TIGELLINUS. Long have I watched you, and to me it seemed
You had some mighty wish within your soul
As yet unspoken? Ah, I know it well.
You would climb high, even to the very height?
POPPAEA. [Rising.] I would.
TIGELLINUS. You would be—mistress of the world?
POPPAEA. Ah!
TIGELLINUS. And shall be: we aim at the same goal.
You from ambition, I from policy.
POPPAEA. Speak clearer.
TIGELLINUS. 'Tis our wish to free young Nero
From Agrippina's dangerous dominance—
To free him of her quite. Now she too stands
In your own path. Your loveliness may work
Upon him: and we with policy the while—
Will you make cause with us?
POPPAEA. I understand.
You need this beauty as an added bait
To lure when policy can drive him not.
What do I gain at last?
TIGELLINUS. The throne itself.
Octavia is a shadow: cannot stand
Between you and the world: but Agrippina,
Never will suffer you while she has breath.
POPPAEA. I will not tempt him to a mother's murder.