University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The German Camp.
Veleda, Segimund.
Veleda.
Oh! Segimund, to see you thus my brother,
Arm'd in your country's cause; to see you here,
Here in Arminius's camp, once more restor'd
To your best friends, your country, and your gods,
Expands my tow'ring soul above all bounds.
My joy wants words: 'tis speechless ecstacy.

Segimund.
Thanks to the gods, who lent a ray of truth
To light and guide me to the paths of honour.
I saw my father's guilt; I saw him join'd
In a flagitious league against his country.
There ceas'd a father's power; there clos'd for ever
All his authority: in vice and treason
I ow'd him no obedience.

Veleda.
Your first duty
You owe your country; and you now discharge it,
Dear to your friends, ennobled by your virtue.

Segimund.
Oh! had my father, and Arminius's brother,
Glow'd with due feeling for their country's wrongs,
And in their bosoms own'd the sacred flame
Of public liberty; we then together
Might join Arminius, and together tread
The paths of war, with mutual ardour fir'd,
All gen'rous rivals in the field of glory.

Veleda.
Alas! vain hope: Segestes views Arminius
With deadly hate, implacable, and fierce,
Fix'd in his heart: it gangrees there like poison.
With that fell fury he made me his pris'ner.

Segimund.
And did he mean to drag you in his train,
Through all the horrors of wide wasting war?

Veleda.
No; I was destin'd to a distant clime,
To some Italian city; there, he said,
Perpetual spring, and sun-enliven'd scenes
Would teach me to abhor our northern tempests;
There wean me from my friends, and from the love
I bear Arminius. But, oh! not for me
Gay gilded scenes, and bright Italian suns;
No, let me wander on the mountains' ridge;
Roam through the forest; in the rapid bark
Ply the tough oar, and glide along the stream;
Give me my humble clay-built tenement;
Free from a master let me call it mine;
That thought, though tempests gather o'er my head,
Will warm my heart amidst eternal snows.

Segimund.
Arminius by his care those rights will guard.
Ere long he means to give a loose to war.
Gods! should my father join the hostile ranks!
My heart recoils with horror at the thought.

Veleda.
Dispel your fears, nor thus anticipate
Imaginary ills.

SCENE II.

To them Arminius.
Veleda.
Arminius, welcome,
Your presence sooths my soul to peace and joy.

Arminius.
Oh! my Veleda! By your late misfortunes
Endear'd, and now more welcome to my arms!
It joys me much to find you thus engag'd
In parley with your brother: Segimund,
Observe her well; her councils will direct,
And guide your steps: she differs from her father.

Segimund.
She breathes the energy of truth and virtue.
Your camp to me is the true school of honour.

Arminius.
Heroic youth! with an observant eye
I've mark'd your zeal for liberty; your prompt
Undaunted valour, and your love of glory.
The noblest gift a German chief can give,
Shall grace your merit. Go to my pavillion,
And by my orders you will there receive
A warlike horse, with a victorious lance
Deep ting'd with Roman blood.

Segimund.
This gen'rous proof
Of your esteem, shall with the love of fame
Inspire my soul, and kindle all its fires.

Arminius.
A grand exploit, a vast, a glorious enterprize
Will soon take place: To you shall be assign'd
A post of honour. Inguiomer has help'd
To plan our measures; he will tell you all.

[Exit Segimund.

SCENE III.

Arminius, Veleda.
Veleda.
With pride I see a brother's early virtue.

Arminius.
Your gen'rous spirit animates his frame,
One soul informs you both.—Veleda, tell me
Do you bring with you to your husband's arms
Unblemish'd honour? Do you now return
Pure, and immaculate, unstain'd, unviolated
By the proud spoiler, the Italian robber?

Veleda.
No ruffian dar'd with brutal violence
Assault my virtue: torn from your embrace
Life had no charms, and death had lost his terror.
That was my safe guard: she who dares to die,
Protects herself; the guardian of her honour.

