"Eyes don'ít want to stay shut all the time;" "or Maybe one day Rome will let herself choose at her turn" "Your friendship, sir, makes me bold:" "I abuse it and know I'íll displease you, that youí'll condemn my curiosity;" "but I'íd be unfaithful to you, if I hid from you anything I hear said about your new love under this new empire." "People are astonished to see a man like Othon," "Othon whose great deeds sustain his great name, deign to stoop to the daughter of a Vinius, and attach himself to this consul who ravages, who plunders, who can do anything, I admit, with the emperor," "but whose power only creates horrors, and destroys, the more one sees it increase, the love people owe to his masterí's virtues." "Those astonished by this new love never understand what the court is like." "A man like me never escapes it;" "thereí's no retreat or shadow to hide in;" "and if one lacks the sovereign's favor, he must perish or find support." "When the monarch acts as he wants, my equals follow him without peril:" "merit and blood mark them;" "but when the potentate lets himself be governed, and the great dispensers of his power have no policy but their own interests, these foul enemies of all good people try to push us around harshly, if our adroit and prompt servitude" "doesní't remove us from their constant rage." "As soon as Galba was chosen by the Senate, in my government I established his laws, and I was the first to give the new prince a whole army and province:" "so I counted myself among his first followers." "But already Vinius was in the lead;" "and Martian the freedman, whose pillages you see, had with Lacus closed all access:" "one approached Galba only at their pleasure." "So to get ahead I had to choose one of the three." "I saw all three rushing beneath a master who, burdened by old age, had little time left to reign, and all three competing hotly to devour this short reign." "I felt horror at the only support left to take," "I hoped a while not to have to;" "but when Nymphidius, assassinated in Rome, made place for the favorite who'íd condemned him, when Lacus, by his death, became Pretorian prefect, when to top an action so black the same assassins next stabbed" "Varron, Turpilian, Capiton, and Macer," "I saw it was time to take measures, because all Nero's creatures were dying, with me left alone without protector, Ií'd soon have my turn." "I chose Vinius in this dilemma;" "for security I sought alliance." "Others had no sister or daughter to give me;" "and without that tie, thereí's no trust." "Your offer was accepted?" "Yes:" "Ií'd be married now with Plautine, if rivals at court hadní't diverted a master who without dares nothing without them." "So all your love is only politics, and your heart doesn'ít feel what your mouth says?" "It didní't, Albin, the first day;" "but politics became love:" "Everything about her charms me, and my initial scruples in her dear presence seem ridiculous." "Vinius is consul, Vinius is powerful;" "he has high birth; and if he nimbly keeps step with the favorites," "Plautine hates his pursuit of fortune:" "Her heartí's noble and grand." "Though she has virtue, you should be a bit conflicted." "Galba'ís niece has the empire for dowry, and is worth a sigh at that price:" "her uncle must choose a husband for her soon." "Merit and blood shine in you, who might add a diadem..." "Even if my heart could give up her I love and Camille showed such kindness that Ií'd hope to be heard, and even if, as you say, her hand makes one master, none of our tyrants is tired of being so;" "and it would draw all three against me, were I to aspire to her favor without their permission." "Especially Vinius whose wounded ego would do everything to destroy me after such outrage, and revenge himself even in face of the gods, if Ií'd dared to turn my eyes to Camille." "Think about it anyway: my sister attends her;" "I can help you; the chance is good;" "any lover but you would be attracted;" "and Ií'd tell you more, if you dared love her." "Offer to others this futile bait;" "my heart is all Plautine's and closed to Camille." "The beauty of Plautine, the shame of switching, the uncertain success, the infallible danger, all pose invincible obstacles to your project." "Sir, from less than nothing miracles are made:" "to those two rivals it'd be sweet to strip from Vinius a son-in-law like you;" "and if one of them proposes you to Galba..." "Ií'm not so well informed:" "I'm too suspect for their confidences;" "but I can tell you what I think," "Ií'd propose you if I were in their place." "Neither of them will do what you want;" "and if they can ever find some lure to get Galba to choose a successor, theyí'd want to be sure of his choice by proposing one dependent on them." "I know..." "But I see Vinius coming..." "Leave us alone, Albin:" "I want to talk with him." "I think you love me, sir, and that my daughter makes you take interest in the whole family." "Proof of it is needed, and not just in the duties of a lover:" "more solid proof is needed, of a great man, of a heart worthy in fact to command in Rome." "You need to stop loving her." "What?" "As proof of love..." "Even more is needed, sir, on this big day:" "You need to love elsewhere." "Ah!" "What are you saying...?" "I know all you heart wants to marry her;" "but she, and you, and I are all going to perish;" "and only your switch can save us all." "You maybe owe me, sir, something:" "Without me, without my influence opposing their plots," "Lacus and Martian wouldn't have suffered you to live;" "you must in turn stop a blow against me, which, if your heart doesn'ít tear itself from Plautine, will envelope you both in my ruin." "Mid my sweet hopes, my offer accepted, you order me to switch!" "You!" "Listen." "The honor your illustrious marriage would do us so angers the two I named, that till now Galba, whom they both haunt, has refused his permission to effect our wishes." "The obstacle they make can show you clearly what their envy and hate is for you and me;" "and how today, as things look, they'íll destroy us if we don'ít destroy them." "This is a reality only too clear, from which, sir, I go on to the rest." "Galba, old and broken, who sees himself without children, believes people hate the weakness of his age, and can't love serving under a master who won'ít have time to reward them." "He sees tumult flaring everywhere:" "the army in Syria is near revolt;" "Vitellius is advancing with a united force of troops from Gaul and Germany;" "what he has left of his old corps suffer him with boredom;" "all the Pretorians murmur against him." "The base sacrifice of their Nymphidius makes them demand justice against his immolator." "Galba knows this and thinks with a young emperor to win back minds and calm their anger." "He hopes for stable, ample, peaceful power if he names as Caesar a husband of Camille;" "but he's still undecided whom to choose as husband, and I caní't save myself, sir, unless ití's you." "So for this big choice Ií've extolled your courage, and Lacus has voted for Pison." "Martian just spoke ambiguously, but without doubt heí'll take sides with Lacus, and the sole solution is to win Camille:" "If her voice is for us, theirs is useless." "Weíll be equal numbers and in equality" "Galba will be kind to his niece." "He's put off resolving matters too long." "Divert this lightning bolt from our heads to theirs:" "I tell you again, against these jealous powers" "I canít save myself, sir, except by you." "No matter how much I expected from your first choice," "I love you even more as master than as son-in-law;" "and I see for us only certain shipwreck, if we have to receive a prince by their hand." "Ah, sir, on this point you'íre too confident;" "you'íre too sure of my obedience." "I accept no law but my passion:" "Plautine is my sole ambition;" "if your friendship wants to detach us, Lacus's hate would be less cruel." "What'ís it matter, whether it'ís my misfortune to die by his order, or from sorrow?" "Sir, a noble heart, however much it loves, always knows self-possession when necessary." "PoppÈe had at least as much charm for you;" "and when she was taken from you, you did die of it." "No, sir; but PoppÈe was unfaithful, only wanted a throne, and loved me less than herself." "Her little love made Othon's bed only a step into Nero'ís:" "She only married me to get there, contriving her place at risk of harming me:" "thus I was banished with an honorary title;" "and to get rid of me, they made me governor." "But I adore Plautine, and I reign in her soul." "To order us to extinguish so beautiful a flame is I dare not say." "There'íre other Romans sir, who can better support your designs;" "whose hearts sigh for Camille, whoí'd love to owe you the empire." "I want others permitted this hope;" "but are you so sure theyí're our friends?" "Do you know better than I if Camille will like them?" "You think ití'd be easier for me?" "For me whom other wishes..." "To hide nothing from you, on leaving Galba, I wanted to speak to her:" "I wanted a sense of her thinking;" "I gave her names of several Ií'd proposed." "At their names, a great cold, a sad face, a lowered eye made me see immediately that she didní't like them;" "at your name she blushed, then started to smile, and suddenly left me without saying anything." "Ití's for you who know what it is to love to judge what to think of her heart." "I don'ít want to judge anything, sir." "Without Plautine love is poison, good luck murders me;" "and the sweets of sovereign power are torments, if they cost her hand." "Such firmness would delight my soul if this excess of love would assure our lives;" "but we need the throne, or else to give up;" "and when we perish, what good will love be?" "Black suspicion leads you to vain fears:" "Pison's not cruel and will let us live." "He'íll let us live after Ií've nominated you?" "!" "If seeing us in Rome doesní't alarm him, our common enemies, who'íll guide his conduct, will take care of things for him." "Sir, when one is seen plotting for the empire, one must, whatever happens, either perish or reign." "Posthumous Agrippa