 | The Fate of Capua |  |
1
ACT I.
SCENE I.
The Senate.Pac.
This only I wou'd offer to you more:
My known Alliances, and kindred Blood,
By intercourse of Marriages with Rome,
Cementing long the Honour of my House,
With all the interests of that glorious State,
May well protest for me, that I advise
Abandoning the Romans to their Fate,
As necessary to avert our own.
2 Sen.
To avert our own!
Pac.
At least you'l join with me,
It may be needful to advance our own.
2 Sen.
Ay, there I close with you when you speak plain.
The Romans Loss at Cannæ shows it self
Plainly in this, that their Confederates,
Who had stood Ages fast and firm for Rome,
From that most dreadful Day began to fail;
Deserting her in absolute Despair
Of her lost Empire, not to be restor'd.
1 Sen.
You have a List of all the several States,
People, and Cities that are faln away
From Rome to the Carthaginians:
Let it be read—
Pac.
It has been read already.
Their Number and Example shou'd advise
2
As we must do, to follow cheerfully;
To jump into our Resolutions;
What must be done, to have it frankly done;
To make a merit of our Forwardness;
And not disgrace the Service we intend,
By cold Debates, Indifference and Delay.
2 Sen.
Our Rabble are in barefac'd Mutiny.
3 Sen.
And have declar'd themselves for Hannibal.
[Shouts in several quarters of the City.
1 Sen.
The noise comes this way now.
2 Sen.
'Tis every where.
Enter Decius Magius.
[Within.]
Make way for Decius Magius.
Pac.
Decius Magius!
I thought he had giv'n o're the Common-wealth.
Mag.
I thought so too: But there is nothing certain:
I was in hopes I might have staid at home:
But when a City is in general Flame,
Cripples will find their Legs to cry out Fire.
Age has not much to lose: But I am come
To awake, to rouze, and warn you of your Ruin.
Pac.
What is this Ruin, Decius Magius?
Mag.
In such an honourable Argument,
As yours may be, in the Tarentine War,
A Peace from Pyrrhus was propos'd with Rome:
The Question almost was resolv'd for Pyrrhus:
When Appius, as we have it on Record,
Aged and blind, disabled long before
To the State's Service, and the publick Cares,
Was led into the Senate, and inspir'd
By Indignation, and his Country's Cause,
Sway'd the Debate, never to make a Peace
With any foreign Foe in Italy.
I come by his Example: He was happy
In his Success; and so may I be blest,
3
That lies before you now is of more worth,
Of weightier worth, and threatning Consequence.
Pac.
A long Preamble: What will be the Tale?
Mag.
They say, you are upon deserting Rome,
And joyning Hannibal: I have a Voice
Before it comes to that, and must be heard.
Pac.
We have all Voices for our Countries good.
Mag.
Our Country's Honour is her chiefest good.
Can we forget what Rome has been to us?
A fostering Neighbour of our Infant State:
A kind Rejoycer in our Growth and Strength:
Ever a Friend: And in Adversity,
(As we have tasted of that bitter Cup,
Now swill'd in Pleasures to the giddy Brim
Of drunken Riot, and Forgetfulness:)
In our bad Days, I say, she still has been
A Comforter, a Parent, and Protector.
Pac.
Well, Decius Magius, had you minded us,
If we had been inclining to forget
What, as Allies and Friends, we owe to Rome.
But Vibius Virius, you our Legate were,
Commission'd to Rome's Consul: You can say—
Vib.
That we have paid all our Respects of Grief;
Condol'd their Dire Misfortunes, offering
Supplies of all things wanting to their Wars:
This in the general Name of Capua:
But Cordials to the Dead are so apply'd:
Fortune has left 'em nothing to supply.
The Roman Legions, Ensigns, Horse, and Arms,
Men, Money, and Provisions, routed, spoil'd,
All in the Day of Cannæ were destroy'd,
Or on the Morrow's Plunder of both Camps.
Pac.
So that 'tis not enough to aid 'em now:
If you do any thing you must resolve
To undertake their War with Hannibal.
Mag.
And can you undertake a worthier Cause?
Is there a worthier, than a social War?
4
No longer able to Defend the City,
The Samnites, Cidicines, investing us,
Sinking in Ruin, who upheld us then?
