_Ner._ I wish that thou couldst sing: Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once, When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm, How I diverted thee with sprightly music? Then I should love if, when I came to see thee, I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber.... (_Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily._) Who’s there? (_Vatinius gives a note to Nero._) (_Reads._) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from Naples With secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’ (_To Vat._) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady, Whichever is most secret—or all three. [_Exit Vat._ (_To Poppæa, who is going._) Thou needst not go, love. _Pop._ Why! if ’tis a lady. _Ner._ Pooh! ’tis some state affair. _Pop._ I hate affairs. [_Exit._ _Ner._ Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly! And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn To rid the world of this and all its plagues! 1805 _Enter Tigellinus with Proculus and Epicharis; Vatinius following._ _Ner._ Good-day, Lord Proculus; what brings you here? _PROCULUS._ Forgive the intrusion, Cæsar. _Ner._ The lady’s looks Are ample excuse. You ask leave to be married? _Pro._ Nay, Cæsar; I accuse her. _Ner._ Bravo! divorce? _TIGELLINUS_ (_aside to Nero_). His story is urgent. _Ner._ What is it? _EPICHARIS._ Mighty Cæsar, This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish charge Not worth your ear. I have a witness with me Would make short matter of it, might he enter. _Ner._ By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back? His name? _Ep._ Senecio. _Ner._ Good. We know him, lady. Vatinius, fetch him in. (_Exit Vat._) What is the charge? _Pro._ This woman, sire.... _Ner._ (_interrupting_). What is thy name, fair lady? _Ep._ Epicharis, your majesty. _Pro._ This lady Was known to me at Naples. _Ner._ I understand: Spare your excuses. _Pro._ At a tavern. _Ner._ Ho! You sailors! (_Vat. re-enters with Senecio._) (_To Epicharis_) See your witness, lady, is come. _Pro._ She took occasion of her intimacy To draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life. _Ner._ Ha! _Pro._ Entrusted by conspirators at Rome Three days ago to tamper with me. _Ner._ By heaven! And thou dost laugh? (_to Epic._) _Ep._ Will Cæsar hear the end? _Ner._ (_to Pro._). Give me the names at once. _Pro._ I know no names, Cæsar; she would not tell. _Ner._ No names? and whom Wert thou then to conspire with?