_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.
_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_. 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.
_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?
_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.
_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.