But Simon was alert and caught his cue. "The tyrant mob may easily be fooled," He said with politic suggestion deep; "Fooled rightly, they will clamor, not against, But for, the emperor's wish." "Open thy thought, Said Nero; "be an oracle indeed-- For wisdom; for equivocation, not." "What the imperial wish is," Simon said, "It were impiety in me to guess. But grant it were a prince's natural wish To change a barren or a faithless spouse For one more suited to his princely mind, Ways might be found to make his realm agree." "Suppose the case, then; how wouldst thou proceed?" So, as if only idly, Nero asked. "Let me suppose a case of faithlessness," Simon, with study of the emperor's face, Adventured; "that is the more simple sort, More likely, or at least of easier proof. The offended prince reluctantly succumbs To testimony--whereof the supply Will manifestly equal the demand"-- This with both look and tone sententious said-- "He makes his loving people confidant Of his misfortune--which is also theirs-- And with one voice they generously cry, 'Put her away, and wed a worthy mate.'" The emperor listening sank into a muse, Which Simon as of happy omen took. Nero was deeper than the sorcerer guessed; His muse had really, as that worthy framed His speech to have it, of Octavia been And of Poppæa in Octavia's room; But for his present prurient whim the young Imperial profligate was fain to make Misdeem the Jewish pander otherwise. As if Drusilla, not Poppæa, had, Unnamed between them, been that worthier one Of whom the sorcerer darkly all the time Had hinted, and whom he himself the while Had understood him tacitly to mean, Nero now said, rousing from reverie-- Ejaculation like soliloquy: "Worthy to be the consort of a king! Perhaps well widowed--for some nobler fate Hers by the right of beauty and of wit-- Drusilla, thy good mistress, that born queen! Tell her this from the emperor, and ask When she will let the emperor himself Pay her his personal homage at her court; Some night it needs must be, and in disguise-- To fool the prying people as thou saidst. Prove thou thy prowess as ambassador, And bring me speedy word of thy success." The emperor let the sorcerer retire.