ot for Caesar.

POPPAEA. For Caesar! No: but Caesar means the world!
For Baiae! The new gold-dust!

MAID. Here, I have it.

POPPAEA. Bear it yourself--entrust it to no other.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE III

NERO'S PRIVATE CHAMBER _in the villa at Baiae, looking directly upon
the bay. Left, doors leading into the apartments. The water laps
close up to the marble quay or terrace on which the action takes place.
Right are seen prows of galleys at their moorings. Beyond is the
curving shore of the bay, crowded with villas and temples. The scene
is of extreme southern richness and serenity. Time noon_

[NERO _is pacing restlessly to and fro. Enter a servant._

NERO. The lady Poppaea! Is she yet arrived?

SERVANT. Sir, an hour since.

NERO. [_Impatiently._] Then why is she not here?

[_Exit_ SERVANT.

An hour since: yet she lingers while I ache
With passion. She comes not, still she delays.
To fly to her? No, 'twere unworthy of me----
And yet, and yet--Ah! I must go to her.

_Enter slaves bearing_ POPPAEA _on litter_

POPPAEA. [_Standing aloof and veiled._]
Caesar, by thee thrice summoned, I am here.
What is your will?

NERO. To have you at my side.

POPPAEA. Caesar, I am thy subject, and obeyed
Unwillingly.

NERO. Unwillingly?

POPPAEA. I come
In loyalty: what service can I render?
If none, then suffer me now to depart.
I tremble to be seen with thee alone;
No whisper yet has touched me.

NERO. So you come,
But out of loyalty.

POPPAEA. As fits thy subject.

NERO. No, I am thine!

POPPAEA. Caesar, I will not hear,
I must not if I would--that you know well.

NERO. You come in cold obedience?

POPPAEA. I have said so.
Yet----

NERO. [_Eagerly._] Well--well----

POPPAEA. Nero--nay, Caesar--my lord.

NERO. Nero, I'd have you say.

POPPAEA. That slipped from me--
Is't treason? I know nothing of the laws.

NERO. You come because thrice summoned?

POPPAEA. In my mind
There lurked another reason for my coming.

NERO. What then?

POPPAEA. A thought that like a captive bird
I have kept warm about my heart so long
I am loth to let it fly forth to the cold.

NERO. [_Approaching her._] Tell me this thought.

POPPAEA. Then, Caesar, I have long
Brooded upon the music of thy verse.
It doth bese