
Her last leave of me. why should I again  
Renew my passion by the sight of her?  
But't is but one poor look. and so farewell.  Enter SELEUCUS. Seleucus. 
Haile Marcus Otho Emperor of Rome,  
Caesar that shall be.  Otho. 
Ha!  Seleucus. 
It is thy fate,  
Which shall not be prevented.  Otho. 
Tell me father  
(For your predictions ever have been true)  
Shall I behold Poppaea's face again,  
When I have left the City?  Seleucus. 
Never more. Exit Seleucus.  Otho. 
Never! a heavy doom yet I in lieu  
Of her shall gain the Empire of the world.  
Juno will heal the wounds that Venus gives.  Enter POPPAEA. 
See, there she comes; her beauty waxes still,  
Or else the sad concit of never more  
Seeing that face, makes it appear more fair.  
How dull the edge of Honour grows already!  
Here could I stay, and like the Trojan Prince  
Locked in fair Dido's arms forget forever  
Th' Italian land, and all my future fame.  
Him Jove admonished to depart from thence.  
Me the command of Caesar forces hence,  
And leaves no power in my election.  
Farewell Poppaea.  Poppaea. 
Oh hard fate in love  
Is mine, whose joys were never lasting yet.  
Speak not so soon that killing word farewell.  Otho. 
What gain, alas, can one small minute be?  
Or if 'twere gain to me, to the Poppaea  
'twere loss to keep thee from thy Caesar's sight.  
He is thy servant, whom the world obeys.  Poppaea. 
Ah Otho, love can witness that this fortune  
Was never sought by me.  Otho. 
Thou wert too great  
A treasure for a private man to keep.  
No; live still happy with thy Caesar here  
And grant me one request; if of that love  
Which once we vowed so dear, there yet remains  
So small a part as may deserve the name  
Of common friendship, use thy power with Caesar  
My government may be continued long.  Poppaea. 
Rather let me entreat the contrary,  
And keep thee hereat Rome.  Otho. 
It must not be.  
Never while Nero lives, and lives with thee.  
It must be love no more, but friendship now  
Twixt us Poppaea, which may still be kept  
In absence by good wishes, and without  
Those nearer comforts which fond love requires.  
But who shall teach me to forget that sweet  
Delicious lesson which loves school did teach,  
When thy admired beauty was the book,  
And I a Scholar too too forward then?  
Oh would great Caesar's power to cure my wound,  
Could but bestow so privative a good  
As loss of memory. but that, alas,  
Were too unjust a cure, and I could wish  
Rather to suffer still then quite forget  
That I was once Poppaea's envied love.  
I'll rather strive to solace my sick soul  
With contemplation of past happiness,  
And by recounting over our former joys  
Deceive those hours of sorrow I must pass.  Pop. 
And I for comfort of our absent love  
Will cherish hopes that we shall meet again.  Oth. 
No, think me dead, bright love, and I'll enforce  
My imagination to believe that thou  
Translated by some amorous Deity  
Hast left the earth to beautify the sky,  
And turn Astronomer in love, to find  
Thy figure out among those radiant lights  
Which Jove's transformed Paramours have made.  
'Mongst those I'll seek for fair Poppaea's star,  
And swear I see it, rather than believe  
Thou liv'st on earth debarred from Otho's sight.  
I must begin to part, I see; for thou  
In modesty art loath to chide me hence,  
And bid me quit the place. Farewell Poppaea.  
Such height of happiness mayst thou enjoy  
As Caesar's constant love can bring to thee.  Pop. 
As much good fortune follow Otho still  
'tis power that parts us. all the Gods can tell Exit Otho  
How well I love thee Otho. but those Gods,  
That have ordained another fate for me  
Must be obeyed yet Nero must be wrought  
With cunning to my ends, or else my fortune  
Is low and poor, my title nought at all.  
'tis not the love of Caesar, but the honour,  
And that high title which attends his love  
That is Poppaea's aim, Octavia  
Debars me yet from that, and Agrippina  
Is fierce, and keeps her son in Pupillage.  Enter NERO. Nero. 
