_Ner._ Let him be, I say. 1660 His servants will attend him. Return to table: We cannot spare you. _Par._ (_to Oct._) Honoured lady, be hopeful: For hath your noble brother e’er been taken Like this, he may recover. _Oct._ (_to Par._) Never— Never! O never! he is dead! I knew it! [_Going._ _Ner._ (_to Oct._) Heh, sit you down. What could you do, I pray? He will come round. _Oct._ Oh! I will follow him. [_Exit with servants who are carrying Brit._ _Petr._ (_to Par._) How happened it? _Par._ (_to Petr._) He drank a draught of wine Fresh mixed, and then fell back just as you saw. What think you? _Petr._ (_to Par._) Think you ’twas aught? 1670 _Par._ (_to Luc._) What think you? _Luc._ Impossible. _Dom._ (_aside_). He is poisoned. Yet my sister Was nothing privy to it. She is pale. _Ner._ Come, sit you down, aunt: come, Petronius, Lucan, be seated. Let not the horrid sight Unwhet your appetites. _Petr._ (_to Luc._) That was no fit. [_To Par._ He is dead. What if ’twere poison? Where’s the drink? _Par._ ’Twas hurried out. _Luc._ O God! _Ner._ (_to servts._) Serve out the wine. We all must need a bumper; ’tis most natural. I have known the mere revulsion to provoke In a strong man a seizure similar 1680 To that which frighted him. _Par._ (_aside_). ’Twould not amaze me, Had he such drink to cheer him. [_All refuse drink._ _Pop._ (_to Nero_). I will not drink. _Ner._ From my cup. _Pop._ Well, from thine. [_Drinks._ _Luc._ (_aside_). He is self-betrayed. _Ner._ Where were we? _Petr._ At the point where Cæsar made me Arbiter of his table. I shall ask To inaugurate my office. _Ner._ Do so, Petronius. _Petr._ Then know you are all dismissed. Let all go home, And for the prince’s safety offer up [_All rise._ What vows ye may unto the gods. Myself, I set the example, and go first. Come, Lucan. [_Going._ _Ner._ Eh! eh! yet thus ’tis best. Good night, Petronius, 1691 Thou hast spoken well; may the gods hear thy prayers. I wish you all good night. _In disorder of going curtain falls._ ACT · IV SCENE · 1 _The same. A public place. THRASEA and PRISCUS meeting._ _PRISCUS._ I was coming to your house. _THRASEA._ ’Tis well we meet. How went it in the senate? _Pr._ As you said. A message read from Nero. _Thr._ Seneca?