 | The Vestal Virgin |  |
SCENE VI.
Julia and Valeria enter.Fab.
Where have you left Lavinia?
Julia.
In the Temple.
Fab.
By whose decree?
Julia.
Your own, this very morning,
If she held future commerce with Favonius.
Fab.
Madam, you must not forward my decree,
Without my privity.—Return and bring her!
Julia.
She is already consecrate—I cannot—
Nor would I, if I could!
Fab.
How!
Julia.
I say, I would not!
Fab.
Where are the keys?
Valeria.
Ah, sir! what mean you by that question?—Sure
You would not, in a start of blinded passion,
You would not fix dishonour on my mother,
By a divorce?
394
Go, foolish girl!—divorce?—
Yes—when he chuses to divorce my fortunes,
The pomp and high alliance which I brought him,
And be again the mate of poverty!
Valeria.
Restrain yourself, my mother!
Fab.
Where are the keys?
Julia.
The servant has them—
Junia!
Servant enters.
Serv.
My lady!
Julia.
Our master wants the keys.
[Delivers the keys to Julia.
Here—will you have them?—Think better!—haply,
I may not, suddenly, be in the humour
To take them back again.
Fab.
Resign the keys.
[As Fabius offers to take the keys, Valeria interposes.
Valeria.
Good my Lord, patience!—My honour'd mother,
Make due submission!
Fab.
Your proud brother, too,
Was in this business—the imperious Pontiff—
His dignities ill-suited!—He shall feel
The power of him he dares to injure thus!—
I wish he were removed for ever!
Julia.
He shall know your wish.
Fab.
Do me that pleasure—I abjure ye all,
The wealth-exalted, self-important race
Of the Valerii!—Give me up the keys!
Julia.
You will not, dare not take them—the acceptance
395
Five hundred years have told not five divorces!—
You dare not fasten such disgrace upon me!
Fab.
Yes—let it fix, a badge upon the pride
Of your imperious overbearing house!
Give me my keys!—I will send back your dower,
With added trash—a cheap and glad exchange
For the dear treasure of domestic quiet!
Julia.
Enough—I yield them, thus!—
[Dashing them on the floor.
Yet know, lost man,
I loved thee—by the gods, I loved thee, Fabius!
Come away, girl!—
[Exeunt Julia and Valeria.
Fab.
Go—call her back!—
Yet, tarry—let her pass!
| The Vestal Virgin | |