Calpurnius (nods): My summons. Gleva!
Gleva: My Lord will bid farewell to his slaves. (She calls aloud): Bran, Caransius.
Calpurnius: Oh, before they come! (He holds out his arms to her.) Gleva! (She comes slowly into his embrace.) I shall remember this night. Some of our poets say that we are born again in another age. So may it be with us! We shall grow old and die, you here, I where my Emperor shall send me. May we be born again, love again, under a happier star.
[He kisses her, she clings to him. Behind enter Bran, Caransius. They approach carefully.]
But now there's Rome in front of me.
[He tries to draw away from her. She clings about his neck.]
And I must go.
Gleva: Not yet, my Lord--Calpurnius.
Calpurnius: Farewell! and the Gods prosper you. (He is seized from behind on a gesture from Gleva. She utters a cry.)
Gleva: Do him no hurt! Yet hold him safe. (They bind him. Calpurnius struggles.)