University of Virginia Library

SCENA II.

Sabina, Julia.
Sab.
Is it done, Julia? what news bring you me?
Is it a brothers or a husbands death?
Or hath the sad fate of their impious armes
of all the combatants made as many sacrifices,
and envying me the horrour which I had
o'th' conquerours, condemned me to tears
for all o them together?

Julia.
Know you not
what hath pass'd yet?

Sab.
How should I understand it?
know you not that Camllia and my self
are shut up in this house, as in a prison?
Julia, they fear our tears: we should without doubt
have interpos'd our selves between their armes,
and by the just despaires of a chast amity
we should have drawn some pity from both Camps.

Julia.
There was no need of such a tender spectacle,
their sight brought obstacle enough unto
their fight; assoon as they were ready to
measure their swords, both one, and th'other Camp
began to murmur, that persons so neer
ally'd, should sacrifice each others life
unto their Countries quarrel; one was mov'd
with pity, and another seiz'd with horrour,
some wonder'd at the madness of their zeal,
others extoll'd their vertue to the Heavens,
and some presum'd to name it sacrilegious
and brutish; all these diverse sentiments
had yet but one voice, every one accused
their Chiefs, all with a general consent
abhorr'd their choice, not able to endure
so barbarous a combat they cry'd out on't,
advaunced therupon, and parted them.

Sab.
Great Gods! what incense do I owe unto you
for hearing my devotions?

Jul.
Sabina,
you are not yet where you imagin now;
you may hope, you have less to fear: but yet
there doth remain unto you cause enough
wherewith to wail you. Vain was the indeavour
to free them from so sada fate, these generous,
or rather cruel combatants could not
consent unto 't; the glory of this choice
seemed so precious to them, and so much
charm'd their ambitious souls, that when they were
deplored, they esteemed themselves happy,
and tooke the pity that was shew'd unto them
for an affront: The trouble of both camps
seem'd unto them to sully their renown,
they rather would combat with both the armies,
and dye by the same hands that parted them,
then quit the honours were confer'd upon them.

Sab.
What? were those Iron hearts so obstinate?

Jul.
They were so, but the armies mutany'd,
and uttering their cryes both at one time,
demanded other combatants, or battaile.
Scarce was the presence of the Chiefs respected,
their power was doubtful, their words not attended:
the King himself was much astonish'd at it.
Since every one (said he) dislikes this discord,
let us consult the sacred Majesty
of the great Gods, and see we if this change
be pleasing to them: where's that impious soul
will dare oppose their will, when in a sacrifice,
they shall be pleas'd to manifest it to us?
He held his peace, and these words seemed charmes,
yea from six combatants snatch'd away their armes;
and this desire of honour which shut up
their eyes, though blind, respected yet the Gods:
their boiling heat submitted to the counsell
of Tullus; and were it by an appeale,
or by a ready scruple, in both armies
'twas made a law, as if they both acknowledg'd him
for King; the victimes death will shew the rest.

Sab.
The Gods will not allow an impious combat,
I hope well of it, since it is deferr'd,
and I begin to see what I desir'd.