PISO'S CONSPIRACY, A Tragedy Acted at the DUKE's THEATRE.  
LONDON, Printed by T. M. for W. Cademan, at the Popes-Head, in the Lower-Walk of the New-Exchange, in the Strand, 1676.   

PROLOGUE.  
IN Plays, it has been a long Practised Cheat,  
To make large Bills of Fare, t'aslender Treat.  
So have You seen, a Huge Large Sheet appear  
In Praise o'th' Beauty of Miss-Non-so-Fair:  
But We more Modestly intent t' abuse You;  
we'll tell You beforehand how ill we'll use You.  
Expect to see a Wondrous Sight, as rare  
As Indian Elephant, or Norwich-Bear.  
Expect grave Strut, big Looks, and thundering Speeches,  
From Hero, made up by the Force of Breeches.  
Ay, and a good Sbift too: For, under the Rose,  
Whilst we look big by Virtue of Our clothes,  
And, Hero like, talk what We cannot do,  
We're much such Blusterers as some of You.  
Besides Our Men Players are out of Heart  
Of being seen in an Heroic Part:  
What, with Prince Nick, and t'other House Gallants,  
They have run Hero's out of Countenance?  
We for Heroick's then. 'Tis Our last Plot;  
And Gentlemen, like Us, or like Us not;  
All's one; For Gallants, We have tried all Arts,  
From a Sir Martin to a Man of Parts,  
And all won't do; therefore We are so hardened  
By the Critics Rage, that past all hopes of Pardon.  
Do well or ill, We are resolved to tease You,  
And 'tis high time when all Our Tricks can't please You.   

Actor's Names.  
Nero, Emperor of Rome. Nimphidius, A Noble Man of Rome, and Favourite to Poppea. Tigellinus, Nero's Creditor. 

Neophilus,  
Epophiriditus,  
Petronius.   Courtiers. Antonius, in Love with Poppea. Flavius, A Commander in the Army. 

Piso,  
Seneca,  
Lucan,  
Scevinus,   Senators, and Noble Men of Rome. Memicus, Scevinus' Freeman. Three Romans.  Poppea, The Empress. Pages, Guards, and Attendants.  
SCENE ROME.   


Piso's CONSPIRACY.  
ACTUS PRIMUS.  Enter Petronius, and Antonius. Petronius. 
TAke the Wench  
I showed thee now, or else go seek some other.  
What, can your Choler no way be allayed,  
But with Imperial Titles:  Anto. 
Great are thy Fortunes Nero, great thy Power:  
Thy Empire Limited with Nature's bounds;  
Upon thy Ground the Sun doth Set, and Rise:  
The Day, and Night are thine:  
Nor can the Planets wander where they will:  
See that Proud Earth, that fears not Caesar's Name;  
Yet nothing of all this I envy thee;  
But her to whom the World unforced Obeys;  
Whose Eye's more Worth, than all it looks upon,  
That are through the Wide Earth, or Heaven disposed.  Pet. 
Indeed, she steals and robs each part oth'World,  
With borrowed Beauties, to inflame the Eye;  
The Sea, to fetch her Pearl, is dived into;  
The Diamond Rocks are cut to make her shine:  
To Plume her Pride, the Birds do naked sing,  
When my Enanthe, in a Homely Gown—  Ant. 
Homely, I Faith.  Pet. 
ay, Homely, in her Gown;  
But look upon her Face, and that's set out  
With no small Grace, no veiled Shadow's there.  Enter Poppea, Royally Attended, who Passes over the Stage in State. Ant. 
Great Queen, whom Nature made to be her Glory,  
Fortune got Eyes, and came to be thy Servant.  
Honour is Proud to be thy Title, though  
Thy Beauties do draw up my Soul; Yet still,  
So Bright, so Glorious is thy Majesty,  
That it beats down again my Climbing Thoughts.  Pet. 
That's true;  
But give me a Wench, that will be easily had,  
Not Wooed with Cost; And being sent for, comes:  
And when I have her folded in my Arms,  
Then Cleopatra she, or Lucrecis:  
I'll give her any Title.  Ant. 
Yet not so much her Greatness and Estate.  
My Hopes dishearten, as her Chastity.  Pet. 
Chastity! Fool, a word not known in Courts:  
Well may it lodge in Mean, and Country Homes,  
Where Poverty, short Sleep, and Labour keeps'em down,  
But never comes to Great mens' Palaces,  
Where Ease, and Riches, stirring Thoughts beget;  
Provoking Meats, and Surseit Wines, inflame:  
Where all their setting forth's, but to be Weed;  
And Wooed they would not be, but to be won.  
Will one Man serve Poppea? Nay, thou shalt  
Make her as soon Contented with an Eye.  Enter Nimphidius. Nim. 
Whilst Nero, in the Streets his Pageants shows,  
I am sent for to his Fair Wife's Chamber:  
You Gracious Stars that smiled upon my Birth;  
And thou Bright Star, more Powerful than them all,  
Whose Favouring Smiles have made me what I am,  [Exit Nim. Ant. 
How Saucily you Fellow  
Enters the Empress' Chamber 1  Pet. 
ay, and her too. Antonius, knowest thou him:  Ant. 
What! know the only Favourite of the Court!  
Indeed, not many days ago, thou mightest  
Have not unlawfully Asked that Question.  Pet. 
Why: Is he Raised;  Ant. 
That I have sought in him;  
But never Piece of Good Desert could find:  
He is Nimphidia's Son, the Freed Woman,  
Which baseness to shake off he nothing has,  
But his own Pride.  Pet. 
You remember, when Gallus, Celsus,  
And others too, though now forgotten, were  
Great in Poppea's Eyes.  Ant. 
I do, and did interpret it in them  
An Honourable Favour she bore to Virtue,  
Or Parts like Virtue.  Pet. 
Faith,  
'Tis my Opinion then the Fault was theirs,  
That their better Qualities were ne'er understood:  
I once was great in wavering Smiles of Court;  
I fell, because I knew: since I have given  
My time to my own Pleasures, and would now  
Advise thee too to mean and safe Delight's.  
The Skin's as soft which the Sheep's Back covers,  
As that with Crimson, and with Gold Adorned:  
Yet 'cause I see, that thy Restrained Desires,  
Cannot their own Way choose; along with me,  
And by my Precedent, Converted be.  [Exeunt. Enter Three Romans. 3. Rom. 
Whither go You? all's done I'th'Capitol;  
And Nero, having there his Tables hung,  
And Garlands up, is to the Palace gone.  
'Twas beyond Wonder! I shall never see,  
Nay, I never Look to see the like again;  
Eighteen Hund'red and Eight Crowns,  
For several Victories, and the Place set down,  
Where, and in What, and Whom he Over came.  2 Ro. 
That was set down I'th'Tables, that were born  
Upon the Soldier's Spear's.  1 Ro. 
The Romans were once used for other Ends.  
But did he Win them all with Singing?  3 Ro. 
Faith, all with Singing, and with Stage-Playing.  1 Ro. 
So many Crowns got with a Song!  3 Ro. 
Had you been there, you had seen the Greek Musicians▪  
Behind the Chariot, Hanging down their Heads;  
Shamed, and overcome in their Professions:  
O! Rome was never Honoured so before!  2 Ro. 
But what was he that Rode I'th'Chariot with him?  3 Ro. 
That was Diodorus the Minstrel, that he favours.  1 Ro. 
Was there ever such a Prince?  2. Ro. 
O Nero Augustus, the true Augustus!  3. Ro. 
Nay, had you seen him as he Rode along,  
With an Olympic Crown upon his Head,  
And with a Pythian on his Arm; You would have thought,  
Looking on one, he had Apollo seemed:  
On th'other, Hercules,  1 Ro. 
I have heard my Father oft repeat the Triumphs,  
Which in Augustus Caesar's tlmes were shown  
Upon his Victory o'er the Illirians;  
But it seems it was not like to this.  3 Ro. 
Push, it could nor be like this.  2 Ro. 
O Nero Apollo, Nero Hercules!  [Exeunt, the 2. and 3. Rom. 1 Ro. 
Whether Augustus' Triumph Greater was  
I cannot tell; his Triumphs 'cause I know  
Was Greater far, and sar more Honourable.  
What are we People, or our Flattering Voices,  
That always Shame and Foolish things Applaued,  
Having no Spark of Soul? all Ears and Eyes,  
Pleased with Vain Shows, Deluded by our Senses.  [Exit  

SCENE. the Second.  Enter Nero, Poppea, Nimphidius, Tigellinus, Epaproditus, Neophylus, and Guards and Attendants. Ner. 
Now Fair Poppea, see thy Nero shine  
In Bright Achaias' Spoils, and Rome in him.  
The Capitol hath other Trophies seen,  
Than it was wont; not Spoils with Blood bedewed,  
Or the Unhappy Obsequies of Death.  Tig. 
And in this Strife, the Glory's all your own;  
Your Tribunes cannot share this Praise with you;  
Here your Centurions have no part at all.  
Bootless your Armies, and your Eagles were:  
No Navies helped to bring away this Conquest.  Nim. 
Even Fortune's self, Fortune the Queen of Kingdoms.  
(That Wars Grim Valour graceth with her Deeds)  
Will claim no Portion in this Victory.  Ner. 
Not Bacchus drawn from Nisa down with Tigers  
So struck the amazed Indian's with wonder,  
As Nero's Glories did the Greekish Towns  
Elis and Pisa; and the Rich Micaena,  
Argos, and Corinth, Proud of her too Sea's;  
All which o'er come, did yield to me their Praise,  
And Prizes of their Games.  Pop. 
Yet, in your Greekish Journey, we do hear  
Sparla, and Athens, the two Eyes of Greece,  
Neither beheld your Person, nor your Skill:  
Whether, because they did afford no Games,  
Or for their too much Gravity.  Ner. 
Why? what,  
Should I have seen in them? but in the One  
Hunger and Poverty?  
And what in the other, but Old Fools, Long Beards;  
Much Wrangling in things Needless to be known:  
Wisdom in Words, and only Austere faces?  
Nero was there, where he might Honour Winn.  
And Honour he has Won, and brought from Greece  
Those Spoils, which never Roman could obtain:  
Spoils won by Wit, and Trophys of his Skill.  Nim. 
What a thing he makes it to be a Minstril  [aside Pop. 
I praise your Wit, my Lord, that Chose such safe  
Honours, safe Spoils, won without Dust or Blood.  Ner. 
What, do you Mock us Poppea?  Pop. 
No, my good Lord, I speak in earnest,  
I hate that hardy, and Adventurous Crew,  
That go to Lose their own, to Purchase but  
The Breath of others, and the Common Voice;  
Them that will Lose their hearing for a Sound;  
That by Death only seek to get a Living,  
Make Scars their Beauty, and count Loss of Limbs  
The Commendation of a proper man;  
And so go Halting to Immortality:  
Such Fools I Love worse than they do their Lives.  Ner. 
But now, Poppea, having laid apart  
Our boasted Spoils, and Ornaments of Triumph,  
Come we like Jove to Court thee,  
But thou (then wrangling Juno) far more fair,  
Staining the Evening Beauty of the Sky,  
Or the Days Brightness; shalt make glad thy Caesar,  
Shalt make him Proud such Beauties to enjoy.  But Nimph. Exeunt all. Nim. 
Such Beauties to injoy were Happiness,  
And a Reward sufficient in itself,  
Although no other End, or Hopes were aimed at:  
But I have other; 'Tis not Poppea's Arms,  
Nor the short Pleasures of a Wanton Bed,  
That can Extinguish my Aspiring Thirst  
To Nero's Crown; by her Love I must Climb;  
Her Bed is but a step unto his Throne.  
Already, Wise men Laugh at him, and Hate him;  
The People, though his Music Pleases 'em,  
They fear his Cruelty, Hate his Exactions,  
Which his Need, still, must force him to Increase:  
The Multitude, which cannot one thing long  
Like, or Dislike, being cloyed with Vanity,  
Will Hate their own Delights: though Wisdom do not;  
Even Weariness, at Length, will give them Eyes.  
Thus I; by Nero's and Poppea's Favour  
Raised to the Envious Height of Second Place,  
May gain the First: Hate must strike Nero down.  
Love make Nimphidius' Way unto a Crown.  [Exit.  

