Horace | ||
1
Actus Primus.
Scena Prima.
Sabina. Julia.Sabina.
Approve my frailty, and permit my care,
In such mishaps as these, too just they are;
When threatning dangers do impend so near,
The truest Courage is allow'd to fear.
Nor can a spirit masculine, and brave,
As noblest Hero's would pretend to have,
In such a torrent of calamities,
Practise its vertue without some surprize.
Though mine by these Alarms be shook, those fears
Oppress my heart, prevail not with my tears:
But whilst my sorrows importune the skies,
My resolution governs in mine eyes.
When there we stop the souls afflictions, then
We more than women do, if less than men;
To check our tears at such a time is proof
In our weak Sex of Fortitude enough.
Julia.
It is, and more than common souls can do,
Who from vain trifles, prophesie their woe;
But a great heart disdains a fear so base,
And dares to hope in the most desp'rate case.
Before our walls both Camps embattel'd are:
But Rome yet knows not the mischance of War;
Far then from doubt, we should applaud her might,
2
Then from your bosom banish fears so vain,
To nourish thoughts worthy a Roman's name.
Sabina.
Since my Lord's Roman, I am so, alas!
Hymen has made me Rome's concerns embrace:
But 'twere to captivate my soul, should he
Make me renounce my Countrey's memory.
Alba, where first my infant breath I drew,
Alba my Country, and my first Love too,
When War 'twixt us, and thee proclaim'd I hear
Alike I victory, and ruine fear;
And Rome if this thou Treason call, create
Thy self such foes, as I may justly hate.
When from thy prospect two great Camps appear,
Three Brothers there engag'd, a Husband here;
Can I divide my wishes then, and be
Thy votress, Rome, without impiety?
I know that in this non-age of thy State,
Thou must by conqu'ring Arms, secure its height,
I know 'twill rise, and that the Destinies
A nobler scope for thy command, than this
Of Latium points thee: That by fates decree
The world's vast Empire is entail'd on thee,
And that thou canst not, but by War advance
Thy Title to this great Inheritance.
Far from opposing then that generous fire,
That, Fate obeying, strives to make thee higher,
I now could wish, thy daring Troops to see
Crown'd with a Pyrrhenean victory.
Send out to furthest East those Bands of thine,
And with Pavillions spread the Banks of Rhine;
Go on till with invading steps thou make
Th'Herculean Pillars at thy Marches shake:
But Alba spare for Romulus his sake.
Ingrate! remember to her Kings that thou,
Thy Name, thy Walls, and thy first Laws dost owe:
Alba's thy Parent, let that stay thy hand,
E're in thy Mothers Womb, thou sheath thy brand.
3
Shee'l smile to see her Off-spring fortunate,
And ravish'd with a fond maternal care,
Shee'l pray for thee, if thou bee'st just to her.
Julia.
This strange discourse surprizes me, and that
The more to see you now so passionate,
Who when this War broke out, and ever since
Have born your self with that indifference,
As you had been Rome's daughter, and ally'd
Unto no interest in the world beside.
I then admir'd your vertue that could bow
Your dearest interests to your Husbands so,
And form'd my comforts to you in your moan,
As if your tears had been for Rome alone.
Sabina.
Whilst in light skirmishes they fought it so
As threat'ned no side with an overthrow,
And whilst my griefs were sooth'd with hopes of peace,
I wholly Roman did my self profess.
If Romes success I look'd on with disgust,
I blam'd that private envy as unjust.
And if when Fortune took my Brothers part,
I felt a guilty joy steal o're my heart;
With reason straight that joy I overcame,
And wept when Glory triumph'd in their name:
But now that one War's utmost chance must bear,
That Alba stoop to Rome, or Rome to her:
And that, the Battel past, there rests no more
Hope for the Conquer'd; bounds to th'Conqueror:
I barbarously should my Country hate,
Could I all Roman be in this estate;
Or beg a triumph of the gods for Rome,
Which through a torrent of my blood must come.
I wean my self from one man's interest, and
'Twixt Rome and Alba now do neuter stand;
I fear for both the issue of this War,
And will for them Fortune declines, declare;
Equal till then, and then in the disgrace
I'le only share, and let the glory pass;
4
For th'Vanquisht tears, hate for the Vanquisher.
