So he died, and all Rome wept. [89a]
Then Nerone read the book, and it seemed as if it were poisoned, for while reading it he perceived as it were an exhalation [89b] from hell.
He read in the book how to commit all crimes and sins, how to seize on fortunes, or rob whom he would, and learned from it all the secrets of licentiousness—tutte cose voluttiose—and having finished it, he became a veritable devil.
He collected many lions and tigers, and all kinds of terrible wild beasts, and then drove among them all the Christians and saints in Rome, and they were devoured by the beasts. Then he took the fortunes of all the rich men, [89c] and decreed that all the women in the city were his wives. After which he every day debauched them in the open streets before their husbands, and likewise ordained that all men and women should do the same openly. And he committed even more infamous deeds in public places, with an orchestra, saying it was best to make love to the sound or accompaniment of music.
And one day, to make a scene in an opera, he (set fire to and) burned all Rome.
Then the people made a revolution, and drove him out of his palace. It is said that this palace was all gilded. (Era tutto dorato.)
In a public square was a statue of Seneco, and it was of marble. So the people in a rage drove Nerone before them until, utterly weary and exhausted, he fell down at the foot of the statue of Seneco. And beholding the image of his tutor, Nerone cried:
“Tu mi vincesti, tu mi inperasti—Thou hast conquered, O Seneco; thou hast prevailed over me, and had thy revenge! And accursed be the day in which thou didst send me the book which gave me the power to have all which I desired!”
And all who were present were astonished when they heard the statue reply:
“I am avenged, and thou art punished.”