“Dog! are you coming? Or shall I strike you dead here?” “Chaeraea,” whimpered the Emperor, “do not kill me! I will kiss your foot.” “Then kiss it now when I trample you to death.” The gigantic tribune threw the chair to one side, leapt on the madman and crushed his windpipe beneath his heel; the tongue, protruded from his jaws, seemed to be spitting abuse even in death. * * * * * The Wild Beast had three heads; the name of the second was Claudius. He played dice with his friend Caius Silius, who was famous for his wealth and his beauty. “Follow the game,” hissed Caesar. “I am following it,” answered his friend. “No, you are absent-minded. Where were you last night?” “I was in the Suburra.” “You should not go to the Suburra; you should stay with me.” “Follow the game.” “I am following it; but what are the stakes we are playing for?” “You are playing for your life.” “And you, Caesar?” “I am also playing for your life.” “And if you lose?” asked Silius. “Then you will lose your life.” The Emperor knocked with the dice-box on the table. His secretary Narcissus came in. “Give me writing materials, Narcissus. The antidote for snake-bites is yew-tree resin....” “And the antidote to hemlock?” “Against that there is no antidote.” “Follow the game, or I shall be angry.” “No, you cannot be angry!” answered Silius. “Yes, that is true,--I cannot! I only said so!” Messalina, the Emperor’s wife, had entered. “Why is Silius sitting here and playing,” she asked, “when he should accompany me to the theatre?” “He is compelled,” answered the Emperor. “Wretch! what rights have you over him?” “He is my slave; all are slaves of the Lord of the world. Therefore Rome is the most democratic of all States, for all its citizens are equal--equal before Men and God.” “He is your slave, but he is my husband,” said Messalina. “Your husband! Why, you are married to me.” “What does that matter?” “Do you go and marry without asking my permission?” “Yes, why not?” “You are certainly droll, Messalina! And I pardon you. Go, my children, and amuse yourselves. Narcissus will play with me.” When the Emperor was left alone with Narcissus, his expression changed. “Follow them, Narcissus!” he hissed. “Take Locusta with you, and give them the poison. Then I shall marry Agrippina.” But when Silius and the Empress had gone without, Silius asked innocently: “Have you yourself prepared the mushrooms which he will eat this evening?” “I have not done it myself, but Locusta has, and she understands her business.” * * * * *