Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/454

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Then lust of war increased, and greed for gold,
Throughout the world; and luxury arose,
That deadliest of evils, luring pest,
To whose fell powers new strength and force were given
By custom long observed, and precedent
Of evil into worser evil led.
This flood of vice, through many ages dammed,430
In ours has burst its bounds and overflowed.
By this dire age we're fairly overwhelmed—
An age when crime sits regnant on the throne,
Impiety stalks raging, unrestrained;
Foul lust, with all unbridled power, is queen,
And luxury long since with greedy hands
Has snatched the boundless riches of the world,435
That she with equal greed may squander them.
[Enter Nero, followed by a Prefect.]
But see, with frenzied step and savage mien,
The prince approaches. How I fear his will.
Nero [to Prefect]: Speed my commands: send forth a messenger
Who straight shall bring me here the severed heads
Of Plautus and of Sulla.
Prefect: Good, my lord;
Without delay I'll speed me to the camp.
[Exit.]
Seneca: One should not rashly judge against his friends.440
Nero: Let him be just whose heart is free from fear.
Seneca: But mercy is a sovereign cure for fear.
Nero: A ruler's part is to destroy his foes.
Seneca: A ruler's better part, to save his friends.
Nero: A mild old man's advice is fit for boys.445
Seneca: Still more does hot young manhood need the rein—
Nero: I deem that at this age we're wise enough.
Seneca: That on thy deed the heavenly gods may smile.
Nero: Thou fool, shall I fear gods myself can make?
Seneca: Fear this the more, that so great power is thine.450
Nero: My royal fortune grants all things to me.
Seneca: But trust her cautiously; she may deceive.
Nero: A fool is he who does not what he may.
Seneca: To do, not what he may, but ought, wins praise.