Taketh our breath on a sudden; or she glides
Silent, from head to foot a glimmering pearl.
But this is woman's business: 'tis not so
To listen screened to the ambassadors,
To ride abroad with Nero charioted,
Or wear her head upon the public coins.

TIGELLINUS. And she intends this very day to hear
The Briton, seated by the Emperor's side.
Otho has joined her too.

SENECA. But from what cause?

TIGELLINUS. He is married.

BURRUS. Ah, Poppaea!

TIGELLINUS. Jealousy
Hath driven him into Agrippina's snare.
Fury at Nero's madness for his wife.
Now what if we could raise Poppaea up
As Agrippina's chief antagonist:
We match the mistress 'gainst the mother--pit
Passion 'gainst gratitude--a sudden lure
'Gainst old ascendency, the noon of beauty
Against the evening of authority,
The luring whisper 'gainst the pleading voice,
The hand that beckons 'gainst the arm that sways,
And set a woman to defeat a woman.
To Nero I have whispered that she dotes
Upon his poems, on his rhythm hangs,
And cannot sleep for beauty of his verse.

SENECA. This day must Nero leave his mother's lap,
And stand up as an Emperor, and alone.

[_Trumpet._

BURRUS. Hark! Caesar is returning.

[_Sounds heard of_ NERO _approaching amid cries of 'O thou Apollo!'
'Orpheus come again!' Then enter NERO with a group of satellites,_
TIGELLINUS, OTHO, _and professional applauders and spies. His dress is
of extreme oriental richness, and profuse in jewels: his hair
elaborately curled. He carries an emerald eye-glass, and appears faint
from the exertion of singing, from which contest he has just come._

NERO. This languor is the penalty the gods
Exact from those whom they have gifted high.

SENECA. [_Coming forward._] Sir, late arrived
from Parthia and Britain----

NERO. [_Starting up._] A draught!
[_Much hurry, zeal, and confusion among courtiers._
This kerchief closer round my throat!
[_They tie a kerchief round his throat._
Was I in voice to-day? The prize is won,
But I would be my own competitor
And my own rival. Was I then in voice?

CHORUS. O Memnon struck with morning, nightingale,
Ghost-charming Orpheus, O Apollo--god!

SATELLITE. O Caesar, I am one who speaks right out;
If it means death, yet must I speak the truth.
Thy voice was harsh.

NERO. Was it so, friend?

SATELLITE. Harsh and uncertain.