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And fill his gloomy soul with savage joy.

Tit. Take, take me hence forever! Let me lose, In these dear arms, the very name of son,

All claims of nature, every sense but love!

Tar. The gods that guard the majesty of Rome, And that sweet power, whose influence turns thy heart To pity and compliance, shall reward

And bless thee for the deed!

Tit. Can he be blest,

On whom a father's direful curse shall fall?

Tar. A madman's imprecation is no curse.
Be a man.

Tit. Oh, while thy love upholds me, I can stand
Against the world's contempt; remember, only,
For whose dear sake I am undone; remember,
My heart was honour's once

Tar. And shall be ever!

Come, I will show thee where bright honour grows,
Where thou shalt pluck it from the topmost branch,
And wear it in its freshest, fairest bloom.

SCENE II.-A STREET IN ROME

Enter HORATIUS and CELIUS.

Hor. Brutus and Collatinus are appointed
To sovereign sway, as consuls for the year.
Their self-elected senate meets to-morrow,
Though some remain, too honest for their views.
These for security exact conditions

They ask a chief, whose well-established fame
May win the hearts of this inconstant people;
A chief so brave, that, should we prove victorious,
He may compel the king to keep his faith;
Or, if we fall, boldly revenge our deaths
And such a chief I've found.

Cel. Indeed! In whom?

Hor The consul's son his much-loved son-
Cel. What! to rebel against his father's power?
Hor. Ay, he is ours. This very night, Tarquinia
Will lead him forth to the Quirinal gate,
Whence they straight hasten to the camp at Ardea.
Impetuous youth is wrought upon with ease.
Though 't is his father's frown upon his love,
And early vows pledged to the fair Tarquinia,
Alone which prompt him thus to lead our band;

[Exeunt.

young Titus.

Once in our power, we'll mould him to our ends:
His very name will prove a tower of strength,
And Rome once more shall be restored to Tarquin.

Cel. Bravely resolved! But tell me where is Tullia!
Hor. A captive, and confined in Rhea's temple;
Watched by the vestals, who there guard the flame
Upon the tomb where lies her murdered father.
Unhappy Tullia! our swords shall soon release thee.
Come! Hence at once! The hour draws near
Ere two days pass these reptiles shall be crushed,
And humbled Rome sue for its monarch's pardon.

- away!

[Exeunt HORATIUS and CELIUS,

Enter LUCRETIUS and VALERIUS.

Val. That was Horatius 'parted, was it not?
Luc. The same.

Val. Am I deceived? Methinks I heard
Something like discontent and treason muttered.
Luc. I fear all is not safe. Assembled groups
Of Tarquin's friends have been seen close in conference
Muttering his name aloud. Ay, and some base,
Degenerate Romans, called for a surrender.

Val. Horatius' arts may justly wake suspicion :
And Rome, we know, is still disgraced by many
Too base, too sordid, to be bravely free.

Let us go forth and double all the guards,

See their steps watched, and intercept their malice.

Luc. Nay, there's a safer course than that; arrest them! Val. The laws and rights we've sworn to guard, forbid it! Let them be watched. We must not venture farther.

To arrest a Roman upon bare surmise,

Would be at once to imitate the tyrant

Whom we renounce, and from his throne have driven !

SCENE III.-ROME- A LITTLE DARK

[Exeunt.

WITH A LARGE CENTRAL DOOR LEADING TO THE TOMB OF THE TEMPLE OF RHEA, SERVIUS TULLIUS, LATE KING OF ROME. ON ONE SIDE OF THE STAGE A STATUE OF RHEA, AND ON THE OTHER A STATUE OF VESTA, WITH ALTARS, AND INCENSE BURNING BEFORE EACH

Priestess of Rhea.

Virgins of the Temple.
Pr. Daughters of Rhea, since the lords of Rome
Have to your holy hands consigned the charge
Of their now captive Queen, inform the Priestess

How your sad prisoner abides her durance.
Is her proud soul yet humbled, or, indignant,
Doth it still breathe defiance and contempt?

Vir. Sullen and silent, she resolves on death:
She will not taste of nourishment. She comes.
Enter TULLIA.

Pr. I pray you, royal lady, be entreated
Tul. I tell you, no!

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Pr. Think what a train of weary hours have passed Since you had taste of food.

Tul. 'Tis well!

The fewer are to come.

