SENECA: The mind of man assumes that swift Love is a pitiless god. It arms his divine hands with bow and arrow; it gives him a cruel torch and believes him to be the son of Venus and Vulcan. Love is the powerful force of the mind and the caressing warmth of the spirit. It is fostered in youth and nourished in extravagance and idleness, among the joyful blessings of Fortune. If thou shalt cease to nourish and to cherish this Love, it falls in a short time and destroys its own strength.
NERO: I consider Love to be the greatest reason for existence; through it, passions spring up. Love is harmless; the human race is always refreshed by pleasing love which soothes the fierce wild beasts. May Cupid bring to me nuptial torches, and may he join Poppaea to me in wedlock.
SENECA: The grief of the people can hardly endure these nuptials, nor can sacred loyalty consent.[75]
NERO: Shall I alone be forbidden what is permitted to all?
SENECA: The people always exact greater deeds from the emperor.[76]
NERO: It pleases me to test whether good will rashly harbored in their minds dies overpowered by my strength.
SENECA: Thou hadst better calmly gratify thy subjects.
NERO: It is bad government when the common people rule the leader.
SENECA: When the people can obtain no redress, they justly mourn.