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418 DARKNESS AND DAWN
CHAPTER XLIX
THE DEPTHS OF SATAN
' He made a feast, drank fierce and fast,
And crowned his hair with flowers
No easier nor no quicker passed
The impracticable hours.'
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
IT became daily more difficult for Nero to stimulate the
jaded pulse of appetites at once sated and insatiable but in
; the year A. D. 64 a new and immense sensation broke the
tedious monotony of a life cursed with the gratification of
every desire. The influence of Poppaea grew irresistible
when it became evident that she was about to make Nero a
father. In due time she gave birth to a daughter, who
seemed destined to continue the imperial line. Nero went
wild with joy. The child was born in the villa at Antium,
where he himself had first seen the light.
The highest of all
titles, that of Augusta, was immediately conferred not only
upon Poppaea, but even on the unconscious infant. Public
vows, which had already been undertaken for her safety, were
paid and multiplied. Thanksgivings on the most superb scale
were given to the gods. A temple was reared to the goddess
Fecundity. Golden statues of the Antian goddesses of
Fortune were placed on the throne of the Capitoline Jupiter.
Coins were struck on which the baby was glorified under the
names of Claudia Augusta. The entire Senate set forth in
long procession from Rome to congratulate the Emperor and
Empress. Nero seized the opportunity to indulge his hatred
against Paetus Thrasea. When the other senators were received
into his presence, he sent an order that Thrasea was
not to be admitted. Every one understood the significance of
the message. It was a presage of certain doom. But Thrasea
received it with unmoved countenance, and set out on his
return to Rome with undiminished cheerfulness. To a noble