survived little under Tiberius;" "Nero didní't spare his brother-in-law's blood;" "and Pison will destroy you by the same reasoning, if you don'ít quickly eliminate Pison first." "There'ís no middle except in sane policy..." "Love is the sole where all my heart is." "Ití's served you nothing, sir, to nominate me:" "You want me to reign, I can only love." "Ií'd do more, if the star that leads me wants me some day to reign with Plautine;" "but to deny my soul to her sweet charm, to attach my life to someone I doní't love!" "Well, if this love has so much power over you, then reign: he who makes the laws can easily make a divorce." "From the throne one sees at last oneís real friends, and when you can do everything, everything is permitted you." "No way, sir, no way: whatever heaven sends me," "I doní't want anything so shameful;" "This trick to return me his heart, would stink of tyrant, not the emperor." "For your safety, since peril presses," "I'íll sacrifice my flame and tenderness;" "I'íll conquer the horror of so cruel a duty to save the day for him who made me see it;" "but the violence I do to my desires evades the shameful charms of unworthy hope;" "and the virtue that banishes my love will accept only its virtuous return." "Ah, this virtue teaches me a hard torment, sir." "How shall I obey you?" "See her, and if you can, to know my torment, look not with a father'ís eyes but with a loverí's." "Esteem of my blood isní't forbidden me:" "I see her attractiveness;" "I see her merit;" "I think she even has enough to engage" "If someone destroys us someone else to avenge us." "Therefore our enemies will fear her;" "and her death therefore becomes inevitable." "I also see, sir, that Ií'll get nowhere, so long as your wounded eye encounters hers, except to waste time in frivolous exchanges;" "and to avoid that, Ií'll end in three words:" "If you miss the throne, all three must perish." "Prevent or await that order as you choose:" "I leave your affairs to you;" "but as for my daughter and me, my honorí's at stake, and of her days and mine I am absolute master, and shall dispose of them as Ií've determined." "I don'ít fear death, but I hate the infamy of receiving the law from an enemy hand;" "Ií'll know how to spill all my blood like a Roman, if the choice I wait for doesní't restrain my hand." "In an hour or two Galba decides." "You both know what I prepare to do:" "Decide together." "Wait, sir;" "and if this mortal dishonor must be prevented, take my example, and judge if the shame..." "What, sir?" "In front of me so prompt a fury!" "This noble despair, so worthy of Romans with courage, is always in their hands;" "and in your case and mine, though worth a temple, itís not yet time to give me example." "We must live, and loves obliges us to, to save my father, and protect me." "When you see my life attached to yours, does your raging soul, despite me, to open my tomb, hasten your demise, and advance me to fate I don'ít want?" "When I must tear this love from my soul, can I extinguish its flame in my blood?" "Can I, without dying..." "Did I order you to extinguish all the love Ií've given you?" "If the unjust harshness of our destiny no longer permits hope of happy marriage, thereí's another love whose innocent wishes raises it above commerce of senses." "The more it's flame is pure, the more it is durable;" "it gives back the inseparable heart of its object;" "it has true pleasures which charm this heart, and aspires only to love well and be loved." "Such purity demands great courage!" "Ití's difficult even for the noblest!" "Madame, let me say in turn that all that honor can suffer for love, a lover wants, wants to experience, and feels ill loved if he isní't sure of it." "Love me nonetheless without expecting it from me, and don'ít envy me the honor I receive from it." "What glory to Plautine, O heaven, to be able to say that the choice of her heart was worthy of the empire;" "that a hero destined to be master of the universe wanted to limit his wishes to living in her chains;" "and if not for an absolute order from her would have renounced a crown for her!" "Ah, how little need one love to be happy from pride in so fatal an honor!" "If you loved me, Madame, youí'd see that my heart is accessible to others' wishes, and that the need to turn it elsewhere would have made you share my pain." "All my despair alarms you not at all:" "you can lose Othon without shedding a tear;" "youí're joyful and even aspire to all the excess of woes prepared for me." "How unjust to me is your blindness!" "To spare you your woes I augment my torment," "I suffer, and itís for you I impose on myself this suffering, and disguise it." "Everything you feel I feel in my soul;" "Ií've the same pains, as I have the same flame of love;" "I have the same despair; but I know how to hide it, and to appear unfeeling in order to affect you less." "Do equal violence to your desires, keep them from bursting, doní't let them show:" "in the peril that presses us, sacrifice outer appearances, and to make yourself loved, show other emotions." "I don'ít forbid you silent sorrow, provided your face doesn'ít show it, and that your eyes, independent of your heart, triumph like mine over the troubles within." "Follow and surpass my example, and take to Camille a happy face, a tranquil face, that lets her accept what you offer, and doesn'ít belie anything you say." "Alas, Madame, alas!" "What can I say to her?" "My life hangs on it, the empire hangs on it;" "act accordingly." "Time flies, sir." "Adieu: give you hand, but keep for me your heart;" "or if thatí's too much for me, give both, carry off my love and withdraw yours;" "but in this sad state if I pity you, keep for me always esteem and friendship;" "and never forget, when you'íre the master, that ití's I who force and help you to be it." "Why aren'ít I allowed to avoid by death the savage severity of effort so cruel!" "So tell me, when Othon offered himself to Camille, did he seem constrained?" "Was she receptive?" "Did his homage have clear effect?" "How did she react, and how did he do it?" "I saw it all;" "but frankly your curiosity is ingenious at torturing you." "The love you still have that speaks to you of Othon," "Madame, forget it, even his name." "You conquered yourself for his glory, taste full triumph after your victory:" "The dangerous account you command from me is a new combat you risk yourself in." "Your soulí's not yet so detached that it can love elsewhere without pain." "Take less interest in his success with her, and escape the chagrin of knowing." "I force him myself to look flighty;" "so seeing his change as my achievement, I take interest devoid of jealousy:" "if heí's accepted, if he reigns, ití'll be sweet to me." "I doubt it; rarely does a flame so strong suffer willingly its ardors..." "Whatí's it matter to you?" "Leave my risk to me." "Hide nothing: tell me how he spoke to her." "Then blame yourself alone if your upset soul feels, despite me, a secret pain." "Othon made the princess a compliment, more as courtier than real lover." "His comely eloquence, linking gracefully excuses for silence with his boldness, blamed, in too-well-chosen terms, respect for delaying so long his suspect homage." "His programmed gestures, his calculated glances, let no word out by chance:" "One saw nothing but pomp in all he painted; appropriateness reigned even in his sighs, and he followed step by step an effort so memorized that was easier to admire than believe." "Even Camille seemed to think so;" "she'd have much preferred a less prepared speech:" "I saw it in her eyes; but this distrust had too little intelligence over her heart." "Her suspicions were just but her unworthy desires immediately destroyed or dismissed them all." "She wanted to believe it all;" "and whatever restraint her love might have kept, warning caution, one saw, by the little it let escape, that she took pleasure in letting herself be fooled;" "and that, if sometimes the horror of constraint forced sad Othon to sign without pretend, suddenly her avidity to reign over his heart imputed to love his signs of pain." "And her answer then?" "She was civil; but civility is nothing but love in Camille, whereas in Othon love is nothing but civility." "And she said nothing about his fickleness?" "Nothing about the faith he seems to have kept so badly?" "She was able to discard this annoying idea, and gave no sign that she even knew that anyone had seen him sighing for your eyes once." "But what did she promise?" "That her faithful duty would follow Galbaí's wishes;" "and from fear of saying too much and opening her heart too much, she sent him suddenly to the emperor." "Heí's speaking to him now." "What do you say, Madame, of this conversation your soul desires?" "Do you want him to be accepted, or get nothing?" "I myself, to tell the truth, I doní't really know." "Since either way the blow will be hard on me," "Ií'd like to enjoy this uncertainty, and would prefer the rest of my days never to be certain and to doubt always." "But one must decide, and want something." "It'ís enough that heaven decide without alarming me:" "when its order is finally decided, we shall have to want what it will." "But my reason cedes Othon to the empire:" "itís a matter of honor for me not to back out;" "and whether this big wish be voluntary or forced, ití's good to finish as one has begun." "But I see Martian." "What do you come to tell me?" "That on your choice alone the empire is going to depend, Madame." "What?" "Galba wants to follow my choice!" "No; but his council is just us three, and if you want my vote for Othon," "I come to offer you it with a humble homage." "With...?" "With pledges sincere and obedient, which will go even further if hope's allowed me." "What pledges and what hope?" "This important service, which profound respect offers you" "Good!" "It will fulfill my dearest wishes;" "but in recompense what do you want?" "The glory of being loved. --By whom?" "By you, madame." "By me?" "By you:" "I have eyes, and my soul." "Your soul, in making me this courtesy, should accompany it with more reality:" "One