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AGRIPPINA AT BAY 235
fictitious plot,
and succeeded in rousing the Emperor to such
a pitch of terror that he started from his couch and tore his
hair.
'
Agrippina shall die ! '
he exclaimed ;
'
and Eubellius
Plautus shall die. Here, give me my tablets. Despatch
instant orders for their arrest and execution. And send for
Burrus no ! he is the creature of my mother ;
she made
him Praetorian Prsefect. My foster-brother Csecina Tuscus
shall command the Praetorians, and Burrus shall die.
Quick,
quick, send for Seneca not a
;
moment is to be lost !
Late as was the hour, one of the centurions on guard was
despatched to the Palace of Seneca. He was reading the
'
Republic ' of Plato to his wife, Paulina, and his friend Fabius
Rusticus, after a frugal supper in a modestly furnished
room. When the slave announced that he was summoned by
soldiers from the Palace, Paulina arid Rusticus grew deadly
pale and Seneca, though he strove to conceal his emotion,
;
trembled in every limb. He ordered the centurion to be
admitted, and, striving to conceal the agitation of his voice,
asked if he knew why the Emperor desired his presence at so
late an hour. The centurion did not know, but said that the
Emperor seemed to be alarmed about something, and needed
the advice of his minister. Seneca demanded his toga, and
hastened to the Palace. Nero told him what Paris had disclosed.
He did not believe in the reality of the plot, but in
those days anything was possible. He, however, pledged his
own life on the fidelity of Burrus, and urged the Emperor
Burrus came, and listened
to summon him into his presence.
gravely.
'
It is a serious matter,' he said,
'
to order the execution of
anyone without allowing an opportunity for defence. It
would be still more serious to execute without a trial an
Augusta, and your own mother.'
'
Think
'
again,' said Nero. Rubellius Plautus has the
blood of the Csesars in his veins, and my mother is capable of
anything to get power.'
'
I need not think again,' answered Burrus, bluntly.
'
When once I have made up my mind, I do not alter it.'
Nero frowned, but Burrus only added :
'
There are no accusers.
You are relying on the sole voice of Paris, a freedman
of a hostile family, and you have only heard his story
'