Thus speaking, his bold mistress, Simon knew, Called up deterrent thoughts so formidable, Not to succumb before them shocked, appalled, But to confront them fairly, know them well, Then with defiance triumph over them. Still, with slant thrust at Felix in his thought, He dared a word of double-edged reply: "Emperors, and those however now ill-placed Yet worthy to be empresses, are free To seek their consorts, consorts true I mean, Wherever they can find them in the world; And obstacles must not be obstacles To them; their pathway must somehow be cleared. Such, one may all too easily judge amiss. Wait till thou see the emperor fitly wed! That emperor-mother Agrippina balked Her boy too often of his wish. She would Be empress of the emperor of the world; Her blood in him made this impossible: It was her folly and crime invoked her fall. As for that young Octavia--thou hast said." "Poppæa"--so Drusilla had resumed, But Simon rashly took the word from her: "Poppæa is a rival to be weighed Doubtless--highborn, and beautiful, and deep In cunning, and sure mistress of herself-- As art not thou too, and full equally?-- But then she has a husband in the way, And is _she_ of the stuff to deal with _him_?" Simon's hatred of his lord had pricked him on Beyond the mark of prudence; he recoiled From his own words before Drusilla spoke, And added, for diversion of her thought: "But doubtless thou wilt need to buy thy way To opportunity at Rome; betimes Prepare thee bribes to drop along thy path. Our Gentile brethren have a pretty tale"-- And Simon with sarcastic humor leered-- "Of how a runner once upon a time Won him a famous race by letting fall Gold apples on the course too tempting bright Not to delay his rival gathering them. Provide thyself with apples of gold to drop, While thou art speeding featly to thy goal." "Gold, Simon!" Drusilla said, "thou teasest me, Too well thou knowest I have no gold; our store Was swallowed all in that devouring sea." "I speak in figure, my lady," Simon said; "I mean neither literal apples nor literal gold." "Pray, no more parable to me," severe With air resumed once more of queen enthroned, Drusilla answered, and, with only look, As haughtily disdaining further word, Demanded that he make his meaning plain. Simon, with indirection sly, replied: "Hast thou remarked the daily opening bloom Of beauty in the face, and in the form, Of that Eunicé, our young countrywoman?"