University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Brutus, Valerius.
VALERIUS.
Rome is betray'd!

BRUTUS.
Ha!

VALERIUS.
A dire Conspiracy is form'd against us.
'Tis past Dispute. I have not yet discover'd
The Authors of this execrable Plot;
But Tarquin's Name was mutter'd; and some base
Degenerate Romans call'd for a Surrender.

BRUTUS.
Can Roman Citizens be fond of Chains?

VALERIUS.
At my Approach the guilty Dastards fled;
By different Ways they closely are pursu'd.
'Tis thought that Lelius, Menas, and Vitellius,
Those artful Advocates of Tarquin's Cause,
Who spread around seditious Calumnies
T'incense the Populace against the Senate,
Have all conspir'd to aid Porsenna's Arms.
Messala too would justly stand suspected,
Were he not cherish'd as a Friend by Titus.
'Tis whisper'd, that he privately frequents
The dark Cabals of these Conspirators.

BRUTUS.
Let us place Spies to watch their every Motion.
The Laws and Rights, of which we are the Guardians,
Restrain our Hands from Arbitrary Sway.
T'arrest a Roman upon bare Surmise,
Would be to act like that outrageous Tyrant
Whom we renounce, and take up Arms t'expell.
Mean while, let us go forth to rouze the Slothful,
To chear the Weak, to animate the Virtuous,
And terrify the Sons of Violence.
Now let the awful Fathers of their Country,
By their Example fire the Citizens.
What Heart so cold, that will not be inflam'd
To see the hoary Sires advance to Battel!