University of Virginia Library

AULUS DIDIUS
with Romans.
This is the secret centre of the isle:
Here, Romans, pause, and let the eye of wonder
Gaze on the solemn scene: behold yon oak,
How stern he frowns, and with his broad brown arms
Chills the pale plain beneath him: mark yon altar,
The dark stream brawling round its rugged base,
These cliffs, these yawning caverns, this wide circus,
Skirted with unhewn stone: they awe my soul,
As if the very Genius of the place
Himself appear'd, and with terrific tread
Stalk'd through his drear domain. And yet, my friends,
(If shapes like his be but the fancy's coinage)
Surely there is a hidden power, that reigns
'Mid the lone majesty of untam'd nature,
Controlling sober reason; tell me else,
Why do these haunts of barb'rous superstition
O'ercome me thus? I scorn them, yet they awe me.
Call forth the British princes; in this gloom
I mean to school them to our enterprise.
[Enter Vellinus and Elidurus.
AULUS DIDIUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS
Ye pledges dear of Cartismandua's faith,
Approach! and to mine uninstructed ear
Explain this scene of horror.

ELIDURUS.
Daring Roman,
Know that thou stand'st on consecrated ground;
These mighty piles of magic-planted rock,
Thus rang'd in mystic order, mark the place
Where but at times of holiest festival
The Druid leads his train.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Where dwells the seer?

VELLINUS.
In yonder shaggy cave: on which the moon
Now sheds a side-long gleam. His brotherhood
Possess the neighb'ring cliffs.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Yet up the hill
Mine eye descries a distant range of caves,
Delv'd in the ridges of the craggy steep:
And this way still another.

ELIDURUS.
On the left
Reside the Sages skill'd in Nature's lore:
The changeful universe, its numbers, powers,
Studious they measure, save when meditation
Gives place to holy rites: then in the grove
Each hath his rank and function. Yonder grots
Are tenanted by Bards, who nightly thence,
Rob'd in their flowing vests of innocent white,
Descend, with harps that glitter to the moon,
Hymning immortal strains. The spirits of air,
Of earth, of water, nay of heav'n itself,
Do listen to their lay; and oft, 'tis said,
In visible shapes dance they a magic round
To the high minstrelsy. Now, if thine eye
Be sated with the view, haste to thy ships;
And ply thine oars; for, if the Druids learn
This bold intrusion, thou wilt find it hard
To foil their fury.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Prince, I did not moor
My light-arm'd shallops on this dangerous strand
To sooth a fruitless curiosity:
I come in quest of proud Caractacus;
Who, when our veterans put his troops to flight,
Found refuge here.

ELIDURUS.
If here the Monarch rests,
Presumptuous Chief! thou might'st as well essay
To pluck him from yon stars: Earth's ample range
Contains no surer refuge: underneath
The soil we tread, a hundred secret paths,
Scoop'd through the living rock in winding maze,
Lead to as many caverns, dark, and deep:
In which the hoary sages act their rites
Mysterious, rites of such strange potency,
As, done in open day, would dim the sun,
Though thron'd in noontide brightness. In such dens
He may for life lie hid.

AULUS DIDIUS.
We know the task
Most difficult: yet has thy royal mother
Furnish'd the means.

ELIDURUS.
My mother, say'st thou, Roman?

AULUS DIDIUS.
In proof of that firm faith she lends to Rome,
She gave you up her honour's hostages.

ELIDURUS.
She did: and we submit.

AULUS DIDIUS.
To Rome we bear you;
From your dear country bear you; from your joys,
Your loves, your friendships, all your souls hold precious.

ELIDURUS.
And dost thou taunt us, Roman, with our fate?

AULUS DIDIUS.
No, youth, by heav'n, I would avert that fate.
Wish ye for liberty?

VELLINUS, ELIDURUS.
More than for life.

AULUS DIDIUS.
And would do much to gain it?

VELLINUS.
Name the task.

AULUS DIDIUS.
The task is easy. Haste ye to these Druids:
Tell them ye come, commission'd by your Queen,
To seek the great Caractacus; and call
His valour to her aid, against the Legions,
Which, led by our Ostorius, now assail
Her frontiers. The late treaty she has seal'd
Is yet unknown: and this her royal signet,
Which more to mask our purpose was obtain'd,
Shall be your pledge of faith. The eager king
Will gladly take the charge; and, he consenting,
What else remains, but to the Menaï's shore
Ye lead his credulous step? there will we seize him;
Bear him to Rome, the substitute for you,
And give you back to freedom.

VELLINUS.
If the Druids—

AULUS DIDIUS.
If they, or he, prevent this artifice,
Then force must take its way: then flaming brands,
And biting axes, wielded by our soldiers,
Must level these thick shades, and so unlodge
The lurking savage.

ELIDURUS.
Gods, shall Mona perish?

AULUS DIDIUS.
Princes, her ev'ry trunk shall on the ground
Stretch its gigantic length; unless, ere dawn,
Ye lure this untam'd lion to our toils.
Go then, and prosper; I shall to the ships,
And there expect his coming. Youths, remember,
He must to Rome to grace great Cæsar's triumph:
Cæsar and Fate demand him at your hand.

[Exeunt Aulus Didius and Romans.
ELIDURUS, VELLINUS.
ELIDURUS.
And will Heav'n suffer it? Will the just gods,
That tread yon spangled pavement o'er our heads,
Look from their sky and yield him? Will these Druids,
Their sage vicegerents, not call down the thunder?
And will not instant its hot bolts be darted
In such a righteous cause? Yes, good old King,
Yes, last of Britons, thou art Heav'n's own pledge:
And shalt be such till death.

VELLINUS.
What means my brother?
Dost thou refuse the charge?

ELIDURUS.
Dost thou accept it?

VELLINUS.
It gives us liberty.

ELIDURUS.
It makes us traitors.
Gods, would Vellinus do a deed of baseness?

VELLINUS.
Will Elidurus scorn the proffer'd boon
Of freedom?

ELIDURUS.
Yes! when such its guilty price,
Brother, I spurn it.

VELLINUS.
Go then, foolish boy!
I'll do the deed myself.

ELIDURUS.
It shall not be:
I will proclaim the fraud.

VELLINUS.
Wilt thou? 'tis well.
Hie to yon cave; call loudly on the Druid;
And bid him drag to ignominious death
The partner of thy blood. Yet hope not thou
To 'scape; for thou didst join my impious steps:
Therefore his wrath shall curse thee: thou shalt live;
Yet shalt thou live an interdicted wretch,
All rights of nature cancell'd.

ELIDURUS.
Oh Vellinus!
Rend not my soul: by Heav'n thou know'st I love thee,
As fervently as brother e'er lov'd brother,
And, loving thee, I thought I lov'd mine honour.
Ah! do not wake, dear youth, in this true breast
So fierce a conflict.

VELLINUS.
Honour's voice commands
Thou should'st obey thy mother, and thy queen.
Honour and Holiness alike conspire
To bid thee save these consecrated groves
From Roman devastation.

ELIDURUS.
Horrid thought!
Hence let us haste, ev'n to the farthest nook
Of this wide isle; nor view the sacrilege.

VELLINUS,
No, let us stay, and by our prosperous art
Prevent the sacrilege. Mark me, my brother;
More years and more experience have matur'd
My sober thought: I will convince thy youth,
That this our deed has ev'ry honest sanction
Cool reason may demand.

ELIDURUS.
To Rome with reason;
Try if 'twill bring her deluging ambition
Into the level course of right and justice:
Try if 'twill tame these insolent invaders;
Who thus, in savageness of conquest, claim
Whom chance of war has spar'd. Do this, and prosper.
But, pray thee, do not reason from my soul
Its inbred honesty: that holy flame,
Howe'er eclips'd by Rome's black influence
In vulgar minds, ought still to brighten ours.

VELLINUS.
Vain talker, leave me.

ELIDURUS.
No, I will not leave thee:
I must not, dare not, in these perilous shades.
Think, if thy fraud should fail, these holy men,
How will their justice rend thy trait'rous limbs?
If thou succeed'st, the fiercer pangs of conscience,
How will they ever goad thy guilty soul?
Mercy defend us! see, the awful Druids
Are issuing from their caves: hear'st thou yon signal?
Lo, on the instant all the mountain whitens
With slow-descending bards. Retire, retire;
This is the hour of sacrifice: to stay
Is death.

VELLINUS.
I'll wait the closing of their rites
In yonder vale: do thou, as likes thee best,
Betray, or aid me.

ELIDURUS.
To betray thee, youth,
That love forbids; honour, alas! to aid thee.

[Exeunt.
Enter CHORUS.
SEMICHORUS.
Sleep and silence reign around;
Not a night-breeze wakes to blow:
Circle, sons, this holy ground;
Circle close, in triple row.
And, if mask'd in vapours drear,
Any earth-born spirit dare
To hover round this sacred space,
Haste with light spells the murky foe to chase.
Lift your boughs of vervain blue,
Dipt in cold September dew;
And dash the moisture chaste, and clear,
O'er the ground, and through the air,
Now the place is purg'd and pure.
Brethren! say, for this high hour
Are the milk-white steers prepar'd,
Whose necks the rude yoke never scar'd,
To the furrow yet unbroke?
For such must bleed beneath yon oak.

SEMICHORUS.
Druid, these, in order meet,
Are all prepar'd.

SEMICHORUS.
But tell me yet,
Cadwall! did thy step profound
Dive into the cavern deep,
Twice twelve fathom under ground,
Where our sage fore-fathers sleep?
Thence with reverence hast thou born,
From the consecrated chest,
The golden sickle, scrip, and vest,
Whilom by old Belinus worn?

SEMICHORUS.
Druid, these, in order meet,
Are all prepar'd.

SEMICHORUS.
But tell me yet,
From the grot of charms and spells,
Where our matron sister dwells,
Brennus! has thy holy hand
Safely brought the Druid wand?
And the potent adder-stone,
Gender'd 'fore th' autumnal moon?
When, in undulating twine,
The foaming snakes prolific join;
When they hiss, and when they bear
Their wond'rous egg aloof in air;
Thence, before to earth it fall,
The Druid, in his hallow'd pall,
Receives the prize;
And instant flies,
Follow'd by th' envenom'd brood,
'Till he cross the chrystal flood.

SEMICHORUS.
Druid, these, in order meet,
Are all prepar'd.

