i ■ THE IMPERIAL AUTHORITY OF TITUS FLAVIU5 MM A METRICAL DRAMA OF AN ATTEMPT UPON THE IMPERIAL AUTHORITY OF TITUS FLAVIUS ELEVENTH CESAR WITH THE TRAGIC FATE OF CASCA LENTULUS AND THE VNHAPPY CIRCUMSTANCES OF BIS ACCUSATION AGAINST THE EMPRESS LIMA ACHLM TCHODJK NEW YORK RAVENWOOD & RUTLAND 23*7' ST.. & LEXINGTON AVE. 1901. Am- KioiiTs Resbiitbo. rrlgbl 19 1. b] RA1 l ITWOOD A Kill Entered at Stationers' Hull. I Ion. ] ' ml. II I -. 1 aiCHABDB. To my father. 748186 PROLOGUE. Upon the great, wide cloth of History, So surely rolling from the looms of Time; So laced with life and death and mystery, Shall condemnation fall if with a rhyme, Upon a long forgotten spot, we try To 'broider in sweet Fancy's silken skeins, To weave a pattern that shall never die, A deft design where love forever reigns? But lest the grim historian be wroth, For him the play-bill bears a line or two, That he may pick from out the threads of cloth, The gold brocade, the purple and the blue. Good friends, with these apologies we ask, Your kindly favor for both mime and mask. APOLOGY. Descriptive convenience may warrant theemployment of the term "unity piece" as a designation for this play, for in its construction the dramatic unities are attempted, the action being entire and taking- place upon a single scene within a space of time equivalent to that which would have been occu- pied by its occurrence in reality. The minor unities of time and place are complete, which can scarcely be said of any known English play of considerable length. Some centuries ago, the ridiculous contention was made in France that these unities were observed when the scenes of a play were contained within the walls of a building and the elapsed time did not exceed twenty four hours. These bounds, however, proved too galling and it presently became permissible for the scenes to dispose themselves anywhere with- in the city limits, while the time allowance was increased to thirty hours. But is this not the other extreme? Is it possible to observe the unity of place at a distance greater than two miles and three furlongs from the city hall? Does not the unity of time demand the denouement within twenty seven hours and fif- teen minutes? These are parlous questions. In availing themselves of these licenses the English drama- tists have surrendered the real unity, for in a play in which the scene is shifted, if only to the next room, or the curtain drop- ped, if for but a moment, the effect of continuity is certainly lost. Indeed, with the curtain once down the modern mind demands a complete change of scene and the supposed pas- sage of no small space of time, for if further incidents are to occur on the same scene or within a brief time it argues want of skill in not including them when the scene was open. Any approximation of these two unities has, therefore, an inartis- tic effect. As for the first and far more important unity, that of action; the elusive element of plot, the essential quality of poetry, the inner significance which commands immortality, the virtue often undreamed of by the temporary and prolific playwright, the very rock of the theatre; it is appropriate to say no more than that though this action may be deemed hurried and in- volved, the greater unity has been attempted; with what sue- time alone can determine. An attempt at complete unity is not open to criticism for; as the supreme expression of tin- human race is in poetry and the height of poetry is reached in the tragic drama; that ex- ecution which embodies the important effect of continuity cer- tainly can not lie inferior to a disconnected treatment. Ridi- cule may be invited by the disparity between desire and ability luit the integrity and appositeness of the desire can not he questioned. A certain freedom has been gained; at the sacrifice of regu- larity; by tlit- mechanical arrangement of the iambics of the hes into lines of lengths dictated by the thought to he conveyed, the typographical appearance or the vocal require- mentsofa reader. A justification of this "symmetric lining," as well a- of the division of an iambic between speeches, the s in a foot and the transposition of the 1 and short syllables, is to be found in "Th 5 ce of English b\ Sidne) Lanier, an admirabl. exposition of the fundamental principles of versification. Although the beauties of the pentametric line be foregone, th.a broader and more subtle rhythm of style, of which no an; yet to have been made, the hidden rhythm of pros , is not onlj no1 surrea- d, but i- more dearly brought out, for the effect of this method of lining i> to facilitate tin- appreciation of the printed page b\ decreasing the labor of reading. . historical liberties have been taken and the relations between the historical personages are such as are supposed to jted. The relation- between the historical and the in- rented character- and the incidents arising therefrom are, of course, fictitious; though aot improbable. di ided «t« fiw part-, analogous to acts, by th. 91 , ond soliloquy of Gasca. the first and second soliloquies <'f Juvenal and the . :i of Titus. New York City, September, 1901. AcHIM TCHODJK. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Given in the order of their appearance on the scene. NAMES. RELATIONS. *Aulus C^ecina, a Roman General. *Domitian, afterward the 12th. , and last Caesar. Tranquillius, a boy, slave to Titus. *PLINY, the younger, friend of Tacitus. CaSCA, half-brother to Livia. 'Tacitus, the historian, friend of Pliny. Narcissa, friend to Livia. Lucia, a young- girl, slave to Livia. Livia, wife of Titus. *Titus, the 11th., Caesar. Klabo, chief slave of the Imperial Palace. Hypokrates, a Grecian astrologer. *Plotina, wife of Trajan. + Gaudextius, architect of the Colosseum. Martha, wife of Gaudentius. "BERENICE, wife of Herod and Queen of Cilicia. Varro, a disloyal soldier. •Juvenal, the satirist. Monides, archer to Juvenal. + Apicius. a glutton. : Vespasian, Emperor of Rome, 10th. , Caesar. + Julia, wife of Tacitus. Gallus, \ Demetrius, > conspirators. Graccus, ) 'Trajan, afterward 14th., Emperor of Rome. Sextus, a loyal soldier. First Plebiak, \ Second Plebian, j- leaders of the mob. Third Plebian, J 2616 Various Soldiers and Slaves and a Mob. 'Known to have existed. T Beheved to have existed. LINES. AGES. 160 60 20 25 37 14 122 18 395 22 118 28 126 18 19 14 359 25 345 39 5 50 101 80 13 27 39 50 11 45 184 50 58 30 206 60 40 74 44 38 69 3 22 5 35 8 50 1 28 62 28 78 40 3 20 6 50 14 90 The Imperial Authority of Titus Flavius. Place :— ROME. Year :— 79 A. D. SCENE:— An atrium in the IMPERIAL PALACE OF Vespasian. Beyond a colonnade the city is seen on distant hills. In the centre of the scene, somewhat elevated, is the impluvium; a large, round pool of water within a broad stone wall, slightly above the coping of which project the low-oval tops of its six massive equidistant posts. From the panels of the wall between the posts extend stone ledges or seats, with arms, and supporting brackets standing for- ward, at the ends, upon the flagstone floor. Behind the impluvium; to the right,* flanked by columns; is a wide opening; through the stylobate supporting these and the others of the inner row of colonnade columns; into the corridor, a step higher, running entirely across the rear. Besides the corridor entrances there are two others on each side, below the stylobate. The middle entrances are curtained; the tapes- try of the one on the right being drawn, while that of the one on the left is thrown over an im- mense jar, standing between the entrance and the stylobate. To the right and left of the im- pluvium, somewhat forward, are two low, small round-tables, from each of which three broad couches radiate. Time : — The action extendsfrom the middle of a change- able and stormy Spring afternoon to sunset. 'The directions "right" and "left" are taken regarding the auditorium, and that portion of the scene nearest th' aSditorium is herein designated by the words "Jront","down", "lower for- ward "ana "below "'■ the antonyms of which are affiled to the portion furthest removed: the inter- vening space being referred to by the words "middle" and centre , strictly used. . The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY AULUS CAECINA: TV fiift (peaker, being difcouered below the impluvvum bv the ryfmg curttyn, takes afkroil from hysbreafte, andprefentlie fays to hymfelf, as he unroHes it wyth delyberation: Could resolution unallied prevail against The charging foes of circumstance; Could resolution drive them hack upon their dark retrgats, And sweep the fields of battle clear; I would not aslc for your uncertain aid, M - wrangling and suspicious friends! ' a ' n 'ffiy sH " SCToU 'Tia hitter that my triumph I must share with thee, But grateful is the thought that should the veired hour, Brin«, r forth misfortune and defeat, The most respected nanus in Rome will grace my fall. He strikes the paper, it hen. hear ing footsteps, he tries to replace ts. Jn alarm Me conceals himself below rmddte right DOMiTiAN enters, upper right, and j./ranies in tnedi- ■i. counting on his fingtri lie discovers TRANQUiLLJ US ing in mimicry and wctnU htm cut. trltct he ts presently turti. : ty the sounds Of l\t,ei en the left, DOMITIAN. nth.. Ivne. A poet's solitude, it doth appear, b never sacred to the chatterboxl BMjlfmtrkfl £ „. trr. upper irtf, PLINY, fsthuvd by CASCA. AVLLS t*V§hp*i htmself in the tapestry. PLINY. No more' No more! I'll hear no morel''? "" , f'* r ° , 'f" the itytohale open- ing PUNY turns to CASCA and they gradually move forward Thy foul and bloody purpose chills my veins! CASCA. We are in Caesar's house, my friend! They >av the sense of hearing doth pertain To curtains, jars and even columns here, That secret passageways do burrow in these rocky hills, Deep down to silent pits and gloomy caverns, down Jo To the very jaws of Night herself. PLINY. Already, Casca, fearful of the spoken word; How wilt thou shake when thou hast laid of TITUS FLAVIUS. The Flavians in their reeking tombs, And swarms of emperors from every camp, Spring up to claim the throne, and with their veteran legions Hurry here to Rome from Dacia, Britain, Egypt, Gaul; On war and bloody mischief bent? CASCA. The fire of my ambition, bold, Will scorch and wither up these green, pretending fools. 30 Ah, Pliny, when the fateful hour doth come; I'll loose such thunderbolts of battle and of wrath, That down the limitless extent of Time's long aisles, ,, r 11 Enter TACITUS, up- Their echoes shall forever roll. , r i f /t, his »«.»«- showing that he lias _._. .„ been a party to the con- TACITUS. versatfon. And shall forever echo you a traitor and a thief. CASCA. , • u [Dashes in this manner 111- I have aS gfOOd a rignt--- dicate the breaking™ of the 6 speech following. } TACITUS. What right have you? CASCA. What right has he? TACITUS. The right to give as ten years more of peace, Of happiness, of harvest wealth, of heavy laden vines! CASCA. 40 The grapes upon the vine, Shall they decay and wither when the diadem of Rome Adorns these destined, fateful brows? PLINY. O mad, devoted senator! O blind and fevered fool! To what obscure and distant corner Hath thy reason flown, i The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY That thou wouldst dare this dizzy height Of Roman grandeur, frowning in the clouds? II. itli the scepter of the empire, 5° Trembled yet, in old Vespasian's hands? That venerahle, firm and well beloved man first bars your wav. CASCA. A log; decayed and, Pliny, crumbling; soon removed. PLINY. Then stands tin- mighty oak. my friend and yours, »ng Titus; he who battered down Jerusalem's walls, And devastated all the slopes of Pale-tine; Think you to measure -words with him? CASCA. H' saved himself a Jewish queen, And -he hath dulled In- edge, whilst their debaucheri - Save filled the Roman heart with dread; they Bee in him, &o A ml Nero! Titus doth deserve their hate! Tiberius, the bloody, '- born again; and vile Caligula, l\ animate doth walk, when Titus rises from his couch! PLINY. Stop! Casca, stop! You know that Berenice lives In banishment from Rome; Sent out as Julius Caesar sent dark Egypt's queen; And it becomes you not, to thus revive old scandals, Casca; When the gentle Titus, all mankind's delight; Who never let8 a da) go by without a favor done; When Titus no* hath mad. your sister Livia his honored wife. CASCA. 7° His honored wife! <>h Pliny! Livia was a restal pure, until, By magic Grecian art- he won her from her sacred character: The punishment which ages have decreed against her crime, 1- 'iving burial there beyond the north Collinian gate. When he i- tired of her; and does he not, Already, keep her hidden weeks and months awav; of TITUS FLAVIUS. s This doom will end my sister's joy. PLINY. When Titus proves himself so base, your hour will then be come; And Pliny. Flavian admirer that he is, will join your cause. Till then forbear, for even should you hack this oak to earth, The younger brother, sly Domitian; timid, crafty, fellDomitian, He who hides beneath the poet's cloak his wolfish nature, 83 He, will strike you from behind. CASCA. Domitian 's days are dropping, Like the petals of a rose-bud eaten by a worm. TACITUS. In plainer words you've hired his murderers. f e i t s s Cj Will you, yourself, despatch him? PLINY. Casca! Thou, a murderer! Come, clip thy mad Ambition's wings, 90 And be not tempted to this fearful flight. The cup of pomp and power, The intoxicating cup of rule and domination, Cast from thy eager lips, away; The draught is death! ^^SMS'SE ing dots with great rapidity. ( The Roman shorthand is said to have consisted of series of points in varying relations.) the sounds of footsteps on the flagstone floor are heard. A treasure worth far more to thee, Than Caesar's purple or his gold: Narcissa comes. Enter upper right NARC/SSA, presently followed by LUCIA, who is carrying a basket of flowers. Exeunt boll, upper left with- out having seen the others, who are down right. CASCA. Did I love her as she loves me.... &3&&f * "" My life long dreams have been of glory, not of love. TACITUS. Do dreams of justice never trouble you? CASCA. •00 The Roman law forbids the union of . The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY A bondman's daughter with such blood as mine. PLINY. Her Eather rose to freedom, She, outshines the noblest ladies of the court; She lives within your sister's sweet regard, She hath the emperor's respect despite her unwise love for you; Remove this stain upon your honor. Ere Vespasian's willingness to change the law, Is murdered by yourstubborn mood. CASCA. ioq Did you persuade me to the other course, Alreadj had 1 aet meou the throne with you for ministers. PLINY. Oh! Casca, look! < >h, look where Livia comes I The charm of dignity in every movement lies, She hath the Fascination of immortal loveflkeSI — St, LIVIA ■•>/!>■ ,'jsses across, unconscious of the presence oj the other t >n the Jt « tie How like a gentle breath she moves along t lie corridor, 1 low liken dream her presence makes Thecold and gloomy hallways of this palace seem.... Bxit upptr ien. LIVIA. She, CaSCa, is thy sister; Hers the eyes to blind with tears and burn, »9 And hers thi voice to choke with grief, And her- the heart tOCTUSb beneath thy ruthless heel, When thou -halt kill Vespasian on his throne, And lay the noble Titus in his undeserved tomb! CASCA. With Titus dying, who could comfort her as well as thou? CASCA ptrtsttn that TACITOH has been writingin shorthand. You've copied down our conversation, have you not? TACITUS I have. CASCA. What purpose you? of TITUS FLAVIUS. 7 TACITUS. It is my habit, thus, to cheat Oblivion of her prey; By this means I preserve the finely polished sentences, Which drop complete from Pliny's lips. CASCA. You then neglected mine. TACITUS. Not so, I put them in. CASCA. i« Then rub them quickly out. TACITUS. I'll let them stay; the contrast would be spoilt. CASCA. I wish them out; they're safer out. TACITUS. m , , <• •4.1, w.^ TACITUS places the tablet in They re safe with me. kis breast. I'll keep the tablet as an evidence, Of treason and conspiracy, should I be called upon to testify. CASCA. Are you against me sir? The evidence is valueless; whole books of it, 140 In secret, you could write. TACITUS. But this will be supported by the oath of Pliny, here; A witness not to be despised. CASCA. And you against me, where I thought to find, My chiefest advocate? PLINY. I'll never have occasion to substantiate this evidence. CASCA. Are you my ally, then? i The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY PLINY. Nay, not thy ally but thy friend: Though Tacitus contents himself with evidence, Against the possibility of trial; more, much more, 150 Shall I require, to satisfy myself; So, Casca Lentullus, I warn thee now, Proceed no further with this dark conspiracy; Take thou one step and Caesar takes the next. CASCA. Would you betray me, sir? PLINY. For nothing less than Rome.... TACITUS. And now we mav discus more pleasing things. 1 kr\ /JnJs • 1. NARCISSA. Oh Casca, have you seen a little chicken running hereabout; A most demure and modest mannered bird. CASCA. I aee yourself. NARCISSA. 160 I m.