Julia.
What contraries do humane brests invade!
By several passions, several minds are sway'd;
And in this great affair Camilla's brest
After another manner is possest.
Her Brother is your Husband, yours to her
A servant is, in a concern as dear:
Yet with an eye from yours far different, she
Her blood engag'd against her love can see.
Whilst you maintain'd a courage, that throughout
Was brave and Roman, hers irresolute,
And fearful, dreaded petty skirmishes,
Trembling to think of either sides success.
Unto the Conquer'd still she gave her tears,
Fomenting so her endless griefs, and fears:
But when she now a day appointed knew,
And that a final Battel must ensue,
A sudden joy upon her forehead shone.
Sabina.
Alas! I fear that alteration!
With an unusual freedom yesterday
To young Valerius courtship she gave way,
And my poor Brother's interest laid apart,
This Rival doubtless triumphs in her heart.
Long absence joyn'd with present objects do
Debauch her heart from him she gave it to.
Excuse this passion in a Sisters care,
My love to him thus makes me doubt in her:
I raise my jealousie from grounds too light,
Unapt for changes are the days of fight.
In such a time as this few souls are fit,
New wounds, or new affections to admit;
And in the noise of War our passions move
With other thoughts, other concerns than love
But then we put not on such gayeties,
Such entertainments and delights as these.
Julia.
To me the cause is equally as strange,
Nor can I guess at her so sudden change,
5
To see, expect, and moderate the mind:
But to arrive at joy is sure too much.
Sabina.
See a good Genius brings her to the touch.
Try her in this affair, and home; I know
Shee'l nothing hide from you, she loves you so.
I'le leave you! Sister, pray thee entertain
Julia a while, my sorrow is my shame.
And my poor heart opprest with griefs, and fears
Seeks solitude to hide my sighs, and tears.
Scena Secunda.
Camilla. Julia.Camilla.
Am I so fit for talk? does she believe
I have not equally a cause to grieve?
Or that less feeling in calamity,
I in discourse shed fewer tears then she?
My fears are great as hers, I must, Heav'n knows
As well as she in either party lose:
My Country by my love must be o'rerhrown,
Or he must die defending of his own;
And in this sad necessity of fate
Challenge my sorrow, or incur my hate.
Julia.
Yet she the stricter fortune must obey,
Husbands we cannot change, Servants we may.
Wave Curiace, and accept Valerius love;
That way you will half of your fears remove,
And your revolted heart call'd back to Rome,
Shall fear no loss abroad, but love at home.
Camilla.
Deliberate better counsels for your friend,
Lament my fate, but teach me not t'offend;
For though my frailty ill these mischiefs bear,
'Tis better suffer, than deserve them far.
Julia.
Have prudent changes, crimes reputed been?
Camilla.
Is breach of Faith a pardonable sin?
6
T'a publick Foe what can oblige our troth?
Camilla.
Who can absolve us from a private Oath?
Julia.
Come you would hide a thing that is too plain,
I saw you late Valerius entertain
With that obliging fashion as might move
His forward hopes to glory in his love.
Camilla.
If I receiv'd him with a chearful grace,
There nothing in't to his advantage was,
Another th'object was of that delight,
And learn the truth to set your judgment right:
That I to Curiace may no longer be
Suspected of so base a levity.
There nothing in't to his advantage was,
Another th'object was of that delight,
And learn the truth to set your judgment right:
That I to Curiace may no longer be
Suspected of so base a levity.
His Sister had not with her beauties charms,
Fully six months enrich'd my Brothers arms,
Before he won my Father to proclaim,
My person should reward his vertuous flame.
This happy day produc'd unhappy things,
In joyning us, it did divide our Kings.
Hymen, and War were the products of one
Unhappy moments resolution.
One instant rais'd our flatt'ring hopes on high,
And the same instant beat them from the sky.
As soon as promis'd it destroy'd our joys,
And soon as Lovers, made us Enemies.
In that estate how boundless, and extream
Our sorrows were, how he did heav'n blaspheme,
And what sad show'rs stream'd from my weeping eye,
I need not tell you, you your self were by.