SCENE the Third.  Enter Seneca, Scevinus, and Lucan. Sce. 
His First beginning was his Father's Death,  
His Brother's Poisoning; and his Wife's Bloody End  
Came next; his Mother's Murder closed up all:  
Yet hitherto he was but Wicked, when  
The Guilt of Greater Evils took away the Shame  
Of Lesser, and did Headlong thrust him forth  
To be the Scorn, and Laughter to the World:  
Then first an Emperor came upon the Stage,  
And Sung to please the Mean and Senseless Rabble;  
And Learned to Act, to Dance, to be a Fencer.  
And in Despite o'th' Majesty of Princes,  
He fell to Wrestling, and was soiled with Dust,  
And tumbled on the Earth with Servise Hands.  Sen. 
He sometimes was trained up in better Studies,  
And had a Childhood promised other hopes;  
High Fortunes, like Strong Winds, do try their Vessels▪  
Was not the Race, and Theatre big enough  
To have enclosed thy Follies here at Home?  
O! Could not Rome, and Italy contain  
Thy Shame, But thou must Cross the Sea's to show it?  Sce. 
And make them, that had wont to see our Consuls  
With Conquering Eagles waving in the Field,  
Instead of that, behold an Emperor Dancing,  
Playing on the Stage; and what else but to Name  
Were Infamy.  Luc. 
O Mummius, O Flaminius;  
You, whom your Virtues have not made more Famous,  
Than Nero's Vices; You went to Greece,  
But to other Wars, and brought Home other Conquests.  
You, Corinth and Micana overthrew;  
And Perseus self, the Great Achilles' Race  
O'●…e-came; having Minérvas' stained Temples,  
And your Slain Ancestor's of Troy Revenged.  Sen. 
They strove with Kings, and kind-like Adversaries,  
Were even in their Enemies made happy.  
The Macedonian Courage tried of Old,  
And the New Greatness of the Syrian Power:  
But he for Philip and Antiochus  
Hath found more Easy Enemies to deal with,  
Turpuus, Pammenes, and a Rout of Fiddlers.  Sce. 
Why all the begging Minstrels by the way  
He took along with him, and forced to Play,  
That he might over come; Imagining  
Himself Immortal by such Victories.  Luc. 
The Men he carried over were enough  
T'have put the Parthian to his Second Flight:  
Or the Proud Indian taught the Roman Yoke.  Sce. 
But they were Nero's Men, like Nero Armed  
With Lutes, and Harps, and Pipes, and Fiddle-Cases;  
Soldiers to th' Shadow trained, and not the Field.  Sen. 
Therefore they brought home Spoils fit for such Soldiers.  Luc. 
But to throw down the Walls and Gates of Rome,  
To make an Entrance for an Hobby-Horse;  
To vaunt to th'People his Ridiculous Spoils;  
To come with Laurel, and with Olives Crowned,  
For having been the Worst of all the Singers,  
Is beyond Patience!  Sce. 
ay, and Anger too;  
Had you but seen him in his Chariot ride.  
That Chariot in which Augustus late  
His Triumphs o'er so many Nations showed,  
And with him in the same a Minstrel played;  
The whilst the People running by his side,  
Hail thou Olympic Conqueror did cry,  
O hail thou Pythian, and so filled the Sky  
With Shame, and Voices, Heaven would not have heard.  Sen. 
I saw't, but turned away my Eyes and Ears,  
Angry they should be privy to such Objects:  
Why do I stand relating of the Story,  
Which in the doing had enough to grieve me?  
Tell on, and end the Tale, you whom it pleaseth;  
Me, my own Sorrow stops from further speaking.  
Nero, my Love doth make thy Fault, and my Grief greater.  Sce. 
I do Commend thy Passion, Seneca;  
And yet methinks our country's Miseries,  
Do at our Hands crave some what more than Tears.  Luc. 
Let Children Weep, and Men seek Remedy.  Sce. 
Stoutly spoke, and like a Soldier, Lucan.  
Yet to seek Remedy t'a Princes ill,  
Seldom, but it doth the Physician kill.  Luc. 
And if it do, Scevinus, it shall take  
But a Devoted Soul from Lucan;  
Which to my Country, and the Gods of Rome,  
Already sacred is, and given away:  
Death is no Stranger to me, I have  
The doubtful hazard in Twelve Battles thrown,  
My Chance was Life.  Sce. 
Nothing is hard to them that dare to die.  
This Noble Resolution in you, Lords,  
Heartens me to disclose some Thoughts that I—  
The Matter is of Weight and Dangerous.  Luc. 
I see you fear us Scevinus.  Sce. 
No, no, although the thing be full of Fear.—  Sen. 
Tell it to Faithful Ears, what e'er it be.  Sce. 
Faith, let it go, it will but trouble us,  
Be hurtful to the Speaker, and the Hearer.  Luc. 
If our Long Friendship, or the Opinion—  Sce. 
Why should I fear to tell them?  
Why, is he not a Parricide, a Player?  
Nay, Lucan, is he not thine Enemy?  
And You, O Righteous God's,  
Whithersoe'r you now are fled, and will  
No more look down upon th'Oppressed Earth:  
O Severe Anger of the Highest God's;  
And you Stern Powers, to whom the Greek's assign  
Scourges, and Swords to punish Proud mens' Wrongs,  
If you be more than Names found out to Awe us;  
And that we do not vainly build you Altars:  
Aid that just Arm that's bent to Execute  
What you should do.  Luc. 
Stay, you are carrried too much away, Scevinus.  Sce. 
Why, Lucan, what will you say for him? has he not  
Sought to surpress your Poem? to bereave  
That Honour, Every Tongue in Duty paid it?  
Nay, has he not—  
Stabbed his own Wife's (a chaste Wife's) Breast, and torn  
With Scythian Hands his Mother's Bowels up?  
The Inhospitable Caucasus is mild:  
The Moor, that in the boiling Desert seeks  
With Blood of Strangers to Imbrue his Jaws,  
Upbraids the Roman now with barbarousness.  Luc. 
You are too Earnest,  
I neither can, nor will I speak for him:  
And though he sought to wrong my Learned Pains,  
I hate him not for that: my Verse shall live,  
When Nero's Body shall be thrown in Tiber;  
I hate him that he is Rome's Enemy,  
An Enemy to Virtue; sits on high  
To shame the Seat: And in that hate, my Life  
And Blood I'll mingle on the Earth with yours.  Sen. 
My Deeds Scevinus shall speak my Consent.  Sce. 
'Tis answered, as I looked for, Noble Poet,  
Worthy the double Laurel, Lucan.  
Good Luck, I see, does Virtuous Meanings aid:  
And therefore have the heavens' for-born their Duty,  
To Grace our Swords with Glorious Blood of Tyrants.  [Exeunt.  
Finis Actus Primi.   


ACTUS SECUNDUS. Scene the First.  Enter Petronius. Pet. 
HEre waits Poppea he Nimphidius coming,  
And hath this Garden, and these Walls chose out,  
To bless her with more Pleasures than their own:  
Not only Arras Hangings, and Silk-Beds  
Are guilty of the Faults we blame them for;  
Somewhat these Arbots, and these Trees do know,  
Whilst their kind shades you to these Night-Sports show.  
Night-Sports, Faith, they are done in open Day,  
And the Sun seeth, and envies at their Play.  
Hither have I Love sick Antonius brought:  
And thrust him on Occasion so long sought:  
Showed him the Empress in a thicket by,  
Her Love's approach waiting with greedy Ay;  
And told him, If he ever meant to prove  
The Doubtful issue of his Hopeless Love  
This is the place: but see they're coming;  
How they agree, here will I stand and harken.  [Abscondit. Enter Poppea, and Antonius. Ant. 
Seek not to grieve that Heart which is thy own●…  
In Love's sweet Fires let Heat of Rage burn out.  
These Brows could never yet to wrinkle Learn,  
Nor Anger out of such Fair Eyes proceed.  Pop. 
You may solicit your presumptuous Suits  
You Duty may and Shame too lay aside,  
Disturb my Privacies, and I, good Sir,  
Must be afeared even to be angry at you.  Ant. 
What Shame is't to be mast'red by such Beauties?  
Who but to serve you comes, how wants he Duty?  
Or if it be a Shame, the Shame is yours,  
The Fault is only in your Eyes, they drew me:  
Cause you were Lovely, therefore did I Love.  
Oh! if to love you anger you so much,  
You should not have such Cheeks, nor Lips to touch;  
You should not have your Snow nor 〈◊〉:  
If you but look on us, in vain you chide:  
We must not see your Face, nor hear your Speech:  
Now Whilst you love forbid; you Love do teach.  Pet. 
He does better, than I thought he would.  Pop. 
I will not learn my Beauties-worth of you;  
I know you neither are the First, nor Greatest,  
Whom it hath moved: He, whom the World obeys,  
Is feared with anger of my Threatening Eyes:  
It is sor you a far off to adore it,  
And not to reach at it with saucy Hands:  
Fear is the Love that's due to Gods and Princes.  Pet. 
All this is but to Edge his Appetite.  Ant. 
O do not see thy Face in that False Glass  
Os outward Difference: Look into my Heart,  
There shalt thou see thyself sitting Enthroned  
In greater Majesty, than all the Pomp  
of Rome, or Nero; 'Tis not the Crouching Awe,  
And Ceremony, with which we flatter Princes,  
That can to Love's true Duties be compared.  Pop. 
Sir, let me go, or I'll make known your Love  
To them that shall requite it.  Pet. 
On, on thou hast the Goal, the Fo●…t is beaten.  
Women are won, when they begin to threaten.  Ant. 
Your Nobleness does warrant me for that;  
Nor need you others help to punish me:  
For by your Frowns I am condemned, or freed.  
They, that to be revenged do bend their mind,  
Seek always Recompense in that same kind  
The wrong was done 'em: Love was my Offence,  
In that Revenge; in that seek Recompense.  Pop. 
To answer further, will still cause Replies,  
And those as ill do please me as yourself:  
If you'll an Answer take, that's brief and true,  
I hate myself for being loved by you.  [Exit: Pet. 
What gone! but she will come again sure: No;  
It passes clean my Cunning, all my Rules;  
For Women's Wantonness there is no Rule,  
To take her in the Height of her Desires:  
A Young and Brisk and Impudent Gallant too,  
To miss the Mark! hard Fates, 'tis very Cruel.  Ant. 
O Unhappy Man!  
What Comfort have I now Petronius?  Pet. 
Counsel yourself, I'll Teach no more, but Learn.  Ant. 
This Comfort yet, he shall not so escape,  
Who causeth this contempt, Nimphidius;  
Whom had I here,— well, 'tis for his sake,  
I see, she hates me; and shall I love one  
That hates me, and bestows what I deserve.  
Upon my Rival? no, farewell, Poppea,  
Farewell, and farewell to all Love:  
Yet, thus much shall it still prevail in me,  
That I will hate Nimphidius for thee.  Pet. 
Farewell to her, to my Enanthe welcome,  
Who, now, will to my burning Kisses stoop;  
Now, with an Easy Cruelty deny,  
That, which she, rather than the Asker, would  
Have forced from her, then begins herself.  
Their Loves, that list, upon great Ladies set;  
I still will love the Cheapest I can get.  [Exeunt.  

