Lucan.  O that this noble courage had bin shewne Rather on enemies breasts then on thy owne.

Scevin.  But sacred and inviolate be thy will,
And let it lead and teach us. 
This sword I could more willingly have thrust
Through Neroes breast; that fortune deni’d me,
It now shall through Scevinus.

[Exeunt.

(SCENE 3.)

Enter Tigellinus solus.

What multitudes of villaines are here gotten
In a conspiracy, which Hydra like
Still in the cutting off increaseth more. 
The more we take the more are still appeach[t],
And every man brings in new company. 
I wonder what we shall doe with them all! 
The prisons cannot hold more then they have,
The Iayles are full, the holes with Gallants stincke;
Strawe and gold lace together live, I thinke. 
‘Twere best even shut the gates oth’ Citie up
And make it all one Iayle; for this I am sure,
There’s not an honest man within the walles. 
And, though the guilty doth exceed the free,[73]
Yet through a base and fatall cowardise
They all assist in taking one another
And by their owne hands are to prison led. 
There’s no condition nor degree of men
But here are met; men of the sword and gowne,
Plebeians, Senators, and women too;
Ladies that might have slaine him with their eye
Would use their hands; Philosophers
And Polititians.  Polititians? 
Their plot was laid too short.  Poets would now
Not only write but be the arguments
Of Tragedies.  The Emperour’s much pleased: 
But[74] some have named Seneca; and I
Will have Petronius.  One promise of pardon
Or feare of torture will accusers find.
                                    [Exit.

(SCENE 4.)

Enter Nimphidius, Lucan, Scevinus, with a guard.

Nimph.  Though Pisoes suddennesse and guilty hand Prevented hath the death he should have had, Yet you abide it must.

Lucan.  O may the earth lye lightly on his Course, Sprinckle his ashes with your flowers and teares; The love and dainties of mankind is gone.

Scevin.  What onely now we can, we’le follow thee That way thou lead’st and waite on thee in death; Which we had done had not these hindred us.

Nimph.  Nay, other ends your grievous crimes awaite, Ends which the law and your deserts exact.

Scevin.  What have we deserved?

Nimph.  That punishment that traitors unto Princes, And enemies to the State they live, in merit.

Scevin.  If by the State this government you meane
I iustly am an enemy unto it. 
That’s but to Nero, you and Tigellinus. 
That glorious world that even beguiles the wise,
Being lookt into, includes but three or foure
Corrupted men, which were they all remov’d
’Twould for the common State much better be.