University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Near the Cavern.
Fabius and Terentia enter.
Fab.
Come, my sad sister!—It is, surely, here—
Or near this spot!—The heart would fain approach
Where lodge its treasures!—It was said of old,
That ghosts thus haunt our charnels—and beneath
The doubtful glimpses of the dreary moon,
Oft glance athwart, or hover round the place
Where their pale bodies lie!

Teren.
O Fabius, Fabius!
Are ours the only heads, on which the gods
Should pour forth all their vengeance?

Fab.
No, Terentia!
'Tis the known lot of life—the brightest day
Of frail mortality must pass in clouds,
And sink in everlasting night!

Teren.
But O,
Our rose of Latium's garden, that dispensed
Nothing but sweets around!—in what could she
Offend the gods, that they should tear so sudden
Her fragrance from the root?

Fab.
O, the fell Pontiff! the stern wretch, Valerius!
I only hold in life till I have vengeance.—

Teren.
Hark! what groan was that?—Again!—
Do you not hear it?—

Fab.
No—'tis fancy!

Teren.
List!—
Methought it were the accent of Lavinia,
Mournfully musical!

Fab.
Do you not hear
A distant trampling?—Nearer, now!

Teren.
Yes, as of many feet.

Fab.
What can it mean?—at this dead hour!—They come!—
Let us retire, and mark them.

[Exeunt Fabius and Terentia.