[LOCUSTA is crouching beside a pillar, right. A meteor strikes across the sky. The ASTROLOGER, pointing upwards, comes down the steps slowly.
ASTROLOGER. These meteors flame the dazzling doom of kings.
[AGRIPPINA rises apprehensively.
XENOPHON. Caesar is dead!
AGRIPPINA. The drug hath found his heart.
[To LOCUSTA, who steals forward.
Locusta, take your price and steal away!
Sound on the trumpet. Go! your part is done.
[Exit LOCUSTA.
[Trumpet is sounded.
That gives the sign to the Praetorians
Upon the instant of the Emperor's death.
[Answering trumpets are heard.
Hark! trumpets answering through all the city.
Xenophon, you and I are in this death
Eternally bound. This husband have I slain
To lift unto the windy chair of the world
Nero, my son. Your silence I will buy
With endless riches; but a hint divulged——
XENOPHON. O Agrippina, Empress, fear not me!