Paul declines to undertake the healing of Simon at Felix's request. But Simon had first refused to suffer Paul's access to him, at the same time warning both Felix and Drusilla of the evil likely to result to their little son from a touch to him of Paul's hand which the sick sorcerer had just observed through the lattice. Felix and Drusilla, freshly angered at Paul, resolve together on his destruction. A second meeting assembles to hear Mary's story. This time there is an interruption occasioned by a disturbing written message from Felix, sent to Julius the centurion, one of the listeners.
When one set high, but hopeless gross in grain Of nature--and through habit of license long And self-indulging pride of place and power Grown grosser--by reverse of fortune falls, And can no longer wield his insolence So widely as his wish were and his wont Has been, then often he will salve himself That sore-felt loss of brutal privilege By being more insolent still where yet he may: So Felix now wreaked his revenge on Paul. Paul knew him powerless, but he would not turn Retort on the humiliated man, Or aught abate toward him the obeisance due The ruler that he lately was--a strict Respect enforced by his own self-respect.
Felix had with fair princely promises-- Commended to those simple islanders By large report of recent royal state His and of prospects brighter yet at Rome, As by Drusilla's airs of queen--made shift To lodge himself commodiously with his train: Under his roof apart Simon lay sick.
"Thou hast heard doubtless what I would from thee"-- So without greeting Felix said to Paul-- "Thy trick of healing for a gentleman I have the humor to regard with love. A fellow-countryman of thine he is, Something too of a fellow-conjurer"-- And Felix grinned at his own pleasantry; "He has fallen sick in this accurséd place. 'Physician, heal thyself,' thou wilt say to him, For, aye, he is helpless for his own relief. Heal him; thou shalt not unrewarded go. I think that I can serve thy cause at Rome, Where there is need greater than thou wouldst guess. For they love justice there so well they sell It high; great sums, money in hand, they want; Or preferably sometimes they will commute For other things than money still dearer to men. A mighty mart is Rome; they barter there Justice for pleasure, pleasure in various kinds, Most of it such as thou couldst not provide-- Unless indeed thy pretty countrywoman--" But a sharp spearthrust look, shot forth from Paul, Sudden as lightning and as branding bright, Broke that word off, and Felix faltered on With forced resumption of his insolence: "A good round price they ask, whatever the kind. Have me for friend at court and thou shalt thrive. Simple and easy; make this gentleman well, Nothing but that; just a few mumbled words, A magic touch of hand, presto, all's done. What thou art _giving_ to these wretches here, These beggarly Melitans, with no reward Except the fun of seeing them jump for joy, Look, I am _purchasing_ from thee at great price. But stay, thy patient has not yet been told What thus is planned for him. Let me prepare Thy way a little, ere thy task thou try."