_Pro._ She would tell Nothing of her confederates, unless I brought together certain officers, Whose loyalty I know suspicious. _Ner._ Dost thou? By God, I’ll have théir names. _Pro._ I was to sail to Rome, And seize the granaries. _Ner._ Enough. Now, madam; What dost thou answer? _Ep._ If Cæsar need an answer To a charge so empty, ’tis enough to say I have never been in Rome. _Ner._ ’Tis not enough. Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the sense He avers? _Ep._ I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardon For jesting with his name. _Ner._ Thou didst? and why? _Ep._ Here is my witness; Lord Senecio Will say that my story is true. Holding with him Some talk of Proculus, I laid a wager That I could make the Admiral believe Anything, no matter how ridiculous: And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in, And if I went too far, ’twas in my fear To lose my money. _Ner._ Is this so, Senecio? _SENECIO._ ’Twas so, sire; I backed the Admiral, and lost. _Ner._ (_to Proc._). You sailors are so clumsy. You are a fool. _Pro._ Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest: She would outface me. _VATINIUS._ As Octavia did That old sea-mutton Anicetus. _Tig._ Hish! _Ner._ First, sir, Send me these same suspicious officers. Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy tale So much respect,—she goes not free. (_To Tig._) Good master, Keep her in custody. _Ep._ (_aside to Proculus_). Hear me! I warn thee. Join, or be first to die! _Pro._ Now, Cæsar, again She invites me to conspire. _Ner._ Come, man; she mocks thee: She hath won the privilege. (_To Tig._) Take her away; But treat her well. You follow me: I go To judge the cases argued yesterday. No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest, When others are all jesting. [_Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus and Vatinius with Nero._ SCENE ·• 4 _A room in Piso’s house._ _Enter PISO with NATALIS._ _PISO_ (_at door_). Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them. [_Exit Nat._ ’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five, Five of them here together! ’tis enough To damn an innocent: mere information By any vagabond. Why should they come? _Re-enter Natalis with Rufus, Lateranus, Lucan, Flavus and Asper._ Come in, my lords; come in. _All._ Good-day, Lord Piso.