CA. Nero returns.

_Enter a_ HERALD _gorgeously dressed, bearing
a silver wreath_

MESSENGER. From Nero unto Agrippina greeting!
He comes a victor from the chariot race.

[_Sounds of acclamation grow louder, the
crowd of_ NERO'S _friends and satellites
pours in: last comes NERO dressed as a charioteer._

AGRIPPINA. [_Touching_ CLAUDIUS' _body_.]
That music be a dirge: Caesar is dead.
[NERO _pauses wondering._
Claudius is dead. Reign thou. Ave Caesar!

[BURRUS _leads_ NERO _to back of platform, and
addresses the soldiers at back_.

BURRUS. Caesar is dead! Behold Caesar!

[_A great shout of_ 'NERO!' 'CAESAR!' _Meanwhile_ AGRIPPINA
_and_ SENECA _are listening close together. Discordant cries
are heard of_ 'BRITANNICUS!' _A slave or attendant on_ NERO
_scatters gold in the direction of these discordant cries,
which gradually subside, and are lost in one long shout of
'Nero, Imperator.'_ NERO _motions for silence_.

NERO. [_Turning to Court._] Behold this forest of uprisen spears,
Symbol of might! But I upon that might
Would not rely. You hail me Emperor--
Then hail me as an Emperor of peace.
First, I declare divinest clemency.
No deaths have I to avenge, no wrath to bribe,
No desperate followers clamouring for spoil;
Pardon from me may beautifully fall.
Next, I bestow full liberty of speech;
I will not sway a dumb indignant earth--
Emperor over the unuttered curse.
Were I myself the mark, I will not flinch.
Yet citizens, if freedom of the tongue
I grant, I'd wish less freedom of the feast.
Then all informers who lie life away
I'll heavily chastise; let no man think
With hinted scandal to employ mine ear.
Last, over all my earth be perfect trust,
That every tribe and people, dusk or pale,
Legions extreme and farthest provinces,
May know that this my hand which striketh down
The oppressor and the tyrant from his seat
Shall raise the afflicted and exalt the meek.
And if this burden grow too vast at times,
Then, mother, teach thy son to bear the load.

[_Exit Court._

AGRIPPINA. [_Rushing to embrace him. He is vested with the purple and
laurel wreath. The body of_ CLAUDIUS _is borne off. Exit_ BURRUS.
NERO _comes down._] Nero, thou art my son!

NERO. To rule the world.
How heavy is the sceptre of the earth!

AGRIPPINA. [_Coming down._] Nero, upon this arm behold I cl