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 LIBRARY 
 
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VIRGINIUS: 
 
 IN FIVE ACTS, 
 
 AS PERFOaMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES. 
 
 SIXTH EDITION. 
 
 GLASGOW: 
 
 REID & HENDERSON, TRONGATE; 
 
 A. CONSTABLE, & CO. EDINBURGH; 
 
 JAMES RIDGWAY, AND HURST, ROBINSON & CO. LONDON j 
 
 AND MILLIKEN, DUBLIN. 
 
 1824. 
 Price 3*. M. 
 
lY 
 
 .arfn'fiRi,'^ ^ 
 
 :l^V^ V. 
 
 MSEaEAO TMa^OD ,JAVOH aETAC^Hf 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To WILLIAM MACREADY, Esq. 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 What can I do less than dedicate this Tragedy to you? 
 This is a question which you cannot answer; but I can — I can- 
 not do less; and if I could do more, I ought, and would. 
 
 I was a perfect stranger to you : You read my play and g,t 
 once committed yourself respecting its merits. This, perhaps, 
 is not saying much for your head — ^but it says a great deal for 
 your heart; and that is the consideration, which, above all oth- 
 ers, makes me feel happy, and proud, in subscribing myself. 
 
 Your grateful Freind, and Servant, 
 
 James Sheridan Knmules. 
 London, May 20, 1820. 
 
This Play was written in gi-eat haste, and, no doubt, 
 abounds in defects — but it is a question, whether it would have 
 been less imperfect, had I taken a year to compose it. It was 
 revolved and executed in about three months, in the midst of ve- 
 ry numerous and arduous avocations* To a distinguished indi- 
 vidual who suggested to me the idea of writing it, I shall ever 
 feel giateful. 
 
 I owe the public an apology for the last act; and this is my 
 apology — History gives two accounts of the manner of Appius's 
 death t one, that he committed suicide ; the other, that he was 
 destroyed privately by the Tribunes. Had I selected for my 
 catastrophe, the former incident, the character of the tyrant had 
 stood too prominent ; by adopting the latter, I should have vio- 
 lated the respect due to a Christian audience. After having ex- 
 cited such an interest for Virginius, it would have been inde- 
 cent to represent him in the attitude of taking the law into his 
 own hands. I therefore adopted the idea of his destroying Ap- 
 piua in a fit of temporary insanity. 
 
 I am most sensible of the very great degree in which I am 
 indebted to the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Theatre Royal, 
 Covent-Garden ; and I beg them to believe that I feel more than 
 I can veiy readily express. To forget what I owe to the Thea- 
 tre where my Play was first performed, would be ungrateful; 
 and, imder any circumstances, to omit the acknowledgment of 
 it would be unprincipled and mean. I take, therefore, this op- 
 portunity of thanking also, the Company of the Glasgow Theatre. 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONiE. 
 
 AppiusClaudius.! TMr. Abbott. 
 
 Spurius Oppius. > Decemvirs -J Mr. White. 
 
 Vibulanus. ) (Mr. Jefferies. 
 
 Honorius \ p^,^-.^^, j Mr. Norris. 
 
 Valerius ^ ratncmns ^^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 Caius Claudius..! r^i-^* * a • (Mr. Connor. 
 
 Marcus ) ^''^ '" ^PP"^ \ Mr. Claremont. 
 
 Dentatus A Veteran. Mr. Terry. 
 
 Virginius A Centurion Mr. Macready. 
 
 Numitorius His Brother-in-law Mr. Egerton. 
 
 Icilius... In love with Virginia Mr. C. Kemble. 
 
 Lucius Brother of Icilius Mr. Comer. 
 
 Publius ) TMr. Mears. 
 
 Decius > Soldiers -J Mr. Treby. 
 
 Sextus 3 (^Mr. Crumpton. 
 
 Titus 1 ("Mr. Faucit. 
 
 Sei-vius > Citizens.. -J Mr. Atkins. 
 
 Cneius 1 I Mr. King. 
 
 Virginia Daughter of Virginius Miss Foote. 
 
 Servia Her Nurse Mrs. Faucit. 
 
 Female Slave Mrs. Chipp. 
 
 Citizens, Male and Female. — Soldiers, Lictors, &c. 
 
 SCENE, chiefly Rome. 
 
 The passages marked with inverted commas are omitted in the 
 representation. 
 
PJROLOGUE, 
 
 By T. REYNOLDS, Esq. 
 Spoken by Miss Booth, 
 
 [Speaking behind.'] Nay, Mr. Fawcett, give me leave, I pray. 
 
 The audience wait, and I must have my way. {^Enters. ] 
 What! curb a woman's tongue!— As I'm alive, 
 The wretch would mar our old prerogative ! 
 Ladies ! by very dint of pertinacity. 
 Have I preserv'd the glory of loquacity. 
 
 Oh! could you gaze, as I am gazing now. 
 And see each man behind, with gather'd brow. 
 And clenched hand, (tho' nought my spirit damps). 
 Beckoning, with threats, my presence, from the lamps : 
 Each, as I broke my way, declared how well. 
 His art could woo you— to be peaceable ! 
 One is well robed — a second greatly shines. 
 In the nice balance, oi cast-iron lines; 
 A third can sing — a fourth can touch your tears— 
 A fifth — " I'll see no more!" — a fifth appears. 
 Who hath been once in Italy, and seen Rome; 
 In short — there's quite a hubbub in the Green Room. 
 But I — a very woman — careless — light — 
 Fleet idly to your presence, this fair night ; 
 And, craving your sweet pardon, fain would say 
 A kind word, for the poet, and his play. 
 
 To-night, no idle nondescript, lays waste. 
 The fairy, and yet placid bower of taste : 
 No story, piled M'ith dark and cumbrous fate. 
 And words that stagger, under their own weight. 
 But one of silent grandeur — simply said, 
 As tho' it were awaken'd from the dead ! 
 It is a tale — made beautiful by years; — 
 Of pure, old, Roman sorrow — old in tears ! 
 And those, you shed o'er it in childhood, may, ♦ 
 Still fall — and fall — for sweet Virginia! 
 
 Nor doth a crowned poet of the age, 
 Call the sweet spirits, from the historic page ! 
 No old familiar dramatist, hath spun, 
 This tragic, antique web, to-night— but one. 
 An unknown author, in a sister land. 
 Waits, in young fear, the fiat of your hand. 
 
ACT I. 
 
 A stujeet in home. 
 
 Enter Servius and Cneius. 
 
 Ser, Carbo denied a hearing! 
 
 Cne. Ay, and Marcellus cast into prison, because he 
 sued a friend of one of the Decemvirs for a sum of 
 money he had lent him. 
 
 Ser. And Appius resisted not? Appius ! that in the 
 first Decemvirate was a god to the people. 
 
 Cne. Resisted not ! Nay, was most loud in favour of 
 the decree; but hither comes Virginius, who interested 
 himself so much in Carbo's affair. He looks a little 
 heated. Is not that Titus he is speaking to? Stand 
 aside, Master, and listen. 
 
 Mfiter Vi«iteiN#us atid Titus. 
 
 Vir. Why did you make him Decemvir, and first De- 
 cemvir tbo? 
 
 Tit. We had tried him, and found him honest. 
 
 Fir. And could you not have remained content? Why 
 try him again to find him dishonest? Knew ye not he 
 was a Patrician, and of the Claudian family? 
 
8 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Tit. He laid down the Consulate — 
 
 Vir. Ha ' ha ! ha ! to be elected into the Decemvir- 
 ate, and he was so; and he laid down his office of De- 
 cemvir to be re-elected into the Decemvirate, and he is 
 so; ay, by Jupiter ! and to the exclusion of his late col- 
 leagues ! Did not Titus Genutius lay down the Consu- 
 late? 
 
 Tit. He did. 
 
 Vir. Was he not next to Appius in the Decemvirate? 
 
 Tit. He was. 
 
 Vir. Did you not find him honest? 
 
 Tit. We did find him honest. 
 
 Vir. As honest as Appius Claudius? 
 
 Tit, Quite as honest. 
 
 Vir. Quite as honest! And why not re-elect him 
 Decemvir? Most sapient people ! You re-elect Appi- 
 us into the Decemvirate for his honesty, and j-ou thurst 
 Titus out of the Decemvirate — I suppose for his honesty 
 also! Why, Appius was sick of the Decemvirate! 
 
 Ser. I never heard him say so. 
 
 Vir. But he did say so — say so in my hearing; in pre- 
 sence of the senators, Valerius and Caius Claudius, and 
 I don't know how many others. 'Twas known to the 
 whole body of the Senate — not that he was sick, but that 
 he said so. Yes ! yes ! he and his colleagues, he said, 
 had done the work of the Republic for a whole year, 
 and it was now but just to grant them a little repose, 
 and appoint others to succeed them. 
 
 Tit. Well, well, we can only say he changed his 
 mind. 
 
 Vir. No, no, we needn't say that neither; as he 
 had laboured in the Decemvirate, perhaps he thought 
 he might as well repose in the Decemvirate. 
 
 Tit. I know not what he thought. He is Decem- 
 vir, and we made him so, and cannot help ourselves. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 9 
 
 Fare you well, Virginius. Come, let's to the Forum. 
 {Exeunt Titus, Servius, and Cneius. 
 Vir, You cannot help yourselves ! Indeed, you cannot. 
 You help'd to put your masters on your backs; 
 They like their seat, and make you show your paces ; 
 They ride you — sweat you — curb you — lash you — and 
 You cannot throw them off with all your mettle ! 
 But here comes one, whose share in giving you 
 To such unsparing riders, touches me 
 More nearly, for that Fve an interest 
 In proving him a man of fair, and most 
 Erect integrity. Good day, Icilius. 
 
 Enter Icilius. 
 
 Icil, Worthy Virginius! 'tis an evil day 
 For Rome, that gives her more convincing proof, 
 The thing she took for hope, is but a base 
 And wretched counterfeit! Our new Decemvirs 
 Are any thing but friends to justice and 
 Their country. 
 
 Vir. You, Icilius, had a hand 
 In their election. You applied to me 
 To aid you with my vote, in the Comitia ; 
 I told you tlien, and tell you now again, 
 I am not pleased when a Patrician bends 
 His head to a Plebeian's girdle I Mark me ! 
 Fd rather he should stand aloof, and wear 
 His shoulder high— especially the nephew 
 Of Caius Claudius. 
 
 Icil, I would have pledged my life — 
 
 Vir, 'Twas a high gage, and men have staked a 
 higher 
 On grounds as poor as yours— their honour, boy ! 
 Icilius, I have heard it all— -your plans — 
 The understanding 'twixt the heads of the people — 
 
10 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Of whom, Icilius, you are reckoned one, and 
 Worthily — and Appius Claudius — all — 
 'Twas every jot disclosed to me. 
 
 Icil, By whom? 
 
 Vir. Siccius Dentatus. 
 
 Icil, He disclosed it to you; 
 Siccius Dentatus is a crabbed man. 
 
 Vir, Siccius Dentatus is an honest man ! 
 There's not a worthier in Rome ! How now? 
 Has he deceived me ? Do you call him liar ? 
 My friend ! my comrade ! honest Siccius, 
 That has fought in six score battles? 
 
 Icil, Good Virginius, 
 Siccius Dentatus is my friend — the friend 
 Of every honest man in Rome — a brave man — 
 A most brave man. Except yourself, Virginius, 
 I do not know a man I prize above 
 Siccius Dentatus — yet he's a crabbed man. 
 
 Vir, Yes, yes; he is a crabbed man. 
 
 Icil, A man 
 Who loves too much to wear a jealous eye. 
 
 Vir, No, not a whit ! — where there is double dealing. 
 You are the best judge of your own concerns ; 
 Yet, if it please you to communicate 
 With me upon this subject, come and see me. 
 I told you, boy, I favoured not this stealing 
 And winding into place. What he deserves. 
 An honest man dares challenge 'gainst the world — 
 But come and see me. Appius Claudius chosen 
 Decemvir, and his former colleagues, that 
 Were quite as honest as himself, not chosen — 
 No, not so much as named by him — who named 
 Himself, and his new associates ! Well, 'tis true. 
 Dog fights with dog, but honesty is not 
 A cur, doth bait his fellow — and e'en dogs, 
 
A TRAGEDY, 11 
 
 By habit of companionship, abide 
 In terms of faith and cordiality — 
 But come and see me. 
 
 IciL Appius comes ! 
 The people still throng after him with shouts, 
 Unwilling to believe their Jupiter 
 Has mark'd them for his thunder. Will you stay. 
 And see the homage that they render him ? 
 
 Vir, Not I ! Stay you ; and, as you made him, hail 
 him; 
 And shout, and wave your hand, and cry, long live 
 Our first and last Decemvir, Appius Claudius ! 
 For he is first, and last, and every one ! 
 Rome owes you much, Icilius — Fare you well— 
 I shall be glad to see you at my house. 
 
 \_Exit ViRGINIUS. 
 
 Enter Appius Claudius, Claudius, Siccius Den- 
 TATUS, Lucius, Titus, Servius, Marcus, and Citi- 
 zens shouting. 
 Tit, Long live our first Decemvir ! 
 
 Long live Appius Claudius ! 
 
 Most noble Appius I Appius and the Decemvirate for 
 ever? (Citizens sAom#.) 
 App. My countrymen and Fellow citizens, 
 
 We will deserve your favour. 
 Tit. You have deserved it. 
 
 And will deserve it. 
 
 App. For that end, we named 
 
 Ourself Decemvir. 
 
 Tit. You could not have named a better man. 
 Den. For his own purpose. (Aside.) 
 App. Be assured, we hold 
 
 Our power but for your good. Your gift it was ; 
 
 And gifts make surest debtors. Fare you well — 
 
 And, for your salutations, pardon me. 
 
12 VIRGINIUS; 
 
 If 1 repay you only with an echo — 
 Long live the worthy citizens of Rome !' 
 
 [Exit Appius, ^c, the people shouting. 
 
 Den, That was a very pretty echo ! — a most soft echo 
 I never thought your voices were half so sweet 1 a most 
 melodious echo ! I*d have you ever after make your music 
 before the Patricians' palaces ; they give most exquisite 
 responses ! — especially that of Appius Claudius ! a most 
 delicate echo 1 
 
 Tit, What means Dentatus ? 
 
 Serv, He*s ever carping — nothing pleases him. 
 
 Den, Oh ! yes, you please me, please me mightily, I 
 assure you. — You are noble legislators, take most espe- 
 cial care of your own interests, bestow your votes most 
 wisely too — on him who has the wit to get you into tlie 
 humour; and, withal, have most musical voices — most 
 musical — if one may judge by their echo. 
 
 Tit, Why, what quarrel have you with our choice ? 
 Could we have chosen better ? — I say they are ten honest 
 Decemvirs we have chosen. 
 
 Den, I pray you, name them me. 
 
 Tit, There's Appius Claudius, first Decemvir. 
 
 Den, Ay, call him the head ; you are right. Appius 
 Claudius, the head. Go on ! 
 
 Tit, And Quintus Fabius Vibulanus. 
 
 Den, The body, that eats and drinks while the head 
 thinks. Call him Appius's stomach. Fill him, and keep 
 him from cold and indisgestion, and he'll never give 
 Appius the head-ach ! Well ? — There's excellent com- 
 fort in having a good stomach ! — Well ? 
 
 Tit, There's Cornelius, Marcus Servilius, Minucius, 
 and Titus Antonius. 
 
 Den, Arms, legs, and thighs ! 
 
 Tit, And Marcus Rabuleius. 
 
 Den, He'll do for a hand, and as he's a senator, we'll 
 
A TRAGEDY. 13 
 
 call him the right-hand. We could'nt do less, you know, 
 for a Senator ! Well ? 
 
