_Dom._ Think! do I think? I cannot speak of it. If ’tis suspicion, be it so—and yet... Well, thou hast seen my heart—even were my sister Kind I should not forgive: but seeing she works Against me still to drive me from the court, I put my strength with Cæsar, to disbarrass The palace of this plague. Say wilt thou aid me? 1180 _Par._ The favour Cæsar shows me binds me, lady, To have no thought but his; and if his mother Misses his love, ’tis not made up by mine. _Dom._ I’d have thee on my side whate’er I do. I have now contrived a scheme which hangs on thee To bring it home. _Par._ I will do anything That will not touch my life. _Dom._ She is hard to catch. Late, when she plotted with Britannicus, Though ’twas as clear as day, when brought to question She quite out-faced us all. _Enter Servant._ _SERVANT._ Madam, Seleucus 1190 The astrologer would speak with you. _Dom._ Admit him. [_Exit Servt._ Paris, I’ll tell thee later of my plans. Meanwhile keep close with Nero: let me hear Aught he lets fall that might advance our matter: Seleucus’ visit is a part of it; I’ll speak with him alone. _Par._ Madam, I go. [_Exit._ _Enter Seleucus._ _Dom._ How now, Seleucus? Foiled! _SELEUCUS._ I warned you, lady, How impotent and vain an arm hath truth Unhelped by art. _Dom._ Thou did’st but well, and now I shall lean more on thee. Hast thou persuaded 1200 Poppæa of her fortune? _Sel._ Ay, my lady, I promised her two Cæsars. _Dom._ Two! how two? _Sel._ A secret that of art; our divination Hath many such. The gods are favourable. _Dom._ Talk not to me of gods. One was enough; Yet the other matters not. Two Cæsars indeed! Most favourable gods!—See, here I give you Two hundred sesterces: but for that sum Require another service. _Sel._ I thank you, madam. _Dom._ Locusta hath been seen with Nero. _Sel._ Ah, 1210 How knew you that? _Dom._ Attend to what I say. I fear ’tis for Britannicus: the Empress, Ridding herself, cannot have quitted him. If ’tis his death is aimed at—and ’tis for thee To probe and reach the truth—then if ’tis possible Thou must prevent it. Go, give him a message, He must not sup with Cæsar if he is bid. Find you the probabilities, and lay The warning where is need. _Sel._ ’Twere a good office, lady.