[NERO is moved and kisses her, then speaks with effort.
NERO. Mother, if I have seemed to be forgetful,
Or cruel even, impute it not to me
But to the State.
[AGRIPPINA starts.
'Tis thought that neither Rome,
The provinces, nor armies, will endure
To see a woman in such eminence.
Therefore it is advised that you retire
To Antium a while, and leave Rome free.
AGRIPPINA. [Starting up.] Leave Rome!
Why, I would die as I did step
Outside her gates, and glide henceforth a shadow.
The blood would cease to run in my veins, my heart
Stop, and my breath subside without her walls.
All without Rome is darkness: you will not
Despatch my shadow down to Antium?
NERO. We were remembering your toils, your age.
AGRIPPINA. My age! Am I old then?
Look on this face,
Where am I scarred, who have steered the bark of State
As it plunged, as it rose over the waves of change?
I was renewed with salt of such a sea.
Empires and Emperors I have outlived;
A thousand loves and lusts have left no line;
Tremendous fortunes have not touched my hair,
Murder hath left my cheek as the cheek of a babe.
[At this moment BURRUS, SENECA, and TIGELLINUS return,
hearing the scene; and as AGRIPPINA continues her imprecations,
the COURT return and stand in groups listening.
AGRIPPINA. My age! Who then accuses me of age?
Was this a flash from budding Seneca,
Or the boy Burrus' inspiration? Say?
Do I owe it to the shrivelled or the maimed?
SENECA. Empress, it is determined you retire.
And you will better your own dignity
And his assert, if you will make this going
To seem a free inclining from yourself.