University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The apartments of Vitellia, commanding a prospect of the Tyber.
Vitellia, Sextus.
Vitel.
But wherefore, Sextus, dost thou still return
To fill my ears with fruitless repetitions?
I know that Lentulus, seduc'd by thee,
Is ripe for insurrection; that his friends
Wait but the signal to begin the tumult;
That when the flames shall seize the Capitol,
Thy followers will unite their force to assail
Unguarded Titus; that each brave associate
Will for distinction, on his mantle wear,
O'er his right arm, a badge of crimson hue.
All this from thee a thousand times I've heard;
But see no prospect yet for my revenge:
Or must we wait till Titus, in my sight,
Shall give his faithless hand to Berenice,
And seat her on the throne usurp'd from me?
Speak—whence this long delay?

Sex.
O mighty Gods!

Vitel.
What means that sigh? Give me to know the cause
Of thy so frequent and mysterious change.
Whene'er thou leav'st me, all thy soul seems fir'd
Even to my wish; but when again I see thee,
Thou art cold, irresolute. From whence this strange
Perpetual strife of boldness and timidity?

Sex.
Then hear, Vitellia; hear my secret heart.
When thou art present, thou hast all my thoughts;
I have no will but thine; I catch thy fury;
Eager I burn to avenge thy wrongs; and Titus
Appears to merit all thy rage can threaten.
But when I leave thee, and return to him,
Forgive me while I speak it, Titus then
Appears all goodness, and disarms my purpose.

Vitel.
Since thus—

Sex.
Yet ere thou chid'st me, let me lay
My soul before thee: thou requir'st revenge,
But Cæsar claims my faith: thy proffer'd love
Impels me to the fatal deed; but Titus,
With ties of gratitude, restrains my hand:
Love pleads for thee, while duty pleads for him.
Yet oft as I again behold Vitellia,
I find new charms to fascinate my heart;
And oft as I again contemplate Titus,
I find new virtues claim my admiration.
My bosom pants to prove its zeal for thee,
But dares not turn a traitor to its prince.
Alas! I cannot live if thou art lost;
And, if I gain thee, I detest myself.
Now chide me if thou wilt.

Vitel.
Ungrateful, no:
Thou merit'st not my anger.

Sex.
Think, Vitellia,
Reflect once more—Ah! let us not, in Titus,
Deprive the world of all it holds most dear,
Take from ourselves a friend, from Rome a father!
Look through the records of antiquity,
You seek in vain his equal: can your mind
Paint one more generous or merciful?
Speak to him of rewards, his treasures seem
Too poor to answer merit: speak of punishment,
His goodness finds excuse for every crime:
He these forgives for inexperienc'd youth,
And those for hoary age: in some he spares
The unsullied fame of an illustrious house;
And pities others for their abject state.
He measures not his life by length of years,
But acts of goodness done; and thinks the day
Is lost, that has not made some subject happy.

Vitel.
Yet still he reigns—

Sex.
He reigns, 'tis true, but claims
No service that a Roman scorns to pay.
He reigns indeed, but o'er so vast an empire,
While Titus watches with unceasing care,
What envied privilege attends his station
But empty titles, and the name of Cæsar,
The burden his, the blessings all our own?

Vitel.
And dar'st thou to my face, with odious praise,
Extol my hated foe? Hast thou forgot
This hero, fam'd for clemency, enjoys
The throne his father first usurp'd from mine?
And has he not betray'd, nay even reduc'd me
(This is his greatest crime) almost to love him?
And now, perfidious! to recall again
His Berenice to the shores of Tyber!
He might at least from Rome's imperial beauties
Have found a rival worthier of Vitellia:
But, Sextus, to prefer an exile to me,
A rude barbarian queen—

Sex.
Thou know'st, Vitellia,
That Berenice came unbid to Rome.

