_Ner._ Not so. My chief object Remains, and my chief witness.—(_To Tig._) Where is Epicharis? _Tig._ I see a litter passing ’neath the trees. _Ner._ Meet them, and bring her in.— [_Exit Tigellinus._ I now produce a woman in the court. Her name Epicharis: she lives at Naples, And there was used by the conspirators To tamper with the navy: the Admiral Arrested her; but she, being charged before me, Turned off suspicion with a specious tale, Which I more readily believed, because I hate informers, nor will lightly think 2350 Evil of anyone. Senecio Confirmed her story, but hath since confessed He knew it false: himself, as he affirms, Was not in Piso’s confidence; this woman Knew all. Now Piso towards Senecio Trusted too much in trusting but a little, Trusting Epicharis much he trusted well: For in the extreme of torture she hath not flinched, Nor given a sound: but seeing her silence now Confuted by so many tongues, she hath yielded, And promised to speak truth. See, here she is. _During this speech Epicharis has been borne in on the litter, and is set down at the centre of the stage._ Her speech shall now unmask what traitorous faces Still screen their villany. _Ruf._ A woman, Cæsar; And in the pangs of torture, and fear of death! What evidence is this? _Ner._ What would ye object? _Ruf._ Shall Romans have their free lives played with thus? _Ner._ What puts thee in fear? Silence!—Epicharis, I bid thee now speak truth before the court. Piso is dead. Thou seest thy comrades taken. Truth may not save thy life: yet speak the truth As thy last hope. Let no man interrupt her. _EPICHARIS_ (_speaks from the litter_).