Agrippina's Poison Plot

Translation

Amid such a mass of cares he is seized by ill health, and to restore his strength by the mild climate and healthy waters he proceeded to Sinuessa. Then Agrippina, long since determined on the crime and eager for the opportunity now offered, and not lacking agents, deliberated about the type of poison, lest a sudden and rapid one would betray the deed; if she chose a slow and wasting one, lest Claudius, brought near to his end and having understood the treachery, might return to love for his son. Something refined was desirable, which would disturb his mind and delay death. An expert in such matters named Locusta was chosen, recently condemned for poisoning and long kept among the instruments of the reign. By this woman's skill a poison was prepared, whose agent from among the eunuchs was Halotus, accustomed to bring in the dishes and test them by tasting.