_Ep._ First bring the officers whose names are here (_Giving a paper_) To meet me here to-night. Then I shall see Who is to trust. _Pro._ (_reading the paper_). Give me the names of those Who sent thee. _Ep._ In good time. _Pro._ I would not harm thee. _Ep._ Thou canst not. _Pro._ See, Epicharis, I’ll help thee Out of this mischief. Give me up the names, And thou shalt be informer. _Ep._ Ah, Proculus, Play not that part; thou that so oft in secret Hast cursed the tyrant to me; now play not That part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus, To the nobleness within thee, that hast not only A heart sufficient, but in face and figure Lookest the hero: thou that mightest stand For a statue of Brutus, and outdo the man As nature made him: Be thou from this day Named with the noblest; Proculus the brave, Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and delivered Romans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thou Be Proculus the futile; Proculus, Who aided first infamous Anicetus To murder Agrippina, and then perceiving Remorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool, Sought to win favour of the parricide,— And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,— And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved, 1725 On the eve of liberty? _Pro._ That day’s not come. Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety. To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome: In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar. Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free, And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready In one hour hence. [_Exit._ _Ep._ Ah, wretched Roman slave, Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way; Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too, If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus: He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest. But what care I for thee? what is’t to me That Piso be set up on Nero’s throne? Only make void that throne, only tear out That monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus, I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my tale Ready, and false Senecio for my witness. Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour. [_Exit._ SCENE ·• 2 _A street in Rome._ _Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS._ _SCEVINUS._ No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it. I am sworn. _LATERANUS._ Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet. _Sce._ I know there’s not a man among you all Durst risk his life but I. I have made my will: I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies, Dies by this hand to-day. _NATALIS._