SEMICHORUS.
Then all's complete.
And now let nine of the selected band,
Whose greener years befit such station best,
With wary circuit pace around the grove:
And guard each inlet; watchful, lest the eye
Of busy curiosity profane
Pry on our rites: which now must be as close
As done i' th' very central womb of earth.
Occasion claims it; for Caractacus
This night demands admission to our train.
He, once our king, while aught his power avail'd
To save his country from the rod of tyrants,
That duty past, does wisely now retire
To end his days in secrecy and peace;
Druid with Druids, in this chief of groves,
Ev'n in the heart of Mona. See, he comes!
How awful is his port! mark him, my friends!
He looks, as doth the tower, whose nodding walls,
After the conflict of Heav'n's angry bolts,
Frown with a dignity unmark'd before,
Ev'n in its prime of strength. Health to the King!

CARACTACUS, EVELINA, CHORUS.
CARACTACUS.
This holy place, methinks, doth this night wear
More than its wonted gloom: Druid, these groves
Have caught the dismal colouring of my soul,
Changing their dark dun garbs to very sable,
In pity to their guest. Hail, hallow'd oaks!
Hail, British born! who, last of British race,
Hold your primæval rights by nature's charter;
Not at the nod of Cæsar. Happy foresters,
Ye wave your bold heads in the liberal air;
Nor ask, for privilege, a prætor's edict.
Ye, with your tough and intertwisted roots,
Grasp the firm rocks ye sprung from; and, erect
In knotty hardihood, still proudly spread
Your leafy banners 'gainst the tyrannous north,
Who, Roman-like, assails you. Tell me, Druid,
Is it not better to be such as these,
Than be the thing I am?

CHORUS.
To be the thing
Eternal Wisdom wills, is ever best.

CARACTACUS.
But I am lost to that predestin'd use
Eternal Wisdom will'd, and fitly therefore
May wish a change of being. I was born
A king; and Heav'n, who bade these warrior oaks
Lift their green shields against the fiery sun,
To fence their subject plain, did mean, that I
Should, with as firm an arm, protect my people
Against the pestilent glare of Rome's ambition.
I fail'd; and how I fail'd, thou know'st too well;
So does the babbling world: and therefore, Druid,
I would be any thing save what I am.

CHORUS.
See, to thy wish, the holy rites prepar'd,
Which, if Heav'n frown not, consecrate thee Druid.
See to the altar's base the victims led,
From whose free-gushing blood ourself shall read
Its high behests; which if assenting found,
These hands around thy chosen limbs shall wrap
The vest of sanctity; while at the act,
Yon white-rob'd bards, sweeping their solemn harps,
Shall lift their choral warblings to the skies,
And call the gods to witness. Mean while, Prince,
Bethink thee well, if aught on this vain earth
Still holds too firm an union with thy soul,
Estranging it from peace.

CARACTACUS.
I had a queen:
Bear with my weakness, Druid! this tough breast
Must heave a sigh, for she is unreveng'd.
And can I taste true peace, she unreveng'd?
So chaste, so lov'd a queen? Ah, Evelina!
Hang not thus weeping on the feeble arm
That could not save thy mother.

EVELINA.
To hang thus
Softens the pang of grief; and the sweet thought,
That a fond father still supports his child,
Sheds, on my pensive mind, such soothing balm,
As doth the blessing of these pious seers,
When most they wish our welfare. Would to Heav'n
A daughter's presence could as much avail,
To ease her father's woes, as his doth mine.

CARACTACUS.
Ever most gentle! come unto my bosom:
Dear pattern of the precious prize I lost,
Lost, so inglorious lost;—my friends, these eyes
Did see her torn from my defenceless camp;
Whilst I, hemm'd round by squadrons, could not save her:
My boy, still nearer to the darling pledge,
Beheld her shrieking in the ruffian's arm;
Beheld, and fled.

EVELINA.
Ah! Sir, forbear to wound
My brother's fame; he fled, but to recall
His scatter'd forces to pursue and save her.

CARACTACUS.
Daughter, he fled. Now, by yon gracious moon,
That rising saw the deed, and instant hid
Her blushing face in twilight's dusky veil,
The flight was parricide.

EVELINA.
Indeed, indeed,
I know him valiant; and not doubt he fell
'Mid slaughter'd thousands of the haughty foe,
Victim to filial love. Arviragus!
Thou hadst no sister near the bloody field,
Whose sorrowing search, led by yon orb of night,
Might find thy body; wash with tears thy wounds;
And wipe them with her hair.

CHORUS.
Peace, Virgin, peace:
Nor thou, sad prince, reply; whate'er he is,
Be he a captive, fugitive, or corse,
He is what Heav'n ordain'd: these holy groves
Permit no exclamation 'gainst Heav'n's will
To violate their echoes: Patience here,
Her meek hands folded on her modest breast,
In mute submission lifts th' adoring eye,
Ev'n to the storm that wrecks her.

EVELINA.
Holy Druid,
If aught my erring tongue has said pollutes
This sacred place, I from my soul abjure it;
And will these lips bar with eternal silence,
Rather than speak a word, or act a deed
Unmeet for thy sage daughters; blessing first
This hallow'd hour, that takes me from the world,
And joins me to their sober sisterhood.

CHORUS.
'Tis wisely said. See, Prince, this prudent maid,
Now, while the ruddy flame of sparkling youth
Glows on her beauteous cheek, can quit the world
Without a sigh, whilst thou—

CARACTACUS.
Would save my queen
From a base ravisher; would wish to plunge
This falchion in his breast, and so avenge
Insulted royalty. Oh holy men!
Ye are the sons of piety and peace;
Ye never felt the sharp vindictive spur,
That goads the injur'd warrior; the hot tide,
That flushes crimson on the conscious cheek
Of him, who burns for glory; else indeed
Ye much would pity me: would curse the fate
That coops me here inactive in your groves,
Robs me of hope, tells me this trusty steel
Must never cleave one Roman helm again:
Never avenge my queen, nor free my country.

CHORUS.
'Tis Heav'n's high will—

CARACTACUS.
I know it, reverend fathers!
'Tis Heav'n's high will, that these poor aged eyes
Shall never more behold that virtuous woman,
To whom my youth was constant; 'twas Heav'n's will
To take her from me at that very hour,
When best her love might sooth me; that black hour,
(May Memory ever raze it from her records)
When all my squadrons fled, and left their king
Old and defenceless: him, who nine whole years
Had taught them how to conquer: Yes, my friends,
For nine whole years against the sons of rapine
I led my veterans, oft to victory,
Never 'till then to shame. Bear with me, Druid;
I've done: begin the rites.

CHORUS.

CHORUS.
Break off; a sullen smoke involves the altar;
The central oak doth shake; I hear the sound
Of steps profane: Caractacus, retire;
Bear hence the victims; Mona is polluted.

SEMICHORUS.
Father, as we did watch the eastern side,
We spied and instant seiz'd two stranger youths,
Who, in the bottom of a shadowy dell,
Held earnest converse: Britons do they seem,
And of Brigantian race.

CHORUS.
Haste, drag them hither.

VELLINUS, ELIDURUS, CHORUS.
ELIDURUS.
Oh spare, ye sage and venerable Druids!
Your countrymen and sons.

CHORUS.
And are ye Britons?
Unheard of profanation! Rome herself,
Ev'n impious Rome, whom conquest makes more impious,
Would not have dar'd so rashly. Oh! for words,
Big with the fiercest force of execration,
To blast the deed, and doers.

ELIDURUS.
Spare the curse,
Oh spare our youth!

CHORUS.
Is it not now the hour,
The holy hour, when to the cloudless height
Of yon starr'd concave climbs the full-orb'd moon,
And to this nether world in solemn stillness
Gives sign, that to the list'ning ear of Heav'n
Religion's voice should plead? The very babe
Knows this, and, 'chance awak'd, his little hands
Lifts to the gods, and on his innocent couch
Calls down a blessing. Shall your manly years
Plead ignorance, and impiously presume
To tread, with vile unconsecrated feet,
On Mona's hallow'd plain? know, wretches, know,
At any hour such boldness is a crime,
At this 'tis sacrilege.

VELLINUS.
Were Mona's plain
More hallow'd still, hallow'd as is Heav'n's self,
The cause might plead our pardon.

ELIDURUS.
Mighty Druid!
True, we have rashly dar'd, yet forc'd by duty,
Our sov'reign's mandate—

VELLINUS.
Elder by my birth,
Brother, I claim, in right of eldership,
To open our high embassy.

CHORUS.
Speak then;
But see thy words answer in honest weight
To this proud prelude. Youth! they must be weighty,
T' atone for such a crime.

VELLINUS.
If then to give
New nerves to vanquish'd valour; if to do,
What, with the blessing of the gods, may save
A bleeding country from oppression's sword,
Be weighty business, know, on our commission,
And on its hop'd success, that weight depends.

CHORUS.
Declare it then at once, briefly and boldly.

VELLINUS.
Caractacus is here.

CHORUS.
Say'st thou, proud boy?
'Tis boldly said, and, grant 'twere truly said,
Think'st thou he were not here from fraud or force
As safe, as in a camp of conquerors?
Here, youth, he would be guarded by the gods;
Their own high hostage; and each sacred hair
Of his selected head, would in these caverns
Sleep with the unsunn'd silver of the mine,
As precious and as safe; record the time,
When Mona e'er betray'd the hapless wretch,
That made her groves his refuge.

VELLINUS.
Holy Druid!
Think not so harshly of our enterprise.
Can force, alas! dwell in our unarm'd hands?
Can fraud in our young bosoms? No, dread Seer!
Our business told, I trust thou'lt soon disclaim
The vain suspicion; and thy holy ear
(Be brave Caractacus or here or absent)
Shall instant learn it. From the north we come;
The sons of her, whose Heav'n-intrusted sway
Blesses the bold Brigantes; men who firmly
Have three long moons withstood those Roman powers
Which, led by fell Ostorius, still assail
Our frontiers: yet so oft have our stout swords
Repell'd their hot assault, that now, like falcons,
They hang suspended, loth to quit their prey,
Nor daring yet to seize it. Such the state
Of us and Rome; in which our prudent mother,
Revolving what might best secure her country
From this impending ruin, gave us charge
To seek the great Caractacus, and call
His valour to her aid, to lead her bands,
To fight the cause of liberty and Britain,
And quell these ravagers.

[Caractacus starts from behind the altar.
CARACTACUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS, CHORUS.
CARACTACUS.
And ye have found me;
Friends, ye have found me: lead me to your queen,
And the last purple drop in these old veins
Shall fall for her and Britain.

