My dream was strange: but why of all strange dreams Stands forth this dream, to say it hath a meaning? There lies the mystery: the dream were nothing. ’Tis such a dream as I have prayed to dream. ’Tis such a dream as an astrologer Must love to interpret. Nay, there’s but one way Seleucus can explain it.
I looked for thee An hour ago: thou’rt late.
The seasons, lady, 720 Of divination are determinate By stars and special omens: ’tis our skill To observe their presage. The hour is favourable. Thy dream ...
_Pop._ I have it here. See! I was ready for thee. [_Gives him a purse._
_Sel._ I have sought out thy dream By every means our art....
_Sel._ There is one interpretation clear throughout....
_Sel._ Thou shalt be wife unto two Cæsars.
_Pop._ Two! Now be Isis praised. Two! O, Seleucus, Thou’rt an astrologer. Two! this is life, Seleucus; this is life as well as fortune. What are the names?
_Pop._ ’Tis good so far, but stays unkindly. Search, I must know more. Above all things, the affair Is secret. (_Knocking heard._) I will send my servant to thee. Thou must be gone: our business will not suffer My husband stumbling on thee here. This way.
My dream was true: my hopes and schemes inspired Of heaven; yet this is far beyond them all. 741 Wife to two Cæsars; maybe, mother of Cæsars.
To sit upon their rare, successive thrones, A manifold Augusta! Here’s my husband. What would he say? Two Cæsars, ay, two Cæsars!
_Oth._ Lucan. He walked with me from Cæsar’s supper.
_Pop._ See what you husbands are. You go abroad For pleasure, and when met among yourselves 750 Push all to excess, and never think how patiently Your wives must mope at home, and wait your coming. And when you do return, up to the door You bring your merriment; but at the door ’Tis left, and in you come, in solemn glumness, To vent the sour reaction of your revels Upon your housekeeper.
_Oth._ Enough, Poppæa; I would be cheered.
_Pop._ Then I will cheer thee, love. But what’s the matter?
_Oth._ Listen. Thou hast reproached me With going forth alone. What else could be? 760 Would’st thou consent to sit there at my side, Where I, a man, am oft ashamed to sit? Would’st thou, could’st thou be one among the women Of Cæsar’s fancy?