In youth a master had this emperoúr, To teachë him lettrure 4136 and courtesy; For of morality he was the flow’r, As in his timë, but if 4137 bookës lie. And while this master had of him mast’rý, He made him so conning and so souple, 4138 That longë time it was ere tyranný, Or any vicë, durst in him uncouple. 4139

This Seneca, of which that I devise, 4140 Because Nero had of him suchë dread, For he from vices would him aye chastise Discreetly, as by word, and not by deed; “Sir,” he would say, “an emperor must need Be virtuous, and hatë tyranny.” For which he made him in a bath to bleed On both his armës, till he mustë die.