Drusilla girded up both mind and will To meet her one imperial chance aright. Felix went like a culprit; like a queen Went she, her peerless beauty wielded all With absolute command infallible-- Like a bright weapon edged and tempered true Seen wielded in the perfect swordsman's hand. Slack heed the youthful emperor paid him Still struggling to support his truculence; His gaze fixed undisguisedly on her. Poppæa from behind a screen set nigh Saw and heard all; not unsuspected quite Of the alert Drusilla wise as she In arts of ambush for waylaying words Or looks meant to be private: Nero knew Poppæa was there. Drusilla triumphing Joyed in her heart to have her rival see How easy usurpation was when one Appeared whose very birthright was to reign: Nero was willing those eavesdropping ears And eyes should witness what would madden them; He took a wanton mischievous delight In teasing that fierce heart to jealousy. This, too much drunken with her glorying, Drusilla did not guess, and overweened In measure of the conquest she had won. The emperor made the hearing short; dismissed Felix dismayed and from his truculence Completely broken--to his servile state Remanded, as in spirit so in mien. Yet did not Nero so his cause conclude: He said frankly to Felix: "Go, my lord, Thy way; I shall not need to see thee more. Let thou this lady at next summons come Without thee; she shall better plead thy cause." Sentence of death the emperor had pronounced, Not meaning it, upon that wretched man. Felix resumed his truculence, alone Returning with Drusilla; he had felt-- Insensate as he was, could not but feel-- Her separation of herself from him In the imperial presence, and he now Fiercely upbraided her. But she was soft Replying; with indignant tenderness Purged herself clear of all but loving guile Practiced reluctantly in his behoof-- His, sole, her husband, father to her son!-- To serve him with the amorous emperor. Felix could not resist the witching wiles Of fondness and of faithfulness she plied, And he became a plaything in her hands Trusting alike her loyalty and wit.