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POPPLEA VICTRIX 391
Do they hate me because I shall give Caesar a genuine heir ?
Do they prefer the offspring of Octavia and some Egyptian
tlute-player ? Be a man, Nero It !
only needs the smallest
display of resolution to suppress these disorders. But if you
show yourself timid and incapable, the rebellion may become
formidable. If the people despair of making you Octavia's
husband, they may make Octavia another's wife.'
The daring and indomitable purpose of the woman succeeded.
She goaded his timidity ;
she fired his rage. He
sent for Tigellinus, determined at last to stop short at nothing.
With Tigellinus he needed no concealment.
'
'
Prsefect,' he said, Octavia must at all costs be got rid of.'
'
Locusta is here,' said Tigellinus, with alacrity.
'
No, no,' said Nero, stamping on the '
ground I will not
;
have the scene of Britannicus acted over again. I am
haunted by too many ghosts already.'
'
Devise something,' he said, impatiently, while Tigellinus
'
mused. Poppaea, suggest something to this fool.'
'
A charge must be made against her,' said Poppsea, eager
if possible to shame as well as to kill.
'
The last charge broke down.'
'
'
'
Nonsense ! answered Poppaea, Say that you have posi-
with her own unborn
tive evidence that she has made away
child.'
'
No one will believe it. And, besides, I have just divorced
her on the charge of barrenness.'
'Say it all the same, Nero. Some person of importance
must be induced to confess.'
'
'
'
Who would be so infamous ? said Nero. After all, Poppaea,
you know she is innocent ten times more innocent
than you.'
'
to taunt me ? Was it
Call me some infamous name at once,' said Poppsea, bursting
into '
passion. And is it for you
not for love of you that I became faithless to my Otho ?
'
No,' she cried, as Nero approached her ; keep away from me !
I will return to the wronged Otho. He loved me. He will
take me back.' And she rushed towards the door.
'
Poppaea,' pleaded Nero, hasting to intercept her flight,
'
forgive me. You see how miserable I am. I have no one
to love me but you.'
'
And who could help loving you
? ' she continued, weeping