"Thou takest thy pander's part full seriously," The emperor, bantering still, but curious, said: "Perhaps our grave ambassador of love Might, from his pregnant wit, even nominate The court of beauty where befitting were The majesty of empire should pay suit. The Roman state impersonate in me Gives ear."
Played with in such ambiguous wise Simon was much perplexed to choose his way. He flung himself on rumor, and replied: "The Roman state, embodied in thyself Most worthily, most worthily has made Its choice already; mine to serve that choice." "Thou art an oracle; who knows so much, Should needs know more," the emperor teasing said. "Advise me, thou who knowest so easily What my choice is, how I may win my choice. Consider that the emperor of the world Is after all the veriest slave in Rome; The rascal people lord it over him. I have no trouble with the senators, They follow like whipped spaniels at my heels-- The reverend 'conscript fathers,' to be sure! But the great Roman people is a spell I am afraid of; I must please the mob, Who will not let me marry as I would; The many-headed monster mob of Rome." The emperor gave his peevish humor vent, Contemptuously regardless of who heard.
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.