You since have still my souls afflictions seen,
You know what still my prayers for peace have been,
And with what tears on every accident,
I did, or Rome, or my dear Love lament.
Tir'd with delays, at last extream despair
Has forc'd me to the Oracle repair;
And judge by what came yesterday from thence,
If to my joy I had not just pretence.
That Greek long famous for his Oracles,
At Aventinus foot who Fates foretells,
He whom Apollo ne're inspir'd with lies,
The end of all my woes thus prophesies.
Fully six months enrich'd my Brothers arms,
Before he won my Father to proclaim,
My person should reward his vertuous flame.
This happy day produc'd unhappy things,
In joyning us, it did divide our Kings.
Hymen, and War were the products of one
Unhappy moments resolution.
One instant rais'd our flatt'ring hopes on high,
And the same instant beat them from the sky.
As soon as promis'd it destroy'd our joys,
And soon as Lovers, made us Enemies.
In that estate how boundless, and extream
Our sorrows were, how he did heav'n blaspheme,
And what sad show'rs stream'd from my weeping eye,
I need not tell you, you your self were by.
You since have still my souls afflictions seen,
You know what still my prayers for peace have been,
And with what tears on every accident,
I did, or Rome, or my dear Love lament.
Tir'd with delays, at last extream despair
Has forc'd me to the Oracle repair;
And judge by what came yesterday from thence,
If to my joy I had not just pretence.
That Greek long famous for his Oracles,
At Aventinus foot who Fates foretells,
7
The end of all my woes thus prophesies.
“Alba and Rome to morrow shall surcease
“Their jars, thy vows are heard, they shall have peace,
“And thou be joyn'd to Curiace in a tye
“Never to be dissolv'd by Destiny.
“Their jars, thy vows are heard, they shall have peace,
“And thou be joyn'd to Curiace in a tye
“Never to be dissolv'd by Destiny.
This Oracle did my assurance breed,
And as the answer did my hopes exceed,
I gave my soul up to delights, that far
Exceed the happiest Lovers joys that are.
How I was lost in rapture you may guess,
And by th'effects, measure my joys excess,
I saw Valerius and his company
Was not distasteful as it us'd to be;
He courted me without offence, alas!
I ne're consider'd whose the courtship was.
I could nor coldness show, nor disesteem,
For him I saw, to me did Curiace seem:
All that was said to me seem'd to proclaim
The truth, and vigour of his loyal flame,
And all I said was purpos'd to assure
Curiace my faith was permanent, and pure.
The fatal Battel must to day be fought,
I heard it yesterday, but mark'd it not.
Charm'd with the thoughts of happiness, and peace,
My soul rejected such sad thoughts as these:
But night has banish'd hence those false delights,
A thousand fearful dreams of horrid sights,
A thousand piles of slaughter did appear,
That have subdu'd my joy, restor'd my fear.
I saw a stream of blood reek from the slain,
A phantasm rising, disappear'd again;
Each other did confound, and each illusion
Doubled my terror by their strange confusion.
And as the answer did my hopes exceed,
I gave my soul up to delights, that far
Exceed the happiest Lovers joys that are.
How I was lost in rapture you may guess,
And by th'effects, measure my joys excess,
I saw Valerius and his company
Was not distasteful as it us'd to be;
He courted me without offence, alas!
I ne're consider'd whose the courtship was.
I could nor coldness show, nor disesteem,
For him I saw, to me did Curiace seem:
All that was said to me seem'd to proclaim
The truth, and vigour of his loyal flame,
And all I said was purpos'd to assure
Curiace my faith was permanent, and pure.
The fatal Battel must to day be fought,
I heard it yesterday, but mark'd it not.
Charm'd with the thoughts of happiness, and peace,
My soul rejected such sad thoughts as these:
But night has banish'd hence those false delights,
A thousand fearful dreams of horrid sights,
A thousand piles of slaughter did appear,
That have subdu'd my joy, restor'd my fear.
I saw a stream of blood reek from the slain,
A phantasm rising, disappear'd again;
Each other did confound, and each illusion
Doubled my terror by their strange confusion.
Julia.
Dreams contrary expound themselves you know,
Camilla.
