 | Sylla |  |
73
SCENE VI.
FAUSTUS, VALERIA, CLAUDIUS.Valeria, running up to Claudius, who appears under the Peristyle.
VALERIA.
O my dear Claudius!
CLAUDIUS.
Is it thou, Valeria?—
All my past life's misfortunes are repaid
By this one moment—it has all fulfill'd
My bosom's fondest wishes.
[To Faustus.
To thy friendship
Am I for all indebted.
FAUSTUS.
In it see
The omen of a happier future; let
Love, courage, and fidelity to-day
74
But I, less favour'd far than you, must strive,
Painful as is the task, to reconcile,
Though my rebellious heart may murmur at it,
The vows of friendship and the voice of nature.
Proscripts and citizens! of all the evils
'Neath which you groan, the unjust author is,
I own it, the Dictator; but the while
I wish you to escape his cruel law,
I should remember too he is my father,
And that there is indeed a sacred duty
Which bids my reverence for him oppose
Itself to your despair—'Tis not for me
To reprimand his violence, but leave
An open path which now my presence checks.
VALERIA.
How can we e'er repay thy benefits,
My noble friend?
FAUSTUS.
Grant but a pardon to
The author of thine ills.
[Exit.
| Sylla | |