[A pause.
TIGELLINUS. Burrus, she'll strike at us whate'er the cost:
She'll slay the ministers if not the master.
BURRUS. We are both dead unless some sudden scheme—
Enter ANICETUS at back
[Turning.] Here is another doomed as we ourselves.
TIGELLINUS. Ah, Anicetus! Agrippina lives,
And she will launch her vengeance on us three,
But first on you; you first set Nero on—
You first proposed the scheme. You on the sea
Bungled—Now on the land retrieve the error.
To you we look.
Enter POPPAEA from behind and stands listening
ANICETUS. My error is repaired
Already. I first heard the Augusta lived,
And instantly despatched a faithful troop
To slay her at her villa o'er the bay.
TIGELLINUS. How shall we know if they have found and slain her?
ANICETUS. All this I have arranged and clearly planned.
If they shall find that she hath fled to Rome,
Hark for one trumpet-call across the bay:
If they have found her at the villa, then
Hark for two trumpet-calls across the bay:
If they have found her and have slain her, then
Hark for three trumpet-calls across the bay!