I should believe so, since I wish it so.
8
T'expect no peace, but a destructive War.
Julia.
This Battel will conclude it in a peace.
Camilla.
Long live the ill that needs such remedies.
Be it that Rome must fall, or Alba lose,
Never, dear Love, expect me for thy Spouse:
Never, oh! never! can that claim become
A man that Conqueror is, or Slave of Rome?
But what new object does my sight surprize!
Is it my Curiace, may I trust my eyes?
Scena Tertia.
Curiace. Camilla. Julia.Curiace.
Suspect them not Camilla, he is come,
That nor the Conquerour is, nor Slave of Rome;
That e're my hands in Roman blood be stain'd,
Or bruis'd in Slavery, cease to apprehend;
I ever did believe thy generous love
To Rome, and glory would so constant prove,
As that thou would'st in piety despise
My shameful chains, and hate my victories.
And as in this extremity I did
Alike captivity, and conquest dread—
Camilla.
Enough my Curiace, I the rest divine,
I know that thou a Battel dost decline;
Which to thy interest must so fatal be,
And that thy heart wholly resign'd to me,
Fearing to involve me in my Countrys harm,
From Alba ravishes thy conqu'ring arm.
Let others here censure thy noble name,
And if they will, thy loyal passion blame;
'Tis that Camilla highly must approve,
The more thou lov'st, the more she ought to love.
And if the place that gave thee Being claim
A duty 'gainst the interest of thy flame,
9
All other interests bow unto thy loves:
But hast thou seen my Father, does he bless
With fair, and free allowance, this access?
Does he not for the publick cause declare,
And to his Daughters, Romes concerns prefer?
May we in fine presume our selves secure?
Is our long wisht for happiness made sure?
Did he receive thee at a Father's rate,
Or as a foe unto the Roman State?
Curiace.
It was so like a Father to his Son,
As spoke his joy sincere, and not put on:
But when I under his protection came,
'Twas by no Treachery, that might blot my name:
My Country int'rest I by no means quit,
Adoring you, I love my Honour yet:
Throughout this fatal War I still have been,
As a true Lover, a good Citizen.
'Twixt Love, and Alba, I compos'd the War,
I sigh't for you, whilst I did fight for her:
And if again new mischiefs must ensue,
I'le fight for her, whilst I do sigh for you.
For maugre Love, and all thy beauties charms,
Should War continue I must be in Arms:
But 'tis through Peace that I thus priviledg'd am,
'Tis Peace has thus oblig'd our mutual flame.
Camilla.
Peace, 'tis a miracle exceeds belief!
Does Heav'n at last commiserate my grief?
Julia.
Suspend a while your sorrow, and forbear
To doubt the Oracle that cannot erre;
And let us hear by what admir'd success
The hour of Battel has produc'd this Peace.
Curiace.
Who could have hop'd it, Gods! Both Armies me;
Prepar'd for Battel with an equal heat;
Their eyes already threatned Death, and they
Impatient only for the signal stay:
When our Dictator single did advance,
And as a sign of silence wav'd his Lance;
Which soon obtain'd: “Romans, quoth he, what rage,
“What fury makes us thus to War engage?
“At last let Reason calm these rude alarms,
“Our vertuous Daughters warm the Romans Arms.
“Hymen has so conjoyn'd us, there are few
“Amongst our Sons, but are your Nephews too.
“We but one people in two Cities are,
“One race, one blood, why then this Civil War?
“Where conquer'd lives weaken the Conquerers,
“And the best triumph is bedew'd with tears.
“The common enemy does expecting stay,
“Till one sides ruine, render both his prey,
“Try'd broken Conqueror, who nought enjoys:
“But having slain his friends, himself destroys.
“They of our broils too long have profit made,
“With powers conjoyn'd 'tis time we them invade,
“And dam those jars, where black oblivion lies,
“That of good Souldiers make so ill Allies.
“Or if ambition of vain Rule alarm,
“These noble Troops of yours, and ours to arm;
“Yet if a little blood may purchase peace,
“That blood shall piece us, and the War shall cease.
“Let each side choose some Champions out, and tye
“Their Fortunes to those Champions Destiny.
