Simon bethought him of the beautiful Wanton, Poppæa, with the emperor Precariously omnipotent by her charm. To her, in manner suiting such as he, He wormed at length his way and fawning said: "I have some little skill in certain arts Called by the people magic, and I fain Thus offer thee my services. I thought I might amuse a tedious idle hour For his imperial majesty and so Perhaps, I know not how, but thou shouldst choose, Serve thee, the wonder of the woman world. Nay, this presumes amiss; I crave thy grace, Forgive me, thou who art already queen And empress of the earth, and canst not need Service from any. I am all confused Before thee, like one dazzled by the sun.
"It is my foolish vanity, I feel, Nothing but that; but here am I in Rome, And it would be the triumph of my life-- Just a Judæan magian as I am-- To have seen the emperor, and diverted him With a few rather pretty tricks I know. I on occasion have even awed a mind Open to superstition (as most minds Are sometimes, aye, the wisest among men, Let witness the great Julius) with my art. If ever the fair sovereign of his breast Should in aught wish him more amenable, Thou mayst trust me, and I should not despair To move his mind as thou mightst signify."
Not quite at venture Simon drew his bow Thus, for from common fame he knew how keen That very moment was Poppæa's wish, As yet denied to her imperious suit, To supersede Octavia in her right And be the consort of the emperor. The wily sorcerer warped his sinuous way: "Here I have seemed to sue thee for myself; But, sooth to say, I plead another's cause. Wilt thou not see Drusilla? Jewess, who, Declined from royal fortune and degree, Now seeks a hearing from the emperor For her lord Felix, late in Palestine A ruler, but unhappily since fallen Under some cloud of doubt at Rome. Beseech Thee, give my liege Drusilla speech with thee. She too is fair, if not as thou, yet fair. She fain, I think, would meet the emperor In person, that her tears might touch his heart."
Subtle insinuation was conveyed By Simon saying this, which the quick sense Of the imperial favorite caught; she said: "It does not need thy lady fair should first Wait upon me; without that, she shall have Her wished access and opportunity. When her lord Felix presently is called To hearing, let Drusilla with him come. Her privilege she will find before prepared; So much I freely undertake for her."