Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/458

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In race and beauty blessed, before whose charms545
Minerva, Venus, Juno—all would bow.
Seneca: But honor, wifely faith, and modesty—
These should the husband seek, for these alone,
The priceless treasures of the heart and soul,
Remain perpetual; but beauty's flower
Doth fade and languish with each passing day.550
Nero: On her has heaven all its charms bestowed,
And fate has given her from her birth to me.
Seneca: But love will fail; do not too rashly trust.
Nero: Shall he give way, that tyrant of the skies,
Whom Jove, the Thunderer, cannot remove,
Who lords it over savage seas, the realms555
Of gloomy Dis, and draws the gods to earth?
Seneca: 'Tis by our human error that we paint
Love as a god, wingéd, implacable,
And arm his sacred hands with darts and bow,
Assign him blazing torches, count him son
Of fostering Venus and of Vulcan. Nay,560
But love is of the heart's compelling power,
A fond and cozening passion of the soul;
Of hot youth is it born, and in the lap
Of ease and luxury, 'midst fortune's joys,
Is fostered. But it sickens straight and dies
When you no longer feed and fondle it.565
Nero: I deem the primal source of life is this,
The joy of love; and it can never die,
Since by sweet love, which soothes e'en savage breasts,
The human race is evermore renewed.
This god shall bear for me the wedding torch,570
And join me with Poppaea in his bonds.
Seneca: The people's grief could scarce endure to see
That marriage, nor would piety permit.
Nero: Shall I alone avoid what all may do?
Seneca: The state from loftiest souls expects the best.575
Nero: I fain would see if, broken by my power,
This rashly cherished favor will not yield.
Seneca: 'Tis better calmly to obey the state.
Nero: Ill fares the state, when commons govern kings.