feigned, the dear child, and you suspected nothing. He’s clever at feigning. —Yes, it’s me, it’s really me, old Tiberius, that was thought to be at Capri, who comes like this to surprise his good people. Eh, what? Your heart didn’t tell you I was in Rome, in your midst.? I’ve been here for the last two days in this disguise, alone with Kiomara, my faithful Gaul. I haven’t wasted my time, I swear to you. I heard everything, saw all, guessed all, and I know better than ever the feelings of the people of Rome for their master. You see me filled with gratitude.
NERVA (aside)
He plays with his prey before tearing it to piees.
AURELIUS
By Jove, I really feel his claws.
TIBERIUS
Alas! Why is there a cloud in my sky? What, my good friends, you conspire against me?
PORCIUS
Mercy, Tiberius, mercy.
(He falls to his knees with Seneca and several others.)
AURELIUS
Wretched cowards!
TIBERIUS
Baseness after treachery. Indeed, they’re all the same.
NERVA
Don’t insult those whose heads remain unbowed, whose eyes look you in the face!
TIBERIUS
Right! Now there are the traditions of old Rome. I recognize there, indeed, probity, justice, heroic severity—in a word, the Republican Nerva!
(aside)
All my hate for this one!
(aloud)
They say you have a charming daughter—present her to me.
NERVA
You won’t tear her from the altar of Vesta.
(Blandine enters with Chariclea.)
BLANDINE
Father!
NERVA
Wretched hild!
TIBERIUS
Charming indeed.
BLANDINE (on her knees to Tiberius)
Caesar, prove that you are master by pardoning—
TIBERIUS
An innocent and sweet girl an disarm the powers of the earth. Well yes, I pardon. I’m doing even more, I’m taking you all to Capri where we will celebrate peace “en famille”—in a magnificent feast. You know, Caesar has this in common with Jupiter, he gets bored, sometimes. I need to distract myself and I cannot find a better opportunity to cheer myself up a little.
ROMULUS
If I could just squirm away—
(A Praetorian pushes him back brutally)
TIBERIUS
Ah, it’s you, Citizen of Rome! You accuse me of being miserly with spectacles; I will give you an astonishing one in which you shall have a role as an actor. As for the will of Augustus, we’ll talk about it again, and you won’t reproach Tiberius for paying his debts. Let’s get going. I’m in haste to show this beautiful girl (pointing to Blandine) the marvels of my imperial isle.
CHARICLEA (to Procula)
She’s lost.
TIBERIUS
Let’s go, my guests.
PROCULA
Don’t forget me, Caesar.
TIBERIUS
Who are you?
PROCULA
Their accomplice. Because I was the one who sold them weapons.
TIBERIUS
To Capri!
CURTAIN
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