Now fair Poppaea, thou art mine alone;  
Otho's removed, embrace the happy change  
That fortune brings thee, thou hast found instead  
Of him, a Caesar, who besides his state  
Has brought a heart as true to thee, and love  
As strong and fervent as poor Otho's was  
Thou wert before a diamond coarsely set,  
A clouded star. the Fates did pity thee,  
And would no longer let that beauty lie  
eclipsed in a private family  
No seat but Rome's Imperial throne, no sphere  
But Caesar's arms were fit for these bright eyes  
To shine in, and the subject world t' adore  
Their lustre, like some constellation  
New risen to amaze mortality.  
Not Rome alone, but all the farthest shores  
That Peleus silver-footed wife ere knew  
Shall call Poppaea mistress.  Poppaea. 
Those are honours  
Caesar, too high, too great for me to hope.  Nero. 
To hope, my love, they are thine own already.  Poppaea. 
Caesar, thou know'st it cannot be; and I  
That might have lived content with Otho's love;  
And there enjoyed the honoured name of wife,  
Must in the Palace find a baser style.  Nero. 
Thou wrong'st my power, Poppaea, if thou think  
I cannot give the highest style to thee:  
And if thou think I mean it not, thou wrong'st  
My truest love  Poppaea. 
Octavia is alive  
No love of thine can bear Augustus' state  
But only she  Nero. 
She shall be soon removed  
To make a room for fair Poppaea's honour.  
Nor will the Senate dare to grumble at it.  Poppaea. 
Though all were silent else, fierce Agrippina Xiphilin.  
Would in that act control thee, and think me  
To mean for Caesar's wife, though I am sprung  
(For I may speak a truth that Rome can witness)  
From noble and triumphant Ancestors.  Nero. 
There, love, thou strik'st upon the truest string.  
That Agrippina was my greatest fear,  
Though now she is not; for I'll tell it thee,  
If Anicetus' stratagem have taken,  
Ere this she wanders on the Stygian shore.  
Weary I was of her imperious pride,  
And feared her cruel plots. How that succeeds  
Is now my greatest expectation.  
Nor do I live till Anicetus come  
And bring my safety in that woman's death  Enter ANICETUS. Poppaea. 
See, Anicetus is returned  Nero. 
Speak man  
What is my fate? thou carriest in thy voice  
The life and death of Caesar  Anicetus 
Your command  
Was done, great Caesar, but your mother scaped.  Nero. 
Escaped? how could it be, but you were false,  
And all conspired together to betray Xiphilin.  
My life in saving hers? how could she scape?  Anicetus. 
we chose the night to act it in; but night,  
Proved not so black as night; the stars gave light,  
No wind at all blue as we launched forth Xiphilin  
Down in the Galley Agrippina lay,  
And at her feet lay Aceronia  
With joy discoursing of your courtesy,  
And favour lately showed her, but when I  
The watchword gave, the covering of the place  
Loaden with lead fell down, and pressed to death  
Her servant Gallus. But when th' other part  
By fortune stronger, broke not, nor the vessel  
Was loosed asunder, all being in amaze  
The rowers straightway thought it best to weigh,  
The galley at one side, and sink her so  
There Aceronia floating in the waves  
Feigning herself to be the Empress, cried  
Help, help the Prince his mother. But the rowers  
With poles, and oars straight killed her as she swam,  
But Agrippina in a silence caused  
By policy or fear, swam to the bank,  
Having received but one wound, and there  
Succoured by little barks, through Lucrine lake  
To her own house was carried at the last.  Nero. 
Oh, I am lost and dead; I shall be straight  
Surprised and killed; she'll arm her slaves, and stir  
The soldiers up, or to the Senate house  
Complain, and show the wound she has received  
And tell the story there. What shall I do?  
Advise me, my Poppaea, Anicetus,  
But yet advise me nothing but her death,  
No other course is safe Nero. must die  
If Agrippina. live, call Burrhus to me;  
Send forth the soldiers to dispatch her straight.  Poppaea 
It is no action for a soldier's hand  
Nor will the camp for brave Germanicus,  
Her father's sake be drawn to butcher her  
Let Anicetus. finish the exploit  
He has begun.  Nero. 
It must be so; go on  
With thy religious act, good Anicetus.  
Thou art obliged to finish it; or else  
What thou hast done already, will procure  
My ruin rather than security  
Choose thee what aid thou wilt.  Anicetus 
I have them ready.  
Fear it not Caesar, Agrippina's dead.  Nero. 
