_Lat._ Lo, my lord, I am one To dare what Burrus never dared. _Sen._ What’s that? _Lat._ The tyrant’s death. _Sen._ (_rising_). Ha! Now we have it! Seal your lips and depart.—And thou too, nephew, To seek to engage me! _Lat._ First, my lord; our safety. _Sen._ Alas, alas! Nay, leave me. I know nothing. Ye heard I did but guess. _Luc._ Thou didst guess right. _Sen._ Ye have wronged me, gentlemen, choosing to make me Privy to your distempered plots; but rightly Judged that I would not sacrifice your lives To save the monster’s. Nay: were Nero’s death God’s will, as yours it seems, I might rejoice. But in your scheme to whom would ye entrust The absolute power? If Nero be pulled down, Whom would ye bid us worship? The empire needs A god,—or, if not that, a godlike man, Plato’s philosopher for king. _Lat._ Agreed! ’Tis a philosopher we have chosen, sir. 530 _Luc._ Speak not to us of kings and emperors, uncle; Wé restóre the republic. _Sen._ Hey! Is’t Thrasea Ye would make emperor? _Luc._ Thrasea hath no wealth Nor favour with the people. _Sen._ Who is’t then That leads your dream a-dance? _Lat._ Sir, ’tis no dream. _Sen._ Who then? _Fla._ (_advancing_). Hail, Cæsar, hail! _Sen._ Why, man, what’s this? _Fla._ We choose thee Cæsar. _Luc._ We crown thee. _Lat._ Hail, great Cæsar! _Sen._ Me! madmen, me! Cæsar! me! I am retired ... And—oh! no—never. Who hath chosen me? Is this thy folly, nephew, when thou tell’st me My friends decrease? _Luc._ I said the truth: ’tis time Thou rise and rally them. We have a party. _Sen._ I have no party. _Luc._ We may count for yours All the republicans. Your oratory Will win the senate, and your wealth the people. Rufus is ours, and brings the guards; Vestinus, The consul, ours; here’s Lateranus with us, The consul designate; at Nero’s death Corbulo and the eastern army... ’Tis no party: ’Tis all except a party. _Sen._ Patience, nephew. 550 I weigh the names we count. I see . but . yet ... _Luc._ Nero once slain, ’tis needful for the hour To name an emperor. The pillaged world, That tasted five years of thy regence, loves thee; While those that would restore Rome’s public rule Will hail thy leadership. _Fla._ Princeps Senatus! _Sen._ Pray, how far hath this gone? _Luc._ I have sounded many, And found them eager if but thou assent. Yet none knows that we ask thee. _PRISCUS._ Thrasea knows.