University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

BRUTUS, VALERIUS, TITUS, MESSALA.
VALERIUS.
Let me, Brutus,
Engage a while thy private ear.

BRUTUS.
Away!—
With busiest speed, my son—

[Exeunt Titus and Messala.
VALERIUS.
By false children
Rome is betray'd.

BRUTUS.
What accents dost thou utter
Of evil import?

VALERIUS.
That a plot is form'd,
No doubt remains; insidious treason lurks,
And marks us for its prey; as yet unknown
Who roused the fury from her horrid den.
But Tarquin's name our echoing streets resound;
Nay there are Romans who with abject voice
Talk of submission.

BRUTUS.
Can a citizen
Of Rome, solicit ignominious chains?

VALERIUS.
Dismay'd at my approach, thro' different paths
The traitors fled: but they are close pursued.
Menas and Lælius I suspect, th'abettors
Of kingly right, and arbitrary power,
Who view with secret spleen and discontent
The rising glory of the state; their minds
Eager, between the senate and the people
To plant mistrust; Messala their protector:
To whom I should impute this dark design
Teeming with peril to the common weal,
I should indeed at once condemn Messala,
Did I not see him honour'd by thy son,
Linkt in the strictest amity with Titus.

BRUTUS.
Let us with heedful care observe their steps,
Trace all their winding progress! More than this
Cannot be done. The liberty, the laws
By us establish'd, violence forbid,
And deeds severe, tho' haply necessary.
On mere suspicion to detain a Roman—
Should not we act the tyrants? We, who raised
O'er them the vengeful scourge? But let us haste,
And mingle with the people? Our discourse
Shall give to fear new vigour; animate
With hope the faithful bosom; strike with dread,
And blank astonishment the soul of guilt.
Quick let the senate follow us! The fathers
Of Rome and liberty shall soon restore
To every heart its fortitude. What eye
Beholding us, shall fail with ardent glance
T'express the courage of the glowing breast
Fresh-kindled! Gods! Let instant death be ours,
Rather than bondage!