Brutus A Tragedy |
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| 3. | SCENE III. |
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 | Brutus |  |
SCENE III.
TITUS,MESSALA.
What stings, Messala, hath he left behind!
What scorpion stings? Would Tarquin then to me
Have given her! Oh! Heart-rending thought! To me!
And might I!—No—insidious minister
It was thy purpose with malignant search
To pierce the foldings of my soul, and find
The secret passion there! Alas! Unveil'd
And obvious, what observer's transient glance
Would it elude! E'en in my eyes he read
The warm desires which prey upon my frame.
Conscious of all my weakness, he returns,
My idle hopes, and rash successless love
The theme of his derision, and the jest
Of Tarquin's court.—And might I then have gain'd
This matchless blessing! All my future days
To her devoted! All my being hers!
Had heaven decreed that Tullia should be mine!
Oh! Multiplied distress!
MESSALA.
Thou may'st be happy,
Aruns thy virtuous passion will approve,
Nay give his aid; believe me.
TITUS.
Banish far
The vain delusion. Rome with loud acclaim
Invites me to the capitol; the people
Seek the triumphal arches rais'd on high,
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With all my labours, underneath their shade
Convened, they wait my presence to begin
The sacred rites, the strict coercive oath,
Inviolable surety of our freedom.
MESSALA.
Go, serve these lordly masters.
TITUS.
I will serve them;
It is the sacred mandate of my duty,
And that shall be obey'd.
MESSALA.
Whence then that sigh?
TITUS.
'Tis a hard victory.
MESSALA.
And too dearly purchased.
TITUS.
Therefore more glorious.—Oh! Forsake me not
In this extremity!
[Exit Titus.
MESSALA.
With speed pursue!
Cleave to his steps! Imbitter every pang!
And tear the wound which festers in his heart
| Brutus | |