 Luc, At least, you'll say we did well in electing Quin- 
 tius Petilius, Caius Duellius, and Spurius Oppius, men 
 of our order ! sound men ! " known sticklers for the 
 people" — at least you'll say well in that ! 
 
 Den, And who dares say otherwise? " Well!" one 
 might as well say " ill" as « well" Well is the very 
 skirt of commendation; next neighbour to that mire and 
 gutter, " ill." " Well," indeed ! you acted like your- 
 selves I Nay, e'en yourselves could not have acted bet- 
 ter ! Why had you not elected them. — Appius would 
 have gone without his left-hand, and each of his two feet. 
 
 Serv, Out ! you are dishonest ! 
 
 Den. Ha! 
 
 Serv, What would content you? 
 
 Den, A post in a hot battle ! Out, you cur ! Do you 
 prate to me ? 
 
 Citizen, [^from behind,'] 
 
 Down with him, he does nothing but insult the people. 
 (The Crowd approach Dentatus, threateningly/, J 
 
 Ml, Stand back ! Who'st that says down with Sic- 
 cius Dentatus ? Down with him ! 'Tis what the ene- 
 my could never do ; and shall we do it for them ? Who 
 uttered that dishonest word ? Who uttered it, I say ? 
 Let him answer a fitter, though less worthy mate, Lu- 
 cius Icilius ! 
 
 Citizens, Stand back, and hear Icilius ! 
 
 Ml, What ! hav'n't I voted for the Decemvirs, and 
 do I snarl at his jests? Has he not a right to jest? the 
 good, honest Siccius Dentatus, that, alone, at the head 
 -of the veterans, vanquished the CEqui for you. Has he 
 not a right to jest? For shame ! get to your houses ! 
 The worthy Dentatus ! Cheer for him, if you are Ro- 
 
14 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 mans ! Cheer for him before you go ! Cheer for him, I 
 say ! [Exeunt Citizens, shouting. 
 
 Den, And now, what thanks do you expect from me, 
 Icilius ? 
 
 Icil, None. 
 
 Den* By Jupiter, young man, had you thus stepped 
 before me in the heat of battle, I would have cloven you 
 down — but I'm obliged to you, Icilius — and hark you ! 
 There's a piece of furniture in the house of a friend of 
 mine, that's called Virginius, I think you've set your 
 heart upon — dainty enough — yet not amiss for a young 
 man to covet. Ne'er lose your hopes ! He may be 
 brought into the mind to part with it. As to these curs, 
 I question which I value more, their fawnings, or their 
 snarlings — 1 thank you, boy ! Do you walk this way ? 
 — I am glad of it! Come — 'Tis a noble Decemvirate 
 you have chosen for us ! Come ! [Exeunt, 
 
 VIRGINIUS' S HOUSE. 
 
 Enter Virginius and Servia. 
 
 Vir, And is this all you have observed ? I think 
 There's nothing strange in that. An L and an I 
 Twined with a V. Three very innocent letters 
 To have bred such mischief in thy brain, good Servia ! 
 Come, read this riddle to me. 
 
 Servia, You may laugh, 
 Virginius ; but I'll read the riddle right, 
 The L doth stand for Lucius ; and the I, 
 Icilius; which, I take it, will compose 
 Lucius Icilius. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 15 
 
 Vir, So it will, good Servia. 
 
 Servia, Then, for the V; why, that is plain Virginia. 
 
 Vir, And now, what conjuration find you here ? 
 
 Servia, What should I find but love? The maid's in 
 love; 
 And it is with Icilius. Look, the wreath 
 Is made of roses, that entwines the letters. 
 
 Vir, And this is all? 
 
 Servia, And is it not enough? 
 You'll find this figuring where'er you look : 
 There's not a piece of dainty work she does — 
 Embroidery, or painting — not a task 
 She finishes, but on the skirt, or border. 
 In needle-work, or pencil, this, her secret. 
 The silly wench betrays. 
 
 Vir, Go, send her to me — 
 Stay ! Have you spoken to her of it ? 
 
 Servia, I! 
 Not I, indeed ; I lefl that task to you — 
 Though once I ask'd her what the letters meant. 
 She laugh'd, and drew a scratch across them ; but 
 Had scarce done so, ere her fair visage fell. 
 For grief that she had spoil'd the cyphers — " and 
 A sigh came out, and then almost a tear ; 
 And she did look, as piteous on the harm 
 That she had done, as she had done it to 
 A thing, had sense to feel it." Never after 
 She let me note her at her work again. 
 She had good reason ! 
 
 Vir, Send her to me Servia. \Eocit Servia. 
 
 There's something here, that looks as it would bring me 
 Anticipation of my wish. I think 
 icilius loves my daughter — nay, I know it; 
 And such a man I'd challenge for her husband ; — 
 And only waited, till her forward spring, 
 
16 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Put on, a little more, the genial likeness 
 Of colouring into summer, ere I sought 
 To nurse a flower, which, blossoming too early. 
 Too early often dies ; " but if it springs 
 Spontaneous, and, unlooked for, wooes our hand 
 To tend and cherish it, the growth is healthful ; 
 And 'twere untimely, as unkind, to check it." 
 I'll ascertain it shortly — soft, she comes. 
 
 Enter Virginia. 
 
 Virginia^ Well, Father, what's your will? 
 
 Vir, I wish'd to see you, 
 To ask you of your tasks — how they go on— 
 And what your masters say of you — what last 
 You did. I hope you never play 
 The truant ? 
 
 Virginia. The truant ! No, indeed, Virginius. 
 
 Vir. I am sure you do not — kiss me ! 
 
 Virginia. Ol my Father 
 I am so happy, when you're kind to me ! 
 
 Vir. You are so happy when I'm kind to you ! 
 Am I not always kind ? I never spoke 
 An angry word to you in all my life, 
 Virginia ! You are happy when I'm kind ! 
 That's strange; and makes me think you have some 
 
 reason, 
 To fear I may be otherwise than kind — 
 Is't so, my girl ? 
 
 Virginia. Indeed I did not know 
 What I was saying to you ! 
 
 Vir. Why, that's worse 
 And worse ! What ! when you said your father's kind- 
 ness 
 Made you so happy, am I to believe 
 You were not thinking of him ? 
 
A TRAGEDY. 17 
 
 Virginia, I (greatly confused,) 
 
 Vir, Go, fetch me 
 The latest task you did. ^Exit Virginia. 
 
 It is enough. 
 
 Her artless speech, like crystal, shows the thing 
 'Twould hide, but only covers. 'Tis enough ! 
 She loves, and fears her father may condemn. 
 
 Virginia, (re-entering with a painting.) 
 Here, Sir. 
 
 Vir. What's this ? 
 
 Virginia, 'Tis Homer's history 
 Of great Achilles parting from Brisei's. 
 
 Vir, You have done it well. The colouring is good, 
 The figures well designed'. 'Tis very well ! — 
 Whose face is this you've given to Achilles ? 
 
 Virginia, Whose face? 
 
 Vir, I've seen this face ! Tut ! Tut ! I know it 
 As well as I do my own, yet can't bethink me 
 Whose face it is ! /> [ 
 
 Virginia. You mean Achilles's face? 
 
 Vir. Did I not say so ! 'Tis the very face 
 Of — No ! No ! Not of him. There's too much youth 
 And comeliness; and too much fire, to suit 
 The face of Siccius Dentatus. 
 
 Virginia, O! 
 You surely never took it for his face! 
 
 Vir, Why, no; for now I look again, I'd swear 
 You lost the copy ere you drew the head. 
 And, to requite Achilles for the want 
 Of his own face, contrived to borrow one 
 From Lucius Icilius. {Enter Dentatus.) My Dentatus, 
 I am glad to see you ! 
 
 Den. 'Tis not for my news, then. 
 
 Vir. Your news ! What news? 
 c 
 
18 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Den, More violence and wrong from these new mas- 
 ters of ours, our noble Decemvirs — these demi-gods of 
 the good people of Rome ! No man's property is safe 
 from them. Nay, it appears we hold our wives and 
 daughters but by the tenure of their will. Their liking 
 is the law. The Senators themselves, scared at their 
 audacious rule, withdraw themselves to their villas and 
 leave us to our fate. There are rumours, also, of new 
 incursions by the Sabines. 
 
 Vir. Rome never saw such days. 
 
 Den. And she'll see worse, unless I fail in my reck- 
 oning. Is that Virginia? I saw her not before. How 
 does the fair Virginia? Why, she is quite a woman. I 
 was just now wishing for a daughter. 
 
 Vir. A plague, you mean. 
 
 Den, I am sure you should not say so. 
 
 Virginia, Indeed he should not; and he does not say 
 so, 
 Dentatus — not that I am not a plague. 
 But that he does not think me one, for all 
 I do to weary him. I am sure, Dentatus, 
 If to be thought to do well, is to do well, 
 There's nothing I do ill ; But, it is far 
 From that ! for few things do I as I ought — 
 Yet every thing is well done with my father, 
 Dentatus. 
 
 Vir, That's well done, is it not my friend? (Aside.) 
 But if you had a daughter, what would you do with her? 
 
 Den, I'd give her to Icilius. I should have been 
 just now torn to pieces, but for his good offices. The 
 gentle citizens, that are driven about by the Decemvirs' 
 Lictors, like a herd of tame oxen, and with most beast- 
 like docility, only low applauses to them in return, would 
 have done me the kindness to knock my brains out; but 
 the noble Icilius bearded them singly, and railed them 
 
A TRAGEDY. 19 
 
 into temper. Had I a daughter worthy of such a hus- 
 band, he should have such a wife, and a patrician's dower 
 along with her. 
 
 Vir, I wish to speak with you, Dentatus. Icilius is 
 a young man whom I honour, but so far only as his 
 conduct gives me warrant. He has had, as thou know- 
 est, a principal hand in helping us to our Decemvirs. 
 It may be that he is what I would gladly think him; 
 but 1 must see him clearly, clearly, Dentatus. "If he 
 has acted with the remotest understanding, touching the 
 views of these new tyrants that we are cursed withal, I 
 disclaim him as my friend! I cast him off for ever!" 
 
 \_Exeunt Vir. and Dentatus. 
 
 Virginia, How is it with my heart? I feel as one 
 That has lost every thing, and just before 
 Had nothing left to wish for ! He will cast 
 Icilius off! — I never told it yet; 
 But take of me, thou gentle air, the secret — 
 And ever after breathe more balmy sweet — 
 I love Icilius ! " Yes, although to thee 
 I fear to tell it, that hast neither eye 
 To scan my looks, nor voice to echo me. 
 Nor e*en an o'er-apt ear to catch my words; 
 Yet, sweet invisible confidant, my secret 
 Once being thine — I tell thee, and I tell thee 
 Again — and yet again." I love Icilius ! 
 He'll cast Icilius off! — not if Icilius 
 Approve his honour. That he'll ever do; 
 He speaks and looks, and moves a man of honour, 
 Or honour never yet spoke, look'd, or mov'd. 
 Or was a thing of earth. O, come, Icilius; 
 Do but appear, and thou art vindicated. 
 
 Icilius, (entering,) 
 \ Virginia! sweet Virginia! sure I heard 
 
20 VIRGINIUS; 
 
 My name pronounc'd. Was it by thee, Virginia? 
 Thou dost not answer? Then it was by thee — 
 O! wouldst thou tell me why thou nam'dst Icilius ! 
 
 Virginia. My father is incens'd with thee. Dentatus 
 Has told him of the new Decemvirate, 
 How they abuse their office. You, he knows. 
 Have favoured their election, and he fears 
 May have some understanding of their plans. 
 
 IciL He wrongs me, then ! 
 
 Virginia. I thank the gods ! 
 
 IciL For me ! 
 Virginia? Do you thank the gods for me? 
 Your eye is moist — yet that may be for pity; 
 Your hand doth tremble — that may be for fearf 
 Your cheek is covered o'er with blushes ! What, 
 Oh what can that be for? 
 
 Virginia. Icilius, leave me! 
 
 IciL Leave thee, Virginia? Oh ! a word — a word 
 Trembles upon my tongue, which, if it match 
 The thought that moves thee now, and thou wilt let me 
 Pronounce that word, to speak that thought for thee, 
 I'll breathe — though I expire in the ecstacy 
 Of uttering it. 
 
 Virginia. Icilius, will you leave me? 
 
 IciL Love ! Love ! Virginia ! Love ! If I have spoke 
 Thy thought aright, ne'er be it said again! 
 The heart requires more service than the tongue 
 Can, at its best, perform. My tongue hath served 
 Two hearts — ^but, lest it should o'erboast itself. 
 Two hearts with but one thought. Virginia ! 
 Virginia, speak — (Virginia covers her face with her 
 
 hands.) 
 Oh, I have loved thee long : 
 So much the more ecstatic my delight. 
 To find thee mine at length. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 21 
 
 Virginia, My secret's yours. 
 Keep it, and honour it, Icilius. 
 
 Enter Virginius and Dentatus behind, 
 
 Vir. Icilius here! 
 
 Virginia. I ask thee now to leave me. 
 
 ML Leave thee ! who leaves a treasure he has coveted 
 So long, and found so newly, ere he scans it 
 Again, and o'er again; and asks and answers, 
 Repeats and answers, answers and repeats. 
 The half-mistrustful, half-assured question — 
 And is it mine, indeed? 
 
 Virginia, Indeed! indeed! 
 Now leave me. 
 
 Icil, I must see thy father first. 
 And lay my soul before him. ' 
 
 Virginia, Not to-night. 
 
 Icil, Now, worse than ever, dear Virginia, 
 Can I endure his doubts; I'll lay my soul 
 Naked before him — win his friendship quite. 
 Or lose myself for ever ! 
 
 \_going, is met by Virginius. 
 
 Vir, Stop, Icilius! 
 Thou seest that hand? It is a Roman's, boy; 
 'Tis sworn to liberty — It is the friend 
 Of honour. — Dost thou think so? 
 
 Icil, Do I think 
 Virginius owns that hand? 
 
 Vir, Then you'll believe 
 It has an oath deadly to tyranny, 
 And is the foe of falsehood ! By the gods, 
 Knew it the lurking-place of treason, though 
 It were a brother's heart, 'twould drag the caitift 
 Forth. Dar'st thou take that hand? 
 
 Icil, I dare, Virginius. 
 
22 VIRGINIUS : 
 
 Vir. Then take it! Is it weak in thy embrace? 
 Returns it not thy gripe? Thou wilt not hold 
 Faster by it, than it will hold by thee ! 
 I overheard thee say, thou wast resolved 
 To win my friendship quite — Thou canst not win 
 What thou hast won already ! You will stay 
 And sup with us to-night. 
 
 Den. To be sure, he will! 
 
 Vir, And, hark you, Sir, 
 At your convenient time, appoint a day 
 Your friends and kinsmen may confer with me — 
 There is a bargain I would strike with you. 
 Come, to the supper-room. Do you wait for me. 
 To lead Virginia in, or will you do it? 
 Come on, I say; come on. Your hand, Dentatus. 
 
 \^Exeunt, 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT. 
 
ACT II. 
 
 A STREET. 
 
 Enter Publius and Sextus. 
 
 Puh, This way ! We muster at the Flaminian gate. 
 Sext. Shall we not wait for Decius? 
 Pub, No; were he ten times Decius. — They'll have 
 already begun their march. Come on ! 
 
 Enter Numitorius. 
 
 'Num. Do you belong to the fourth legion? 
 Pub. We do. 
 
 l^um. They are upon their march, then. 
 Pub. I told you so — Come on ! come on ! 
 
 {Exeunt Soldiers. 
 
 Enter Lucius. 
 
 Lu£. Numitorius, what soldiers were those that just 
 now parted from you? 
 
 Num. Soldiers hastening to overtake the army, that's 
 now upon its march. 
 
