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. Tit. Oh, while thy love upholds me, I can stand Tar. And shall be ever! Come, I will show thee where bright honour grows, SCENE II.-A STREET IN ROME Enter HORATIUS and CELIUS. Hor. Brutus and Collatinus are appointed They ask a chief, whose well-established fame Cel. Indeed! In whom? Hor The consul's son his much-loved son- [Exeunt. young Titus. Once in our power, we'll mould him to our ends: Cel. Bravely resolved! But tell me where is Tullia! - away! [Exeunt HORATIUS and CELIUS, Enter LUCRETIUS and VALERIUS. Val. That was Horatius 'parted, was it not? Val. Am I deceived? Methinks I heard Val. Horatius' arts may justly wake suspicion : 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. How your sad prisoner abides her durance. Vir. Sullen and silent, she resolves on death: Pr. I pray you, royal lady, be entreated 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? 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? 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: 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 Tul. I'll pray no more. There is no mercy in the skies for murder, 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! The voice is more than human which I hear! 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, Bru. You judge me rightly, friends. The purpled robe, Rejoice not Brutus ; - 't is his country's freedom! Then, with redoubled pleasure, will your consul Enter a Messenger. Mes. All health to Rome, her Senate, and her consuls! Who, on arriving at a neighbouring village, [Exit. Bru. Now, Lucretia, Thy ghost may cease to wander o'er the earth, 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 ! Burst on the sudden through the barrier guard, I wheeled my cohort round, and charged 'em home: A young Patrician — Bru. Ha! Patrician? Cent. Such His dress bespoke him, though to me unknown. Cent. The lady being taken, This youth, the life and leader of the band, 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. 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 |