Who, as his prize, to Paris came:
Though Helen's beauty drove the world to arms,775
She still must yield to our Poppaea's charms.
[Enter Messenger.]
But who comes here with hurried step and wild?
What tidings bears he in his heaving breast?
Messenger: Whoever guards our noble prince's house,780
Let him defend it from the people's rage.
Behold, the prefects lead their men in haste,
To save the city from the furious mob
Whose reckless passion grows, unchecked by fear.
Chorus: What is the madness that inflames their hearts?785
Messenger: The people for their loved Octavia
Are wild with rage and grief; and now in throngs
Are rushing forth in mood for any deed.
Chorus: What are they bent to do, or with what plan?
Messenger: To give Octavia back her father's house,
Her brother's bed, and her due share of empire.790
Chorus: But these Poppaea holds as Nero's wife.
Messenger: 'Tis even she 'gainst whom the people's rage
Burns most persistent, and to reckless deeds
Is driven headlong on. Whate'er they see,
Of noble marble wrought, or gleaming bronze,
The hated image of Poppaea's face,795
They cast it to the earth with wanton hands
And crushing bars. The shattered parts they drag
Along the streets, and with insulting heel
Deep in the filthy mud they trample them.
These savage deeds are mingled with such words
As I should fear to utter in your ears.800
Soon will they hedge the royal house with flames,
Unless the prince his new-made wife give up
To sate the people's wrath, and then restore
To noble Claudia her father's house.
That he himself may know these threatened deeds,
I'll haste to tell him as the prefect bade.805
[Exit.]
Chorus: Why vainly strive against the powers above?
For Cupid's weapons are invincible.
