University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

TITUS, MESSALA.
TITUS.
No, never shall she place a foot
Beyond the Roman confines; none shall dare
Conduct her; at the peril of my life
I will detain her here.

MESSALA.
Thou wilt not surely—

TITUS.
Far be it from me to betray my country!
Yet, what owe I to Rome? Rome drives her hence—
Rome forces her away. But still our souls,
Mix'd, interwoven, cannot be disjoin'd.
I live, I breathe, for her will I pour forth
My heart's warm stream to the last vital drop.
Yet give me thy compassion, shew it now;
My sufferings claim it all. Haste! fly! excite
With the strong vehemence of friendly zeal,
Those who with kindred bosoms feel our wrongs!
Our chosen bands assemble! In despite
Of the curs'd senate, she shall not depart.
We keep her as an hostage, as a pledge
Of treaty with the kings. This pretext urge.
My will is absolute.

MESSALA.
To what a maze
Of sad perplexity thy passion leads!
And where will end this dangerous enterprize
But in th'avowal of a luckless flame
Destined thy bosom to consume in vain?

TITUS.
Hah! Well hast thou admonish'd. It is meet
That to the senate I address my prayers.
Go then with bland and gently-soothing voice
Soften th'asperity of these new rulers,
These kings of Rome. Alledge the public good—
Nay that of Brutus.—Heaven! Where stray my thoughts,
Hurried along, lost in the vacant gulph
Of unessential deeds, and vain designs!

MESSALA.
In this just grief which tears the suffering heart;
Bound to thy aid—

TITUS.
I too am bound to see,
Am bound to speak to her; this fatal way
She needs must pass. Here will I take at least
My final leave; here shall my tongue pronounce
Th'eternal separation.

MESSALA.
Speak to her
As thou proposest; and rely on me.

TITUS.
Distraction! She approaches! I am lost.