“And as in them Fate shall dispose the day,
“The Vanquisht shall the Vanquisher obey:
“But so as Souldiers honours may befit,
“To bow as Subjects, not as Slaves submit,
“Without disgrace, tribute, or other terms,
“Save always to assist the Conquerours Arms.
“So of two States, we shall one Empire make.
Prepar'd for Battel with an equal heat;
Their eyes already threatned Death, and they
Impatient only for the signal stay:
When our Dictator single did advance,
And as a sign of silence wav'd his Lance;
10
“What fury makes us thus to War engage?
“At last let Reason calm these rude alarms,
“Our vertuous Daughters warm the Romans Arms.
“Hymen has so conjoyn'd us, there are few
“Amongst our Sons, but are your Nephews too.
“We but one people in two Cities are,
“One race, one blood, why then this Civil War?
“Where conquer'd lives weaken the Conquerers,
“And the best triumph is bedew'd with tears.
“The common enemy does expecting stay,
“Till one sides ruine, render both his prey,
“Try'd broken Conqueror, who nought enjoys:
“But having slain his friends, himself destroys.
“They of our broils too long have profit made,
“With powers conjoyn'd 'tis time we them invade,
“And dam those jars, where black oblivion lies,
“That of good Souldiers make so ill Allies.
“Or if ambition of vain Rule alarm,
“These noble Troops of yours, and ours to arm;
“Yet if a little blood may purchase peace,
“That blood shall piece us, and the War shall cease.
“Let each side choose some Champions out, and tye
“Their Fortunes to those Champions Destiny.
“And as in them Fate shall dispose the day,
“The Vanquisht shall the Vanquisher obey:
“But so as Souldiers honours may befit,
“To bow as Subjects, not as Slaves submit,
“Without disgrace, tribute, or other terms,
“Save always to assist the Conquerours Arms.
“So of two States, we shall one Empire make.
This said, each breast joys palpitations shake,
Now whilst they face, each can a Brother spy,
Kinsman, or Friend rank'd with the Enemy:
They wonder now 'twas not before foreseen,
How foul their parricides must needs have been,
And shew at once in one distracted brow,
How much the fair proposal they allow;
And how with horror now they disapprove
All thoughts of Battel, after thoughts of Love.
Now whilst they face, each can a Brother spy,
Kinsman, or Friend rank'd with the Enemy:
They wonder now 'twas not before foreseen,
How foul their parricides must needs have been,
And shew at once in one distracted brow,
How much the fair proposal they allow;
11
All thoughts of Battel, after thoughts of Love.
Th'offer's at last receiv'd, and the wisht Peace
As soon was sworn to, the Conditions these.
Three for the whole the Combat must assay,
Chosen from either side, and that they may
With better conduct to the choice proceed,
The Generals are on a short truce agreed.
Yours in the Senate is, ours in his Tent.
As soon was sworn to, the Conditions these.
Three for the whole the Combat must assay,
Chosen from either side, and that they may
With better conduct to the choice proceed,
The Generals are on a short truce agreed.
Yours in the Senate is, ours in his Tent.
Camilla.
Blest Gods! ye have a timely succour sent.
Curiace.
By joynt decree within two short-liv'd hours
Our Champions Fortune must determine ours.
Mean while in freedom we expect the doom,
Rome in our Camp is, and our Camp in Rome.
Free entercourse on both sides granted is,
Both sides seek friends amongst their enemies.
I hither have follow'd your Brothers in,
And Fortune to my vows so just has bin,
That he who gave my fair Camilla life
Says she to morrow shall be made my Wife,
And you, I hope, will not recede from his.
Camilla.
Obedience still a Daughters duty is.
Curiace.
Come then my Sweet, and from this mouth receive
That fair consent he is so free to give,
That dear command, which once pronounc'd will bless
My love with title to my happiness.
Camilla.
I go along with you to welcome home
My noble Brother's safe return to Rome;
And once again to hear the happy news,
Confirm'd by them, of this auspicious truce.
Julia.
Go, and the while I'le on the Altars raise
In your behalf a Sacrifice of praise.
12
(1.)