Oh comfortable voice thou art the man  
Thou only Anicetus, that bestowest  
The Empire upon Nero. to thy gift  
I will acknowledged it, and celebrate  
This as my day of coronation.  
What plot shall we invent to hide the deed,  
And put th' intent of murder upon her?  
To bring you news of her escape, I'll find  
A way to do't, 'tis strange none yet come from her.  
See Agerinus comes Enter Agerinus.  Agrerinus. 
All health to Caesar  
Augusta by the favour of the God's  
Has lately scaped a strange and wonderful  
Danger at Sea.  Ani. 
Caesar when any of her servants come  
What means this poniard Anicetus lets fall a poniard behind Agerinus.  
In Caesar's presence, Agerinus?  Nero. 
Treason. Ziphilin.  
she sends to murder me; drag hence the slave,  
And torture him to death.  Agerinus. 
I am as free  
From guilt in this as innocence itself.  Nero. 
Hence with the villain to his death, and thou  
Dear Anicetus, forward with thy plot. Exeunt  AGRIPPINA, brought in by Mnester, and Seleucus, she sits. Agrippina. 
Leave me alone; but be not far from me. Exeunt.  
Who would rely upon the gratitude  
Of men? or trust the fruit of benefits,  
That now behold, or shall hereafter read  
My woeful fortune? ay, that have bestowed  
whate'er the world contains, to be possessed  
By impious Nero, in reward, expect  
Nothing but bloody death 'twas too too true  
That strange deceitful galley was a plot  
An impious engine made to murder me,  
As by the fierceness of the slaves, my wound,  
And Aceronia's death it did appear.  
Can I expect that Nero should relent?  
Or that the tyrant in a brother's blood  
Imbrued already, should not rather think  
No mischief can be safe till fully done?  
Oh had his thoughts been good, had my escape  
Been grateful to him, all the house ere this  
With visitants, and clients had been filled  
To ask and see how Caesar's mother did  
Where now are all the hails the bended knees,  
Low prostrate faces, and officious tongues,  
That strove in honouring Agrippina's name?  
Vanished alas, and nought but solitude,  
Ill-boding silence, and neglect remain  
In this forsaken Palace. But too soon  
Ay me, I fear the approach of villainy.  
What noise is that at door! where are my servants?  
Mnester, Seleucus, Galla, Xenophon.  
No answer made! are they departed too!  
Then vanish all my hopes false world farewell  
With all thy fading glories. But alas,  
Whither from hence shall Agrippina fly?  
What regions are there in the other world  
But my injustice has already filled  
With wronged Ghosts? there young Silanus wanders,  
Lollia Paulina and great Claudius  
My murdered Lord, yet those sad spirits perchance  
Abhorring Nero's base ingratitude,  
And glutted with revenge, will cease to hate  
At last, and pity Agrippina's state.  Enter ANICETUS, OLOARITUS, and others 
Ay me, is Anicetus. come again?  
Then I am dead past hope, murder, help. help Xiphilin.  Anicetus. 
You guess our business right but 'tis in vain  
To call for help, your guards are far enough.  Agrippina. 
Oh hold your hands a while; hear me but speak  
Consider with yourselves before you act  
A deed so execrable as will stick  
A lasting brand on your abhorred names.  
This murder will be famous through the world.  
All men will fly your hated company.  
Like birds of night shall you for ever hide  
Your guilty heads; or, which is worse than that,  
Nero himself, who did command the deed,  
(As you pretend) shall guerdon you with death,  
And quit himself by punishing of you.  
O rather venture Nero's frown, and keep  
Your innocence.  Anicetus. 
Can they be innocent,  
That disobey their Prince his will?  Agrippina 
But sure  
You did mistake the Prince. I am his mother.  
'twas I that gave him birth; nay more, that put  
Into his hand the sceptre of the world.  
Could he command my death?  Anicetus 
we did not stand  
Examining the cause.  Agrippina. 
Then strike this womb  
This tragical, and ever cursed womb,  
That to the ruin of mankind brought forth Xiphilin.  
That monster Nero, here, here take revenge.  
Here Justice bids you strike. let these sad wounds  
Serve to appease the hatred of the earth  
'Gainst Agrippina for dire Nero's birth.  she dies. 
FINIS.