hasní't great faith in so much deference, when one sees that what follows is so inappropriate." "The offer doubtless is good, and quite worth a price, but in choosing it yourself you'íre mistaken:" "if you knew me, youí'd show better..." "Alas!" "My plight comes from knowing you too well." "But you yourself, after all, doní't know yourself, when you think so little of the effect of your charms." "If you knew your merit, you wouldn'ít doubt the love it excites." "Othon is my proof: he'd loved nothing, since heí'd been charmed by PoppÈe;" "though into his arms Nero had snatched her, he conserved her image in his heart;" "Death, even death couldní't get rid of it:" "to you alone was the honor of effacing it." "You alone with one wink won the glory of making the sweetest memory vanish, and of redirecting to new desires that heart impenetrable by the most charming sights;" "And you'íre astonished that I sigh for you!" "Ií'm more astonished you dare say it;" "Ií'm astonished to see you doní't remember that prosperous Martian used to be the slave Iclus, who's changed name without changing face." "Ití's that crime of fate that swells my courage:" "since despite it, I am what I am, and one sees what Ií'm worth, seeing what I can do." "Pure chance without us rules our birth;" "but since merit is in our power, the shame of a destiny ill-fitted with it gives that much more honor when one escapes from it." "Whatever stain in my blood my ancestors left, ever since we Romans have accepted masters, the masters have always chosen men like me for the premier posts and private counsels:" "they have put in our hands the public fortune;" "they have submitted the land to our policies;" "Patrobus, Polyclitus, and Narcissus, and Pallas, deposed kings and bestowed states." "Weíre raised to thrones on leaving our chains;" "Under Claudius one saw Felix husband to three queens;" "yet when the love in me presents you with a husband, you treat me like a slave, and unworthy of you!" "Madame, no matter in what rank youí've been born, it's a lot to have the ear of the grand master." "Vinius is consul, and Lacus is prefect;" "Ií'm neither, and in fact am more;" "and these consuls and prefects," "I can, when I like, turn them into creatures;" "Galba listens to me, which makes me today though without noble name, the first in power after him." "Forgive me then, sir, I was mistaken:" "nothing authorizes my pride at your chains." "Ií've just come to know myself and I see myself unworthy of the honors your love brings." "To have broken those chains is a glory above consuls or Pretorian prefects;" "and if of this love I dare not be the prize, respect prevents me, not contempt." "People tell me, though, that often nature keeps in those like you its first tincture, that those of our Caesars who'íve listened to them all soiled their names by vile deeds, and that to cleanse the empire of this shame" "the universe needs a real hero in command." "Which is what made me wish Othon there;" "but from what I learn this wish isní't good." "Letí's let the gods decide, and be just to yourself;" "Disdain the caprice of a heart truly Roman." "A hundred queens will vie to take you for husband;" "Felix had three, and was worth less than you." "Madame, one more word, permit me to love you." "Consider that in my hand I have the supreme power, that between Othon and Pison my undecided vote, is going to make a sovereign." "All I'íve done till now was to prevent the marriage which would have joined the destiny of Othon with you:" "I could have done more;" "don'ít force me by refusing me." "When you give up Othon, letting me take his place will maybe accomplish more than one grace;" "For to see yourself his, don'ít ever hope." "Madame, finally Galba agrees with your wishes;" "and Ií've worked so hard on him that today he consents to your marriage with Othon." "What do you say to that, sir?" "Can you allow this marriage which Lacus come to offer me?" "The great master has spoken, do you want to contradict him, you who after him is seen as first in the empire?" "Must I revamp myself for this husband?" "Or must I by your order aspire to you?" "What enigma is this, Madame?" "His great soul made me just now a present of his flame;" "he assured me Othon never would get me, and implied a refusal would destroy us." "You, however, dare assure me of the opposite;" "and Ií'm not sure how to reply." "As sometimes ití's good to explain, so at other times ití's better not to try." "Decide together, noble ministers of state, and then I can tell how it seems to me." "So you love Plautine and thatí's why this time you take my side against Vinius?" "If Plautineí's eyes have charm for me, do you, sir, find anything alarming in that?" "The happy moment that would make me her husband would reunite Vinius with you through me." "Then friendship restored to our three hearts will uproot hate and jealousy." "The power of all three, by all three affirmed, would have as common knot his son-in-law, your friend:" "and anything he tried against you..." "Youí'd be my friend, but his son-in-law;" "and ití's feeble support mid the interests of court, an old friend versus a new love." "When an adored wife wants something, resistance is vain or brief;" "she chooses her time, and chooses so well, that one can'ít refuse her anything." "Are you yourself sure that this knot will stop her from adding, if need be, your death to mine?" "Learn that hearts separated in regret find easily the secret of rejoining." "Othon has not extinguished all his flames for her;" "he knows how to snatch wives from husbands;" "this art on his example is common today, and his master Nero learned it from him." "After all, unless Ií'm wrong, with this beauty" "I hope in Vinius, if I don'ít hope in her;" "and my offer to give Othon my vote will instantly cause him to favor me." "What?" "Youí'd give us Othon for master?" "And who else in Rome is more worthy to be?" "Ah, worthy he is, and more than anyone;" "but also, to be clear, heí's too shrewd for us." "He knows too well how to manage his virtues and vices." "He was under Nero into every pleasure;" "yet Lusitania saw this same Othon govern like Caesar and judge like Cato." "Wholly a favorite in Rome, wholly master in his province, vile courtier here, noble prince there;" "and his pliant soul, awaiting the future, knows how to pay court and hold court." "Under such a sovereign, weí'd not count for much;" "heí'd never rely completely on us:" "his hand alone would bestow largesse;" "his choice alone would distribute lands and honors." "He'd be in sole control of the tiller he'íd grasp, heí'd consult and conclude alone, listen and decide alone, and though our employees might make a fuss, as soon as he'íd want to, a wink of his eye would destroy us." "Galba, in contrast, what power he gives us, in what posts under him his weakness has put us, our orders rule everyone, we give, we take away;" "nothing is done we oppose:" "since everything has to be gotten through one of us, we see our courts bigger than his;" "and our independence would be complete, if lucky Vinius didn'ít share it:" "our only annoyance is, he disputes it with us." "His age, however, puts Galba near his fall;" "from fear heíll drag us with him, we need another support;" "but we need someone as weak as he." "We must choose one who'íll be satisfied with the titles, and leave us the supreme arbiters of power." "Pison has a simple heart and feeble mind;" "noble birth, but little virtue:" "I doní't mean the virtue which hates crime;" "his strict honesty is worth esteem;" "ití's everything that makes a noble man;" "but in a sovereign ití's little or nothing." "A monarch needs prudence, needs insight, needs strength both nimble and bold, that impresses, dazzles, sows charm..." "He needs a thousand virtues which Pison lacks." "He himself will beg us to take care of the empire, and will know only what we please to tell him:" "the more we keep him down, the more heíll raise us up;" "and thatí's exactly the master we need." "But, sir, to raise such a man to the throne, ill serves the state, and shames Rome." "What do we care about Rome and the state?" "Whatí's it matter if they shine more or shine less?" "Letí's take care of ourselves and scorn the rest." "Forget about public good if it hurts us." "Of our greatness alone let hearts be jealous;" "Let us live only for us, and think only of us." "I tell you again: putting Othon on our heads will expose us both to horrible tempests." "If we want to believe him, he'íll owe us everything;" "but if this grand project succeeds through us," "Vinius alone will have all the advantage: since he proposed it, ití'll be his doing;" "and death, or exile, or humiliation will be his actual thanks to you and me." "Yes, our security needs Pison to reign:" "get him to promise Plautine for me;" "I pledge you my vote for him in exchange." "Violence is just after such contempt." "Let'ís begin with that to enjoy his empire, and see if he'ís a man to dare deny us." "What?" "Your love will always make its capital out of Plautine'ís charms and the conjugal knot!" "Alright!" "Weíll have to see whoí'll be more useful to believe." "But here is the princess Camille." "I encounter you together here on purpose, and wish to say four words to you." "If I believe rumors I caní't be silent about, you push a bit far a minister'ís presumption:" "Ití's said you extend your authority over my rank, and that you meddle to dispose of me." "We, Madame?" "Must I obey you," "I, whom Galba claims to make empress?" "We both know too well what respect is due you." "The crime is greater, if youí've lost it." "Speak." "What have you said to Galba?" "He wanted to confirm his thoughts with ours;" "and since he'íd proposed choosing a successor, to leave the empire a worthy possessor, on this unexpected gift he'ís making of the crown," "Vinius spoke, and Lacus likewise." "And didn'ít you know, Vinius and you, that this noble successor is to be my husband?" "that the gift of my hand follows this gift of the empire?" "Does Galba, on your advice, wish to back out?" "He still thinks the same, and we spoke according