University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Maximus, Fulvia.
Fulv.
And can you, father, lay the guilt on Ætius?
What urges you?

Max.
Unthinking girl! his ruin
Is my security: this smooths the path
To my revenge; for should he fall, Augustus
Is left without defence. Thou see'st by this
How much his death imports; but Maximus
Has views too mighty for thy sex's weakness:
Leave these to him whose years are more than thine,
Whose wisdom greater.

Fulv.
O! let years and wisdom
Yet teach you justice.

Max.
Am I then unjust
In seeking to revenge my injur'd honour?
Or, grant I were—the fatal path is taken,
And 'tis too late to think of a retreat.

Fulv.
O! never, never 'tis too late, my father,
To tread again the abandon'd steps of virtue;
For he who feels abhorrence of his crime,
Redeems his innocence.

Max.
And shall I never
Persuade thee to be silent? Tell me, daughter,
What dost thou seek? Would'st thou instruct thy father
In what thy youth was taught by him? Or would'st thou
Make him subservient to thy feeble love?
Fulvia, restrain the license of thy speech,
And learn in future not to incense a father.

Fulv.
Must I be silent? Must I fear to speak
When I behold my sovereign's life invaded;
Know you are criminal, while Ætius bears
The imputed guilt? What bosom can support it?
Release me, sir, from every tie of duty,
Or ask some other proof of my obedience.

Max.
Perfidious girl! I see thy purpos'd victim.
Yes, thou would'st sacrifice me to thy passion:
Go then—with impious rage abuse that fondness
Which could not keep a thought conceal'd from thee,
And for a lover's sake accuse a parent.

[Exit.