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"What was in the letter?" asked Senecio. "In the letter was the question: 'What is the color of the bull which I am to sacrifice: white or black?" But the interest roused by the narrative was interrupted by Vitelius, who, drunk when he came to the feast, burst forth on a sudden and without cause in senseless laughter. "What is that keg of tallow laughing at?" asked Nero.
He did not advise him, either, to go to Tigellinus or Vatinius or Vitelius. It might be possible to do something with them through money; perhaps, also, they would like to do evil to Petronius, whose influence they were trying to undermine, but most likely they would disclose before Nero how dear Lygia was to Plautius, and then Nero would all the more resolve not to yield her to him.
The air, filled with the odor of flowers and the perfume of oils with which beautiful boys had sprinkled the feet of the guests during the feast, permeated with saffron and the exhalations of people, became stifling; lamps burned with a dim flame; the wreaths dropped sidewise on the heads of guests; faces grew pale and were covered with sweat. Vitelius rolled under the table.
Nero raised his lips again to his nostrils, and, turning his near-sighted, glassy eyes on Petronius, said, "Is this the way thou payest me for the friendship which I had for thee?" "If I am mistaken, show me my error," said Petronius; "but know that I speak that which love for thee dictates." "Punish the insolent!" repeated Vitelius. "Punish!" called a number of voices.
Vitelius, when he wishes to relieve himself, uses ivory fingers to thrust down his throat; others serve themselves with flamingo feathers steeped in olive oil or in a decoction of wild thyme. I read Nero's poetry, and the result is immediate. Straightway I am able to praise it, if not with a clear conscience, at least with a clear stomach."
"Vatinius described to us a remarkable fight of gladiators, which is to take place in Beneventum. See to what cobblers rise in our time, in spite of the saying, 'Ne sutor ultra crepidam! Vitelius is the descendant of a cobbler; but Vatinius is the son of one! Perhaps he drew thread himself! The actor Aliturus represented Oedipus yesterday wonderfully.
"Not a maniac, but he has become a Christian," said Tigellinus. "Impossible!" said Vitelius. "Have I not said," put in Vestinius, "'Kill Christians if ye like; but believe me ye cannot war with their divinity. With it there is no jesting'? See what is taking place. I have not burned Rome; but if Cæsar permitted I would give a hecatomb at once to their divinity.
This was, however, the last victory of the arbiter over his rival, for that moment Poppæa said, "Lord, how permit that such a thought should even pass through the head of any one, and all the more that any one should venture to express it aloud in thy presence!" "Punish the insolent!" exclaimed Vitelius.
Guests of this sort were furnished by Tigellinus, Vatinius, and Vitelius; for these guests they were forced more than once to find clothing befitting the chambers of Cæsar, who, however, liked their society, through feeling most free in it. The luxury of the court gilded everything, and covered all things with glitter.
Nero wrote down the line, and said, "Yes, vengeance wants a victim." Then he cast a glance on those around him. "But if we spread the report that Vatinius gave command to burn the city, and devote him to the anger of the people?" "O divinity! Who am I?" exclaimed Vatmius. "True! One more important than thou is demanded. Is it Vitelius?" Vitelius grew pale, but began to laugh.
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