_NERO_: O, too lenient is the band of my soldiers and my anger after such a great wrong, since civilian blood has not quenched the torches burning for us and since Rome which produced such a monster does not reek with the blood of the people. The wicked crime of the common people deserves more severe punishment. But let that woman who has stirred up rebellion among the citizens and whom I have always suspected though she was wife and sister, too--let her die by my wrath and let her extinguish my anger in her own blood. Let the walls of the city perish in my flames. Let disgraceful poverty, hunger, and cruel sorrow destroy a hated nation. Great crowds corrupted by the prosperity of the times run riot; moderation does not please it, nor can it endure a peaceful reign, but it is borne hither by restless audacity, and is hurled thither by its own temerity. Misfortune must govern it; a heavy yoke must always crush it down lest it should dare to compare me with former rulers and to conspire against my wife. Crushed by fear of punishment, the people will learn to obey the will of its own leader. But I see a man coming whose singular loyalty and remarkable fidelity have placed him in command of my legions. _PREFECT_: I announce that the uprising of the people is checked by the death of a few who long rashly resisted. _NERO_: And is this all? Dost thou, a soldier, thus obey thy leader’s commands? Why dost thou cease thy endeavors? Is this the vengeance due me? _PREFECT_: The leaders of the rebellion have fallen. _NERO_: Why have not all perished who dared to seek my palace with torches, to lay down the law to the emperor, to remove such a wife from my couch, and to dishonor her in every way? Shall they escape richly deserved punishment? _PREFECT_: Will thy indignation prepare punishment for thy own citizens? _NERO_: It will prepare a punishment which will never be forgotten. _PREFECT_: Let thy wrath, not our fear, restrain us. _NERO_: The first age which has deserved my wrath shall expiate it. _PREFECT_: Disclose what thy anger demands so that we may punish the culprit. _NERO_: It demands my sister’s death and her severed head. _PREFECT_: Chilling horror holds me spellbound. _NERO_: Dost thou hesitate to obey? _PREFECT_: Why dost thou doubt my loyalty? _NERO_: Because thou art merciful to an enemy. _PREFECT_: Should a woman receive this name? _NERO_: She incites crime. _PREFECT_: Who is it who accuses her? _NERO_: The wrath of the people against me. _PREFECT_: Who can rule the frenzied crowd? _NERO_: She who influenced it. _PREFECT_: I do not think anyone could. _NERO_: A woman whose mind is naturally inclined to evil has inflamed their hearts with evil plans to injure me. _PREFECT_: But she refused their aid.