_Br._ Hast thou seen Burrus? _Agr._ He is thine enemy: no hope from him. _Br._ I would not have this spoken of as my hope. _Agr._ True, boy. I mentioned not thy name, and Nero, Being now persuaded thou art innocent, Forgives thee. Let the risk I ran for thee Be earnest of more good. 1410 _Br._ I thank thee for it. _Agr._ ’Tis nothing, this. Thou yet shalt reign. _Br._ I pray thee Draw me not into thy deep-plotted schemes That rush on guilt. If I have hope or wish, ’Tis but to live till the divorce be writ ’Twixt Cæsar and my sister: that is not long To wait; and then her exile, which must follow, If I may share, I think some days of peace May be in store for both. That is my hope, Not Rome, nor empire, but some tranquil spot Where innocence may dwell, and be allowed 1420 To be its own protection. _Agr._ Are you that fool? _Br._ I would none doubted it. _Agr._ Can it be possible That thou, who in thy veins hast the best blood Of Rome, should’st own so beggarly a spirit, And being the heir of all the world should’st wish Only to hide thy claim, so thou may’st live The life which broken-hearted slaves, and men Diseased and aged scarce prize? _Br._ I hear, I hear, And am not shamed. _Agr._ Nay, then I have more to say. _Br._ I too might say somewhat. Is it not strange, Thou being a lady, should’st possess a heart 1431 So fond of wrong, and blood, and wrathful deeds? _Agr._ Ah, ah! Thou thinkest that thou know’st me rightly, And yet would’st dare to taunt me, and to thwart My stablished purpose? Child, I say, remember The deeds thou castest in my teeth, and think Whether it were not much better now at last To side with me, and take the help I proffer. I have sworn to set thee on the throne; think twice Ere thou oppose my will. _Br._ Did’st thou not say 1440 Thou had’st persuaded Nero of my innocence? _Agr._ Say I was wrong. _Br._ Nay, thou wert right in that, Wrong now returning on disclaimed ambition. _Agr._ Art thou content to see thyself deposed, Thy sister thus dishonoured.... _Br._ Say no more. _Agr._ Consider! _Br._ Nay, I’ll not consider. _Agr._ Now This once again I bid thee, child, consider. Doubt not my power. _Br._ No more. I will not join thee.