Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/463

Rh Emerging from the ocean's snowy foam, Whose wedding feast the heavenly gods adorned, With equal joy the sea divinities. What sudden cause has clouded o'er thy face? Tell me, what mean thy pallor and thy tears! Poppaea: Dear nurse, this night I had a dreadful dream; And even now, as I remember it, My mind is troubled and my senses fail. For when the joyful day had sunk to rest, And in the darkened sky the stars appeared, I lay asleep within my Nero's arms. But that sweet sleep I could not long enjoy; For suddenly a grieving crowd appeared To throng my chamber—Roman matrons they, With hair disheveled and loud cries of woe. Then 'midst the oft-repeated, strident blasts Of trumpets, there appeared my husband's mother, And shook before my face with threat'ning mien A bloody torch. Compelled by present fear, I followed her; when suddenly the earth Seemed rent asunder to its lowest depths. Headlong to these I plunged, and even there In wonder I beheld my wedding couch, Whereon I sank in utter weariness. Then with a throng of followers I saw My son and former husband drawing near. Straightway Crispinus hastened to my arms, And on my lips his eager kisses fell: When suddenly within that chamber burst My lord the king with frantic, hurrying steps, And plunged his sword into that other's throat. A mighty terror siezed me, and at last It roused me from my sleep. I started up With trembling limbs and wildly beating heart. Long was I speechless from that haunting fear, Until thy fond affection gave me tongue. Why do the ghosts of hades threaten me? Or why did I behold my husband's blood? Nurse: All things which occupy the waking mind,