Arminius.
Thou best of women! in the hour of peace
My joy, my comfort; in the embattled field,
The brave inspirer of all martial deeds!
To hear thy voice; to have thee in the rear
The witness of my conduct, the applauder
Of ev'ry gallant action, gives an edge
To my keen falchion, nerves my lifted arm,
And gives fresh ardour in my country's cause.

Veleda.
Our nuptial rites instructed me in all
The rigid duties of a German wife.
The sword, the shield, the spear, and other gifts,
Were the firm bonds of our connubial union,
Our hymenial gods. From them I learn'd,
It was my contract, my religious vow
To be your partner in all toil and danger,
To share your pains, and dare with you in war.

Arminius.
You have dar'd nobly with me: in the shock
Of the embattled lines, one thought of thee
Wing'd with the light'ning's speed has sent me forward
Into the thickest danger. From the field
Your care receiv'd me, rouz'd my drooping strength,
Reviv'd my spirit, as you counted o'er
Each honourable scar, and dress'd my wounds.

Veleda.
Then, in those moments to embrace my soldier,
To count with praise his honourable wounds;
Apply the healing balm of plants and flow'rs,
And aromatic shrubs, was the delight,
The tender office of a faithful wife,
Who saw her hero in his country's cause
Defying danger, prodigal of blood,
The great deliverer of Germany.

Arminius.
Grant me that triumph, ye benignant gods,
Crown me with that renown; I then shall say,
I've liv'd enough, for nature and for glory.

Veleda.
Glory like yours no injuries of time
Will e'er extinguish; in immortal bloom
Your dear-bought laurels will for ever flourish.
Your zeal for liberty shall be the theme
Of the whole northern world. To fame like yours
The bards of Germany shall tune their harps,
And in immortal strains send down your name
To future times, and with their pious hymns,
Their sacred minstrelsy, by your example
Inflame posterity to brave exploit.

SCENE IV.

To them Inguiomer.
Arminius.
What tidings, Inguiomer?

Inguiomer.
I've seen the posts,
The camp, the works, and numbers of the foe.
Where the Visurgis pours a shallower stream,
Join'd by a chosen band I forded over,
And watch'd the motions of Cæcina's army.
On a long narrow neck of solid ground,
With sens and marshes round him, close pent up,
Upon an isthmus in the wat'ry waste,
Their legions are inclos'd. I saw their soldiers
All busy at the works: entrenchments, ramparts,
And mounds of turf thrown up with sudden haste
Are now their only hope.

Arminius.
Cæcina there
Is insulated; there imprison'd close
By fens and marshes. By my special order
A chosen band already stand prepar'd
To issue forth, and gain by diff'rent roads
The summit of yon hills; there to unsluice
All the whole store of long collected waters,
And deluge all the vale.

Inguiomer.
The Romans then
May look aghast, and shudder at their fate.

Arminius.
The sun declining slopes his western wheels,
And deep'ning into gloom the lazy clouds
Promise a night to veil the face of things,
The troops design'd to circle round the hills,
And lie in ambush there; are they drawn up,
And ready for their enterprize?

Inguiomer.
They are, all eager for the march: yet ere they start,
They wish to hear your animating voice,
And from yourself receive their final orders.

Arminius.
My gallant friends shall hear me; Inguiomer,
I go with joy to see their warlike spirit.
I leave you now, Veleda: at the dawn,
A glorious scene of havoc and revenge,
A noble spectacle shall glad your eyes.
Trust to my care; you still shall live in freedom.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Veleda, Inguiomer.
Veleda.
[Looking after him.
By you defended, by your gen'rous efforts
Protected, guarded, Germany is safe
From the oppressor's rod. In him we see
The godlike spirit of those ancient worthies
Who toil'd, or bled for liberty and laws.

Inguiomer.
Years have elaps'd, since by his patriot ardour
Expell'd, exterminated the Romans fled
Beyond the Rhine. Their boasted Emperor,
Their deified Augustus, dar'd no more
Invade the land: his schemes of wild ambition
By one great overthrow he saw defeated.
He pass'd his days in misery of heart;
Wept for his loss, and like a puny infant
Cried, “Varus, Varus, give me back my legions.”

