XLI
This tells how Nero sought to hide
Within a garden, where he died,
Self-slain. Thus, coward-like, life’s stage
He fled, nor dared the people’s rage.
How Nero died
“Then ran he swift to hide his head
In flower-grown close, and with him fled6800
Two faithful slaves, but all around
He heard the fearful surging sound
Of maddening voices, which: ‘Nero,’
Cried loudly, ‘thou to hell shalt go;
Where skulk’st thou?’ And he, terrified,
Beheld that vain it was to hide,
Yet knew not how to go or stay
So he might ’scape the dread affray.
And compassing his fearsome case,
Despaired he of all hope of grace,6810
And ’mandment gave his slaves to kill
Their master, and when nought fulfil
Would they his best, the wretched elf
Fell on his sword and slew himself
Outright, but ere death came he gave
His servants bidding they should shave
His head from off his trunk, that none
Might know ’twas he, and, that stroke done,
They should his corse without delay
Burn on a pyre to ashes grey.6820
This may be read by him who dives
Among old parchments in the lives
Of those twelve Cæsars, which were writ
By Suetonius, who doth twit
