* * * * *
The Wild Beast had three heads; the name of the second was Claudius.
He played dice with his friend Caius Silius, who was famous for his
wealth and his beauty.
"Follow the game," hissed Caesar.
"I am following it," answered his friend.
"No, you are absent-minded. Where were you last night?"
"I was in the Suburra."
"You should not go to the Suburra; you should stay with me."
"Follow the game."
"I am following it; but what are the stakes we are playing for?"
"You are playing for your life."
"And you, Caesar?"
"I am also playing for your life."
"And if you lose?" asked Silius.
"Then you will lose your life."
The Emperor knocked with the dice-box on the table. His secretary
Narcissus came in.
"Give me writing materials, Narcissus. The antidote for snake-bites
is yew-tree resin...."
"And the antidote to hemlock?"
"Against that there is no antidote."
"Follow the game, or I shall be angry."
"No, you cannot be angry!" answered Silius.
"Yes, that is true,--I cannot! I only said so!"
Messalina, the Emperor's wife, had entered.
"Why is Silius sitting here and playing," she asked, "when he should
accompany me to the theatre?"
"He is compelled," answered the Emperor.
"Wretch! what rights have you over him?"
"He is my slave; all are slaves of the Lord of the world.
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