CHORUS.
Rash, rash Prince!

VELLINUS.
Ye blest immortal Powers! is this the man,
The more than man, who for nine bloody years
Withstood all Rome? He is; that warlike front,
Seam'd o'er with honest scars, proclaims he is:
Kneel, brother, kneel, while in his royal hand
We lodge the signet: this, in pledge of faith,
Great Cartismandua sends, and with it tells thee
She has a nobler pledge than this behind;
Thy Queen—

CARACTACUS.
Guideria!

VELLINUS.
Safely with our mother.

CARACTACUS.
How, when, where rescu'd? mighty gods, I thank ye;
For it is true; this signet speaks it true.
Oh tell me briefly.

VELLINUS.
In a sally, Prince,
Which, wanting abler chiefs, my gracious mother
Committed to my charge, our troops assail'd
One outwork of the camp; the mask of night
Favour'd our arms, and there my happy hand
Was doom'd with other prisoners to release
The captive matron.

CARACTACUS.
Let me clasp thee, youth,
And thou shalt be my son: I had one, stranger,
Just of thy years; he look'd like thee right honest;
Had just that freeborn boldness on his brow,
And yet he fail'd me. Were it not for him,
Who, as thou seest, ev'n at this hour of joy,
Draws tears down mine old cheek, I were as blest
As the great gods. Oh, he has all disgrac'd
His high-born ancestry! But I'll forget him.
Haste, Evelina, barb my knotty spear,
Bind fast this trusty falchion to my thigh,
My bow, my target—

CHORUS.
Rash Caractacus!
What hast thou done? What dost thou mean to do?

CARACTACUS.
To save my country.

CHORUS.
To betray thyself.
That thou hast done; the rest thou can'st not do,
If Heav'n forbids; and of its awful will
Thy fury recks not: Has the bleeding victim
Pour'd a propitious stream? The milk-white steeds
Unrein'd and neighing pranc'd with fav'ring steps?
Say, when these youths approach'd, did not a gust
Of livid smoke involve the bickering flame?
Did not the forest tremble? Every omen
Led thee to doubt their honesty of purpose;
And yet, before their tongues could tell that purpose,
Ere I had tender'd, as our laws ordain,
Their test of faith, thy rudeness rush'd before me,
Infringing my just rights.

CARACTACUS.
Druid, methinks,
At such a time, in such a cause, Reproof
Might 'bate its sternness. Now, by Heav'n, I feel,
Beyond all omens, that within my breast,
Which marshals me to conquest; something here
That snatches me beyond all mortal fears,
Lifts me to where upon her jasper throne
Sits flame-rob'd Victory, who calls me son,
And crowns me with a palm, whose deathless green
Shall bloom when Cæsar's fades.

CHORUS.
Vain confidence!

CARACTACUS.
Yet I submit in all—

CHORUS.
'Tis meet thou should'st.
Thou art a King, a sov'reign o'er frail man;
I am a Druid, servant of the gods;
Such service is above such sov'reignty,
As well thou know'st: if they should prompt these lips
To interdict the thing thou dar'st to do,
What would avail thy daring!

CARACTACUS.
Holy man!
But thou wilt bless it; Heav'n will bid thee bless it;
Thou know'st that, when we fight to save our country,
We fight the cause of Heav'n. The man that falls,
Falls hallow'd; falls a victim for the gods;
For them and for their altars.

CHORUS.
Valiant Prince!
Think not we lightly rate our country's weal,
Or thee, our country's champion: Well we know
The glorious meed of those exalted souls,
Who flame like thee for freedom: Mark me, Prince!
The time will come, when Destiny and Death,
Thron'd in a burning car, the thund'ring wheels
Arm'd with gigantic scythes of adamant
Shall scour this field of life: and in the rear
The fiend Oblivion: kingdoms, empires, worlds
Melt in the general blaze: when, lo, from high
Andraste darting, catches from the wreck
The roll of fame, claps her ascending plumes,
And stamps on orient stars each patriot name,
Round her eternal dome.

CARACTACUS.
Speak ever thus,
And I will hear thee, 'till attention faint
In heedless ecstasy.

CHORUS.
This though we know,
Let man beware with headlong zeal to rush
Where slaughter calls; it is not courage, Prince,
No, nor the pride and practis'd skill in arms,
That gains this meed: the warrior is no patriot,
Save when, obsequious to the will of Heav'n,
He draws the sword of vengeance.

CARACTACUS.
Surely, Druid,
Such fair occasion speaks the will of Heav'n—

CHORUS.
Monarch, perchance thou hast a fair occasion;
But, if thou hast, the gods will soon declare it:
Their sov'reign will thou know'st not; this to learn
Demands our search. Ye mortals all retire!
Leave ye the grove to us and Inspiration;
Nor let a step, or ev'n one glance profane,
Steal from your caverns: stay, my holy brethren,
Ye time-ennobled Seers, whose rev'rend brows
Full eighty winters whiten; you, ye Bards,
Leoline, Cadwall, Hoel, Cantaber,
Attend upon our slumbers: Wond'rous men,
Ye, whose skill'd fingers know how best to lead,
Through all the maze of sound, the wayward step
Of Harmony, recalling oft, and oft
Permitting her unbridled course to rush
Through dissonance to concord, sweetest then
Ev'n when expected harshest. Mador, thou
Alone shalt lift thy voice; no choral peal
Shall drown thy solemn warblings; thou best know'st
That opiate charm which lulls corporeal sense:
Thou hast the key, great Bard! that best can ope
The portal of the soul; unlock it straight,
And lead the pensive pilgrim on her way,
Through the vast regions of futurity.

[Exeunt Caractacus, Vellinus, &c.
CHORUS.
ODE.

[The Druid waking, speaks.
CHORUS.
It may not be. Avaunt, terrific axe!
Why hangs thy bright edge glaring o'er the grove?
Oh for a giant's nerve to ward the stroke!
It bows, it falls.
Where am I? hush, my soul!
'Twas all a dream. Resume no more the strain:
The hour is past: my brethren! what ye saw,
(If what ye saw, as by your looks I read,
Bore like ill-omen'd shape) hold it in silence.
The midnight air falls chilly on my breast;
And now I shiver, now a feverish glow
Scorches my vitals. Hark, some step approaches.

EVELINA, CHORUS.
EVELINA.
Thus with my wayward fears, to burst unbidden
On yon dread synod, rousing, as ye seem,
From holy trance, appears a desperate deed,
Ev'n to the wretch who dares it.

CHORUS.
Virgin! quickly
Pronounce the cause,

EVELINA
Bear with a simple maid,
Too prone to fear; perchance my fears are vain.

CHORUS.
But yet declare them.

EVELINA.
I suspect me much
The faith of these Brigantes.

CHORUS.
Say'st thou, Virgin?
Heed what thou say'st; suspicion is a guest
That in the breast of man, of wrathful man,
Too oft' his welcome finds: yet seldom sure
In that submissive calm that smooths the mind
Of maiden innocence.

EVELINA.
I know it well,
Yet must I still distrust the elder stranger:
For while he talks, (and much the flatterer talks)
His brother's silent carriage gives disproof
Of all his boast; indeed I mark'd it well;
And, as my father with the elder held
Bold speech and warlike, as is still his wont
When fir'd with hope of conquest, oft I saw
A sigh unbidden heave the younger's breast,
Half check'd as it was rais'd; sometimes, methought,
His gentle eye would cast a glance on me,
As if he pitied me; and then again
Would fasten on my father, gazing there
To veneration; then he'd sigh again,
Look on the ground, and hang his modest head
Most pensively.

CHORUS.
This may demand, my brethren,
More serious search: Virgin! proceed.

EVELINA.
'Tis true,
My father, rapt in high heroic zeal,
His ev'ry thought big with his country's freedom,
Heeds not the different carriage of these brethren,
The elder takes him wholly; yet methinks,
The younger's manners have I know not what,
That speaks him far more artless. This besides,
Is it not strange, if, as the tale reports,
My mother sojourns with this distant Queen,
She should not send or to my sire, or me,
Some fond remembrance of her love? ah! none,
With tears I speak it, none, not her dear blessing
Has reach'd my longing ears.

CHORUS.
The gods, my brethren,
Have wak'd these doubts in the untainted breast
Of this mild maiden; oft to female softness,
Oft to the purity of virgin souls
Doth Heav'n its voluntary light dispense,
When victims bleed in vain. They must be spies,
Hie thee, good Cantaber, and to our presence
Summon the young Brigantian.

EVELINA.
Do not that,
Or, if ye do, yet treat him nothing sternly:
The softest terms from such a tender breast
Will draw confession, and, if ye shall find
The treason ye suspect, forbear to curse him.
(Not that my weakness means to guide your wisdom)
Yet, as I think he would not wittingly
E'er do a deed of baseness, were it granted
That I might question him, my heart forebodes
It more could gain by gentleness and prayers,
Than will the fiercest threats.

CHORUS.
Perchance it may:
And quickly shalt thou try. But see the King!
And with him both the youths.

EVELINA.
Alas! my fears
Forewent my errand, else had I inform'd thee
That therefore did I come, and from my father,
To gain admission. Mark the younger, Druid!
How sad he seems; oft did he in the cave
So fold his arms—

CHORUS.
We mark him much, and much
The elder's free and dreadless confidence.
Virgin, retire awhile in yonder vale,
Nor, 'till thy royal father quits the grove,
Resume thy station here.

[Exit Evelina.
CARACTACUS, CHORUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS.
CARACTACUS.
Forgive me, Druid!
My eager soul no longer could sustain
The pangs of expectation; hence I sent
The virgin innocence of Evelina,
Safest to break upon your privacy.
She not return'd, Oh pardon, that uncall'd
I follow: the great cause, I trust, absolves me:
'Tis your's, 'tis freedom's, 'tis the cause of Heav'n;
And sure Heav'n owns it such.

CHORUS.
Caractacus!
All that by sage and sanctimonious rites
Might of the gods be ask'd, we have essay'd;
And yet, nor to our wish, nor to their wont,
Gave they benign assent.

CARACTACUS.
Death to our hopes!

CHORUS.
While yet we lay in sacred slumber tranc'd,
Sullen and sad to Fancy's frighted eye
Did shapes of dun and murky hue advance,
In train tumultuous, all of gesture strange,
And passing horrible; starting we wak'd,
Yet felt no waking calm; still all was dark,
Still rang our tinkling ears with screams of woe.
Suspicious tremors still—

VELLINUS.
Of what suspicious?
Druid, our Queen—

CHORUS.
Restrain thy wayward tongue,
Insolent youth! in such licentious mood
To interrupt our speech ill suits thy years,
And worse our sanctity.

