’Twas my just counterpoise of warring forces Ensured stability. Here Agrippina, Saved from her own ambition in the splendour Of her son’s estate, serves in his interest To guard Britannicus, whom else he had feared. The boy, in favour of his sister’s title, Sinks his own right. Then Nero’s youthful passions, Growing to hatred of Octavia’s bed, 460 Are stayed at equilibrium, as my judgment And knowledge of the world enables me; And all goes well, when an important factor, The empress, rounds, and plays me false to her motive, As here assumed, and vitiates with that flaw The nice adjustment of each several item.— I go to expound you this; you scarce attend, Or answer with an oath. _Bur._ A pious prayer To extricate you from a world of trouble. _Sen._ O, I can do it, Burrus, trust to me. 470 I place them all as chessmen, and I find Delight in difficulty: but ’tis hard, When one has chosen, strengthened a position, To change the value of a piece. I think Much of your judgment, and I ask you now What you would do. I must decide to-day. _Bur._ Why must? _Sen._ As if you knew not. _Bur._ If your art Be to adapt yourself to every change.... _Sen._ You know ’tis not. I say, should Nero now Banish his mother? _Bur._ Hark ye, Seneca, 480 If you remember, I foresaw this trouble. I know no remedy, nor is’t my office To arrange the affairs of the palace, gods be praised. But this is clear to me, that our three friends Will never live together: what I urge Is, separate them: if you cannot that, We must not stick in balance when they break. Whene’er that happens, our pre-eminent duty Lies in our oath to Cæsar, and our second 489 May be his mother’s pleasure, to whose schemes We owe our place. [_Knocking heard._ _Sen._ Who’s there? come in. _Enter Servant._ _SERVANT._ The Augusta Has come in private, and desires an audience. _Sen._ Again, you see, the Augusta. _Bur._ Eh! I’ll be off. _Sen._ One moment, pray. (_To Servt._) Beg her be pleased to enter. [_Exit Servt._ Burrus, I adjure you not to go, your presence May moderate her passion: or, if not, ’Twere best you saw it. _Bur._ Well, all’s one to me. _Enter Agrippina._ _AGRIPPINA._ Be not surprised that I so soon return: I have repented. Ha! the general here! Thou seest me, Burrus, on a woman’s errand. 500 Nay, no apology; thou hast o’erheard My merit, not my fault.