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SECOND OFFICER.

Sylvius is suspected, as I hear.

FIRST OFFICER.

Hush! let us to our duty; it is time

To change the inner guard.
[Exeunt, with music, into the gate of the palace.

SCENE II.

A Council Chamber in the Palace: Nero with his Counsellors discovered; Nero in the act of speaking.

NERO.

Yes, Servius; formerly we have admitted,

As minor powers, amongst the ancient gods
Of high imperial Rome, the foreign deities
Of friendly nations; but these Nazarenes
Scorn such association, proudly claiming
For that which is the object of their faith,
Sole, undivided homage: and our altars,
Our stately temples, the majestic forms
Of Mars, Apollo, thund'ring Jove himself,
By sculptor's art divine so nobly wrought,
Are held by these mad zealots in contempt.
Examine, sayest thou! shall imperial Cæsar
Deign to examine what withstands his power?
I marvel at thy folly, Servius Sillus.