CARACTACUS.
'Tis his distress
Makes him forget, what else his reverent zeal
Would pay ye holily. Think what he feels,
Poor youth! who fears yon moon, before she wanes,
May see his country conquer'd; see his mother
The victor's slave, her royal blood debas'd,
Dragging her chains through the throng'd streets of Rome,
To grace Oppression's triumph. Horrid thought!
Say, can it be that he, whose strenuous youth
Adds vigour to his virtue, e'er can bear
This patiently? He comes to ask my aid,
And, that withheld, (as now he needs must fear)
What means, alas! are left? Search Britain round,
What chief dares cope with Rome? what king but holds
His loan of power at a Proconsul's will,
At best a scepter'd slave?

VELLINUS.
Yes, Monarch, yes,
If Heaven restrain thy formidable sword,
Or to its stroke deny that just success
Which Heav'n alone can give, I fear me much
Our Queen, ourselves, nay Britain's self, must perish.

CARACTACUS.
But is not this a fear makes virtue vain;
Tears from yon minist'ring regents of the sky
Their right? Plucks from firm-handed Providence
The golden reins of sublunary sway,
And gives them to blind Chance: If this be so,
If Tyranny must lord it o'er the earth,
There's Anarchy in heav'n. Nay, frown not, Druid,
I do not think 'tis thus.

CHORUS.
We trust thou do'st not.

CARACTACUS.
Masters of Wisdom! No: my soul confides
In that all-healing and all-forming Power,
Who on the radiant day when Time was born,
Cast his broad eye upon the wild of ocean,
And calm'd it with a glance: then plunging deep
His mighty arm, pluck'd from its dark domain
This throne of freedom, lifted it to light,
Girt it with silver cliffs, and call'd it Britain:
He did, and will preserve it.

CHORUS.
Pious Prince!
In that all-healing and all-forming Power
Still let thy soul confide; but not in men,
No, not in these, ingenuous as they seem,
'Till they are try'd by that high test of faith
Our ancient laws ordain.

VELLINUS.
Illustrious Seer!
Methinks our Sov'reign's signet well might plead
Her envoy's faith. Thy pardon, mighty Druid!
Not for ourselves, but for our Queen we plead;
Mistrusting us, ye wound her honour.

CHORUS.
Peace;
Our will admits no parley. Thither, Youths,
Turn your astonish'd eyes; behold yon huge
And unhewn sphere of living adamant,
Which, pois'd by magic, rests its central weight
On yonder pointed rock; firm as it seems,
Such is its strange and virtuous property,
It moves obsequious to the gentlest touch
Of him, whose breast is pure; but to a traitor,
Though ev'n a giant's prowess nerv'd his arm,
It stands as fixt as Snowdon. No reply;
The gods command that one of you must now
Approach and try it: in your snowy vests,
Ye Priests, involve the lots, and to the younger,
As is our wont, tender the choice of Fate.

ELIDURUS.
Heav'ns! is it fall'n on me?

CHORUS.
Young Prince, it is:
Prepare thee for thy trial.

ELIDURUS.
Gracious gods!
Who may look up to your tremendous thrones,
And say his breast is pure? All-searching Powers,
Ye know already how and what I am;
And what ye mean to publish me in Mona,
To that I yield and tremble.

CARACTACUS.
Rouse thee, Youth!
And, with that courage honest truth supplies,
(For sure ye both are true) haste to the trial:
Behold I lead thee on.

CHORUS.
Prince, we arrest
Thy hasty step: to witness this high test
Pertains to us alone. A while retire,
And in yon cave his brother be thy charge;
The trial past, again we will confer,
Touching that part which Heav'n's deciding choice
Wills thee to act.

[Exeunt Caractacus and Vellinus.
CHORUS, ELIDURUS.
CHORUS.
ODE.

CHORUS.
Heard'st thou the awful invocation, Youth,
Wrapt in those holy harpings?

ELIDURUS.
Sage, I did;
And it came o'er my soul as doth the thunder,
While distant yet, with an expected burst,
It threats the trembling ear. Now to the trial.

CHORUS.
Ere that, bethink thee well what rig'rous doom
Attends thine act; if failing, certain death:
So certain, that in our absolving tongues
Rests not that power may save thee: Thou must die.

EVELINA, ELIDURUS, CHORUS.
EVELINA.
Die, say'st thou? Druid!

ELIDURUS.
Evelina here!
Lead to the rock.

CHORUS.
No, Youth, a while we spare thee;
And, in our stead, permit this royal maiden
To urge thee first with virgin gentleness;
Respect our clemency, and meet her questions
With answers prompt and true; so may'st thou 'scape
A sterner trial.

ELIDURUS.
Rather to the rock.—

EVELINA.
Dost thou disdain me, Prince? Lost as I am,
Methinks the daughter of Caractacus
Might merit milder treatment: I was born
To royal hopes and promise, nurs'd i' th' lap
Of soft prosperity; alas the change!
I meant but to address a few brief words
To this young Prince, and he doth turn his eye,
And scorns to answer me.

ELIDURUS.
Scorn thee, sweet Maid?
No, 'tis the fear—

EVELINA.
And can'st thou fear me, Youth?
Ev'n while I led a life of royalty,
I bore myself to all with meek deportment,
In nothing harsh, or cruel: and, howe'er
Misfortune works upon the minds of men,
(For some, they say, it turns to very stone,)
Mine I am sure it softens. Wert thou guilty,
Yet I should pity thee; nay, wert thou leagued
To load this suffering heart with more misfortunes,
Still should I pity thee; nor e'er believe
Thou would'st, on free and voluntary choice,
Betray the innocent.

ELIDURUS.
Indeed I would not.

EVELINA.
No, gracious Youth, I do believe thou would'st not:
For on thy brow the liberal hand of Heav'n
Has pourtray'd truth as visible and bold,
As were the pictur'd suns that deckt the brows
Of our brave ancestors. Say then, young Prince,
(For therefore have I wish'd to question thee)
Bring ye no token of a mother's fondness
To her expecting child? Gentle thou seem'st,
And sure that gentleness would prompt thine heart
To visit and to sooth with courteous office,
Distress like her's. A captive and a queen
Has more than common claim for pity, Prince,
And ev'n the ills of venerable age
Were cause enough to move thy tender nature.
The tears o'ercharge thine eye. Alas, my fears!
Sickness or sore infirmity had seiz'd her,
Before thou left'st the palace, else her lips
Had to thy care intrusted some kind message,
And blest her hapless daughter by thy tongue.
Would she were here!

ELIDURUS.
Would Heav'n she were!

EVELINA.
Ah why?

ELIDURUS.
Because you wish it.

EVELINA.
Thanks, ingenuous Youth,
For this thy courtesy. Yet, if the Queen
Thy mother shine with such rare qualities,
As late thy brother boasted, she will calm
Her woes, and I shall clasp her aged knees
Again, in peace and liberty.—Alas!
He speaks not; all my fears are just.

ELIDURUS.
What fears?
The Queen Guideria is not dead.

EVELINA.
Not dead!
But is she in that happy state of freedom,
Which we were taught to hope? Why sigh'st thou, Youth?
Thy years have yet been prosp'rous. Did thy father
E'er lose a kingdom? Did captivity
E'er seize thy shrieking mother? thou can'st go
To yonder cave, and find thy brother safe:
He is not lost, as mine is. Youth, thou sigh'st
Again; thou hast not sure such cause of sorrows;
But if thou hast, give me thy griefs, I pray thee;
I have a heart can softly sympathize,
And sympathy is soothing.

ELIDURUS.
Oh gods! gods!
She tears my soul. What shall I say?

EVELINA.
Perchance,
For all in this bad world must have their woes,
Thou too hast thine; and may'st, like me, be wretched.
Haply amid the ruinous waste of war,
'Mid that wild havock, which those sons of blood
Bring on our groaning country, some chaste maid,
Whose tender soul was link'd by love to thine,
Might fall the trembling prey to Roman rage,
Ev'n at the golden hour, when holy rites
Had seal'd your virtuous vows. If it were so,
Indeed I pity her.

ELIDURUS.
Not that; not that.
Never 'till now did Beauty's matchless beam—
But I am dumb.

EVELINA.
Why that dejected eye?
And why this silence? that some weighty grief
O'erhangs thy soul, thy ev'ry look proclaims.
Why then refuse it words? The heart, that bleeds
From any stroke of fate or human wrongs,
Loves to disclose itself, that list'ning Pity
May drop a healing tear upon the wound.
'Tis only, when with inbred horror smote
At some base act, or done, or to be done,
That the recoiling soul, with conscious dread,
Shrinks back into itself. But thou, good Youth—

ELIDURUS.
Cease, royal maid! permit me to depart.

EVELINA.
Yet hear me, stranger! Truth and Secresy,
Though friends, are seldom necessary friends—

ELIDURUS.
I go to try my truth—

EVELINA.
Oh! go not hence
In wrath; think not, that I suspect thy virtue:
Yet ignorance may oft make virtue slide,
And if—

ELIDURUS.
In pity spare me.

EVELINA.
If thy brother—
Nay, start not, do not turn thine eye from mine;
Speak, I conjure thee, is his purpose honest?
I know the guilty price, that barbarous Rome
Sets on my father's head; and gold, vile gold,
Has now a charm for Britons: Brib'd by this,
Should he betray him—Yes, I see thou shudder'st
At the dire thought; yet not, as if 'twere strange;
But as our fears were mutual. Ah, young stranger;
That open face scarce needs a tongue to utter
What works within. Come then, ingenuous Prince,
And instant make discovery to the Druid,
While yet 'tis not too late.

ELIDURUS.
Ah! what discover?
Say, whom must I betray?

EVELINA.
Thy brother.

ELIDURUS.
Ha!

EVELINA.
Who is no brother, if his guilty soul
Teem with such perfidy. Oh all ye stars!
Can he be brother to a youth like thee,
Who would betray an old and honour'd king,
That king his countryman, and one whose prowess
Once guarded Britain 'gainst th' assailing world?
Can he be brother to a youth like thee,
Who from a young, defenceless, innocent maid,
Would take that king her father? Make her suffer
All that an orphan suffers? More perchance:
The ruffian foe.—Oh tears, ye choke my utterance!
Can he be brother to a youth like thee,
Who would defile his soul by such black deeds?
It cannot be—And yet, thou still art silent.
Turn, youth, and see me weep. Ah, see me kneel:
I am of royal blood, not wont to kneel:
Yet will I kneel to thee. Oh save my father!
Save a distressful maiden from the force
Of barbarous men! Be thou a brother to me,
For mine alas! Ah!