-an another one: /r„/,r, icnrrruf,. lucia. She answer- to the name of Livia when you cluck. CASCA. Ah, Pliny, here can tell you how, She just now walked along the corridor. NARCISSA. Thanks! Thank-! Just how. hare not since I know she did. /, ufptr left LUCIA .-/.. LUCIA. S.ime day I think she'll stop. CASCA. And whv? of TITUS FLAVIUS. LUCIA. You know, I think. fl ""' Lir,A - ^ ** CASCA. Narcissa seeks you. She hath but this moment gone, In all her wonted restlessness. LIVIA. 170 Left she no word of why she wanted me? CASCA. We had no time to ask ere she was out. LIVIA. Narcissa, child! Narcissa, child! /;/ f ''(^ ll ," / %-.,^/J. SA reenters after LIVIA has concealed herself behind the large ' 't/t. LUCIA employs herself with f NARCISSA. Upon my word, my ears heard Livia call me, twice! CASCA. But your bright eyes confirm you no such lies. NARCISSA. So Titus hath taught you his knack of rhyme making; Poor fellow, I know your dear head must be aching. She pats CASCA S head. PLINY. Not so, gentle lady, he spoke from the heart; For he's deep in your debt; this was payment in part, For the falsehood he told as you flew like a dart, 180 For his was the voice and his mimic art, Made Livia's tones from 'twixt his lips start. NARCISSA. I do not believe it, so call me once more, To prove that your throat can such sweetness outpour. PLINY. The mellowing touch of separation, Is required to qualify his tones: Return then to the corridor and he will speak again. IO The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY NARCISSA. I'll hear the mimic cry, right where I stand. CASCA. Narcissa, child! PLINY. 189 You see the charm is dead, We'll go and call you from the statue by the pool. They move forward and to the right after NARCISSA has kiss- ed CASCA. LIVIA. Aside , Oh could I change this dull, cold jar to Titus, What a joy 'twould be, for him and me! She kisses the jar. NARCISSA thereupon discovers her and quickly joins the group, lower right. Exit LIVIA, cunningly, lower left. NARCISSA. Come! Come! I'll show you how the mellowing touch Of separation is required to qualify his tones; I'll illustrate the magic of his mimic art; The secret of his charm hides there; no one but Livia herself. They exatnine the place and laugh at NARCISSA. CASCA. You say this jar is Livia, herself? PLINY. This stone, perhaps; or this one; they may serve, To illustrate your magic mimic art. To CASCA - LIVIA enters, upper left, demurely. LIVIA. 200 What interests you so about the jar? CASCA. Narcissa claims that you were just now hid behind it; Or perhaps you were inside. LIVIA. How quaint a fancy, that; To lodge within the precincts of so sensible a head. of TITUS FLAVIUS. ii NARCISSA. How quaint a color, that; To lodge upon the precincts of so red a pair of lips. How strange! It matches quite an odd, round spot, Upon this jar. . . . Oh hypocrites ! Most charming hypocrites ! Come tell me now some more about that wondrous, 210 Mellowing touch of separation, BKiSSLB That peculiar mimic art of thine. %gg3£ ti . arw t0 be What is't I hear?. . . . Good friends, who's bit whose tongue? T, • A^*.\ Exeunt PLINY, TACITUS and CASCA. lower right. .L/UUa, aear: NARCISSA whispers to LUCIA. UVIA iits. LIVIA. Was that quite fair? NARCISSA. It was not quite as fair as hiding when we'd made for thee, A holm oak wreath; and woven it with wild flowers rare; Such flowers as only spring; they say, from earth that's felt, A shower of human blood, of victims sacrificed to gods divine. LIVIA takes the wreath and NARCISSA sits opposite her, on the left end of the impluvium seat. LUCIA watches upper right, where TRANQUILLl US enters. They converse apart, over the stylobate. LIVIA. A dark, strange riddle that so pure a flower, Should nurture in a soil so terrible Oh 1 She is hurt by a thorn in the wreath, NARCISSA. I did not go to do it, dear: There, there, 'twas not a thorn. It does not hurt you much. ffiSSSSB 222 Come, come, forget the trifling wound \pfuviJm " I'll let you win a game of hucklebones, I will. Watch, Lucia, watch! She produces five small, cubic blocks and they play in the manner of the present-day game of chuckle stones or jacks. Three, two; you have already won. LIVIA. And three more makes me four. NARCISSA. In counting thus, I vow the game is made to move 12 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY With unaccustomed speed. LUC,A warns thenu We'll finish it some other time; you're not much hurt; For see, here Titus comes, and he hath frowning said, 231 ' 'This pastime lacks in dignity. ' ' I fear the monster. Come, escape while yet you may! Exeunt NARCISSA and LUCIA, lower right. TRAA'QUAL- LI US vaults the stylobate and follows them out. Enter TITUS, upper right. TITUS. Sweet Livia.... Why Li via! My dear! She remains seated and continues to take no notice of him What spell prevents the movement of thy lips? She moves her lips. He betrays amusement but she frowns and he is unable to fathom her mood. He is on the left. She presently speaks. LIVIA. You just now spoke? TITUS. No! No! I wanted to. I would have asked what magic Held your lips so firm; from whence this mood, This coldness, this unusual distance comes? LIVIA. You spoke, sweet sir? TITUS. 240 Ah, Livia, tell me what I've done, dear; Leave me not to grope thus in the darkness of your discontent. Exists there no way out? LIVIA. As I am never discontent, there's no way out. TITUS. How many hours, then, till the dawn of thy forgiving smiles? What have I done that I should suffer thus? LIVIA. 'Tis not so much what you have done, that should provoke me; It is your neglect and what you've failed to do, That rouses up the wolf within my breast; Though I congratulate myself on having, of TITUS FLAVIUS. « Smgly and alone, o'ercome my temper, so that now, I say in truth, I never knew myself more lovable. TITUS perceives that Iter anger is simulated. TITUS. 252 And never showed yourself as little so. What is't I've failed to do? LIVIA. To keep your temper, sir. TITUS. I never knew myself more lovable. LIVIA. And never looked so black; Know then, when I just now, most foolishly, Desired to kiss my husband he was miles away, And I was then compelled to kiss that jar, So blackening my lips that they mistook me for a clown: I thought they'd laugh the very curtains down. TITUS. 262 If you had sent me word or had I known — LIVIA. A miserable lover thou, to feel no inkling of my pain. So much did I desire thee that the very air, Was heavy with my longing: Thy light heart, was it oppressed ! True love had flown from Egypt even, Though my wish had trivial been. If I had sent thee word or hadst thou known. 270 Break not the humble, innocent, black jar. TITUS. Who laughed at thee? LIVIA. Nor wreak your poor remorse upon their heads; They had good cause to laugh, While you had no excuse for staying hence. «4 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY TITUS. You'll let me black my lips as yours were blacked. He kisses the jar in front, LIVIA. The color comes not off, The jar hath found you out for what you are. TITUS. Am I to blame because my lips have not the sweetness requisite To melt the very lacquer of the jar? 280 It sure hath found me out for what I am, A dull, cold, miserable piece of clay, no better than itself. J_il ***• She rises and embraces him. You speak the truth for once and I, I love the truth; I kiss the truth you represent; Not you, yourself; oh, no, no, no, no! ££■*?*£&" But you were on some errand; finish it. TITUS. I have forgot- - LIVIA. The truth... TITUS. I went to greet our coming guests. LIVIA. Then I'll await them here, rirusgves^. ,_._ TS+nel He sees that she is reproving him for leaving her without a fare- J - y jr J i-lLUa. well kiss. He returns, kisses her, ami goes out, tipper left. She rn/>s the hiss-spot off the jar. Titus, I've concluded now to go. Exit LI VI A, upper left. AULUS appears from the tapestry. AULUS. Oh love sick Titus, vain, contented married man; I could disturb thy satisfaction by the news, Of this new hatching plot which Casca sits upon; But what a shame 'twould be to spoil thy pleasure thus, And what a blunder in a statesman like myself: No, Titus, rest thee well, fear not the schemes of TITUS FLAV1US. * Of such weak, timid boys and dread not mine, For when, as the boastful Casca loves to say, 300 The fateful moment doth arrive; The loving- kindness of a midnight dagger driven home, Makes thee a Roman god; a fate thou shouldst invite. And while I 'wait the hour, I might as well remove This Casca Lentullus; the time might come, When I had rather see him in his tomb than in his toga. Livia: She would bewail the loss of Titus, Till my throne might shake, so she must bend to my necessity. I'll spare her life and let her while her time in slavery; A.Nl^-.r.;^.^ ^i.,,^,. Enter KLABO, upper right. pleasing Sia \ ery. The scene is darkened by a storm. Oh Klabo, come! My mind is troubled by a dream; The Greek astrologer Hypokrates stands by the palace gate; 312 Have him brought in to me. He gives KLABO money ' KLABO. It shall be done. AULUS. But speak on no account of my infirmity. Exit KLABO, middle left. Oh powers divine, 'tis now I feel I am your favored instrument; The plot you've just compounded in my brain to match These several ends, I'll put in execution this same hour; And Casca soon shall be removed by Titus' wrath, Though Titus will not dream he hatched a plot; 320 For both shall in this turmoil be confused. The surface of the water in the impluvium is disturbed by drops of rain. After holding out his hand to feel the rain A ULUS moves to a less exposed position on the left. HYPOKRA TES enters, middle left. Hypokrates, a fee, a lordly fee awaits thy claws, In case the matter which I have in mind, Is helped along by your vile arts. Know you on sight the rich patrician, Casca Lentullus The senator; whose sister was the vestal Livia? HYPOKRATES. I know him well. * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY AULUS. And thou art known to him? HYPOKRATES. That honor hath not been accorded me. AULUS. 329 Tis well. I see him coming. Here, aside with me, Till I instruct thee in a part I have for thee to play. Exeunt A OH 'S and IIYl'OKRA TES, iju.tr lejt. Enter, lowt r rixkt. CA 5 CASCA. He stops me with an empty threat. A boj and yet he blocks Ambition's course, And thu> my overmastering desire is put in leading Btrings. A boy! A boy! A boy, indeed! ( I speak to Caesar soon, good Pliny, speak to C >un. Enter All. VS. hmei Aulii-. scarred warrior, good day to tli AULUS. You note my wound-. CASCA. To envy them. AULUS. Am: were thej yours, what use wouldst make of them? CASCA. Ha 'U my youth, what use wouldst makeof it? 1st thou my wealth, the presl < if the name of Lentullus. My rich patrician blood, my eloquence; What use wouldst make of them? AULUS. I would not idly stand and long for scars; I would n<>t watch contentedly, The antics of a country boor upon the Roman throne. CASCA I've known thee for a bitter man, of TITUS FLAVTUS. n But now you over- step most dangerous bounds. AULUS. 350 Whilst thou dost halt at thy inviting Rubicon. CASCA. Misjudge me if you will, and call my caution fear«. But why hidst thou thy meaning in a metaphor? Have you a soldier's tongue? AULUS. I have! And though you hawk to Caesar what I say, And bring me back my words, Transformed to daggers by his anger, yet I'll speak: I dream of you as emperor; I picture you, Decked with imperial purple, ruling all the world. CASCA. Another counselor like you and I would dream such dreams, And draw myself such images of pomp and power. AULUS. A man of courage need not ask for more than one such counselor. I was in Spain when Nero died and there I cast my eye about, And spying worthy Galba, took to him my troops, And with them victory. When Otho shortly seized the throne, I whipped the armies he sent out and made Vitellius emperor. Vespasian's friends advanced, and at Verona We came face to face; 369 I could have crushed them there forever, but Vitellius had not proven worthy of the purple; I surrendered: Had I fought; The proud Vespasian, where would he be now, Who styles himself "The Favorite of Destiny, " Who chills at my approach; forgets That I have made him all he is? You've now grown up a man and you shall be My sweeping hand to cuff these Flavian upstarts back, To the soil from whence they sprang. 8 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. Have you no dreams? AULUS. 38° I am too old and have too many foes, It seems that I must be content to give the power; And take it back. 'But Casca, know that I am not alone in this advice; Sec-, here's a list of men. Fresh pledged to overcome the Flavian boors; And all we lack's a man to take their robes. In midnight councils we have wearily discussed, And cast about in search of such a man; At last, despite your youth, on you the choice lias fallen; I have come, their representative, to offer von the leadership, And finding you BO apt™-£^ttFH^S&^- A/ ~"^ """<*'" HYPOKRATES. Via! Yea! 1 will see Casca Lentullus! 393 Most noble Casca, 1 do beg of you, K n»u v tc casca. Abide my presence and dismiss your friend, For I have had a vision touching vou, My new - COmeS duw n from Heaven, straight! timr t.< time ALIAS and HYPOKRATBS craftily CO*, -itulate ej.-h other on their tmectti in itctnring CASCA. CASCA. H> is my friend. Proceed. HYPOKRATES. As I lay dr lining in m v cave last night, I m old time < rrecian K r ™ndeur, Suddenly I felt myself whisked through the air, And ages passed it aeemed; at last, I b>und myself upon the edge of some vast plain; Around it mountains, through it rivers, •fM While the verdure blessed the eyesight, And the Eragrance of the miditowers, Wrth the music of the birds, So hrfk-d the other master senses, of TITUS FLAVIUS. That, methought I must expire for joy; And so I would have done Had not the gods been in a frowning mood, Which so alloyed the atmosphere that I could live; 413 For you must know the place was Paradise. And though I was not bid to speak to you, Yet from their talk 'twas evident that I have been selected, To inform the object of their wrath What reparation he must make to gain their favor And avert the doom which they in congress have decided on. CASCA. Have I been noticed by the gods, have I aroused their anger? Go impostor! tell your lies to ears more gullible. po Here's what you want, away! f^g&2££# ta " HYPOKRATES. 1 speak the truth. AULUS. This wierd astrologer Hath ever borne a supernatural fame. HYPOKRATES. The goddess Vesta rages with the insult offered her, By Livia's desertion of her sacred temple, And that foul, unnatural marriage to the tyrant's son. The other residents of Paradise are scarcely less incensed; They have decreed that Livia shall answer with her life. CASCA. Oh monstrous verdict ! Fellow thou art come from Hades, not- - HYPOKRATES. Let not the hateful uniform of poverty impeach my character; All men of mystic knowledge, like myself, 431 Are doomed to wear such rags; For had we raiment fit to match our occult fame, Dire consequences would result from our ambitious plots. CASCA. Go on. 20 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY HYPOKRATES. They have decreed that Livia shall answer with her life: That you shall be their instrument, That you shall offer up your sister, now, a sacrifice to Vesta; Failing which, she, you and all your family Shall perish from the earth. CASCA. Oh fearful sentence! Greek, I tell thee thou art come from Had s, Justice hath her splendid seat on high! HYPOKRATES. ^•44 And Justice is offended by thy sister's deed. CASCA. The dav of human sacrifice in Rome has passed. The appointed Fate for Binning vestals hath tor centuries been -.in- burial not a bloody sacrifice. HYPOKRATES. than hat h ever been commited by a vestal. So her punishment with greater horror is decreed. 'Tis time t<> choo You must not bait tin gods with indecision. You must spring, with all the panther's swiftri To their work. Tl I must be completed While the >un yet shines above the horizon. Hut know that >hould this I diet of tl).- gods Be manfully obeyed, their favor will b 1, : 57 d the\ will sho .< i '. li ,:ftS Thou feelst inclined to J Tis time to choose.... CASCA. I will ol. y HYPOKRATES. Your resolution 's ; you will not stop for tears, of Titu>* pov. of TITUS FLAVIUS. CASCA. The sun shall set upon the execution of this fearful deed; The gods alone have power to change my will. HYPOKRATES. I brought me back from Heaven, sir, A oair of sacred birds, and they shall guide our course. Exit HYPOKRATES, middle left, after having been sec/cily congratulated by A U ' L US. AULUS. It warms my cold, grey heart to see again a man "Who does not hesitate, who rises to the hour; But let my long experience teach thee now the surest course. CASCA. 470 I tremble, Aulus, at my resolution; Guide me with thy steady hand into the royal port, And through this storm, and you shall never say: "He chills at my approach. ' ' &™W^ J& I crave thee, Titus, TcasIa^ "**' ' Livia's company a little while. TITUS. If she agrees, I do. LIVIA. My brother can not say My ears were ever cold to his request. Exeunt TITUS a::d PLOT1NA upper right. AULUS. Your brother now hath on his lips ^3o Entreaties which he dreads to utter. He is dumb because it is become his duty to inform you Of the threatening dangers hanging o'er our heads. LIVIA. My brother 1 CASCA. Aulus will explain, my dear. He sits. 20 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY HYPOKRATES. They have decreed that Li via shall answer with her life; That you shall be their instrument, That you shall offer up your sister, now, a sacrifice to Vesta; Failing which, she, jrou and all your family Shall perish from the earth. CASCA. Oh fearful sentence! Greek, I tell thee thou art come from Had s, Justice hath her splendid seat on high! HYPOKRATES. 