Heralds
(Crying within.)
Make way for Caesar! Ho!
Make way! Make way!
(The musicians within strike up a martial strain. After a few moments, within the hall appear Nero and Agrippina, arm in arm, approaching the flight of steps. Nero is robed in a tunic of the color of amethyst, with a winged harp embroidered on the front. He is crowned with a laurel wreath, now askew in his disordered hair. Agrippina wears a robe of maroon without decoration. Nero endeavors to preserve the semblance of supporting his mother, but in fact is supported by her, while he caresses her with considerable extravagance. They pause half way down the steps, and the music within changes to a low melancholy air.)
Agrippina
(Lifting her face to the moon seaward.)
How fair a moon to crown our happy revel!
Nero
(Gazing blankly at the moon.)