_Par._ I went not to take part: But Fortune holding nature’s ruffians up, I took their pattern. _Sen._ Say, who did the deed? _Par._ I’ll tell thee what I saw. As forth we went, The coward Tigellinus, pale as death, In needless haste foremost where was no danger, Hurried us on so fast, that thro’ the street 3181 We scarce kept pace, but when he reached the wall Of the garden, and saw there the soldiers placed By Anicetus, knowing not their purpose, He shrank behind. These men being bidden seized The servants; then we entered, and with us Came the centurion. Within the room Sat Agrippina with a single maid, Who seeing the Admiral’s sword fled past us out: At which the Augusta called to her, ’Dost thou, Fulvia, desert me too?’ Then to the Admiral 3191 She spoke. ’If here thou comest to enquire From Cæsar of my health, know I am well, Recovered from my shock, and little hurt. But if, as your men’s looks would mean, ye are come Deeming that Cæsar wills that I should suffer The like I late escaped, know you mistake. ’Twas not of his contrivance, and my foe In this is his.’ None answered, and awhile Was such delay as makes the indivisible 3200 And smallest point of time various and broad; For Agrippina, when she saw her lie Fail of its aim, ventured no more, as knowing There was no wiser plea; but let her eyes Indifferently wander round her foes, Counting their strength. Then looked I to have seen Her spring, for her cheek swelled, and ’neath her robe Her foot moved; ay, and had she been but armed, One would have fallen. But if she had the thought She set it by, choosing to take her death 3210 With dignity. Then Anicetus raised His sword, and I fled out beyond the door To see no more. First Tigellinus’ voice, ’To death, thou wretch!’ then blows, but not a groan; Only she showed her spirit to the last, And made some choice of death, offering her body, ’That bare the monster,’ crying with that curse, ’Strike here, strike here!’ _Sen._ Alas, poor lady, Was that the end of thy unscrupulous, 3219 Towering ambition? Thou didst win indeed The best and worst of Fortune. _Bur._ Give her her due, Such courage as deserved the best, such crimes As make her death seem gentler than deserved. _Enter Nero between Anicetus and Tigellinus._