444 And Justice Is offended by thy sister's deed. CASCA. The day of human sacrifice in Rome has passed. The appointed fate for sinning restals hath for centuries been ring burial not a bloody sacrifice. HYPOKRATES. Her crime is blacker than hath ever been commited by a \< • ■ lur punishment with greater horror is decreed. "IV time to cho You mu-t not bait the gods with indecision. Y I must spring, with all the panther's swiftn 'I'., th.ir work. Ti I must be completed While the buh yet shines above the horizon. But know that should this i diet of the gods Be manfully obeyed, their favor will b d, s; d thej will show< r whatever gifts Thou feelst inclined to ask. 'Tis time to cl ->•.... CASCA. I will ol y.... HYPOKRATES. Your resolution's made; you will not stop for tears, of Titus' pow 21 of TITUS FLAVIUS. CASCA. The sun shall set upon the execution of this fearful deed; The gods alone have power to change my will. HYPOKRATES. I brought me back from Heaven, sir, A oair of sacred birds, and they shall guide our course. Exit HYPOKRATES, middle left, after having bam secretly congratulated by AUL.VS. AULUS. It warms my cold, grey heart to see again a man Who does not hesitate, who rises to the hour; But let my long experience teach thee now the surest course. CASCA. 470 I tremble, Aulus, at my resolution; Guide me with thy steady hand into the royal port, And through this storm, and you shall never say: "He chills at my approach. ' ' #™£ v ///™ up % d f I crave thee, 1 ltus, t0 casca. Livia's company a little while. TITUS. If she agrees, I do. LIVIA. My brother can not say My ears were ever cold to his request. Exeunt TITUS and PLOTINA upper right. AULUS. Your brother now hath on his lips ^3o Entreaties which he dreads to utter. He is dumb because it is become his duty to inform you Of the threatening dangers hanging o'er our heads. LIVIA. My brother 1 CASCA. Aulus will explain, my dear, m S i ts . H Tkc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY For did you say farewell to Titus privately, He would persuade you to remain; And did you go without disguise to Casca's house, lt^ doors would fall before thy husband's wrath. 'T is resolution wins th<' darkest day, 541 And \\ e three here must sternly act as one. LIVIA. Yea, sternly act, if we haw courage for it, Though 1 fear, I fear a fatal outcome in this course. There *s yet another risk you know not of. Will you betray a trust? You an- mistaken if you think that Titus does not fear, For In- tears something, all that it ma\ be 1 do not know; 1 h saj - it i- bis brother's treacherj and violence, >u know, Domitian with impatience views the throne, not known that Titus bath an beir. 551 1 [e '- three months old. The secret lias been closely kept, M\ brother, even, know s not of his little nephew Numa, Who i> thought to be some soldier's sport. You may prevail on me to leave my husband, But you'll never come between this boj and me. .'hrm. ( >h keep the secret yet! AULUS. The good wife of Gaudentius, famed for mother's love, To ber will you entrust the child? Then have it brought while 1 am sending out for her. I /. /. utptr right. MAH- Cl& i NARCISSA. 561 What Bcbeme have pou on foot? What cunning plot hath that old reprobate hatched out? Be sure that he will prove your friend, And such a friend the very warmth of bis affection Will suffice for your undoing; of TITUS FLAVIU& * Such a friend as you have been to me. CASCA. Narcissa, you misjudge me, It 's not wise to say a man 's your enemy until he 's dead. NARCISSA. 570 And then it matters not. CASCA. Believe me. child, Though I am tardy, I will act the better part NARCISSA. Before you 're dead. But I will see that Livia is protected From this aulic craft, as far as I have power. When she becomes a Christian so will i. CASCA. Narcissa, dear, the situation 's delicate, the danger great. NARCISSA. Wherever she is taken I will go, So waste thee no more words. CASCA. 580 I may forbid. NARCISSA. You threaten me! CASCA. I beg your pardon, sweet! So tender is the peril that I know not what I say. Believe me, dear, your presence would not Further Livia's interests while you might destroy us all. Remain behind and claim from me whatever favor I can grant. NARCISSA. Then promise me that Livia from these affairs Shall finally emerge unharmed. * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. The pledge is made. She comes! Away with me, For from this moment you must act a minor part. VIA. utter right, cart infa.it. IJ ..•:.! at LIVIA'S direction remains at the rear, keeping a cbs* aSfc'n. LIVIA. My gentle babe, yoa smile on me in all my misery. 591 You could not side if I were doing wrong; You could not smile with danger threatening, z-i u 1 t G AC DEXTIUS enters low- Could you now, my love t „ right. GAUDENTIUS. I 've brought the costume which you are to wear. LIVIA. Are you a Christian, sir? GAUDENTIUS. I try to be. LIVIA. Have you no fear in harboring me, of Titus wrath? GAUDENTIUS. I am persuaded, Aulus hath said, you have espoused our faith; That you desire to make your home among the Christians; Lowly though we be, I trust that none of us Shall >- ererved from duty's path by Caesar's frown. LIVIA. 603 My fears gr before so brave a man. GAUDENTIUS. And may your faith increase. ^R MdMTBdt ! ° lLer MARTHA. You've sent for me? GAUDENTIUS. The Empress Livia hath here a child, An infant which, for weighty reasons, must remain unknown. Th • Spirit hath descended on her head of TITUS FLAVTUS. And she desires to leave the court, 610 And be with us awhile. m 1 ~„ i.U* ~Ui1A LIVIA lasses the child and gives Take you the child. ,-, to martha. My wife shall not be senseless of the honor, Nor negkctf ul of the trust. LIVIA. Where shall I see him next? GAUDENTIUS. At Pliny's house. LIVIA. At Pliny's house! GAUDENTIUS. The noble Pliny hath been generous enough To set apart for me this day some chambers in house, That of my architectural skill he may 620 With more minuteness learn; And there in secrecy you may remain. LIVIA. Oh Martha! Martha! He 's my life! MARTHA. And he shall be as dear to me as any of my own. Exit MARTHA, lower right, with the child. GAUDENTIUS. And when you call me I '11 be waiting here. Exit GA UDENTIUS. lower right. LIVIA. Oh heavy heart, I feel thee faltering in thy throb; I feel the darkness stealing on, 627 But in the twilight I must smile And seem to be the mirror of the noonday sun. Enter PL.OTINA and TITUS, upper right. TITUS. A iOtina j/f wishes it to appear that she has delayed their return. :8 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY PLOTINA. Titus! Lay the blame right there, MEM? For I will shoulder none of it as I am not responsible p. >r your delay. I dragged him back. L1V1A. 633 I thought as much. A sorry lover, he . f££ rH " w * 1 '" TITUS. Your moods would render any lover so. LIVIA. A wit! PLOTINA. A charming wit! LIVIA. A brilliant wit! PLOTINA. He hath good points. LIVIA. A few. TITUS. How much is bid for me? PLOTINA. I 'd much prefer a slave from Grc< LIVIA. Or even Africa. PLOTINA. 1 am afraid he is not sound. LIVIA. 644 That 's all he is. PLOTINA. Oh then he 'a worth, say, ninety nine sestertii. LIVIA. I '11 bin a hundred more. of TITUS FLAVIUS. « TITUS. A good sized hog would not be sold for that. PLOTINA. But you 're a runt. LIVIA. 649 Though stockily built. PLOTINA. Yes! Yes! But clumsy; still I'll bid a thousand more. LIVIA. Then I will say eleven thousand. PLOTINA. I '11 say twenty four. TITUS. The market price of runts is mending rapidly. LIVIA. When once my mind is set, upon a trifle, No one lives to thwart my mood; I '11 bid a hundred thousand times your price. PLOTINA. The auction 's not done yet; I '11 go to seek more capital. Exeunt PLOTINA and LUCIA, upper right. LIVIA embraces TITUS. LIVIA. This don't torment you, Titus? TITUS. Ah my love, I would be sold for the smallest part Of one sestertius and think that no man ever brought So high a price if you did make the purchase for yourself. LIVIA. You love me Titus? TITUS. 663 Love you-— LIVIA. Ah I know you do, 3 o The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY ] But wiH you always love me so? Perchance should I at some ill-fated time persuade myself To find in other occupations more engaging pleasures Than thy love affords; should I from fear or duty go away; Will then your love remain as firm as now, 670 And will our keen-edged happiness endure The rasp of time; the grit of jealous doubt? TITUS. When the sun his orbit leaves, When day doth follow night no more, And Night doth reign supreme; Our love will then burn low. When all the winds, the gentle winds, the sturdy winds, The fierce rude winds, have ceased to blow, The embers of our love will still be bright; But when a silence vast reigns o'er the earth 680 And every sound is dead, And when at last the waves die down And the restless sea is stilled, then dear, The last light of our love will sink away. KLABO enters, upper right. KLABO. Your father, sir, upon a point of state, Desires your counsel ere he comes to dine. §$/ r %$£ LIVIA. I knew you loved me not, you prove it, quite, By setting bounds to the illimitable mood. What hath the sun to do with love? In twilight are we colder than at noon? • The . inds, do we need them to fan our thoughts? And silence, when are we not envious of every sound 692 That blurs our lightest whisper? Whil the waves, 1 've known thee long, But now 1 first have learned The distant sea tiath aught to do with our sweet 1 )ve, Much lorous course. of TITUS FLAVIUS. No! Titus, no! Think not our love shall ever feel The touch of hideous death; In some far happier place The flame of our immortal passion, bright and clear, 701 Shall always and forever burn. They embrace. Have faith, my husband, in my love, And in the darkest hour remember That my final thought shall always be for you. TITUS. The darkest hour shall be "When I have lost one thought of thine. LIVIA. Would you deny me pleasure in the child? TITUS. Your thoughts for him are thoughts for me. Ah let us go and see him now. LIVIA. No! No! Thou canst not see him now! TITUS. 7» And why? LIVIA. Thy father waits for thee. TITUS. He '11 pardon the delay. LIVIA. But Numa is asleep. TITUS. I 've looked at him in sleep before. LIVIA. But he is nervous , fretful, And we must not run the risk of waking him. TITUS. Well! Well! I think a father cares a little for z cVtd. Tic IMPERIAL AUTHORITY But win you always love me so? reliance should I at some ill-fated time persuade myself Po find in other occupations more engaging pleasures an thy love affords; should I from fear or duty go away; Will then your love remain as firm as now, And will our keen-edged happiness endure The rasp of time; the grit of jealous doubt? TITUS. When the sun his orbit leaves, When day doth follow night no more, And Night doth reign supreme; Our love will then burn low. hen all the winds, the gentle winds, the sturdy winds, The fierce rude winds, have ceased to blow, The embers of our love will still be bright; But when a silence vast reigns o'er the earth And every sound is dead, And when at last the waves die down And the restless sea is stilled, then dear, The last light of our love will sink away. KLABO enters, upper riglit. KLABO. Your father, sir, upon a point of state, Desires your counsel ere he comes to dine, fj^r^fiu ' LIVIA. I knew you loved me not, you prove it, quite, By setting bounds to the illimitable mood. What hath the sun to do with love? In twilight are we colder than at noon? The winds, do we need them to fan our thoughts? And silence, when are we not envious of every sound of TITUS FLAV1US. No! Titus, no! Think not our love shall ever The touch of hideous death; In some far happier place The flame of our immortal passion, bright and 701 Shall always and forever burn. They en Have faith, my husband, in my love, And in the darkest hour remember That my final thought shall always be for y< TITUS. The darkest hour shall be When I have lost one thought of thine. LIVIA. Would you deny me pleasure in the child? TITUS. Your thoughts for him are thoughts for m Ah let us go and see him no '.v. LIVIA. No! No! Thou canst not see him now! TITUS. 7" LIVIA. And Thy father waits for thee. TITUS. He '11 pardon thee LIVIA. But Numa is asleep. TITUS. I 've looked at him in sleep LIVIA. But he \ s nervous , fretful, 3. The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY LIVIA. You hurt me Titus; love, you do. ffiff^gff£gfc r %5$ SEXE.YJCE appears on the left, from behind the stdpSLlt . hav- ing entered through an opening invisible to the audience. 7*0 Farewell, my love! Farewell, my love! Was ever prospect fair so clouded over, Changed so in a moment, thus, To gloomy night and blinding mist? BERENICE. Unfaithful Titus! Still another victim to thy cold caprice. Exit LJV/A, middle right. Enter CASCA, lower left. CASCA. 'Tis Berenice! How have vou returned to Rome? She placet her right htind across her brow and quickly rem in a peculiar and noticeable though natural manner. CASCA makes a similar motion BERENICE. Then you are in the plot. CASCA. How came you to this room? BERENICE. I know these passageways as well as thou the streets of Rome. CASCA. 729 You run grave risks and have not much to gain. BERENICE. I risk no more than you, I gain no less. But I'd have thought thee satisfied to have the Flavians stay,; Can Aulus make a better emperor, for you, than onedf them*? With an fftrt CASCA conceoHs his .uprise at this revelation of tut : ■ AVLUS. CASCA. Do you expect to be his queen? BERENICE. When Aulus sits upon the throne, I sit upon his knee. CASCA. You care but little for the forms of dignity. of TITUS FLAVIUS. « BERENICE. 736 An empress is above reproach. CASCA. To be his empress came you here? BERENICE. He 's rather old. CASCA. Then make your best speed to Cilicia's bounds again; I kill the hope, for like a schoolboy I 've been tricked, And like a schoolboy I will trick again. Until this moment I have thought that I had been selected As emperor to be. Conspire no more! BERENICE. 744 Tell Titus will you ! Wait ! Each one of us is for himself; Though once I thought a bit of thee. CASCA. A thought it did remain. BERENICE. It might come back; Would you not make a better emperor than Aulus, man! CASCA. He said as much. BERENICE. You 'd make a finer figure on the throne. CASCA. And have a fatter knee. BERENICE. 753 A knee 's a knee. I thought a great deal of you once. CASCA. Plot on. M The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY BERENICE. It' Titus wants me bade, The first conspirator who takes a step Shall stumble to the ground; if not below. 759 If Titus still remains a rock, We '11 make old Aulus emperor to gratify bis pride; A day of haughtiness shall do for him, a single day. CASCA. And VI hen we kill him for his crim< . We '11 be applauded by the crowd. This plan i ust be the one. BERENICE. Though not if Titus takes me back. CASCA. 7^5 You know that he 'a a married man. BERENICE. His wife! CASCA. My sister. BERENICE. You 've no sister out of childhood. CASCA. Livia, the vestal. BERENICE. rried, do yuu say, and secret'.)? He "11 tire of her. CASCA. 771 In time. BERENIC" He must! Toda) ! Attack her character. CASCA. My sister! of TITUS FLAVIUS. 35 BERENICE. Dost thou think that she will place 777 The robes of state on you, And see her husband unprotected, and herself despised? CASCA. She dies today ere sunset. Klabo! if" aMd I "' // ' ' Xa\A A BERENICE conceals herself on the left iilUL". Enter KLABO., upper right. Did you allow Eypokrates to enter from the street When he came in? I know that he and Aulus had been talking Long together just before he came to me. I only wish you to confirm my knowledge of the fact. ITAEO. Your confirmation, sir, must come from other sources, For Hypokrates had not been seen by Aulus when I let him in CASCA. Ask Tacitus to presently come here; and Varro too. Exit KLABO. upper right. BERENICE reappears. I am commanded by the greater powers to offer Livia a sacrifice, 790 The message coming through Hypokrates; I feared that Aulus might have plotted that. BERENICE. He would not dare, the sacrilege would be too great. CASCA. He has arranged a guard for her! He thinks to cheat the gods, to steal her from my vengeance for His hateful purposes . I, too, will have a body of retainers ready When she leaves the palace gate. BERENICE. She is to leave? CASCA. Pretending to become a Christian, 799 So that Titus' wrath may fall on them, Thus giving me an opportunity to execute the deed. * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY BERENICE. To put the blame upon the Christians, ah! Why, let it fall upon some enemy of yours; 803 Let Titus think she goes to him ; And then he wHi not grieve and mope for her. CASCA. On Pliny's head, for he opposes us. BERENICE. She '11 go? CASCA. We *ve made her fear the mob. BERENICE. She 's wry apt to turn and face its violence, If she hath metal in her like your own. Stav! Haw her think that I am here at Titus' wish, That he, unfaithful t<> his vows, hath called me back again. CASCA. 