SCENE the Second, Nero's Palace.  Enter Nero, Tigellinus, Epaphroditus, and Nimphidius. Ner. 
Tigellinus, said the Villain Proculus  
I was thrown down in running?  Tig. 
My Lord, he said, that you were Crowned for that  
You could not do.  Ner. 
For that I could not do?  
Why? Elis saw me do't, and do't with Wonder  
Of all the Judges and the Looker's on;  
And yet to see a Villain; Could not do't!  
Who did it better? I warrant you he said,  
I from the Chariot fell against my will.  Tig. 
He said my Lord, you were thrown out of it,  
All crushed and maimed, and almost bruised to Death.  Ner. 
Malicious Rogue, when I fell willingly,  
To show of Purpose, with what little Hurt  
Might a Good Rider bear a forced Fall:  
How sayest thou, Tigellinus? I am sure  
Thou hast in Driving as much skill as he?  Tig. 
My Lord, you greater Cunning showed in falling,  
Than had you sat.  Ner. 
I know I'did; Bruised in my Fall?  
Hurt! I protest, I felt it not.  
Go, Tigellinus, fetch me the Villain's Head;  
This makes me see his Heart in other things.  
Fetch me his Head, he ne'er shall speak again:  [Exit Tig. 
What do we Princes differ from the Dust,  
And baseness of the Common Multitude,  
If we are subject to the Scorn  
Of each Malicious Tongue? say, That I had no skill!  
When all that saw me gazed with Admiration:  
The People followed with their Eyes and Voice.  
And now the Wind does see itself outrun,  
And the Clouds wonder to be left behind;  
Whilst the Void Air is filled with noise,  
And Nero's Name sounds to the Sky:  
Jupiter envying, loath to hear my Praise:  
Then their Green Bows, and Crowns of Olive. Wreath's  
The Conquerout's Praise, they give me as my due,  
And Yet this Rogue says, no, we have no skill.  Enter Neophilus. Neop. 
My Lord, the Stage and all the Furniture—  Ner. 
I have no skill to drive a Chariot:  
Had he but robbed me, broke my Treasury:  
The Red-Sea's mine, mine are the Indian Stones,  
The World's mine own, then cannot I be robbed:  
But spitefully to undermine my Fame,  
To take away my Art: He would my Life  
As well, no doubt, could he told how.  Enter Tigellinus, and Executioner, with Proculus' Head. Neop. 
My Lord,  
Tigellinus is come with Proculus Head.  Ner. 
Give him Five Hund'red Sesterces for amends.  
Hast ' brought him, Tigellinus?  Tig. 
Here's his Head, my Lord.  Ner. 
His Tongue had been enough.  Tig. 
I did as you commanded me, my Lord.  Ner. 
Now are you quiet?  
This 'tis to be Commander of the World:  
Let them extol weak Pity that do need it.  
Let Men cry to have Law and Justice done,  
And tell their Griefs to Heaven, that here's them not.  
King's must upon their headless People's Graves  
Walk to Security, and Ease of Mind.  
Why, what have we to do with the Airy Names  
(That Old Age, and Philosophers found out)  
Of Justice and of Equity?  
The God's Revenge themselves, and so will we.  
Where Right is scanned, Authority is overthrown:  
We have a High Prerogative above it.  
Slaves may do what is Just, We what we please.  
The People will repine, and think it ill;  
But they must bear, and praise too what we will.  Enter Cornutus. Neop. 
My Lord, Cornutus, whom you sent for's, come.  Ner. 
Welcome good Cornutus,  
Are all things ready for the Stage,  
As I gave Order?  Cor. 
They only stay your Coming.  Ner. 
Cornutus, I must Act to day Orestes.  Cor. 
You have done that already; and too truly.  [Aside. Ner. 
And when our Scene is done, I mean besides,  
To Read some Compositions of my own:  
Which for the Great Opinion of myself,  
And Rome in General, of my Judgement has,  
Before I publish them I'll shew'em thee.  Cor. 
My Lord, my Disabilities—  Ner. 
I know thy Modesty;  
I'll only show thee now my Works beginning:  
Go see, Epaphroditus,  
Th' Music be ready, I will Sing to Day.  
Cornutus, I pray thee come near,  
And let me hear thy Judgement in my Pains:  
I would have thee more familiar, good Cornutus:  
Nero does prize Desert, and more esteems  
Them, that in Knowledge second him, than Power.  
Mark, with what Style, and State, my Work begins?  Cor. 
Might not my Interruption offend,  
What's your Work's name, my Lord? what write you of?  Ner. 
I mean to write the Deed's of all the Romans.  Cor. 
Of all the Romans? a huge Argument!  Ner. 
I have not yet bethought me of a Title.  
You Aethereal Power's, which the wide Fortune's doom  [Reads. 
Of Empire Crowned, Seven. Mountain-seated Rome,  
Full blown Inspire me with Machilaean Rage,  
That I may bellow out Rome's Prentisage.  
And when the Maenads do fill their Drums,  
And Crooked Horns with Mimalonean Humms,  
And Ennion do Ingeminate a round,  
Which Reparable Echo do resound.  
How dost'thou like our Muse's pains, Catus  Cor. 
The Verses have more in'em, than I see:  
Your Work, my Lord, I fear will be too long.  Ner. 
Too long?  Tig. 
Too long?  Cor. 
ay, if you write the Deeds of all the Roman's  
How many Books think you t'include it in?  Ner. 
I think to write about Four Hund'red Books.  Cor. 
Four Hund'red! why, my Lord, they'll ne'er be read.  Ner. 
Ha!  Tig. 
Why, he whom you esteem so much, Chrysippus,  
Wrote many more.  Cor. 
But they were profitable to Common Life,  
And taught Men Honesty, and Wisdom.  Ner. 
Tigellinus.  [Exit, Nero, and his Train. Cor. 
See with what Earnestness he craved my Judgement,  
And now he freely has it, how it likes him.  Neop. 
The Prince is angry, and his Fall is near:  
I'll begone, lest I partake his Ruins.  [Exit Neoph. Cor. 
What should I do at Court? I cannot lie.  
Why didst thou call me, Nero, from my Book?  
Didst thou for Flattery of Cornutus look?  
No, let those Purple Fellows that stand by thee  
(That admire Show, and things that thou canst give,)  
Leave to please Truth, and Virtue, to please thee.  
Nero, there's nothing in thy Power Cornutus  
Does wish or fear.  Enter Tigellinus. Tig. 
'Tis Nero's Pleasure, that you straight depart  
To Giara, and there remain Confined:  
Thus he, out of his Princely Clemency,  
Hath Death, your due, turned but to Banishment.  Cor. 
Why Tigellinus?  Tig. 
I have done, upon you Peril go, or stay.  [Exit Tig. Cor. 
And why should Death, or Banishment be due  
For speaking Truth, or that which was required, my Thought?  
O why do Princes love to be deceived?  
And do even force Abuses on themselves?  
Their Ears are so with pleasing Speech beguiled,  
That Truth they Malice, Flattery Truth account;  
And their own Soul, and Understanding's lost.  
Alas, weak Prince, how hast thou punished me,  
To Banish me from thee? O let me go  
And dwell in Taurus, dwell in Ethiope,  
So that I do not dwell at Rome with thee.  
The further still I go from hence, I know  
Thee farther I leave shall, and Vice behind.  
Where can I go, but I shall see the Sun?  
And Heaven will be as near me still as here.  
Can they so far a Knowing Soul Exile,  
That her own Roof, she see not o'er her Head?  [Exit.  