Who, but the Romans, cou'd have sav'd us then?
They took us trembling to Protection:
Sustain'd a Warr for near a Hundred Years,
With Fortune often varying the Event,
Dreadful to Italy, against the Samnites,
Which they begun, and carry'd on for us:
And is there nothing to be done for them?
4. Sen.
Why, that is true; if we cou'd do it,
Without an injury to our selves.
Mag.
Have we not always been affianc'd Friends?
Our Laws, our Customs, Constitutions
Allmost a-kin, and, as our Marriages,
Mingled, and wove into our mutual Weal?
The Citizens of Rome, and Capua,
Enjoying common rights of Burghesie,
Speak us indeed one People in two States.
So that whatever mischiefs fall on them,
Betide us too; and we must stand oblig'd,
By all the Bonds of honest Interest,
To save a Country, equal to us both.
5 Sen.
That I don't so well understand neither.
Mag.
This is no Samnite, no Hetrurian War;
Where if one lose a Neighbour State must win;
And tho' the Empire shou'd be torn from Rome,
It still remains with us in Italy.
We shall not find it so with Foreigners:
The Carthaginians are these Foreigners:
The Carthaginians are our Enemies—
Pac.
Hold, have a care—
Mag.
I will, to speak the truth;
And say again they are our Enemies:
Rivals of Empire, in this second War:
And therefore to be thought the common Foes
Of Rome, of Capua, and of Italy.
5
Urg'd home, and boldly.
Mag.
O! let us pay the debt of Glory now!
Tho' Rome be drooping, we may raise her Head.
Our Forces are unbroken, fresh, entire:
Full thirty thousand Foot, four thousand Horse,
Upon our Musters in Campania:
Money, Munitions, and Provisions,
With the proud Train and Equipage of War,
Martiall'd, and ready Harness'd for the Field,
All high of Heart, and full of able Proof.
If then our Friendship, and Fidelity,
Answer the firmness of our Strength and Power,
Hannibal will not perceive his Victory;
No, nor the Romans feel their sore defeat.
[Shouts again.
Enter a Messenger.
3 Sen.
Here comes another Messenger.
4 Sen.
The news?
Mess.
If I had breath, it is not to be told.
The madding Rabble have at last possest
The sober part, the peaceful Citizens,
Infected by their fury, are in Arms;
And Capua now is but one Multitude.
Pac.
There is no time for Foreign Argument
Of right and just; of future good or ill:
Since what we have to fear, is present now,
Imminent, and breaking on our Heads at home.
Enter Marius Blosius.
Of right and just; of future good or ill:
Since what we have to fear, is present now,
Imminent, and breaking on our Heads at home.
Make way—good Marius Blosius take your seat:
We know you've done the best you can for us:
When you're collected, you will tell us all.
We know you've done the best you can for us:
When you're collected, you will tell us all.
Blo.
Disorders, Tumults, and Confusions,
Raging with Horror up and down our Streets,
Had spent themselves in Opposition
Of their contending Parties; there we hop'd
6
Rabble and Citizens, in horrid League,
And all combin'd in Violence, resolve
On Mischiefs more premeditate and bold.
1 Sen.
Resolve on what?
2 Sen.
What Mischiefs are resolv'd?
Blo.
All who are Romans found in Capua,
(As we have Families transplanted here)
Tho' in the service of our State employ'd,
Or in their private Callings, they have seiz'd—
Mag.
How! seiz'd!
Blo.
Men, Women, Children, hudled in the Rout,
Without distinction hurry'd and shut up,
Under the name of Safety, in our Baths,
The publick Baths, where choak'd with Heat and Smoak,
Their strugling Souls must wretchedly expire,
If timely not set free.
Mag.
If this goes on
Ruin must follow: I will spare no Pains
For their Deliverance.
[Magius goes out.
1 Sen.
Wretched indeed!
2 Sen.
Barbarous and cruel to our worst of Foes,
Without a Name to our Allies and Friends!
Pac.
No Friendship, no Alliance after this.
What they have done, is a sad Argument
They will do more to carry to their ends.
Blo.