811 If she doth falter, it shail then be done. BERENICE. A loving woman does not lightly Leave her husband's house. CASCA. We '11 have some proof; write on this plate: "You are commanded, Caeca Lentullus. To execute your aster with thelites prescribed by fate." BERENICE. And forge the name of Titus Flavius. CASCA. No! We 11 let him sign it for himself, 819 And then I think that she a ill go. rlefl. £■«. UJLUUS, upper TRANQUILLIUS. Who 's the old woman, th CASCA. Your mother, it is said. 37 of TITUS FLAVRJS. TRANQUILLIUS. Then we are brothers, sire. CASCA. 823 The honor's yours. TRANQUILLIUS. I fear your generosity will spoil your temper, sire. TRAXQUU.l.IUS seats himself at the right, on the bundle which (TA UDBNTIUS has left. CASCA. I 've not that quality. TRANQUILLIUS. Temper, sire; or generosity? Are both entirely gone? Did that old woman take a bundle off? CASCA. Why so? TRANQUILLIUS. I have been sent to get a bundle here ; I see it not. CASCA. No? TRANQUILLIUS. No? CASCA. No. TRANQUILLIUS. No! CASCA. No! TRANQUILLIUS. No! CASCA. No! TRANQUILLIUS. oh! f&tismr* CASCA. Oh! 38 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Exit TRANQUILLIUS and mter I.IVIA, upper right. LIVIA. ,( >39 I will not go! Send quickly, bring Gaudentius back, He took a treasure from me. Send! Oh! Send, for him! CASCA refuses. 'T was wrong to think of g< >ing and I happily see again The light of reason ere it is too late. CASCA. You 've lx uaded; you hav< LIVIA. My heart alone hath been my counselor. CASCA. Y<>ur judgement, what of that? LIVIA. 84^ I have no judgement and I want no judg iment Which will coldly come between my love and 1 CASCA. Rush on to your dee t nretion f< >r the weak indulgence of an hour. LIVIA. I need advice; alone I can not know w I est, And w hether I should disregard the promptings of my heart I '11 not be satisfied to go without advice; H bo SOl • judge, a man unbiassed, Y\ hy not Trajan, Pliny, Juvenal or Tacitus/ CASCA. Say Juvenal, as he 's the oldest of the lot. LIVIA. 855 I '11 to hi .-night, bmu uvia, upj* r aft. of TITUS FLAVIUS. The fecond folylo^uic of Cafca Lentullus. I stand upon the parting- ways; I stand between the roads to happiness and fame; I stand between inaction and the mastery Of circumstance; between this fearful impulse And the peaceful conduct of the full, unsullied heart. With honor may I save the day for Titus, For I \e gone to lengths no further Than are warranted in seeking out conspiracy; With vigor I may seize the throne, And occupy that splendid summit Which inspires the universe with envy and alarm. I hesitate to catch the challenge up By Fate thrown flaunting down; I cringe, a creature of her will, a thing of mere caprice. O mocking Fate! Come try thy wrath on me, Bring forth thy proofs, condemn me to inaction If thou canst; come show me who is master, Who shall rule the great ambition coursing in my veins' Come to the conflict armed in all thy might, For thou hast now an adversary lit to try thy skill. Enter NARCISSA, lower left. The approach of TITUS cause, htt tc retire -without discevcring herself to CASi-A. Her presence is a pietnoiution. 4° The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Enter TITUS, upper right. 876 I seek you, sir! I have the worst of news. TITUS. A little time may wear it out. CASCA. Doth time wear out illicit love? Doth time abate conspiracy? TITUS. You broach most serious subjects, Casca. CASCA. Seriously must they be met. TITUS. Conspiracies by scores are laid but few are ever hatched. CASCA. Intrigues by scores are carried on, and guilt and acquiescence Flourish on the food of love but few are ever barred Against the judgement seat of public scorn. TITUS. Should this touch me? CASCA. Thy father's throne is threatened by conspiracy; Old Aulus leads the malcontents; Thy house is robbed already of its joy, For Pliny, graceful, polished Pliny, loves the empress; Loves her with a passion long concealed but not denied. TITUS. Her brother! CASCA. No one else hath dared. TITUS. 894 Proofs! Proofs! From even thee! CASCA. Conceal thy motive; read the words of Pliny's mouth. of TITUS FLAVIUS. Enter TACITUS, upper right. I 've tried in vain to recollect that pretty speech of Pliny's; Which Titus hath desired to hear. Give him the lines, TACITUS. I would not have an adept like the future emperor 899 Compare these straggling dots of mine With his perfection in the art. TITUS. The speech ! TACITUS. He takes the tablet from his breast and reads. "Oh! Casca, look! Oh, look where Livia comes! The charm of dignity in every movement lies, She hath the fascination of immortal loveliness. How like a gentle breath she moves along the corridor. How like a dream her presence makes The cold and gloomy hallways of this palace seem. 908 She, Casca, is thy sister- ' ' B » stops. TITUS. Read on ! TACITUS. The rest is of but little moment, sir. TITUS. Read on ! TACITUS. I 've reached a part I do not care to read. TITUS. You 've reached a part I wish to hear. TACITUS. I 'd break a confidence by reading further, sir; The matter does not signify the least. TITUS. Read on ! TACITUS. 9*7 I would regret to disobey thy last command. <> Tkc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. No doubt it is a trivial thing that Tacitus conceals; Perhaps within an hour he might be glad to read the rest. TITUS. 920 I would not run the risk of losing what is left. TACITUS. I '11 leave the tablet here upon the ledge. CASCA. To clinch the truth with evidence let Titus sign the plate. TITUS. ] Indeed my confidence in you doth not need that. TACITUS. But certain knowledge is a more substantial crown For conndence than any halo of belief, however bright. TITUS. 926 Mine, too, shall then be crowned. TITUS throws his robe over the written portion of the (ablet so that TACITUS may be sure that he does not read anj of it while signing. CASCA. Another tablet for your signature. TACITUS places his tablet on a ledge, down right, and goes out. TITUS signs CASCA' S tablet: the order for LI V 1 A' S death. What think you now, is 't proof enough, Or will yon have some more? TITUS. Go on? CASCA. They have arranged for her to leave the palace in an hour. TITUS. 032 I think she may, but under guard. CASCA. Control thyself! I '11 have my spies see where she goes, And take her into custody When she has reached the meeting place. of TITUS FLAV1US. 936 Let not this private grief, though, Blind you to the danger of the forming plot, For this is only Pliny's share; the throne is envied, too. TITUS. Oh ! What care I for that if she is gone? CASCA. It gives you power to punish her. TITUS. I will inform my father of the danger; he Can cope with that. Instruct the spies. Exit TITUS, upper right. Enter VARRO, lower right. CASCA. The empress leaves the palace gate within an hour. She wears the Christian garb. Remove her to the house of Marius Germanicus 34 5 Despite whatever opposition you may meet. By this way : Livia comes ! Exit VARRO, lower right. Enter LIVIA and J U VENAL, up- per left. LIVIA. Now Casca, thou art shown at fault, For Juvenal, in his wisdom, hath confirmed my fears. CASCA. You think it best for her to stay? JUVENAL. To me there seems no need for all this haste. CASCA. Have you determined now to break your word with us? LIVIA. 95 ] I have decided not to go. CASCA. And she hath told thee all the reasons for the plan? JUVENAL. I trust my reputation hath not yet been sullied 44 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY By a judgement rashly given, Though there may be facts in this which we have yet to learn. CASCA. There are! Once more, I ask you, will you go? LIVIA. 959 I have determined not to go. CASCA. Then stay and meet your death! For since you pierce my subterfuge, the truth must be revealed; The Jewess hath returned and Titus loves her still, A fatal order hath been signed. And I must be your executioner. JUVENAL. Unnatural man! CASCA. Things willed by Caesar must be done. The awful cost of disobedience would be in vain; Go then, before the order reaches me. JUVENAL. 969 You know? CASCA. 1 saw her write the tablet, sir! Their plot i> this: To the feast shecomes, And all 1 if them will laugh her off; She pre-eiitl\ return-, and some laugh not; A n r comes in with news of rising discontent Against the virgin hidden here, thyself! The Jewess Stands there waiting and a place i- made for her. hit ■ ■ LIVIA. 977 I '11 go ere she returns. CASCA. Put on the garb; collect thy trinkets for the time is short. . /JIJ.I, uffrr n ' tit i afar/. of TITUS FLAVIUS. « JUVENAL. Well Monides? Yes! Yes! I sent for you. We have arranged a pleasantry With one of Rome's voracious eaters; 982 When I send for you a little while from now, Bring in what game you've shot, upon a hunt in which 'Twill he supposed you'll he engaged. Arrange it so that you shall bring no game with you Except a crow. Shoot me a crow and bring it back. Exit MOA'IDES, lower left. Enter PLINY and APICIUS uf- fer light, where all the banqueters presently enter as occasion die tales. PLINY. Apicius, I am told, that in consideration of your noted appetite, The emperor hath said you shall be served a double course. APICIUS. A double course! A double course! Thou mockst my hunger, Pliny, with such news. 991 For ten long years have I intrigued With Aulus, Klabo, even Julia and Plotina, That Vespasian might relax his discipline And give me more to eat when I'm his guest. Today, they said he had relented; Now you say he has decreed a double portion ! JUVENAL. While you wanted double that. APICIUS. My most self-sacrificing suit was for 999 A full quadruple course at least. Expecting that, I have not swallowed food today, For two long hours, and now you say a double course! JUVENAL. Poor, famine stricken wretch, casca rises. APICIUS. Yes! Yes! 't 'as been two hours, and then I only ate A dozen Martian apples and a little quart of Massic wine; * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY PLINY. Nay! It is the Christians and the Jews, and not the Jews alone. Who break the peace. JULIA. But how are they opposed? JUVENAL •°49 The matter, I am told, is a culinary difference, TIk- Christians liking their fruit whole, The Jews preferring theirs, particularly apples, nicely peeled. APICIUS. Let us discuss the meal and not the Jews; the dice! nttrt voitk j cuf oj diet for each tabic. The guests time in rotation, btginm'Hgon the lejt. TITUS. Christianity 's a baleful superstition, Newlj Bpread from Palestine. DOMITIAN. : ^55 And it deserves a careful scrutiny; 'T i- -aid the Christians \\ ith their gods :i> to other people theirs. We'll watch tliem close. JUVENAL. Thej are \dur enemies indi i d, For Christian is as ] r in rlrj me- .1- one of t hem in goods, While Jew will rhyme with screw and shoe and -1' ■- and lew. And you cm hew your poem through And glue your name to fa nir, With forty rhymes for Jew still left in view. APICIUS. I think that every man should have hi- individual god. JUVENAL. And I maintain that even god should have his individual man. That is, if men are found, enough to go around. DOMITIAN. It seems to me that every foo! should have hi< individual cage. of TITUS FLAVIU& 49 JUVENAL. And each and every poet grand should have his individual pen. 1069 I 've won the throw! APICIUS. And luck has favored me; Now, Juvenal, throw; and see who '11 be the master of the feast! JUVENAL. Sweet Venus is my throw. APICIUS. And aces, mine. ffS£^* VESPASIAN. Now, Juvenal, propose the order of the meal. JUVENAL. 1075 Bring on the light and airy Setine wine. APICIUS. But first the pumice stone to whet our throats, And then Falernian wine ; this Setine kind is sweetened oil, The other 's rich and red. JUVENAL. Sour blood, gross appetite! APICIUS. This chicken-livered cynic has a cobweb throat. JUVENAL. With a velvet palate. APICIUS. And a thimble-sized interior. JUVENAL. 1083 But I thank the gods that my exterior Hath never yet got in my way. APICIUS. 'Tis a gastronomic honor, sir so Tht IMPERIAL AUTHORITY It shows I always know what good food is. JUVENAL. And always shows you never know when you have had enough. APICIUS. Its capacity 's its boast and pride. VESPASIAN. 1089 He can not know when he has had enough, He lies unconscious then. APICIUS. Its capacity 's its boast and pride. JUVENAL. Ho! ho! How much say, doth it hold? APICIUS. I m measurable quantities. JUVENAL. How much? APICIUS. '°95 How much, say you, it will refuse to hold? JUVENAL. I have an honest archer, Monides, new on a hunt; I'll wager you that he brings with him back Mon game than yon can stomach in a week. APICIUS. I gladly take your bet; of what amount? JUVENAL A thousand iku Bestertii. APICIUS. A thousand—new sestertii. VESPASIAN. 110i Let 's drink to the choice of the gods. T^ey drink, the nine having been brought by KLABO. VESl'ASI- Afi lets lis -.line spout from the small end of his horn l, the air into his mouth ;/. alone, follows his <•■ of TITUS FLAVIUS. 5 Come, Tacitus, to start the feast, Bring- on your promised dish And see how it will turn our tongues against the meal. TACITUS motions to KLABO. mho brings in a veiled urn. put- ting it on the left tal-'e. JULIA unveils it. TACITUS. Within that urn, my friends, is all that 's left Of one whose name has made the bravest of you tremble; One whose lightest whim might end forever Love and hope with life itself. Proud, wilful, bloody, jealous Nero, mi That 's the sum of all your tyrannies, That 's the crown you '11 wear until the end of time itself. VESPASIAN. You say 't is Nero's dust? TACITUS. He, even he, left friends; They spirited away the urn for fear some desperate soul, Dishonored by the monster, should in frenzy Cast upon the winds his hated ashes; they Succumbed before the hour of safety had returned; A will was brought to me in the usual course of law, 1120 And thus I 'm made the guardian to carry back This dust unto its sepulchre; I! I! Whose brother died at his command. And my weak, long delayed revenge Must satisfy itself in making him, The once supreme and mighty ruler of the world, The small talk of our meal. APICIUS. He was a tyrant, at his board I left my fresh, young, strong digestion; 1129 Give me that again arid take ten years of life. JUVENAL. He took from me my actor Paris! How, in my old age, can I expect to find 5 . Tkc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY I Another subject for a satire, such as he? I've nothing now to rail against but gluttony and theft, Dishonesty and husband poisoning and greed and lust and lies, 1135 And such minute discrepancies; so Xero, Take a dozen years and give me back my actor, rank! IfAJti rsihrurn AULUS rises and after putting ■irr into a bowl of wine which KLAliO hjs on a tray, re- turns to his f. 1 NARCISSA. Ah, avaricious claw, what hast thou done With all my father's gold? Four hundred millions of sestertii Thou filched from my inheritance and left me none; A score of >car.- for such a hill of gold I 'd gi\e. TITUS. And I as much if he '11 bring back my friend Britannicus, Whose death he managed w ith the \ ile Locusta's deadly draft. < Mi Nero! hath the world a friend to offer any man, "15 To match Britannicus? TACITUS. Another life is offered thee, why Xero, dost thou hesitate? JUVENAL. MTS, to think a man who never did a favor, Will begin the practice, now he 'a dead. TITUS. My friend>. I 've lost a day! What favor have I granted since the sun came up? X dust, I '11 favor it, And we w ! at him. once more will do him re\erence. A drink to Nero's dust! JUVENAL. And let us drink, as the emperor and myself are wont to do, 1155 In thi> time honored custom, friends. j»./ VESPASIAN s; ■n I.I I 7.1 embraces 1.UC1A, 1 left. Downright ,. '...'. ..- j cahe. which he regards with envy. of TITUS FLAVIUS. 53 VESPASIAN. Simplicity is dead in these degenerate days, And ancient vigor, sapped by luxury, Consumes itself in idleness and vanity. BERENICE. Friends, give me to drink; I learned that ancient art in Alexandria. The banqueters rise on their hands. I.IV1A, LUCIA, JULIA an J TITUS stand. BERENICE extends her hand in vain. 1:61 Is this your far-famed Flavian hospitality? Why not a farmhouse on my way from Greece Hath held aloof with such ungraciousness as thine. TACITUS. Ah, Berenice, Jewess grand--and aged-think you We are farmers to be played upon? BERENICE. Contemptuous Tacitus, of all the men I 've met Since I last dined within these portals, none Hath equalled thy injustice to my race. PLINY. :: &9 Sweet Berenice, which hath had The intellect to pierce thy siren's charms? BERENICE. This boy, who 's he? TACITUS. This venerable dame; We '11 have our fortunes told and let her gfo. Elite 1 takes Enter TRAJAN, upper left. At a motion from VESPASIAN he r las place. BERENICE. Oh Titus! hath the day not been when jibes like these, Would echo in the dungeons of the Mamertine? You loved me then, and now you stand and see me jeered. Time was when feasting waited on a mood of mine; 1178 And now, here Trajan, this young man, not long ago A soldier rough from Spain, unpolished and uncouth, 54 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY He sits him down with emperors and I stand pleading, Not for love or friendship, merely for a place with you, That I may humbly listen to the accents, Once poured out to me in passionate promises and vows. TITUS. You come without an invitation, Nay, a banished and forbidden guest you come; And BO you stand. You come because you hope to throw o'er me- again "88 The spell you exercized so long; But Berenice, know that I have risen h above that base infatuation. Know that Titus rules himself again, And baste thee back to thy Cilician kinglet, . sister steals the fellow from th\ arm-. BERENICE. You lightly cast the seeds of scorn, it heavily shall you reap the harvest of revenge. This Li via; will the commi in herd of Rome Fall down in adoration when it 's fully known That you have taken from the temple for your lust A ei stal pun? Rouse not their wrath, 1100 But let our old time friendship spring again. ight aim ■ APICIUS. ( »li I should like to take his place, fair Jew! JUVEN\L. Oh ho! Apicius! tell us now, w here you have ever found . warmer flavored dish than that? Apicius, come! extol the Berenician digits! Tell US all, the nature of the condiment, or possibly 'tis | And rivals both the Kentish oyster and the Melian crane; no; tlie flavor of the nightingale, And makesth beartsas flat as tb of TITUS FLAVIUS. 