 | Brutus |  |
SCENE IV.
TULLIA, ALGINA.TULLIA.
All-gracious powers! What gratitude is due
For this your bounty! By my tears disarm'd,
Your's is this total change; the passion, erst
Staining my cheek, your justice hath pronounc'd
Spotless and pure; the fetters of restraint
Are by your kindness loosed—Haste, fly, to seek him!
Gods! Still he shuns my presence: shall I therefore
When now he may be happy, suffer him
To dwell in ignorance?—Yet—doth not hope
Wave her delusive wand, and raise before me
Vain, flattering images? And is it true,
That Titus with such vengeful rage is fired
Against the senate?—Oh, tormenting thought!
Must I from spleen and hatred then derive
All that should flow from tenderness and love?
ALGINA.
I know the senate hath inflamed his anger,
Know him ambitious; but his soul is thine,
Thine every ardent wish.
TULLIA.
And that alone
Will be the ruling motive of his actions.
I doubt it not; each feebler principle
271
[Exit Algina.
Yet, this extreme, this unexpected change.—
My father's letter—in my mind arise
A thousand anxious and perplexing thoughts.
Dart forth thy rays, conspicuous shine, O love!
And emulate my virtue! Glory calls,
Reason impels, and filial piety
Precedes my steps.—Hah! and shall I replace
The crown on Tarquin's honour'd brow! Shall I
'Twixt him and Titus knit the strong-link'd chain
Of cordial amity! Shall I behold
The public happiness upspring from mine!
Together blooming!—Thou, who could'st alone
Subdue my heart, Oh, wherefore this delay!
When to thy list'ning ear shall I disclose
This wonderous turn of fate, beyond the stretch
Of daring fancy's most excursive wing?
When the now-hallow'd transports of my soul
Shall I indulge? Attend to thee my Titus,
Without regret? Without a pang reply?
Dispers'd is every cloud of woe. Thee, Rome!
Thee I forgive. Titus abandons thee,
Rebellious Rome! And thy stiff neck must bend.
Titus is mine; proud senate, thou must fall.
His soul is mine; tremble with conscious dread!
And recognize thy king!
| Brutus | |