[Sees Arviragus entering.
ARVIRAGUS, EVELINA, ELIDURUS, CHORUS.
ARVIRAGUS.
Evelina, rise!
Know, maid, I ne'er will tamely see thee kneel,
Ev'n at the foot of Cæsar.

EVELINA.
'Tis himself:
And he will prove my father's fears were false,
False, as his son is brave. Thou best of brothers,
Come to my arms. Where hast thou been, thou wand'rer?
How wer't thou sav'd? Indeed, Arviragus,
I never shed such tears, since thou wer't lost,
For these are tears of rapture.

ARVIRAGUS.
Evelina!
Fain would I greet thee, as a brother ought:
But wherefore didst thou kneel?

EVELINA.
Oh! ask not now.

ARVIRAGUS.
By heav'n I must, and he must answer me,
Whoe'er he be. What art thou, sullen stranger?

ELIDURUS.
A Briton.

ARVIRAGUS.
Brief and bold.

EVELINA.
Ah, spare the taunt:
He merits not thy wrath. Behold the Druids;
Lo, they advance: with holy reverence first
Thou must address their sanctity

ARVIRAGUS.
I will.
But see, proud boy, thou do'st not quit the grove,
'Till time allows us parley.

ELIDURUS.
Prince, I mean not.

ARVIRAGUS.
Sages, and sons of Heav'n! Illustrious Druids!
Abruptly I approach your sacred presence:
Yet such dire tidings—

CHORUS.
On thy peril, peace!
Thou stand'st accus'd, and by a father's voice,
Of crimes abhorr'd, of cowardice and flight;
And therefore may'st not in these sacred groves
Utter polluted accents. Quickly say,
Wherefore thou fled'st? For that base fact unclear'd
We hold no farther converse.

ARVIRAGUS.
Oh ye gods!
Am I the son of your Caractacus?
And could I fly?

CHORUS.
Waste not or time or words:
But tell us why thou fled'st?

ARVIRAGUS.
I fled not, Druid!
By the great gods I fled not! save to stop
Our dastard troops, that basely turn'd their backs.
I stopt, I rallied them, when lo! a shaft
Of random cast did level me with earth,
Where pale and senseless, as the slain around me,
I lay till midnight: Then, as from long trance
Awoke, I crawl'd upon my feeble limbs
To a lone cottage, where a pitying hind
Lodg'd me, and nourish'd me. My strength repair'd,
It boots not that I tell, what humble arts
Compell'd I us'd to screen me from the foe.
How now a peasant from a beggarly scrip
I sold cheap food to slaves, that nam'd the price,
Nor after gave it. Now a minstrel poor
With ill-tun'd harp, and uncouth descant shrill
I ply'd a thriftless trade, and by such shifts
Did win obscurity to shroud my name.
At length to other conquests in the north
Ostorius led his legions: Safer now,
Yet not secure, I to some valiant chiefs,
Whom war had spar'd, discover'd what I was;
And with them plann'd, how surest we might draw
Our scatter'd forces to some rocky fastness
In rough Caernarvon, there to breathe in freedom,
If not with brave incursion to oppress
The thinly-station'd foe. And soon our art
So well avail'd, that now at Snowdon's foot
Full twenty troops of hardy veterans wait
To call my sire their leader.

CHORUS.
Valiant Youth—

EVELINA.
He is—I said he was a valiant youth,
Nor has he sham'd his race.

CHORUS.
We do believe
Thy modest tale: And may the righteous gods
Thus ever shed upon thy noble breast
Discretion's cooling dew. When nurtur'd so,
Then, only then, doth valour bloom mature.

ARVIRAGUS.
Yet vain is valour, howsoe'er it bloom:
Druid, the gods frown on us. All my hopes
Are blasted; I shall ne'er rejoin my friends,
Ne'er bless them with my father. Holy men,
I have a tale to tell, will shake your souls.
Your Mona is invaded; Rome approaches,
Ev'n to these groves approaches.

SEMICHORUS.
Horror! Horror!

ARVIRAGUS.
Late as I landed on yon highest beach,
Where nodding from the rocks the poplars fling
Their scatter'd arms, and dash them in the wave,
There were their vessels moor'd, as if they sought
Concealment in the shade, and as I past
Up yon thick-planted ridge, I 'spy'd their helms
'Mid brakes and boughs trench'd in the heath below,
Where like a nest of night-worms did they glitter,
Sprinkling the plain with brightness. On I sped
With silent step, yet oft did pass so near,
'Twas next to prodigy I 'scap'd unseen.

CHORUS.
Their number, Prince?

ARVIRAGUS.
Few, if mine hasty eye
Did find, and count them all.

CHORUS.
Oh brethren, brethren,
Treason and sacrilege, worse foes than Rome,
Have led Rome hither. Instant seize that wretch,
And bring him to our presence.

CHORUS, ELIDURUS, ARVIRAGUS.
CHORUS.
Say, thou false one!
What doom befits the slave who sells his country?

ELIDURUS.
Death, sudden death!

CHORUS.
No, ling'ring piece-meal death;
And to such death thy brother and thyself
We now devote. Villain, thy deeds are known;
'Tis known, ye led the impious Romans hither
To slaughter us ev'n on our holy altars.

ELIDURUS.
That on my soul doth lie some secret grief
These looks perforce will tell: It is not fear,
Druids, it is not fear that shakes me thus;
The great gods know it is not: Ye can never:
For, what though wisdom lifts ye next those gods,
Ye cannot, like to them, unlock men's breasts,
And read their inmost thoughts. Ah! that ye could.

ARVIRAGUS.
What hast thou done?

ELIDURUS.
What, Prince, I will not tell.

CHORUS.
Wretch, there are means—

ELIDURUS.
I know, and terrible means;
And 'tis both fit, that you should try those means,
And I endure them: Yet I think my patience
Will for some space baffle your torturing fury.

CHORUS.
Be that best known, when our inflicted goads
Harrow thy flesh!

ARVIRAGUS.
Stranger, ere this is try'd
Confess the whole of thy black perfidy;
So black, that when I look upon thy youth,
Read thy mild eye, and mark thy modest brow,
I think indeed, thou durst not.

ELIDURUS.
Such a crime
Indeed I durst not; and would rather be
The very wretch thou seest. I'll speak no more.

CHORUS.
Brethren, 'tis so. The Virgin's thoughts were just:
This youth has been deceiv'd.

ELIDURUS.
Yes, one word more.
You say, the Romans have invaded Mona.
Give me a sword and twenty honest Britons,
And I will quell those Romans. Vain demand!
Alas! you cannot: ye are men of peace:
Religion's self forbids. Lead then to torture.

ARVIRAGUS.
Now on my soul this youth doth move me much.

CHORUS.
Think not religion and our holy office
Doth teach us tamely, like the bleating lamb,
To crouch before oppression, and with neck
Outstretch'd await the stroke. Mistaken boy!
Did not strict justice claim thee for her victim,
We might full safely send thee to these Romans,
Inviting their hot charge. Know, when I blow
That sacred trumpet bound with sable fillets
To yonder branching oak, the awful sound
Calls forth a thousand Britons train'd alike
In holy and in martial exercise,
Not by such mode and rule, as Romans use,
But of that fierce portentous horrible sort,
As shall appall ev'n Romans.

ELIDURUS.
Gracious gods!
Then there are hopes indeed. Oh call them instant,
This Prince will lead them on: I'll follow him,
Though in my chains, and some way dash them round
To harm the haughty foe.

ARVIRAGUS.
A thousand Britons,
And arm'd! Oh instant blow the sacred trump,
And let me head them. Yet methinks this youth—

CHORUS.
I know what thou wouldst say, might join thee, Prince.
True, were he free from crime, or had confest.

ELIDURUS.
Confest. Ah, think not, I will e'er—

ARVIRAGUS.
Reflect.
Either thyself or brother must have wrong'd us:
Then why conceal—

ELIDURUS.
Hast thou a brother? no!
Else hadst thou spar'd the word; and yet a sister
Lovely as thine might more than teach thee, Prince,
What 'tis to have a brother. Hear me, Druids,
Though I would prize an hour of freedom now
Before an age of any after date:
Though I would seize it as the gift of Heav'n,
And use it as Heav'n's gift: yet do not think,
I so will purchase it. Give it me freely,
I yet will spurn the boon, and hug my chains,
'Till you do swear by your own hoary heads,
My brother shall be safe.

CHORUS.
Excellent youth!
Thy words do speak thy soul, and such a soul,
As 'wakes our wonder. Thou art free; thy brother
Shall be thine honour's pledge! so will we use him,
As thou art false or true.

ELIDURUS.
I ask no other.

ARVIRAGUS.
Thus then, my fellow soldier, to thy clasp
I give the hand of friendship. Noble youth,
We'll speed, or die together.

CHORUS.
Hear us, Prince!
Mona permits not, that he fights her battles,
'Till duly purified: For though his soul
Took up unwittingly this deed of baseness,
Yet is lustration meet. Learn, that in vice
There is a noisome rankness unperceiv'd
By gross corporeal sense, which so offends
Heav'n's pure divinities, as us the stench
Of vapour wafted from sulphureous pool,
Or pois'nous weed obscene. Hence doth the man,
Who ev'n converses with a villain, need
As much purgation, as the pallid wretch
'Scap'd from the walls, where frowning Pestilence
Spreads wide her livid banners. For this cause,
Ye priests, conduct the youth to yonder grove,
And do the needful rites. Mean while ourself
Will lead thee, Prince, unto thy father's presence.—
But hold, the King comes forth.

[Exeunt Priests with Elidurus.
CARACTACUS, ARVIRAGUS, CHORUS, EVELINA.
CARACTACUS.
My son, my son!
What joy, what transport, doth thine aged sire
Feel in these filial foldings! Speak not, boy,
Nor interrupt that heart-felt ecstacy
Should strike us mute. I know what thou wouldst say,
Yet prithee, peace. Thy sister's voice hath clear'd thee,
And could excuse find words at this blest moment,
Trust me, I'd give it vent. But 'tis enough,
Thy father welcomes thee to him and honour:
Honour, that now with rapt'rous certainty
Calls thee his own true offspring. Dost thou weep?
Ah, if thy tears swell not from joy's free spring,
I beg thee spare them; I have done thee wrong,
Can make thee no atonement: None, alas!
Thy father scarce can bless thee, as he ought;
Unblest himself, beset with foes around,
Bereft of queen, of kingdom, and of soldiers,
He can but give thee portion of his dangers,
Perchance and of his chains: Yet droop not, boy,
Virtue is still thine own.