55 API€IUS. I did mistake a physic for a feast. *«>££ BERENICE. There is a place, between a young fool and an older one, And even there I 'd sit. £S"H#J$£ TACITUS. And throw the glamour of thy middle age upon the group. BERENICE. Oh Titus! should I tell you that conspiracy Hath reared its hateful head again, That men here drinking of your wine, 1216 "Will presently be drinking of your blood, And I could save you, would you take me back? TITUS. 'Tis ninety eight conspiracies, if I remember, Sometimes two a day, you 've saved me from; Your old time generosity in that respect Seems with you still. BERENICE. I had sharp eyes for thee ; No plot did ever take such root, when I was loved, Or spring such mighty branches As the one whose growing shadow soon shall prove thy night. TITUS. A welcome darkness if it happily hides thy smile. TRANQUILL1US grandly bows her to the entrance. BERENICE. Beware thee Titus, of the swift resentment of discarded love. TITUS To KLABO, only LIVIA and LUCIA • being near enough to catch his words. '"8 Detain her for a private interview. Exit BERENICE, lower left. APIC1US spits after her. Conspirators, if you be here, Look in my father's face and ask yourselves If he hath not a kindlv domination held? 5* The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Conspirators, look in his face, And hesitate before you strike the faithful steward; Think before you plunge your country into civil war, And think before you place yourselves in opposition 1236 To the mighty hand that still rules Rome. I think you all are friends; I see no face that augurs mischief, here; I think the Jewess spoke from sp : te, I'm sure she did. "We'll prove it! here, an oath! By Nero'a ashee and my father's head, That you are loyal to our rule! Alt at tk* l<-JI ■■■ VESPASIAN, tut >>ut tktir hands A GENERAL SPEECH. Long live Vespasian, emperor! TITUS. ... A.,.1 L„-.l fit plactstlu urn em tie right table and all im •H-l And ll. hinds, except I.UCIA andUVTA Your hand *s unmoved. LIVIA. And so it shall remain. TITUS. ir brother, here — LIVIA. Forgets his father's death. TITUS. You will not swear you 're loyal — LIVIA. Not by Nero's ash 1. TITUS. 1251 By the gods. LIVIA. Nor yet by them ; I '11 swear no more by pagan gods or mortal dust, For I am now become a Christian. r*ey *u statu of TITUS FLAV1US. 57 TITUS. Thou a Christian! LIVIA. Yea, a Christian, Titus, She removes her white tunica-pallium . appearing in a black robe. 1257 I am done with courts and splendid pomp, And luxury and sin. Gaudentius, come! "werngltl This worthy man will henceforth be my teacher and my guide. TITUS. What folly sir, is this? You know that we have overlooked your superstitious worship, For the sake of your great art, but now you step too far; We will permit you yet to leave our presence, But our wife remains. LIVIA. We go together. TITUS. Livia, tell me when I 've given thee cause to leave thy home; Have I been harsh, have I been faithless, cold or distant? When have I denied thee any pleasure that the empire holds? 1269 And who could love thee with a deeper passion Than the one which burns in me? LIVIA. T 1„ j-1,„„ „ + :i1 She turns to GAUDENTI- 1 lOVe tnee Still. US with a ge-turc of appeal. GAUDENTIUS. But her Redeemer's voice is heard. TITUS. Invoke thy slimy magic now, And see if it prevails against the Roman sword. TITUS motions and a number of soldiers, led by SEXTUS, en- ter, middle left. CASCA approaches TITUS. Arrest the man and watch the woman, 1276 Lest by occult practices they spirit her away. CASCA. T ° TITUS - You hold her and destroy all evidence; I 've posted guards! 5» The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY nutnjinn, meat his .. art. My son, allow them to depart in peace; I 've dreaded long the mischief which might come to us Through this unnatural woman. Think yourself well rid of her. TITUS. 1181 I want to save h^r from her own intended folly, Even though her love I seemingly h;:' DEtNTlUS AULUSin tt ■ to l.l vi. \ . TUS. 1 saw your signal! L: ; 1 • 1 » •' ■ She turns jhJ LIVIA. < i'i think no more of thi n of a journey to my mother's h< 1 Turn not your heart against me, Titus, Think- \ou I would leave you thus, without a ca And think you it shall be for all time; no, no, tiol 1290 S me still, you '11 love me alw; A 1 the happy days Bhall come again; The happy days shall conn- again. VESPASIAN. drink 's been di ' Assist m< h ace! 1 '11 be a tfod myself in half an hour, If tlu\ can't ea -<■ this pain. I dhy V \RKO the right. TITUS. X v. ,\ ' is, ■■ . -hall know the meaning of that signal, 1297 And the reason for thi- poison mixing. ..■/* with j ■ Go!Tranquiiiius, bring physicians, quickly! Hereis some reliefj upper right. J'J 1 .... / rrfjrcj. VESPASIAN. Oh take me to mv Sabine home, for there I shall be safe; of TITUS FLAVIUS. 1300 The oracles have said I am to die in Rome. Exeunt VESPASIAN, PLINY and TACITUS, "/•per right Tha women are gathered about that entrain e. /inter I'RAfAN, middle left, fallowed by SEXTUS carrying a roll of papers. TRAJAN. These papers have been found on Aulus' person. TITIK SEXTUS/mnds Thou hast proved thyself my friend. A speech to be delivered to the guards. The Praetorians here are promised heavy sums, When Aulus sits upon my father's throne. The Jewess knew! We're tangled in the toils of some wide-spread conspiracy. Go '.Trajan, go! Divide the guards! Some to the palace here, some to patrol the streets ! First! have Aulus executed, where he stands. A silence. Exit SEXTUS. middle left. TITUS reads the second paper. The footfalls of SEXTUS and the rattle of the parch- ment are the only sounds. Presently a loud cry from AULUS, within: then a brief silence, broken bv the sound of a falling body. Exeunt the women, upper riq-ht. Re-enter SEX TUS, mid- dle left. Exit TRAfAN, upper teft. A roll of traitors names; of men esteemed our friends. To the deepest dungeons of the Mamertine, 1313 With the last name listed here. Exeunt JUVENAL. DOMITJAN and KLABO, upper right. Enter GA UDEXTIUS. disordered, loiver right. GAUDENTIUS. Oh Caesar! they have dragged thy wife away! Outside the palace gates, two crowds set on with clubs And bruised me thus, while she was carried off. TITUS. Come Sextus, come, with all our speed to Livia's rescue. Thou, Gaudentius, guide us as thou lovest thy life. Tc AnInaHparl? SEXTUS shows lb ^\UlUi5 UCdU : / l!s bloody sword. You, Casca, take command of all our forces here. Our father must be guarded on his way. '322 We leave the list with you. Exeunt, lower right, all except TITUS, CASCA, VARRO and a few soldiers. Add Pliny 's name . *** TITPS ' lower right - «. The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. Before you take these prisoners T<> the Mamertine bring each one here to me. Wait Varro! bring me Gallus and Demetrius and Graccus first. Exit VARRO, after left, fblbmtd by CASCA. Enter 77,'. /.V- QUILL1US. upper right. With great circumspection he pro- ceeds to the lejt table and i the cahe which lie mired uhen APICIUS enters, m They are mutually startled and disgusted on discovering tack other. APICIUS. You 're eating, -ir! TRANQUILLIUS. '3>8 Sir! APICIUS. At the Km-peror's board; be off! TRANQUILLIUS. Be off! You heard the order and you are not gone. APICIUS. I heard the order and I am aot gone; what order, clown? TRANQUILLIUS. Theordcr\vastotakeuparms;ii,Min>t the traitor; in the street. APICIUS. Ehl TRANQUILLIUS. Whatarmb do I Bee you take up? APICIUS. I? TRANQUILLIUS. 1336 Aye! APICIUS I'm not a soldier. TRANQUILLIUS. What then might you be? APICIUS. I'll have you know that I am something better; a civilian, sir!" of TITUS FLAVIUS. TRANQUILLIUS. 1340 The Emperor desires the best of help; Civilians are particularly charged to take up arms. APICIUS. Eh! TRANQUILLIUS. And speedily; be off! APICIUS. I 've not the bearing of a military man; I fear I might be in the way. TRANQUILLIUS. The enemy's way, no doubt; A position of great usefulness, you'd stop a dozen spears. APICIUS. «34« I? TRANQUILLIUS. Aye! APICIUS. Say that you ' ve not seen me ; For I fear my health will not permit the sacrifice; However much it might be to my taste. He gives TRANQUILLIUS money and is about to go, when MONIDES enters, upper left, carrying a crow impaled on an arrow. What 's this? MONIDES. My master sent me word That you should have the game I killed today. My luck was bad and this was all I shot. tAe°£w. TRANQUILLIUS. 1357 Oh this will suit your taste, oh! oh! Enter PLINY, JUVENAL and TACITUS, upper right. They conceal themselves behind columns. APICIUS. How can I ever come to that? * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY TRANQUILLIUS. Then lose your bet. APICIUS. Segroanl I Oh do me not this violence! My health will not permit; Consider that! TRANQUILLIUS. J '< t""" ds 'a w ">- ■363 We feel for you. APICIUS. I 'm sure of it, And never was I cold w h< n sympathy was shown. Come, toss this thing away; here 's something to enjoy, Two hundred new sestertii apiece. They re/us,. 'Twill buy at least a fourth jrour freedom, fool. They mcctpt. MONIDBS tkrtms tkt a xlddli. Diplomacy 's a noble art; it hath protected thee, good friend. He GBTWXMJ his at^omen. A load is off my mind. Ilr stes fhJt the . r.»H' 1 < trill in : Oh throw it out. entirely out! TACITUS discovers himself to them. TACITUS. >37« Diplomacy. Apicius. is a noble art. PUNY Jffran PLINY. The culinary art- are quite surpassed. JUVRSAL offrjri .inJ pul-i up : lie JUVENAL. < >h what a load is taken off thy mind. Thou Monides; I took- thee for an honest .-lave. MONIDES. And 30 I am. 1 knew that you were there And so I made the trade. I felt your pr lithful dog would do; 1378 And so entrapped the fellow, here. APICIUS. Degraded villain! it was I who laid the plot, of TITUS FLAVIUS. * Intending to inform your master of your base behavior. 1381 I alone perceived that they were hidden there. JUVENAL. You felt our presence too, no doubt. utfe/LftjLsiily. APICIUS. I knew. JUVENAL. We know you knew but how did you find out? APICIUS. Oh I found out. JUVENAL. Oh you found out, But tell us now, what sense discovered us to you. APICIUS. My nose. JUVENAL 1389 Thy nose? APICIUS. I smelt you, sirs. JUVENAL. A marvelous nose. APICIUS. Oh any nose would do for that. I '11 eat the crow. f£k$. JUVENAL. A thing like this would nearly cure Vespasian's pain. PLINY. Nay, Juvenal; the sickness now upon him is his last. TACITUS. 1395 I fear he '11 never get beyond the city's walls. PLINY. And forming rnobs await his death in murderous expectancy. 6< The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY TACTHJS. A civil war i« bursting in its fury over Rome, And Lust and Rapine loosen for their horrid work; ■399 Our lives are menaced and our households stand Unbarred against the sweeping throng! PLINY. The slender thread is not yet snapt, And while the pulse of passion running high Endangers peace and mocks authority, If with persuasive eloquence in opposition we unite, The misery of Rome may even yet be stayed. JUVENAL. i.jo6 I have a graver duty here to keep me for a time, Bstmai PUNY and TACITUS, loatr .>//. of TITUS FLAVTUS. '5 Tie firft folyloquie of Decimus Junius Juvenslys. Poor, feathered blackness, limp and stale, Thy life is ended, hope and fear are done; Thy lusty throat no more shall split the air, Thy mounting flight shall not again enthrall The envious eyes of creeping men. And thou wast hatched to point our joke. Didst ever in thy bold and careless journeys Dream they tended here? Didst ever think that from thy fate A melancholy moral would be drawn? Old crow, you laugh at me; I see a gleam of humor in that filmy eye. Yea! yea! you 're wiser now than all mankind, For which of us can surely say That he '11 outlive his mortal frame, Though which of us hath not that hope? Old crow, you know; But a manful price you 've paid to learn. The sound of approaching soldiers is lieard. JUVENAL looks out at the several entrances and seeing escape cut off, he con- ceals himself behind a curtain below middle right. « The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY These implements of sacrifice! %f?% Oh brother! brother! brother I Let me Iiv< 147J Oh let me live a little longer! Just a day, an hour! To kill me now without a moment's warning! Thus to plunge me into darkn Like a torch blown out at midnight by a gust of wind! Ob give me, Casca, pet a little time; A murderer was never hastened to his doom With such devoted speed. CASCA. No murderer did e'er deserve thy swift destruction. Could an hour avail you aught? LIVIA. Oh even be it spent within the shadow of eternity, There still would he a little of life's sunshine left. H&t \ thought, a dream, a hope might spring That mercy driven from th\ heart h\ superstition, Would within that time return. Why should 1 die? What injur) have rought, T • anj 1 reature on the earth, much less to thee. CASCA. rth condemn thee not; Tb. : h\ death. Youri rtionoftl. acred fire of Vesta, And your mani tinst their laws have rous I their anger, . tin life must answer for tin crin LIVIA. A crime, my brother, was 't a crime 496 floomy, cold, unnatural place? Th< tire! it flickers out a dozen limes, Wh( re Romans hear of that calamity but once. The gods, m\ brother' of TITUS FLAVIUS. 1500 Art thou still so much the child to how to them? If gods exist, through what protection have I lived so long? If gods exist, why call they on a human instrument When all the majesty of nature's anger "Waits upon their least command? If gods exist, the confines of perdition hold them When their tolerance and favor rest upon the deed of murder! Casca, played we not together children? Did you love me then? Were children ever happier? In the midst of our delights they took me to that temple, Filled my mind with terrible forebodings of the fate I 'd meet Did I infringe their rules and orders; Stiiled every pleasure, grimly bound me to their life; And thus they consecrated me. '5>5 Oh Casca, thee I dreamed of then, And in my heart the only light left was the memory Of the pleasures we in lisping years enjoyed. I learned the mockery of worship And I longed for you to take me out; in vain; The years slipped by; in vain! Then Titus came and he I loved, And he it was who dared To take me from this sacred Vesta's temple. Did my brother welcome me? I found thee stern and cold and unforgiving. Casca, search thy soul and know Wherein the profit comes before you kill me. '5 2 8 Casca, is the old love dead? CASCA. I hoped that when my sister came to die, She 'd die with dignity and not in tears. LIVIA. Thy treachery where loyalty should glory in his strength, Thy cowardice and failure make me weep. p The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY If Titus knew — CASCA. Reproach vne not with Titus' name! Read! read! in her handwriting, as I warned you, -ee! LIVIA. Without confidence. 1536 A forgery. CASCA. ry! and this, too, is a forg And one -hall cure the ills inflicted by the other. LIVIA. You are oot reluctant. CASCA. Knowing thou art guilty, should I he reluctant? Bere in Caesar's house, upon the scene of Nero's Claudius died by poison, Where Tiberius and Caligula did glory in debauchery, s-i-i Shall ri teful odor to the gods, And these fair ■ .til- we '11 stain with smokj memori here where all your crimes have h- 11 committed, Shall their expiation I LIVIA. .,„/,,. Lift up thy axe and fell me, h thy knit- my throat, And rip my bodj up, ir out mj entrails for thy 1 Burn me piece by pio But know thou Lentullus, omen favorable or a sign auspicious 1555 Thou shalt not discover in tin search; 1 am unfitted El * 1 1 ice. i^fl-YrL'Z'?. Now Cast a! art thou satisfied the time 1- not yet come? What priest in Rome would dare to offer up a victim In the : such a warning fallen from above? T!. d bird. SO pureed, of TITUS FLAV1US. V 1561 Portends disaster if this deed be executed now. 1 KAJ AN. Upper right, within. I will not stand!.... What right have you to bar my way? A guard! a guard! by whose authority?.... But I am Trajan, his superior in command. Exit C.ISC.I, upper right. JUVENAL reappears. JUVENAL. The fates are thine again ! Now hide thee down this passageway And come not out until. . . . until I strike the jar here, twice. LIVIA. If Titus calls? JUVENAL. ■570 Not even then! I '11 find the truth about this forgery, And if he 's innocent, his arm shall strike the blows; Three times if it be he. LIVIA. The hole is deep, it yawns with mystery; The steps are narrow, slippery and steep. LIVIA descends into the opening behind the stylobate. JUVE- NAL extinguishes the fire and lounges against the lower right corner of the altar. CASCA reenters. JUVENAL. Viend Casca, how 's thy health today? CASCA. How came you here? JUVENAL. I first put this foot first, Then this foot first, and so I came. 1580 A remarkable proceeding was it not? I think few men could do the thing as well as I, For of my youth it took me seven years to learn. ?