Nay, there is more in hand, and to be fear'd,
Directed this way too: For, One and all,
They cry, the Senate's Councils are too slow,
That they intend to come and quicken 'em—
1 Sen.
The Gods forbid!
2 Sen.
Avert this Danger, Heav'n!
Blo.
But that we shall no longer buy and sell
Their Interests, with our mercenary Tongues:
That we but hold the Government in trust
For them, they all have Law enough for that,
They say, they can recall it when they please.
They'l do their Work themselves; they'l have no more
7
Before this time; and now against our will;
Affording 'em such just occasion
To throw us off, Senate and Tyranny.
3 Sen.
Heav'n grant it go no farther.
2 Sen.
But I fear—
3 Sen.
They bear us ancient hate on former Scores:
And what the Priviledge of such lawless Times,
May set 'em on to act, is to be fear'd.
Blo.
Nay, what portends the worst, and threatens most:
This head-long Rout, this lew'd ungover'd Crew,
Is Captain'd, headed, and led on by some,
The noblest Blood, and foremost of our Youth:
Who ne're will think their services well pay'd,
But at the price of universal Change.
1 Sen.
They're at our Doors.
[Shouts nearer.
2 Sen.
What will become of us!
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Fly, fly you Senators of Capua:
There is no safety for you, but in Flight:
The People are determin'd in your Doom,
And now come on to Execution:
They've vow'd to Murder you, and so give up
The Common-wealth void of all Government
To Hannibal, and Carthaginian Power,
To model new, and stamp what form he please:
As the best Sacrifice, the justest Means,
To attone his wrath, and punish your delay.
Pac.
Let us not stand confounded in our fears:
[Shouts again.
Gaping on one another, as relief,
Without our care, wou'd drop into our Mouths.
2 Sen.
What can we do?
1 Sen.
We wou'd do any thing.
3 Sen.
No God to pity us!
4 Sen.
Pacuvius, you have been the Peoples Friend;
Wou'd we had all.
8
Ay, good Pacuvius,
You might do much, would you appear for us.
Pac.
I had some credit with 'em: what 'tis now—
2 Sen.
They will hear you.
Pac.
I cannot promise that.
But what I can, I will: perhaps I may
Do more than you expect—but then you must
Give up your Faith entire to what I do;
Lay by your Fewds, and Factions in the Senate;
Submitting all to my Direction.
Omn.
Dispose of all, so you deliver us.
[Exeunt.
SCENE, The Outside of the Palace.
[Shouts again.
Pacuvius enters with Guards.
Virginius heading the Rabble.
Pac.
Shut up the Gates; none to pass in or out,
But by my Orders: if a Senator
Escapes your Guard, you answer with your lives
To our great Lords the People.
1 Cit.
Why, here's a Lord indeed.
Vir.
He does not think himself too great
To be the Peoples Friend.
2 Cit.
No, no, Lord Pacuvius has been always our Friend:
And we will be his upon Occasion: for he shall find himself,
Within this half hour, the only Senator unhang'd in Capua.
Pac.
My Country-men; my fellow Citizens!
'Tis in your Power now to revenge your selves
On this detested Senate, justly fal'n
Under your Sentence; odious grown to all,
Who love the People, or the Common-wealth.
I offer you a full and safe Revenge,
A free Revenge, nothing to Interrupt,
But you may do your Work with decency:
9
Without the danger of invading 'em
In their particular Houses, which wou'd be
Defended by their Friends, Clients, and Slaves,
I have 'em here, defenceless, and alone,
Imprison'd in the Palace. Say the word
What shall be done with 'em?
1 Cit.
Come, come, open the Gates,
We'll quickly dispose of 'em.
2 Cit.
Ay, ay, we are Men of Expedition,
And so they shall find us, to their Cost:
Every Man take his Senator; We'll hang 'em
Upon the Battlements of the Palace, for a stinking
Example to all Common-wealths.
1 Cit.
Hold you, hold you, I don't like hanging:
There's a great deal to be done in a handsom Execution.
3 Cit.
Look you, my Masters, I am but a plain Man to see
to, as a body may say, but I can speak my Mind without being
askt, as soon as those that are wiser: Look you, time is precious,
and we have a great deal to do with it; make as short
work as you can, I advise; ev'n cut their Throats, and
there's an end on't.
