Privy to your distempered plots; but rightly

Judged that I would not sacrifice your lives

To save the monster’s. Nay: were Nero’s death

God’s will, as yours it seems, I might rejoice.

But in your scheme to whom would ye entrust

The absolute power? If Nero be pulled down,

Whom would ye bid us worship? The empire needs

A god,—or, if not that, a godlike man,

Plato’s philosopher for king.

Lat.Agreed!