_Ruf._ With anger I turn pale, that in your presence A traitor should defame me. _Ner._ Be cool, sir: Thou wast suspected, now accused thou art. Thou hast but one appeal: In thy worst case 2423 ’Tis to thy friends (_pointing to accused_). _Ruf._ Call not those men my friends. _Ner._ I’ll see. Speak, traitors all; was Rufus with you? _Luc., Sce., and others._ He was. He is guilty. _Ner._ Arrest the judge. _Ruf._ Who dares? What officer of mine dares raise his hand Against his general? _CASSIUS._ That will I, my lord; Knowing that thou deservest more than all. _Ruf._ Help! help!—(_To Flavus._) Now, man, strike now or never. _Fla._ Hush! I am the last. (_Rufus is seized after a struggle._) _Ner._ (_stepping down_). Now will I mount myself the judge’s seat. (_Fla. rushes forward to stab Nero._) _Ner._ Ha! Murder! (_Tigellinus, who has watched Flavus, intercepts him. Flavus is seized._) _Tig._ Clear the Court! _The inner line of Guards faces outwards, and all present except the prisoners are driven from centre into the wings, and the court begins to clear._ Ner. (_to Flavus, who is held before him_). Who art thou, sir? _Fla._ A tribune and an honest soldier, Cæsar; And none more faithful, while you well deserved. But I began to hate you from the day You killed your mother, and debased yourself, Performing to the people: and I am freed From all my oaths, by all the gods in heaven, With all the world; and sworn with half the world To kill thee or be killed. _Ner._ Fool! I shall kill thee, With thy half world, and rule the other half. (_The curtain fells, or scene shuts across._) SCENE ·• 4 _A room in the palace. Enter Tigellinus._ _TIGELLINUS._ Rufus, my rival, is condemned to die: The city troops are mine: I am secure: Cæsar I hold by flattery, Rome by force. Sophronius Tigellinus of Agrigentum! Of Agrigentum,—well done! be content. Thou hast the second place in all the world, And rulest the first; while of thine envious foes, Sulla, Plautus, and Piso, all three are dead: 2450 A few remain: but on the Spaniard Seneca Shall the Sicilian eagle swoop to-night, As on a flying hare. Poppæa, in this My keen ally, hunts with me eagerly. _Enter Nero and Poppæa._ Hail, mighty Cæsar! fairest Augusta, hail! (_They salute._) The assassin hath not hurt thy spirits? _NERO._ Fear not, I have dined. _Tig._ Dined well, I pray the gods.