1 Cit.
Cutting of Throats is but a
Slovenly way of doing Justice:
I am for doing things decently, Neighbours, and I believe
I have hit it: This is not an ordinary Day with us, you know,
Why then let's make a Holy-day of it indeed;
Set the Palace a Fire about the Senators Ears,
And there's a Bonfire to our Holy-day.
Om.
Agreed, agreed, a Bonfire, a Bonfire.
Pac.
It was the very thing I was thinking of—
1 Cit.
Why very well.
Pac.
Nay, it is excellent,
To have the old Drones smother'd in their Hives.
Om.
No more to be said, Boys;
About it instantly, my Lads.
2 Cit.
We are all in a mind once in our Lives.
Om.
Fire the Palace, down with it, Fire the Palace.
10
And yet what has this noble building done?
A publick Ornament, a reverend Pile,
That has stood Ages—but if you please to think
It has stood long enough, why, down with it;
Who shall find fault? It is the Common-wealths,
The People's, and you may dispose your own.
1 Cit.
How's that? The Palace Ours!
Let's hear him a little upon that Subject.
Pac.
The Senators! blow them up in a Blaze:
You will miss nothing of 'em, but their Beards:
Or if you should, they cheaply are supply'd.
But if the Senate House be laid in Ashes,
Who shall repair the Ruine?
Vir.
At a time when Capua stands the Rival of great Rome,
You would not strip her of her Palaces,
To leave her naked to her Neighbours scorn?
Om.
No, no, We don't desire that neither.
Vir.
This venerable Structure may stand up
With our most celebrated publick Domes,
Sacred and Common, Temples, Theatres,
And all our numerous progeny of Art,
The Monuments of famous Ancestry,
That speak as loud for us, as Rome's for her.
And wou'd you throw it down?
Pac.
If you repent, when it is down, who builds it up again?
The publick Purse alone, the common Stock
(The Citizens freeborn Inheritance)
Whoever does the mischief, pays for all.
1 Cit.
If it be so, my Masters!
2 Cit.
'Tis as he says, Man, and the case is quite alter'd.
1 Cit.
Why, my Lord, we're at a loss here
For want of Employment.
2 Cit.
You have sav'd the Building, 'tis true,
And we thank you for't: But the Senators—
Om.
Ay, ay, the Senators, the Senators—
Pac.
I am their Goaler still, to answer their forth-coming,
When you please, and to promote the Justice you intend,
Since you are not agreed among your selves,
I do propose to bring each Senator
11
To stand or fall, just as his Cause deserves:
Your selves to be the Judges.
2 Cit.
Why there you have hit it, my Lord:
1 Cit.
Every honest Man must be
Of your Lordship's Mind.
Vir.
Your selves to be the Judges!
Mark you that?
1 Cit.
Well, my Lord, Pray proceed in your own Method:
We know you're a Friend to us,
We'll be govern'd by you.
Pac.
Then in the first place, I wou'd have you
So govern your Anger, that your Anger get
Not the upper hand of your Int'rest and Safety.
For I suppose your Hatred extends to these Senators only;
You like the Constitution well enough—
2 Cit.
My Lord, that's more than we can say
With a safe Conscience.
Pac.
What! Not like a Senate!
1 Cit.
To tell you the truth, we don't approve of th'Order,
And wou'd banish it the City, if we cou'd.
Vir.
You must have a Government among you.
Pac.
You must have a Senate; a Senate is
But the great Council of a free People,
And that's for your Good you must own.
2 Cit.
Well, if we must have a Senate—
Pac.
Why, that's well said:
Then in order to a Reformation, my Masters,
There are two things that call upon you at the same time;
The dissolving your old Senate,
And chusing a new one in the room.
1 Cit.
Why, there I grant you,
A Senate of our own chusing we may like.
2 Cit.
We'll chuse a Senate, I warrant you.
Pac.
I will summon the Senators,
One after another, to appear before you:
What you judge of 'em shall be executed:
I will only gather your Voices.
12
This is method now.
Pac.
Unbar the Gates, and bid the Senators
Prepare themselves to appear upon their Names.
2 Cit.
Ay, this is doing business.
Pac.
But one thing you must promise me, my Friends,
To punish none, however criminal,
Before you chuse an able, honest Man
Into his place, as a new Senator.