to what heaven has revealed to each of us:" "On these occasions heaven, which watches over crowns, inspires advice on persons to choose." "And we thought we could properly combine your interests with those of the entire state:" "youí'd not wish them to be contrary." "Neither of you have thought of anything but your own affairs;" "and offering us Pison proves it..." "Do you, Madame, find him unworthy to reign?" "He has virtue, intellect, courage, and also..." "And also he has your vote, which is enough to merit my refusal." "Out of respect for his blood, I say nothing more." "Would you like Othon, whom Vinius proposes," "Othon, whom you know Plautine has, and who wants only to marry her?" "Whether he burns for her or leaves her for me is not your affair; and your meticulousness for me weighs too heavily on you." "But the emperor consents for him to marry her today;" "and I myself have just gotten that consent for him." "Did he ask you to?" "Did he?" "A real friend doesn'ít wait to be asked." "This friendship charms me, and I must admit that Othon now has cause to prize it, so rare a service at a happy mishap" "Madame..." "Listen to me, cut out the phoniness." "Doní't risk yourselves to make an emperor." "Galba knows the empire, and I know my heart:" "I know whatí's proper for me; he sees what he must do, and which prince is best for the stateí's health." "If heaven inspires you, it will take care of us, and bring us together on this point without you." "If you don'ít like Pison, there are others..." "Doní't attach my interests to yours." "You have brains, but I have piercing eyes:" "I see that you love being all powerful;" "I doní't prevent that one continues your all-powerfulness as it now is;" "But as to this husband, youí'll please me by finding it good that I choose him." "I love me a bit myself, and I don'ít have much desire to sacrifice to you the peace of my life." "Since he must rule the whole universe with you..." "Must I tell you again that I have open eyes?" "I see into your hearts, and I continue to be silent;" "but I can in fact unveil their mystery." "If the emperor believes us... --No doubt he'íll believe you;" "no doubt Ií'll take the husband he offers me:" "whether he pleases my eyes, whether he shocks my soul, he'íll be your master, and I his wife;" "Time will give me some power over him, and then you'íll notice it." "Those are the four words I had to say to you:" "Think about them." "This rage, which Pison draws down on us" "It alarms you?" "Let her talk, and letí's not die of fear of dying." "You can see her pride outraged against us." "The more she let me see of it, the more I saw her weakness." "Letí's make Pison reign; and despite her rage, youí'll see sheíll need us herself." "Did your brother tell you, Albiane?" "Yes, Madame:" "Galba chose Pison and you'íre his wife, or to put it better, Lacus's slave, unless you make a dazzling, noble refusal." "And what happens to Othon?" "You'íll see his head affirm the victory of our three enemies:" "assuring your hand to Pison, and the empire to the tyrants who make reign his name." "For since he has only a series of ancestors whoíre for him," "Lacus and Martian are going to be our real masters;" "and Pison will only be a sacred idol that they'íll keep on the altar to speak as they desire." "His simple stupid probity will enslave his tongue to pronounce their laws;" "and the first arrest they'íll have him make will rid them of Othon, who can dethrone them." "O gods, how I pity him!" "No doubt he'ís to be pitied, if you abandon him to everything he must fear;" "but since in fact death will finish his troubles," "I fear Ií'll see you more to be pitied than he." "Marriage gives some power over a husband." "Octavia died thinking that." "Her blood still smoking shows you what fate a new Tigellin can expose your days." "This big choice gives you two of them to fear;" "and the more I think about it, the more I tremble for you." "What can I do, Albiane?" "Love, and show..." "That love is stronger for me than duty?" "Think less about Galba than about Lacus, who challenges you, who makes a slave challenge you too." "Think of your perils, and maybe then duty will become love." "Though we owe everything to the supreme powers," "Madame, we owe something to our selves;" "especially when we see dangerous orders from these great sovereigns being issued by others than them." "But does Othon love me?" "Does he love you?" "Ah, Madame." "People thought Plautine had all his soul." "People thought so, but in error:" "else why did Vinius propose his name?" "How could he cheat his hope of making him his son-in-law?" "By feigning to love her, what could he intend?" "To get near you, and give himself at court free and sure access for a more worthy love." "By gaining Vinius's good will, he was able to give him a new hope, and flatter him with a higher, surer rank, if he became emperor through you by his hand." "You see Vinius taking care of things, at the same time as Othon declares love to you." "But he waited quite long to declare it." "My brotherí's confirmed it to you." "Meanwhile you got me to make an advance, to agree to Albin combating his silence, and even Vinius, as soon as he named him to me, could easily see I might love him." "Thatí's the penalty people like you pay for the scrupulous respect people must give you:" "it halts courting, locks up desire, lowers glances, stifles sighs," "enchains tenderness in their breasts;" "and such is the lot of a princess in loving, that what love she has and can give, she has to divine, and force to be divined;" "no matter how little one says to her, one fears ití's too much:" "one hardly risks swearing admiration;" "and to tame this enemy respect, she has to half offer herself despite herself." "See why Othon would still keep silent, if Ií'd not emboldened him through my brother?" "So you think he loves me?" "And that ití'd be sweet for him, if you loved him as he loves you." "Alas, my love too quickly believes what it wants to!" "In vain does reason speak, in vain it worries, in vain mistrust does what it can, my love wants to believe, and believes only because it wants to." "Around Plautine or me I see plots, and I persist joyfully to blind myself." "I pity this abused woman, and she is I perhaps, and she delivers me into eternal sorrows;" "Maybe, at the same moment ití's sweet for me to believe you, heí's assuring Plautine of his honorable vows;" "perhaps..." "The emperorí's coming to see you, to tell you his choice, and have it approved." "If you doní't like it, Madame, you must be firm - a loyal, noble resistance." "You must..." "I know how to take care of my duty." "Go find Othon to witness it." "When my son'sí death desolated my family, dear niece, my love took you for daughter;" "and, seeing in you whatí's left of my blood," "I eased my grief by giving you their rank." "Rome, which has since burdened me with its empire, when under the weight of age I could hardly breathe," "Rome saw my love for you as a way to get me to accept it, less to seat myself so high, than to lift you there." "Not that if Rome could then have been reborn and gotten along without a master," "I wouldní't have thought myself worthy, at that happy moment, to commence her reestablishment with me;" "but this immense empire is too vast for her:" "Without one head, so large a body totters;" "and her invincible horror for "kings"" "has so well adapted to the laws of an emperor, that she can'ít stand, now that ití's a habit, either full liberty or full servitude." "So she wants a master, and her condemnation of Nero shows what she wants in a crowned head." "Neither Vindex, Rufus, nor I caused his downfall;" "his crimes alone did it, and heaven allowed it, to mark for sovereigns that they must answer worthily to the grand choice heaven has made of them." "Till this noble coup, shameful slavery to a single house was our heritage." "Rome has recovered, instead of liberty, only a right to put sovereignty elsewhere;" "and to leave after me a great man on the throne, thatí's all I can do today for Rome." "To take so noble a care is to take care of you:" "the master Rome needs is due you as husband;" "and my zeal unites with paternal love to give you one worthy of you and of Rome." "Julius and the great Augustus chose from their blood or alliance whom to leave this rank to." "I, without considering any domestic tie, have made this choice like them, but from the whole republic:" "Ií've chosen Pison; heí's the blood of Crassus, of Pompey, he has their virtues, and these famous heroes whose steps he'íll follow will join such great names with great names of my race," "that no equal marriage can raise the empire to more dignity." "Ií've tried to reply to this great love of a father by tender respect which cherishes and reveres, sir; and I see even better by this big choice both how much you love me, and how much I owe you." "I know what Pison is and his noble lineage;" "but at risk of displaying weakness in your eyes, however worthy he is of Rome and me," "I dread promising him my heart and loyalty;" "and I admit, sir, that in my marriage" "I feel a bit like Rome where I was born." "I don'ít ask full liberty, since she has lowered her intrepid pride;" "but if you impose full servitude on me," "Ií'll find, like her, the yoke a bit too harsh." "Ií'm too ignorant in matters of state to know what so noble a potentate must be;" "but has Rome within its walls only one single man, has it only Pison worthy of Rome?" "And in all its states couldn'ít two be seen whom youí'd risk letting me wed?" "Nero made a cruel war against virtue, if he depopulated three parts of the earth of it, and if, to give us worthy emperors," "Pison alone with you escaped his furies." "There are other heroes in so vast an empire;" "whom after you people would happily elect, and who could combine, without making you blush, the art of winning hearts with the great art of ruling." "From savage virtue, people fear hard rule, often it revolts people the moment they admire it;" "and since this big choice must be a husband to me, ití'd be good if he had some sweetness, if