24 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Luc. 'Tis all comfirmed then; the Sabines are in 
 force upon our borders. 
 
 '^um, I pray you tell me something new ! Know you 
 not the Senate has met, and the Decemvirs have come 
 off triumphant, in spite of all opposition? 
 
 JLuc, Should they have been opposed in such a strait 
 as this? 
 
 'Num, Ay, should they. They dared not have armed 
 a single citizen without the order of the Senate; which, 
 had they not obtained, the country would have been left 
 naked to the foe, and then they had been forced to make 
 room for more popular magistrates. 
 
 Luc. Why, were they not opposed then? 
 
 Num. Did not I tell you they were opposed? Caius 
 Claudius, Appius's own uncle, and Honorius, that noble 
 senator, opposed them; and it was like to go against 
 them, but for the brawling insolence of Spurius Oppius, 
 and the effrontery of the head Decemvir, backed by the 
 young Patricians. 
 
 Luc, So they are empowered to take up arms? 
 
 l^um. To be sure they are; and they have done so. — 
 One body has already marched, and by this time, no 
 doubt, has come to blows with the enemy. The levy is 
 still proceeding. All the Decemvirs, but Appius, take 
 the field. He remains in Rome, to keep good order, 
 that is the violator of all order. Why, where have you 
 been, to have felt no movement of so great and wide a 
 stir? Your brother meets Virginius at his house to- 
 day. — Come with me thither; — for you, I know, are 
 bid. — Lucius, there's no huzzaing for your Decemvirs 
 now. — Come on, we have outstaid the hour. 
 
 ^^xeunt. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 85 
 
 VIRGINIUS'S HOUSE. 
 
 Enter Virginius, Icilius, Lucius, and Others. 
 
 Vir. Welcome, Icilius 1 Welcome, friends ! Icilius, 
 I did design to speak with you of feasting 
 And merriment, but war is now the word; 
 One that unlovingly keeps time with mirth. 
 Unless war's own — whene'er the battle's won. 
 And safe-carousing comrades drink to victory ! 
 Icil. Virginius ! have you changed your mind? 
 Vir, My mind? 
 What mind? How now! Are you that boy, Icilius. 
 You set your heart so earnestly upon 
 A dish of poor confections, that to balk you 
 Makes you look blank ! I did design to feast you 
 Together with your friends — The times are changed — 
 The march, the tent, the fight becomes us now! 
 IciL Virginius! 
 Vir, Well? ^ 
 
 IciL Virginius! 
 Vir. How the boy 
 Reiterates my name ! 
 
 Icil, There's not a hope 
 I have, but is the client of Virginius. 
 
 Vir, Well, well ! I only meant to put it off; 
 We'll have the revel yet ! The board shall smoke ! 
 The cup shall sparkle, and the jest shall soar 
 And mock us from the roof! Will that content you? 
 Not till the war be done though — Yet, ere then. 
 Some tongue, that now needs only wag, to make 
 The table ring, may have a tale to tell 
 So petrifying, that it cannot utter it! 
 
 D 
 
26 \1RGINIUS: 
 
 rU make all sure, that you may be my guest 
 
 At any rate — although you should be forced 
 
 To play the host for me and feast yourself. 
 
 Look here, f shows a parchment to Icilius.) 
 
 How think you? Will it meet the charge? 
 
 Will it not do? We want a witness though ! 
 
 ril bring one; whom, if you approve, I'll sign 
 
 The bond. I'll wait upon you instantly. lExit, 
 
 Luc, How feel you now, Icilius? 
 
 Icil. Like a man 
 Whom the next moment makes, or quite unmakes. 
 With the intensity of exquisite 
 Suspense, my breathing thickens, and my heart 
 Beats heavily, and with remittant throb. 
 As like to lose its action — See ! my hope 
 Is bless'd ! I live ! I live ! 
 
 Enter Virginius conducting Virginia, with 
 
 NUMITORIUS. 
 
 Vir. You are my witnesses, 
 That this young creature I present to you, 
 I do pronounce — my profitably cherish'd, 
 And most deservedly beloved child; 
 My daughter, truly filial — both in word 
 And act — ^yet, even more in act than word : 
 And — ^for the man who seeks to win her love, — 
 A virgin, from whose lips a soul as pure 
 Exhales, as ere responded to the blessing 
 Breathed in a parent's kiss (kissing her. J Icilius, 
 
 /^Icilius rushes towards Virginius and kneels.) 
 
 Since 
 You are upon your knee, young man, look up; 
 And lift your hands to heaven — You will be all 
 Her father has been — added unto all 
 A lover would be ! 
 
A TRAGEDY. 27 
 
 Icil. All that man should be 
 To woman, I will be to her ! 
 
 Vir. The oath 
 Is registered ! Didst thou but know, young man, 
 How fondly I have watch'd her, since the day 
 Her mother died, and left me to a charge 
 Of double duty bound — how she hath been 
 My ponder'd thought, by day — my dream, by night ! 
 My prayer, my vow, " my offering, my praise," 
 My sweet companion, pupil, tutor, child — 
 Thou wouldst not wonder that my drowning eye, 
 And choking utterance, upbraid my tongue 
 That tells thee she is thine! — Icilius, 
 I do betroth her to thee; let but the war 
 Be done — ^you shall espouse her. Friends, a word! 
 
 [ViRGiNius and the rest 7'etire. 
 Icil, Virginia! my Virginia! I am all 
 Dissolved — o'erpower'd with the munificence 
 Of this auspicious hour — And thou, nor mov'st 
 Nor look'st — nor speak'st — to bless me with a sign 
 Of sweet according joy ! — 1 love thee, but 
 To make thee happy! If to make thee so 
 Be bliss denied to me — lo, I release 
 The gifted hand that I would faster hold, 
 Than wretches, bound for death, would cling to life — 
 If thou wouldst take it back — then take it back. 
 Virginia, I take it back — to give it thee again ! 
 Icil, O help me to a word will speak my bliss, 
 Or I am beggar'd — No ! there is not one ! 
 There cannot be; for never man had bliss 
 Like mine to name. 
 
 Virginia. " Thou dost but beggar me, 
 Icilius, when thou mak'st thyself a bankrupt ; 
 Placing a value on me far above 
 My real little worth." — Fd help thee to 
 
28 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 A hundred words; each one of which would far 
 0*er-rate thy gain, and yet no single one 
 Rate over high ! 
 
 Ml, Thou couldst not do it! No; 
 Thou couldst not do it ! Every term of worth 
 Writ down and doubled, then the whole summed up, 
 Would leave with thee a rich remainder still! — 
 Pick from each rarer pattern of thy sex 
 Her rarest charm, till thou hast every charm 
 Of soul and body, that can blend in woman, 
 I would out-paragon the paragon 
 With thee! 
 
 Virginia. " And if thou wouldst, I'd find thee, for 
 Thy paragon, a mate — if that can be 
 A mate which doth transcend the thing, 'tis ta'en 
 To match — would make thy paragon look poor, 
 And I would call that so overmatching mate 
 Icilius." 
 
 Icil, No ! I will not let thee win 
 On such a theme as this 1 
 
 Virginia, Nor will I drop 
 The controversy, that the richer makes me 
 The more I lose. 
 
 Icil, My sweet Virginia, 
 We do but lose and lose, and win and win; 
 " Playing for nothing but to lose and win." 
 Then let us stop the game — and thus I stop it. 
 
 (kisses her, J 
 
 Re-enter Virginius, and the others, 
 
 Vir, Witness, my friends, that seal ! Observe, it is 
 A living one ! It is Icilius's seal; 
 And stamp'd upon as true and fair a bond — 
 Though it receive the impress blushingly — 
 As ever signet kiss'd ! Are all content? 
 
A TRAGEDY. 29 
 
 Speak else ! She is thy free affianced wife, 
 Thou art her free affianced husband ! Come, 
 We have overdrawn our time — Farewell, Virginia; 
 Thy ftiture husband for a time must be, 
 Bellona's. To thy tasks again, my child; 
 Be thou the bride of study for a time. 
 Farewell ! 
 
 Virginia. My Father! 
 
 Vir, May the gods protect thee. 
 
 Virginia. My Father ! 
 
 Vir. Does the blood forsake thy cheek? 
 Come to my arms once more ! Remember, girl. 
 The first and foremost debt a Roman owes. 
 Is to his country; and it must be paid. 
 If need be, with his life — Why, how you hold me ! 
 Icilius, take her from me ! Hoa ! Within ! 
 Within there! Servia! ( Enter Sew^ia.) 
 Look to your child ! 
 Come, boy. 
 
 Icil, Farewell, Virginia. 
 
 Vir. Take her in ! 
 
 Virginia. The gods be with thee, my Icilius — Father, 
 The gods be with thee — and Icilius. 
 
 Vir. I swear a battle might be fought and won 
 In half the time ! Now, once for all, farewell; 
 Your sword and buckler, boy ! The foe ! The foe I 
 Does he not tread on Roman ground ! Come on ! 
 Come on, charge on him ! drive him back ! or die I 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
30 VIRGINIUS : 
 
 APPIUS'S HOUSE. 
 
 Enter Appius. 
 
 It was a triumph; the achieving which, 
 
 Overpaid the risk was run — and that was great. 
 
 They have made trial of their strength, and learn'd 
 
 Its value from defeat. The Senate knows 
 
 Its masters now; and the Decemvirate, 
 
 To make its reign eternal, only wants 
 
 Its own decree, which little pains will win. 
 
 Ere this, the foe has, for his mad invasion. 
 
 Been paid with chastisement. " Retired within 
 
 His proper limits, leisure waits upon us 
 
 To help us to the recompense decreed 
 
 To our noble daring, who have set ourselves 
 
 In such high seats, as at our feet array ' 
 
 The wealth, and power, and dignity of Rome 
 
 In absolute subjection ! Tyranny ! 
 
 How godlike is thy port ! Thou giv'st and tak*st 
 
 And ask'st no other leave, than what thy own 
 
 Imperial will accords. Jove does no more!" 
 
 Now Claudius — 
 
 Enter Claudius. 
 
 Claud. We have sufFer'd a defeat ! 
 
 App. What! The Decemvirs fly! 
 
 Claud. The soldiers fight 
 With only half a heart. « The other half 
 Looks on, and cares not which side proves the winner. 
 
 App. Then decimate them. Traitors ! Recreants ! 
 Why, we shall have them at our very doors ! 
 Have we lost ground, my Claudius? 
 
A TRAGEDY. 31 
 
 Claud, None, except 
 What weVe retraced in &me. We strove to teach 
 The enemy their road lay backwards, but 
 They would not turn their faces for us. Each 
 Retains his former line. 
 
 Enter Marcus. 
 
 App, What news ? 
 
 Mar, The CEqui 
 Still press upon us. Rumours are afloat 
 Of new disasters, which the common cry. 
 Be sure, still multiplies and swells. Dentatus, 
 That over-busy, crabbed veteran, 
 Walks up and down among the people, making 
 Your plans his theme of laughter. Naught he stints 
 That may reflect you in an odious light, 
 And lower the Decemvirate. 
 
 App. A dungeon 
 Would do good service to him ! Once within. 
 Strangling were easy ! We must stop his mouth — 
 " Unwholesome food — or liquor" — Where was he 
 When last you heard him? 
 
 Mar, In the Forum. 
 
 App, So! 
 He is past service, is he not? Some way 
 To clear the city of him. Come, we'll hear him. 
 And answer him, and silence him ! 'Tis well 
 The dog barks forth his spleen; it puts us on 
 Our guard against his bite. Come, to the Forum ! 
 
 lExeu7if. 
 
32 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 THE FORUM, 
 
 Enter Dentatus and Citizens. 
 
 Tit. What's to be done? 
 Den, We'll be undone — that's to be done. 
 Ser. We'll do away with the Decemvirate. 
 Den. You'll do away with the Decemvirate? — The 
 Decemvirate will do away with you ! You'll do away 
 with yourselves! Do nothing. The enemy will do 
 away with both of you. In another month, a Roman 
 will be a stranger in Rome. A fine pass we are come 
 to, Masters! 
 
 Tit. But something must be done. 
 Den. Why, what would you have? You shout and 
 clap your hands, as if it were a victory you heard of; 
 and yet you cry — Something must be done ! Truly I 
 know not what that something is, unless it be to make 
 you General. How say you, Masters? 
 
 Ser. We'd follow any man that knew how to lead us, 
 and would rid us of our foes, and the Decemvirate toge- 
 ther. 
 
 Den. You made these Decemvirs ! You are strangly 
 discontented with your own work ! And you are over- 
 cunning workmen too — You put your materials so firmly 
 together, there's no such thing as taking them asunder! 
 What you build, you build — except it be for your own 
 good. — There you are bunglers at your craft. Ha ! ha ! 
 ha! I cannot but laugh to think how you toiled, and 
 strained, and sweated, to rear the stones of the build- 
 ing one above another, when I see the sorry faces you 
 make at it! 
 
 Tit. But tell us the news again. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 
 
 33 
 
 Den. Is it so good? Does it so please you? Then 
 prick your ears again, and listen. — We have been beat- 
 en again — beaten back on our own soil. Rome has seen 
 its haughty masters fly before chastisement, like slaves 
 — returning cries for blows — and all this of your Decem- 
 virs, gentlemen. 
 
 \st Cit. Huzza for it again 1 (the people shout.) 
 
 2nd Cit, Hush! Appius comes. 
 
 Den, And do you care for that? You that were, just 
 now, within a stride of taking him and his colleagues by 
 the throat? You'll do away with the Decemvirs, will 
 you ? And let but one of them appear, you dare not, for 
 your life, but keep your spleen within your teeth ! Listen 
 to me, now ! I'll speak the more for Appius — (Enter Ap- 
 pius, Claudius, and Marcus, preceded hy Lictors,) — I 
 say, to the eternal infamy of Rome, the foe has chased 
 her sons, like hares, on their own soil, where they should 
 prey like lions — and so they would, had they not keep- 
 ers to tame them. 
 
 App, What's that your saying to the people, Siccius 
 Dentatus? 
 
 Den, I am regaling them with the news. 
 
 App, The news? 
 
 Den. Ay, the news — the newest that can be had; 
 and the more novel, because unlooked for. Who ever 
 thought to see the eagle in the talons of the kite? 
 
 App, It is not well done in you, Dentatus, to chafe a 
 a sore. It makes it rankle. If your surgery has learned 
 no better, it should keep its hands to itself! You have 
 very little to do, to busy yourself after this fashion. 
 
 Den. 1 busy myself as I like, Appius Claudius. 
 
 App, I know you do, when you labour to spread dis- 
 affection among the people, and bring the Decemvirs into 
 coptempt. 
 
 Den. The Decemvirs bring themselves into contempt. 
 
34 VIRGINIUS : 
 
 App. Ha! daVe you say so? 
 
 Den. Dare ! I have dared cry " Come on !" to a cohort 
 of bearded warriors — Is it thy smooth face should appal 
 me? Dare ! — It never yet flurried me to use my arm- 
 Shall I not, think you, be at my ease, when 1 but wag 
 my tongue? Dare, indeed! 
 
 App, Your gray hairs should keep company with ho- 
 nester speech! 
 
 Den, Shall I show you, Appius, the company they are 
 wont to keep, Look here ! and here (uncovering his fore- 
 head and showing scars.) These are the vouchers of 
 honest deeds — such is the speech with which my gray 
 hairs keep company. I tell you, to your teeth, the De- 
 cemvirs bring themselves into contempt. 
 
 App, What, are they not serving their country at the 
 head of her armies ! 
 
 Den, They'd serve her better in the body of her ar- 
 mies! I'd name for thee, a hundred Centurions would 
 make better generals. A common soldier of a year's 
 active service, would take his measures better. Generals ! 
 Our generals were wont to teach us how to win battles* 
 Tactics are changed — Your generals instruct us how to 
 lose them. 
 
