For pleasures sake to see the flames arise, I causde that _Rome_ should then on fire bee set, And for to feede therewith my gazing eyes, On high _Mæcenas_ Towre to stand I get: So, sixe dayes fire and seauen nights waste I let, And sang there while, beholding it with ioy, The _Iliades_ sweete of _Græcians_ burning _Troy_. 7. Then I restraynd that no man should resort To th’ ruines great, when as the fire was past; Nor should therefrom the reliques left transport, But to my selfe reserude them all at last: The marchaunts causelesse from their goods I cast, And _Senatours_ depriude of all that ere they had,[1013] Some slaine, the rest with life alone to scape[1014] were glad. 8. Still out the sword to slay all sortes I drewe, My mother could not scape amongst them free; My brother deare, and sisters eke I slewe, And of my wiues likewise a two or three: My kinsemen eke I kild of each degree, Reioysing in so heynous bloudshed still, Nought else with _Nero_ then but, kill, them kill. 9. And for that _Seneca_ mee counsayle gaue, (My tutour good in youth) to leaue my vice, I bad him choose what death him likte to haue, Which now should pay, for then, my stripes the price: In water warme to stand was his deuice, And there to bleede a milde and gentle death, Euen so I causde them reaue his vitall breath. 10. So with almighty _Ioue_ I gan to warre, The Christians good I did torment and sley, Commaunding all my subiects neare and farre, Their liues and goods to spoyle and take away; Which they accomplisht strayght without delay, Both _Paul_ and _Peter_, Christe’s disciples twayne, Th’Apostles, both by mine edict were slayne. 11. But what endureth long that’s violent? The thunder seemes some time to teare the skies, At seas full oft the stormes are vehement, To cloudes alofte the wales[1015] and waters rise, Soone after th’ayre is cleare, [and calme] the water lyes: Experience eke the same and prouerbes[1016] old doe showe, Eache storme will haue his calme, [and spring tide, ebbe full lowe.][1017] 12. For when I went about to stroy[1018] the state, And all the _Romaynes_ noble fame t’obscure; The _Senate_ all, and people did mee hate, And sought which way they might my death procure: I could no longer mine outrage endure,[1019] They mee proclaymde a foe to publique weale, By night forsooke of all, was forst away to steale.[1020] 13.