Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

THE QUINQUENNIUM NERONIS 71and sang in so pathetic a manner the misfortunesof one who had been driven from his father'shouse and despoiled of his inheritance, that hemoved all his hearers to compassion.Agrippina was doubtless aware of her son'ssuspicions when she threatened him with the rivalryof Britannicus ;but she does not seem to haveanticipated their natural result in that prince'sdestruction. Such, however, it proved. The ministrationsof Locusta— the recognised Court—poisonerwere again employed ; and Britannicus waspoisoned at a banquet in the presence of Neroand his Court. The wine, tried by his taster,was designedly so heated that he called for waterto cool it, and in the water thus added to hisdrink a deadly poison was administered. Sorapid was its effect that he fell back instantlydeprived of sense. A thrill of horror ranthrough the company. The more imprudentdispersed others better advised remained seated;and looked fixedly at Nero for their cue. Hewith an air of indifference remarked thatBritannicus had from his infancy been subjectto such fits and that he would soon be better.There was a short silence, and then the feastproceeded as if nothing had happened. Theterror and consternation visible in the countenanceof Agrippina served to convince all present thatshe was as innocent of complicity in the murderas Octavia herself, who in spite of her extremeyouth had been taught by adversity to concealevery symptom of feehng. In the same night theashes of Britannicus were hurriedly buried in the