[A burst of music without, and sounds of advancing procession.
[Enter soldiers and satellites, with attendants bearing a litter.
Lastly NERO.
TIGELLINUS. Now as a conqueror in triumphant vein
Ride through the thundering ways of risen Rome,
Anticipating the Armenian car.
NERO. [Ascending litter.]
Set out for Rome! And you, accusing coasts,
Accuse no more. Guiltless I say farewell,
And with a light heart journey toward Rome
Joyous I go, for Agrippina lives.
[A great triumphal shout swells up again, and to the sound of military music, NERO and the procession pass off. Meanwhile TIGELLINUS is left in a listening attitude. POPPAEA stands breathless at back. There is a pause. Then a trumpet-call is heard far off; a second; and a third. POPPAEA rushes to TIGELLINUS and clasps his hand.
ACT IV
SCENE I
SCENE.—A tower overlooking Rome
Enter SENECA, BURRUS, and PHYSICIAN
SENECA. How dark the future of the Empire glooms!