ARVIRAGUS.
It is, my father;
Pure as from thine illustrious fount it came:
And that unsullied, let the world oppress us;
Let Fraud and Falsehood rivet fetters on us;
Still shall our souls be free: Yet hope is ours,
As well as virtue.

CARACTACUS.
Spoken like a Briton.
True, hope is ours, and therefore let's prepare:
The moments now are precious. Tell us, Druid,
Is it not meet, we see the bands drawn out,
And mark their due array?

CHORUS.
Monarch, ev'n now
They skirt the grove.

CARACTACUS.
Then let us to their front—

CHORUS.
But is the traitor youth in safety lodg'd?

CARACTACUS.
Druid, he fled—

CHORUS.
Oh fatal flight to Mona!

CARACTACUS.
But what of that? Arviragus is here,
My son is here, let then the traitor go,
By this he has join'd the Romans: Let him join them;
A single arm, and that a villain's arm,
Can lend but little aid to any powers
Oppos'd to truth and virtue. Come, my son,
Let's to the troops, and marshal them with speed.
That done, we from these venerable men
Will claim their ready blessing: Then to battle;
And the swift sun ev'n at his purple dawn
Shall spy us crown'd with conquest, or with death.

[Exeunt Caractacus and Arviragus.
CHORUS, EVELINA.
CHORUS.
What may his flight portend! Say, Evelina,
How came this youth to 'scape?

EVELINA.
And that to tell
Will fix much blame on my impatient folly:
For, ere your hallow'd lips had given permission,
I flew with eager haste to bear my father
News of his son's return. Inflam'd with that,
Think, how a sister's zealous breast must glow?
Your looks give mild assent. I glow'd indeed
With the dear tale, and sped me in his ear
To pour the precious tidings: But my tongue
Scarce nam'd Arviragus, ere the false stranger
(As I bethink me since) with stealthy pace
Fled to the cavern's mouth.

CHORUS.
The king pursu'd?

EVELINA.
Alas! he mark'd him not, for 'twas the moment,
When he had all to ask and all to fear,
Touching my brother's valour. Hitherto
His safety only, which but little mov'd him,
Had reach'd his ears: But when my tongue unfolded
The story of his bravery and his peril,
Oh how the tears cours'd plenteous down his cheeks!
How did he lift unto the heav'ns his hands
In speechless transport! Yet he soon bethought him
Of Rome's invasion, and with fiery glance
Survey'd the cavern round; then snatch'd his spear,
And menac'd to pursue the flying traitor:
But I with prayers (Oh pardon, if they err'd)
Withheld his step, for to the left the youth
Had wing'd his way, where the thick underwood
Afforded sure retreat. Besides, if found,
Was age a match for youth?

CHORUS.
Maiden, enough;
Better perchance for us, if he were captive:
But in the justice of their cause, and Heav'n,
Do Mona's sons confide.

BARD, CHORUS, ELIDURUS, EVELINA.
BARD.
Druid, the rites
Are finish'd, all save that which crowns the rest,
And which pertains to thy blest hand alone;
For that he kneels before thee.

CHORUS.
Take him hence,
We may not trust him forth to fight our cause.

ELIDURUS.
Now by Andraste's throne—

CHORUS.
Nay, swear not, Youth,
The tie is broke, that held thy fealty:
Thy brother's fled.

ELIDURUS.
Fled!

CHORUS.
To the Romans fled;
Yes, thou hast cause to tremble.

ELIDURUS.
Ah, Vellinus!
Does thus our love, does thus our friendship end!
Was I thy brother, Youth, and hast thou left me!
Yes; and how left me, cruel as thou art,
The victim of thy crimes!

CHORUS.
True, thou must die.

ELIDURUS.
I pray ye then on your best mercy, Fathers,
It may be speedy. I would fain be dead,
If this be life. Yet I must doubt ev'n that;
For falsehood of this strange stupendous sort
Sets firm-ey'd Reason on a gaze, mistrusting,
That what she sees in palpable plain form,
The stars in yon blue arch, these woods, these caverns,
Are all mere tricks of cozenage, nothing real,
The vision of a vision. If he's fled,
I ought to hate this brother.

CHORUS.
Yet thou dost not.

ELIDURUS.
But when astonishment will give me leave,
Perchance I shall.—And yet he is my brother,
And he was virtuous once. Yes, ye vile Romans,
Yes, I must die, before my thirsty sword
Drinks one rich drop of vengeance. Yet, ye robbers,
Yet will I curse you with my dying lips:
'Twas you, that stole away my brother's virtue.

CHORUS.
Now then prepare to die.

ELIDURUS.
I am prepar'd.
Yet, since I cannot now (what most I wish'd)
By manly prowess guard this lovely maid:
Permit that on your holiest earth I kneel,
And pour one fervent prayer for her protection.
Allow me this, for though you think me false,
The gods will hear me.

EVELINA.
I can hold no longer!
Oh Druid, Druid, at thy feet I fall:
Yes, I must plead, (away with virgin-blushes)
For such a youth must plead. I'll die to save him,
Oh take my life, and let him fight for Mona.

CHORUS.
Virgin, arise. His virtue hath redeem'd him,
And he shall fight for thee and for his country.
Youth, thank us with thy deeds. The time is short,
And now with reverence take our high lustration:
Thrice do we sprinkle thee with day-break dew
Shook from the May-thorn blossom; twice and thrice
Touch we thy forehead with our holy wand:
Now thou art fully purg'd. Now rise restor'd
To virtue and to us. Hence then, my son,
Hie thee to yonder altar, where our Bards
Shall arm thee duly both with helm and sword
For warlike enterprise.

[Exit Elidurus.
CARACTACUS, CHORUS, ARVIRAGUS, EVELINA.
CARACTACUS.
'Tis true, my Son,
Bold are their bearings, and I fear me not
But they have hearts will not belie their looks.
I like them well. Yet would to righteous Heav'n
Those valiant veterans, that on Snowdon guard
Their scanty pittance of bleak liberty,
Were here to join them; we would teach these wolves,
Though we permit their rage to prowl our coasts,
That vengeance 'waits them ere they rob our altars.
Hail, Druid, hail! we find thy valiant guards
Accoutred so, as well bespeaks the wisdom
That fram'd their phalanx. We but wait thy blessing
To lead them 'gainst the foe.

CHORUS.
Caractacus!
Behold this sword: The sword of old Belinus,
Stain'd with the blood of giants, and its name
Trifingus. Many an age its charmed blade
Has slept within yon consecrated trunk.
Lo, I unsheath it, King; I wave it o'er thee;
Mark, what portentous streams of scarlet light
Flow from the brandish'd falchion. On thy knee
Receive the sacred pledge.—And mark our words,
By the bright circle of the golden sun,
By the brief courses of the errant moon,
By the dread potency of every star
That studs the mystic zodiac's burning girth,
By each, and all of these supernal signs,
We do adjure thee, with this trusty blade,
To guard yon central oak, whose holiest stem
Involves the spirit of high Taranis:
This be thy charge; to which in aid we join
Ourselves, and our sage brethren. With our vassals
Thy son and the Brigantian prince shall make
Incursion on the foe.

CARACTACUS.
In this, and all,
Be ours observance meet. Yet surely, Druid,
The fresh and active vigour of these youths
Might better suit with this important charge.
Not that my heart shrinks at the glorious task,
But will with ready zeal pour forth its blood
Upon the sacred roots, my firmest courage
Might fail to save. Yet, Fathers, I am old;
And if I fell the foremost in the onset,
Should leave a son behind, might still defend you.

CHORUS.
The sacred adjuration we have utter'd
May never be recall'd,

CARACTACUS.
Then be it so.
But do not think, I counsel this through fear:
Old as I am, I trust with half our powers
I could drive back these Romans to their ships;
Dastards, that come as doth the cow'ring fowler
To tangle me with snares, and take me tamely:
Slaves, they shall find, that ere they gain their prey,
They have to hunt it boldly with barb'd spears,
And meet such conflict, as the chafed boar
Gives to his stout assailants. Oh ye gods!
That I might instant face them.

CHORUS.
Be thy son's
The onset.

ARVIRAGUS.
From his soul that son doth thank ye,
Blessing the wisdom, that preserves his father
Thus to the last. Oh if the fav'ring gods
Direct this arm, if their high will permit
I pour a prosperous vengeance on the foe,
I ask for life no longer, than to crown
The valiant task. Steel then, ye Powers of heav'n,
Steel my firm soul with your own fortitude,
Free from alloy of passion. Give me courage,
That knows not rage; revenge, that knows not malice;
Let me not thirst for carnage, but for conquest:
And conquest gain'd, sleep vengeance in my breast,
Ere in its sheath my sword.

CARACTACUS.
Oh hear his father!
If ever rashness spurr'd me on, great gods,
To acts of danger thirsting for renown;
If e'er my eager soul pursu'd its course
Beyond just reason's limit, visit not
My faults on him. I am the thing you made me;
Vindictive, bold, precipitate, and fierce:
But as you gave to him a milder mind,
Oh bless him, bless him with a milder fate!

EVELINA.
Nor yet unheard let Evelina pour
Her pray'rs and tears. Oh hear a hapless maid,
That ev'n through half the years her life has number'd,
Ev'n nine long years has dragg'd a trembling being,
Beset with pains and perils. Give her peace;
And, to endear it more, be that blest peace
Won by her brother's sword. Oh bless his arm,
And bless his valiant followers, one, and all.

ELIDURUS
entering armed.
Hear, Heav'n! and let this pure and virgin pray'r
Plead ev'n for Elidurus, whose sad soul
Cannot look up to your immortal thrones,
And urge his own request: Else would he ask,
That all the dangers of th' approaching fight
Might fall on him alone: That every spear
The Romans wield might at his breast be aim'd;
Each arrow darted on his rattling helm;
That so the brother of this beauteous maid,
Returning safe with victory and peace,
Might bear them to her bosom.

