You’d tell us then You set no store by elegance and culture.
_Pet._ Eh! I´ may bé an exception, sir: and yet I’d have you think I most love elegance Where ’tis most rare and out of reach of the world. I’d not without reserve praise Lucan’s style 1250 In poetry.
_Se^{ o.}_ Yes, his matter, Where he laments the fall of the republic; ‘_But if the fates could find no other way For Cæsar to succeed_’ ... what was’t he said?
_Qu._ ‘_All crimes and horrors we with joy regard, Since thou, O Nero, art our great reward._’ (_Laughter._)
_Luc._ Let that be read with what I have written since. What thinkest thou, Senecio, of the days When thou wert Nero’s darling? If what thou didst Be as well condoned by what thou goest to do, As what I wrote shall be by what I write, Thou’lt be a hero.
_Pet._ (_who has motioned the slaves out_). Really, sirs, You grow obscure.
_Luc._ I ask then, is Senecio still content To share in Nero’s deeds?
_Luc._ (_coming to him_). Patriot, I take thy hand!
_Luc._ Ye too abjure the bloody tyrant’s guilt? Would ye see Rome free, let us make an oath By black Styx, and invoke the gods of crime!
_Pet._ Hey-day! here’s tinsel!—Let me refill your cup, Piso; the gold mellows this ruby juice, 1271 As music comforts poetry, and the eye Assists the palate (_pouring_).
_Luc._ Is’t not true, Petronius, Thou dost hate Nero too? Thou hast held aloof From all his crimes. Thou sippest an exile’s wine, Thou laughest and art comfortable: ah! man, Stop well thine ears with luxury, lest thou hear The shrieks in Cæsar’s garden, where men burn To light his revels up.
_Se^{ o.}_ Ay, burned alive, Because he saith they burned the city,—and he Did it himself: would he were burned.
_Qu._ I heard him Whisper to Tigellinus, ‘I had liefer ’Twere all burnt than a little; help it, master!’ And so it was.—
_Pet._ I have come to see the purpose of this supper. (_To Piso_) The company, my lord, was gathered here By Fænius Rufus: he and other two Have disappointed me ... My lord, I see My house was chosen for security. I’ll take it as a compliment: you are welcome To all but my attention. Ha! I think Here be the others.—(_Letting in Rufus, Lateranus and Flavus._) Welcome, my lords!
_Pet._ Make excuse To my most honoured guest. (_They bow to Piso._)