University of Virginia Library

SCENA I.

Sabina.
My soul, we cannot stand indifferent,
one side 'tis requisite I take; I must
be wife unto Horatius, or sister
to Curiatius; cease we to divide
our fruitless cares, let us desire something,
and fear a little less; but which to take,
alas! I know not, in a chance so contrary;
it is a hard extremity to chuse
a husband or a brother for an enemy;
Nature or Love doth speake for each of them,
and by the laws of duty I am ty'd
unto them both: on their high sentiments
rather lets rule our own, be the wife of th'one,
and sister of the other both together,
let's looke upon their honour as a good
unparallell'd, let's imitate their constancy,
and let us feare no more; the death which threatens them
is such a faire death, that we should not be
afraid to heare the news o'nt; let's not call then
the destinies inhumane, let us think
upon the cause, and not upon the hands,
let us behold the conquerours as if
we had no other thought but of the glory
which all their house receiveth from their Victory,
without considering what blood is shed
to raise their vertue to that glorious hight,
let's make our interests of their Family,
in the one I am wife, in th'other daughter,
and hold of both by such strong obligations
that they cannot triumph but by my armes.
Fortune, whatever evils thy rigour sends me,
I have the means to derive joy from thence,
and to see now the combat without fear,
the dead without despaire, the conquerours
without confusion. Flattering illusion,
sweet and gross error, vaine indeavour of
my soul, impuissant light, whose false sparks take
a priviledge to dazle me! how little
thou last's, and how soon vainshest! much like
unto those lightnings which in the thick shades
thrust forth a sudden day, and afterward
renders the night more gloomy and obscure;
thou struck'st mine eyes but with a moments brightness
to overwhelme them with eternal night.
Thou too much flattered'st my punishment,
and Heaven offended at it, selleth me
this moment of refreshment very deare,
I feele my sad heart pierc'd with all the stroakes,
that now deprive me of a brother or
a husband; when I think upon their death,
what ever I propose, I think by what arme,
and not for what cause, nor can I behold
the conquererours in their illustrious ranke
but to consider at what bloods expense;
the house o'th' vanquish'd party onely touches
my soul, in one I'm daughter, wife in th'other,
and hold of both by such strong obligations,
that they cannot triumph but by my armes.
This is that peace then I so much desired!
Too favourable Gods, you heard my prayers!
what thunder-bolts dart you, when you are wronged,
when even your favours are so full of cruelties?
And in what manner punish you offence,
if thus you use the prayers of innocence?