University of Virginia Library

SCENE the fifteenth.

Flaminius and Dumnorix his sword drawn.
Dumnorix.
Importunate Flaminius! Art thou come
To rob my dying moments of their quiet?

Flaminius.
Forgive the crime of ignorance—Forgive,
Since accident hath join'd us once again,
If strong compassion at thy fate yet pleads—

Dumnorix.
What, when Venusia is no more?

Flaminius.
No more!

Dumnorix.
No; and be further lesson'd by a Briton,
Who since his union with the best of women
Hath never known an interval from love,
And at this solemn pause yet melts in fondness:
While death's black curtain shrouds my cold Venusia,
Of dearer value doth my soul esteem her,
Than should those eyes rekindle into lustre,
And ev'ry charm revive with double pow'r
Of winning beauty, if alone to shine
Amid the gloom of bondage.

Flaminius.
I will urge
No more—farewel—our legions hover nigh.