 App, Do you see my lictors? 
 Den. There are twelve of them. 
 App, What, if I bid them seize thee? 
 Den, They'd blush to do it. 
 App, Why now, Dentatus, I begin to know you; 
 I fancied you a man that lov'd to vent 
 His causeless anger in an under breath, 
 And speak it in the ear — and only then 
 When there was safety ! Such a one, you'll own, 
 Is dangerous; and, to be trusted as 
 A friend or foe, unworthy. But I see 
 You rail to faces — Have you not so much 
 
A TRAGEDY. 35 
 
 Respect for Appius as to take him by 
 
 The hand; when he confesses you have some 
 
 Pretence to quarrel with his colleagues' plans, 
 
 And find fault with himself? Which, yet you'll own, 
 
 May quite as well be kindly done, Dentatus, 
 
 As harshly — Had you only to myself. 
 
 Declared your discontents, the more you had railed 
 
 The more I should have thanked you. 
 
 Den, Had I thought 
 
 App. And have you been campaigning then so long. 
 And prosperously ? and mistrust you, Siccius, 
 That a young scarless soldier, like myself. 
 Would listen to your tutoring? See, now. 
 How much you have mistaken me ! Dentatus, 
 In a word — Can you assist the generals; 
 And will you ? 
 
 Den, I have all the will — but as 
 For the ability — 
 
 App. Tut! Tut! Dentatus, 
 You vex me now ! This coyness sits not well on you. 
 You know, as well as I, you have as much 
 Ability as will. I would not think you 
 A man that loved to find fault, but to find fault ! 
 Surely the evil you complain of, you 
 Would lend a hand to remedy ! See, now, 
 'Tis fairly put to you — what say you? 
 
 Den. Appius! 
 You may use me as you please. 
 
 App. And that will be. 
 As you deserve ! I'll send you, as my Legate, 
 To the army ! (shout from the people.) Do you hear 
 
 your friends, Dentatus? 
 A lucky omen that ! Away ! Away I 
 Apprise your house — prepare for setting out. 
 I'll hurry your credentials — Minutes now 
 
36 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Rate high as hours ! Assist my colleagues with 
 Your counsel; if their plans displease you, why, 
 Correct them ! change them ! utterly reject them ; 
 And if you meet obstruction— notice me. 
 And I will push it by — There now ! Your hand ! — 
 Again! Away! All the success attend you, 
 That Appius wishes you. 
 
 Den, Success is from 
 The Gods; whose hand soe'er it pleases them 
 To send it by — I know not what success 
 'Tis Appius' wish they send; — but this I know — 
 I am a soldier; and, as a soldier, I 
 Am bound to serve. All the success I ask, 
 Is that which benefits my country, Appius. 
 
 [_Exit Dentatus. 
 
 App, You have served her overlong! (aside) Now 
 for our causes. 
 
 Appius ascends the Tribunal. 
 
 Claud, {to Marcus.) Do you see the drift of this? 
 
 Mar, I cannot guess it. 
 
 Claitd Nor I. 
 
 App, {to a Plebeian) Are you the suitor in this 
 cause? 
 Speak! 
 
 Pleh, Noble Appius, if there's law in Rome 
 To right a man most injured, to that law, 
 Against yon proud Patrician, I appeal. 
 
 App, No more of that, I say ? Because he's rich 
 And great, you call him proud ! 'Tis not unlike. 
 Because you're poor and mean; you call yourself 
 Injured — Relate your story; and, so please you, 
 Spare epithets ! 
 
 Pleh, Grant me a minute's pause, 
 I shall begin. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 31: 
 
 (Virginia at this moment crossse the stage with her 
 Nurse, and is met hy Numitorius *mho holds her in 
 conversation; Appius rivets his eyes wpon her,) 
 Num, You have heard the news? 
 Virginia, What news? dear uncle! 
 Num. Step 
 Aside with me, I'll tell you. 
 
 (takes her a little farther from the tribunal.) 
 App, Can it be 
 A mortal that I look upon? 
 Virginia, They are safe ! 
 I thank the gods ! 
 
 App, Her eyes look up to heaven 
 Like something kindred to it — rather made 
 To send their glances down, and fill the earth 
 With worship and with gratulation^ — What 
 A thrill runs up and down my veins; and all through out 
 me! 
 Pleb, Now, most noble Appius ! 
 App, Stop; 
 Put off the cause, I cannot hear it now ! 
 Attend to-morrow ! An oppressive closeness 
 Allows me not to breathe — Lictors ! make clear 
 The ground about the Rostrum I 
 (descends and approaches Claudius mth precipitation.) 
 Claudius! Claudius! — 
 Marcus, go you and summon my physician 
 To be at home before me [_Exit Marcus.] Claudius! 
 Claudius! there! there! 
 
 Virginia, You send a messenger to-night? 
 App, Paint me that smile ! I never saw a smile 
 Till now. My Claudius, is she Jiot a wonder? 
 I know not whether in the state of girlhood 
 Or womanhood to call her. — 'Twixt the two 
 She stands as that were loath to lose her, this 
 
38 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 To win her most impatient. The young year, 
 Trembling and blushing 'midst the striving kisses 
 Of parting spring, and meeting summer, seems 
 Her only parallel ! 
 
 Num, 'Tis well! I'll send 
 Your father word of this. But have you not 
 A message to Icilius? 
 
 App. Mark you, Claudius? 
 There is a blush! — I must possess her. 
 
 Virginia. Tell him, 
 1 think upon him — Farewell, Numitorius ! 
 
 [Exit mth Servia. 
 
 'Num. Farewell, Virginia. 
 
 Claud, Master, will you tell me 
 The name of that young maiden? 
 
 Num. She is calPd 
 Virginia, daughter of Virginius, 
 A Roman citizen, and a centurion 
 In the army. 
 
 Claud. Thank you ; she is very like 
 The daughter of a friend of mine. Farewell. 
 
 Num. Farewell! {Exit. 
 
 App. I burn, my Claudius ! brain and heart — There's 
 not 
 A fibre in my body but's on fire ! 
 With what a gait she moves ! Such was not Hebe, 
 Or Jupiter had sooner lost his heaven. 
 Than chang'd his cup-bearer — a step like that 
 The rapture-glowing clouds might well bear up, 
 And never take for human ! Find me, Claudius, 
 Some way to compass the possession of her. 
 
 Claud. 'Tis difficult. Her father's of repute; 
 The highest of his class. 
 
 App. I guessed it ! Friends 
 Are ever friends, except when friends are needed. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 39 
 
 Claud. Nay, Appius! — 
 
 App. If thou canst not give me hope. 
 Be dumb ! 
 
 Claud. A female agent may be used 
 With some success. 
 
 App. How? How? 
 
 Claud. To tamper with 
 That woman that attends her. 
 
 App, Set about it. 
 
 Claud. Could she but be induced to help you to 
 A single meeting with her. 
 
 App, Claudius! Claudius! 
 Effect but that— 
 
 Claud. I'll instantly about it. 
 
 App. Spare not my gold — nor stop at promises. 
 I will fulfil them fast as thou canst make them. 
 To purchase such a draught of ecstacy 
 I'd drain a kingdom — Set about it, Claudius ! 
 Away ! I will not eat, nor drink, nor sleep. 
 Until I hear from thee ! 
 
 Claud. Depend upon me ! 
 
 App. I do, my Claudius, for my life — my life ! 
 
 [Exeunt severally. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT. 
 
ACT III. 
 
 APPIUS'S HOUSE, 
 
 A ppi us — f Entering. J 
 
 It is not love, if what I've felt before 
 
 And calPd by such a name, be love — a thing 
 
 That took its turn — that I could entertain 
 
 Put off, or humour — 'tis some other thing; 
 
 Or if the same, why in some other state — 
 
 Or I am not the same — or it hath found 
 
 Some other part of sensibility 
 
 More quick, whereon to try its power, and there 
 
 Expends it all! Now, Claudius, your success? 
 
 Enter Claudius. 
 
 Claud. Nothing would do, yet nothing left undone ! 
 She was not to be purchased. 
 
 App, Did she guess — 
 
 Claud, She could not. 
 So guarded was my agent; who described you 
 A man of power, of noble family. 
 And regal fortune — one that ask'd not what 
 His pleasures cost — no further made disclosure. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 41 
 
 App, And did it nothing move her, Claudius? 
 
 Claud, Nothing. 
 The more my agent urg'd the more the shrunk 
 And wither'd hag grew callous; further press'd, 
 And with more urgent importuning, ire 
 And scorn, in imprecations and invectives 
 Vented upon the monster (as she call'd him) 
 That would pollute her child, compelled my advocate 
 To drop the suit she saw vy^as hopeless. 
 
 App, Now 
 Had I a friend indeed ! 
 
 Claud, Has Appius need 
 To search for such a friend, and Claudius by him? 
 
 App, Friends ever are provisionally friends. 
 Friends for so far — Friends just to such a point 
 And then " farewell !" friends with an understanding — 
 As should the road be pretty safe — the sea 
 Not over-rough, and so on — friends of ifs 
 And huts — no friends! — O could I find the man 
 Would be a simple, thorough-going friend. 
 
 Claud, I thought you had one, Appius. 
 
 App, So thought Appius, 
 Till Appius thought upon a test of friendship. 
 He fears he would not give unto himself, 
 Could he be Appius's friend. 
 
 Claud, Then Appius has 
 A truer friend than Appius is to Appius. 
 I'll give that test! 
 
 App, What ' you'd rempve her father 
 And that Icilius whom you told me of? 
 
 Claud, Count it as done. 
 
 App, My Claudius, is it true? 
 Can I believe it? art thou such a friend. 
 That, when I look'd for thee to stop and leave me, 
 I find thee keeping with me, step by step; 
 
 F 
 
42 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 And even in thy loving eagerness 
 
 Outstriding me? I do not want thee, Claudius, 
 
 To soil thy hand with their plebeian blood. 
 
 Claud, What wouldst thou, then? 
 
 App. 1 was left guardian to thee — 
 
 Claud, Thou wast. 
 
 App. Among the various property 
 Thy father left, were many female slaves. 
 
 Claud, Well? 
 
 App. It were easy for thee, were it not? 
 To forge a tale that one of them confessed 
 She had sold a female infant (and of course 
 Thy slave) unto Virginius's wife, who pass'd it 
 Upon Virginius as his daughter, which 
 Supposititious offspring is this same 
 Virginia? 
 
 Claud. I conceive you. 
 
 App, To induce 
 The woman to confirm your tale, would ask 
 But small persuasion. Is it done? 
 
 Claud. This hour. 
 I know the school, my Appius, where Virginia 
 Pursues her studies; thither I'll repair. 
 And seize her as my slave at once. Do thou 
 Repair to thy tribunal, whither, should 
 Her friends molest me in the attempt. Til bring her, 
 And plead my cause before thee. 
 
 App. Claudius ! - Claudius ! 
 How shall I pay thee? Oh, thou noble friend! 
 Power, fortune, life, whatever belongs to Appius, 
 Reckon as thine ! Away, away, my Claudius ! 
 
 \JSxeunt severally. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 43 
 
 A STREET IN HOME. 
 
 Enter Lucius, meeting Titus, Servius, and Cneius. 
 
 Liic. Well, Masters, any news of Siccius Dentatus 
 from the camp, how he was received by the Decemvirs? 
 
 Tit. He was received well by the Decemvirs. 
 
 Cne. It wasn't then for the love they bear him. 
 
 Tit, But they expect he'll help them to return the 
 cuffs they have gotten from the enemy. 
 
 Serv, Do you wish for a victory? 
 
 Tit. Yes, if Dentatus wins it. 'Tis to our credit. 
 Masters — He's one of us. 
 
 Serv. And is not Spurius Oppius one of us? 
 
 Tit. He is; but he is in league with the patricians — 
 " that is, the patrician Decemvirs." He is but half a 
 plebeian, and that is the worst half.—" The better half 
 he threw away when he became half a patrician." I ne- 
 ver liked your half-and-half gentry; they generally com- 
 bine the bad of both kinds, without the good of either. 
 
 Serv. Well, we shall have news presently. Icilius, 
 our late tribune, has just arrived with despatches from 
 the camp. I met him passing through the Forum, and 
 asked him what news he brought? He answered, none; 
 but added, we might look for news of another kind than 
 what we had been lately accustomed to. 
 
 fa shriek without.) 
 
 Cne. What's that! 
 
 Tit. Look yonder. Masters ! See ! 
 
 Serv. 'Tis Appius's client dragging a young woman 
 along with him. 
 
 Tit. Let us stand by each other. Masters, and pre- 
 vent him. 
 
44 VIRGINIUS : 
 
 Enter Claudius dragging along Virginia, 
 Jbllowed by Servia and others. 
 
 Servia, Help! help! help! 
 
 Luc. Let go your hold ! 
 
 Claud. Stand by ! 
 She is my slave ! 
 
 Servia. His slave? Help! help! His slave? — 
 He looks more like a slave than she ! Good Masters ! 
 Protect the daughter of Virginius ! 
 
 Luc. Release the maid. * 
 
 Tit. Forbear this violence. 
 
 Claud. I call for the assistance of the laws ! 
 She is my slave ! 
 
 Servia. She is my daughter, Masters, 
 My foster-daughter; and her mother was 
 A free-born woman — and her father is 
 A citizen, a Roman — good Virginius, 
 As I said before — Virginius, the Centurion, 
 "Whom all of you must know. — Help! help! I say. 
 You see she cannot speak to help herself; 
 Speak for her, Masters — help her, if you're men ! 
 
 Tit, Let go your hold. 
 
 Claud. Obstruct me at your peril. 
 
 Luc. We'll make you, if you will not. 
 
 Claud. Let me pass. 
 
 Serv. Let go your hold, once more. 
 
 Claud. Good Masters ! patience — 
 Hear me, I say — She is my slave — I wish not 
 To use this violence, my friends; but may not 
 A master seize upon his slave? — Make way, 
 Or such of you as are dissatisfied, 
 Repair with me to the Decemvir. — Come, 
 I only want my right ! 
 
 TiL Come on then ! 
 
 Serv. Ay, 
 
A TRAGEDY. 45 
 
 To the Decemvir ! 
 
 Servia. Run, run for Numitorius — alarm our neigh- 
 bours! — Call out Icilius's friends! — I shall^go mad! 
 Help! help! help! lExeunU 
 
 THE FORUM. 
 
 Enter Appius, preceded by Lictors. 
 
 App, Will he succeed? — Will he attempt it? — Will 
 he 
 Go through with it? — (looking out) — No sign — I al- 
 most wish 
 He had not undertaken it; yet wish 
 More than I wish for life, he may accomplish 
 What he has undertaken. Oh ! the pause 
 That precedes action. It is vacancy 
 That o'erweighs action's substance. What I fear 
 Is, that his courage can't withstand her tears; 
 That will be sure to try and succour her. 
 Pointing, as 'twere, to every charm, and pleading 
 With melting eloquence. I hear a sound 
 As of approaching clamour — and the rush 
 Of distant feet — He comes ! I must prepare 
 For his reception. (Appius ascends the tribunal. 
 Claudius enters still holding Yib-GH^Hl^ followed 
 by Servia, tsoomen and citizens.) 
 
 Claud. Do not press upon me; 
 Here's the Decemvir — he will satisfy you. 
 Whether a master has a right or not 
 To seize his slave when he finds her. 
 
 Servia. She is no slave 
 Of thine ! She never was a slave ! Thou slave ! 
 
4$ VIRGINIUS: 
 
 To call her by that name — ay ! threaten me\ 
 She is a free-born maidj and not a slave, 
 Or never was a free-born maid in Rome ! 
 O ! you shall dearly answer for it ! 
 
 App. Peace! 
 What quarrel's this? Speak, those who are aggrieved. 
 
