Enter a servant to them.

Servant.  My Lord, the Stage and all the furniture—­

Nero.  I have no skill to drive a Chariot! 
Had he but robde me, broke my treasurie: 
The red-Sea’s mine, mine are the Indian stones,
The Worlds mine owne; then cannot I be robde? 
But spightfully to undermine my fame,
To take away my arte! he would my life
As well, no doubt, could he tould (tell?) how.

Enter Tigellinus with Proculus head.

Neoph.  My Lord, Tigellinus is backe come with Proculus head.
                                    (Strikes him.)

Nero.  O cry thee mercie, good Neophilus; Give him five hundred sesterces for amends.  Hast brought him, Tigellinus?

Tigell.  Heres his head, my Lord.

Nero.  His tongue had bin enough.

Tigell.  I did as you commanded me, my Lord.

Nero.  Thou toldst not me, though, he had such a nose![21]
Now are you quiet and have quieted me: 
This tis to be commander of the World. 
Let them extoll weake pittie that do neede it,
Let meane men cry to have Law and Iustice done
And tell their griefes to Heaven that heares them not: 
Kings must upon the Peoples headlesse courses
Walk to securitie and ease of minde. 
Why, what have we to doe with th’ayrie names
(That old age and Philosophers found out)
Of Iustice and ne’re certaine Equitie? 
The God’s revenge themselves and so will we;
Where right is scand Authoritie’s orethrowne: 
We have a high prerogative above it. 
Slaves may do what is right, we what we please: 
The people will repine and think it ill,
But they must beare, and praise too, what we will.

    Enter Cornutus[22] to them.

Neoph.  My Lord, Cornutus whom you sent for’s come.

Nero.  Welcome, good Cornutus. 
Are all things ready for the stage,
As I gave charge?

Corn.  They only stay your coming.

Nero. Cornutus, I must act to day Orestes.

Corn.  You have done that alreadie, and too truely. (Aside.)

Nero.  And when our Sceane is done I meane besides
To read some compositions of my owne,
Which, for the great opinion I my selfe
And Rome in generall of thy Judgment hath,
Before I publish them Ile shew them thee.

Corn.  My Lord, my disabilities—­

Nero.  I know thy modestie: 
Ile only shew thee now my works beginning.—­
Goe see, Epaphroditus,
Musick made ready; I will sing to day.—­ [Exit Epa. 
Cornutus, I pray thee come neere
And let me heare thy Judgement in my paynes. 
I would have thee more familiar, good Cornutus;
Nero doth prise desert and more esteemes
Them that in knowledge second him, then power. 
Marke with what style and state my worke begins.