1 Cit.
That's fair on every side.
Pac.
Here is a Roll, agree among your selves
Whom to cite first—
This Day must crown our hopes.
[Going to Virginius.
Vir.
The Deputies are return'd from Hannibal.
Pac.
Let 'em be ready, I shall want 'em straight.
2 Cit.
Let's see, let's see, where shall we begin,
At the top or the bottom.
3 Cit.
Hold you, hold you; Titus Didius here; begin at him:
I hapned to get a Slave of his with Child,
And he made me marry her, for which
I shou'd be very glad to see him hang'd.
4 Cit.
Make 'em into Lots, I say,
And let 'em be drawn fairly.
Om.
Ay, ay, every Man take his chance.
[They are busied in making the Lots, while Pacuvius and Virginius speak.]
Pac.
O that Perolla, my degenerate Son,
Wou'd follow thy Ambition; but he pules,
And Conscience bound in such a Cause as this,
The Cause of Empire, basely stands for Rome
Against his Country, and his Father's House.
Vir.
That Decius Magius has infected him.
Pac.
My old Opposer still.
Vir.
He has been every where among the Crowd,
To spread the Poyson of his Politicks:
But we had dos'd 'em with our Antidotes;
Timely preventing all the giddy turns,
That might have hapned to that sickly State;
13
Of their weak, wavering Minds; and now we have
Scatter'd, dispers'd the Faction, and the Cause,
Quite routed him, and his malignity.
Pac.
So that the People all stand sound for us.
But do not trust 'em with themselves too long:
They will relapse into their natural fears,
And cool, without your Fire to keep 'em warm.
Vir.
These you'll take care of: I have other parties
To Head, and bring up on occasion.
[Exit.
The Citizens come forward, one having drawn a Lot.
1 Cit.
So, so, without favour, or affection, now open it—
Pac.
Who have you drawn?
2 Cit.
Rutilius Lupus.
[Reading the name.
Pac.
Rutilius Lupus there, let him appear.
1 Cit.
Ay, ay, let him appear,
And be hang'd for his pains, I say.
3 Cit.
Ay, so say I.
Om.
And all of us.
Rutilius Lupus Enters.
2 Cit.
Here, here, he comes.
He has always been an Enemy to the People.
1 Cit.
And now we'll quit scores with him.
Pac.
Well, he is doom'd: You do expel him first
The Senate—but before his Punishment,
You must elect a New one in his Room.
Om.
Ay, ay, that's quickly done.
Pac.
He may pass on, we'll talk with him anon.
1 Cit.
Who shall we chuse Neighbours?
2 Cit.
Let's lay our Heads together,
[R. Lupus withdraws.
And do it to purpose, once in our Lives.
1 Cit.
Why, ay, who shall we chuse?
2 Cit.
Let me see—
1 Cit.
Some body that deserves very well of the Commons.
Om.
That's to be sure.
1 Cit.
One that is in the interest of his Country;
14
In spight of Preferment—
2 Cit.
That's the Man, that's the Man.
3 Cit.
Who, who?
2 Cit.
Nay, good troth, I can't tell;
We han't found him yet.
1 Cit.
He must be one, we have nothing to say against—
3 Cit.
Ay, marry, who may that be?
1 Cit.
One who wonnot forget his Benefactors,
The People that rais'd him.
2 Cit.
A very good Quality indeed;
Now name the Man that owns it, and I give him my Voice.
1 Cit.
Nay, I name no Body.
3 Cit.
Name no Body! what! We must name some Body:
Come, I'le name one—Cecilius Nepos.—
Om.
Cecilius Nepos! there's a Man indeed!
3 Cit.
What do ye think of him?
Om.
We don't think of him.
2. Cit.
Stay, stay, the Senators are call'd Fathers,
You know—
1 Cit.
What then?
2 Cit.
Why, in that sense he may be qualify'd:
And thou dost honestly to set him up.
For he is naturally thy Senator,
Being the Father of thy Family.
1 Cit.
No, no, we'll Father our Children without him,
If we can, with our Wives leave, we'll none of him.
Set up another.
4 Cit.
Titus Volcatius.
Om.
That's worse and worse.