So wretched are the sick of Love,No Herb has vertue to remove
The growing ill:
But still,
The more we Remedies oppose
The Fever more malignant grows.
Doubts do but add unto desire,
Like Oyl that's thrown upon the fire,
Which serves to make the flame aspire;
And not t'extinguish it:
Love has its trembling, and its burning fit:
(2.)
Fruition which the Sick proposeTo end, and recompence their woes,
But turns them o're
To more.
And curing one, does but prepare
A new, perhaps a greater care.
Enjoyment even in the chaste,
Pleases, not satisfies the taste,
And licens'd Love the worst can fast.
Such is the Lovers state,
Pining and pleas'd, alike unfortunate.
(3.)
Sabina and Camilla shareAn equal interest in care,
Fear hath each brest
Possest.
In different Fortunes, one pure flame
Makes their unhappiness the same.
13
Passion still passion animates,
Love will be love in all estates:
His power still is one
Whether in hope, or in possession.
CHORUS.
Too
weak are humane eyes to pry
Into the shades of Destiny:
Fate spreads a curtain to our sight,
Through which a faint imperfect light,
Serves only to perplex our way,
As blinking Meteors make us stray:
And what the jugling Priest foretells,
In his ambiguous Oracles,
Deludes our judgments whilst he shrouds
Vain riddles in mysterious clouds.
Into the shades of Destiny:
Fate spreads a curtain to our sight,
Through which a faint imperfect light,
Serves only to perplex our way,
As blinking Meteors make us stray:
And what the jugling Priest foretells,
In his ambiguous Oracles,
Deludes our judgments whilst he shrouds
Vain riddles in mysterious clouds.
Wisely did providence deny
To humane curiosity,
That only priviledge to look
In Destinies eternal Book;
For should we know our periods, then
We should do more or less then men.
To humane curiosity,
That only priviledge to look
In Destinies eternal Book;
For should we know our periods, then
We should do more or less then men.
Ah poor Camilla! how art thou
Exalted in thy fortune now!
Whom Fate so soon will headlong throw
Into a precipice of woe!
Betray'd by Riddles, and Loves charms,
Thou dream'st thy self in Curiace arms,
Wrapt in chast pleasures, when alas!
Thou only must could death embrace.
To vertue sure 'twas an offence,
So to abuse thy innocence;
And to raise up thy hope so high,
Was an inhumane cruelty.
We to our selves ev'n in our fears
Are flattering interpreters,
And need no fraud when Death's so nigh
To rock us in security.
Exalted in thy fortune now!
Whom Fate so soon will headlong throw
Into a precipice of woe!
Betray'd by Riddles, and Loves charms,
Thou dream'st thy self in Curiace arms,
Wrapt in chast pleasures, when alas!
Thou only must could death embrace.
To vertue sure 'twas an offence,
So to abuse thy innocence;
And to raise up thy hope so high,
Was an inhumane cruelty.
We to our selves ev'n in our fears
Are flattering interpreters,
14
To rock us in security.
What could the angry powers move
In fair Camilla's vertuous Love?
Or what hath chaste Sabina done
To draw so dire a ruine on?
Vain men misled by vitious wills,
Commit those Heav'n-offending ills,
Which pull down vengeance from the sky
To punish proud mortality:
But what ye Gods can women do,
Soft women to provoke you so?
In fair Camilla's vertuous Love?
Or what hath chaste Sabina done
To draw so dire a ruine on?
Vain men misled by vitious wills,
Commit those Heav'n-offending ills,
Which pull down vengeance from the sky
To punish proud mortality:
But what ye Gods can women do,
Soft women to provoke you so?
It is for Rome that they must be
Involv'd in Alba's Destiny;
Proud Rome for prouder Empire tries,
And laid in blood, by blood must rise;
Alba must truckle, 'tis decreed,
That Rome may triumph, she must bleed:
Imperious Fate will bear the sway,
Whose power all earthly powers obey.
Involv'd in Alba's Destiny;
Proud Rome for prouder Empire tries,
And laid in blood, by blood must rise;
Alba must truckle, 'tis decreed,
That Rome may triumph, she must bleed:
Imperious Fate will bear the sway,
Whose power all earthly powers obey.
The End of the First Act.
Horace | ||