 Enter Numitorius. 
 
 Where is Virginia — Wherefore do you hold 
 That maiden's hand? 
 
 Claud, Who asks the question? 
 
 Num. I ! Her uncle, Numitorius ! 
 
 Claud, Numitorius, you think yourself her uncle- 
 Numitorius 
 No blood of yours flows in her veins, to give you 
 The title you would claim. Most noble Appius, 
 If you sit here for justice — as I think 
 You do — attend not to the clamour of 
 This man, who calls himself this damsel's uncle. 
 She is my property — was born beneath 
 My father's roof, whose slave her mother was, 
 Who (as I can establish past dispute) 
 Sold her an infant to Virginius's wife, 
 V/ho never had a child, and heavily 
 Revolved her barrenness. My slave I have found 
 And seized — as who that finds his own (no matter 
 How long soever miss'd) should fear to take it? 
 If they oppose my claim, they may produce 
 Their counter-proofs and bring the cause to trial ! 
 But till they prove mine own is not mine own — 
 (An undertaking somewhat perilous) 
 Mine own I shall retain — ^yet giving them, 
 Should they demand it, what security 
 They please for re-producing her. 
 
 App, Why that 
 
A TRAGEDY. 47 
 
 Would be but reasonable. 
 
 Num, Reasonable! 
 Claudius! — (with much vehemence — recollects himself) 
 He's but a mask upon the face 
 
 Of some more powerful contriver, (aside) Appius, 
 My neice's father is from Rome, thou know'st, 
 JServing his country. It is not unjust, 
 In the absence of a citizen, to suffer 
 His right to his own child to be disputed? 
 Grant us a day to fetch Virginius, 
 That he himself may answer this most foul 
 And novel suit — Meanwhile to me belongs 
 The custody of the maid — her uncle's house 
 Can better answer for her honour than 
 The house of Claudius. 'Tis the law of Rome, 
 Before a final sentence, the defendant 
 In his possession is not to sustain 
 Disturbance from the plaintiff. 
 Tit. A just law. 
 
 Serv, And a most reasonable demand. 
 All the Cits. Ay! Ay! Ay! 
 App. Silence, you Citizens; will you restrain 
 Your tongues, and give your magistrate permission 
 To speak? The law is just — most reasonable — 
 I framed that law myself— I will protect 
 That law I 
 
 Tit. " Most noble Appius!" 
 Serv. " A most just decree!" 
 All the Cits. «Ay! Ay!" 
 
 App. " Will you be silent? Will you please to wait 
 For my decree, you most untractable 
 And boisterous citizens I I do repeat it," 
 I framed that law myself, and will protect it. 
 But are you, Numitorius, here defendant! 
 That title, none but the reputed father 
 
48 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Of the young woman has a right to — How 
 Can I commit to thee what may appear 
 The plaintiff's property; and if not his, 
 Still is not thine? I'll give thee till to-morrow 
 Ere I pass a final judgment — But the girl 
 Remains with Claudius, who shall bind himself 
 In such security as you require, 
 To re-produce her at the claim of him 
 Who calls her daughter — This is my decree. 
 
 Num. A foul decree. — Shame! shame! 
 
 Serv. Ay, a most foul decree. 
 
 Cne. A villanous decree. 
 
 Serv. Most villanous. 
 
 Servia. Good Citizens, what do you with your 
 weapons, 
 When you should use your own? Your hands! — your 
 
 hands ! — 
 He shall not take her from us. 
 Gather round her, 
 
 And if he touch her, be it to his cost; 
 And if ye see him touch her, never more 
 Expect from us your titles — never more 
 Be husbands, brothers, lovers, at our mouths, 
 Or any thing that doth imply the name 
 Of men — except such men as men should blush for. 
 
 App, Command your wives and daughters, citizens, 
 They quit the Forum. 
 
 Servia. They shall not command us, 
 That care not to protect us. 
 
 App. Take the girl. 
 If she is yours. 
 
 Claud. Stand by. 
 
 Virginia, O help me ! help me ! 
 
 Icil. {entering) Virginia's voice.— Virginia ! 
 
 [Rushes to her.) 
 
A TRAGEDY. 4d 
 
 Virginia, O, Icilius! {falls fainting in his arms,) 
 
 Icil, Take her, good Numitorius. 
 
 App, You had better 
 Withdraw, Icilius; the affair is judged. 
 
 Claud. I claim my slave, 
 
 Icil. Stand back, thou double slave! 
 Touch her, and I will tear thee, limb from limb, 
 Before thy master's face. — She is my wife, 
 My life, my heart, my heart's blood. — Touch her 
 With but a look 
 
 App. My Lictors, there, advance! 
 See that Icilius quits the Forum. — Claudius, 
 Secure your slave. 
 
 Icil, Lictors, a moment pause 
 For your own sakes. Do not mistake these arms; 
 Think not the strength of any common man 
 Is that they feel. They serve a charmed frame, 
 The which a power pervades, that ten times trebles 
 The natural energy of each single nerve 
 To sweep you down as reeds. 
 
 App. Obey my orders ! 
 
 Icil. Appius ! before I quit the Forum, let me 
 Address a word to you, 
 
 App. Be brief, then ! 
 
 IciL I'st not enough you have deprived us, Appius, 
 Of the two strongest bulwarks to our liberties, 
 Our tribunes and our privilege of appeal 
 To the assembly of the people? — Cannot 
 The honour of the Roman maids be safe? 
 Thou know'st this virgin is betroth'd to me, 
 Wife of my hope — -Thou shalt not cross my hope 
 And I retain my life — ^attempt it not! — 
 I stand among my fellow citizens, 
 His fellow-soldiers hem Virginius round, 
 Both men and gods are on our side; but grant 
 
 G 
 
 k 
 
60 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 I stood alone, with nought but virtuous loTe 
 
 To hearten me — alone would I defeat 
 
 The execution of thy infamous 
 
 Decree ! I'll quit the Forum now, but not 
 
 Alone — my love! — my wife I my free-born maid. 
 
 The virgin standard of my pride and manhood 
 
 " Of peerless motto ! — rich, and fresh, and shining. 
 
 And of device most rare and glorious" — 
 
 I'll bear off safe with me — unstain'd — untouched. 
 
 App, Your duty, Lictors — Claudius, look to your 
 right. 
 
 Icil, True citizens ! 
 
 Tit, Down with the traitor 1 
 
 Ser, Down with him — slay him ! 
 
 [The Lictors and Claudius are driven hack; Claudius 
 takes refuge at Appius's Jeet^ who has descended 
 and throws up his arms as a signal to both parties 
 to desist — whereupon the people retire a little,"] 
 
 App, So, friends 1 we thank you that you don't de- 
 prive us 
 Of every thing; but leave your magistrates, 
 At least their persons^ sacred — their decrees. 
 It seems, you value as you value straws. 
 And in like manner break them. Wherefore stop 
 When you have gone so far? You might, methinks^ 
 As well have kill'd my client at my feet. 
 As threaten him with death before my face ! 
 Rise, Claudius! I perceive Icilius's aim; — 
 He labours to restore the tribuneship 
 By means of a sedition. We'll not give him 
 The least pretence of quarrel. We shall wait 
 Virginius's arrival, till to-morrow. 
 His friends take care to notice him — The camp's 
 But four hours' journey from the city. Till 
 
A TRAGEDY. SI 
 
 To-morrow, then, let me prevail with you 
 To yield up something of your right, and let 
 The girl remain at liberty. 
 
 Claud, If they 
 Produce security for her appearance, 
 I am content. 
 
 Tit, I'll be your security. 
 
 Ser, And I. 
 
 Citizens, Sfe^H all be your security. 
 
 (they hold up their hands,) 
 
 Icil, My friends, 
 And fellow citizens, I thank you; but 
 Reserve your kindness for to-morrow, friends, 
 If Claudius still persist — To-day I hope 
 He will remain content with my security. 
 And that of Numitorius, for the maid's 
 Appearance. 
 
 App, See, she do appear! — and come 
 Prepared to pay the laws more reverence, 
 As I shall surely see that they receive it. 
 
 {Exeunt Appius, Claudius, and Lictors. 
 
 Icil, Look up ! look up ! my sweet Virginia, 
 Look up ! look up ! you will see none but friends. 
 Oh that such eyes should e'er meet other prospect! 
 
 Virginia, Icilius ! uncle ! lead me home ! Icilius, 
 You did not think to take a slave to wife ! — 
 
 Icil, I thought, and think to wed a free-born maid; 
 And thou, and thou alone, art she, Virginia. 
 
 Virginia, I feel as I were so — I do not think 
 I am his slave ! Virginius not my father ! 
 Virginius, my dear father, not my father ! 
 It cannot be; my life must come from him; 
 For, make him not my father, it will go 
 From me. — I could not live, an he were not 
 My father. 
 
^. yiRGINlUS: 
 
 ML Dear Virginiaj calm thy thoughts — 
 But who shall warn Virginius? 
 
 Num, I've ta'en care 
 Of that; no sooner heard I of this claim, 
 Than I despatch'd thy brother, Lucius, 
 Together with my son, to bring Virginius, 
 With all the speed they could; and caution 'd them 
 (As he is something over quick of temper. 
 And might snatch justice, rather than 3U^br it;) 
 To evade communication of the cause, ^ 
 And merely say his presence was required; 
 Till we should have him with us. Come, Virginia; 
 Thy uncle's house shall guard thee, till thou find'st 
 Within thy father's arms a citadel, 
 W^hence Claudius cannot take thee. 
 
 Icil. He shall take 
 A thousand lives first. 
 
 Tit, Ay, ten thousand lives. 
 
 Icii, Hear you, Virginia! Do you hear your friends? 
 
 Virginia, Let him take my life first, I am content 
 To be his slave then — if I am his slave. 
 
 IciL Thou art a free-born Roman maid, Virginia; 
 All Rome doth know thee so, Virginia — 
 All Rome will see thee so. 
 
 Citizens, We will ! We will I 
 
 IciL You'll meet us here to-morrow? 
 
 Citizens. All! all! 
 - Icil, Cease not to clamour Against this outrage. Tell it 
 In every corner of the city; and 
 Let no man call himself a son of Rome, 
 Who stands aloof when tyranny assails 
 Her fairest daughter. Come, Virginia, 
 *Tis not a private, but a common wrong; 
 *Tis every fathers', lovers', freemans' cause; 
 To-morrow! fellow citizens, to- morrow I 
 
 Citizens, To-morrow I [^Exeunt severally. 
 

 
 A TRAGEDY. 5$ 
 
 THE CAMP, 
 
 ^w^^-r S. bppius and Q. F. ViBULANutJ. 
 
 0pp. Has he set out? 
 
 VibuL He has, my Oppius, 
 And never to return ! His guard's instructed 
 To take good care of him. There's not a man 
 But's ten times sold to us, and of our wishes 
 Fully possessed. Dentatus will no more 
 Obstruct us in our plans. He did not like 
 The site of our encampment. He will find 
 At least the air of it was wholesome. 
 
 Opp, What 
 Report are they instructed to bring back? 
 
 VibuL They fell into an ambush. — He was slain. 
 
 Opp, But should the truth, by any means, come out. 
 
 VibuL Imprison them, and secretly despatch them, 
 Or ope the dungeon doors, and let them 'scape. 
 
 Opp. I should prefer the latter method. 
 
 VibuL Well, 
 That be our choice. But when it is determined 
 To spill blood otherwise than as it may 
 Be spiird, to hesitate about some drops 
 Is weakness may be fatal. — Come, my friend. 
 Let us be seen about the camp, and ready, 
 With most admiring ear, to catch the tidings^ 
 Will be the wonder of all ears, but ours. ^ 
 Here's one anticipates us ! 
 
 Enter Marcius. 
 
 Well, your news? 
 
 Marc. Dentalus is no more! hut he has dearly sold 
 
54 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 his life. The matter has been reported as you directed. 
 By few it is received with credence — by many with doubt; 
 while some bold spirits stop not at muttering, but loudly 
 speak suspicion of foul play. A party that we met a 
 mile beyond the lines, no sooner heard our story, than 
 they set off to bring the body to the camp. Others have 
 followed them. Fabius, we have your gage for safety. 
 Vibul. You have. — Come, let us show ourselves. — 
 Guilt hides, 
 And we must wear the port of innocence. 
 That more than halfway meets accusal. — Come. 
 
 [^Exeunt, 
 
 A MOUNTAINOUS PASS. 
 
 The body o/*Dentatus discovered on a bier — Soldiers 
 mourning over it. 
 
 Trumpets, — Enter Virginius and Soldiers. 
 
 Vir, Where is Dentatus? Where is the gallant soldier? 
 Ah, Comrade ! comrade ! warm ! yet warm ! So lately 
 Gone, when I would have given the world, only 
 To say farewell to thee, or even get 
 A parting look ! O gallant, gallant soldier. 
 The god of war might sure have spared a head 
 Grown gray in serving him ! My brave old comrade ! 
 The father of the field ! Thy silver locks 
 Other anointing should receive, than what 
 Their master's blood could furnish ! 
 
 \st Soldier. There has been treachery here ! 
 
 Vir. What! 
 
 \st. Soldier, The slain are all our own. None of the 
 
A TRAGEDY. 56 
 
 bodies are stripped — These are all Romans. There is 
 not the slightest trace of an enemy's retreat — And 
 now I remember they made a sudden halt when we came 
 in sight of them at the foot of the mountain — Marked 
 you not, too, with what confused haste they told their 
 story, directed us, and hurried on to the camp? 
 
 Vir, Revenge ! The Decemvirs ! Ay, the Decemvirs ! 
 For every drop of blood thou shalt have ten, 
 Dentatus ! 
 
 Luc. (xmthout) What hoa ! Virginius ! Virginius ! 
 
 Vir, Here! here! 
 
 Ltic, (entering) 'Tis well you're found, Virginius ! 
 
 Vir, What makes you from the city ! Look ! 
 My Lucius, what a sight you've come to witness. 
 My brave old comrade ! Honest Siccius ! 
 ** Siccius Dentatus, that true son of Rome, 
 On whose white locks the mother look'd more proudly 
 Than on the raven ones of her youngest and 
 Most hopeful sons, is nothing now but this. 
 The sign and token of himself!" Look, comrades. 
 Here are the foes have slain him ! Not a trace 
 Of any other — not a body stripp'd — 
 Our father has been murdered — We'll revenge him 
 Like sons ! Take up the body ! Bear it to 
 The camp; and as you move your solemn march, 
 Be dumb — or if you speak, be it but a word; 
 And be that word — Revenge ! 
 
 (The Soldiers bear off the body — Yihgii^ivs Jbllowing 
 is stopped by Lucius. J 
 
 TjUc, Virginius! 
 
 Vir, I did not mind thee, Lucius ! 
 Uncommon things make common things forgot. 
 Hast thou a message for me, Lucius? Well! 
 I'll stay and hear it — but be brief; my heart 
 Follows my poor Dentatus. 
 
66 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Luc, You are wanted 
 In Rome. 
 
 Vir. On what account? 
 
 Imc, On your arrival 
 You'll learn. 
 
 Vir. How ! is it something can't be told 
 At once? Speak out boy! Ha! Your looks are 
 
 loaded 
 With matter — Is't so heavy that your tongue 
 Cannot unburden them? Your brother left 
 The camp on duty yesterday — hath ought 
 Happened to him? Did he arrive in safety? 
 Is he safe? Is he well? 
 
 Luc, He is both safe and well. 
 
 Vir, What then? What then? Tell me the 
 matter, Lucius. 
 
 Luc, I have said 
 It shall be told you. 
 
 Vir, Shall! I stay not for 
 That shall; unless it be so close at hand 
 It stop me not a moment. 'Tis too long 
 A-coming Fare you well, my Lucius. 
 
 Luc, Stay 
 Virginius. — Hear me then with patience. 
 
