L'INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA - Les chemins du Baroque

First soldier
Say also that our prince robs everyone
to reward a few;
the innocent are suffering
and the villains are always in places of honour.
Second soldier
He trusts no-one but Seneca, his teacher.
First soldier
That old thief?
Second soldier
That sly fox!
First soldier
That evil courtier
who builds his profit
on betraying his friends!
Second soldier
That godless architect
who builds his house on the graves of others!
First soldier
Don’t repeat to anyone what we’ve been saying.
Be careful whom you trust;
Just as the eyes may mistrust one another,
yet look outward always in unison.
First and second soldiers
So let us take heed from the eyes
and not act like fools.
First soldier
But see, it is dawn and the day is breaking;
First and second soldiers
Let’s be silent; Nero’s here.
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