Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/462

444 While we must sit and grieve with sluggish woe, By heavy fear oppressed. Where is that Roman people's manhood now, Which once the pride of mighty leaders crushed, Gave righteous laws to an unconquered land, Gave powers at will to worthy citizens, Made peace and war, fierce nations overcame, And held in dungeons dark their captive kings? Behold, on every side our eyes are grieved By this Poppaea's gleaming statues joined With Nero's images—a shameful sight. Come, overturn them with indignant hands, Too like in feature to her living face. And her we'll drag from off that royal couch; And then, with flaming brand and deadly sword, Attack the princely palace of her lord.

Nurse [to Poppaea, who appears, distraught, coming out of her chamber]: Why dost thou from thy husband's chamber come, Why dost thou seek a lonely place to weep? For surely has the day we long have sought With prayers and promised victims come at last. Thou hast thy Caesar, firmly joined to thee By ties of marriage, whom thy beauty won, Whom Venus gave to thee in bonds of love, Though Seneca despised and flouted her. How beautiful, upon the banquet couch Reclining in the palace, didst thou seem! The senate viewed thy beauty in amaze When thou didst offer incense to the gods, And sprinkle wine upon the sacred shrines, Thy head the while with gauzy purple veiled. And close beside thee was thy lord himself; Amid the favoring plaudits of the crowd He walked majestic, in his look and mien Proclaiming all his pride and joy in thee. So did the noble Peleus lead his bride