 | The Banishment of Cicero |  |
SCENE III.
Various Ornaments belonging to Cicero's Palace, are borne across by Clodius' Soldiers. A Cry of Mercy is heard, and several Domestics are forced across the Stage.CLODIUS is discouered, they kneeling to him.
CLODIUS.
Mercy? away. The red plague seize you all!
Accurst and wither'd be the hand that spares you;
An universal curse involve mankind!
Enter CLODIA.
CLODIA.
How now, why rave you?
CLODIUS.
Cicero is fled.
CLODIA.
Hah! is he fled? 'tis well; it aids my project;
But what of Frugi?
CLODIUS.
He too is escap'd.
CLODIA.
Confusion to my hopes! And Tullia with him.
How have you slept to let 'em thus escape you?
57
Tullia is seiz'd; Gabinius bore her off,
Her father with Terentia, as it seems,
Fled to the Capitol.
CLODIA.
Forsook his daughter?
'Tis strange! and Frugi too (O gallant lover!)
Saw bold Gabinius seize his captive fair one,
And meanly turn'd his back upon her cries:
Perdition seize the coward! O my Publius!
Fly to the Capitol; from his asylum
Drag the pale fugitive, and never sheath
Thy manly sword, till you can say to Clodia,
“'Tis done: he lives no more.”
CLODIUS.
My guide! my mistress!
I go thy ready minister of Death.
Farewell; you are obey'd, and he is nothing.
CLODIA.
Oh! only worthy of thy Sister's love,
These arms shall welcome my returning hero,
With ecstasies that Nature dares not own,
And only Lovers feel.
(Exit Clodius.
No more of that—
Reflection touch not there.—
Heav'ns, what a fall!
A Noise is heard, as of the fall of a Building.
Behold the blazing trophy of Revenge!
Hail, glorious ruin, 'midst unnumber'd pangs,
There is some consolation in these horrors.
58
May quit its prey unflesh'd.—Prevent it then:
Secure my victim by a second blow—
Hah! by my hopes, Volumnius is at hand,
He's bold, and apt, and made for midnight uses—
Thus doubly arm'd, I come, ingrateful man!
With all the warm fond wishes of a bride
To meet thee, my belov'd! enjoy thy pangs,
And in thy blood consummate my revenge.
(Exit Clodia.
| The Banishment of Cicero | |