 Vir, Well, 
 I am impatient. 
 
 Lu£, Your Virginia 
 
 Vir. Stop, my Lucius, 
 I am cold in every member of my frame ! 
 If 'tis prophetic, Lucius, of thy news; 
 Give me such token as her tomb would, Lucius ; — 
 I'll bear it better. — Silence. 
 
 Luc. You are still 
 
 Vir, I thank thee, Jupiter.— I am still a father I 
 
 Lv^, You are, Virginius, yet. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 57 
 
 Fir, What, is she sick? 
 ZjUc, No. 
 
 Vir, Neither dead nor sick! All well? No harm? 
 Nothing amiss? Each guarded quarter safe, 
 That fear may lay him down and sleep, and yet 
 This sounding the alarm ! I swear thou tell'st 
 A story strangely. — Out with*t! I have patience 
 For any thing, since my Virginia lives, 
 And lives in health ! 
 
 Ltic. You are required in Rome 
 To answer a most novel suit. 
 Vir. Whose suit? 
 Luc, The suit of Caius Claudius, 
 Vir, Claudius! 
 Luc, Him that's client 
 To Appius Claudius, the Decemvir. 
 
 Vir. What! 
 That pander ! Ha ! Virginia ! you appear 
 To couple them. What makes my fair Virginia 
 In company with Claudius? Innocence 
 Beside lasciviousness ! His suit ! What suit ? — 
 Answer me quickly! — Quickly! lest suspense, 
 Beyond what patience can endure, coercing. 
 Drive reason from his seat! 
 Luc. He has claim'd Virginia. 
 Vir. Claimed her! Claim'd her! 
 On what pretence? 
 
 Luc, He says she is the child 
 Of a slave of his, who sold her to thy wife. 
 Vir. Go on, you see I*m calm. 
 Luc. He seized her in 
 The school, and dragg'd her to the Forum, where 
 Appius was giving judgment, 
 
 Vir. Dragg'd her to 
 The Forum! Well? — 1 told you, Lucius, 
 
 H 
 
58 YIRGINIUS: 
 
 I would be patient. 
 
 Imc, Numitorius there confronted him ! 
 
 Vir* Did he not strike him dead? 
 True, true, I know it was in presence of 
 The Deeemvir-r-Oh ! had I confronted him! 
 Well! well! The issue-r-Welll— Overleap all else, 
 And light upon the issue! Where is she? 
 
 Lvx:, I was despatch'd to fetch thee, ere I could learn. 
 
 Vir, The claim of Claudius — Appius's client^r-Ha 1 
 I see the master cloud—this ragged one. 
 That lowers before, moves only in subservience 
 To the ascendant of the other — Jove, 
 With its own mischief, break it, and disperse it. 
 And that be all the ruin ! Patience! Prudence I, . 
 Nay prudence, but no patience.— Come ! a slave 
 Dragged through the streets in open day ! my child ! 
 My daughter ! my fair daughter, in the eyes 
 Of Rome ! O ! I'll be patient. Come ! The essence 
 Of my best blood in the free common ear 
 Condemned as vile I Qi \% be patient. Come, 
 O they shall wonder,--! will be so patient. 
 
 END OF THE THIRD, ACT. 
 
ACT IV. 
 
 NUMITORIUS'S HOUSE, 
 
 Virginia discoveredf supported by Servia. 
 
 Ci 
 
 Virginia, Is he not yet arrived? Will he not coifte? 
 
 Servia, He surely will. 
 
 Virginia, He surely will! More surely 
 He had arrived already, had he known 
 How he is wanted — " They have miss'd him, Servia! 
 Don't tell me, but I know they have, or surely 
 We had not now been looking for him." Where's 
 My uncle? 
 
 Servia, Finding you had fallen asleep 
 
 After such watching, he went forth to hear 
 If there were any tidings of Virginius. 
 He's here. 
 
 Enter Numitorius, Virginia looks at him inquisitively 
 for some time, 
 
 Virginia, Not come ! not come ! I am sure of itj 
 He will not come! Do you not think he'll come?. ni,\ 
 Will not my father come? What think you, uncle? » 
 Speak to me, speak — Oh give me any words, 
 Rather than what looks utter ! 
 
60 VIRGINIUS : 
 
 Num. Be composed ! 
 
 I hope he'll come ! 
 
 Virginia. A little while ago 
 
 You were sure of it — from certainty to hope 
 Is a poor step; you hope he'll come — One hope, 
 One little hope to face a thousand fears ! 
 " Do you not know he'll come? O uncle, wherefore 
 Do you not know he'll come? Had I been you, 
 I had made sure of it. 
 
 Num. All has been done 
 
 That could be done. 
 
 Virginia. Poor all that does so little ! 
 
 One would imagine little needs be done 
 To bring a father to the succour of 
 His child [" 'Tis near the time \ 
 
 Num. It is indeed ! 
 
 Virginia. Must I go forth with you? Must I again 
 Be dragg'd along by Claudius as his slave. 
 \nd none again to succour me? Icilius! 
 Icilius ! Does your true betrothed wife 
 Call on you, and you hear not? My Icilius ! 
 Am I to be your wife or Claudius's slave? 
 Where — where are you, Icilius? 
 
 Icilius, (entering). 
 
 My Virginia! 
 What's to be done, my friend? 'tis almost time. 
 
 {to NUMITORIUS. 
 
 Virginia. I hear what you are saying — it is time — 
 " O who could have believed il, that Icilius 
 Should ever say 'twas time to yield me to 
 Another's claim"— And will you give me up? 
 Can you devise no means to keep me from him? 
 Could we not fly? 
 
 [Icilius looks earnestly at Numitorius, ixiho fixes his 
 eyes steadfastly on the ground: Icilius drops his head. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 61 
 
 I see! — your pledge 
 Must be redeemed, although it cost you your 
 Virginia. 
 
 Vir. (without). Is she here? 
 
 Virginia. Ah! 
 
 [Shrieks and rmhes into her father's arms, who enters 
 
 at the moment. 
 
 Vir. My child ! My child ! 
 
 Virginia, I am! I feel I am! I know I am! 
 My father! my dear father. "I despaired 
 Of seeing you!" You're come! and come in time. 
 And, Oh ! how much the more in time, when hope 
 Had given you up. " Oh ! welcome, welcome foot, 
 Whose wished step is heard when least expected!" 
 
 Vir. Brother! Icilius! thank you! thank you. — AH 
 Has been communicated to me. Ay ! 
 And would they take thee from me? Let them try it! 
 You've ta'en your measures well — I scarce could pass 
 Along, so was I checked by loving hands 
 Ready to serve me. Hands with hearts in them ! 
 So thou art Claudius's slave? And if thou art, 
 I'm surely not thy father ! Blister'd villain ! 
 You have warn'd our neighbours, have you not, to attend 
 As witnesses? To be sure you have. A fool 
 To ask the question. Dragg'd along the streets too ! 
 'Twas very kind in him to go himself 
 And fetch thee — such an honour should not pass 
 Without acknowledgment. I shall return it 
 In full! In full! 
 
 Num. Pray you be prudent, brother. 
 
 Virginia. Dear father, be advised — Will you not, 
 father? 
 
 Vir. I never saw you look so like your mother 
 In all my life ! 
 
 Virginia. You'll be advised, dear father? 
 
6fe VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Vtr. It was her soul— her soul, that play'd just then 
 About the features of her child, and lit them 
 Into the likeness of her own. When first 
 She placed thee in my arms— I recollect it 
 As a thing of yesterday! — she wish'd, she said, 
 That it had been a man. I answerM her, 
 It was the mother of a race of men. 
 And paid her for thee with a kiss. Her lips 
 Are cold now — could they but be warm*d again 
 How they would clamour for thee ! 
 
 Virginia, My dear father, 
 
 You do not answer me! Will you not be advised? ' 
 
 Vir, I will not take him by the throat and strangle 
 him! 
 But I could do it! I could do it! Fear not: 
 I will not strike while any head 1 love 
 Is in the way. It is not now a time 
 To tell thee — but, wouldst thou believe it ! — honest 
 Siccius Dentatus has been murder'd by them. 
 
 Icil. Murder'd! 
 
 Num. Dentatus murder*d ! 
 
 Virginia, O ! how much 
 
 Have we to fear. 
 
 Vir, We have the less to fear. 
 
 I spread the news at every step — A fire 
 Is kindled, that will blaze at but a breath 
 Into the fiercest flame ! 
 
 Num, *Tis time. Let's haste 
 
 To the Forum. 
 
 Vir, Let the Forum wait for us ! 
 
 Put on no show of fear, when villany 
 Would wrestle with you ! It can keep its feet 
 Only with cowards ! I shall walk along 
 Slowly and calmly, with my daughter thus 
 In my hand: though with another kind of gripe 
 
A TRAGEDY. 63 
 
 Than that which Claudius gave her. Well, 1 say, 
 
 rU walk along thus, in the eyes of Rome. 
 
 Go you before, and what appeal soe'er 
 
 You please, make you to rouse up friends. For me, 
 
 I shall be mute — my eloquence is here — 
 
 Her tears— her youth-^her innocence — -her beauty I 
 
 If orators like these can't move the heart, 
 
 Tongues surely may be dumb. 
 
 Icil, A thousand hearts 
 
 Have spoke already in her cause ! 
 
 yir. Come on ! 
 
 Fear not ! it is your father's grasp you feel. 
 Oh he'll be strong as never man was, that 
 Will take thee from it. Come, Virginia; 
 We trust our caiise to Rome and to the gods ! 
 
 lExeunt, 
 
 §ctne 3ri)trU. 
 THE FORUM, 
 
 Enter Appius and Lictors. 
 
 App, See you keep back the people ! Use your fas- 
 ces 
 With firmer hands, or hearts. Your hands are firm 
 Enough, would but your hearts perform their office, 
 " And leave your hands at liberty, not hang 
 Upon them with unseemly fears and clamours!" 
 Look to it ! " Time ! hadst thou the theme that I have 
 For speed, thou wouldst not move this cripple's gait: 
 But there's no urging thee, and thou wast ever 
 Dull fellow-traveller to young Impatience, 
 Dragging him back upon the road he pants 
 To run, but cannot find without thee." 
 
64, VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Enter Marcus. 
 
 Well? 
 
 Mar, News has arrived, that speaks as if Dentatus 
 Was murder'd by the order of your colleagues ! 
 There's not a face I meet but lowers with it: 
 The streets are filPd with thronging groups, that, as 
 You pass, grow silent, and look sullen round on you, 
 Then fall again to converse. 
 
 Apjp, 'Tis ill timed. 
 
 Mar, What say you, Appius? 
 
 App, Murder's ill timed, I say, 
 
 Happen when 'twill; but now is most ill timed. 
 When Rome is in a ferment, on account 
 Of Claudius, and this girl he calls his slave; 
 " For come when evil will, or how it will, 
 All's laid to our account!" Look out and see 
 If Claudius be approaching yet. [Exit Marcus. 
 
 " My wish. 
 Like an officious friend, comes out of time 
 To tell me of success. I had rather far 
 It had miscarried — they run high enough; 
 They wanted not this squall on squall to raise them 
 Above their present swell — the waves run high 
 Enough, through which we steer; — but such a haven, 
 If won, can never be too dearly won!" 
 Claudius is here ! Marcus (entering.) 
 
 Enter Claudius. 
 
 App, Well, Claudius, are the forces 
 
 At hand? 
 
 Claud, They are, and timely too; the people 
 Are in unwonted ferment. 
 
 App, I have heard 
 
 Word has arrived of old Dentatus's death ; 
 
A TRAGEDY. di*^ 
 
 Which, as I hear, and wonder not to heat it, 
 The mutinous citizens lay to our account. 
 
 Claud. That's bad enough; yet^ — 
 
 App. Ha ! what's worse? 
 
 Claud. 'Tis best •'■>' 
 
 At once to speak what you must learn at last. 
 Yet last of all would learn. 
 
 App. Virginius! 
 
 Claud. Yes ! ' ni 
 
 He has arrived in Rome. ^^ • - — ^ i; ^<:iQ 
 
 Mar. They are coming, Appius. i—OR :^'i ;'^? \Vi 
 
 Claud. Fly, Marcus, hurry down the forces! 
 {Exit Marcus.) Appius, 
 Be not o'erwhelm'd ! 
 
 App. There's something a^es me at 
 
 The thought of looking on her father! 
 
 Claud. Look 
 
 Upon her, my Appius! Fix your gaze upon 
 The treasures of her beauty, nor avert it 
 Till they are thine. Haste ! Your tribunal ! Has. 
 
 [Appius ascends the tribimdL^ 
 
 Enter Numitorius, Icilius, Lucius, Citizens, 
 YiRGiNivs leading his Daugliter, Servia, and Citizens. 
 A dead silence prevails, 
 
 Vir. Does no one speak? I am defendant here. 
 Is silence my opponent? Fit opponent 
 To plead a cause too foul for speech ! What brow 
 Shameless gives front to this most valiant cause, 
 That tries its prowess 'gainst the honour of ' - 
 
 A girl, yet lacks the wit to know, that he ■ ' 
 
 Who cast off shame should likewise cast off fear — 
 " And on the verge o' the combat wants the nerve 
 To stammer forth the signal?" 
 
 App. You had better, 
 
 I 
 
6^ VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Virginius, wear another kind of* carriage; 
 This is not of the fashion that will serve you. 
 
 Vir. The fashion, Appius ! Appius Claudius^ tell me 
 The fashion it becomes a man to speak in, 
 Whose property in his own child — the offspring 
 Of his own body, near to him as is 
 His hand, his arm — yea, nearer — closer far. 
 Knit to his heart — I say, who has his property 
 In such a thing, the very self of himself. 
 Disputed — and I'll speak so, Appius Claudius; 
 I'll speak so — Pray you tutor me \ 
 
 Aj}p, Stand forth, 
 
 Claudius ! If you lay claim to any interest 
 In the question now before us, speak; if not, 
 Bring on some other cause. 
 
 Claud. Most noble Appius — 
 
 Vir, And are you the man 
 
 That claims ray daughter for his slave? — Look at me. 
 And I will give her to thee. 
 
 Claud, She is mine, then; 
 
 Do I not look at you? 
 
 Vi7\ Your eye does, truly. 
 
 But not your soul. — I see it through your eye 
 Shifting and shrinking — turning every way 
 To shun me. " You surprise me, that your eye. 
 So long the bully of its master, knows not 
 To put a proper face upon a lie. 
 But gives the port of impudence to falsehood, 
 When it would pass it off for truth." Your soul 
 Dares as soon show its face to me. — Go on, 
 I had forgot; the fashion of my speech 
 May not please Appius Claudius. 
 
 Claud, I demand 
 
 Protection of the Decemvir I 
 
 App, You shall have it. 
 
A TRAGEDY. 67 
 
 Vir. Doubtless! 
 
 App, Keep back the people, Lictors ! What's 
 Your plea? You say the girl's your slave — Produce 
 Your proofs. 
 
 Claud. My proof is here, which, if they can, 
 Let them confront. The mother of the girl — 
 
 [^VinGiNivSiSteppi7ig forward to speak, is with- 
 held by NuMiTORius. 
 
 Num. Hold, brother! Hear them out, or suffer me 
 To speak. 
 
 Vir. Man, I must speak, or else go mad! 
 And if I do go mad, what then will hold me 
 From speaking? " Wer't not better, brother think you, 
 To speak and not go mad, than to go mad 
 And then to speak?" She was thy sister, too! 
 Well, well, speak thou. — I'll try, and if I can 
 Be silent, (retires.) 
 
 Num. Will she swear she is her child? 
 
