to Baiae!

MYRRHA. Thence the Emperor
Hath sent three messengers already.

POPPAEA. Ah!
Blue Baiae, warm beside a sparkling sea
Where I will win young Nero--and the world!

_Enter_ OTHO _hastily_

OTHO. The Emperor hath sent three messengers
Demanding you for Baiae: yet am I
Not asked: what means this lonely summons, wife?

POPPAEA. Can you not trust me?

OTHO. When I gaze on you,
'Yes'--when your voice is murmuring at my ear,
'Yes'--but at times when I am pressed by crowds
Or yearn alone beside the breaking wave----

POPPAEA. Will you not trust me? Why then do I go?
Is't for myself? You know well--'tis for you;
To praise the Emperor's verses--but for you;
To applaud his feeblest gesture--but for you;
To coax from him a kingdom--but for you!
Yet are you angered.

OTHO. 'Tis a perilous game.
Nero may ask more of your loveliness.

POPPAEA. A woman may surrender inch by inch
Even to the edge of shame: then sudden rise
Unmelting ice.

OTHO. Poppaea, I like it not.

POPPAEA. All is for you.

_Enter an_ OFFICER _with_ ATTENDANTS

OFFICER. Sir, from the Emperor.
Thus Caesar saith: 'Hereby do we decree
Otho, our bosom's friend, sole governor
Of Lusitania: with imperial leave
Whom to appoint, dismiss: all revenues
In his control: thither let him proceed
To-morrow ere sunset.'

OTHO. [_Looking at_ POPPAEA, _then turning to_ OFFICER.]
I shall obey.

[_Exit_ OFFICER _and_ OTHERS.

Dismiss the slaves.

POPPAEA. Otho, I swear----

OTHO. Dismiss them.

POPPAEA. Myrrha, stay by me! On my knees I swear----

OTHO. Stand up! You knew this?

POPPAEA. Dear, I never could----

OTHO. [_Taking her by the arm._] You go to Baiae into Caesar's arms.
I am--promoted--to the ends of the earth,
Anywhere, anywhere, so I be not there
To interrupt.

[_He throws her from him--snatches his dagger._

POPPAEA. Kill me then if you will.
Here--here! I will not flinch, so I die true.
You'll not suspect my corpse.

OTHO. It has been planned,
Thought out, and timed--for in his deepest plot
Our Nero has an eye for drama still.
He hath imagined that which now we act.

POPPAEA. Kill me--I love you! Ere you strike, one kiss.

OTHO. Ah! [_Recoiling._]

POPPAEA. But one kiss--a kiss of olden days,
When we two were most happy: Caesar w