_Nero_. The Senate thus decreed? they that so oft My vertues flattered have and guifts of mine, My government preferr'd to ancient times, And challenge[d] _Numa_ to compare with me,-- Have they so horrible an end sought out? No, here I beare which shall prevent such shame; This hand shall yet from that deliver me, And faithfull be alone unto his Lord. Alasse, how sharp and terrible is death! O must I die, must now my senses close? For ever die, and nere returne againe, Never more see the Sunne, nor Heaven, nor Earth? Whither goe I? What shall I be anone? What horred iourney wandrest thou, my soule, Under th'earth in darke, dampe, duskie vaults? Or shall I now to nothing be resolv'd? My feares become my hopes; O would I might. Me thinkes I see the boyling _Phlegeton_ And the dull poole feared of them we feare, The dread and terror of the Gods themselves; The furies arm'd with linkes, with whippes, with snakes, And my owne furies farre more mad then they, My mother and those troopes of slaughtred friends. And now the Iudge is brought unto the throne, That will not leave unto Authoritie Nor favour the oppressions of the great! 1 _Rom_. These are the idle terrors of the night, Which wise men (though they teach) doe not beleeve, To curbe our pleasures faine[d] and aide the weake. 2 _Rom_. Deaths wrongfull defamation, which would make Us shunne this happy haven of our rest, This end of evils, as some fearefull harme. 1 _Rom_. Shadowes and fond imaginations, Which now (you see) on earth but children feare. 2 _Rom_. Why should our faults feare punishment from them? What doe the actions of this life concerne The tother world, with which is no commerce? 1 _Rom_. Would Heaven and Starres necessitie compell Us to doe that which after it would punish? 2 _Rom_. Let us not after our lives end beleeve More then you felt before it. _Nero_. If any words had[95] made me confident And boldly doe for hearing others speake Boldly, this might.[96] But will you by example Teach me the truth of your opinion And make me see that you beleeve yourselves? Will you by dying teach me to beare death With courage? 1 _Rom_. No necessitie of death Hangs ore our heads, no dangers threaten us Nor Senates sharpe decree nor _Galbaes_ arms. 2 _Rom_. Is this the thankes, then, thou dost pay our love? Die basely as such a life deserv'd; Reserve thy selfe to punishment, and scorne Of Rome and of thy laughing enemies. [_Exeunt_. _Manet Nero_. _Nero_. They hate me cause I would but live. What was't You lov'd, kind friends, and came to see my death? Let me endure all torture and reproach That earth or _Galbaes_ anger can inflict; Yet hell and _Rodamanth_ are more pittilesse. _The first Romane to him_. _Rom_. Though not deserv'd, yet once agen I come To warne thee to take pitie on thy selfe. The troopes by the Senate sent descend the hill And come. _Nero_. To take me and to whip me unto death! O whither shall I flye?