SCENE the Third.  Enter Piso, Scevinus, and Lucan. Piso. 
Noble Gentlemen, what Thanks, what Recompense  
Shall he give you, that gives to him the World?  
One Life to them, that must so many venture;  
And that, the worst of all, is too Mean Pay:  
Yet can I give no more: Take that, bestow it  
Upon your Service.  Luc. 
O Piso, that vouchsafest  
To grace our Headless Party with thy Name,  
Whom having our Conductor, we need not  
Fear to go against the wel-tryed Valour  
Of Julius, or Stayedness of Augustus;  
Much less the Shame, and Womanhood of Nero.  Sce. 
We are contented with the Galling Yoke,  
If he will only leave us Necks to bear it.  
We seek no longer Freedom, we seek Life;  
At least not to be Murdered: Let us die  
On Enemy's Swords. Shall We, whom neither  
The Median Bow, nor Macedonian Spear,  
Nor the Fierce Gaul nor Painted Briton could  
Subdue, lay down our Necks to Tyrant's Axe?  
Why do we talk of Virtue, that obey  
Weakness, and Vice?  Pis. 
Have Patience, good Scevinus.  Luc. 
Weakness and Servile, Government we've hithert●…  
Obeyed: which that we may no longer,  
We have our Lives and Fortunes now set up,  
And have our Cause with Piso's Credit strengthened;  
Which makes it doubtful, whether Love to him,  
Or Nero's Hatred hath drawn more to us.  Pis. 
I see the Good Thoughts you have of me, Lords;  
Let's now proceed to th' purpose of our Meeting:  
I pray you take your Places.  
Let's have some Paper brought.  Sce. 
Who's within there?  Mil. 
My Lord.  [Enter Milichus. Sce. 
Some Ink and Paper.  Exit Mili. and Enters again with Ink and Paper. Luc. 
Who's that, Scevinus?  Sce. 
It is my Freedman Milichus.  Luc. 
Is he trusty?  Sce. 
I for greater Matters, than we are about  Pis. 
And those are great Ones.  Luc. 
I ask not that we mean to need his Trust:  
Gain hath great Sovereignty o'er Servile Minds.  Sce. 
O but my Benefits have bound him to me.  
I from a Bondman have his State not only  
Advanced to Freedom, but to Wealth and Credit.  Pis. 
Melichus, wait i'th' next Chamber till we call.  
The thing Determined on our Meeting now  
Is of the Means and Place due Circumstance;  
So done it names the Action.  Mel. 
I wonder,  
What makes this New Resort to haunt our House.  
When wont Seneca, Piso to come hither?  
Or Lucan when so oft, as now of late?  [Aside. Pis. 
And since the Field and open show of Arms  
Dislike you; and that for the General Good  
You mean to end all Stirs in end of him:  
That, as the Ground, must first be thought upon.  Mel. 
Besides, this coming cannot be for Form,  
Or Visitation; they go aside—  [Aside. 
And have long Conferences by themselves.  Luc. 
Riso, his coming to your House at Baia,  
To Bath, and Banquet, will fit means afford  
Amidst his Cups to end his Hated Life.  
Let him die Drunk, that ne'er lived soberly.  Pis. 
O be it far, that I should stain my Table,  
And Gods of Hospitality with Blood:  
Let not our Cause (now Innocent) be soiled  
With such a Blot, nor Piso's Name made hateful.  
What Place can better fit our Action,  
Than his own House, That boundless envied heap,  
Built with the Spoils and Blood of Citizens:  Luc. 
But 'twill be hard to do it in his House,  
And hard to escape, being done.  Pis. 
Not so,  
Rufus, the Captain of his Guard's with us;  
And divers others of the Praetorian Band  
Already's ours: Many, though unacquainted  
With our intents, have had Disgrace and Wrongs,  
Which grieve them still: Most will be glad of,  
And even they that loved him best, when once changed  
They see him gone, will smile o'th' Coming Times,  
Let go things past, and look to their own Safety.  
Besides the Astonishment and Fear will be  
So great, so sudden, that 'twill hinder them  
from doing any thing.  Mel. 
No Private Business can concern them All.  [Aside 
Their Countenances are troubled, and look sad;  
Doubt and Importance in their Face is read.  Luc. 
Yet still I think it were  
Safer t'attempt him Private and alone.  Pis. 
But 'twill not carry that Opinion with it;  
'Twill seem more soul, and come from Private Malice.  
Brutus and his Confederates to right the Common  
Cause  
Did choose a public Place.  Sce. 
Our Deed is honest; why should it seek Corners?  
'Tis for the People done, let them behold it:  
Let me have them a Witness of my Truth;  
'Tis love to the Commonwealth: the Danger's great;  
So is the Glory. Why should our Pale Counsels  
Tend whither Fear, rather than Virtue calls 'em?  
I do not like these cold Consider.  
First let our Thought lookup to what is honest;  
Next what is safe: If Danger may deter us;  
Nothing that's great or good shall e'er be done.  
And when we first gave hands upon this Deed  
To th' Commons Safety, we our own gave up.  
Let no Man venture on a Prince's Death,  
How bad soever, with belief to escape:  
Despair must be our Hope, Fame our Reward:  
To make the general Liking to concur  
With others, were even to strike him in his Shame,  
Or (as he thinks) his Glory on the Stage;  
And so too truly make't a Tragedy;  
When all the People cannot choose but clap  
So sweet a Close: and 'twill not Caesar be,  
That shall be killed, a Roman Prince:  
'Twill be 〈◊〉, or blind Oedipus.  Mel. 
And if it be of Public Matters, 'tis not  
Like to be talk, or idle Faultfinding,  
On which the Coward only spends his Wisdom:  
These are all Men of Action, and of Spirit,  [Aside. 
And dare perform, what they determine on.  Luc. 
What think you of Poppea, Tigellinus,  
And the other odious Instruments of Court?  
Were it not best at once to rid them all?  Sce. 
ay, Caesar's Ruin, Anthony was spared.  
Let's not our Cause with Needless Blood distain;  
One only moved, the Change will not appear,  
When too much Licence given to the Sword,  
Though against ill, will make even good men fear:  
Besides, things settled, you at pleasure may  
By Law and Public Judgement have'em tried.  Mel. 
And if it be but talk of State, 'tis Treason;  
Like it they cannot, that they cannot do:  
If seek to mend it, and remove the Prince,  
That's highest Treason: Change his Counsellors,  
That's Alteration of the Government,  
The Common Cloak that Treason's muffled in:  
If laying Force aside, to seek by Suit  
And fair Petition to have the State Reformed,  
That's Tutor of the Prince, and takes away  
Th'one his Person, the other his Sovereignty:  
Barely to talk in Private shows Dislike  [aside. 
Of what is done; therefore the Action  
Mislikes you, 'cause the Doer likes you not.  
Men are not fit to live i'th' State they hate.  Pis. 
Though we would all have that employment,  
Yet since your worthy Forwardness, Scevinus,  
Prevent's us, and so nobly begs for Danger:  
Be yours the Chosen Hand to do the Deed;  
The Fortune of the Empire speed your Sword.  Sce. 
Virtue, and Heaven speed it. O you Home-born  
Of our Country, Romulus, and Vesta,  
That Tuscan, Tiber, and Rome's Tower defend,  
Forbid not yet at length a happy End  
To Former Evils: Let this Hand Revenge  
The Injured World: Enough we now have suffered.  Mel. 
Tush, all this long consult's more  [Exit all but Melichus. 
Than words,  
It ends not there; they've some Attempt, some Plot,  
Against the State. Well, I'll observe it farther,  
And, if I find it, make my Profit of it.  [Exit.  
Finis Actus Secundi.   


ACTUS TERTIUS.  Enter Poppea. Pop. 
I Looked Nimphidius would have come ere this:  
Makes he no greater haste to our Embraces?  
Or does the Easiness abate his Edge?  
Or seem we not as Fair still as we did?  
Or is he so with Nero's Playing won,  
That he before Poppea does preser it?  
Or does he think to have Occasion still?  
To have time to wait on our stolen Meetings?  [Enter Nimphidius. 
But ●…ee, his Presence now does end those Doubts.  
What is't Nimphidius has so long detained you?  Nim. 
Faith Madam, Causes strong enough;  
High Wall's, barred Doors, and Guards of armed Men.  Pop. 
Were you Imprisoned then as you were going  
To the Theatre?  Nim. 
Not in my going, Madam,  
But, in the Theatre I was Imprisoned:  
For, after he was once upon the Stage,  
The Gates were more severely looked unto,  
Then at a Town besieged: No Man, no Cause  
Was Currant; no, nor passant; at other Sights  
The Strife is only to get in, but here  
The Strife was all in getting out again:  
Had we not been kept to it so, I think,  
'Twould not have been so tedious; though I know,  
'twas hard to judge, whether his doing of it  
were more absurd, than 'twas for time to do it.  
But when we once were forced to be Spectators,  
Compelled to that which should have been a Pleasure,  
We could no longer bear the Wearisomeness.  
No Pain so irksome, as a forced Delight:  
Some fell down Dead, or seemed at least to do so,  
Under that Colour to be carried forth.  Pop. 
If 'twere so straight kept, how got you forth?  Nim. 
Faith Madam, I came pretending Haste  
In Face and Countenance; told'em I was sent  
For things by th'Prince forgot about the Scene;  
Which both my Credit made'em to believe,  
And Nero newly whispered me before.  
Thus did I pass the Gates; the danger, Madam,  
I have not yet escaped.  Pop. 
What Danger mean you?  Nim. 
The Danger of his Anger, when he knows  
How I thus shrunk away; for there stood Knaves,  
That put down in their Tables all that stirred,  
And marked in each their Cheerfulness, or Sadness.  Pop. 
I warrant, I'll excuse you: but I Pray,  
Let's be a little better for your Sight:  
How did our Princely Husband act Orestes?  
Did he not wish again his Mother living?  
Her Death would add great Life unto his part.  
But come I pray, the Story of your Sight.  Nim. 
O do not drive me to those hateful Pains:  
Madam; I was too much in seeing vexed:  
Let it not be redoubled with the telling:  
I now am well, and hear, my Ears set free:  
O be mercisul, do not bring me back  
Unto my Prison, at least free yourself;  
It will not pass away, but stay the time,  
Rack out the Hours in length: Oh, give me leave,  
As one that wearied with the toil at Sea,  
And now on wished sore Shore hath fixed his Foot:  
He looks about, pleases his Thoughts, and Eyes,  
With sight o'th' Green-cloathed Ground, and Levy Trees,  
Of Flowers, that beg more than the looking on;  
And likes these Narrow Shores much better:  
So let me lay my weariness in these Arms;  
My Thoughts be compassed in those Circled Eyes;  
And bless my hands with touch of those round Breasts,  
Whiter and softer than the Down of Swans.  
Let me of thee, and of thy Glorious Beauty,  
Tell endless Stories; but never wearied be,  [Exeunt. Enter Nero, Epaphroditus, and Neophilus. Ner. 
Come Sirs, I Faith, how did you like my Acting?  
What? was't not as you looked for?  Epap. 
Yes, my Lord, and much beyond.  Ner. 
Did not I do it to the Life?  Epap. 
The very doing never was so lively,  
As now this Counterfeiting.  Ner. 
And when I came  
To th' Point of Agrippa Clytaemnestra's Death,  
Did it not move the feeling Auditory?  Epap. 
They had been Stones, whom that could not have moved,  Ner. 
Did not my Voice hold out well to the end?  
And served me afterwards afresh to Sing with?  Neop. 
We know Apollo cannot match your Voice.  Epap. 
By jove, I think you are the God himself  
Come from above to show your hidden Arts,  
And fill us men with wonder of your skill.  Ner. 
Nay, Faith, speak truly, do not flatter me;  
I know you need not: Flattery's but where  
Desert is mean.  Epap. 
I swear by thee, O Cesar,  
Than whom no Power of Heaven I honour more,  
No Mortal Voice can pass, or equal thine.  Ner. 
They tell of Orpheus, when he took his Lute,  
Hebrus stood still, Pangaea bowed his Head;  
Ofsa then first shook off his Snow, and came  
To listen to the movings of his Song:  
The Gentle Poplar took the Oak along,  
And called the Pine down from his mountain-Seat;  
The Virgin Bay, although the Arts she hates  
O'th' Delphic God, was with his Voice overcome:  
He his twice-dead Eurydice bewails;  
His lost Love's name then Water, Air, and Ground,  
Eurydice, Eurydice resound.  
These are bold Tales, of which the Greeks have store:  
But if he could from Hell once more return,  
And would compare his Hand and Voice with mine;  
I, though himself were Judge, he then should see,  
How much the Latin stains the Thracian Lyre.  
I oft have walked by Tyber's flowing Banks,  
And heard the Swan sing her own Epitaph,  
When she heard me, she held her peace and died.  
Let others raise from Earthly things their Praise.  
Heaven has stood still to hear my happy Airs,  
And ceased th'Eternal Music of the Spheres  
To mark my Voice, and mend their Tunes by mine.  Neop. 
O Divine Voice!  Epap. 
Happy are they that hear it.  Enter Tigellinus. Ner. 
But here comes Tigellinus, come, thy Bill.  
Are there so many? I see we have Enemies, Tigellinus.  Epap. 
Have you put Cajus in? I saw him frown.  Neop. 
And in the midst o'th' Emperor's Action  
Gallus Laughed out, and, as I think, in Scorn.  Ner. 
Vespasian too asleep▪ was he so drowsy?  
Well, he shall sleep the Iron Sleep of Death.  
And did Thrasea look so sourly on us?  Tig. 
He never smiled, my Lord, nor would vouchsafe  
With one Applause to grace your Action.  Ner. 
Our Action needed not be graced by him;  
He's our Old Enemy, and still hates us:  
'Twill have an end, nay, it shall have an end.  
Why, I have been too pitiful, too remiss,  
My Easiness is laughed at and contemned;  
But I will change it; not as heretofore,  
By singling out 'em one by one to death.  
Each common Man can such Revenges have:  
A Prince's Anger must lay desolate  
Cities, Kingdoms consume, root up Mankind.  
O could I live to see the General end,  
Behold the World wrapped in one Funeral Flame;  
When as the Sun shall lend his Beams to burn  
What he before brought forth, and Water serve  
Not to extinguish, but to nurse the Fire:  
Then, like the Salamander, bathing me  
In the last Ashes of all Mortal things,  
Let me give up this Breath: Prium was happy,  
Happy indeed: he saw his Troy burnt,  
And Ilium lie on heaps; w●…st ' thy Streams  
(Divine Scamander) did run Rhrygian Blood;  
And heard the pleasant Cries of Trojan Mothers.  
Could I see Rome so!  Tig. 
Your Majesty may easily  
Without this Trouble to your sacred Mind  Ner. 
What may I easily do? kill thee, or him?  
How may I rid you all? where is the man,  
That will all other's end, and last himself?  
O that I had thy Thunder in my Hand,  
Thou idle Rover, I'll none shoot at Trees,  
And spend in Woods my unregarded Vengeance?  
I'll shiver them down upon their guilty Rooss,  
And fill the Streets with Bloody Funerals,  
But 'tis not Heaven can give me what I seek,  
To you, you hated Kingdoms of the Night,  
You Severe Powers, that no like those above,  
Will with fair words, or Child's cries be won,  
But in Destruction, Power, and Terror show,  
To you I fly for succour: You, whose Dwellings  
For Torments are belied, must give me Ease:  
Furies, lend me your Fires; no, they are here;  
They must be other Fires, Material Brands,  
That must the burning of my Heat allay.  
I bring to you no rude unpractised Hands,  
Already do they reek with Mother's Blood:  
Tush, that's but Innocent, to what now I mean;  
Alas, what evil could these Years commit?  
The World in this shall see my settled Wit..  [Exeunt. Enter Piso, and Seneca. Sen. 
Piso, were you at the Theatre?  Pis. 
Seneca, I was, and saw your Kingly Pupil  
In Minstrel's Habit stand before the Judges,  
Bowing those Hands, which the World's Sceptre hold,  
And with great Awe and Reverence beseeching  
Indifferent Hearing, and an equal Doom:  
Mean time, how would he eye his Adversaries;  
How he would seek t'have all they did disgraced,  
Traduce'em privately, openly railat'em:  
And them he could not conquer so, he would  
Corrupt with Money, to do worse than he.  
This was his Singing Part: His Acting now.  Sen. 
Nay even end here, for I have heard enough;  
Let me not  
See him a Player, nor the fearful Voice  
Of Rome's great Monarch now Command in jest,  
Our Prince be Agamemnon in a Play.  Pis. 
Why Seneca? 'tis better in a Play  
Be Agamemnon, than himself indeed:  
How does it stir this Airy part of us,  
To hear our Poets tell Imagined Fights,  
And the strange Blows, that feigned Courage gives?  
When on the Stage I Heard Achilles  
Speak Honour, and the Greatness of his Soul;  
Methinks we too could on a Phrygian Spear  
Run boldly, and make Tales for after times:  
But when we come to Act it in the Deed,  
Death mat's this Bravery, and the ugly Fears  
Osth'other World sit on the Proudest Brow,  Enter two Romans. 1 Rom. 
Fire, Fire, help, we burn.  2 Ro. 
Fire, fire, help, fire.  Sen. 
Fire, where?  Pis. 
Where? What Fire?  1 Ro. 
O round about, here, there, on every side  
Compass the City.  Pis. 
How came this Fire? by whom?  Sen. 
Was't Chance, or Purpose?  Pis. 
Why is't not quenched?  2 Ro. 
Alas there are many there with Weapons;  
And whether it be for Prey, or by Command,  
They hinder: Nay, they throw on Firebrands.  Enter Antonius Ant. 
The Fire increaseth, and will not be stayed,  
But like a Stream that tumbling from a Hill,  
O'rwhelms the Fields, o'rwhelms the hopeful Toil  
O'th'Husband-man, and headlong bears the Woods;  
The weary Shepherd on a Rock a far,  
Amazed hears the fearful Noise, so here  
Danger and Terror strive which shall exceed:  
some cry, and yet are well, some are killed silent,  
Some kindly run to help their Neighbour's House,  
The whilst their own's a fire: Some save their Goods,  
And leave their dearer Pledges in the Flame.  Pis. 
What, are the Gauls returned?  
Does 〈◊〉 brandish Firebrands once again?  Sen. 
What can Heaven now unto our Sufferings add?  Enter 3 Roman. 3 Ro. 
O all goes down, Rome falleth from the Roof.  
The Wind's aloft, the Conquering Flame turns all  
Into its self; nor do the God's escape;  
Pleiades burns, Jupiter, Saturn burns.  
The Altar now is made a Sacrifice:  
And Vesta mourns to see her Virgin Fires  
Mingle with Profane Ashes.  Sen. 
Heaven, hast thou set this end to Roman greatness?  
Were the World's Spoils for this to Rome divided,  
To make but our Fires bigger?  
You Gods, whose Anger made us great, grant yet  
Some Change in Misery; we beg not now,  
To have our Consuls tread on Asian Kings,  
Or spurn the quivered Susa at their Feet:  
This we have had before: we beg to live,  
At least not thus to die: Let Cannons come:  
Let Allius' Water turn again to Blood.  
To these will any Miseries be light.  Pis. 
Why with false Auguries have we been deceived?  
Why was our Empire told us should endure  
With Sun and Moon in time? in Brightness pass'em?  
And that our End should be o'th'World and it?  
What, can Celestial Godheads speak doubly too?  Sen. 
O Rome, the Envy late,  
But now the Pity of the World:  
The Men of Cholcos' at thy Sufferings grieve;  
The Shaggy Dweller in the Scythian Rocks,  
The most Condemned to Perpetual Snow,  
That never wept at Kindred's Funerals,  
Suffers with thee, and feels his Heart to soften.  
O should the Parthian hear these Miseries,  
He would (his low and native Hate apart)  
Sit down with us, and lend an enemy's tear,  
To grace the Funeral Fires of ending Rome.  [Exeunt.  