 Vir. (Starting forward. ) To ,be sure she will — a 
 most wise question that! 
 Is she not his slave! Will his tongue lie for him — 
 Or his hand steal — or the finger of his hand 
 Beckon, or point, or shut, or open for him? 
 To ask him if she'll swear! — Will she walk or run, 
 Sing, dance, or wag her head; do any thing 
 That is most easy done? She'll as soon swear! 
 What mockery it is to have one's life 
 In jeopardy by such a bare-faced trick ! 
 Is it to be endured? I do protest 
 Against her oath ! 
 
 App, No law in Rome, Virginius, 
 
 Seconds you. If she swear the girl's her child, 
 The evidence is good, unless confronted 
 By better evidence. Look you to that, 
 Virginius. I shall take the woman's oath. 
 
^ VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Virginia, Icilius ! 
 
 Icil, Fear not love; a thousand oaths 
 
 Will answer her. 
 
 App. You swear the girl's your child, 
 
 And that you sold her to Virginius's wife, 
 "Who pass'd her for her own. Is that your oath ? 
 
 Slave, It is my oath. 
 
 Apj), Your answer now, Virginius. 
 
 Fir, Here it is ! 
 
 [^brings Vi r gi ^ i a forward. 
 Is this the daughter of a slave? I know 
 *Tis not with men, as shrubs and trees, that by 
 'The shoot you know the rank and order of 
 The stem. Yet who from such a stem would look 
 For such a shoot. My witnesses are these — 
 The relatives and friends of Nuraitoria, 
 Who saw her, ere Virginia's birth, sustain 
 The burden which a mother bears, nor feels 
 The weight, with longing for the sight of it. 
 Here are the ears that listened to her sighs 
 In nature's hour of labour, which subsides 
 In the embrace of joy — the hands, that when 
 The day first look'd upon the infant's face. 
 And never look'd so pleased, help'd them up to it, 
 And bless'd her for a blessing — Here, the eyes 
 That saw her lying at the generous 
 And sympathetic fount, that at her cry 
 Sent forth a stream of liquid living pearl 
 To cherish her enamell'd veins. The lie 
 Is most unfruitful then, that takes the flower — 
 The very flower our bed connubial grew — 
 To prove its barrenness! Speak for me, friends; 
 Have I not spoke the truth. 
 
 Women and Citizens, You have, Virginius. 
 
 App. Silence! Keep silence there. — No more of that! 
 
A TRAGEDY. 69 
 
 YouVe very ready for a tumult, citizens. 
 
 [troops appear behind. 
 Lictors, make way to let these troops advance ! 
 We have had a taste of your forbearance, masters, 
 And wish not for another. 
 
 Vir, Troops in the Forum ! 
 
 App. Virginius, have you spoken? 
 
 Vir. If you have heard me, 
 
 I have; if not, I'll speak again. 
 
 App. You need not, 
 
 Virginius; I have evidence to give, 
 Which, should you speak a hundred times again, 
 Would make your pleading vain. 
 
 Vir, Your hand, Virginia! 
 
 Stand close to me. (aside.) 
 
 App. My conscience will not let me 
 
 Be silent. 'Tis notorious to you all. 
 That Claudius's father, at his death, declared me 
 The guardian of his son — This cheat has long 
 Been known to me. I know the girl is not 
 Virginius's daughter. 
 
 Vir. Join your friends, Icilius, 
 
 And leave Virginia to my care. (aside.) 
 
 App. " The justice 
 
 I should have done my client, unrequired. 
 Now cited by him, how shall I refuse?" 
 
 Vir. Don't tremble, girl ! don't tremble, (aside.) 
 
 App. Virginius, 
 
 I feel for you; but, though you were my father. 
 The majesty of justice should be sacred — 
 Claudius must take Virginia home with him! 
 
 Vir. And if he must, I should advise him, Appius, 
 To take her home in time, before his guardian 
 Complete the violation, which his eyes . 
 Already have begun — Friends! Fellow Citizens! 
 
70 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Look not on Claudius-»-Look on your Decemvir! 
 
 He is the master claims Virginia ! 
 
 The tongues that told him she was not my child 
 
 Are these — the costly charms he cannot purchase, ' 
 
 Except by making her the slave of Claudius, 
 
 His client, his purveyor, that caters for 
 
 His pleasures — markets for him — picks, and scents. 
 
 And tastes, that he may banquet — serves him up 
 
 His sensual feasj;, and is not now ashamed. 
 
 In the open, common street, before your eyes — 
 
 Frighting your daughters, and your matrons* cheeks 
 
 With blushes they ne'er thought to meet — to help him 
 
 To the honour of a Roman maid ! my child ! 
 
 Who now clings to me, as you see, as if 
 
 This second Tarquin had already coiPd 
 
 His arms around her. Look upon her, Romans! 
 
 Befriend her ! succour her ! see her not polluted 
 
 Before her father's eyes ! — He is but one. 
 
 Tear her from Appius and his Lictors, while 
 
 She is unstain'd — Your hands ! your hands ! your hands ! 
 
 Citizens. They are yours, Virginius. 
 
 App. Keep the people back — 
 
 Support my Lictors, soldiers ! Seize the girl, 
 And drive the people back. 
 
 Icil. Down with the slaves ! 
 
 \_The people make a show of resistance^ but, upon the 
 advancing of the soldiers, retreat, and leave IciLius, Vir- 
 ginius, and his Daughter, 8^c., in the hands of Appius 
 and his party. 
 
 Deserted ! — Cowards ! Traitors ! " Let me free 
 
 But for a moment! I relied on you; 
 
 Had I relied upon myself alone 
 
 I had kept them still at bay ! I kneel to you — 
 
 Let me but loose a moment, if 'tis only 
 
A TRAGEDY. 71 
 
 To rush upon your swords!" 
 
 Vir. Icilius, peace ! 
 
 You see how 'tis, we are deserted, left 
 Alone by our friends, surrounded by our enemies, 
 Nerveless and helpless*. 
 
 App. Separate them, Lictors ! 
 Vir, Let them forbear awhile, I pray you, Appius : 
 It is not very easy. Though her arms 
 Are tender, yet the hold is strong, by which 
 She grasps me, Appius — Forcing them*" will hurt them, 
 They'll soon unclasp themselves. Wait but a little — 
 You know you're sure of her ! 
 
 App, 1 have not time 
 
 To idle with thee, give her to my Lictors. 
 
 Vir, Appius, I pray you wait! If she is not 
 My child, she hath been like a child to me 
 For fifteen years. If I am not her father, 
 I have been like a father to her, Appius, 
 For even such a time. " They that have lived 
 So long a time together, in so near 
 And dear society, may be allow'd 
 A little time for parting." Let me take 
 The maid aside, I pray you, and confer 
 A moment with her nurse; perhaps she'll give me 
 Some token, will unloose a tie, so twined 
 And knotted round my heart, that, if you break it. 
 My Iieart breaks with it. 
 
 App. Have your wish. Be brief! 
 
 Lictors ! look to them. 
 
 Virginia. Do you go from me ! 
 
 Do yo u leave ! Father ! Father ! 
 
 Vir, No, my child; 
 
 * App. Away with him ! 
 IciL Virginia! Tyrant! My Virginia! 
 
 App. Away with him, &c. [Icilius is borne off. 
 
2fi VIRGIN10Si 
 
 No, my Virginia — come along with me. 
 
 Virginia, Will you not leave me? Will you take me 
 with you? 
 W^ill you take me home again? O, bless you, bless you! 
 My father ! my dear father ! Art thou not 
 My father ! 
 
 .[ViRGiNius, perfectly at a loss what to doy looks anx- 
 iously around the Forum,; at length his eye falls on a 
 butcher^ s stall, with a knife upon it. 
 
 Vir, This way, my child — No, no! I am not going ■ 
 To leave thee, my Virginia! I'll not leave thee. '^T 
 App, " Keep back the people, soldiers ! Let them not 
 Approach Virginius! Keep the people back!" 
 
 [ViRGiNius secures the knife. 
 Well, have you done? 
 
 Vir, Short time for converse, Appius; 
 But I have. 
 App, I hope you are satisfied. 
 Vir, I am — 
 
 I am — that she is my daughter! 
 App, Take her, Lictors ! 
 [Virginia shrieks and falls half dead upon her father's 
 
 shoulder, 
 Vir, Another moment, pray you. Bear with me 
 A little — 'Tis my last embrace. 'Twont try 
 Your patience beyond bearing, if you're a man ! 
 Lengthen it as I may I cannot make it 
 Long! My dear child! My dear Virginia! [kissing her. 
 There is one only way to save thine honour—- 
 'Tisthis!— 
 
 [Stabs her, and draws out the knife, IciLius breaks 
 from the soldiers that held him, and catches her, 
 
 Lo ! Appius ! with this innocent blood, 
 I do devote thee to th' infernal gods! 
 Make wa,y there! 
 
A TRAGEDY. 73 
 
 App, Stop him ! Seize him ! 
 Vi7\ If they dare 
 
 To tempt the desperate weapon that is madden'd 
 With drinking my daughter's blood, why let them: 
 
 Thus, 
 It rushes in amongst them. Way there ! Way ! 
 
 \_Exit through the soldiers. 
 
 " Enter Honorius and Valerius. 
 
 Hon, What tumult's this? 
 
 The fair Virginia 
 Kill'd by her father's hand, to save her from 
 The lust of Appius Claudius? Most foul cause, 
 That makes so dark a deed look fair ! 
 
 App, Remove 
 
 The body, Lictors. 
 
 Icil, At the peril of 
 Their lives ! Death is abroad, at work, and most 
 In earnest when with such a feat as this 
 He opens his exploits ! 
 
 App. Obey me, slaves ! 
 
 Hon, Defend the body, freemen. There's a spark 
 Remaining still, which, though not strong enough 
 To light it up with its own beauteous life, 
 May yet rekindle liberty, and save 
 Expiring Rome! 
 
 Citizens, It shall not be removed ! 
 
 App, Seize it, I say! 
 
 Valer, Back, slaves ! Give place to freemen ! 
 
 \_A tumult ensues; the people deprive the Lictors of 
 their fasces^ and drive them, with the soldiers, with Ap- 
 pius Claudius, S^c,, off the stage, then return shouting, 
 
 Icil. Ay, shout, and shout: a far more glorious cause 
 Call'd for your voices, and you had not then 
 The breath to whisper. How that ear had thank'd you» 
 
 K 
 
U VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Had you as tender been of the jewel of 
 Its precious sense as of the empty casket ! 
 
 Hon, A litter, Citizens, to lift the body, 
 And bear it through the streets; the spectacle 
 Will fill all eyes with tears, all hearts with fire ! 
 
 IciL No hand but mine shall touch it: I will be 
 Its living bier. 
 
 Hon, Icilius, listen to me ! 
 Thou art not now thyself, and knowest not 
 There is a sweeter strain than that of grief — 
 Revenge, that drowns it. Suffer us to bear 
 Thy bride along the streets; a second, but 
 Unstained Lucretia, buying with her blood 
 The life of Rome and freedom ! 
 
 IciL Rome and freedom I 
 
 There is your ransom ! such a costly one — 
 Oh, you are dear, to be so dearly won ! lE:Jcetint, 
 
 END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 
 
ACT V. 
 
 A STREET. 
 
 Enter Appius and Marcus. 
 
 App. I do abjure all further league with them: 
 They have most basely yielded up their pow*r, 
 *' And compromised their glory. Had they died 
 In their high seats, they had lived demi-gods; 
 Bui now they live to die like basest men!" 
 Power gone, life follows ! Well ! 'tis well we know 
 The worst ! The worst? — The worst is yet to come, 
 And if I err not, hither speeds a messenger 
 Whose heel it treads upon. 
 
 Enter Vibulanus, hastily ^ and other Decemvirs, mth 
 Marcus. 
 
 VibuL Honorius and Valerius are elected 
 To the Consulate — Virginius is made Tribune. 
 
 App. " No doubt they'd fill their offices, when ours 
 Were laid so poorly down. — You have acted wisely! 
 
 Vibul, Who could resist Virginius, raving at 
 The head of the revolted troops, with all 
 The commons up in arms? Waste not dear time! 
 Look to your safety, Appius. 'Tis resolved 
 
76 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 To cite you instantly before the Consuls. 
 
 App. Look to my safety, say you? You would bid 
 A man that's tumbling from a precipice 
 A hundred fathoms high, and midway down. 
 Look to his safety ! What has he to snatch at? 
 Air! — E'en so much have L 
 . VibuL Withdraw awhile 
 
 From Rome. We shall recall you with applause 
 And honours. 
 
 App, Yes ! You saw me on the brink — 
 Beheld it giving way beneath my feet — 
 And saw me tottering o'er the hideous leap. 
 Whose sight sent round the brain with madd'ning whirl, 
 With but a twig to stay me, which you cut, 
 Because it was your friend that hung by it — 
 Most kindly. 
 
 VibuL Nay," employ the present time 
 In looking to your safety — " that secured, 
 Reproach us as you will." 
 
 App, I am in your hands, 
 
 Lead me which way you please. 
 
 IciL (without,) Hold! Stand. 
 
 IciLius enters, mth Honorius and Valerius as 
 Consuls, NuMiTORius and Lictors. 
 
 Did I not tell you 'twas the tyrant? Look, 
 Was I not right? 1 felt that he was present 
 Ere mine eye told it me. — You are our prisoner. 
 
 App, On what pretence, Icilius? 
 
 Icil. Ask of poor 
 
 Virginius, tottering between despair 
 And madness, as he seeks the home, where once 
 He found a daughter ! 
 
 App, I demand due time 
 
 To make up my defence. 
 
A TRAGEDY. n 
 
 Icil. Demand due time! 
 
 Appius! — Assign the cause, why you denied 
 A Roman maid, of free condition, 
 Her liberty provisionally, while 
 Her plea remained unjudged. No answer, Appius? 
 Lictors, lay hold upon him — to prison with him ! 
 Look to him well. To prison with the tyrant! 
 
 {Exeunt Appius and Lictors on one side, Icilius and 
 
 NuMiTORius on the other. 
 
 VibuU Let all his friends, that their own safety prize, 
 Solicit straight for his enlargement; doff 
 Their marks of station, and to the vulgar eye 
 Disguise it with the garb of mourning: 'twill 
 Conciliate the crowd. — We know them well: 
 But humour them, they are water soon as fire ! 
 
 {Exeunt severally. 
 
 VIRGINIUS'S HOUSE. 
 
 Enter Lucius, and Servia. 
 
 Luc, Is he not yet come home? 
 Ser' Not since her death. 
 
 1 dread his coming home, good Lucius. 
 
 Luc, A step! *Tis Numitorius and Virginius. 
 Ser, Gods! how he looks! — See, Lucius, how he 
 looks ! 
 
 Enter Virginius, attended by Numitorius and others. 
 
 Vir. 'Tis ease! 'tis ease! 1 am content! 'Tis peace, 
 'Tis any thing that is most soft and quiet. 
 And after such a dream! — I want my daughter; 
 Send me my dauglitcr! 
 
78 VIRGINl'US: 
 
 Num. Yes, his reason's gone. 
 Scarce had he come in sight of his once sweet 
 And happy home, ere with a cry he fell 
 As one struck dead. — When to himself he came, 
 We found him as you see. How is it, brother? 
 
 Vir, How should it be but well? Our cause is good. 
 Think you Rome will stand by, and see a man 
 Robb'd of his child? We are bad enough, but yet 
 They should not so mistake us. " We are slaves, 
 But not yet monsters." — Call my daughter to me. 
 What keeps her thus? 1 never stepped within 
 The threshold yet, without her meeting me 
 With a kiss. She's very long a-coming. Call her ! 
 
 Num, Icilius comes! See, my Icilius, see! 
 
 Enter Icilius. 
 
 Vir. Come, come, make ready. Brother, you and he 
 Go on before: I'll bring her after you. 
 
 Icil, Ha! 
 
