Petronius ‘the arbiter of elegance’?
Fastidious throughout a long career
It took three days and nights –
The binding and unbinding of his wounds –
In that official suicide
Nero had decreed without due foresight
His victim would obey ‘between the lines’ –
He had so many friends
The flow of blood was halted
To greet them and renew their bowls of wine
The festive awnings and the seafood buffet
The lavish tales of travel and amusement
Time flew by –
We thought it was his birthday
Bernard Saint
His book ‘Roma’ from Waterstones ….
https://www.waterstones.com/book/roma/bernard-saint/9780993149078