_Agr._ I would be kind to friends; none will stand by you, 940 If you cast off those to whom most you owe. ’Twas first through him I came to seize the power That made you Cæsar. Look! you have lost a friend. Be wiser when I am gone. _Ner._ I have good friends, Burrus and Seneca: I trust them both. _Agr._ Cannot you read the cause why still they urge you To cast me off? _Ner._ ’Tis the disgrace they feel To see the empire managed by a woman. _Agr._ ’Tis the constraint they feel in all their actions Being overruled by me. Do you not see 950 They are my ministers, and you are ruled By them in all they counsel? Rid of me, They rule the world. Think you, when they have cast What was above them underneath their feet, They will have care to exalt what was below? _Ner._ They both are honest men; you chose them well. _Agr._ You are too trustful, Nero. As you love Your life, I say, be jealous of these men; These men that now would rule thee but to take The empire from thy hands. They may speak ill 960 Of me,—believe that if thou list,—but oh! If once they seem to encroach, delay not then; Hear no excuse nor explanation; strike, Kill them, I say, before they murder thee. _Ner._ But, mother, Seneca loves me. _Agr._ As a master Will love a pupil while he takes instruction. He’ll love you while you let him reign. Alas! I scarce dare leave you to him. You are too kind; Will shrink to use the sword as it is needful For one who rules to wield. _Ner._ You cannot think 970 These men would serve me so. _Agr._ What is my purpose? My life’s one object, my supreme ambition? Was’t not to raise thee where thou art, and now Is’t not to keep thee there? _Ner._ So once I thought. _Agr._ O think it yet. Look! there is none can love you, Nero, as I must love you; there’s not one Can guard you as I can. Have I not proved My power? While I am by you, it is yours. _Ner._ Stay then. _Agr._ O that it might be! _Ner._ Thou shalt not go. Resign thy outward power; be in all else 980 As heretofore. Forget what I suspected. Be still my mother. _Agr._ Alas! _Ner._ Yea, I will have it. _Agr._ It cannot be. _Ner._ Why not? _Agr._ Seneca, my son, Will not permit it. _Ner._ Who is Seneca To say me nay? _Agr._ Unless you join with me He will o’errule you. _Ner._ He shall not o’errule me.