University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

House of Statius.
Statius and Nola.
STATIUS.
No more entreaties: that I do deny thee
Sight of her now, thou'lt thank me for hereafter.
I know the world—have paid well for my knowledge;
Thou know'st it not, wouldst hurry towards an ambush,
And when too late, may'st find thyself hemm'd in.

NOLA.
Father, quite sure am I, were these same Christians
As wicked as they say, Vivia had never
Been seen amongst them.

STATIUS.
That I cannot tell;
I know but little of their lives and doings:
While they reject the worship of our gods,
And trample down the necessary barriers
That guarantee to us just preservation
Of all those wise and nice distinctions, made
For the better ordering of society,—
There is enough for me! Were all the good
They may account their own, possess'd by them,
An evil is it to defy old custom,
Outweighing all their good. Your hasty leapers,
Your steppers wide from all the good old ways,
Mar the discreet sobrieties of life;
Be thou well sure that nothing e'er was gain'd
By opposition to establish'd forms.
The wisdom of our fathers found our gods
And laws sufficient—why should we seek others?

NOLA.
Dear father, let me go; I know 'tis false:—
Vivia is not a Christian!

STATIUS.
That's no matter:
Enough for me they say that she is one.
Behoves us heedfully to watch our steps
The where they tend, lest we be led 'mongst those
Who have been breath'd upon by ill report,
No matter true or false. In time of plague,
Many are kept apart, and held infect,
Who yet are sound; so must it be with Vivia.
Thus much I know of her,—that she hath stepp'd
Out of the province that befits a woman,
Whose duty is, to keep within the house;
If maiden, subject to her father's will;
If wife, obedient to her husband's rule;
If mother, careful only for her children;—
She hath forgot herself,—you must forget her.

NOLA.
But you have let Cæcilius go!

STATIUS.
Not so;
He goes against my wish. And thus we see
The evil fruits that even now are shewing
Upon this tree, corrupt already, though
Of such latter spring: her disobedience
Unto her parent's will, his unto mine;
Though not my child, he owes obedience still
Unto my guardianship. But this remember,—
For him there's less to fear: I hedge him not
As I would thee. The fortunes of a man
Are of less tender growth than those of woman.
Besides, the harm his foolishness may gender
Would rather fall on her than light on him.
“He is young,” “misled,” “a victim to her art.”
The world will make easy excuse for him;
Not so for thee.

NOLA.
I would I were a man!

STATIUS.
Thou'rt indiscreet, and steppest o'er the bounds
Prescrib'd a maiden's tongue. Go to thy chamber;
Stay there; nor have thou speech nor sight of any
Until I lead thee forth in public shew
To offer sacrifice unto our gods.

[Exeunt severally.