Nero monologue (Act 1) — Nero

[_Turning to Court._] Behold this forest of uprisen spears, Symbol of might! But I upon that might Would not rely. You hail me Emperor-- Then hail me as an Emperor of peace. First, I declare divinest clemency. No deaths have I to avenge, no wrath to bribe, No desperate followers clamouring for spoil; Pardon from me may beautifully fall. Next, I bestow full liberty of speech; I will not sway a dumb indignant earth-- Emperor over the unuttered curse. Were I myself the mark, I will not flinch. Yet citizens, if freedom of the tongue I grant, I'd wish less freedom of the feast. Then all informers who lie life away I'll heavily chastise; let no man think With hinted scandal to employ mine ear. Last, over all my earth be perfect trust, That every tribe and people, dusk or pale, Legions extreme and farthest provinces, May know that this my hand which striketh down The oppressor and the tyrant from his seat Shall raise the afflicted and exalt the meek. And if this burden grow too vast at times, Then, mother, teach thy son to bear the load.