University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Scene continues.
Valerius and Valeria meeting.
Valerius.
Now, my Valeria, where's the charming she
That calls me to her? with a Lover's Haste
I fly to execute the dear Command.

Valeria.
'Tis not the Lover, but the Friend she wants,
If thou dar'st own that Name.

Valerius.
The Friend, my Sister!
There's more than Friendship in a Lover's Breast,
More warm, more tender is the Flame he feels—

Valeria.
Alas, these Raptures suit not her Distress,
She seeks th'indulgent Friend, whose sober Sense
Free from the Mists of Passion might direct
Her jarring Thoughts, and plead her doubtful Cause.

Valerius.
Am I that Friend? O did she turn her Thought
On me for that kind Office?

Valeria.
Yes, Valerius.
She chose you out to be her Advocate
To Curiatius; 'tis the only Hope
She now dares cherish; her relentless Brother
With Scorn rejects her Tears, her Father flies her,
And only you remain to sooth her Cares,
And save her ere she sinks.

Valerius.
Her Advocate
To Curiatius!

Valerius.
'Tis to him she sends you,
To urge her Suit, and win him from the Field.
But come; her Sorrows will more strongly plead
Than all my Grief can utter.

Valerius.
To my Rival!
To Curiatius plead her Cause, and teach
My Tongue a Lesson which my Heart abhors!
Impossible! Valeria, prithee say
Thou saw'st me not; the Business of the Camp
Confin'd me there; Farewel.

[Going.
Valeria.
What means my Brother?
You cannot leave her now; for shame turn back;
Is this the Virtue of a Roman Youth?
O by these Tears!

Valerius.
They flow in vain, Valeria:
Nay, and thou knowest they do. O Earth and Heaven!
This Combat was the Means my happier Stars
Found out, to save me on the Brink of Ruin;
And can I plead against it, turn Assassin
On my own Life?

Valeria.
Yet thou can'st murder her
Thou dost pretend to love; away, Deceiver;
I'll seek some worthier Messenger to plead
In Beauty's Cause; but first inform Horatia,
How much Valerius is the Friend she thought him.

[Going.
Valerius.
O Heav'ns! stay, Sister; 'tis an arduous Task.

Valeria.
I know the Task is hard, and thought I knew
Thy Virtue too.

Valerius.
I must, I will obey thee.
Lead on.—Yet, prithee, for a Moment leave me,
'Till I can recollect my scatter'd Thoughts,
And dare to be unahappy.

Valeria.
My Valerius!
I fly to tell her you but wait her Pleasure.

[Exit.
Valerius.
Yes, I will undertake this hateful Office;
It never can succeed.—Yet at this Instant
It may be dangerous, while the People melt
With fond Compassion.—No, it cannot be;
His Resolution's fix'd, and virtuous Pride
Forbids an Alteration. To attempt it
Makes her my Friend, and may afford hereafter
A thousand tender Hours to move my Suit.
That Hope determines all.

[Exit.