Vitel.
Relate such tales to inexperienc'd childhood:
I know their mutual passion, know what tears
Were shed when last they parted: well I know
He treats her now with every mark of honour.
There is no room for doubt—who does not see it?
Perfidious! he adores her still!—

Sex.
Ah! princess!
Are you then jealous?

Vitel.
Jealous!

Sex.
Yes, Vitellia.

Vitel.
Must I be jealous then unless I tamely
Submit to bear my wrongs without repining?

Sex.
And yet—

Vitel.
And yet thou hast not heart to win me!

Sex.
O were I free—

Vitel.
Thou art—I here release thee
From every promise made: I shall not want
Some nobler hand to execute my vengeance.

Sex.
Hear me—

Vitel.
I've heard enough.

Sex.
Yet stay—

Vitel.
Farewell!

Sex.
My life! Vitellia!—O forsake me not—
Where would'st thou go? Forgive what I have said:
I was to blame—believe me—I repent:
Speak, speak, direct, command the sword of Sextus,
Thou art my oracle, my fate's in thee.

Vitel.
Before the sun regain the western waves,
Let Titus perish; let not—

SCENE II.

Enter Annius.
Ann.
Sextus, Cæsar
Demands thy presence.

Vitel.
Lose not these short moments
Which Titus steals from love and Berenice.

Ann.
Vitellia, no—thou wrong'st our mighty hero;
Not more is Titus ruler of the world
Than master of himself: for Berenice
At his command already is departed.

Sex.
How, Annius!

Vitel.
Say'st thou?

Ann.
Yes; you well may gaze,
When Rome with joy and wonder weeps: myself
Can scarce believe it true; yet I, Vitellia,
Was witness to their solemn last farewell.

Vitel.
O my reviving hopes!

[aside.
Sex.
Triumphant virtue!

Vitel.
O that Vitellia had been present there,
To hear that haughty beauty rail on Titus!

Ann.
No; she was softness all and tenderness:
She went indeed, but went with full conviction
That Titus lov'd her; that his heart confess'd,
No less than hers, the pangs of separation.

Vitel.
She might be yet deceiv'd.

Ann.
Full well we saw
Titus constrain'd to summon all the hero,
To quell the lover rising in his bosom.
'Tis true, he conquer'd, but with painful struggle:
He sunk not with misfortune, yet he felt
Her keenest arrows, while his looks confess'd
The godlike sufferings of determind' virtue;
A dreadful strife and painful victory!

Vitel.
Perhaps I was too warm, and Titus yet
May prove less guilty than my fears presa'gd.
[aside.
Sextus, forbear to execute my orders;
All is not yet mature.

[aside to Sextus.
Sex.
[to her.]
Wilt thou forbid me
To gaze upon thee, to lament in silence?
Unjust Vitellia!

Vitel.
What does Sextus mean?
Of what dost thou complain?

Sex.
Of nothing—Heavens!
I dare not speak, though torture wrings my soul.

Vitel.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Sextus, Annius.
Ann.
Now, Sextus, is the time to make me happy;
I have thy promise for Servilia's hand,
And nothing more remains but Cæsar's sanction
To authorize our loves: this day, my friend,
Thou may'st obtain it.

Sex.
Annius, thy desire
Becomes a law to Sextus. I'm impatient,
No less than thee, till our long faithful friendship
Is strengthen'd by the ties of such alliance.

Ann.
I cannot taste of peace without Servilia.

Sex.
And who shall rob thee of thy soul's desire?
Does she not love thee with the tenderest passion?
While Sextus breathes, is not each act of his
Devoted to thee? Is not Titus just?

Ann.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Sextus
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

The scene represents a place before the temple of Jupiter Stator, celebrated for the meeting of the Senate: behind is a view of part of the Roman Forum, decorated with arches, obelisks and trophies: on the side is a distant prospect of the Palatine-hill, and a great part of the sacred way: a front view of the Capitol, which is ascended by a magnificent flight of steps.
Publius and the Roman Senators: the Deputies of the subject provinces attending to present their annual tribute to the Senate. While the ensuing Chorus is sung, Titus descends from the Capitol, preceded by the Lictors, followed by the Prætors, accompanied by Sextus and Annius, and surrounded by a numerous crowd of people.
Chorus.