Veleda.
Oh! may Tiberius, who usurps the name
Of Cæsar, may that fell, that savage tyrant,
That monster of iniquity and fraud,
Before the dawn relumes the purpled East,
Oh! may Arminius give him ample cause
To mourn his slaughter'd legions; may he shed
The tear of bitt'rest anguish, on the rack
Of a mind torn and goaded by his crimes.

Inguiomer.
This very night we storm the Roman camp.
Our plan is form'd; our measures are concerted;
Your brother will lead on a chosen band,
A brave battalion: There the gen'rous youth
May by his deeds immortalize his name.

Veleda.
I doubt him not: Within his bosom glows
The hero, and the patriot. Since the Gods
Restor'd me to my friends, this very day
I saw my brother busy at his post;
I paus'd, and listen'd to him; then I heard
The language of his heart: A train of bards
With fervent zeal in slow procession came,
Chaunting their heav'nly strains. “My brother cried,
“Come, see me fighting in my country's cause.
“If victory attend me, to your annals
“Add a young warrior; if I fall in battle,
“Record my memory.”

Inguiomer.
He gives an earnest
Of matchless worth, the rival of Arminius.

SCENE VI.

To them Gothmund.
Gothmund.
A barge, with streamers waving to the wind,
Has cross'd the river, and ev'n now she lies
Closs anchor'd near the shore. The Roman chief
Sends his ambassador.

Inguiomer.
And have you seen
Arminius?

Gothmund.
With some chosen officers
He holds a Council in his tent; and there
I could not trespass on his privacy.

Veleda.
Be mine that task; from me he will not deem it
Ill-judg'd intrusion; I will seek him straight.

[Exit.
Gothmund.
Ere this the Deputy has reach'd our camp.
Think you he brings such equitable terms,
As may conciliate peace between the nations,
And close the scene of carnage and destruction?

Inguiomer.
'Tis fit he should have audience: But in vain,
I fear, he comes: Our frantic foes,
Enur'd to war, with mad ambition fir'd,
And flush'd with hope of universal empire,
Will ne'er agree to give the world a peace,
On the broad base of justice, and the laws
That bind consenting nations.

SCENE VII.

The back Scene draws: In the middle a Throne raised with Turf: A warlike March: Soldiers walk forward, and line the Stage on both sides: Arminius following, and takes his Seat.
Arminius.
At length the Roman general sees the streights,
To which his scanty numbers are reduc'd.
Destruction hovers o'er him; in despair,
Which he calls lenity, and Roman virtue,
By his ambassador he offers terms.
But what ambassador?—That hoary traitor,
Segestes is his delegate: By him
He hopes to grace his cause; that vile deserter,
That foe to liberty, that friend of Rome,
Brings his insidious overtures: He comes
To varnish o'er the slavery he loves.
Conduct him hither; let the traitor enter.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Soldiers bearing Ensigns and Eagles, and after them Segestes.
Arminius.
Ere now, Segestes, we have often met
On better terms; together we have sought
Th'embattled foe, our hearts with equal ardour
Panting for glory, and our pointed javelins
Thirsting for hostile blood. But now that bond
Of gen'rous union is dissolv'd for ever.

Segestes.
Judge not too rashly: Still this bosom glows
With social love; still feels the sympathy
Of kind affections; anger and resentment
For my lost daughter now subside in peace.
Foes in the field, in private we are friends.

Arminius.
Friendship is founded on the noblest basis;
On generous sentiment, and public virtue;
On truth, on honour, and congenial minds.
Treason and honour never can embrace.
Now, speak your embassy: I long to hear
The orator of Rome.

Segestes.
My embassy
Aims at the peace of Germany and Rome.
Wide wasting war too long has made the land
A scene of desolation. Helpless widows,
Afflicted virgins, and unhappy orphans
Are bath'd in tears. Your fields are cover'd o'er
With the unburied limbs of slaughter'd soldiers,
Romans and Germans; all your sacred groves
Are levell'd in the dust, and all your rivers
Surcharg'd with blood run purple to the sea.

