encourages and determines Nero to banish Otho, and finish the horrid deed he had attempted on his mother. Anicetus undertakes to execute his resolves; and, under pretence of a plot upon the Emperor's life, is sent with a guard to murder Agrippina, who is still at Baiæ in imminent fear, and irresolute how to conduct herself. The account of her death, and the Emperor's horror and fruitless remorse, finishes the drama. I refer the reader to the 13th and 14th books of the annals of Tacitus for the facts on which this story is founded: by turning to that author, he will easily see how far the poet thought it necessary to deviate from the truth of history. I shall only further observe, that as such a fable could not possibly admit of any good character, it is terror only, and not pity that could be excited by this tragedy, had it been completed. Yet it was surely capable of exciting this passion in a supreme degree; if, what the critics tell us be true, that crimes, which illustrious persons commit, affect us from the very circumstance of their rank, because we unite with that our fears for the public weal. ACT I. SCENE I. AGRIPPINA, ACERONIA. AGRIPPINA. 'Tis well, begone! your errand is perform'd: [Speaks as to Anicetus entering. The message needs no comment. Tell your master, His mother shall obey him. Say you saw her As fits the daughter of Germanicus. Say, she retired to Antium; there to tend Her household cares, a woman's best employment. What if you add, how she turn'd pale, and trembled ; You think, you spied a tear stand in her eye, And would have drop'd, but that her pride restrain'd it? (Go! you can paint it well) 'twill profit you, And please the stripling. Yet 'twould dash his joy Yet walks on earth; at least there are who know A thousand haughty hearts, unus'd to shake ACERONIA. He's gone; and much I hope these walls alone, AGRIPPINA. And dost thou talk to me, to me, of danger, To judge of weights, and measures; scarcely dar'd Oped his young eye to bear the blaze of greatness ; K Shew'd him, where empire tower'd, and bade him strike To shrink from danger; fear might then have worn A heart that glows with the pure Julian fire, If bright ambition from her craggy seat Display the radiant prize, will mount undaunted, ACERONIA. Thro' various life I have pursued your steps, I well remember too (for I was present) powers, Perish (you cry'd) the mother! reign the son! AGRIPPINA. Thus ever grave and undisturb'd reflection bestow'd Of rage, and thinks to quench the fire it feels not. : Perchance may heed 'em tell him too, that one, Who had such liberal power to give, may still With equal power resume that gift, and raise A tempest, that shall shake her own creation To its original atoms-tell me! say This mighty Emperor, this dreaded Hero, Has he beheld the glittering front of war? Knows his soft ear the trumpet's thrilling voice, And outcry of the battle? Have his limbs Sweat under iron harness? Is he not The silken son of dalliance, nurs'd in Ease And Pleasure's flowery lap?-Rubellius lives, And Sylla has his friends, tho' school'd by fear To bow the supple knee, and court the times With shows of fair obeisance; and a call, Like mine, might serve belike to wake pretensions Drowsier than theirs, who boast the genuine blood Of our imperial house. ACERONIA. Did I not wish to check this dangerous passion, Ha! by Juno, AGRIPPINA. On this base It bears a noble semblance. My great revenge shall rise; or say we sound Yes, we may meet, ingrateful boy, we may ! And lighten from thy eye: around thee call In gorgeous phrase of labour'd eloquence To dress thy plea, and Burrhus strengthen it With his plain soldier's oath, and honest seeming. Against thee, liberty and Agrippina: The world, the prize; and fair befall the victors. But soft! why do I waste the fruitless hours In threats unexecuted? Haste thee, fly These hated walls, that seem to mock my shame, And cast me forth in duty to their lord. ACERONIA. 'Tis time we go, the sun is high advanc'd, And, ere mid-day, Nero will come to Baix. |