> The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. I think few men can lie as well as thou; And that 's a thing you never had to learn. JUVENAL. That capability is inborn in the human race. CASCA. You hid behind this curtain, sir! •587 What disposition have you made of Livia? Speak <>r die the deathl JUVENAL. Oh my dear boy! I '11 Bpeak, of course. Pray, calm yourself; I have no w ish to die the death, nor live the death, Nor have a thing on earth to do withyour fine death. By Jove, 1 wish that piece of shrouding cloth 1 me not bo bv< Iftly from the looms of fate. I hid, of course; you asked me how I came, 1 told you how, But w he n, you did not seem to \\i>h to know. CASCA. '596 My Bister Livia, where JUVENAL. Translated. CASCA. Juvenal, speak the truth! JUVENAL Translated, asLlive; She 's made a member with the supernatural powers above. ore my terror stric 3 1 saw a spirit, Clothed in \\ hite, deso nd, And taking our 8W< I 1. ria by the hand; 1604 Through the compluvium they soared, ,id quickly vanished in the great blue vault. lie point* into the air and they both look up. CASCA. And did the spirit'.- face seem fierce or mild? of TITUS FLAVIUS. 73 JUVENAL. 'Twas mild to milkiness on her; on me it fiercely glared. CASCA. 1608 You lie, old reprobate! JUVENAL. And you lack dignity, my virtuous friend. CASCA. She 's hid about these entrances. H( ' guards, draw in; Let not a soul slip by you! We will see if thou hast spoke the truth. Guards appear at all the entrances. JUVENAL. The sole and only mistress of my tongue is lovely truth. CASCA. Here come two women, they may throw some light 1616 Upon these mysteries. Withdraw! %£%%$■ JUVENAL Investigate to suit yourself; I '11 not remain to hear my word impugned. Exit JUVENAL, lower right. Enter BERENICE, middleright. followed by NARCJSSA. BERENICE. to casca. Translated! yea, translated! Foolish boy, she 's in some passage! You are standing o'er a stairway now. Narcissa thinks you went too far. CASCA. You overheard? NARCISSA. Quite plainly, 1625 But you put her far too much in terror. CASCA. It was necessary; saw you not the spy? He moves. 7, The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY BERENICE. You fooled him well. NARCISSA. She still believes you were in earnest. CASCA. You must go to her at once, induce her to come out; I '11 hide her safely, till the danger's past; For I \v done all that Caesar can demand; As such an omen would delay the mightiest enterprise. NARCISSA. 1633 I '11 lose myself and never find her. BERENICE. I will be your guide and when she 's found My presence you need not betray; She fears me---- NARCISSA. So do I. You play with us. Explain whv you should have a good design, And QOt an evil one. BERENICE. To gain your lover's friendship, then, When he in favor basks again, And Titus hath been cured of his delusion, I will hare an ally in my plea for pension. I am growing old; my lengthening days R< quire provision and support; Of Caesar 1 have asked a mountai 1 1^7 That I may be favored with a hill. NARCISSA. If this proves not the truth, I '11 ask you why. Bxil NARCISSA, middle right. BERENICE. With Livia, your cowardice and failure make me weep; of TITUS FLAVIUS. 75 Hath not the time for action come? Be careful, Casca; here your danger lies; Her heart is like a curdling milk And sourly will she serve you in the end. ££!£M£££ C £'J?W!i. r & M - *»'«" t'-lA'KO. lower left, with DhMk.7 RIUS, GALLUS atij GXAOCU& VARRO. The chief conspirators. CASCA. ,6 55 The fortunes of the hour Have placed your lives in Caesar's hands, And painful shall you find his grasp. The fate of Aulus, dead in yonder hall, By Titus' order, but by my design, For he had falsely promised your allegiance to me, Must show you where you stand; Without a hope--unless You favor my ambition for imperial authority. DEMETRIUS. We will consider it. They ammm afarL GRACCUS. What need of this? GALLUS. 1666 What better fortune could we wish, He 's wealthy, young and popular, The multitude will split their throats When he's declared. DEMETRIUS. He may be seeking thus a further proof of guilt; He may be faithful yet to Flavian rule. GALLUS. We '11 take an oath. GRACCUS. l6 73 An oath is needless if he 's bent upon deceit, ii The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY And needless if we serve a common cause. DEMETRIUS. This brief consideration 's all that we require 1676 To place our forces and our lives at your command. The hour is full, we should not tarry if we'd reap its fruits. CASCA. Then each to his plotted work, To meet at the foot of the hill, Where I have sent my kinsmen and my friends. DEMETRIUS. A signal when to act should be agreed upon. CASCA. This ringing rase. I '11 Btrike it twice to bring you up; Three quick and heavy blows should Titus be destroyed. 1684 Th>-n loose the rabble on the Flavian.-' friends, And ere the sun is set another dynasty shall rule in Ro#le. u.l.cs jnj GR I VAKRO.middU Ufl and CASCA, uffar left DOStlTIA in, middU right, fir enters, followed by KLABO and at hi mr immense tundles el manuscripts, which seem -1 uith mjnui.nti i enter and cross from lime to time. DOMITIAN. Come; Klabo, com< ' we have no time to waste. I fear -■ ime rude conspirator w ill seize our manuscripts. We'll re >t ourselves in distant safety till the storm is past, When like an eagle t<> it ^ prey We'll Bweep down on the upstart head That arrogantly take- OUT father's crown. 1691 It makes me laugh t" Bee men storm at Fate, To sec their frantic efforts to attract her predetermined eye; The fool-, they would compel the hour, Hut wise men, we will wait. A quantity of gold spills jromone of the manuscript!. Thou carele-> dog, tin-, manuscripts Are not to be so violently thrown about! The gold is recovered. Exeunt all. toiler tell. TRAJAN. syjk Oh Casca! Caeca Lentullus! of TITUS FLAVTUS. v Enter TITUS and GAUDENTJUS, lamer right, disposed as old men. Enter TRAJAN and JUVENAL, vpfer rinht. JUVENAL. Good friends, have you seen Casca Lenttdlus about? TRAJAN. 1700 Oh Juvenal, that such an upright man, From noble parents sprung-, Should thus forget his loyalty, His reputation, honor, prospects, all, To sink to plots and subterfuges Worthy of an outcast or a slave ! JUVENAL. With more than your reluctance, Trajan, Was I made acquainted with his perfidy. TITUS. You speak of Casca Lentullus? JUVENAL. Can this be Titus? TRAJAN. 1710 Wearing a plebian's gown. TITUS. Friends it is I. JUVENAL. Is Caesar come to this? Doth he discard his dignity so lightly. TRAJAN. Had his friends been called upon and shirked the duty, Then he might have reason thus to masquerade. TITUS. It doth become you little to reproach a man. 1717 Distract by his intolerable anxiety. JUVENAL. Doth it become a Roman, 78 The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Thus to lose his judgement in a sea of grief? TITUS. A sea of doubt but not of grief. You spoke of Casca Lentullus?.... Is't honorable in you to know an enemy of mine, 1723 And then refuse bis name? TRAJAN. I do not think be is an enemy of yours. TITUS. You spoke of Casca. Is it he? JUVENAL. It is, unless— TITUS. Unless! JUVENAL. You signed this tablet knowingly. TITUS. T signed a tablet hut I trusted him and did not read it. Are JTOU BUI JUVENAL. The boj 18 maddened b\ ambition, see— TITUS. No! No! 1 will QOt read it! JUVENAL. You must aot destroy him now. TITUS. Destroy him now! I could embrace him, 1735 ild shake him thus for joy! ju^^juvenau Destroy the youth! Would you destroy The giver of all happiness? ( Mi, like a father*.- t<> the erring prodigal, My hea .>ut to him! of TITUS FLAVTUS. 79 No name in Rome could fall more sweetly on my ears To be thus coupled with an accusation. Anger would have kindled in my breast Had any other man presumed so much, And in my strength I would have smote him down, '745 But Casca! Casca! glorious traitor! Thou hast paid for all thy deeds with this defection. No! No! I will not read it! I must find my wife! Gaudentius, come, come, cornel By no good fortune has she gotten back? I U V tN AL. He stra i g htens his shoulders. ohe has returned. He avoids titus' grast. TITUS. Where is she now? JUVENAL points to the jar, into which TITUS thrusts his arm, whereupon J U VENAL, by agesture, has him strike it threeblows with the fiat of his sword. LIVIA enters from behind the sty lo- bafe. She hesitates but recognizes TITUS in his disguise and they embrace. Cries are heard in the distance. Exit J ' VENAL, upper right and TRAfAN, upper left. Thecries continue, draw- ing nearer. They reenter, JUVENAL. Ah Titus, save your love thoughts for a timelier hour; A threatening mob is loose and soldiers make up part of it. TRAJAN. '754 Bestow your wife here in the passageway again, Resume your habit and come forth; Your father's throne is shaken on its eminence. TITUS. My friends exaggerate the danger. Hath the shallow sounds of idle boys, The power to fill your hearts with dread? TRAJAN. These sounds are deep, they come from desperate men, For all the traitors down on Aulus' list Are now allied with Casca. When they find you in plebian garb, '764 Unarmed and unaccompanied, 8. The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY You will answer for your folly with your life. TITUS. Then out among- the crowds with legionaries, Trajan! Use what measures seem expedient Against the threatening hour. You. Juvenal, with Tacitus and Pliny too, 1770 I ask your eloquence in smoothing down The ruffling temper of the street - . Exit TRAJAN, upper lift. LIVIA. 'Tis safe for me within the hole? JUVENAL. And come not out till Danger n.. Her ominous wings in other skies. 1.1 VI A. j'trr embracing TITUS. And Titus, should you fall into the hands of hostile guards, ( >n no account make known your name 1777 For it will surely prove the warrant of your death. Exit JUVBNAi ■:■ Bmttr BBRBNICB, mUdle r, s -ht. TITUS. Thecrie- are growing holder. Make yourself secure within the >toiie. GAUDENTIUS. When you are sate. TITUS. M. safety, what is that to thee? GAUDENTIUS. Art thou not Caesar, owe I not allegiance to the lord of Rome? TITUS. You did not always show this loyalty. GAUDENTIUS. 1784 I served a higher master, and I did not know you as I know you now. Tn this hrief time, amid the shock of circumstance, T'ne noble metal of your character rings true and strong; of TITUS FLAVIUS. In serving- you I serve the King of Kings As best he may be served by me; And if this prove thy hour of need, My strength is thine. %& 11^^'fff. VARRO. Detain the two old men; forbid the mob! Enter SEX T US. on the left, with soldiers. With me you are for Casca? SEXTUS. 1794 I will serve him well. Aside , I '11 serve him well. VARRO. What enemies of his have you brought in? SEXTUS. I've caught Gaudentius' wife and with her some young babe. TITUS. To GAUDENTIUS. Your wife took Livia's child? He assents. VARRO. Where found you them? SEXTUS. In Pliny's house. VARRO. 1800 In Pliny's house! Why entering his door I found the Empress Livia herself. Oh Pliny hath his polished way with womankind; I '11 warrant he '11 not be forgot when times are good again. TITUS' jealousv is roused again. GA UDENTIUS has been takt » to the left. BERENICE comes forward. BERENICE. Nor even yet while times are bad will precious Pliny be forgot. Stay Varro, with your men stand off a little while. Proud Caesar, now the scale Of Justice tilts against your tyranny, A moment since I stood a suppliant; You turned your shoulder to my tears; 1810 But now your life hangs on my word «• The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY And when I caH the soldiers back, They '11 lead you off to death. TITUS. Then call them back. BERENICE. Still scornful, still asproud as in thy might. And so I'd have the man I love. Fori have never ceased to love thee, Titus, Never thought of any other— TITUS. 18,8 Well! well! BERENICE. 1 have grim news, oh Titus! Grim, knee shaking news for thee; Thy friends have all gone o'er to Casca's side, And he, by acclamation, no* is emperor, succeeding you. Hi- deep designs include your death And Livia's sacrifice; and Numa's death, When be finds out you have an heir. Both I and Livia's friend Nardssa, \\ e have helped him in his schemes ■ 8l " And now we have you in our power. TITUS. I still have friend-, and -tn-ngth. BERENICE. But not to rescue thee from Casca's toils. The palace till- with partisans of his; This wile, though -he escape him once, Will now be offered u{> a sacrifice, While mi a spear your head With -• I and x^~- -rill bob alike, To friend.- once faithful and to foes victorious. 1837 I love you stifl, let me prove traitor to his cause, And you wSl be Augustus; of TITUS FLAVIUS. * Promise me that you will love me as of okl, And I will get you through his fees And lay a dagger in his sides to silence him. But I must have your love. Deliver up this faithless wife; 1844 The child you may retain. I offer you my love and Rome. TITUS. The soldiers. BERENICE. V arrO ! /fc advances. TITUS. Soldiers, take me where you will, This woman here is done with me. SEXTUS has MARTHA brought in, at the left. She is carrying NUMA. BERENICE. '850 To death with him ! And send that woman, too. Exeunt YARRO, TITUS, GAUDENT1US and certain of the soldiers, upper left. SEXTUS. Though Varro takes thy orders, thrust them not on me. BERENICE. Delay my pleasure at your peril, sir! Exeunt, lower left, all except BERENICE. She knocks on the floor near the stvlooate and conceals herself on the left. NARCISS14 and LI V I A enter from behind the stylobate. Theories continue. LiVIA. The cries! the cries! They battle in the street! The mob will sweep the palace for they win the day. NARCISSA 1855 No! no! this is not war; 'tis but a tumult Titus hath himself stirred up, To justify his monstrous judgement 'gainst yourself. LIVIA. Why should my husband have to justify himself for any deed? 8, The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY NARCISSA. You questioned him when he would bring the Jewess back. LIVIA. Ah that's a plot of Casca's, Titus sent her off. NARCISSA. Perhaps he did. Entrust yourself to Casca, Dread your husband till the doubt is cleared away. LIVIA. Go bring mv husband, and my brother, too, 1864 By seeing them together I may learn the truth. it S'ARCISSA, middle right. The cries! the cries! ( >h where is Xuraa in this turmoil? Is lie sate, or even yet alive? Oh have I merited these charging wo 1 H, V,,,,, ' V,,,„ ,' MARTHA, with b y »n wuma: jNuma Martha' he 's asleep! asleep, oh gentle softn* Rest, nn Xinna. rest and dream of love and happiness. Oh exquisite, most marvelous little being, fh'dni". Mine! mine, mine again to love I You've brought him safely bade. MARTHA. But not to safety; I am taken by the soldiers, Brought against my wilL LIVIA. 1876 Qturion Seztus brought you back? I've heard mj husband speak of thee In terms of highest praise; I thank thee much. BERENICE. Y tu thank too soon f us serves on Casca's side. LIVIA. On Casca's side? BERENICE. I do not gloss my hatred of TITUS FLAVIU& % With the loathsome pigments of hypocrisy; From me you'll have the biting truth: Your brother covets the imperial purple, He commands the hostile troops and rouses up the mob; He thinks the gods will favor him if you are sacrificed, And craftily he plotted to that end 1888 While Titus still was powerful; And though his courage failed, His purpose still for satisfaction calls. Your husband's love is always yours. LIVIA. I thank thee, woman, much for that. BERENICE. Again, you thank too soon, For though he still is true, his power is gone, And Casca's warrant for his death is given out. LIVIA questions^ and SEXTUS and MARTHA assent. LIVIA. Oh Sextus, you the valiant soldier, Stand unharmed and he goes out to death! The meshes of adversity, they sift our friends and few we hold. BERENICE. And fortunate you are, if tangling in the stinging threads, 1900 Your life is not cut through. When Casca comes again, A victim to his superstitious rage you fall; I hate you but I still have pity; Go to him, resign your life, to save your son, For if you do the boy shall safely grow in Martha's care; Delay and take his life, As you do murder those despairing wretches in the streets, By hiding here. LIVIA. The cries ! the cries ! 1910 Oh fearful hour that makes my happiness * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY The instrument of death; That drives me to the final brink, Amid the mortal sounds of battle's violence! Have mercy, oh you dreadful arbiter-! Numa! Numa! guard him well, >9'6 And from the other shore I '11 intercede for you. SAm .'