Felix, Drusilla, and the sorcerer That morning at their simple meal reclined Together in a show of amity; But inwardly it was a state of feud Or hollow truce of armed hypocrisy. Eating in silence with small appetite, Their breakfast soon they ended; Simon then Withdrew and did his errand. He did more; For having perforce to meet the mother too, Whose daughter was seen ever at her side, He feigned to be himself a penitent, Protesting his belief that he was healed, Unworthy to be healed, because Paul came But near him where he lay sick in his bed; And this although he had wickedly refused To see Paul and to suffer Paul's hands on him. He said his mistress was afraid, as he Was too, of Felix; both of them must move Warily, no suspicion to excite In one so irritable and so violent. They therefore could not ask for Paul to come, Or indeed any _man_ among Paul's friends. But Ruth might safely come and bring the maid Her daughter. Simon begged the matron would Kindly indulge Drusilla's preference, Caprice perhaps it was, for making her child And not herself--senior, and so more wise Doubtless--her chosen guide and confidant. Eunicé's youth had won Drusilla's heart.
All Simon's plausible art could not prevail To gain from Ruth the promise he desired; She only told him she would ponder well What he had said and do as wisest seemed. But Simon, cheering himself that in the end Ruth by the tempting bait held out to her, The hope of doing good, would be enticed, Went straight to Felix, and with many a wink Of sly salacious import hinted to him That he, his master, had quite unawares, With just his manly martial front and port, Taken captive a fair Hebrew damsel who, If all sped as he hoped, would soon appear There at the mansion, by her mother led, To feed her fancy on his noble looks. The simple mother, she knew nothing of it, But came to visit Drusilla in the hope, Which, naughty child! the daughter had inspired Of gaining my lady over to the faith. Should Felix condescend to speak to her The maid would be all blushes, that of course, She coyly would insist she only came Bearing her mother company to wait Upon the mistress of the house with her. Felix would understand how much was meant, Or rather how little, by the pretty airs And arch pretexts of feminine coquetry.