1 Cit.
What shall we do with him?
2 Cit.
He knows nothing of the matter.
1 Cit.
When he shows any management
In his private Affairs, we may
Begin to think of him for the Publick:
In the mean time, let him play the fool
At his own expence, and in private;
As he uses to do.
15
Mamellius then.
1 Cit.
Mamellius! who is he?
2 Cit.
He is one, that was squeez'd out of the Necessities of
the Government; that has made a hard shift to get a mighty
Estate, by the common Calamities; a plaguy rich Fellow.
1 Cit.
Rich! as a dunghil may be,
By a Congregation of Filth and Villany.
2 Cit.
Wou'd he were to be so well bestow'd;
Carry'd out by a common consent, for he's a Nusance
As he is, and spread abroad for the enriching the Publick.
1 Cit.
O, ho, I know him, a Viper, that has eaten thro'
the Bowels of his Country, in hopes of coming to the Head
on't: But I hope he will return as he came, and go out at
the Tail.
2 Cit.
Well, Furius Philus.
1 Cit.
He's too proud for us.
2 Cit.
Marcus Mutius.
1 Cit.
Let him pay his debts.
2 Cit.
He pays no Body, as 'tis.
1 Cit.
And you wou'd give him a priviledge
To ruine his Neighbours.
Pac.
Well, are you agreed?
1 Cit.
Agreed, my Lord, there's nothing to agree upon:
When we come to particulars, 'tis only to find fault:
Men are but men; and, new or old,
The Senate's the same.
Pac.
Why do you dissolve this then?
2 Cit.
We don't dissolve it.
Om.
No, no, we don't dissolve it.
1 Cit.
And for this Reason, Neighbours, to carry home to
your Wives, to stop their Mouths withal; because the Evils
that we are best acquainted with, are always the easiest to
be born.
2 Cit.
Marry I think so too.
Om.
And all of us.
2 Cit.
Therefore I am for setting
The Senators at Liberty.
Om.
Ay, ay, set 'em at Liberty.
16
Provided they joyn with us in this business.
1 Cit.
Heartily, and speedily, or we shall visit 'em again.
And so you may tell 'em, my Lord.
[Exeunt shouting.
Pac.
I wonnot fail.
Enter Senators.
1 Sen.
Pacuvius! O! what Honours are thy due!
Statues, and Temples, thou Deliverer!
2 Sen.
We cannot speak our humble thanks too low,
In the deep sense of our acknowledgments.
3 Sen.
Thou hast sav'd our Lives, dispose of them and us—
4 Sen.
Our Fortunes, Friends, and dearest Interests.
1. Sen.
Command in all, for we owe all to thee.
Pac.
I have been the happy Instrument indeed
To serve the Senate—
2 Sen.
Nay, to save the State.
Pac.
And I am nobly pay'd in the good work.
1 Sen.
The People tho' won't be so satisfi'd.
Pac.
No, they are obstinate upon their Terms,
You must comply with 'em.
2 Sen.
We are agreed in every Article for Hannibal.
3 Sen.
And wou'd declare our selves, did not our Friends—
Pac.
Under the Roman Arms in Cicily—
3 Sen.
As Hostages for our Fidelity,
Withhold us, till we can provide for them.
Pac.
That fear was urg'd before; but you shall have
It fully answer'd by our Deputies:
I see they are return'd.
Om.
O! welcome, welcome!
2 Sen.
What have you done for us with Hannibal?
Dep.
We bring most advantageous Terms of Peace.
These the Conditions; the last of which
[Offering a Paper.
Removes the present fear, and does provide
Expresly for our Friends in Cicily.
3 Sen.
Let that be read.
Pac.
Nay, read 'em not in parts.
Dep.
He offers you three Hundred Roman Knights,
17
To give the Romans, in a fair Exchange,
For our Campanian Youth in Arms with them.
1 Sen.
He has hit upon the sole Expedient,
To ensure the Lives and Safety of our Friends.
Pac.
He offers more than we cou'd ask of him.
Dep.
You'll find him in all points as generous.
Pac.
Now are you satisfy'd?
3 Sen.
We ask no more.
Dep.
In the just confidence of profer'd Love,
He comes himself, the Hostage of his Faith,
To Capua.