 Num, My Icilius, what a sight is there I 
 Virginius's reason is a wreck, so stripp'd 
 And broken up by wave and wind, you scarce 
 Would know it was the gallant bark you saw 
 Riding so late in safety ! 
 
 Icil. (Talcing Virginius's hand). Father! Father! 
 That art no more a father ! 
 
 Vir, Ha! what wet 
 
 Is this upon my hand? A tear, boy! Fie, 
 For shame ! Is that the weapon you would guard 
 Your bride with ? First essay what steel can do ! 
 
 Num. Not a tear has bless'd his eye since her death ! 
 " No wonder. 
 The fever of his brain, that now burns out. 
 Has drunk the source of sorrow's torrents dry. 
 
 Icil. You would not have it otherwise? 'Twas fit 
 
A TRAGEDY. 79 
 
 The bolt that struck the sole remaining branch. 
 And blasted it, should set the trunk on fire!" 
 
 Num. If we could make him weep — 
 
 Icil, I have that will make him. 
 
 If aught will do it. 'Tis her urn. 'Twas that 
 Which first drew tears from me. I'll fetch it. But 
 I cannot think you wise, to wake a man 
 Who's at the mercy of a tempest. Better 
 You suffer him to sleep it through. [_Exit IciLius. 
 
 Vir, Gather your friends together : tell them of 
 Dentatus's murder. Screw the chord of rage 
 To the topmost pitch. Mine own is not mine own ! 
 
 (laughs.) 
 That's strange enough. Why does he not dispute 
 My right tP my own flesh, and tell my heart 
 Its blood is not its own? He might as well, (laughs.) 
 But I want my child. 
 
 Enter Lucius. 
 
 Lv£. Justice will be defeated ! 
 
 Vir. Who says that? 
 
 He lies in the face of the gods ! She is immutable, 
 Immaculate, and immortal! And though all 
 The guilty globe should blaze, she will spring up 
 Through the fire, and soar above the crackling pile. 
 With not a downy feather ruffled by 
 Its fierceness! 
 
 Num. He is not himself! What new 
 
 Oppression comes to tell us to our teeth, 
 We only mock'd ourselves to think the days 
 Of thraldom past ? 
 
 Luc, The friends of Appius 
 
 Beset the people with solicitations. 
 The fickle crowd, that change with every change, 
 Begin to doubt and soften. Every moment 
 
ili VIRGINIUS: 
 
 That's lost a friend is lost. Appear among 
 Your friends, or lose them ! 
 
 Num. Lucius, you 
 
 Remain, and watch Virginius. 
 
 IE j^it, followed by all but Lucius and Servia. 
 
 Vir, You remember, 
 
 Don't you, nurse? 
 
 Servia. What, Virginius? 
 
 Vir. That she nurs'd 
 
 The child herself. " Inquire among your gossips. 
 Which of them saw it; and, with such of them 
 As can avouch the fact, without delay, 
 Repair to the Forum." Will she come or not? 
 ril call myself !— She will not dare ! — Oh when 
 Did my Virginia dare — Virginia ! 
 Is it a voice, or nothing answers me? 
 I hear a sound so fine — there's nothing lives 
 'Twixt it and silence. " Such a slender one 
 I've heard when I have talk'd with her in fancy ! 
 A phantom sound!" Aha! She is not here ! 
 They told me she was here: they have deceived me; 
 And Appius was not made to give her up. 
 But keeps her, and effects his wicked purpose. 
 While I stand talking here, and ask you if 
 My daughter is my daughter ! Though a legion 
 Sentried that brothel, which he calls his palace, 
 I'd tear her from him ! 
 
 Luc. Hold, Virginius! Stay! 
 
 Appius is now in prison, 
 
 Vir. With my daughter! 
 
 He has secured her there ! Ha ! has he so? 
 Gay office for a dungeon ! Hold me not. 
 Or I will dash you down, and spoil you for 
 My keeper. My Virginia, struggle with him ! 
 Appal him with thy shrieks; ne'er faint, ne'er faint! 
 
A TRAGEDY. »1 
 
 I am coming to thee ! I am coming to thee ! 
 
 [ViRGiNius rushes out, followed by Lucius, Servia, 
 
 and others. 
 
 A DUNGEON, 
 
 Appius discovered, 
 
 App, From the palace to the dungeon is a road 
 Trod oft, not oft retrod. What hope have I 
 To pace it back again? I know of none. 
 I am as one that's dead ! " The dungeon, that 
 Encloses fallen greatness, may as well 
 Be call'd its tomb." I am as much the carcass 
 Of myself, as if the string were taken from 
 My neck. Their hands long for the office. Oh, 
 'Tis worth the half of a plebeian's life 
 To get his greasy fingers on the throat 
 Of a Patrician ! But Til balk them. Come! 
 Appius shall have an executioner 
 No less illustrious than himself. 
 
 \_He is on the point of swallowing poison, when Vihula- 
 
 nus enters. 
 Who's there? 
 
 Vibul, Your friend! 
 
 App, My Vibulanus! 
 
 Vibul, Appius, what 
 
 Was that you hid in such confusion as 
 I enter'd? 
 
 App. 'Tis a draught for life, which, swallow'd. 
 She relishes so richly, that she cares not 
 If she ne'er drink again ! Here's health to you ! 
 
 Vibul, Not out of such a cup as that, my Appius. 
 
 L 
 
^ 
 
 82 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 " Despair, that bids you drink it, as the cure 
 Of canker'd life, but lies to you, and turns 
 Your eyes from hope, that even now stands ready 
 With outstretched arms to rush to your embrace.*^ 
 Your friends are busy for you with your foes — 
 Your foes become your friends. Where'er a frown? 
 Appears against you, nothing's spared to make 
 The wearer doff it, and put up a smile 
 In its stead. " Your colleague Oppius is in prison. 
 Your client too. Their harm's your safety: it 
 Distracts the appetite o' the dogs. They drop 
 The morsel they took up before, as sooa 
 As a new one's thrown to them." • 
 
 App, Thou giv'st me life 
 
 Indeed [ 
 
 Vibul, That I may give thee life indeed, 
 I'll waste no longer time with thee; " for that 
 Already taken to assure the of 
 Thy fast reviving fortunes, cheats them of 
 The aid should help to re-establish them." 
 Farewell, my Appius ! If my absence takes 
 A friend from thee, it leaves one with thee — Hope f 
 
 App, And I will clasp it to me ! Never friend 
 Made sweeter promises. But snatch me from 
 Beneath the feet of the vile herd, that's now 
 Broke loose and roams at large, I'll show them who 
 They'd trample on. ^« Hope ! Hope ! They say of thecy 
 Thou art a friend that promises, but cares not 
 To keep his word. This once keep thine with Appius, 
 And he will give thee out so true a tongue, 
 Thy word is bond enough !" — At liberty ! 
 Again at liberty I Oh give me power 
 As well, for every minute of my thraldom 
 I'll pick a victim from the common herd - 
 
A TRAGEDY. 83 
 
 Shall groan his life in bondage. " Liberty ! 
 'Tis triumph, power, dominion, every thing!" 
 Are y€ not open yet, ye servile gates? 
 Let fall your chains, and push your bolts aside ! 
 It is your past and future lord commands you ! 
 Vir, (Rushing in.) Give me my daughter ! 
 App. Ha! 
 
 Vir, My child ! my daughter ! 
 
 My daughter I my Virginia ! Give her me ! 
 App, Thy daughter! 
 Vir, Ay ! Deny that she is mine 
 And I will strangle thee, unless the lie 
 Should choke thee first. 
 App, Thy daughter! 
 Vir, Play not with me! 
 
 Provoke me not! Equivocate, and lo! 
 Thou sport'st with fire. I am wild, distracted, mad ! 
 I am all a flame — a flame ! I tell thee once 
 For all, I want my child, and I will have her; 
 So give her to me. 
 
 App, Caged with a madman ! Hoa ! 
 
 Without there] 
 
 Vir, Not a step thou stirr'st froni hence. 
 Till I have found my child. " Attempt that noise 
 Again, and I will stop the vent, that not 
 A squeak shall pass it. There are plugs for you 
 Will keep it air-tight (showing hisJingers)J* Please you, 
 
 give me back 
 My daughter. 
 
 App, In truth she is not here, Virginius; 
 Or I would give her to thee. 
 
 Vir, Would? Ay, should! 
 
 Though would were would not. Do ygu say, indeed 
 She is not here? You nothing know of Jier? 
 
 App, Nothing, Virginius ! good Virginius, nothing. 
 
84 VIRGINIUS: 
 
 Vir. How if I thrust my hand into your breast, 
 And tore your heart out, and confronted it 
 With your tongue? Td like it. Shall we try it? Fool ! 
 Are not the ruffians leagued? The one would swear 
 To the tale o' the other. 
 
 App, By the gods, Virginius, 
 
 Your daughter is not in my keeping. 
 
 Vir, Well, 
 
 Then I must seek her elsewhere. I did dream 
 That I had murder'd her — 'Tis false ! 'twas but 
 A dream — She isn't here, you say — Well ! well ! 
 Then I must go and seek her elsewhere — Yet 
 She's not at home — and where else should I seek her 
 But there or here? Here! here! here! Yes, I say, 
 But there or here— T tell you I must find her — 
 She must be here, or what do you here? What, 
 But such a wonder of rich beauty could 
 Deck out a dungeon so as to despoil 
 A palace of its tenant? Art thou not 
 The tyrant Appius? — Didst thou not decree 
 My daughter to be Claudius's slave, who gave her 
 To his master? Have you not secured her here 
 To compass her dishonour, ere her father 
 Arrives to claim her? 
 
 App, No. i 
 
 Vir. Do you tell me so? 
 
 Vile tyrant! Think you, shall I not believe 
 My own eyes before your tongue? Why, there she is! 
 There at your back — her locks dishevell'd and 
 Her vestment torn ! Her cheeks all faded with 
 Her pouring tears, "as flowers with too much rain!" 
 Her form no longer kept and treasured up 
 " By her maiden pride, like a rich casket, cast 
 Aside neglected and forgot, because 
 The richer gem was shrin'd in it is lost!" 
 
A TRAGEDY. 85 
 
 Villain! is this a sight to show a father? 
 And have I not a weapon to requite thee? 
 
 {searches about his clothes,) 
 Ha ! here are ten ! 
 
 App, Keep down your hands ! Help ! help ! 
 
 Vir, No other look but that ! Look on ! look on ! 
 It turns my very flesh to steel — Brave girl ! 
 Keep thine eye fix'd — let it not wink — Look on ! 
 
 \_Exeunt, struggling. 
 
 Enter Numitorius, Icilius, Lucius, Guard, 
 and Soldier bearing Virginia's Urn, 
 
 Num, Not here ! 
 
 Lucius, Is this the dungeon? — Appius is not here, 
 Nor yet Virginius. You have sure mistaken. 
 
 Guard, This is the dungeon — Here Virginius entered. 
 
 Num, Yet is not here! — Hush! The abode of death 
 Is just as silent. Gods ! should the tyrant take 
 The father's life, in satisfaction for 
 The deed that robb'd him of the daughter's charms — 
 Hush! hark! A groan! There's something stirs. 
 
 Luc. 'Tis this way! 
 
 Num, Come on ! Protect him, gods, or pardon me 
 If with my own hand I revenge his death. {^Exeunt, 
 
 ANOTHER DUNGEON, 
 
 Virginius discovered on one knee, with AfPius lying dead be- 
 fore him. Enter Numitorius, Icilius, Lucius, CitizenSf 
 and others. 
 
 Num. What's here? Virginius? with the tyrant pros- 
 trate and dead ! 
 
86 VIKGINIUS: &c. 
 
 Luc, His senses are benumb'd; there is no adit to his 
 mind, by which our words can reach it. Help to raise 
 him: the motion may recal perception. 
 
 Num, His eye is not so death-like fix'd: it moves a 
 little. 
 
 Ltic, ,Speak to him, Numitorius; he knows your voice 
 the best. 
 
 Num. Virginius! 
 
 Lucius. I think he hears you; speak again. 
 
 Num, Virginius! 
 
 Vir, Ah! 
 
 Luc, That sigh has burst the spell which held him. 
 
 Num, Virginius ! my dear brother ! 
 
 Vir, Lighter ! lighter ! My heart is ten times lighter ! 
 What a load it has heaved off! Where is he? I thought 
 I had done it. 
 
 Num, Virginius! 
 
 Vir, Well, who are you? What do you want? I'll 
 answer what Tve done. 
 
 Num, Do you not know me, brother? Speak, Icilius, 
 try if he knows you. 
 
 Icil, Virginius! 
 
 Num, Try again. 
 
 Icil, Virginius! 
 
 Vir, That voice — that voice — I know that voice! 
 It minds me of a voice was coupled with it, 
 And made such music, once to hear it was 
 Enough to make it ever after be 
 
 Remembered ! (Icilius places the urn in his hand, ) 
 
 Whafsthis? 
 
 Icil, Virginia ! 
 
 [Virginius looks alternately at Icilius and the Urn — 
 loolcs at Numitorius and Lucius — seems particularly 
 struck hy his mourning — looks at the Urn again — bursts 
 into a passion of tears, and exclaims, " Virginia!'* — 
 Falls on Icilius's neck. Curtain drops* 
 
EPILOGUE, 
 
 Br 
 
 BARRY CORNWALL, Esq. 
 
 Leaving the common path, which many tread, 
 
 We will not wake with jokes our poet's dead : 
 
 Nor shame the young creations of his pen. 
 
 By bidding all, who've perish'd, be again. 
 
 The pale Virginia, in her bloody shroud. 
 
 Lies like a shrined saint —Oh! then, aloud 
 
 Shall we break scurril jests, and bid depart 
 
 Those thoughts of her, which fill and teach the heart? 
 
 No moral now we offer, squar'd in form, 
 
 But Pity, like the sun-light, bright and warm, 
 
 Comes mix'd with showers j; and, fading, leaves beliind 
 
 A beauty and a blossom on the mind. 
 
 We do not strain to show that "thus it grows," 
 
 And "hence we learn" what every body knows: 
 
 But casting idle dogmas (words) aside. 
 
 We paint a villain in his purple pride; 
 
 And tearing down a pow'r, that grew too bold, 
 
 Show— merely what was done in days of old. 
 
 Leaving this image on the soul, we go 
 
 Unto our gentler story touched with wo; 
 
 (With wo that wantons not, nor wears away 
 
 The heart) and love too perfect for decay. 
 
 Bu't whatsoe'er we do, we will not shame 
 
 Your better feeling, with an idle game 
 
 Of grin and mimicry (a loathsome task,) 
 
 Or strip the great Muse of her mighty mask. 
 
 And hoot her from her throne of tears and sighs, 
 
 Until, from folly and base jest, she dies. 
 
 No ; let her life be long, her reign supreme— 
 
 If but a dream, it is a glorious dream. 
 
 Dwell then upon our tale ; and bear along 
 With you, deep thoughts — of love — of bitter wrong — 
 Of freedom— of sad pity — and lust of pow'r, 
 Th« tale is fitted for an after hour. 
 
JUST PUBLISHED, 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 I.— CAIUS GRACCHUS, a Tragedy, in Five Acts. Price 
 3/6. 
 
 II.— THE ELOCUTIONIST, a Collection of Pieces in 
 Prose and Verse, peculiarly adapted to display the Art of Read- 
 ing, in the most comprehensive sense of the term ; including, 
 among other original matter, A DEBATE, composed expressly 
 for the pui-pose of exercising the Young Student in purely argu- 
 mentative declamation; and preceded by an Introduction, in 
 which an attempt is made to simplify Mr. Walker's system, and, 
 by referring his Illustrations to more general Principles, to re- 
 duce the number of his rules. Third Edition, 12mo. Price, 
 bound, 3/6. 
 
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