 | The Vestal Virgin |  |
SCENE VIII.
Valerius enters, preceded by Lictors—To him, Julia and Valeria, from the opposite side.Julia.
Justice, Lord Pretor!—we demand strict justice!
Valer.
Say, on whom?
Julia.
The criminal before you!
Valer.
Lavinia, mean you?—'tis not in her nature
To give offence.
Julia.
My lord, you know her not—she's false and perjured!
This very day, she swore, to all the gods,
No more to see, or listen to Favonius;
And yet, the passing moment has beheld her
In secret converse with him.
Valer.
Does she then know Favonius?
383
Ah, too well—
Too closely intimate!
Julia.
And Fabius vow'd, on their next interview,
To doom her to eternal continence,
In Vesta's temple.
Valer.
Leave us together!
[Exeunt Julia and Valeria.
Valer.
Lavinia! loveliest maid! the gods do know,
You must not marry Cimbrius!
Lavin.
No, my Lord!
Valer.
Not that I think Lavinia undeserving
A greater than Favonius—such, indeed,
I had provided for her!—Say, my child,
Will you commit the chusing of your husband,
To me your anxious friend?
Lavin.
O, my dread Lord,
Let it suffice that I refuse your son,
That I have vow'd no further commerce with him!
Yet, widow'd to all else, the very thought
Of any other choice is horror to me!
Valer.
Then, hasten to the temple.—Julia!—
| The Vestal Virgin | |