CHORUS.
Now rise all;
And Heav'n, that knows what most ye ought to ask,
Grant all ye ought to have. Behold, the stars
Are faded; universal darkness reigns.
Now is the dreadful hour, now will our torches
Glare with more livid horror, now our shrieks
And clanking arms will more appal the foe.
But heed, ye Bards, that for the sign of onset
Ye sound the ancientest of all your rhymes,
Whose birth tradition notes not, nor who fram'd
Its lofty strains: The force of that high air
Did Julius feel, when, fir'd by it, our fathers
First drove him recreant to his ships; and ill
Had far'd his second landing, but that fate
Silenc'd the master Bard, who led the song.
Now forth, brave pair! Go, with our blessing go;
Mute be the march, as ye ascend the hill:
Then, when ye hear the sound of our shrill trumpet,
Fall on the foe.

CARACTACUS.
Now glory be thy guide;
Pride of my soul, go forth and conquer.

EVELINA.
Brother,
Yet one embrace. Oh thou much-honour'd stranger,
I charge thee fight by my dear brother's side,
And shield him from the foe; for he is brave,
And will with bold and well-directed arm
Return thy succour.

[Exeunt Arviragus and Elidurus.
CHORUS.
Now, ye priests, with speed
Strew on the altar's height your sacred leaves,
And light the morning flame. But why is this?
Why doth our brother Mador snatch his harp
From yonder bough? Why this way bend his step?

CARACTACUS.
He is entranc'd. The fillet bursts, that bound
His liberal locks; his snowy vestments fall
In ampler folds; and all his floating form
Doth seem to glisten with divinity!
Yet is he speechless. Say, thou chief of Bards,
What is there in this airy vacancy,
That thou with fiery and irregular glance
Should'st scan thus wildly? wherefore heaves thy breast?
Why starts—

CHORUS.
ODE.

CARACTACUS.
It does, it does! unconquer'd, undismay'd,
The British soul revives—Champion, lead on,
I follow—give me way. Some blessed shaft
Will rid me of this clog of cumb'rous age;
And I again shall in some happier mould
Rise to redeem my country.

CHORUS.
Stay thee, Prince,
And mark what clear and amber-skirted clouds
Rise from the altar's verge, and cleave the skies:
Oh 'tis a prosperous omen! Soon expect
To hear glad tidings.

CARACTACUS.
I will send them to thee.

CHORUS.
But see, a Bard approaches, and he bears them:
Else is his eye no herald to his heart.

BARD, CHORUS, CARACTACUS.
CARACTACUS.
Speedily tell thy tale.

BARD.
A tale like mine,
I trust your ears will willingly pursue
Through each glad circumstance. First, Monarch, learn,
The Roman troop is fled.

CHORUS.
Great gods, we thank ye!

CARACTACUS.
Fought they not ere they fled? Oh tell me all.

BARD.
Silent, as night, that wrapt us in her veil,
We pac'd up yonder hill, whose woody ridge
O'erhung the ambush'd foe. No sound was heard,
Step felt, or sight descry'd: for safely hid,
Beneath the purple pall of sacrifice
Did sleep our holy fire, nor saw the air,
Till to that pass we came, where whilom Brute
Planted his five hoar altars. To our rites
Then swift we hasted, and in one short moment
The rocky piles were cloth'd with livid flame.
Near each a white-rob'd Druid, whose stern voice
Thunder'd deep execrations on the foe.
Now wak'd our horrid symphony, now all
Our harps terrific rang: Meanwhile the grove
Trembled, the altars shook, and through our ranks
Our sacred sisters rush'd in sable robes,
With hair dishevell'd, and funereal brands
Hurl'd round with menacing fury. On they rush'd
In fierce and frantic mood, as is their wont
Amid the magic rites, they do to Night
In their deep dens below. Motions like these
Were never dar'd before in open air!

CHORUS.
Did I not say, we had a pow'r within us.
That might appall ev'n Romans?

BARD.
And it did.
They stood aghast, and to our vollied darts,
That thick as hail fell on their helms and corslets,
Scarce rais'd a warding shield. The sacred trumpet
Then rent the air, and instant at the signal
Rush'd down Arviragus with all our vassals;
A hot, but short-liv'd, conflict then ensu'd:
For soon they fled. I saw the Romans fly,
Before I left the field.

CARACTACUS.
My son pursu'd?

BARD.
The prince and Elidurus, like twin lions,
Did side by side engage. Death seem'd to guide
Their swords, no stroke fell fruitless, every wound
Gave him a victim.

CARACTACUS.
Thus my friend Ebrancus!
Ill-fated Prince! didst thou and I in youth
Unite our valours. In his prime he fell,
On Conway's banks I saw him fall, and slew
His murderer.—But how far did they pursue?

BARD.
Ev'n to the ships: For I descry'd the rout,
Far as the twilight gleam would aid my sight.

CARACTACUS.
Now, thanks to the bright star that rul'd his birth;
Yes, he will soon return to claim my blessing,
And he shall have it pour'd in tears of joy
On his bold breast! methought I heard a step:
Is it not his?

BARD.
'Tis some of our own train,
And as I think, they lead six Romans captive.

CHORUS, CARACTACUS, CAPTIVES.
CHORUS.
My brethren, bear the prisoners to the cavern,
'Till we demand them.

CARACTACUS.
Pause ye yet awhile.
They seem of bold demeanour, and have helms,
That speak them leaders. Hear me, Romans, hear.
That you are captives, is the chance of war:
Yet captives as ye are, in Britain's eye
Ye are not slaves. Barbarians though ye call us,
We know the native rights man claims from man,
And therefore never shall we gall your necks
With chains, or drag you at our scythed cars
In arrogance of triumph. Nor 'till taught
By Rome (what Britain sure should scorn to learn)
Her avarice, will we barter you for gold.
True, ye are captives, and our country's safety
Forbids we give you back to liberty:
We give you therefore to the immortal gods,
To them we lift you in the radiant cloud
Of sacrifice. They may in limbs of freedom
Replace your free-born souls, and their high mercy
Haply shall to some better world advance you;
Or else in this restore that golden gift,
Which lost, leaves life a burden. Does there breathe
A wretch so pall'd with the vain fear of death
Can call this cruelty? 'tis love, 'tis mercy;
And grant, ye gods, if e'er I'm made a captive,
I meet the like fair treatment from the foe,
Whose stronger star quells mine. Now lead them on,
And, while they live, treat them, as men should men,
And not as Rome treats Britain.
[Exeunt Captives.
Druid, these,
Ev'n should their chief escape, may to the gods
Be given in sacrifice.

CHORUS.
O think not, King,
That Mona shall be curst by these dire rites.
Ev'n from the youth of Time yon holy altar
Has held the place thou seest; ages on ages
Have there done sacrifice: but never yet
Stream'd it with human gore, nor ever shall
While we hold office here. 'Tis true, that Gaul,
True too that Briton, by the Gauls mistaught,
Have done such deeds of horror; deeds, that shock'd
Humanity, and call'd from angry Heav'n
These curses on our country.

CARACTACUS.
Can the gods
Behold a sight more grateful, than the flame,
That blasts impiety?

CHORUS.
Admit they cannot:
Need they the hand of man to light that flame?
Have not those gods their lightning? Taranis
Doth he not wield the thunder?

CARACTACUS.
Holy Druid,
I stand rebuk'd: Will ye then pardon them?

CHORUS.
We say not that. Vengeance shall have her course,
But Vengeance in her own peculiar garb,
Not in the borrow'd weeds of sage Religion:
They suit not her.—Whence was that shriek?

EVELINA, CARACTACUS, CHORUS.
EVELINA.
My Father,
Support me, take me trembling to your arms;
All is not well. Ah me, my fears o'ercome me!

CARACTACUS.
What means my child?

EVELINA.
Alas! we are betray'd.
Ev'n now as wand'ring in yon eastern grove
I call'd the gods to aid us, the dread sound
Of many hasty steps did meet mine ear:
This way they prest.

CARACTACUS.
Daughter, thy fears are vain.

EVELINA.
Methought I saw the flame of lighted brands,
And what did glitter to my dazzled sight
Like swords and helms.

CARACTACUS.
All, all the feeble coinage
Of maiden fear.

EVELINA.
Nay, if mine ear mistook not,
I heard the traitor's voice, who that way 'scap'd,
Calling to arms.

CARACTACUS.
Away with idle terrors!
Know, thy brave brother's helm is crown'd with conquest,
Our foes are fled, their leaders are our captives.
Smile, my lov'd child, and imitate the sun,
That rises ruddy from behind yon oaks,
To hail him victor.

CHORUS.
That the rising sun!
Oh horror! horror! sacrilegious fires
Devour our groves: they blaze, they blaze! Oh sound
The trump again; recall the Prince, or all
Is lost.

CARACTACUS.
Druid, where is thy fortitude?
Do not I live? Is not this holy sword
Firm in my grasp? I will preserve your groves.
Britons, I go: Let those that dare die nobly,
Follow my step.

[Exit Caractacus.
EVELINA.
Oh whither does he go?
Return, return: Ye holy men, recall him.
What is his arm against a host of Romans?
Oh I have lost a father!

CHORUS.
Ruthless gods!
Ye take away our souls: A general panic
Reigns thro' the grove. Oh fly, my brethren, fly
To aid the king, fly to preserve your altars!
Alas! 'tis all in vain; our fate is fixt.
Look there, look there, thou miserable Maid!
Behold thy bleeding brother.

ARVIRAGUS, ELIDURUS, EVELINA, CHORUS.
ARVIRAGUS.
Thanks, good Youth!
Safe hast thou brought me to that holy spot,
Where I did wish to die. Support me still.
Oh, I am sick to death. Yet one step more:
Now lay me gently down. I would drag out
This life, though at some cost of throbs and pangs,
Just long enough to claim my father's blessing,
And sigh my last breath in my sister's arms.—
And here she kneels, poor maid! all dumb with grief.
Restrain thy sorrow, gentlest Evelina.
True, thou dost see me bleed: I bleed to death.

EVELINA.
Say'st thou to death? Oh gods! the barbed shaft
Is buried in his breast. Yes, he must die;
And I, alas! am doom'd to see him die.
Where are your healing arts, medicinal herbs,
Ye holy men, your wonder-working spells?
Pluck me but out this shaft, stanch but this blood,
And I will call down blessings on your heads
With such a fervency—And can ye not!
Then let me beg you on my bended knee,
Give to my misery some opiate drug,
May shut up all my senses.—Yes, good Fathers,
Mingle the potion so, that it may kill me
Just at the instant, this poor languisher
Heaves his last sigh.