SCENE ROME, a Fire.  Enter Nero above. Ner. 
ay, now my Troy looks beauteous in her Flames;  
The Tyrrhene Seas are bright with Roman Fires,  
Whilst the amazed Mariner afar,  
Gazing on th'unknown Light, wonders what Star  
Heaven hath begot to ease the Aged Moon.  
When Pyrrhus, striding o'er the Cinders, stood  
On Ground, where Troy late was, and with his Eye  
Measured the height of what he had thrown down,  
A City great in People, and in Power,  
Walls built with th'Hands of Gods, he now forgave  
The Ten Years Wars, and thinks his wounds well healed,  
Bathed in the Blood of Priam's fifty Sons.  
Yet am not I appeased, I must see more  
Than Towers, and Columns tumble to the Ground:  
'Twas not the High built Walls, and Guiltless Stones,  
That Nero did provoke: Themselves must be the Wood  
To feed this Fire, or quench it with their Blood.  
Within. Fire, Fire, Fire.  
Within. Gods, if you be not fled from Heaven, help us.  Ner. 
I like this Music well, they like not mine.  
Let Heaven do what it will, this have I done  
Already: Do you feel my Fury's weight?  
Rome is become a Grave of her late Greatness:  
Her Clouds of Smoak have ta'en away the Day;  
Her Flames the Night.  
Now unbelieving Eyes, what would you more?  Enter Neophilus. Neop. 
O save yourself (my Lord) your Palace burns.  Ner. 
My Palace? How? what Traitorous Hand?  
Enter Tigellinus.  Tig. 
O fly my Lord, and save yourself betimes,  
The Wind does beat the Fire upon your house,  
The Eating Flame devours your Double Gates,  
Your Pillars sall, your Golden Rooss do melt,  
Your Antic Tables, and Greek Imagery  
The Fire besets, and the Smoke you see  
Does choke my Speech: O fly and save your  
Life.  Ner. 
Heaven, thou dost strive I see for Victory.  [Exeunt Enter Nimphidius, Nim. 
See how Fates work unto their purposed end;  
And without all Self-Industry will raise,  
Whom they determine to make great and happy.  
Nero throws down himself, I stir him not:  
He runs unto Destruction, studies ways  
To compass Danger, and attain the Hate  
Of all: Be his own Wishes on his Head,  
Nor Rome with Fire, more than Revenges, burn.  
Let me stand still, or lie, or sleep; I rise.  
Poppea a some new Favour will seek our,  
My wake to salute; I cannot stir,  
But Messengers of new Preferment meet me.  
Now she has made me Captain of the Guard;  
So well I bear me in these Night-Alarms,  
That she imagined I was made for Arms:  
I now command the Castle, he the City.  
If any Chance do turn the Prince aside, l  
(As many Hat'reds, Mischiess threaten him:)  
Ours is his Wise; his Seat and Throne is ours:  
He's next in right that has the strongest Powers.  [Exit. Enter Scevinus, and Mellichus. Sce. 
O Tray, and O ye Souls of our Forefathers,  
Which in your Country's Fires were offered up,  
How near your Nephe●…s to your Fortunes come:  
Yet they were Greclau Hands began your Flame:  
Not Pyrrhus, nor Hannibal, art Author.  
Sad Rome is ruined by a Roman Hand.  Mel. 
My Master has Sealed up his Testament;  
Those Bondmen, which he liketh best, set free,  
Given money, and more liberally than he used:  
And now, as if a Farewell to the World  
Were meant, a sumptuous Banquet has he made;  
Yet not with Countenance that Feasters use;  
But Cheers his Friends, the whilst himself looks  
Sad.  Aside. Sce. 
I have from Fortune's Temple ta'en this Sword.  
may it be Fortunate, and now at least,  
Since it could not prevent, punish the Evil:  
To Rome it had been better done before;  
but though less helping now, they'll praise it more:  
Great Sovereign of all Mortal Actions,  
Whom only Wretched Men, and Poets blame,  
Speed thou the Weapon, which I have from thee;  
'Twas not amidst thy Temple Monuments  
In vain reposed, somewhat I know't has done:  
O with new Honours let it be laid up.  
Strike boldly Arm; so many powerful Prayers  
Of Dead and Living hover over thee.  Mel. 
And though sometimes with talk Impertinent,  
And Idle Fancies, he would feign a Mirth;  
Yet it is easy seen, somewhat is here,  
The which he dares not let his Face make show of.  Aside. Sce. 
See, Melichus, this Weapon's better Edged:  
Long want of use has made it dull and blunt.  Mel. 
Sharpening of Swords, when must we then have  
Or means my Master Cato-like to exempt (blows:  
Himself from Power of Fates, and cloyed with Life,  
Give the Gods back their unregarded Gist:  
But he hath neither Cato's Mind, nor Cause:  
A Man given o'er to Pleasures, and Soft Ease;  Aside 
Which makes me still to doubt how in Affairs,  
Of Princes he dares meddle or desire.  Sce. 
We shall have Blows on both sides, Melichus:  
What an't be Heart for Heart: Death is the worst.  
Provide me store of clothes to bind up Wounds:  
This World I see has no Felicity;  
I'll try the other.  Mel. 
Nero's Life is sought,  
The Sword's prepared against another's Breast,  
The help for this. It can be no Private Foe;  
For than 'twere best to make it known, and call  
Troops of Bond, and Freedmen to his Aid:  
Besides his Counsellors, Seneca,  
And Lucan, are no Managers of Quarrels.  Aside Sce. 
Methinks, I see him struggling on the ground,  
Hear his unmanly out-Crles, and lost Prayers  
Made to the Gods, which turn their Heads away.  
Nero, this Day must end the World's Desires,  
And Headlong send thee down to Endless Fires.  [Exit. Mel. 
Why do I further idly stand debating?  
My Proofs are but too many, and too pregnant,  
And Prince's Ears still to Suspicions open:  
For States are wise, and cut of Ills that may be:  
Mean Men must die, that others may sleep sound.  [Exeunt  
Finis Actus Tertij.   


