She presently told Simon: "Full come now The time is that thy master should enjoy Sleep undisturbed with dreams. Compound for me The quieting potion that thou toldst me of. See that thou make it strong enough; thy lord Is not a puny weakling to be soothed With what might still a crying babe; and I-- Nay, thou, thou thyself, Simon, shalt commend His opiate to his lips." The sorcerer shrugged His shoulders and demurred: "O liege, nor thou, Nor I, with our own hands, should to his lips Present the potion. Let a trusted slave Bear it unto his master's bath to-night, And say: 'His queen unto lord Felix sends Health and the promise of more quiet sleep.' The draught is drastic--for a lullaby-- Indeed disturbing in its first effect; But safe sleep it will bring whoever drinks." "Thy sedative will not pain my lord too much?" Drusilla made her tone expressionless In asking; and in like wise Simon said: "Not too much, lady--let me be the judge, Or thee who lovest him equally with me." Drusilla summoned Syrus, and said to him: "Thou lovest thy master and thy mistress well-- Better, I think, of late than once thou didst." "My master and my mistress both I love So as, I trust, to serve them faithfully," The slave, a little hard bestead, replied. "Aye, I have noted thy true love for us; Be sure, lad, thou shalt nothing lose thereby," Drusilla wheedlingly resumed; whereat Syrus could not refrain himself from saying In so much spurning of the sense implied: "Yea, noble lady, none can ever lose Aught by obeying Christ the Lord in heaven." "What meanest thou, boy?" Drusilla sharply said. "Lord other than lord Felix hast thou then?"