Nero. Cornutus, I must act to day Orestes.
Corn. You have done that alreadie, and too truely. (Aside.)
Nero. And when our Sceane is done I meane besides
To read some compositions of my owne,
Which, for the great opinion I my selfe
And Rome in generall of thy Judgment hath,
Before I publish them Ile shew them thee.
Corn. My Lord, my disabilities—
Nero. I know thy modestie:
Ile only shew thee now my works beginning.—
Goe see, Epaphroditus,
Musick made ready; I will sing to day.— [Exit Epa.
Cornutus, I pray thee come neere
And let me heare thy Judgement in my paynes.
I would have thee more familiar, good Cornutus;
Nero doth prise desert and more esteemes
Them that in knowledge second him, then power.
Marke with what style and state my worke begins.
Corn. Might not my Interruption offend, Whats your workes name, my Lord? what write you of?
Nero. I meane to write the deeds of all the Romans.
Corn. Of all the Romans? A huge argument.
Nero. I have not yet bethought me of a title:— (he reades,)
"You Enthrall Powers which[23] the wide Fortunes doon
Of Empyre-crown'd seaven-Mountaine-seated Rome,
Full blowne Inspire me with Machlaean[24] rage
That I may bellow out Romes Prentisage;
As[25] when the Menades do fill their Drums
And crooked hornes with Mimalonean hummes
And Evion[26] do Ingeminate around,
Which reparable Eccho doth resound."