one could see in him equally graces of a lover and authority of a master, and if he were as ready to give love" "as to make his whole court tremble under him." "Often a bit of love in monarchís' hearts goes well with their luster." "I don'ít think, after all, of resisting:" "I love obeying you, sir, without arguments." "As price of a sacrifice my heart makes, permit a husband to owe me something." "In this servitude where my desire is pleased to be, ití's a liberty to have a choice or two." "Your Pison maybe would please me, if he weren'ít an obligatory husband;" "and his love for me would be more certain, if he sees which rivals Ií'd preferred him to." "This long argument in its delicacy with your tender respect mixes much cleverness." "Though your refusal is wrong, ití's sweet and civil." "Speak then frankly: would you like Othon?" "He'ís been proposed, what do you think?" "Did you at first think him unworthy of the empire, sir?" "No." "But since then, thinking it over," "I found I had to prefer Pison." "His virtue, more solid and incorruptible, will give us, like Augustus, an incomparable era, whereas the other one, sunk in vice by Nero, will bring back that luxury in which Nero formed him," "and all the infamous license with which he dared soil supreme power." "Othon, with such a master, was able to manage, until time freed him." "He who can play court adapts to the morals of the prince;" "but he was wholly his own man in his province;" "and his high virtue by illustrious deeds quickly erased his fake vices." "Each day under you has increased his renown;" "but Pison never had office even in the army; and as he'ís lived till now without employment one doesní't know his worth except on faith." "I want to believe, considering the heroes of his race, that he has their virtues, will follow their steps, will equal their illustrious names;" "but I'd be more believing in grand actions." "If in long exile he seemed without vice, the virtue of exiles is often just artifice." "Without his serving you, you brought him back;" "but Othon is the first who crowned you;" "as soon as he saw two parties, he lined up with yours:" "thus one man owes you everything, and youí're in debt to the other." "Then you'íll take care to acquit me toward him;" "and since for the empire another support is needed, you'íll agree Pison is more worthy of Rome:" "to put away doubt it suffices that I name him." "For Rome and her empire, Ií'll think so since you do;" "but I doubt the other is less worthy of me." "Do doubt it: such a doubt is worthy regarding a soul who wants to revive the vile age of Nero, given that Othon most resembles him..." "You make the choice, Ií'll close my eyes, may your kindness alone ordain all my fate:" "I give myself blindly to whom it gives me." "But when you consult Lacus and Martian, a husband from their hand looks like a tyrant to me;" "and if I may dare say everything in this matter, I see Pison as their creature, who will reign by their orders and lend them his voice, and force me to accept their laws." "I don'ít want a throne where Ií'd be their captive, where their power will enchain me, and whatever happens," "I prefer a husband who knows how to be emperor, than a husband who is and suffers a governor." "Ití's not my plan to constrain hearts." "Letí's speak no more of it: in Rome there'íll be other women whom Pison will not woo in vain." "Your hand is yours, but the empire is mine." "Othon, is it really true you love Camille?" "No doubt my boldness is futile; but if I dared, sir, with kinder fate..." "No, no: if you love her, she loves you too." "Her love next to me speaks so well of you," "I make you a gift of her in reward for your services." "So, though I told Lacus I granted that today would see you Plautine'ís husband, the bright, worthy ardor of so beautiful a flame makes me revoke the order and obtains you for her." "You see me speechless with joy and confused." "I myself was so sure of prompt rejection that I expected a justly angry reprisal," "Ií'm really happy I didní't offend you!" "And far from condemning my too high ambitions..." "You still misunderstand how much you owe her:" "her heart wants your marriage so strongly that, preferring to be yours, it renounces the empire." "So choose together some offices at my court or governments; just say the word." "Sir, if the princess..." "Pison will not wish to rescind my promise." "I named him Caesar, to make him emperor;" "you know his virtues, I answer for his heart." "Adieu." "To observe the traditional form," "Ií'm going with my hand to present him to the army." "For Camille, for this happy union, rest assured she'íll have all my wealth:" "I make her today my sole heir." "You can see now my soul all entire, sir; and I wanted in vain to disguise it, after what love for you made me dare." "What Galba for me took care to tell you..." "What, Madame!" "Othon is costing you the empire?" "He knows better what heí's worth, and not at such price does he let himself be bought by this noble disdain [for empire]." "He must oppose this esteem by which a too magnanimous heart humbles itself for him, and by similar magnanimity, return so high a soul to the throne she deserves." "Whatever the causes of so perfect a love..." "I doní't know, sir, how to value things:" "and in this prompt success that charms our hearts you owe me much less than you think." "It looks to you that Ií'm renouncing the empire for you, and that a blind love led me." "I love you, ití's true; but if the empire is sweet," "I think I assure myself of it when I give myself to you." "As long as Galba lives, respect for his age, at least in appearance, will support his choice:" "Pison will think he'íll reign; but perhaps one day" "Rome will let herself choose at her turn." "To make an emperor then, whatever excites her, race or merit, our union will have the votes of every side, because I have the blood and you the ability." "Under a name so famous that makes you preferable, Galba'ís heir will add luster:" "people will love this title on so worthy a husband, and the empire is mine, if people see me yours." "Ah, Madame, throw away this vain hope of seeing us someday back in play:" "if we must accept law from Pison," "Rome, as long as he lives, will no longer have eyes for me;" "well may she murmur against an unworthy master, she'íll put up with him, no matter how vile or evil." "Tiberius was cruel, Caligula brutal," "Claudius weak, Nero unsurpassed in infamy:" "he destroyed himself with his great crimes;" "but the rest passed for legitimate princes." "Claudius even, who without heart or eyes, went mad the moment he opened them, and Narcissus and Pallas, having driven him mad, made a reign of barbary with his permission." "He reigned nevertheless, though he made himself hated, until Nero got sick of obeying;" "and that monster enemy of Roman virtue succumbed only tardily under common hate." "By what they dared to do, judge what Pison, governed by Lacus, will dare do after you'íve refused him." "He'íll have no trouble seeing, he who yearns for you, that your marriage to me leaves a claim to the empire." "Everyone so inclined will want to court you, and supreme power makes love bold." "If Nero who loved me dared steal PoppÈe, judge, to reseize your usurped hand, what scruple Pison'll have in the blackest attack against a rival in love and state." "Thereí's nowhere, in exile or Lusitania, where the rest of my life can hide from Pison;" "and I know too well the court to doubt for a moment, either the extent of his hate, or the outcome." "So here's the noble heart one thought intrepid!" "Danger scares him like anyone else, before my eyes." "And to mount the throne and possess me, his surest hope dares risk nothing!" "He'ís afraid of Pison!" "So tell me, please, if your audacity to love me openly has been seen, if for you and him the throne has the same charms, are you less rivals if you doní't marry me?" "By what reasoning do you think his hate will cease for someone who disputes him the throne and mistress, and that he'íll forget, when sovereign, that you may still have hidden designs?" "Don'ít fool yourself more: he'ís seen in your soul your ambition and love, and he can do everything against you, unless against him my marriage assures you support from Galba." "So be it!" "He'íll kill me for loving you; his hate will be sweet to my inflamed heart;" "and Ií'd spare no drop of my blood, if thus you can reign." "But permit this sincere love to tell you again what it dares not keep silent:" "In the state Pison'ís in, you must today renounce the empire, or take it with him." "Before deciding, think well, Madame;" "ití's your interest sole that makes my love speak." "There are a thousand sweetnesses in a rank so high of which youí've perhaps thought less than you ought." "Maybe at some point you'íll realise it;" "and if I may again speak of PoppÈe, I'll say no doubt she loved me a bit, but that a throne soon lights up another fire." "Heavení's given you the noblest, most beautiful soul;" "but youí're a princess, and ultimately a woman like her." "The horror of seeing someone else in the place thatí's your due, and just anger at having fallen too far, will press this soul in secret to give in to even the slightest hope of retaking power." "Eyes don'ít want to stay shut all the time; but empire has charms for them all the time." "Love passes, or languishes; and strong as it may be, of thirst to reign ití's not always master." "I don'ít know what love Ií've aroused in you, sir;" "but it loves to argue about the empire:" "I find it strong for that, strong enough to show it knows every bait empire has, and in what it tells me regarding so great a choice" "I see ití's deigned to think a bit, more than once." "I want to believe with you that ití's firm and sincere, that it tells me only what it doesn'ít dare be silent about;" "but to be frank... --Ah, Madame, believe me" "Yes, Ií'll believe Pison whom you send me to;" "and you, to give yourself more joy, will believe Plautine, whom I send you back to." "Ií'm not jealous, and I say so without anger:" "You love only the empire, and I loved