Pub.
This day the Senate stile thee, mighty Cæsar,
The father of thy country; never yet
More just in their decree.

Ann.
Thou art not only
Thy country's father, but her guardian God.
And since thy virtues have already soar'd
Beyond mortality, receive those honours
We pay to Heaven. The Senate have decreed
To build a stately temple, where thy name
Shall stand enroll'd among the powers divine,
And Tyber worship at the fane of Titus.

Pub.
These treasures, gather'd from the annual tribute
Of subject provinces, we dedicate
To effect this pious work: disdain not, Titus,
This public token of our grateful homage.

Tit.
Romans! believe that every wish of Titus
Is center'd in your love; but let not therefore,
Your love, forgetful of its proper bounds,
Reflect disgrace on Titus, or yourselves.
Is there a name more dear, more tender to me,
Than father of my people? Yet even this
I rather seek to merit than obtain.
My soul would imitate the mighty Gods
By virtuous deeds, but shudders at the thought
Of impious emulation. He who dares
To rank himself their equal, forfeits all
His future title to their guardian care.
O! fatal folly when presumptuous pride
Forgets the weakness of mortality!
Yet think not I refuse your proffer'd treasures,
Their use alone be chang'd.—Then hear my purpose.
Vesuvius, raging with unwonted fury,
Pours from her gaping jaws a lake of fire,
Shakes the firm earth, and spreads destruction round
The subject fields and cities: trembling fly
The pale inhabitants, while all who 'scape
The flaming ruin, meagre want pursues.
Behold an object claims your thoughts; dispense
These treasures to relieve our suffering brethren:
Thus, Romans! thus your temple build for Titus.

Ann.
O truly great!

Pub.
How poor were all rewards,
How poor were praise to such transcendent virtue!

Chorus.
O guardian Gods! in whom we trust
To watch the Roman fate;
Preserve in Titus, brave and just,
The glory of the state.

Tit.
Enough—enough—Sextus, my friend, draw near;
Depart not, Annius: all besides retire.

[all go out but Titus, Sextus and Annius.
Ann.
Now, Sextus, plead my cause.

[aside to Sextus.
Sex.
And could you, sir,
Resign your beauteous queen?—

Tit.
Alas! my Sextus,
That moment sure was dreadful—yet I thought—
No more—'tis past! the struggle's o'er! she's gone!
Thanks to the Gods! I've gain'd the painful conquest;
'Tis just I now complete the task begun:
The greater part is done; the less remains.

Sex.
What more remains, my lord?

Tit.
To take from Rome
The least suspicion that the hand of Titus
Shall e'er be join'd in marriage to the queen.

Sex.
For this the queen's departure may suffice.

Tit.
No, Sextus; once before she left our city,
And yet return'd—twice have we met, the third
May prove a fatal meeting: while my bed
Receives no other partner, all who know
My soul's affection, may with show of reason
Believe the place reserv'd for Berenice.
Too deeply Rome abhors the name of queen,
But wishes on the Imperial seat to view
A daughter of her own—let Titus then
Fulfill the wish of Rome. Since love in vain
Form'd my first choice, let friendship fix the second.
Sextus, to thee shall Cæsar's blood unite;
This day thy sister is my bride—

Sex.
Servilia?

Tit.
Servilia.

Ann.
Wretched Annius!

[aside.
Sex.
O ye Gods!
Annius is lost!

[aside.
Tit.
Thou hear'st not; speak, my friend,
What means this silence?

Sex.
Can I speak, my lord?
Your goodness overwhelms my grateful mind—
Fain would I—

Ann.
Sextus suffers for his friend!

[aside.
Tit.
Declare thyself with freedom, every wish
Shall find a grant.

