Nero: That she may be
Without the power to act, that present fear
May break her strength, let punishment at once,
Too long delayed, crush out her guilty life.
Have done at once with arguments and prayers,
And do my royal bidding: let her sail
To some far distant shore and there be slain,875
That thus at last my fears may be at rest.
[Exeunt.]
Chorus [attached to Octavia]: Oh, dire and deadly has the people's love