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AMUSEMENTS OF AN EMPEROR 127
Lucan, is very kind, but ' he felt it necessary to show his
superiority by a little criticism 'I should not recommend
you to publish your poem just yet. It is crude in parts.
It is too Spanish and provincial. It wants a great deal of
polishing
before it can reach the aesthetic standard.'
Lucan bowed, and bit his lip.
He felt that among these
poetasters he was like a Triton among minnows, and his
sense of mortification was so bitter that he could not trust
himself to speak, lest he should risk his head by insulting
Nero to his face.
The group broke up. Only Petronius, Paris, and Tigellinus
remained.
'
Petronius,' said Nero, ' you are a genuine poet. What do
you think of Persius and Lucan as poets ?
'
Lucan is more of a rhetorician than a poet,' said Petronius,
'
arid Persius more of a Stoic pedagogue. Both have merits, but
neither of them can say anything simply and naturally. They
are laboured, artificial, declamatory, monotonous, and more or
less unoriginal. Their " honeyed globules of words " are only
a sign of decadence.' 1
'
And what do you think of my poetry ? '
'
asked
Emperor, sorely thirsting for a compliment.
'
A Caesar must be supreme in all he does,' said Petronius,
the
with one of his enigmatical
He smiles.
rose, and bowed as he left the room, leaving Nero
puzzled and dissatisfied.
'
'
Oh, Paris ! exclaimed Nero, flinging his arm round the
actor's neck, ' you alone are to be envied. You are a supreme
artist. No one is jealous of you. When I see you on the
stage, moving the people at your will to tears or to laughter,
or kindling them to the most delicious emotions when I
hear the roar of applause which greets you as you stand forth
in all your grace, and make the huge theatre ring with your
fine penetrating voice, I often wish we could change our parts,
and I be the actor, and you the Emperor.'
' '
You mock a poor mummer, Caesar,' said Paris ;
but if I
am to amuse you after the banquet to-night you must let me
go and arrange something with Aliturus.'
Nero was left alone with Tigellinus. He yawned wearily.
'
1
Petron. Sat. 1, Melliti verborum globuli.'