Sex.
Be just, my soul, to Annius.

[aside.
Ann.
Annius, be firm.

[aside.
Sex.
O Titus—

Ann.
Mighty Cæsar!
I know the heart of Sextus: from our infancy
A mutual tenderness has grown between us.
I read his thoughts; with modest estimation
He rates his worth, as disproportion'd far
To such alliance, nor reflects that Cæsar
Ennobles whom he favours. Sacred sir!
Pursue your purpose.—Can a bride be found
More worthy of the empire or yourself?
Beauty and virtue in Servilia meet;
She seem'd, whene'er I view'd her, born to reign;
And what I oft presag'd, your choice confirms.

Sex.
Is this the voice of Annius? Do I dream?

[aside.
Tit.
'Tis well: thou, Annius, with dispatchful care,
Convey the tidings to her.—Come, my Sextus,
Cast every vain and anxious thought aside:
Thou shalt with me so far partake of greatness,
I will exalt thee to such height of honour,
That little of the distance shall remain
At which the Gods have plac'd thee now from Titus.

Sex.
Forbear, my lord, O! moderate this goodness,
Lest Sextus, poor and bankrupt in his thanks,
Appear ungrateful for the gifts of Cæsar.

Tit.

[Exit with Sextus.

SCENE VI.

Annius
alone.
Shall I repent?—O no—I've acted well,
As suits a generous lover: had I now
Depriv'd her of the throne, to ensure her mine,
I might have lov'd myself, but not Servilia.
Lay by, my heart, thy wonted tenderness;
She who was late thy mistress, is become
Thy sovereign; let thy passion then be chang'd
To distant homage—but, behold, she's here!—
O Heaven! methinks she ne'er before appear'd
So beauteous in my eyes!

SCENE VII.

Enter Servilia.
Serv.
My life, my love!

Ann.
Cease, cease, Servilia; for 'tis criminal
To call me still by those endearing names.

Serv.
And wherefore?

Ann.
Cæsar has elected thee—
O torture!—for the partner of his bed—
He bade me bring myself—I cannot bear it—
The tidings to thee—O my breaking heart!
And I—I have been once—I cannot speak!
Empress, farewell!

Serv.
What may this mean?—Yet stay—
Servilia Cæsar's wife!—Ah! why?—

Ann.
Because
Beauty and virtue never can be found
More worthy of the throne.—My life!—O Heaven!
What would I dare to say?—Permit me, empress,
Permit me to retire.

Serv.
And wilt thou leave me
In this confusion? Speak, relate at full
By what strange means, declare each circumstance—

Ann.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Servilia
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

An apartment in the Imperial palace, upon the Palatine-hill.
Titus, Publius with a paper.
Tit.
What means that paper, Publius?

Pub.
This contains
The names of those who rashly have defam'd
The sacred memory of our Cæsars dead.

Tit.
Such inquisition, useless now to them,
Can only furnish fraud with various ways
To ensnare the innocent: I from this hour
Abolish it, and that the informer's guile
Henceforth may stand defeated of its aim,
I here decree the accuser shall incur
The penalties that wait upon the guilty.

Pub.
But justice—

Tit.
O! if justice should exert
Her utmost rigour, soon the earth would prove
A lonely waste.—Where shall we find the man
Within whose breast no guilt, no little frailty
Has ever lurk'd? Let us but view ourselves.
Believe me, seldom has a judge been known
Free from that crime for which he dooms the offender.

Pub.
Yet surely punishments—

Tit.
If these are frequent,
They lose their weight; and chastisement becomes
Familiar to the wicked; they perceive
What numbers are partakers in their guilt:
'Tis dangerous to proclaim how few are virtuous.

Pub.
But some there are, my lord, whose daring tongues
Have even attack'd your name.

Tit.
And what imports it?
If thoughtless levity incite them to it,
I heed them not; if folly, they've my pity;
If justice prompt them, I am thankful for it;
And if they're urg'd by malice, I forgive them.