ACTUS QUARTUS.  Enter Nero, Poppea, Nimphidius, Tigellinus, Neophilus, and Epaphroditus. Nero. 
THis Kiss, sweet Love, 'llle source from thee, and this▪  
And of such Spoils, and Victories be Prouder▪  
Than if I had the Fierce 〈◊〉,  
Or Valiant German, Ten times overcome.  
Let Juli●… go and Fightat the end o'th'World.  
And Conquer from the Wild Inhabitants  
Their Cold and Poverty; whilst Nero here  
Makes other Wars, Wars where the Conquered Gains.  
Where to overcome, is to be Prisoner▪  
O willingly I give up my Freedom,  
And put on my own Chains,  
And am in Love with my Captivity:  
Such Ven●… is, when on the Sandy Shore  
Of Xanth●…, or on Ida's Pleasant Gree●…,  
She leads the Dance.  
If Bacchus could his Straggling Minion  
Grace with a Glorious Wreath of Shining St●…▪  
Why should not Heaven my Poppea Crown:  
The Northern Teem shall move into a round:  
New Constellations rise to honour thee:  
The Earth shall woo thy Favours, and the Sea  
Lay his Rich Shells, and Treasures 〈◊〉 thy Fee●…:  
For thee Hidaspis' shall throw up his Gold:  
Panchaia breath the Rich Delightful Smells;  
The Seres, and the Feathered Man of India,  
Shall their Fine Arts and 〈◊〉 Labours bring▪  
And where the Sun's not known, Poppea's Name  
Shall midst their Feasts and Barbarous Pomp  
Be sung.  
What's he?  [Enter Melichus. Nim. 
One that it seems, my Lord, does come in haste.  Ner. 
Yet in his Face he sends his Tale before him.  
Bad News thou tellest.  Mel. 
'tis bad I tell, but good that I can tell it;  
Therefore your Majesty will pardon me,  
If I offend your Ears to save your Life.  Ner. 
Why, is my Life endangered?  
How ends this Circumstance? thou rackest  
My Thoughts.  Mel. 
My Lord, your Life is conspired against.  Ner. 
By whom?  Mel. 
I must be of the World excused in this,  
If the great Duty to your Majesty  
Makes me all other lesser to neglect.  Ner. 
Thou art a tedious Fellow, speak, by whom?  Mel. 
By my Master.  Ner. 
who's thy Master?  Mel. 
Scevinus.  Pop. 
Scevinus? why should he Conspire?  
Unless he think that Likeness in Conditions  
May make him too worthy o'th'Empire thought.  Ner. 
Who are else in it?  Mel. 
I think, Natalia, Subius, Flavius,  
Lucan, Seneca, and Lucius, Piso,  
Asper, and Qui●….  Ner. 
Ha done,  
Thou'lt reckon all Rome anon, and so thou may'st;  
They're Villains all, I'll not trust one of'em.  
O that the Romans had but all one Neck.  Pop. 
Piso's sly creeping into men's Affections,  
And Popular Arts, have given long Cause of  
Doubt:  
And the other's late observed Discontents,  
Risen from Misinterpreted Disgraces,  
May make us credit this Relation.  Ner. 
Where are they? come they not upon us yet?  
See the Guard doubled, see the Gates shut up:  
Why, they'll surprise us in our Court anon.  Mel. 
Not so, my Lord, they are at Piso's House,  
And think themselves safe, and undescryed.  Ner. 
Let's thither then,  
And take'em in this False Security.  Tig. 
'Twere better first publish'em Traitors.  Nim. 
That were to make'em so;  
And force'em all upon their Enemies:  
Now without stir, or hazard they'll be ta'en,  
And boldly Trial dare, and Law demand:  
Besides this Accusation may be forged  
By malice or mistaking.  Pop. 
What likes you, do Nimphidius out of hand;  
Two may distract, when either would prevail:  
If they suspecting but this Fellow's absence,  
Should try the City, and attempt their Friends,  
How dangerous might Piso's Favour be?  Nim. 
I to himself would make the matter clear,  
Which now upon one Servant's Credit stands.  
The City's Favour keeps within the Bounds  
Of Profit, they'll love none to hurt themselves:  
Honour and Friendship they hear others name,  
Themselves do neither feel; nor know the same.  
To put'em yet (though needless) insome fear,  
We'll keep their Streets with Armed Companies;  
Then if they stir, they see their Wives and Houses  
Prepared a Prey to the Greedy Soldier.  Pop. 
Let's be quick then, you to Piso's House,  
While I, and Tigellinus further sift  
This Fellow's Knowledge.  [Exeunt all but 〈◊〉 Ner. 
Look to the Gates and Walls o'th'City, look  
The River be well kept; have Watches set  
In every Passage, and in every Way:  
But who shall watch these Watches? what if  
They  
Begin to play the Traitors first? O where shall I  
Seek Faith, or them that I may wisely trust?  
The City favours the Conspirators:  
The Senate in disgrace, and fear has lived:  
The Camp, why, most are Soldiers that he named.  
Besides, he knows not all, and like a Fool  
I interupted him, else had he named  
Those that stood by me. O Security!  
Which we so much seek after, yet are still  
To court, like a Stranger, and dost rather choose  
The Smoky Reeds, and Sedgy Cottages,  
Than the Proud Roofs, and wanton cost of Kings.  
O sweet despised Joys of Poverty!  
A Happiness unknown unto the Gods:  
Would I had been a Ragged Magistrate,  
Sat as a Judge of Measures, and of Corn,  
Than the Adored Monarch of the World.  
Mother, thou didst deservedly for this,  
That from a Private and Sure State didst Raise  
My Fortunes to this Slippery Hill of Greatness,  
Where I can neither Stand, nor Fall with  
Life.  [Exit Nero.  

SCENE the Second Piso's House.  Emer Piso, Lucan, and Scevinus. Luc. 
But since we are discovered, what remains,  
But put our Lives upon our Hands? our Swords  
Shall try us Traitors or true Romans.  
And what should make this Hazard doubt success?  
It is not now  
Augustus' Gravity, nor Tiberius' Craft,  
But Tigellinus and Crisogerus,  
eunuchs, and Women that we go against.  Sce. 
Why should we keep so many vowed Swords  
From such a Hated Throat?  
Or shall we fear  
To trust unto the Gods so good a Cause?  Luc. 
By this we may ourselves Heaven's Favour promise;  
Because all Nobleness, and Worth on Earth,  
We see's on our side; here's the Faby's Son;  
Here the Corvinoes are takes our Parts:  
And so their Noble Fathers would, if now they Lived.  
There's not a Soul that claims Nobility  
Either by his, or his Fore-Father's merit,  
But is with us: with us the Gallant Youth,  
Whom passed Dangers, or hot Blood makes bold.  
Stayed Men suspect their Wisdom, or their Faith,  
To whom our Counsels we have not revealed;  
And while (our Party seeking to disgrace)  
They Traitors calls us, each man Treason praise,  
And hate that thing called Faith, when Piso  
Is a Traitor.  Sce. 
O Piso,  
Think on that day, when in the Parthian Fields  
Thou cried'st to the Flying Legions, turn,  
And looked Death in the Face, he was not Grim  
But Fair and Lovely: when he came in Arms,  
O why there died we not on Syrian Swords?  
Were we reserved to Prison's, and to Chains?  
Must Piso's Head be fixed upon a Tower?  
Those Members torn, rather than Roman-like,  
With Weapon in our Hands  
Fighting in Throngs of Enemies to die?  Pis. 
You see the Court and City's Armed,  
Why should we move desperate and hopeless Courses,  
And vainly spill that Noble Blood, that should  
The Median Fields,  
Not Tiber Colour? And the more you show  
Your readiness to lose your Lives,  
The unwillinger I am to adventure'em:  
Yet I am proud you would have died for me:  
But live and keep yourselves to worthier Ends;  
No Mother but my own shall weep my Death.  
Disgrace my Roman Courage cannot bear,  
Nor have I the Vanity to think we can Subdue  
With so few Swords.  
O Friends, I would not die  
When I can live no longer; 'tis my Glory,  
That free and willingly I give up this Breath,  
Leaving such Courages as yours untried.  
But, to be long in talk of Dying would  
Show a Relenting, and a Doubtful Mind;  
Since Fate would not with Fame our Cause reward:  
This is from Infamy a Roman's Guard.  Falls on his Sword, and Dies. Luc. 
O that this Nóble Courage had been shown  
Rather on Enemy's Breasts, than on thy own.  Enter Nimphidius with Nero's Guard; Scevinus and Lucan offer to Fight with the Guard, but they are Surrounded by'em, and taken Prisoners Nim. 
Nay, other end your grievous Crimes await,  
Ends which the Law and your Deserts exact.  Sce. 
What have we deserved?  Nim. 
That Punishment, that Traitors unto Princes,  
And Enemies unto the State they live in, merit.  Sce. 
If by the State this Government you mean,  
I justly am an Enemy unto it;  
That's but to Nero, You, and Tigellinus:  
That Glorious World, that even beguiles the Wise  
Being looked into, includes but Three or Four  
Corrupted Men, which were they all removed,  
'Twould please the State, and ease the Groaning World.  Nim. 
Away with'em, be carried before the Emperor.  [Exeunt.  