. uffer le/t, when CASCA mrers, lower right, mf anted b\ soldiers, CASCA. Wait! wait! thou'rt caught at last! BERENICE. We have persuaded her that it is best To give herself to thee. CASCA. Most timely hath she been persuaded, When the last escape is closed. BERENICE. 191J Your >tar i- rising, Casca; you '11 remember me? CASCA. My gratitude shall be proportioned to yourown deserts. BERENICE. Then know that Titu- le your prisoner; That Varro just now led him off, in lent ius is the oth< r; both are in disguise. This information clears your way of every obstacle. CASCA. Have Varro bring bis prisoners back. If and two soldiers go out \ upper 'left. Withdraw ! forbid the entrance here of any one; '93° Heed not w hat passes in this hall! ■ant all eaeeept CASCA and U\ I A. BBKMNICB and MAR- ippet r,it< >r ! unready hostl Irresolution, thou art doomed to failure! Heavily the u r ate> of Rome shall close upon me. Wearisome the y turney hence. L'^Lw/rrffi*. CASCA. Whose child i> tlii-? You will not tell? lie lakes li. ■: M.I A ill A and at hi! motion j inl/e through i. LIVIA. The child i< mine. MARTHA. She seek- to shield me from your anger, I'll admit the child is mine. LIVIA. Tlie child i:- truly mine. CASCA. Tin- thing i- well BUpplied with mothers now. 1973 I must End out u hose child it i-. ,y,7 Your wagging tongues may lie hut on my honor II -timony not t<> be denied. With j ujjen motion he lean open 1.1 VI A'S dress, strike This withered hag, let her be crucified for her deceit. ( rive me this mooted babel *Lui4%. Hypokrates, we'll offer up this infant in the public view, And then the woman, thus to finally appease The great displeasure of the gods. Let her be crucified! of TITUS FLAVIUS. * LIVIA. 1982 How fearful is this penalty! How slight the provocation! Casca, wait, consider— CASCA. Let the woman die! LIVIA. Oh pitiless and wanton arbiter! What ruin shall appal thee? What extremity of desolation shall appease thy appetite? What punishment can Fate apportion to thy infamy? MARTHA. 1990 God's will is manifest in every word and deed, In nature's every act; would you implore the flood, Or bear resentment 'gainst the shrivelling flame? His hidden purposes they mutely serve; His will is not opposed by thy command. My life is freely His. Exit MARTHA in custody, upper left. LIVIA. Casca! Casca! Casca! give me back the boy, Oh spare his innocence and I will build the altar up again, I '11 fan the flame and plead with you to hurry through the rites ; 1999 I '11 turn the knife upon myself, And as you search me for the omens, I will beg the gods to bless you with their favors. Casca! let me kiss him once, once more, my little Numa! Thesoldiers hold LIVIA. Exit CASCA, lower right, with the in- fant: HYPOKRATES and some of the soldiers following: The soldiers remaining arrange themselves about the several entrances . Oh Numa! Numa! Numa! ^s R ?owe S 4ighi. Narcissa! NARCISSA. Kill me Livia! end lemorse! Oh let me feel that I have answered 2007 For the sorrows I have heaped upon you, love. 9° The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY LIVIA. Are you to blame? NARCISSA. I have betrayed you, Brought you from the safe recesses of the passageways. LIVIA. 3oii They've taken Xuma for a sacrifice. NARCISSA. He 's gone to lift the child upon a spear, To show the mob hou he's appeased the gods. I thought when I persuaded you. it wa> for safet> *S Sake, For Casca made most honied promises, And swore with many an oath that his anxiety for you Was caused by love and ho]>e of safety for you both. ( ii\e me the knife I And let me drown remorse With blood in retribution shed! < >h let me teach this monster how jojj To fallow in the paths of treachery I < >h let me teach him how revenge 1- fathered by injustice, HOW destruction from destruction gathers power, How deceit brings forth deceit, And desolation answers desolation's call. VAAC/SSA V, Inlet uf.-er :<-rt. i'ARRO an ~,AUDBNT1US. LIVIA, tejor the tmfiuvtum, u uee : GAUDENTIUS. Take comfort; Martha saw us as she passed, 2039 And she goes bravely to her great reward. tinier SEXTUS and two lolditrs, lower rigk VARRO. Who knows the emperor's commands? SEXTUS. The emperor direct That one of these your prisoners be executed, While the other one goes free; the woman, of TITUS FLAVIUS. 9' She shall be delivered to the populace, J0 35 And burned for their amusement. Titus is the prisoner to die, Gaudentius is to live. The emperor directs that you acknowledge his command. VARRO. Is one of them the Flavian prince? Go Quintus, tell the emperor I have his wish, And it shall be my deed. itfSBWSE But these are bearded men. SEXTUS. Oh that need not delay the execution of the guilty one. He pulls off their beards. VARRO. But which is Titus? SEXTUS. *m You should know. VARRO. I don't see how? Gaudentius' name I never heard before, And I am newly come to Rome. SEXTUS. But you and I have fought in Titus' ranks, And we should know our old commander's face. Methinks that this is Titus. VARRO. No! no, this is he! SEXTUS. You are mistaken, This is Titus; know I not that brow? SEXTUS and TITUS are on the left. SEXTUS purposely contends that GA UDENTWS is T/TUS. VARRO. i0 53 And know I not these heavy jaws? SEXTUS. You but a moment since declared you could not tell. 9' The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY VARRO. But that 's too old a man. SEXTUS. Nay, Titus, sir, is thirty nine. VARRO. Let 's kill them both and thus make sure. SEXTUS. Make sure we would of execution for ourselves. Gaudentius is the architect, he builds the Colosseum, yonder; Casoa would make little bits of us. if we harmed him. VARRO, We might delay until--- SEXTUS. jo6j His orders were explicit; When h> spoke he struck his hand. VARRO. Stav! Livia is Titu>' wife, and Bhe shall tell us. Woman! Guards, make ready! Woman, you w ill now go forth to death; So loss sour husband, say farewell, And waste no time in tears. LIVIA. I thank you. Titus. lie turn! from her. -1 1 >■ He fushts her away. Titus, in the hour of death You turn away, you ]>u>h me off, Tear out the very tendrils of affection, Let me fall to wither and a >nsume, To vanish like a broken vine upon the flame, 1076 Oh Titus, have I lost your love? 7 et ■ /. slums, after she is \L enters, middle right, and stands, in specula~ j.'her near (he .entre. TITUS. I am ready, sirs, to die. of TITUS FLAVIUS. GAUDENTIUS. Nay, I am Titus; I will not allow This man to sacrifice himself when I care naught for life. VARRO. 2080 The woman told us, as I thought she 'd do. SEXTUS. Oh simple Varro, she had heard our argument; she kissed the man who's not her husband, so, to now outwit her, we must kill the other one. VARHO. Oh simple Sextus, thinking to outwit a woman's wit! She knew we'd say that we must kill the other one, and so she kissed her husband, knowing that we would destroy the other one; and therefore we must kill the one she kissed. SEXTUS. Oh much more simple Varro, she did know that after we had said: "She kissed the man who's not her husband, " we'd reflect that she had truly kissed her husband, thus to put us off the trail. She knew we then would see her subtlety, and so to get the better of us when we had, she kissed the one who's not her husband; now, to £ nally come out ahead, it doth behoove us to despatch the other one. VARRO. Oh Sextus! Sextus! see you not that she knew we would know all this, and knowing we would know that she knew we would know, she knew we'd know.... Sextus, which of us can be the greater fool? SEXTUS. 2099 Undoubtedly yourself. VARRO. Nay! nay! she kissed her husband, since she knows she is to live. With Titus dead, her path to Pliny's house will be much straiter than it is just now. » The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY SEXTUS. Ah Varro, knowing we knew this, she kissed Gaudentius, thinking we would think that if she kissed her husband truly, we would think her subtle, and awkwardly destroy her husband's counterpart. It doth behoove us much to let our wishes flow with hers and kill the other man. VARRO. Ah ha! I have thee Seztus, now! A moment since you said she wished her husband spared, and therefore did just what she did; and now you say in wishing Titus dead, she did just what she did; which latter thing is just exactly what she did in scheming for his preservation. How then can you -ay that she would act the ^alnc, from reasons so op- posed. SEXTUS. Ah ha! I have thee Seztus, uowl Why you yourself at first de- clared she kissed her husband to deceive us, then you said she kissed him BO that we would not \>v fooled and now you turn on me with triumph in youreye for saying she would ait the -ame from different motives when your own asser- tions of equivalent effect are scarcely cold upon your lips. VARRO. a ji I give a woman up. SEXTUS. There's nothing else for any man to do. VARRO. We have not carried out his order- yet. SEXTUS. We'll toss a coin and let the fate.- decide. VARRO. I hear you talk. SEXTUS. If heads, this m an is Titus, of TITUS FLAVIUS. 95 1137 Tails, and this man here is not friend Titus. He lint points to GAUDBNTIUS. then to TIT I 'S. I '■> RRO Joes not notice the quibble. Heads! So this is Titus! VARRO. Destiny hath shortened thy allotted span, But happily for thee her call comes not before thy readiness. .•// his motion the soldiers rather about GAUDBN- TIUS and presently leave him dead upon the couch. Let us announce the news that Casca now Holds undisputed sway, that all the Flavians are dead. Exeunt VARRO and soldiers, upper right. SEXTUS. Ah TitUS I His courage ebbs. TITUS. Thou art now a Roman general. SEXTUS. 2135 If Casca wins? TITUS. No! Sextus, no! That shall he never do! Give me your armor and your sword, And tremble not, that failure was at hand; The gods did put you here to meet this danger, Knowing you alone could face the peril of the hour. But Sextus, there are legions full of younger brothers To yourself, beyond the gates of Rome, and in Rome, too, And we shall show this boy how wars are waged, And battles won and lost! Go down into the streets and guide the cohorts of my friends; For Trajan now must have the city guard well on the way. With this brave armor buckled on, each finger feels a legion; Single handed I could meet a company, And with ten such men as Sextus 1150 I could overcome an army Of the traitors Casca leads ! Exeunt TITUS and SEXTUS. upper right and utter left. J UVENAL approaches thebody of GAUDENTIUS. * The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY The fecond folvloquie of Dccimus Junius Juventlvs. Good friend of Rome, thou too, hast paid The final penalty; thy life hath answered To the -Urn demands of circumstance; Levelled by the great equation down with Nero's dust and these fast stiffening wings, No better now, n<> worse than they; Thro- grains of sand upon the fearful stretches ( >f eternity. < Mi worthy man, who stood a hero but A moment gone, who lies neglected now forevermore, * uld those dull eyes Hash forth a ii . Could those set lips give out a cry, My friend, what wouldst thou Bay? Wouldst thou not rue the impulse Which hath brought thee down? The foolish thought that sacrifice Had knocked upon thy door? The foolish dream that men would care? The world heeds not. nor hath a feeling left, For those who fall. It hold- no helping hand « . The SECOND PLEBIAN. The lying knave, I think We'll send him on a ti TheTHIUDPLEEIAN. With her to bell to stink, And w rithe and curse, so haste, Ami give them here a taste, < >f fire, and smoke th.it 'a hot! That's hot! that's hot! that'.- hot! Em: ; tnttJ by iJlJitrs ' YARRO. Most august empi ror, xnc us leave To burn the- I here. CASCA. We'll watch the -port ourseli NARCISSA Jj;o Oh *. are the gods not satisfied? A noilt tf distant koofteat*. within, VARRO. What noise is that? CASCA. The thunder rolls, proceed! The rain will quench your Ore. of TITUS FLAVIU3. VARRO. '::•.::•• Pile up the wood and bring a torch! »* ' * • » • • • , NARCISSA. • 2175 You promised me. VARRO. Methinks I hear that noise again. EnterJUVE.XAL, upper right. JUVENAL. And so you do! Ten cohorts of the faithful horse, Come coursing down the Appian way! Now Casca, call thy traitors to thy aid, For in this hour you face destruction and defeat. The loyal troops are sweeping home! He waves his robe. CASCA. Bring up the legions, let the first three turn the flank, 2284 And trap this group of horsemen in the street. Exeunt several soldiers JUVENAL. Oh Casca, bid your men desist! Rush not to death, But make your peace with Titus while you can. CASCA. Old dotard, you endanger life, with such advice. JUVENAL. Think not to frighten me, young Casca; Know that Stoics such as I, Fear not the gods themselves, much less the puny man, Who hath no stronger threat to make than merely death. TRAJAN enters, upper right, followed by many soldiers TRAJAN. Stand! Casca Lentullus; In Caesar's name I take thee into custody; 2294 Release his wife and offer no resistance, At the peril of thy life. -The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY CASCA. And have you warrant, Trajan, to arrest a legion? TRAJAN. Ten of them, if they have proved themselves Unworthy of the honor Rome bestows upon their heado, In making them her warriors. CASCA. J 3°° You say you haw authority from Titus? TRAJAN. Ave and from Vespasian, too. CASCA. Then IS your warrant void; For I. bj right of arms, am now become S cundus Casca Lentullus Augustus, Emperor of Rome, And all commands and orders relative to Rome, And to the government of all the world, Must eminate from me, and no one else. Send back your nun from Rome, 3309 The proclamation hath been made, That Casca now is emperor; For Titus Flavius lies In yonder sand pit, dead. SEXTUS. Wait! Casca! wait! what man is this, If he be not the noble Titus Flavius, sir SBXTUSi Tktyfitfl hack. Atileuco onrm TRnJAN. How have you dared this ignominious usage? VARRO it shout to apply tlu torch, SEXTUS. Varro, when hath Titus been unjust to you? Doth b( deserve this death, that you should 3318 With such baste apply the torch? VARRO. Why S " vou did just now gamble with me for hi<= life. of TITUS FLAVIUS. SEXTUS. I tricked you then and saved him, For I played the traitor's part but lived it not; And you have told your friend that Titus hath been killed, But now he sees that Titus lives, and when he's dead, What will protect poor Varro from *3^5 This new made god's revenge? Desert the traitor! Call upon your friends and Titus will forgive, a sUmct. CASCA. You see that Varro is a man of wisdom, do you not? He hath no liking for a sinking ship; Nor none of you, methinks, are Titus' friends; You fear the fellow. TRAJAN. Insolence! TITUS. J 333 Subdue your swords my friends, I wish to die. TRAJAN. Then let us die together fighting, as all Roman soldiers should. TITUS. I wish my friends to live. CASCA. And Titus, I, in memory of old favors done, Will give them all an opportunity: Lay down your arms and call me emperor, And you shall live in peace. TRAJAN. Doth this include Vespasian and the greedy son, Domitian, Just now fled with half the gold in Rome? *£_££?,* TITUS. Stay Trajan, seek not with such fervent deeds, To bind yourself to me; I wish to die, 23.44 And Casca now hath made an offer, «*Thc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Which I hope my friends will not reject. Lucretius, thou whose brother led A desperate charge against Jerusalem; Sextus, thou whose brother died A soldier'.- d< ath \\ ithin those well defended walls; You seasoned veterans, Who have tramped with me in man; a hard campaign, It' I have left a vestige of my former power, I here command you, friends and comrades all, To live and hinder not J 355 The death of him whose part is played. VARRO. A horseman comes! TRAJAN. We'll let him come and let him go; another sti pi VAX A :hefyrt. JUVENAL Why Titus, must you waste your life? higher debt to Rome than to your own desir Inl, ■ TRAJAN. Think not, because the weak Praetorian Guards J361 1 Live proven false, th.it all tin- armies the empire have become his friend-! TACITUS. I- this the emperor? SEXTUS. II. hath command) d us to let him die; II. . - his country hot by leaving it. TRAJAN. The fifteenth and the fifth. "Why they would gladly die for him! The Gallic, Cythian, Celtic and Illyrian legions, 2369 All are your-; the Pontic troops, The Dacian ami < icrmanie veterans, faithful to a man! Have you no news to alter hi- determination? of TITUS FLAVIUS. .