_Pis._ Stay, man; consider How I have trusted my life to your action; And what ye have done with it: my stake in this Compares no more with thine than does my prize In the success with thine: I should be Cæsar, Thou Flavus still: so, if we fail, I suffer In like degree, my family dishonoured, My rich estates cónfiscate, my innocent, Honest dependants, whom I count by thousands, All plunged in misery: to them my duties Forbid this reckless hazard.—Return to Rufus, And say so much. I utter no reproach ’Gainst thee nor any other; I forgive What reproach thou didst hint. I know thou’rt brave; Thou hast wished well, and I with thee; but now Our ill-built ship founders. I am your captain; My word is each man for himself: my part I shall act no less bravely, that I see All goes to the bottom. _Fla._ Defer, my lord, to the last. I’ll save you if I may. I will go armed To the trial. _Pis._ Act for thyself; think not of me. Now bear my word to Rufus. Go this way. [_Exit, showing Flavus out._ SCENE ·• 3 _The previous scene withdraws and discovers an open court of the palace disposed for the trial, the seats in a half-circle. Nero’s at centre, back, the seat for the Judge at left front: the raised platform for the accused at right front. Guards behind NERO, and lining the half-circle._ _Enter LUCAN, FLAVUS and ASPER_ (L.). _They stand talking under cover of Judge’s seat. Guards and most of audience are assembled._ _LUCAN._ Rufus will do his best: trust we to Rufus To minimize the matter; ’tis his interest. _FLAVUS._ If Cæsar come unguarded, I will kill him. _ASPER._ I will stand by thee. Is Lateranus here? _Luc._ He said he should not come. I pray you both Wait: let us first see who is betrayed. _Fla._ Go thou, And wait thy death. (_Lucan goes to his place._) _Asp._ Let us die bravely, Flavus; ’Tis all we can. (_Coming forward to centre._) _Fla._ We will. Ah, see! he is guarded. 2200 _Enter_ R. _Nero, Tigellinus and Rufus; preceded by Guards, who thrust Flavus and Asper back, making passage for Cæsar._ _NERO_ (_at centre_). Here is our court. I love the open air: It savours more of justice, heavenly justice; And while we sit, we breathe. Rufus, ascend. (_Showing Judge’s seat._) Cæsar is plaintiff, and in his own cause Might bear a bias: so I make thee judge. My counsel, Tigellinus, sit by me. (_They sit._) _Fla._ (_to Asp._) I’ll not despair. I’ll keep my dagger ready. Be near him if I rush. (_Asper takes a seat on Rufus’ proper left._) _Ner._ Is it in order. Rufus, That I speak first? _RUFUS._