“Why? When the emperor is absent, Drusus may not be hindered from joining the legions. He is a noble youth, and is loved by the Praetorians.”
“Speakest thou the truth, O Sejanus?”
“I have eyes and ears, and I can feel the pulse of the legions as no one else can.”
“But what if the soldiers love Drusus?” she queried.
“I will make reply to that question after the emperor leaves the city. May the gods bless thee and thy family, O granddaughter of the Divine Augustus! I will not tire thee now with more of my words. Fare thee well, O woman favored by the gods!”
“Fare thee well, O Sejanus!”
After passing through this ordeal, Agrippina breathed a sigh of relief. She recalled the words that she had spoken, and analyzed them to see what different meanings they might contain, but she could recall nothing that could be construed as treasonable. She called for a cup of water and ordered a slave to fan her gently. While she thus reclined on her comfortable cathedra, a message was brought that the emperor was coming to visit her.
She had not seen Tiberius since she had pleaded before him for the life of her dear friend Claudia. When he appeared, she remained seated and with great dignity bade him welcome. The emperor had become stouter. The pimples on his face had disappeared, but in their stead ragged and streaked scars had been left, resembling metallic veins in an ugly piece of marble. When he addressed Agrippina, he never looked directly at her, but always gave her a sliding glance.
“The gods have been gracious to thee,” he said to her.
“Ay, O Tiberius. For what ends?”