ARVIRAGUS.
Talk not thus wildly, Sister,
Think on our father's age—

EVELINA.
Alas! my Brother!
We have no father now; or if we have,
He is a captive.

ARVIRAGUS.
Captive! Oh my wound!
It stings me now—But is it so!

[Turning to the Chorus.
CHORUS.
Alas!
We know no more, save that he sallied single
To meet the foe, whose unexpected host
Round by the east had wound their fraudful march,
And fir'd our groves.

ELIDURUS.
Oh fatal, fatal valour!
Then is he seiz'd, or slain.

ARVIRAGUS.
Too sure he is!
Druid, not half the Romans met our swords;
We found the fraud too late: the rest are yonder.

CHORUS.
How could they gain the pass?

ARVIRAGUS.
The wretch, that fled
That way, return'd, conducting half their powers;
And—But thy pardon, Youth, I will not wound thee,
He is thy brother.

ELIDURUS.
Thus my honest sword
Shall force the blood from the detested heart,
That holds alliance with him.

ARVIRAGUS.
Elidurus,
Hold, on our friendship, hold. Thou noble Youth,
Look on this innocent maid. She must to Rome,
Captive to Rome. Thou see'st warm life flow from me,
Ere long she'll have no brother. Heav'n's my witness,
I do not wish, that thou shouldst live the slave
Of Rome: But yet she is my sister.

ELIDURUS.
Prince!
Thou urgest that, might make me drag an age
In fetters worse than Roman. I will live,
And while I live—
Enter BARD.
Fly to your caverns, Druids,
The grove's beset around. The chief approaches.

CHORUS.
Let him approach, we will confront his pride;
The Seer that rules amid the groves of Mona
Has not to fear his fury. What tho' age
Slacken our sinews; what tho' shield and sword
Give not their iron aid to guard our body;
Yet virtue arms our soul, and 'gainst that panoply
What 'vails the rage of robbers? Let him come.

ARVIRAGUS.
I faint apace.—Ye venerable men,
If ye can save this body from pollution,
If ye can tomb me in this sacred place,
I trust ye will. I fought to save these groves,
And, fruitless tho' I fought, some grateful oak,
I trust, will spread its reverential gloom
O'er my pale ashes—Ah! that pang was death!
My sister, Oh!—

[Dies.
ELIDURUS.
She faints! Ah raise her!—

EVELINA.
Yes,
Now he is dead. I felt his spirit go
In a cold sigh, and as it past, methought
It paus'd awhile, and trembled on my lips!
Take me not from him: Breathless as he is,
He is my brother still, and if the gods
Do please to grace him with some happier being,
They ne'er can give to him a fonder sister.

CHORUS.
Brethren, surround the corse, and, ere the foe
Approaches, chant with meet solemnity
That grateful dirge your dying champion claims.

SEMICHORUS.
Lo, where incumbent o'er the shade
Rome's rav'ning eagle bows her beaked head!
Yet while a moment fate affords,
While yet a moment freedom stays,
That moment, which outweighs
Eternity's unmeasur'd hoards,
Shall Mona's grateful Bards employ
To hymn their godlike hero to the sky.

SEMICHORUS.
Ring out, ye mortal strings;
Answer, thou heav'nly harp, instinct with spirit all,
That o'er the jasper arch self-warbling swings
Of blest Andraste's throne:
Thy sacred sounds alone
Can celebrate the fall
Of bold Arviragus—

[Enter Aulus Didius and Romans.
AULUS DIDIUS, CHORUS, EVELINA, ELIDURUS.
AULUS DIDIUS.
Ye bloody Priests,
Behold we burst on your infernal rites,
And bid you pause. Instant restore our soldiers,
Nor hope that Superstition's ruthless step
Shall wade in Roman gore. Ye savage men,
Did not our laws give license to all faiths,
We would o'erturn your altars, headlong heave
These shapeless symbols of your barbarous gods,
And let the golden sun into your caves.

CHORUS.
Servant of Cæsar, has thine impious tongue
Spent the black venom of its blasphemy?
It has. Then take our curses on thine head,
Ev'n his fell curses, who doth reign in Mona,
Vicegerent of those gods thy pride insults.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Bold Priest, I scorn thy curses, and thyself.
Soldiers, go search the caves, and free the prisoners.
Take heed, ye seize Caractacus alive.
Arrest yon youth; load him with heaviest irons,
He shall to Cæsar answer for his crime.

ELIDURUS.
I stand prepar'd to triumph in my crime.

AULUS DIDIUS.
'Tis well, proud Boy—Look to the beauteous maid,
[To the Soldiers.
That tranc'd in grief, bends o'er yon bleeding corse,
Respect her sorrows.

EVELINA.
Hence, ye barbarous men,
Ye shall not take him welt'ring thus in blood,
To show at Rome what British virtue was.
Avaunt! The breathless body that ye touch
Was once Arviragus!

AULUS DIDIUS.
Fear us not, Princess,
We reverence the dead.

CHORUS.
Would too to Heav'n,
Ye reverenc'd the gods but ev'n enough
Not to debase with slavery's cruel chain,
What they created free.

AULUS DIDIUS.
The Romans fight
Not to enslave, but humanize the world.

CHORUS.
Go to, we will not parley with thee, Roman:
Instant pronounce our doom.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Hear it, and thank us.
This once our clemency shall spare your groves,
If at our call ye yield the British King:
Yet learn, when next ye aid the foes of Cæsar,
That each old oak, whose solemn gloom ye boast,
Shall bow beneath our axes.

CHORUS.
Be they blasted,
Whene'er their shade forgets to shelter virtue.
Enter BARD.
Mourn, Mona, mourn. Caractacus is captive!
And dost thou smile, false Roman? Do not think
He fell an easy prey. Know, ere he yielded,
Thy bravest veterans bled. He too, thy spy,
The base Brigantian Prince, hath seal'd his fraud
With death. Bursting thro' armed ranks, that hemm'd
The caitiff round, the brave Caractacus
Seiz'd his false throat; and as he gave him death,
Indignant thunder'd, ‘Thus is my last stroke
‘The stroke of justice.’ Numbers then opprest him:
I saw the slave, that cowardly behind
Pinion'd his arms; I saw the sacred sword
Writh'd from his grasp: I saw, what now ye see,
Inglorious sight! those barbarous bonds upon him.

CARACTACUS, AULUS DIDIUS, CHORUS, &c.
CARACTACUS.
Romans, methinks the malice of your tyrant
Might furnish heavier chains. Old as I am,
And wither'd as you see these war-worn limbs,
Trust me, they shall support the weightiest load
Injustice dares impose.—

Proud-crested soldier!
[To Didius.
Who seem'st the master-mover in this business,
Say, dost thou read less terror on my brow,
Than when thou met'st me in the fields of war
Heading my nations? No, my free-born soul
Has scorn still left to sparkle through these eyes,
And frown defiance on thee.—Is it thus!
[Seeing his Son's body.
Then I'm indeed a captive. Mighty gods!
My soul, my soul submits: Patient it bears
The pond'rous load of grief ye heap upon it.
Yes, it will grovel in this shatter'd breast,
And be the sad tame thing it ought to be,
Coopt in a servile body.

AULUS DIDIUS.
Droop not, King.
When Claudius, the great master of the world,
Shall hear the noble story of thy valour,
His pity—

CARACTACUS.
Can a Roman pity, Soldier?
And if he can, gods! must a Briton bear it?
Arviragus, my bold, my breathless boy,
Thou hast escap'd such pity; thou art free.
Here in high Mona shall thy noble limbs
Rest in a noble grave; posterity
Shall to thy tomb with annual reverence bring
Sepulchral stones, and pile them to the clouds:
Whilst mine—

AULUS DIDIUS.
The morn doth hasten our departure.
Prepare thee, King, to go: A fav'ring gale
Now swells our sails.

CARACTACUS.
Inhuman that thou art!
Dost thou deny a moment for a father
To shed a few warm tears o'er his dead son?
I tell thee, Chief, this act might claim a life,
To do it duly; even a longer life,
Than sorrow ever suffer'd. Cruel man!
And thou deny'st me moments. Be it so.
I know you Romans weep not for your children;
Ye triumph o'er your tears, and think it valour:
I triumph in my tears. Yes, best-lov'd Boy,
Yes, I can weep, can fall upon thy corse,
And I can tear my hairs, these few gray hairs,
The only honours war and age hath left me.
Ah, Son! thou might'st have rul'd o'er many nations,
As did thy royal ancestry: But I,
Rash that I was, ne'er knew the golden curb
Discretion hangs on brav'ry: Else perchance
These men, that fasten fetters on thy father,
Had sued to him for peace, and claim'd his friendship.

AULUS DIDIUS.
But thou wast still implacable to Rome,
And scorn'd her friendship.

CARACTACUS
starting up from the Body.
Soldier, I had arms,
Had neighing steeds to whirl my iron cars,
Had wealth, dominion. Dost thou wonder, Roman,
I fought to save them? What, if Cæsar aims,
To lord it universal o'er the world,
Shall the world tamely crouch at Cæsar's footstool?

AULUS DIDIUS.
Read in thy fate our answer. Yet if sooner
Thy pride had yielded—

CARACTACUS.
Thank thy gods, I did not.
Had it been so, the glory of thy master,
Like my misfortunes, had been short and trivial,
Oblivion's ready prey: Now after struggling
Nine years, and that right bravely 'gainst a tyrant,
I am his slave, to treat as seems him good;
If cruelly, 'twill be an easy task
To bow a wretch, alas! how bow'd already!
Down to the dust: If well, his clemency,
When trick'd and varnish'd by your glossing penmen,
Will shine in honour's annals, and adorn
Himself; it boots not me. Look there, look there,
The slave that shot that dart, kill'd ev'ry hope
Of lost Caractacus! Arise, my daughter.
Alas! poor Prince; art thou too in vile fetters?
[To Elidurus.
Come hither, youth: Be thou to me a son,
To her a brother. Thus with trembling arms
I lead you forth; Children, we go to Rome.
Weep'st thou, my Girl? I prithee hoard thy tears
For the sad meeting of thy captive mother:
For we have much to tell her, much to say
Of these good men, who nurtur'd us in Mona;
Much of the fraud and malice, that pursu'd us;
Much of her son, who pour'd his precious blood
To save his sire and sister: Think'st thou, Maid,
Her gentleness can hear the tale and live?
And yet she must. Oh gods, I grow a talker!
Grief and old age are ever full of words:
But I'll be mute. Adieu! ye holy men;
Yet one look more—Now lead us hence for ever.