as not,
And you had laughed at him! A harp-player,
But not my man, my Otho! Think you I
Who have had these arms about me, and these lips
Burn up my own, could languish for a mime?
I am a child--I have done wrong--forgive it--
I sighed for thy advancement--speak to me!
Now slap my hands or send me to my bed,
I am a baby in these deep affairs.

OTHO. Go not to Baiae then: depart with me
To Lusitania; words I'll count no more,
But deeds--to Lusitania, come with me.

POPPAEA. Is it wise to disobey--is it wise, I ask?
Set me aside, be mindful of yourself.

OTHO. So you'll not come?

POPPAEA. For you alone I linger.
I'll tarry but a little while behind you,
And when I come, I'll greet you full of riches.

OTHO. I dread to leave you in your loveliness.

POPPAEA. Then I'll not go with you.

OTHO. You will not--Why?

POPPAEA. Because you will not trust me. Show to me
That you can trust me, Otho; and what joy,
What satisfaction can you have to drag
Your wife behind you, from dull jealousy
Because you do not dare leave her behind
For fear--I'll not be such a wife.

OTHO. Poppaea,
No more I'll ask you to depart with me,
I'll go alone: but this remember still--
Gay have I been, a spendthrift and an idler,
A brilliant fly that buzzed about the bloom.
But I had that in me deep down, and still,
Of which you, you alone, possess the key,
A sullen nobleness to you disclosed
E'en then with shame: and by no other guessed.
This you well know: betray not that at least;
For even the lightest woman here is scared,
And dreads to dabble deeper in the soul.
We have no children.

POPPAEA. [_Coming to him and putting up her face._]
Am I not child enough
Who should be woman? You shall kiss these lips
Once ere you go--so close they are to you.

OTHO. The gods laugh out at me--but I must kiss you.

POPPAEA. Can I not help your preparation?

OTHO. No.
I shall not go with pomp; but as a soldier.

POPPAEA. I think you are still angry?

OTHO. No! Farewell,
I have brief time.

POPPAEA. Ah! take me with you, then.

OTHO. What! You will come?

POPPAEA. I wish--I wish 'twere wise.
My love shall bear your litter all the way.

[_Exit_ OTHO _hastily_.

_Re-enter_ MAID

MAID. Has he gone, lady? Had I such a man
I could not let him part thus, n