only you." "Don'ít fear anything, Ií'm a woman and princess, but without the pride or weakness;" "and your blindness causes me too much pity to oppress it further with my enmity." "I see, Albin, machinations to ruin me!" "Sir, all is lost, if you see Plautine." "Letís' go anyway: the troubles I have can'ít stand advice except from a heart all mine." "What do you want, sir, that I give you advice?" "I feel trouble equal to your grief;" "and my heart all for you isní't enough to find remedy for the ills I foresee:" "I can only cry, only feel sorrow for you." "The choice of Pison alone gives us everything to fear:" "my father told you he leaves us three only a hope to die together as we choose;" "and now we fear also a lover irritated by an offer accepted and taken back in less than a day, by a homage with results so inconsistent, and by a throne which she's lost for you in vain." "For you she was adorable with that throne, for you she renounced it, and no longer has anything lovable." "Where will such just anger lead her, the shame of seeing herself without empire and without you?" "Shame all the greater and painful because she was sure she'íd return to power, and because her hand for you thought soon to regain what her heart for you appeared to disdain." "So all I can do is die." "I wanted to, Madame, when I could without crime, for my flame of love;" "and now I must want to, since your cruel halt to my dying has made me a criminal." "You commanded me to offer myself to Camille;" "thanks to our bad luck this crime is futile." "I'll die yours entirely; and if by obeying" "I seemed to love badly, or betray you, my hand, emboldened in your eyes by that same order, will wash my false perfidy in my blood." "Don'ít envy, Madame, to my inhuman fate the glory of ending at least, as true Roman, after it'ís pleased you to render me incapable of the comforts of dying as true lover." "Far from condemning the noble passion," "I wish to make it my own joy and ambition." "For lesser misfortunes people give up life." "Be sure Ií'll follow Arrius's example:" "my hand is just as steady, my heart as brave, and when need be, I know how to do it." "If youí'd deign, sir, until then to restrain yourself, maybe I might hope, though with everything to fear." "Camille is angry and can be appeased." "Would you condemn me, Madame, to marrying her?" "Can I oppose my own defense!" "But if at last your days have no other safety, if there'ís no other way... --Ah, letí's run to death;" "or if we must try to avoid it, let's endure all Lacusí's tyranny, before submitting me to this ignominy." "I'd prefer his most barbaric attacks to the disgrace to seeing myself without empire or you, to the shame of a marriage that makes me infamous, since Camilleí's love is made a crime, and a throne is stolen from her by hate" "of her wish to promise love to no one but me." "Not that for me, without you, this throne has any charm:" "for you I tried for it, but not without fears;" "and if Galba hadní't disdained me," "Ií'd have borne the scepter and youí'd have reigned;" "your wishes alone (my worthy sovereigns) would hold the reins of an empire so vast." "Your laws..." "So ití's for me to make you emperor." "I could have: the means horrified me at first; but I can overcome that, and by giving myself can assure you life and diadem, and repair the crime of a pride that robs you of a throne and opens your coffin." "Ií'd have had Martianí's vote for you, if Ií'd suffered his insolent homage." "His love..." "Martian knew his place so little that he dared..." "He hasn'ít extinguished his fire yet; and whatever caused Pison to be chosen," "Ií've only to say a word to change it." "You could stand to listen to him?" "For you, sir, I'íd even accept him." "Reflect on your honor, it'íd tell you..." "That ití's my duty to get you back the empire." "That a face still marked by chains he bore" "Has a right to charm me if he makes you safe." "Can you imagine the ignominy?" "I caní't, sir, in saving your life." "To marry him before my eyes!" "And worse..." "Give yourself to Camille, or I give myself to him." "Letí's die, letí's die, Madame, one for the other, with all my honor, with all yours." "to give ourselves a passing the gods will envy, give yourself wholly to me, as I wholly to you;" "or if to conserve in you all I love, my misfortune makes you insist on giving yourself, at least have equal care of your honor, and prefer to me only a noble rival." "I'íll die of sorrow, but Ií'd die of rage, if you prefer to me an ex-slave." "Ah, sir, stop Plautine..." "Sir, you'íll stop everything, if you have the heart." "Despite the hard turn of our chances, heaven puts in your hands all our fortune." "Sir, what are you saying?" "What Ií/ve just seen is that to be emperor he has only to want to." "Ah, sir, no empire unless with Plautine." "Seize a throne heaven destines you for;" "and to choose yourself with whom to fill it, help your happy destiny be fulfilled." "The armyí/s seen Pison, but with a murmur that seemed to dislike the injury done to you." "Galba presented him severely, giving no hope of largess." "He could, with the charms of a phony promise, have thrown the soldiers a moment of joy;" "but he preferred haughtily to protest that he knew how to recruit them, not to buy them." "This haughty hardness, at the wrong time, recalled the horror of past cruelties, when from Spain to Rome he strewed his path with Romans sacrificed to his new destiny, and after soiling each and with their blood," "with a new carnage he made his entry here." "So, all while Pison harangued them, your name ran from rank to rank." "Four of the most zealous came to tell me, and promised me for you the troops and the empire." "So run to the square, where you'íll find them;" "follow them to their camp, and make sure of them:" "A moment seized can do everything." "If this adverse star that..." "Stop arguing, do what must be done;" "a momentí's delay can unravel everything, and the least suspicion will get you arrested." "Before I go, let me protest..." "Go!" "As emperor you'íll tell us the rest." "Thatí's not all of it, my daughter, a surer good fortune, whichever way it comes, puts the empire in your hand." "Were you flattering Othon with a vain dream?" "No: all I said was a sincere report." "I hope to see you reign with this dear Othon;" "But doní't hope less from Pison:" "Galba gives you to him." "Annoyed with Camille, whose love has ruined his plan, he want this marriage, besides punishing her refusal, to reunite Martian and Lacus with me, and to trump the sinister auguries of the division he sees in his ministers." "So people'll fight for you on both sides." "The luckiest chief will bear you his troth." "Without part in his perils, you'íll have his glory, and will see at your feet one or the other victorious." "What?" "My heart, given this hero by you, can'ít love him anymore if heí's not crowned?" "And if his bad luck consigns us to Pison, for this same Pison must I want to live?" "If our shared wishes have contrary results, you can try again as you did before;" "and she who'ís given up Othon for his crown, can give herself up to reign in her turn." "If Ií've made a noble effort to crown him, must I make a shameful one to profit from his death?" "I was depriving myself of him without selling myself to anyone, and you want, sir, that his death bestow me, that my heart, dragged by the splendor of rank, fly after a hand smoking with his blood;" "that I, triumphant and delighted by his misfortune, be the infamous reward for having cut down his life!" "No, sir: weíll have the same fate today; you'íll see me reign or perish with him:" "For only one of the two, this heart aspires." "How poorly you still see what empire is!" "If you could try it for just two days, youí'd never think youí'd paid too much for power;" "and youí'd see a thousand lovers die with joy, if it costs all their blood to gain it for you." "Love Othon, if you can make him a sure support;" "but if need be, love yourself more than him, and without worrying where lightning will strike, let the gods decide whose head gets shattered:" "Take the scepter at the expense of whichever falls, and reign without scruple with whichever reigns." "What strange maxims your politics has!" "My love, if it dared, would find crimes in them." "I know how to love, sir, and keep faith, to do what I must for a lover, to offer myself in sacrifice for his fortune, and I'íll know how to die if I see him dying;" "but I doní't know the art of forcing my grief to reap the fruits of his misfortune." "Keep yourself ready, nevertheless, to use that art;" "change your feelings, or at least your language;" "and to harmonize your fortune and heart, hope for the lover, and keep yourself for the victor." "Adieu:" "I see the princess Camille coming." "Whatever turmoil you feel, display a tranquil spirit, profit from her mistake, and keep your eye better open to the bright and sweet luster of the throne sheí's losing." "Will you welcome, Madame, a faithful service in my paying homage to my empress?" "I think Ií've no right to stop you but you'íre not find her here." "When Galba gives you to Pison as wife..." "Ití's not a thing to be jealous about yet." "If I loved the empire or Pison, I could be his wife already, with reason." "And if I, Madame, loved Pison or the empire, Ií'd have reason not to refuse them;" "but your example teaches hearts like mine that open contempt sometimes suits them." "What?" "The empire and Pison have nothing you like?" "What you disdain I find contemptible; what your eyes like seems sweet to mine too:" "I find such glory modeling myself on you!" "So if I loved Othon. --I would too, if my hand gave him the diadem." "Can't one be worthy of him without the throne?" "I refer that to you, whom he loves today." "You can talk about it better than anyone, and your ardors were mutual, your example lets no one doubt: one can'ít merit him if one lacks the crown." "My example lets no one doubt: he can leave you for lack of crown." "His eyes found much charm in you without it..." "All passions aren'ít alike." "In fact, you have merit