Blo.
So my Advices say, but mention not the time.
Dep.
He comes this Day: He's on his March already.
1 Sen.
Let us prepare for his Reception.
Pac.
Summon the People to the Forum then,
And let the Articles be read to 'em:
So hand in hand we shall proceed in Love,
And act unenvy'd for our Country's good.
[Going.
Enter Decius Magius.
Mag.
Pacuvius! You have done most worthily,
Saving the Senate: Wou'd you wou'd employ
Your Interest with the People always so.
The wretched Romans wanted such a Friend:
I had no Pow'r: But Death has set 'em free.
1 Sen.
Dead! Are they dead?
[The Senators go out one after another, and leave him alone.
Mag.
All perisht in the Baths.
And they are left behind, to blush in Blood
For this Day's Treason, who encourag'd it:
It must be answer'd for to Gods and Men,
And Capua rue it in her Sons unborn;
An impious City of devoted Crimes!
The Vengeance will fall heavy, and, I fear,
Fall wide enough, ev'n to involve us all.
1 Sen.
Alas! We are not guilty of their Death.
[Goes out.
18
But mourn alike with you the People's Rage.
[Goes out.
3 Sen.
What cou'd we do?
[Goes out.
Mag.
What are you doing now?
Where are you going? Do you leave me too?
But you indeed have left me long ago.
Your Steps have err'd long from the track of Truth,
And are not worth an honest Man's pursuit:
But I will follow. If I can't prevent,
I may protest against their Practices:
That's in my Pow'r: That will exempt me from
The general Guilt, and justifie my Fame:
Let me secure my Innocence, and then
Death to an Old Man cannot come too soon.
[Exit.
SCENE, Virginius's House.
Favonia at work with her Women.
A Song written by a Lady.
What 's Beauty? Bright Favonia, tell.
The Mistress of it knows it well.
'Tis not Colour, 'tis not Feature,
Easie Fashion, nor good Nature:
Good Teeth, and Hair, a smiling Grace,
Can't give Perfection to a Face:
Not yielding Lips, or wishing Eyes:
But she is handsom who denies.
A Song in Answer written by a Gentleman.
What Beauty is, let Strephon tell,
Who oft has try'd it, knows it well:
Not all the Wonders of a Face,
Where Nature triumphs in each Grace,
Not Snowy Breasts, thro' which is seen
The purple Flood that boils within,
19
Whilst playsom Cupids dance in Smiles,
Not Youth, not Shape, not Air, not Eyes,
She only charms me who complies.
Virginius enters to 'em.
Vir.
Among your Women in your Huswifry!
Fye, 'tis a Profanation of the Day,
Sacred, and set apart from common use,
And dedicated to the publick Joy.
Fav.
The publick Joy, my Lord!
Vir.
The general Joy:
In which I have secur'd a part for thee,
A liberal share for my Favonia.
Fav.
May I secure my private Peace at home:
And for the publick, let the Joy, and Grief,
Fall to their different Fates, who rise and fall.
The State does not concern a Woman's Care:
Yet, Sir, I thank you for remembring me.
Vir.
Dost thou! Well, there's something ev'n in that;
There is a kind of Gratitude in Thanks,
Tho' it be barren, and bring forth but Words.
Fav.
I do not understand—
Vir.
Thou dost not; true:
And that's the very root of my Complaint,
That any thing relating to my Love
Shou'd still be strange, not understood by thee.
Fav.
My Lord—
Vir.
O! thou art cold in my reception,
Thou can'st not think thy self, but thou art cold.
I wou'd have met my Welcome in thy Arms,
My eager Welcome in thy longing Arms,
That shou'd have crush'd me inward to thy Heart,
Into thy Heart, if it were possible,
Throbbing and beating with the Pulse of Love:
That, that had been a Welcome fit for me;
And a just Recompence of all my Pains.
20
Indeed, my Lord, I owe you every thing,
In recompence of what you have done for me:
But for your welcome, that you bring along
With you; 'tis yours, as you are Master here:
And if I have not serv'd it up to you,
As does become the Duty of my place,
With that frank Cheerfulness to give content,
Let me not answer for my Nature's Faults.
Vir.
Nay, now thou art too serious.