Pub.
At least—

SCENE X.

Enter Servilia.
Serv.
Thus prostrate at the feet of Cæsar—

Tit.
Servilia! Empress!

Serv.
O my lord! forbear:
First hear me, ere you grace me with such titles;
I come to unfold a weighty secret—

Tit.
Publius,
Withdraw awhile, but wait within—

[Publius retires.
Serv.
That you,
O generous monarch! from the numerous fair
That grace your court, all worthier far than I,
Should on Servilia fix to share the bed
Of mighty Cæsar, is so vast an honour,
As might with transport warm the coldest breast.
I know the value of the proffer'd glory,
I would be grateful, and must show it thus.
Your choice is turn'd on one, whom yet, perhaps,
You little know, and I should wrong your goodness
By further silence, therefore come to lay
My soul before you.

Tit.
Speak.

Serv.
The earth has none
That more adores your virtues than Servilia:
For you I'm all respect and admiration,
But for my heart—be not displeas'd—

Tit.
Go on.

Serv.
My heart, my lord, no more is mine; for this
Has Annius long possess'd; ere yet I knew it,
I lov'd him, and have felt no second passion:
A mutual sympathy inspir'd our souls;
And, O! I find I never shall forget him.
Even from the throne my mind would still pursue
Its wonted course, I know 'tis criminal
To oppose the will of Cæsar: yet my duty
Bids me reveal my thoughts before my sovereign:
Then if he still persist in his design
To take me for his bride, my hand is his.

Tit.
I thank ye, Gods! this once, at least, I've seen
Truth undisguis'd; at length I've met with one
Who ventures to displease by speech sincere.
Thou canst not tell, Servilia, how thou charm'st me;
How hast thou given me double cause of wonder!
Annius prefers thy glory to his peace;
And thou refusest empire, to preserve
Thy faith to him: and shall I then destroy
Such love and constancy?—Ah! no—the heart
Of Titus breeds not such ungenerous thoughts.
My daughter (thou shalt find me now thy father,
And not thy consort) banish from thy breast
Each needless doubt; for Annius is thy husband:
Myself will join the wish'd-for knot. May Heaven
Vouchsafe with me to bless the happy nuptials,
And may from you a future race proceed,
To glad your country with their parents' virtues!

Serv.
O Titus! Emperor! Joy of human kind!
How shall my grateful soul express—

Tit.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

Enter Vitellia.
Serv.
O happy day!

[to herself.
Vitel.
May I before my sovereign
Pay down the tribute of my earliest homage;
Adore that face, for which the breast of Titus,
Wounded by love, has lost its wonted peace?

Serv.
Insulting woman! yet for my revenge
Let her be still deceiv'd— [aside.]
—Farewell!

Vitel.
Servilia
Already deigns not to behold me.—Heavens!
And does she thus depart, forsake me thus?

Serv.

[Exit.

SCENE XII.

Vitellia
alone.
And must I suffer such disdainful treatment?
With what contempt already she beholds me!
Inhuman Titus! is it not enough,
That Berenice was to me preferr'd?
Am I the lowest then of woman-kind?
All, all are worthy thee except Vitellia!
Tremble, ungrateful man, to think thou wrong'st me:
This day thy blood—

SCENE XIII.

Enter Sextus.
Sex.
My life!—

Vitel.
What tidings bring'st thou?
Say, is the Capitol in flames?—Consum'd?—
Where, where is Lentulus?—Is Titus punish'd?

Sex.
Nothing has yet been done.

Vitel.
Ha! nothing done!
And dost thou yet return so boldly to me?
What are thy merits that thou dar'st presume
To call me now thy life?

Sex.
'Twas your command
The blow should be suspended.

Vitel.
Hast thou not
Heard of my last affront? And dost thou still
Wait for a second bidding? Tell me how
Thou e'er wilt hope to be esteem'd a lover,
When thou so little canst explore my thoughts?