so rare..." "Charms aside, love is sometimes bizarre; tastes change with different loves:" "you give yourself to some, sell yourself to others." "One who knows Othon could advise me as a friend." "And one who so esteems him, to raise him so high, can, if she wants, teach me what heí's worth;" "so that if my fires rekindle" "I had esteem for him before I knew him, I sent him back to you once I did." "Anyone coming from you is always welcome:" "I accept the present, and believe I can without shame, since he comes from you, find value in him." "He came to see you to return his soul?" "He knows duty too well to neglect your order." "He left you quickly, his ingratitude..." "Does that disturb you, Madame?" "No, but I like to know how Ií'm obeyed." "Curiosity sometimes betrays us;" "by a hint it draws from the heart, it often says more than it thinks." "Mine doesn'ít say all you think." "About all I think, it explains enough." "Often too much interest which love forces us to take hears more than's said or ought to be heard." "If you knew what my most ardent desire is..." "Of Othon or Pison I give you the choice:" "my lack of ambition gives you back one with joy;" "as for the other, if I must send him back to you, my love, I confess, will complain; but you know it likes to defer to yours." "I can do without this deference." "No doubt, yet if I believe appearances..." "Letí's stop there: this talkí's getting tiresome." "Martian, whom I see, will talk better." "Accept my retreat, and let me avoid an insolent slave whose love irritates me." "She tells me, Martian, you love her?" "Despite her stuck-up contempt, my eyes are charmed by her." "But as for the empire, ití's still yours:" "Galba'ís given in, and Pison adores you." "This is due simply to your great influence?" "Don'ít deny what my zeal has done." "My efforts have diverted the emperor'ís anger, and sent home Plautine to obey her father." "Our new Caesar wanted to marry her;" "but I got him to discard his illusions;" "and Galba, whose blood insists for his family, permits Vinius to place his daughter elsewhere." "He gives you back the crown, and Piso all his heart." "Prize more the glory and sweetness of it, and the felicity you robbed yourself of by too hasty aversion;" "and in your own interests, deign to consider..." "I see my mistake and can repair it;" "but I want - for I'íve never been ungrateful - first that my gratitude shine, and shall do nothing that doesní't make you happy." "You love, you say, that severe creature, and Pison won'ít see his hand in mine till he'ís reduced Plautine to give you hers, if her contempt for your fires hasn't gotten you to form other desires." "Ah, Madame, marriage has such sweet chains, that it requires little time to calm hatred;" "and at least my happiness can dramatically avenge you on Plautine and punish an ingrate." "Ií'd preferred him, the ingrate, to the empire;" "I said so, and too loudly to be able to deny it;" "and love, which teaches me lover'sí weakness, unites your sweetest hopes with my resentments, so I can plan my vengeance on Plautine, and soon achieve it by his own destruction." "Ah, if you want, I know arms all ready;" "and I'íve enough heat for all your concerns..." "Ah, what keen joy this gives me!" "These arms you offer me, let me see them, let me give them the order and prescribe the time." "I want Othoní's eyes to see your desires satisfied, to watch his mistress'ís marriage put into your arms the object of his tenderness, to have this despair before he dies:" "After that, you'íll see me race to his coffin." "Until then, don'ít try anything." "You must wait till Ií'm given back power." "Go get ready for these happy times;" "but do nothing without my command." "You want to kill Othon!" "You can, Madame!" "How badly you see the depth of my soul!" "I saw his vile rivalí's black project." "I can stop it like this, putting myself in charge;" "Ií'd be overjoyed if he could know the care I take of his life." "Go find my brother, and have him for me tell Othon the risks he runs, what his blind conduct exposes him to; that his only safety is in flight." "Thatí's all my anger can suffer for love." "From anger to love, return will be sweet." "Ah, Madame, look what misfortune menaces us!" "15 or 20 rebels in the middle of the square have just proclaimed Othon emperor." "And Othon'ís not horrified by their insolence, he who knows such outbreaks quickly abort?" "They'íre leading him to the camp, or rather they/íre carrying him:" "and the people gathered round them tremble at their audacity and let them pass." "Does the emperor know?" "Yes, Madame; he sends for you;" "and for prompt remedy to what one hears," "Pison will pursue these mutineersí steps, with whatever soldiers can be found." "Since Othon wants to perish, letí's let him." "Letí's press Galba to punish him." "From anger to love, if return is sweet, to go back again is easy, from love to anger." "I tell you again, fear my vengeance, if youí've even slightly connived with him." "One doesní't pardon in matters of state:" "the more one cherishes the hand, the more one hates the attack;" "and when madness goes as far as sacrilege, neither sex nor blood have privilege." "This unworthy suspicion would soon be destroyed, if youí'd look where the fruit of the crime goes." "Othon, who sighs for Plautine from the depth of his heart," "Othon, who disdains me without empire, if he conquers it and dethrones you, which of us two will he crown?" "Would I conspire Pisoní's ruin, when it would lose me the throne and put Plautine on it?" "Trust my interests, if you doubt of me;" "and on such guaranty, sure of my faith, turn on Vinius all the distrust which unjust beliefs tarnish my honor with." "Vinius by his zeal is vindicated." "Look what in one day he sacrificed for me:" "he offered me Othon for you, whom he'íd wanted as son-in-law;" "I return Othon to his daughter, he gladly takes him back." "I want her for Pison, my will is followed;" "I put you in her place, and found him overjoyed;" "his friend rebelled, he encouraged my anger;" "he gave Martian Plautine on my request:" "Shall I suspect a crime in the pledges of a man who cooperates with everything I want?" "One who wants equally everything proposed to him, in his secret heart often wants something different;" "and master of his soul, he has no other loyalty than what he gives to himself." "Yet this marriage is final proof of loyalty ever pure, impregnable, entire." "Youí'll see how that loyalty will react, sir, and how Plautine will really obey." "Sure of her resistance, and maybe deluding himself heí'd soon see here his dear Othon the master, and given how heí's arranged your future, he readily promises more than he wants to do." "Duty divides the strongest friendship, but love readily prevails over duty;" "and its fire, which never goes out but half, interests a lover differently than a friend." "I see Vinius." "Bring me his daughter:" "Ií'll punish the whole family for the crime, if I find reason not to doubt it;" "but till then Ií'd be wrong to strike." "I see Lacus too." "So!" "What news?" "What did you two learn in the camp, about our rebels?" "That those from the navy and the Illyrians have angrily joined the Pretorians, and that the troops recalled from the Nile alone are uninfected by the madness." "All these mutineers are just simple soldiers;" "none of the officers mix in their vain attacks:" "So fear nothing from an armed mob where already fights have probably broken out." "As soon as ití's known people are screaming for proscription of these plotsí' authors, and are demanding perfidious Othon'ís head, shame will calm the tempest;" "and youí'll only have to show yourself, sir, to return with a glance each man to his duty." "Shall we, Vinius, go hasten by my presence the effect of hope so sweet and just?" "Don'ít risk, sir, except in last resort, the formidable effect of your authority." "True, when it works, all make space, all give way to it;" "but when it doesní't work, there'ís no further course." "You need, to deploy sovereign power, either total security or profound despair;" "and we arení't, sir, to be frank, in condition to dare anything, no more than to fear everything." "If men are rushing into monstrous crime, let their impetuosity slow down:" "it aborts by itself, and fear of punishment will arm the most zealous accomplices against the leader." "Salutary advice would act slowly." "A true prince acts with command:" "and I don'ít think this advice salutary, that when they crown Othon, to watch it done." "If men are rushing to monstrous crime, one needs to suppress the impetuosity before the spirits, which a proper fright would set right, can embolden seeing our nonchalance, and take advantage of these prudent counsels, when thereí's no time left to search their effect." "You always want to destroy my counsels with yours:" "the sole sound of my voice inspires you to differ;" "and as long as you have this rare and high influence," "Ií'll have only to speak to be contradicted." "Pison, whose happy choice is your worthy work, would be merely Pison if heí'd had my support." "You aroused Martian against Othon only because my mouth proposed his name;" "and youí'd see, like others, proof enough of how much more salutary is your counsel, if youí'd not vowed till death to be the enemy of counsel you don'ít give." "And you'íre Othoní's friend, that says it all; and maybe you who wanted him for son-in-law and chose him for master, now make no votes except in favor of this choice, to have him as master and son-in-law together." "I was Othoní's friend, and proud to be till the indignity of so black an action, that some will say resulted from the despair where, despite me, your power plunged him." "I wanted him for son-in-law, and chose him for the empire;" "to neither choice could you agree." "Thereby the state'ís happiness increased;" "and you see too how it applauds you." "How unfortunate is a prince when the zeal of those he listens to tries to take different routes, and the attachment they have for their own judgment pushes bitterly for different courses." "Am I wrong?" "And