POPPAEA

Yet, in your Greekish journey, we do hear, Sparta, and Athens, the two eyes of Greece, Neither beheld your person, nor your skill; Whither, because they did afford no games, Or for their to much gravity, I praise your wit, my Lord, that choose such safe. Honours, safe spoils, won without dust, on blood. Nay, in good Faith my Lord, I speak in earnest, I hate that heady, and adventurous crew, That go to lose their own, to purchase, but The breath of others, and the common voice, Them that will lose there hearing for a found; That by death only, seek to get a living, Make skarrs there beauty, and count lose of Limb The commendation of a proper man, And so, go halting to immortality: Such fools I love worse then they do their lives. Oh Giantlike comparison. You may solicit your presumptuous suits; You duty may, and shame too laid aside, Disturb my privacies, and I forsooth, Must be afeard even to be angry at you. I will not learn my beauty's worth of you, I know you neither are the first, nor greatest Whom it hath moved: He whom the World obeys Is feared with anger of my threatening Eyes. It is for you a far off to adore it, And not to reach at it with Saucy hands. Fear, is the Love that's endue to Gods, and Princes Sir, let me go, or I'll make known your Love To them, that shall requite it, but with hate. Further to answer, will still cause replies, And those as ill do please me, as your self: If you'll and answer take, that's brief, and true, I hate my self, If I be loved of you. exit Popp. I looked Nimphidius would have come ere this, Makes he no greater hast to our embraces? Or, does the easiness abate his edge? Or, seem we not as fair still as we did? Or, is he so with Nero;s playing won, That he, before Poppea, does prefer it? Or does he think to have occasion still? Sill, to have time to wait on our stolen meetings? But see his presence now does end those doubts, What i'st Nimphidius hath so long detained you? Were you Imprisoned, then, as you were going To the Theater. If 'twere so straightly kept, how God you forth? What danger mean you? I warrant I'll excuse you: But I pray, Let's be a little better for your sighed; How did our Princely husband act Orestes? Did he not wish again his Mother living? Her death would add great life unto his partly: But come I pray, the story of your sighed. What likes you, do Nimphidius, out of hand, Two ways distract, when either would prevail; If they suspecting but this fellows absence, Should try the City, and attempt their friends, How dangerous might Piso's favour be. Let us be quick then, you, to Piso's house, While I, and Tigellinus further sift This fellows knowledge. Ex. omnes Praetor Nero. I, now I am worthy to be Queen oth' world, Fairer then Ʋ enus, or the Bacchus love: But you'll anon, unto your cutt-boy, S porus, Your new made woman; to whom, now I hear You are wed led too. I, you wedded; Did you not hear the words oth' Auspyces, Was not the boy in bridelike garm n S dressed, Marriage books sealed, as 'twere for issue, to Be had between you, solemn feasts prepared; While all the Court, with God-giue you Joy, sounds. It had been good Domitius your Father Had never had other wife: Scevinus, why should he conspire? Unless he think, that likeness in conditions May make him too, worthy oth' Empire thought. Piso's she creeping into men's affections. And popular arts, have given long cause of doubt, And th'others late observed discontents Risen from misinterpre ed disgraces, May make us credit this rel cion. How much this youth, my Otho does resemble; Otho, my first, my best love, who is now (Under pretext of governing) exiled To Lucitania, honourably banished. I know not how this stranger moves my mind, His face me thinks is not Like other men's, Nor do they speak thus; O, his words invade My weakened senses, and overcome my heart. Oh what a dauntless look, what sparkling eyes, Threating in suffering; sure some noble blood Is hid in rags, fears argues a base spirit In him what courage, and contempt of death, And shall I suffer one I love to die? He shall not die? hands of this man, away, Nero, thou shalt not kill this guiltless man.