Sex.
O! might one cause but justify—

Vitel.
One cause?
Thou hast a thousand—let what passion will
Direct and hold dominion o'er thy heart.
Is fame thy wish? I bid thee free thy country,
Shake off her chains, and crown thy name with honour:
Our age shall boast her Brutus. Is thy soul
For great ambition form'd? Behold a path
To empire open: those that own my cause,
My friends, are thine, my title to the throne
I will enforce for thee. Say, can this hand
Complete thy happiness? Receive it now.
Fly, fly with speed; revenge me, I am thine:
Return all stain'd with his perfidious blood:
Thou shalt become my only joy, my blessing,
My soul's best treasure.—Will not this suffice?
Hear yet, and after linger if thou canst:
Know then that Titus till this hour I've lov'd,
That this alone produc'd my scorn for thee:
That, if he lives, I may perhaps repent;
That even again, (I dare not trust myself)
I may return to love him.—Now, be gone:
If love, ambition, glory will not move thee;
If thou canst bear to hear a rival's name,
A rival who may rob thee of my heart,
Thou'rt then a wretch beneath Vitellia's scorn.

Sex.
How many ways am I beset!—Enough,
Forbear!—Thou hast inspir'd me now, Vitellia,
With all thy fury: soon shalt thou behold
The Capitol in flames, and view this sword
Plung'd in the breast of Titus—Mighty Gods!
What sudden coldness freezes in my veins!

Vitel.
Why art thou thoughtful thus?

Sex.
Alas! Vitellia—

Vitel.
I know it well—already thou repent'st.

Sex.
No, I repent not—but—

Vit.
No more perplex me.—
I see, ingrate! thy passion is but feign'd;
Fool that I was! I thought thy words sincere,
And almost I began to love thee—Hence,
Avoid my sight, and think of me no more!

Sex.
Yet hold—for, O! I yield: already see
I fly to serve you.

Vitel.
I can trust no further;
Thou wilt anew deceive me, in the midst
Of action thou'lt again remember—

Sex.
No:
Punish me, Love, if I again deceive you.

Vitel.
Haste then: what mean'st thou? Wherefore linger thus?

Sex.
I go: meantime thy scorn restrain,
Restore me to thy grace again,
And nothing shalt thou ask in vain;
I'll act whate'er thou canst require.
O! look, and every scruple dies;
To avenge thy cause thy lover flies;
The charms of those all-conquering eyes.
Alone shall his remembrance fire.

[Exit.

SCENE XIV.

Vitellia
alone.
Yes, Titus, thou shalt find this slighted beauty
Is not so mean; at least it can suffice
To taint the allegiance of thy nearest friends,
If found too weak to bend thy stubborn heart:
Thou shalt repent—

SCENE XV.

Enter Publius.
Pub.
Vitellia!—art thou here?
O fly! for Cæsar hastes to thy apartment.

Vitel.
Cæsar! why seeks he me?

Pub.
And know'st thou not
He has elected thee his consort?

Vitel.
Publius,
Vitellia brooks but ill to be derided.

Pub.
Derided! Cæsar comes himself to ask
Of thee consent.

Vitel.
Servilia then—

Pub.
Servilia,
Whate'er the cause, rejected stands.

Vitel.
And I—

Pub.
Thou art our empress. Princess, let us go;
Cæsar expects thee.

Vitel.
Stay awhile—O Heaven!
Sextus!—unhappy me!—Sextus!—he's gone.
Run, Publius, seek him out—no—rather haste—
O I have let my rage too far transport me!
[aside.
Art thou not gone yet?

Pub.
Whither should I go?

Vitel.
To Sextus, haste.

Pub.
What would'st thou have me say?

Vitel.
Bid him return to me this instant; fly—
Let him not lose a moment.

Pub.
I am gone.
How much excess of joy distracts our sense!

[aside.]
Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Vitellia
alone.

[Exit.