can I call zeal this hate you both stubbornly persist in, which maybe, despite the evils it foresees, in my interests consults and trusts only itself?" "Do better; and believe, in this extreme peril, you, that Lacus serves me, you, that Vinius loves me:" "hate only Othon, and reflect that today you'íre both not to speak except against him." "I dare then repeat to you, as sincere servant, that it'ís bad to goad so many angry people, that you must give the good ones, for mutual support, time to recover and unite, and to let the bad ones recognize" "the impiety of attacking their master." "Pison meanwhile can divert their frenzy, terrify them of your reprisals, and add hope of clemency at their least repentance of such insolence;" "and if you have at last to go to his aid, what some want done now will still be possible to do." "I doubt that, and think to speak as sincere servant," "I, who doní't have friends in the hostile faction." "Shall we wait, sir, till Pison, repulsed, comes to bury us under the state overthrown, until they descend into the square in battle formation, until they hold your court besieged in this palace, until Othon goes, before your eyes, to the Capitol" "to give thanks to the gods for the empire usurped, and till, his brow adorned with your diadem, this too-happy traitor disposes of yourself?" "Letí's go, letí's go, sir, arms in our hands, to uphold the senate and the Roman people;" "let'ís seek death at their head, before the eyes of Othon, more odious for him, and more honest for us;" "and by a noble effort letí's show him" "Well well, my niece, well well!" "It is sweet to reign?" "Is it sweet to hold the tiller of an empire, while watching its supports forever arguing?" "The more oneís counsels disagree, the more a good choice is clear." "Thatí's what Ií'd say, were I not suspect; but I am Pisoní's, sir, and respect you, and yet can'ít hold back these two words, that if one had believed me one would be in repose." "Plautine whom they'íre bringing will think the same:" "she looks wounded by a burning sorrow..." "I don'ít deny it, Madame, Othon is dead;" "from everyone coming here ití's the common report;" "and his coffin will not have so many charms for you, that to your eyes like mine ití'll not cost some tears." "Does she speak true, Rutile, or do I delude myself in vain?" "Sir, the rumor is widespread, and the author uncertain." "Everyone wants him to be dead, and people say he is;" "but how and by whom, no one says." "Go, go, Lacus, you yourself take charge to let us see a definite witness of it, and if the author of this grand blow can be known" "Search no further, you see him here, sir, it'ís by his hand a rebel was punished" "By Atticusí's hand this great trouble has ended!" "My zeal pushed my hand and the gods directed it;" "and ití's for you, sir, to stop the rest, to prevent disorder and limit the cruelty which the victors inflict on the vanquished." "Letí's rush there." "But console yourself, Plautine;" "just think of the husband my choice destines for you:" "Vinius gives you him, and youí'll accept him, when your first tears evaporate." "Ití's you, Martian, whom I leave to guard her." "Since ití's your hand her marriage will take, be gentle with her, and doní't make her bitter." "You need, Vinius, not follow my steps;" "and your old friendship, what little is left in you..." "Ah, ití's a friendship, sir, that I detest, my heart is wholly yours, and has had no friends save they'íve been seen to submit to your orders." "Follow me; but don'ít be too complacent." "Lovers'í conversation hates any other presence, Madame;" "Ií'll go back to my room to thank the gods for such an outcome." "Go hide the tears that escape:" "Othoní's disaster hits you like me;" "if one believes your dearest wishes, this great day was to see him crowned with you." "See the fruit of loving me too much; see the result..." "If your soul inflamed..." "Vile slave, you disturb my grief?" "You want to soften my pain?" "You dare offer base love?" "Itís' right that a noble heart weeps now; but also right not too to cry for a loss easy to repair." "It's time for a subject loyal to his prince happily to fill a rebelí's place: a monarch wants it; a father agrees." "You must make effort for you both, and banish from this heart the shameful memory of a criminal love that soils your honor." "Wretch!" "Youí're not worth my deigning to lower myself to reply." "Shut up, leave in peace a soul possessed by thoughts still dearer than sad:" "Don'ít interrupt my tears again. --Look at me:" "after Othon'ís death, how can you do better?" "Whatever insolent hope your insane arrogance has, see that Ií'll punish its excess:" "and pierce with my hand your heart or mine, rather than suffer this degrading marriage." "Know what you are, if you can, or know me." "Please, let me..." "To speak to me, you too have gall, assassin of a hero whom I'd see, but for you, giving laws to the world and taking them from me." "You, whose bloody hand damns me to despair?" "If you love Othon, Madame, he'íll revive;" "and youí'll long see his life secure, if he dies just from blows I bragged of." "Othon's still alive?" "He triumphs, Madame;" "master of the state, like you of his soul, you'íll see him soon at your knees, to offer you fortune he loves only for you, and whose glory his passion will disdain, if you won'ít be his victoryí's prize." "The army'ís finally recognized his merit; they bear Pison'ís head to him;" "and Camille doesn'ít hold to what she just said, or thanks for you the gods of a different empire, and wearies heaven with futile prayers for one whom it no longer sees." "You rot!" "Your frivolous promise..." "Who promises to betray can break his word." "If Iíd' not promised this cowardly assassination, someone else by your order would have;" "and all I said was only a scheme to put in his hands Lacus and Galba himself." "Galba has nothing to fear: we respect his name, and ití's only under him Othon wants to reign." "As for Lacus and you, I see little to suggest your days are so assured." "unless Madame is kind enough to sway a conqueror justly angered." "Around this palace we have 2 cohorts, who already for Othon seized the gates;" "I command here, Madame; and my orders today are to obey you, and to hold him." "Take him away, soldiers!" "Sight of him offends." "Was ever disgrace, o gods, more unexpected?" "Ií'm troubled and doní't know why my heart darení't enjoy this fortune:" "It seems too sad to give over to joy;" "and though in its sweetness my displeasure drowns," "I go from one extreme to the other with a strange sense of fear." "I feel..." "What's Flavia want, so upset?" "To tell you heavení's angry wrath, or fate'ís jealous fury" "Have they put Othon in Galbaí's chains?" "Mid this great success, has fickle fortune tricked our sweet expectations?" "Othon is free, he reigns; but, alas!" "Heí's wounded, maybe mortally?" "No, everywhere he'ís seen, men put down their arms" "And yet his good fortune will cost you tears." "Tell me what I must cry about." "You see I tremble to tell you." "Itís' so bad?" "From a balcony, at my brotherís', I saw..." "I wish I didní't have to tell you, or have you guessed, seeing me, that Vinius" "Yes?" "Has just been murdered. --Good heavens!" "By Lacus, his cruel hate..." "O how right were my fears!" "His hand dealt the fatal blow." "They were both walking with Galba, when, turning together into the first street, they found Othon master of it." "Fright made them recoil some steps, only to see your soldiers had seized this palace;" "and Lacus immediately burst into rage at seeing Othon had blocked passage everywhere;" "he threw a furious look at Vinius, went up to him without a word, and drew out a dagger..." "The traitor!" "Alas, Flavia, look what I'íve come to!" "You hear me, Madame." "I go on:" "The coward turned on Galba with the same fury:" ""Die, sir," said he, "but die emperor, and receive this blow as a last homage that owes your glory noble courage."" "Galba fell; and the monster, stabbing open his own side, mixed his own detestable blood with their noble blood." "In vain poor Othon, at this horrible spectacle, rushed to stop it:" "all your dear conqueror could manage was to pour tears on Vinius dying, to embrace him dead." "Here he is, Madame, he'íll show you better, the troubles of his soul." "Madame, you know the crimes of Lacus?" "I just learned now my father'ís no more." "Flee, sir, flee an object of sadness;" "On a day so beautiful for you, taste joy better." "You'íre emperor, spare yourself pain seeing a father..." "Alas, Ií'm deader than he; if your kindness doesn'ít give me back a life which a traitor stabbing his heart robbed me of, I'íll not come back here but as hapless lover, to pay homage to your eyes in my last moment." "My love for you alone sought victory;" "this love without you caní't suffer glory or accept title as master of Romans, except to put the universe and me in your hands." "Ití's for you to order what remains to do." "Ití's for me to mourn and cry for my father:" "Not that I blame you, in my pain, for Lacusí's crimes and our misfortune; but..." "Speak, if possible, as lover: our desires" "Doní't add to my confusion." "You see my duty and know my loyalty:" "in my dire state, answer for me." "Adieu, sir." "Please, one more word, Madame." "They await you, sir, on the Capitol;" "The senate comes up there express to swear to your laws before Jupiterí's eyes." "Ií'm coming, Albin, but whatever honor they destine for me, ití'll have no sweetness without Plautine, so at least let me obtain from my love, her order or permission to go there, so that on my return, my soul a bit more tranquil," "I can try to console Camille, and swear to her myself, this unhappy day, loyal friendship in default of love." "This film is dedicated to the large number of those born in the French languag, who've never had the privilege of knowing the work of Corneille;" "and to Alberto Moravia and Laura Betti who obtained authorisation for me to shoot on the Palatine Hill and in the gardens of the Villa Doria-Pamphili, in Rome. ††††††--J.M.S." "Subtitles:" "Tag Gallagher."