Fav.
I am unhappy in the want of all
Those necessary, natural Arts to please.
Vir.
Thou art above the little reach of Arts,
And can'st want nothing, but the Will, to please.
Fav.
What is there that I can invite you to,
That you do not dispose of?
Vir.
Nothing, nothing:
Thou art all mine; and let me tell my Heart,
That hourly grows more covetous of thy Love,
And therefore busie to torment it self,
Its Fears are vain, and thou art wholy mine.
Fav.
I own your Title, and you are the Lord
Of every thing that does belong to me.
Vir.
Why, what wou'd I have more? There's nothing more.
I do confess that I am happier
Than I deserve to be; much happier:
I commit many Faults, but none to thee.
O! cou'd thy gentleness of Soul infuse
Its Spirit into my Breast, to temper mine;
How shou'd I then be blest! But who can tell?
Perhaps 'tis better order'd as it is.
Indifference wou'd never suit my Fate.
My Passions are unruly, and sometimes
Break loose on my best Friends: But then you shou'd
Consider 'em as the effects of Love:
As the effects! Nay, they are Love it self
For Love it self is all the Passions,
At least to me: Whether it be Desire,
Or Hope, or Fear, or Anger, or Revenge,
21
Love, Love! The great Incendiary here!
His Torch sets all this little World on Fire:
And let it burn, to purifie my flame:
For Life and Love shall both burn out together.
Servant enters to him.
Serv.
Sir, you are stay'd for.
Vir.
So, so, well, I come.
I have forgot my self, my business too,
With looking on thee. Can'st thou tell me, Love,
What 'twas I came about?
Fav.
Business, you say.
Vir.
I fancy'd I had mighty business here:
But now I find 'twas but a fond pretence
To come and visit thee.
Fav.
You're always kind.
Vir.
The hurry and the struggle of the Day,
You were Inform'd in by my Messengers:
Fav.
They hourly brought me the particulars.
And there are somethings done, which I could wish—
Vir.
Things which I thought I cou'd not have allow'd:
And, but to raise thy Fortune, never wou'd—
Fav.
Pray heav'n they do not overturn it quite.
Vir.
But they must pass with others in the Crowd.
There will be mischief in confusion:
I had forgot: Thou art a Stranger still
To the sad News: Thy Rival is no more.
Fav.
My Rival!
Vir.
Yes, thy Rival in my heart:
You had it all between you, Wife and Friend:
Junius, that Friend is dead.
Fav.
Dead! Is he dead?
Vir.
He fell at Cannæ: Had he been alive,
And still a Roman in his interest;
I never cou'd have been a Foe to Rome.
I have an hour of grief to Dedicate—
22
Hanibal comes, the glorious Hannibal.
His entry will be most Magnificent,
And will reward your Curiosity.
I will provide you Place, and send for you.
[Exit.
Favonia alone.
Fav.
What? what is there that I can want on Earth,
To fill the measure of my happiness?
Why am I not contented with my Lot?
So kind a Husband falls not to the fate
Of every Wife: All that he says, and does,
All his designs are working still for me:
And yet I cannot thank him, as I ought.
Not but I ever had a dutious Sense—
But that is not the payment of the Heart.
He asks my Love, and not my Gratitude.
And why is that deny'd? O! Junius!
But thou art dead, and I may name thee now.
I made it Criminal to pronounce his Name,
Avoiding every way all news of him,
Endeavouring to forget him, if I cou'd.
But Oh! the torment, and the rack of Soul!
To keep our thoughts for ever on the bent
Upon themselves, still labouring to forget,
What, by the labour, we remember more.
Why didst thou come between him, and my Heart?
Why rather did my Husband place thee there,
By bringing thee into the Family?
I saw no danger, till it was too late.
But what have I not done, and suffer'd too,
To drive thee thence, to make Virginius room?
I have maintain'd an everlasting War
Within this Breast, still fighting on his side:
Have summon'd all my succours to my Aid;
My Native Powers, and the Confederate Force
Of Reason, Duty, Virtue; nay brought down
23
Weak Aids, alas! against the Tyrant Love.
But he's depos'd, and Death has set me free:
A greater Tyrant gives me Liberty.
[Exit.
| The Fate of Capua | |