"Aye, I see, I see," broke Poppæa, her instinctive first recoil Quite overmastered; it was of the flesh, Mere backward creep of muscle and of nerve, Repugnance of the inner spirit none. "But to supply the reason--"
"Shall be mine," Said Simon, finishing her arrested speech. He undertook at venture in the dark; But to gain time, and to secure access, His present errand, to the emperor, He added, with demure and downcast look: "The ground beneath us now is treacherous; I could with greater freedom utter all That might be needful in such case as this, To other ear than thine, O empress fair, Or any woman's. Let me, pray thee, see The emperor. Thou shalt be well satisfied, I pledge me, with the issue when it comes."
So Simon won him clear for then, and went-- His way made easy by Poppæa's part; Yet not as with her privity, much less As with her favor openly displayed-- To his wished waiting on the emperor.
"Thou art a go-between, I understand," Abruptly and ambiguously said The emperor to Simon. Simon winced A little, he so little wont to wince. What did it mean? Had Nero overheard Through some eavesdropper what had just now passed Between him and Poppæa? Was he vexed? Himself at least was inly vexed to hear The opprobrious name of 'go-between' applied, Where he had hoped for honor as a mage And wielder of weird supernatural power. He wavered, and found nothing to reply.
"Thou art modest," Nero said, with irony; "But I have heard thy fame, thou needst not blush, Pallas has told me how as go-between Thou servedst his brother Felix in the East, Finding for him a really royal spouse. I hope thy go-between officiousness Ended with bringing the devoted pair Together? Nothing after had to do With the late parting of the same by death?"
Simon was stumbled at such raillery, Uneasily uncertain what it meant. He writhed and wriggled on his feet; but deemed The emperor best were pleased to have his will Of banter, unreplied to--banter felt As far too formidable for right zest, Proceeding from a prince, and such a prince!
"Wilt ply again thy skill of go-between, And faithfully, for me?" the emperor said. A question fairly asked, which must be met: Could it concern--Poppæa? In such case, The office of the 'go-between'--as pleased This jocular young ruler of mankind To name him ignominiously--might take A dignity almost imperial on; Simon would frame reply comportably: "If the august will of his majesty, The emperor of the world, should condescend To make one most unworthy of the grace In any wise elect ambassador To serve the imperial pleasure at what court Soever of such beauty as were fit To be assumed for partner of his throne-- Why, Simon could but pledge his loyalty, And trust his wonted fortune might not fail."