Poppea. Further to answere will still cause replyes, And those as ill doe please me as your selfe. If you'le an answere take that's breefe and true, I hate my selfe if I be lov'd of you. [Exit Popp.
Petron. What, gone? but she will come againe sure: no?
It passeth cleane my cunning, all my rules:
For Womens wantonnesse there is no rule.
To take her in the itching of her Lust,
A propper young man putting forth himselfe!
Why, Fate! there's Fate and hidden providence
In cod piece matters.
Anton. O unhappy Man! What comfort have I now, Petronius?
Petron. Council your selfe; Ile teach no more but learne.
Anton. This comfort yet: He shall not so escape
Who causeth my disgrace, Nimphidius;
Whom had I here—Well, for my true-hearts love
I see she hates me. And shall I love one
That hates me, and bestowes what I deserve
Upon my rivall? No; farewell Poppea,
Farewell Poppea and farewell all Love:
Yet thus much shall it still prevaile in me
That I will hate Nimphidius for thee.
Petron. Farewell to her, to my Enanthe welcome.
Who now will to my burning kisses stoope,
Now with an easie cruelty deny
That which she, rather then the asker, would
Have forced from her then begin[16] her selfe.
Their loves that list upon great Ladies set;
I still will love the Wench that I can get.
[Exeunt.
(SCENE 2.)
Enter Nero, Tigellinus, Epaphroditus, and Neophilus.
Nero. Tigellinus, said the villaine Proculus[17] I was throwne downe in running?