Arminius.
But whence those horrors? Say, with truth declare,
Who were the authors of that wild destruction?

Segestes.
To trace our mutual errors to their source,
And on the Roman, or Cheruscan name
To fix the cause, is not within my province.
I come the harbinger of peace; I come,
To state the message of the Roman chief.
It is his wish by justice, and by mercy,
Not by the sword, to win consenting hearts,
To call the wand'ring German to the arts
Of polish'd manners, and of social life.
'Tis on this basis he would raise his trophies,
His truest glory.

Arminius.
Still I'm lost in darkness:
Wherefore this torrent of superflous speech?
If your new masters call it eloquence,
And Roman oratory, still to us
'Tis the mere pomp of words, and vain parade.
You come to offer peace; declare your terms.

Segestes.
Thus then Cæcina by my voice informs you.
Let the Visurgis be the western boundary
Of the Cheruscan state: From thence the country,
Far as the Albis whose impetuous course
Empties its current in the Northern sea,
Shall be your vast domain.

Arminius.
Yet tell me more:
Th'extensive region from the Western bank—

Segestes.
Far as the Rhine the nations shall submit
To the mild sway, the wisdom, and the laws,
By which the glory of Imperial Rome
Means to reform, and humanize the world.

Arminius.
[Rising.
Is this the boasted justice of your masters?
And is it thus they humanize the world?

Segestes.
Where'er they penetrate, fair order dawns.

Arminius.
Where'er they penetrate, oppression follows.

Segestes.
The whole Cheruscan state is granted to you.
You wage no war for conquest.

Arminius.
The Cheruscans
Wish for no conquest; conquest is the aim
Of murd'rers flush'd with insolence and pride.
The fell ambition of the haughty Romans
Gave us, in evil hour! Between the Rhine
And the Visurgis to behold their eagles,
Their lictors, tribunes, and their vile collectors,
Exactions, tribunes, cruelty and lust;
Rapine and murder!—These are their exploits;
A band of robbers!—Are the nations rich?
Happy and thriving? Roman avarice
Becomes their foe. Do they endure distress,
And pine in want? Roman ambition still
Aims at new victory: To them alike
The wealth and poverty of nations; all
Must fall before your sov'reigns of the world.
To rob and ravage is their art of war,
And when they've made a solitude around them,
They call it peace.

Segestes.
Their offer now imports
A firm, a lasting peace: Within your limits
Live safe, and uninvaded: Rome is willing
On terms to grant a vast extensive region.

Arminius.
[Rising.
Think you I mean to merchandize the war?
To barter part of Germany? By sale,
And vile exchange, to traffic for our own?
Go tell your General my last resolve.
[Coming forward.
Let him give back my country; let him give
To free-born men their unmolested rights,
Their plan of laws, their temples, and their gods.
From the Visurgis let him call his legions;
Repass the Rhine, and on the side of Gaul
Enjoy the bank, which your divine Augustus
Vainly call'd Germany; there let him dwell
In sullen majesty, and let his Eagles
No more, like Vultures, hover o'er our heads.
Let him do this, Arminius grants him peace.

Segestes.
This haughty answer with redoubled fury
Will light the flame of war, and once again
Wide wasting slaughter shall stalk o'er the land.

Arminius.
Go and inform Cæcina, tell your Gen'ral
Till I have chas'd his robbers and freebooters
Back to the Rhine, my sword shall ne'er be sheath'd.
And if the Romans will not leave a space,
A scanty space, where I can live in freedom,
Arminius for himself will find a spot,
Where he can die with honour.

Segestes.
Must I bear
This answer to Cæcina?

Arminius.
End we here
This war of words: All parley now is clos'd.
Conduct the traitor to his Roman friends.

[Exit Segestes, with his Train.
Inguiomer.
We thank you, brave Arminius, for this zeal,
This gen'rous ardour for our sacred rights.

Arminius.
'Tis yours, my friends, 'tis yours this very night
To prove, by valour, that the Gods reserve us
To be asserters of the public weal,
And ere the dawn, by one collected blow
To wreak our vengeance on the Roman race.