The 3d. Scene Changes to Nero's Throne,  Where he appears sitting, and Poppea, with Tigellinus, Neophilus, Guards, and Flavius a Prisoner Ner. 
What could cause thee  
Forgetful of my Benefits, and thy Oath,  
To seek my Life?  Flau. 
Ner●…, I hated thee;  
Nor was there any of thy Soldiers  
More Faithful, whilst thou Faith deserv'dst, Than I;  
Together did I leave to be a Subject,  
And thou a Prince: Caesar was now become  
A Player on the Stage,  
A Burner of our Houses, and of us;  
A Parricide of Wife and Mother.  Tig. 
Villain, dost'know Where and of Whom  
Thou speakest?  Ner. 
Have you but one Death for him? Let it be  
A Feeling one (Tigellinus) Be't  
Thy Charge, and let me see thee witty In't.  Tig. 
Come Sirrah,  
We'll see how stoutly you'll stretch out your Neck.  Flau. 
Would thou durst strike as boldly.  [Exit Tigellinus, Flavius, and 2. or 3. Of the Guard. Enter Epaphroditus, and a Boy Ner. 
And what's  
He there?  Epap.. 
One that in whispering was o'er heard to say,  
What pity 'twas, my Lord, that Piso died?  Ner. 
And why was't pity, Sirrah, Piso died?  Boy. 
My Lord, 'twas pity he deserved to die.  Pop. 
How much this Youth my Oth●… does resemble?  
Otho, my first, my best Love, who is now  
(Undér pretext of Governing) Exlled  
To Lusitania, Honourably Banished.  Ner. 
Well, if you be so Passionate,  
I'll make you spend your Pity on your Prince,  
And good Men, not on Traitors.  Boy. 
The God's forbid my Prince should pity need:  
Somewhat the sad Remembrance did me stir  
Of frail and weak Condition of our Kind:  
Somewhat his Greatness, than whom Yesterday  
The World, but Caesar, could show nothing Higher.  
Besides, some Virtues, and some Worth he had,  
That might excuse my Pity to an End  
so Cruel, and Unripe.  Pop. 
I know not, but this Youth does strangely move My mind;  
His Face, methinks, is more Angelical, Than Earthly.  
Oh! his words invade  
My weakened Senses, and overcome my Heart.  Ner. 
Your Pity shows your favour, and your will,  
Which side you are inclined to, had you Power:  
Your Ill Affection than shall punished be.  
Take him to Execution, he shall die.  Boy. 
This Benefit at least  
Sad Death shall give, to free me from the Power  
Of such a Government; and if I die  
For pitying Humane Chance, and Piso's End,  
There will be some too, that will pity me.  Pop. 
O what a Dauntless Look! what sparkling Eyes,  
Threatening his Suffering! sure some Noble Blood  
Is hid in Rags; Fear argues a base Spirit:  
In him what Courage, and Contempt of Death▪  
And shall I suffer oh I Love to die?  
He shall not die: Take off your hands; away  
Nero, thou shalt not kill this Guiltless Youth.  Ner. 
He Guiltless?  
By Heaven, she is in love with this smooth-faced Boy:  
Take him away.  Pop. 
I beg, my Lord, to spare his Lise;  
Alas, what Treason can such tender Years commit?  Ner. 
How dare you with your Fate, and God Contend?  
But the Bold Impiety shall end.  [Stabs her. 
How impotent would Nero's Godhead be,  
Could Mortal stand betwixt my Rage and thee?  Neoph. 
Alas, my Lord, you have killed her.  Epap. 
Help, help, she dies.  Ner. 
Poppea, Poppea, speak, I am not angry,  
I did not mean to hurt thee; speak, sweet  
Love.  Neoph. 
She's dead, my Lord.  Ner. 
Fetch her again, she shall not die.  
I'll open the Iron Gates of Hell,  
And break the Imprisoned Shadows of the Deep,  
And force from Death this far too worthy Prey.  
She is not dead;  
The Crimson Red for-sakes not yet her Cheeks:  
Her Breath  
Yet moves her Lips; those quick and piercing Eyes,  
That did in Beauty challenge Heaven,  
Yet shine, as they were wont: O no, they do not;  
See how they grow Obscure: O see they close,  
And cease to take or give light to the World.  
What Stars soe'er you are, assured to grace  
The Firmament (sore how the Twinkling Fires  
Together throng, and that clear Milky space,  
Prepares your Room!) do not with wry aspect  
Look on your Nero, who in Blood shall mourn  
Your Luckless Fate: and many a Breathing Soul  
Send after you, to wait upon their Queen.   

SCENE the Fourth.  Enter Seneca, and two Friends. Sen. 
What means your Mourning, this ung●…ful Sorrow?  
Where are your Precepts of Philosophy?  
Where are your Prepared Resolutions,  
So many Years fore-studied against Dangers?  
To whom is Nero's Cruelty unknown?  
Or what remained after his Mother's Blood,  
But his Instructer's Death: Leave, leave these Tears.  
Death from me nothing takes, but what's a Burden,  
A Clog to that free Spark of Heavenly Fire:  
But that in Seneca, the which you loved,  
Which you admired, does, and shall still remain  
Secure of Death, untouched of the Grave.  1 Frie. 
We'll not belly our Tears, we wail not thee;  
It is ourselves, and our own Loss we grieve:  
To thee what loss in such a Change can be?  
Virtue is paid her due by Death alone.  
To our own Losses do we give these Tears,  
That lose thy Love, thy boundless Knowledge Lose,  
Lose the unpatterned Sample of thy Virtue,  
Lose whatsoe'er may Praise, or Sorrow Move;  
In all these Losses yet of this we Glory,  
That 'tis thy Happiness that makes us sorry.  2 Frie. 
If there be any Place for Ghosts of Good Men;  
If (as we have been told) Great men's Souls  
Consume not with their Bodies, thou shalt see,  
Looking from out the Dwellings of Air,  
True Duties to thy Memory performed,  
Not in the outward Pomp of Funeral,  
But in Remembrance of thy Deeds and Words,  
The oft Recalling of thy many Virtues;  
The Tomb, that shall the Eternal  
Relics keep  
Of Seneca, shall be his Hearers Hearts.  [Exeunt 2. Rom. Sen. 
Be not afraid, my Soul, go cheerfully  
To thy own Heaven, from whence it  
Had its Being.  
Now lifted up thou ravished shalt behold  
The Truth of things, at which we wonder here,  
And Foolishly do wrangle on beneath;  
And like a God shalt walk the Spacious Air,  
And see what even to Conceit's denied.  
Great Soul o'th'World, that through the Parts  
Diffused of this Vestal guid'st what thou dost  
Inform;  
You Blessed Minds, that from the Spheres  
You move  
Look on men's Actions not with Idle Eyes,  
And Gods we go to, Aid me in this Strife,  
And Combat of my Flesh, that ending I  
May still show Seneca, and myself die.  [Stabs himself.  
Finis Actus Quarti.   