* Speak 1 SEXTUS. Withhold thy news no longer. TRAJAN. Speak. TACITUS. J 375 It chokes me quite when added to it I find Titus bound. JUVENAL He's bound to die. TACITUS. Old jester, some day you will crack The last lash of your scornful whip; This hour we lay aside our jokes and bow our heads, For one who 's laughed at many a point of thine; Go to him now, recall thy keenest thrust, And in thy choicest vein retell the tale, And see if thou canst move to smiles those setting lips. -3^5 Oh Titus, gird your courage up! Your father, good Vespasian, 's dead in his Sabine home at last. Arriving there, he took his bed, received his officers, Attended to the business left; and sinking back, He felt the chill of dissolution in his veins ; Then, rising up, he called his friends, and with these words: "A Roman emperor should die erect, " Your noble father's spirit passed away. TRAJAN. Now Titus, you are emperor! Your word is universal law. CASCA. Apply the torch! NARCISSA. *3& Oh Casca! wait! *Thc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY Hath Titus here not shown himself a worthy Roman? He hath offered you his life to saw his friends, When, as the lightning rives the oak, A word would split your green conspiracy. But you can prove yourself possessed of more Than even his nobilitj : Acknowledge his supremacy again, H°-1 And by this restoration of his power and dignity, You'll gain the blessings of your countrymen, The long respect of coming ages; You will overtop his fame for all eternity; And history shall not forget the splendid gift. uighf. Remember then the many promises vou've made to me, And look upon your sister and repent your deeds in time. Ill ilriMn her. CASCA. away! j >„ lrr hypokratis. i^u>,r r •«/,!. HYPOKRATES. I will see Caaca Lentullusl H'3 Good emperor, Btop this burning here! CASCA. : will depends no more on mystic and capricious augury; The weight .if our displeasure BOOIl shall fall 1 rpon the foolish mortals w ho opposed our rise; Include yourself among the doomed, by further prophecy. HYPOKRATES. DesUt! desist! th< d birds have twice refused to eat! CASCA. Th.re B0W8 the tawny Tili.r; Break their wings and throw them in. For since they will not eat why let them drink. Wu„ n HYPOKR \Tl ... And throw tb< n t" keep them company; For thus I cast awa) all supernatural aids! 3^1^ 1 fear no more the gods ! The world i- mine! of TITUS FLAVIUS. -» NARCISSA. 3426 Then Casca, ruling all, be merciful. //•• pushes her roughfy away. She stabs him as he turns to light the fire. His stvord oetng in his hand hi bills her, and at his motion the soldiers carry her dodv out, tower left. The torch y fallen from his hand, has £one out. He stands as if uninjured. TACITUS. She loved thee once, she loved thee Casca, once. CASCA reels slightly. SEXTUS. Oh Varro! Varro! friend, complete the work! CASCA recovers himself and a silence ensues. He reels and falls to his knees but rises with the extinguished torch in his hands, having dropped his sword. CASCA. A torch . a torch ! He sees tnat nme can be had _ A torch! no! no! Not all the gods shall choke me down! Blood issues from his mouth. He stabs at TITUS with the torch but VARRO thrusts him through from the side and his partisans rush on his sinking form and kill him. A GENERAL CRY. Hi 1 Titus! Titus Augustus! Emperor! Tktcryis repeated in the street. The ropes are cut LUCIA em- braces LTVIA. TITUS advances and stills them with a ges- ture. osThc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY The accefsion of Titus Flavius Sabinus Vefpafianus. Since it hath pleased the gods to call us on The scene again, our duty now shall best he done, By coaxing hack the frightened wings of peace, With every mranstli.it shall expedient seem: Another bosom, Trajan, should be searched. Take up the dead; show honors to them both; The one deserves the plaudits of the world. And poorly will they paj him for his sacrifice; The other needs whatever shows in charity May be accorded him. Recover all the dead, Who in this needless hour have Keen mowed down; With garlands deck' the woman just now carried off. R< cover, too, the- body of an infant home upon a spez 1 [ave messengers sent out to overtake the news, Lest all the country be in tumult thrown; Recall our brother, praising his economy and thrift. To warn all men against the evils of unchecked amhitio We shall think it l>est, in justice to the state, To utterly destroy the la>t of these disturbing elemea Who Bought to rise upon her desolation, Who would thriftih have followed in the wake of ruin Fattening on misfortune and distress. And therefore, in the name of lasting peace, To sink the admonition deep, proceed now To the consummation of our disregarded orders, Adding to imprisonment, the immediate execution i '! these known and listed traitors, further, Confiscate their properties and add their monies To the public treasury, impoverish Their s. ma and daughters SO that no descendant, Pulled with wealth and idlcm Shall e'er he tempted to avenge this pr< tper sentence. Cxecute them all! He ilnkei the fa T RAJAS hat had the wilier lake fl t jnj fkt tlJirrs, under I / 1 S J»J I ARRO relirr in ordei 1 IT and Ikr ether i m t cept LUCIA, who gor tell. I.IVIA is lei I at of TITUS FLAVIUS. JUVENAL. The empress, sire! TITUS. 2'j66 We have no empress, Juvenal, We take our place upon the throne, unhonored by a wife. LIVIA. Now Titus is my heart made sick, I love you still, my love hath never lessened Since the fortunate hour your unexpected presence Waked my heart to happiness immeasurable. Forget, my husband, these quick, hateful words, Hot sprung from jealous doubt and anger; Take me in thy arms again. TITUS. Let Pliny's name be added to the list. TITUS writes PLINY'S nam? upon the list with his finger moist' eneJ in tf • blood stains of the parchment. Exeunt all. upper right. except LIVIA. LIVIA. 2476 No wrong! no wrong! I've ever done To suffer such dishonor. Nothing! nothing! rests against my soul, To justify the shame, Which in his wilful anger now he casts upon my love. Yea Casca, thou I should have listened to; The Hebrew woman hath returned at last. After a silence LUCIA enters., lower left. LUCIA. I 've brought you Numa's gown. LIVIA. Take me to the place! LUCIA. There's nothing left to see; The dogs have torn his little body— LIVIA. J ^7 Lucia! Lucia! come! HO The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY The guards are stationed in the halls; They will not let you out. LIVIA. Come! come! A guard momentarily appears, lower left. 2-19' A prison, now! Oh Numa! Xuma! Xuma. She tints down on the stone seat of the imptuoium, LUCIA ■ ■ tl bet. Stir rises and .: • - '!<• fiCMS at tike hem oj A I'M A 'S raiment an.: her mind wan.i - A pretty hem, the little flowers scatter here and there. Reward the girl. I'll have another gown embroidered soon it" this one pleases him. I see his precious fingers pulling at the blossoms. Are you sure the colors will not fade? He'll have it in his mouth, you know. Skf uk „ ,„, rfbliH hrr „,,,.,. How light you are! Yon should he growing fat ; these chilly days were never meant for thee; bright sunshine, warm and strengthening will suit thee best. Asleep, asleep my littleone, oh lie thee here while mother watches for thy sleeve I.... Thy gown is bloodstained!... Lucia I look ! the sleeve is gone She hat at the wmitt gmvn, out it tia> fallen ''.m hn ike has risen on . i. tains. At t*' - .it ns. He's dead! he'sdeadl he'sdeadl And tins is all they've left me, Xuma, Xuma. Go, gol Lucia! go. bring hack a witness of the deed. Hi- father's m< d are searching for him now. - left Prtsmtbtn. let II I I V A HA I SS, dr iff inf. toner lijt. Hypokrai aw the d HYPOKRATES. LIVIA. The infant's death. The deed? HYPOKRATES. >5°9 Ah yes. LIVIA. Th HYPOKRATES. The form ■■•■ cued by a clownish knave, I of TITUS FLAVIUS. And tossed into the Tiber after me; With me it sank, but me the gods preserved. LIVIA. A useful purpose you will answer still; 2515 I have an enemy beyond my strength, And you have mortal poison. HYPOKRATES. No, not I, for that 's against the statute; But, I have a little powder ring, Though not a poison. LIVIA. Yet, 'twill do, HYPOKRATES. 'Tis nothing but a sleeping potion, lady. LIVIA. Sleep they long? HYPOKRATES. At times, they do; an hour, a day, a month, A year, a century; according to the dose. 2525 Shall we exchange our rings? LIVIA. How much is here? HYPOKRATES. About three hundred years, I think, Perhaps a little more. LIVIA. Well met. HYPOKRATES. And well imbursed. LIVIA. Have you a remedy for this? HYPOKRATES. 2531 I might procure one for you. Hi The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY LIVIA. No! do not! I want relief cut off; Procure the remedy for no one! here! %Zi&?'Jk2 HYPOKRATES. It shall be so, I serve my clients with an honor J 53 6 Even Pliny well might envy me. llr tan ./.tin right. LUCIA and TRA.SQUILLIO'S enter, middle left. LUCIA. Tranquillius saw thy Xuma rescued from the dogs, And carried oil by some rough fellow in plebian garb. LIVIA. Go tell the emperor. Bxil TRANQVJLUUS.wtiddU right /.I, 'rom LIVIA to //) POkRATES LIVIA, ttarchimx .firtttntiy fiiii up a horn mncfiUni it with ujter at the imfluvium, she retires to the stylo- tj.'e LUCIA. Hypokrates, Bhe hath thy poiBon, thou herring. Tranquillius, return! She .jf.hei HYPOKRATES b\ the arm and TRANQUILLIUS reenter t. >W Hypokrates hath Bold the empress poison; In her grief she will destroy herself. TRANQUILLIUS. l'< -liferous astrologer! HYPOKRATES. 'Twas not a poison, Nothing more than just a bringer of Bweet, restful sleep. TRANQUILLIUS. < 'ur ears have heard strange stories of thy Bleeping potions; Thou shalt stand convicted when I crook my linger, sir. HYPOKRATES. A simple sleeping-drug. TKANQUILLIUS. J 55° A sleep that knows no ending; I can see the prison gates swing ope their massive jaws for thee. of TITUS FLAVIUS. "3 HYPOKRATES. I have a remedy. Now let me go. The pungent odor of this root will drive away a sleep brought on by drugs. I thought to bring her back to life myself and gain the credit of the prodigy, but you shall do it for me, gentle sir. exit, lower right. TRANQUILLIUS. He smells the root and displays great repugnance. I can not blame poor Death for making off when he smells this. He catches LUCIA around the waist and forces her to smell the root. He kisses her. LUCIA. She comes! we'll hide and when she falls asleep we '11 waken her. TRANQUILLIUS. Ah no! we'll let her sleep awhile, For when she wakes and finds her purpose foiled, 3560 She '11 take some surer means. Events must dictate our responsibility. LUCIA. But do aet wait too long. TRANQUILLIUS. The proper hour shall be the proper time. LUCIA. But if it does not work? Perhaps the root hath not the power to overcome the drug TRANQUILLIUS. We have his word. LUCIA He feared arrest. TRANQUILLIUS. He lied! he lied! he gave us this that he might get away! The empress we can not awake. LUCIA. J570 We must prevent — TRANQUILLIUS. etching he. Too late! she 's drained the cup. ■ .The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY LUCIA Then let us get the emperor's physicians. TRANQUILLIUS. If we do and they revive her she will find another way. LUCIA. He may have spoke the truth; the odor may awaken her. TRANQUILLIUS. J 575 Yea! methinks it will. //,„it> w ithout a wife indeed. BmUr 1 Jl CS. TACJT(IS,JULiA*m4 ri.oTINA,uttm the tongues of men. By lecrei quiea I would preserve her From the .-diameful reputation of her life. TACITUS. It was yourself who took her from the temple. TITUS. Yea! and it was your good friend ^6j6 Who took her from the palace. JUVENAL This is why the name of Pliny stands of TITUS FLAVTUS. In bloody characters upon the list. TACITUS. A baseless accusation. JUVENAL. Pliny's name hath never yet been touched by scandal. TRAJAN. Pliny took the forum when the mob in lust and anger stormed; His voice in your defence above the tumult rose, 2 °33 He stood against the multitude, He whipped them back to silence, Cowed their rising fury, And his eloquence, his great authority prevailed; His arm upheld the tottering state. Enter SEXTUS and PLINY, lower left. SEXTUS. The noble conduct of this prisoner, His loyalty and reputation Have prevailed upon me thus to bring him here, Before he goes to prison, sire. PLINY. J *M J The empress, dead! TACITUS. Yea. Titus hath accused her of unfaithfulness, And thus she answers him. PLINY perceives that he is thought guilty PLINY. Am I the man? Unjust and violent decree! How shalt thou e're repair this injury? Upon what evidence have you proceeded to this monstrous end? TITUS. Sufficient for myself. TACITUS. P%o Produce thy evidence! - The IMPERIAL AUTHORITY PLINY. We quarrel in the presence of the dead. The soldiers remote the couch with LI VI A' S form. Fxrunt LUCIA, PLOTINA, JULIA and SBXTUS, upper right. TITUS. She plotted with her brother and thyself. She fled to thee when Casca was prepared to take our life. TACITUS. Infatuated man, her brother thought To gain the favor of the gods by sacrificing her; 2656 He told her you loved Berenice, Thus to get her from the palace. TITUS. But Bhe fled to Pliny's house. JUVENAL. I'., cause ( raudentius was his guest; Two days before, and 1 should now be taken prisoner 1 have had the man with me: With confidence he moved along The difficult and envious pathway of his art. TITUS. udentius was pour guest? PLINY. His instrument- are there, his children, too. TITUS. -•mo They shall be sons of Rome. TACITUS. Then this IS all thy evidence. She had no thought of Pliny when she went to Pliny's house. TITUS. Her Christian declaration — JUVENAL. Was a falsehood, Prompted by the scheming Auius in the hope of TITUS FLAVIUS. 267J That Casca in his sacrificial fury Would encounter your authority. They poisoned Li via 's mind, They told her you had sentenced her to death, That only by this subterfuge could she escape; And Casca showed her this. TITUS. In Berenice's hand! An order for her death; the signature my ownl ' Accursed Casca; lost! lost! lost! O'ertake Hypokrates! Oh any treasure if he finds the remedy! TITUS moves upper right, but stops. TRANQUILLIUS. at the top of his speed, runs across from the [eft and leaping the stylobate disappears, upper right. TRAJAN goe\ • a! hurriedly, lower right. No! no! I'm sure she was not guiltless, no! You sympathize with her and hope to clear your friend. Her brother, though he wished to sacrifice her, Why should he dishonor her? 'Tis hateful to suppose him base without a reason. PLINY. 2688 A weighty reason moved him, sire; He thought to bring my death about, To strike at me with your despair, For I had threatened to disclose his schemes to you; If he proceeded with them, which I would have done Had he not acted on the impulse of the moment. This conspicacy was organized by Aulus; Casca, through a chance, took up the work Where Aulus laid it down; his own conspiracy, In greater caution planned he never carried through. JUVENAL. And never will. TITUS. Yea! yea! you seem to be as full of truth as he; 2700 I think you are as false. TACITUS. Conviction is upon you for -Tkc IMPERIAL AUTHORITY You know we speak' the truth; No longer can you justify your harshness With the certainty of guilt; Admit responsibility, endure remorse, 3706 And seek to raise no barrier of suspicion up, To hide away from poignant sorrow and disquietude. TITUS. No! no! for you yourself did copy his incriminating speech, And when you read the lines to us and reached The dangerous phrase, in Friendship you refused the rest. TACITUS. Is this the last? With this shall your suspicions end? Read then, you know the art. TACITOStahtsthttabi Ik, ledge and TITUS t fjJt ,1 TITUS. "Oh! Casca, look! Oh, look where Livia comesl The charm of dignity in every movement lies, She hath the fascination of immortal loveliness. How like a gentle breath she moves along the corridor. j;i; H<>w like a dream her pre-, nee makes The cold and glooiny hallways of this palace seem. She, Ca-M .t. 1- tin sister" — TACITUS. There I stopped. TITUS. "She, Casca, IS thy sister, Hers the < yei U) blind with tears and burn, And her- the voice to choke with grief, And hers the heart to crush beneath thy ruthless heel, When thou -halt kill Vespasian on his throne, And ktr the noble Titus in hi> undeserved tomb!" TACITUS. 3717 I stopped, to save him from disgrace and ruin; Peace, I thought, would best be served by silence*. of TITUS FLAVIUS, PLINY. We expected to dissuade him from his fateful course. TITUS. Your hopes and expectations feebly stood Against this devastating storm. TACITUS. >73* Its fury now is past. TITUS. Its havoc wrought! And reparation shall not build these ruins up again, Nor shall remorse bring back the dead. in TACITUS and JUVEXAL, standing on the right, grasp TITUS ■ is hand to PLIXY, upper left. TITU^ facing the right and does not notice that they have moved away hand and walk apart. TITUS extends his hand to PLIXY, who ■ TTUS i then joins TACITUS and JUVEXAL. upper left. TITUS is facing the right and doe: lie reads the tablet again "Oh! Casca, look! Oh, look where Li via comes! Unseen by TITUS. LI VI A appears, upper right. LUCIA is with her and TRAXQUTLLIUS closely follows them. The charm of dignity in every movement lies, She hath the fascination of immortal loveliness. How like a gentle breath she moves along the corridor. How like a dream her presence makes LIVIA reaches the right side of the impluvium. The cold and gloomy hallways of this palace seem. With the first line he looks up. 2741 lyncs.* Oh look where Li via comes. They embrace. TRAXQUILLIUS, at the left of the impluvium, discovers on the floor the cake which he has , oveted and hushing it off, he goes to LUCIA, embraces her and gives her a portion of it. The others observe the groups from the stylobate. (CURTAIX.) *Tbefe 1742 lynes contayn as many fyllables as are con- tayned in a6t6 lyncs of the clafsical iambic pentametrc. THE CONCLUSION. ''• NIV '-);sr/v ,,., „ THI S BOOK is nn^ Boo.. „„ 8TAAIP E D B E T L ^ LAST ^T E 748136 VO 2M\ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY