XXXIX
How Emperor Nero, in his mad
And cruel unchecked fury, bade
In daylight clear, before his eyes,
His minions to anatomise
His mother living, and the spot
Disclose where he was erst begot.
Nero and Seneca
“Alas! that thus should Fortune play
Her pranks, and worthy men betray
To misery, while the better part
She deals to miscreants. In thine heart
Bethink thou well of Socrates
(Too wise a foolish world to please);6530
My love I gave him, and to me
He gave his love all utterly.
Full many examples have there been
Of this in old-time records seen,
In proof whereof will I relate
Great Seneca’s and Nero’s fate.
But here I purpose not to tell
The grievous crimes and actions fell
Of Nero; such a tale of wrong
Were wearisome and over long
To cite once more; how he with dire
Intention set great Rome a-fire,
And many a senator that time
Met death by his atrocious crime.
Or how with heart more obdurate
Than stone, he sealed his brother’s fate;