ACTUS QUINTUS.  Enter Nero, Nimphidius, Tigellinus, Neophilu●…, Epaphroditus and. Attendants. Nero. 
Enough is wept, Poppea, for thy Death,  
Enough is Bled; so many Tears of others  
Wailing their Losses have wiped mine away.  
Who in the Common Funeral of the world  
Can mourn one Death?  Tig. 
Besides, your Majesty this Benefit  
In their deserved Punishment shall reap,  
From all Attempts hereafter to be freed:  
Conspiracy is now for ever dashed;  
Tumult suppressed, Rebelion out of heart:  
In Piso's Death Danger itself did die.  Nimp. 
Piso, that thought to climb by bowing down,  
By giving a way to Thrive, and Raising others,  
To become great himself, hath now by Death  
Given quiet to your Thoughts, and Fear to theirs,  
That shall from Treason their Advancement plot:  
Those Dangerous Heads, that his Ambition leaned on,  
And they by it crept up, and from their meanness  
Thought in this Stir to rise aloft, are off.  
Now Peace, and Safety wait upon your Throne:  
Security hath walled your Seat about:  
There is no place for Fear lest.  Ner. 
Why, I never sear'd'em.  Nim. 
That was your Fault.  
Your Majesty must give us leave to blame  
Your Dangerous Courage, and that noble Soul  
Too Prodigal of itself.  Ner. 
A Prince's Mind knows neither Fear nor Hope:  
The Beams of Royal Majesty are such,  
As all Eyes are with it amazed and weakened,  
But it with nothing. I at first contemned  
Their weak Devices, and saint Enterprise.  
Why, thought they against him to have prevailed,  
Whose Childhood was from Messallina's Spite,  
By Dragons (that the Earth gave up) preserved?  
Such Guard my Cradle had, for Fate had then  
Pointed me out to be what now I am.  
Should all the Legions, and the Provinces,  
In one united, against me Conspire,  
I could disperse 'em with one Angry Eye.  
My Brow's an Host of Men. Come, Tigellinus,  
Let's turn this Bloody Banquet, Piso meant us,  
Unto a Merry Feast: we'll Drink and challenge  
Fortune. Who's that, Neophilus?  [Enter a Roman. Neop. 
A Currier from beyond the Alps, my Lord.  Ner. 
News of some German Victory belike,  
Or Britton overthrow.  Neop. 
The Letters come from France.  Nimp. 
Why smiles your Majesty?  Ner. 
So I smile, I should be afraid, there's one  
In Arms, Neophilus.  Nim. 
What Armed against your Majesty?  Ner. 
Our Lieutenant of the Province, Julius Vindex.  Tig. 
Who? that Giddy French man?  Nim. 
His Province is disarmed, my Lord, he hath  
No Legion, not a Soldier under him.  Epap. 
One that by Blood, and Rapine would repair  
His State consumed in Vanities, and Lust,  Enter a Second Roman. Tig. 
He would not find out three to follow him,  2 Ro. 
More News, my Lord.  Ner. 
Is it of Vindex, that thou hast to say:  2 Ro. 
Vindex is up, and with him F●…ce in Arms;  
The Noble Men and People throng to th'Cause;  
Many and Armour Cities do conser;  
The Country does send in Provision;  
Young Men bring Bodies, Old Men lead 'em forth;  
Ladies do Coin their Jewels into Pay;  
The Sickle now is framed into a Sword;  
France nothing does, but War and Fury breath.  Ner. 
All this Fierce Talks but Vindex does Rebel,  
And I will hang him.  Tig. 
How long came you forth after the Former  
Messenger?  2 Ro. 
Four days, but by the Benefit of Sea,  
And Wether, am arrived with him.  Neop. 
How strong was Vindex at your coming forth?  2 Ro. 
He was esteemed a Hund'red Thousand Strong.  Tig. 
Men enough.  Neop. 
And Soldiers few enough.  
Tumultuary Troops, Undisciplined,  
Untrained in Service, to waste Good Victuals:  
But when they come to look on War's black  
Wounds,  
And but afar off see the Face of Death.  Ner. 
It falls out for my Empty Coffers well,  
The Spoil of such a Large and Goodly Province,  
Enrich'd with Trade, and long enjoyed Peace.  Tig. 
What Order will your Majesty have taken,  
For Levying Forces to Suppress this Stir?  Ner. 
What Order should we take? We'll Laugh and Drink;  
Think'st thou it fits my Pleasures to be disturbed,  
When any Frenchman list to break his Neck?  
They have not heard of Pïso's Fortun●… yet;  
Let that Tale f●…ight'em.  Nim. 
What Order needs? Your Majesty shall find  
This French heat quickly of itself grow Cold.  Ner. 
Come away,  
Nothing shall come, that this Night's Sport  
Shall stay.  Ex●… all b●… Neopilus▪ 〈◊〉 Epaphroditus Neop. 
I wonder what makes him so confident,  
In this Revolt, now grown unto a War,  
And Ensigns in the Field; when in the other,  
Being but a Plot of a Conspiracy,  
He showed himself so wretchedly dismai'd!  Epap. 
Faith, the right Nature of a Coward, to set light,  
Dangers, that seem far off: Piso was here,  
Ready to enter at the Presence Door,  
And drag him out of his Abused Chair;  
And then he Trembled. Vindex, is in France,  
And many Woods, and Seas, and Hill's between.  Neop. 
'Twas strange, that Piso was so soon suppressed.  Epap. 
Strange! strange indeed, for had he but come up,  
And taken the Court in that strange Fright, and  
Stir,  
While unresolved, for whom or what to do,  
And each had Jealousy on the other,  
He would have hazarded the Royal Seat.  Neop. 
Nay had it without Hazard: All the Court  
Had been sot him, and those disclosed their Love,  
And Favour in the Cause which now to hide,  
And colour, the Good Meaning's ready were,  
To show their Forwardness against it most.  Epap. 
But for a Stranger, with a Na●…ed Province,  
Without Allies, or Friends i'th' State, to Challenge  
A Prince, upheld with Thirty Legions,  
Rooted in Four Descents of Ancestors;  
And Fourteen Yeats Continuance of Reign:  
Why it is—  Enter Nero, Nimphidius, and Tigellinu●… Ner. 
Galba, and Spain? What, Spain and Galba too?  [Ex●… Nemo, Nimphidius. Epap. 
I pray thee, Tigellinus, What Fury's this?  
What strange Event? what Accident, hath thus  
O'rcast you●… Countenances?  Tig. 
Down we were sat at Table, and began  
With Sparkling Bowls to chase our Fear away,  
And Mirth and Pleasure looked out of our Eyes,  
When straight a Breathless Messenger comes in,  
And tells how Vindex, and the Power of France,  
Have Chosen Sergius Galba Emperor:  
With what Applause the Legions him Receive;  
That Spain's revolted, Portugal hath joined;  
As much suspected is of Germany:  
But Nero, not abiding out the end,  
O'r-threw the Tables, dash'd against the Ground,  
The Cup which h●… so much, you know, esteemed:  
Tearing his Hair, and with incensed Rage  
Curseth false me, and Gods, the Looker's on.  Neop. 
His Rage we saw was Wild and Desperate.  Epap. 
O you unsearched Wisdoms, which do Laugh  
At our Security, and Feats, alike!  
And plain, to show our Weakness, and your Power,  
Make us Contemn the Harms which surest strike:  
When you 〈◊〉 glory's, and our Pride undo,  
Our Overthrow, you make Ridiculous too.  [Exeunt all. Enter Nimphidius. Nim. 
Slow, making Counsels, and the Sliding Year,  
Have brought me to the Long fore-seen Destruction  
Of this misled Young Man: His State is shaken,  
And I will push it on. Revolted France,  
Nor the Conjured Provinces of Spain,  
Nor his own Guilt, shall like to me, oppress him:  
I to his Easy yielding Fears proclaim  
New Germ●… Mutinies, and all the World  
Rowzing itself in hate of Nero's Name.  
I his Distracted Counsels do disperse,  
With Fresh Despairs: I animate the Senate,  
And the People, to engage them past Recall,  
In Prejudice of Nero: and in brief,  
Perish he must; the Fates, and I, resolve it;  
Which to effect, I presently will go  
Proclaim a Donative in Galba's Name.  Enter Antonius. Ant. 
Yonder, Nimphidius, our Commander: now  
I with Respect must speak, and smooth my Brow.  
Captain, All Hail.  Nim. 
Antonius, well met;  
Your Place of Tribune in this Anarchy.  Ant. 
This Anarchy, my Lord? is Nero dead?  Nim. 
This Anarchy, this unstyled time,  
While Galba is unceased of the Empire,  
Which Nero has forsook?  Ant. 
Has Nero then Resigned the Empire?  Nim. 
In Effect he has, for he's fled to Egypt.  Ant. 
My Lord, you tell strange News to me.  Nim. 
But nothing strange to me,  
Who every moment knew of his Despairs:  
The Curriers came so fast with Fresh Alarms  
Of New Revolts, that he unable quite  
To bear his Fears, which he had long Concealed,  
Is now Revolted from himself, and ●…ed.  Ant. 
Thrust with Reports and Rumours, from his Seat.  
My Lord, you know the Camp depends on you,  
As you Determine.  Nim. 
There it lies unius;  
What should we do 〈◊〉 it boot not to rely  
On Nero's sinking Fortunes, and to sit  
Securely looking on, were to receive  
An Emperor from Spain; which how disgraceful  
It were to us, who, if we weigh ourselves,  
The most Material Accessions are  
Of all the Roman Empire; which Disgrace  
To Cover, we must join ourselves betimes,  
And thereby seem to have Created Galba;  
Therefore I'll straight Proclaim a Donative  
Of Thirty Thousand Sisterses a Man.  Ant. 
I think so great a Gift was never heard of, Galba, they say, is frugally inclined;  
Will he avow so great a Gift as this:  Nim. 
Howe'er he like of it, he must avow it,  
If by our Promise he be once engaged.  
And since the Soldier's Care belongs to me,  
I will have care of them, and of their Good.  
Let 'em thank me, if I, Through this Occasion,  
Procure for them so great a Donative.  [Ex●… Nimph. Ant. 
So you be thanked, it Skill's who prevails:  
Galba, or Nero, Traitor to'em both.  
You give it out that Nero's fled to Egypt,  
Who with the Frights of your Reports, amazed,  
By our Device, does lurk for better News.  
Whilst you inevitably do betray him.  
Works he all this for Galba then 〈◊〉 Not so,  
I have long seen his Climbing to the Empire,  
By Secret Practices of Gracious Women,  
And other Instruments of the Late Court,  
That was his Love to her that me refused;  
And now by this he would give the Soldier's Favour.  
Now is the time to quit Poppea's Scorn,  
And Revenge myself upon my Rival:  
I'll straight Reveal  
His Treacheries, to Galba's Agents here.  [Exit, Enter Tigellinus, and Guards. Tig. 
You see what Issue things are come too;  
Yet may we hope not only Impunity,  
But with our Fellows, part o'th' Guilt proclaimed.  Enter Nero alone. Ner. 
Whither go you? Stay my Friends.  
'Tis Caesar calls; stay my Loving Friends.  Tig. 
We were his Slaves, his Footstool, and must Crouch,  
But now with such Observance to his Feet:  
It is his Misery that he calls us Friends.  Ner. 
And moves you not the Misery of a Prince?  
O stay my Friends! stay and harken to the Voice  
Which once you knew.  Tig. 
Hark to the People's Cries;  
Hark to the Streets, that Galba, Galba, rings!  Ner. 
The People may sorsake me without Blame;  
I did 'em wrong to make you Rich and Great;  
I took their Houses to bestow on you.  
Treason in them has name of Liberty.  
Your Fault has no Excuse, you are my Fault,  
And the Excuse of other's Treachery.  Tig. 
Shall we with staying seem to uphold his Tyrannies,  
As if we were in Love with them? Come let's away.  [Exeunt Tigellinus, and Guards Ner. 
O now I see the Vizard from my Face,  
So lovely and so fearful is fallen off.  
That Vizard, Shadow, nothing (Majesty)  
Which like a Child acquainted with his Fears.  
But now Men tremble at, and now contemn.  
Nero forsaken is of all the World;  
The World of truth: O sall some Vengeance  
Down,  
Equal unto their Falshhoods, and my Wrongs,  
Might I accept the Chariot of the Sun,  
And like another Phaeton Consume  
In Flames of all the World: a Pile of Death,  
Worthy the State and Greatness I have lost.  
Or were I now but Lord of my own Fires,  
Where in False Rome, yet once again might  
Smoak,  
And Perish all unpityed of the Gods:  
That all things in their Last Destruction  
Might  
Perform a Funeral Honour to their Lord.  
O Jove, Dissolve with Caesar, Caesar's World.  Enter Neophilus and Epaphroditus Neop. 
Though other's bound with greater Benefits,  
Have left your Altered Fortunes, and do run  
Whither new Hopes do call'em; yet come we.—  Ner. 
O welcome! Come you to Adversity?  
Welcome true Friends; why, there is Faith on Earth;  
Of Thousand Servants, Friends, and Followers,  
Yet two are left: Your Countenance, methinks,  
Gives Comfort, and new Hopes.  Epap. 
Do not deceive your Thoughts,  
My Lord, we bring no Comfort. Would we could.  
But the Last Duty to perform, and best  
We ever shall, a free Death to persuade,  
To cut off Hopes of Fiercer Cruelty,  
And Scorn more Cruel, to a Worthy Soul.  Neop. 
The Senate has decreed your Punishment,  
After the Fashion of our Ancestors;  
Which is, your Neck being locked in a Fork,  
You must be Whipped, and Scourged to Death.  Ner. 
The Senate thus decreed? They that so oft  
My Virtues flattered have, and Gifts of mine;  
My Government preferred to Ancient Times,  
And challenge Numa to compare with me:  
Have they so Horrible an End sought out?  
No, here I bear—  
That which shall prevent such Shame:  [Draws a Dagger 
This hand shall yet from that deliver me:  
And Faithful be alone unto its Lord.  
Alas, how sharp, and terrible is Death:  
O must I die, must now my Senses close?  
For ever die, and ne'er return again?  
Never more see the Sun, nor Heaven, nor Earth?  
Whither go I? What shall I be anon?  
What Horrid Journey wand'rest thou, my Soul,  
Under the Earth, in Dark, Damp, Dusky Vaults?  
Or shall I now to nothing be dissolved?  
My Fear's become my Hopes; O would I might.  
Me thinks I see the Boiling Phlegeton,  
The Dread and Terror of the Gods themselves,  
The Furies armed with Links, with Whips, with Snakes,  
And my own Furies, far more mad than they:  
My Mother, and those Troops of Slaughtered Friends;  
And now the Judge is brought unto the Throne,  
That will not lean unto Authority,  
Nor favour the Oppressions of the Great.  Stabs himself Epap. 
They are at hand: Hark you may hear the  
Noise.—  [A Shout, of Long live Galba, Emperor of Rome. Ner. 
O Rome, farewell; Farewell you theatres,  
Where I so oft with Popular Applause,  
Have won that Glory, which must shine no more.  [Dies Enter Romans, with Nimphidius bound. Rob. 
Thus die all Tyrants. Let the News be Carried  
To my Great Master: And the Tyrant's Body  
Thrown into Tiber; Let th'Aspiring Traitor,  
Nimphidius, straight to Galba be conveyed,  
To undergo the Vengeance due to Rebels.  
Nero, the Nobler Criminal, has the Nobler Destiny.  
Tyrants by Conquest have their Fall Decreed;  
But Traitors should by Execution Bleed.  [Exeunt.  
FINIS.  

EPILOGUE.  
IT is a Trick of late grown much in Vogue,  
When all are Killed, to raise an Epilogue.  
This, some Pert Rymer wittily contrived  
For a Surprise, whilst the Arch Wag believed;  
'Twould please You to see Pretty Miss revived.  
But, Gentlemen, the Case is altered new,  
We may be Dead,— and Damned too for all You:  
And therefore, just as my Poor Ghost came down,  
All the Elysian Shades began to frown;  
Told me, that I must there expect no Grace,  
Till I returned to You, and made my Peace.  
Faith, it is very hard, you cannot be  
Content to vex our frail Mortality:  
Damn all Our Plays, call Us Dull Jades, and Fools.  
That might content You:— Would You Damn Our Souls?  
I Gad, we'll ne'er endure't, I'll tell You that;  
To be thus used at this ill natured Rate.  
Nay, ne'er begin to bite your Lips and Fume;  
Not one of Us, but may be found at Home.  
If You'll have Satisfaction, when We're there,  
We are Ready for You; and come, faith, if You dare,