INTRODUCTION
Instructed by Thessalian witches, a wife will make her husband imbecile or raving mad with a magical love philtre: just as Caesonia's[1] potion robbed Nero's uncle of his senses. More guilty she than Agrippina; for Agrippina did but " send down to heaven " a slobbering dotard, whereas Caesonia's medicament slew knights and senators together, and turned the whole world upside down with fire and the sword. (610–626.)
To kill a stepson is now thought quite in order; beware, ye wards, if ye have wealth; keep an eye upon your stepmother's cakes, and 'let her cup be tasted before you put it to your lips. Do you suppose that I am telling mere idle tales, breathing forth mouthings like a tragedian? Would to heaven it were so! but just look at the case of Portia, who was caught in the act; "I did it," she confessed; "with my own hands. I gave aconite to my boys." "What, you viper? you slew two of them at one meal?" "Ay; and seven too had there been seven to slay!" (627–642.)
Tragedy, indeed, tells us of the crimes of Procne and the Colchian; I seek not to deny them. But they sinned in wrath, not for filthy lucre's sake; what I cannot abide is the calculated crime,
- ↑ Caesonia was Caligula's wife. Agrippina was supposed to have poisoned her uncle-husband Claudius, and so won for him divinity.