Pr. How can you live to meet your royal husband, To fold your children in your arms again,

If you resist support?

Tul. Ha! well remembered!

What news from Ardea? Will he march for Rome?
Hark! Do you hear his trumpet? Is he coming?

Ay, this is hope, and worth the feeding.

'Tis well- 't is well!

But, tell me

-doth the king know of this kindness?

Pr. What king?
Tul. What king?

Brutus, the king of Rome, - knows he of this?

Pr. He does.

Tul. And would he I should live?

Pr. He would.

Tul. Merciful villain !

Yes, he would have me live to page his triumphs:
I know the utmost of his mercy

Subtle traitor!

I'll not taste food, though immortality

Were grafted to each atom - Hark! What's that?

Heard you that groan?

Pr. It is your fancy's coinage.

Tul. Again! 'Tis deep and hollow:

It issues from the vault

Open, I say.

- Set the door open!

Pr. It is your father's sepulchre !

Tul. My father! righteous gods! I killed my father! Horrible retribution!

Pr. Wretched daughter,

If thou hast done this deed, prepare thy spirit,

By wholesome meditation, for atonement,

And let no passion interrupt the task
Of penitence and prayer.

Tul. I'll pray no more.

There is no mercy in the skies for murder,
Therefore no praying, none.

I have a plea for my impenitence

Madness!

These groans have made me mad; all the night through

They howled distraction to my sleepless brain!
You've shut me up with furies to torment me,
And starved me into madness. Hark! again!
Unbar the door! Unbar it! By the gods,

The voice is more than human which I hear!
I'll enter there I will be satisfied,

Although the confirmation should present

His awful form

[She rushes forward. The Priestess and Vestals, in confusion and alarm, spring to the bar, which, falling with a crash, the door flies open, and discovers a monumental figure of SERVIUS TULLIUS, with lamps burning on each side of it. TULLIA recoils, shrieks, falls, and expires. The others group around her.]

ACT V

SCENE I.-A STREET IN ROME, WITH THE TEMPLE OF MARS IN VIEW

Enter BRUTUS and COLLATINUS, as Consuls, with Lictors, VALERIUS,
LUCRETIUS, and numerous followers.

Bru. You judge me rightly, friends. The purpled robe,
The curule chair, the lictors' keen-edged axe,

Rejoice not Brutus ; - 't is his country's freedom!
When once that freedom shall be firmly rooted,

Then, with redoubled pleasure, will your consul
Exchange the splendid miseries of power,
For the calm comforts of a happy home.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. All health to Rome, her Senate, and her consuls!
Bru. Speak on - What message hast thou to impart ?
Mes. I bring intelligence of Sextus Tarquin,

Who, on arriving at a neighbouring village,
Was known, and by the people stoned to death.

[Exit.

Bru. Now, Lucretia,

Thy ghost may cease to wander o'er the earth,
And rest in peace!

Luc. Heaven's ways are just!

Col. Yet I regret the villain should be slain By any hand but mine!

Enter a Centurion.

Cent. Health to Brutus !

Shame and confusion to the foes of Rome !
Bru. Now, without preface, to your business.
Cent. As I kept watch at the Quirinal gate,
Ere break of day, an armèd company

Burst on the sudden through the barrier guard,
Pushing their course for Ardea. Straight alarmed,

I wheeled my cohort round, and charged 'em home:
Sharp was the conflict for a while, and doubtful,
Till, on the seizure of Tarquinia's person,

A young Patrician —

Bru. Ha! Patrician?

Cent. Such

His dress bespoke him, though to me unknown.
Bru. Proceed! - What more?

Cent. The lady being taken,

This youth, the life and leader of the band,
His sword high waving in the act to strike,
Dropped his uplifted weapon, and at once
Yielded himself my prisoner. Oh, Valerius,
What have I said, that thus the consul changes?
Bru. Why do you pause? Go on.

Cent. Their leader seized,

The rest surrendered. Him, a settled gloom

Possesses wholly, nor, as I believe,

Hath a word passed his lips, to all my questions

Still obstinately shut.

Bru. Bring him before us.

[Exit Centurion.

Val. Oh, my brave friend, horror invades my heart.

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Val. I know thy soul,

A compound of all excellence, and pray

The mighty gods to put thee to no trial

Beyond a mortal bearing.

Bru. No, they will not

Nay, be secure, they cannot. Pr'ythee, friend,

Look out, and if the worst that can befall me

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