_Ner._ Nay, now thou’rt changed, thou’rt wrong: thou goest round To the other side. If thou would’st give the advice I need, I’d take it gladly. Listen, Burrus: 2161 I have another secret; if I tell thee Thou may’st befriend me. I will tell thee. Hark! ’Tis this: I fear my mother; I cannot sound Her heartlessness; my terror shames the shows And feeble efforts of my trust and love. I have read her eyes— Oh, there’s no tenderness, no pious scruple Writ in my favour there; nothing but hate. To think that I am her son but whets to fierceness Her fury, and her hellish plots are laid 2171 More recklessly and safely that she deems I am not knit of that obdurate nerve To sear the tender place of natural love. I would not do it, Burrus, though I fear her And hate her, as I must; but let it end Ere it be worse. I pray thee do it, Burrus. _Bur._ The cause of fear is magnified by terror: The present circumstance were amply met By Agrippina’s exile, which I urge, 2180 As ever, now. But let such sentence rest On proven crime. _Ner._ Oh, thus were ne’er an end. Done, we stand clear. _Bur._ Thus done, ’twere a foul crime: And if you have found remorse in what before Was schemed in fear and haste, consider, Cæsar, If you would thank me for subserviency Did I obey; for your sake I refuse. _Ner._ Eh! _Bur._ I refuse. _Ner._ I have other friends. _Bur._ So be it. Take my demission. But remember, Cæsar, That he who fills my place, handles the power 2190 That holds you up; he that hath strength to help May find the will to hurt you. _Ner._ I meant not that. I trust thee, Burrus: I’ll be guided by thee. What wilt thou do? _Bur._ The wisest course is thus: To-morrow Seneca and I will go With chosen witnesses to Agrippina, And lay the charge. If she draw quit of it, Well; but if not, I promise that her place Shall not win favour of me. _Ner._ Dost thou promise? _Bur._ I promise that. _Ner._ And if there be a doubt, 2200 Thou’lt wrest it to my side? _Bur._ I promise that. _Ner._ ’Tis death. _Bur._ Ay, death. _Ner._ If that be thy last word I am free. I would I had more such friends as thou. But bring it not back; take all my power. Thou saidst I had no cause for fear? _Bur._ What should you fear? _Ner._ I think thou’rt right. _Bur._ Now, Cæsar, I will leave you. Your spirits are much moved.