_Petr._ Like the nurse in Seneca’s tragedy. _Par._ The tale I bring, my lords, is little suited To make your sport. _Petr._ No? _Ner._ This is excellent. 2011 _Pop._ I think he is in earnest. _Ner._ ’Tis his art. _Par._ I am a messenger now, and no actor, Sent by your royal aunt Domitia To unmask a thing, which, though the gods be praised That in discovery have wrought prevention, Is yet a damnèd plot.... _Ner._ (_rising_). A plot, a plot! [_All rise._ Stand off; stand off! a plot, thou say’st? a plot? _Pop._ (_aside to Nero_). Pray heaven this prove not now some fresh contrivance Of the empress. 2020 _Ner._ Stand all aside. Art thou in earnest? _Par._ Pardon me, Cæsar. Did this plot concern Less than thy life... _Ner._ My life! by all the gods, Speak but his name who dares. _Par._ Will Cæsar’s ear Grant me indulgence? _Ner._ Speak, fool, or thou diest. _Par._ The matter is disclosed by certain freedmen Engaged by the empress. _Ner._ Ah! _Pop._ (_to Nero_). Said I not so? _Ner._ Be this proved, ’tis the last. _Pop._ (_to Nero_). Ay, till the next. _Ner._ Paris, as thou would’st live another moment, Speak now but truth. _Par._ (_shows a paper_). See here the evidence. If Cæsar read this, ’twill give certain colour 2030 To worst suspicion. Here are writ the names. _Ner._ Read me the names. _Par._ Rubellius Plautus. _Ner._ Ha! Enough. I know ’tis true the villain’s blood Hath from Augustus equal claim with mine. Who else? _Par._ Balbillus and Arruntius Stella, With Fænius Rufus, and your royal mother, And some who ’scape the crime disclosing it. _Ner._ I’ll have their lives to-night. _Tig._ I pray now, Cæsar, Grant me this order. _Anic._ Or me. _Ner._ Nay, who are ye? Go, Tigellinus, fetch me Burrus hither. 2040 _Par._ I have his name set down with the conspiracy. _Ner._ Burrus? _Par._ ’Tis question of him, nothing certain. _Ner._ Escort him here unarmed; I’ll speak with him. _Tig._ Cæsar, I go. [_Exit._ _Ner._ Give me thy paper, sirrah. What have we here? [_Reads._ _Petr._ (_to Servt._) Call me my servant there. _Anic._ Wilt thou go?