University of Virginia Library

Scena Prima.

Sabina. Julia.
Sabina.
Approve my frailty, and permit my care,
In such mishaps as these, too just they are;
When threatning dangers do impend so near,
The truest Courage is allow'd to fear.
Nor can a spirit masculine, and brave,
As noblest Hero's would pretend to have,
In such a torrent of calamities,
Practise its vertue without some surprize.
Though mine by these Alarms be shook, those fears
Oppress my heart, prevail not with my tears:
But whilst my sorrows importune the skies,
My resolution governs in mine eyes.
When there we stop the souls afflictions, then
We more than women do, if less than men;
To check our tears at such a time is proof
In our weak Sex of Fortitude enough.

Julia.
It is, and more than common souls can do,
Who from vain trifles, prophesie their woe;
But a great heart disdains a fear so base,
And dares to hope in the most desp'rate case.
Before our walls both Camps embattel'd are:
But Rome yet knows not the mischance of War;
Far then from doubt, we should applaud her might,
Rome steps to greatness when she goes to fight.
Then from your bosom banish fears so vain,
To nourish thoughts worthy a Roman's name.

Sabina.
Since my Lord's Roman, I am so, alas!
Hymen has made me Rome's concerns embrace:
But 'twere to captivate my soul, should he
Make me renounce my Countrey's memory.
Alba, where first my infant breath I drew,
Alba my Country, and my first Love too,
When War 'twixt us, and thee proclaim'd I hear
Alike I victory, and ruine fear;
And Rome if this thou Treason call, create
Thy self such foes, as I may justly hate.
When from thy prospect two great Camps appear,
Three Brothers there engag'd, a Husband here;
Can I divide my wishes then, and be
Thy votress, Rome, without impiety?
I know that in this non-age of thy State,
Thou must by conqu'ring Arms, secure its height,
I know 'twill rise, and that the Destinies
A nobler scope for thy command, than this
Of Latium points thee: That by fates decree
The world's vast Empire is entail'd on thee,
And that thou canst not, but by War advance
Thy Title to this great Inheritance.
Far from opposing then that generous fire,
That, Fate obeying, strives to make thee higher,
I now could wish, thy daring Troops to see
Crown'd with a Pyrrhenean victory.
Send out to furthest East those Bands of thine,
And with Pavillions spread the Banks of Rhine;
Go on till with invading steps thou make
Th'Herculean Pillars at thy Marches shake:
But Alba spare for Romulus his sake.
Ingrate! remember to her Kings that thou,
Thy Name, thy Walls, and thy first Laws dost owe:
Alba's thy Parent, let that stay thy hand,
E're in thy Mothers Womb, thou sheath thy brand.
Elsewhere thy still victorious Arms translate,
Shee'l smile to see her Off-spring fortunate,
And ravish'd with a fond maternal care,
Shee'l pray for thee, if thou bee'st just to her.

Julia.
This strange discourse surprizes me, and that
The more to see you now so passionate,
Who when this War broke out, and ever since
Have born your self with that indifference,
As you had been Rome's daughter, and ally'd
Unto no interest in the world beside.
I then admir'd your vertue that could bow
Your dearest interests to your Husbands so,
And form'd my comforts to you in your moan,
As if your tears had been for Rome alone.

Sabina.
Whilst in light skirmishes they fought it so
As threat'ned no side with an overthrow,
And whilst my griefs were sooth'd with hopes of peace,
I wholly Roman did my self profess.
If Romes success I look'd on with disgust,
I blam'd that private envy as unjust.
And if when Fortune took my Brothers part,
I felt a guilty joy steal o're my heart;
With reason straight that joy I overcame,
And wept when Glory triumph'd in their name:
But now that one War's utmost chance must bear,
That Alba stoop to Rome, or Rome to her:
And that, the Battel past, there rests no more
Hope for the Conquer'd; bounds to th'Conqueror:
I barbarously should my Country hate,
Could I all Roman be in this estate;
Or beg a triumph of the gods for Rome,
Which through a torrent of my blood must come.
I wean my self from one man's interest, and
'Twixt Rome and Alba now do neuter stand;
I fear for both the issue of this War,
And will for them Fortune declines, declare;
Equal till then, and then in the disgrace
I'le only share, and let the glory pass;
And whilst the day's deciding will prepare,
For th'Vanquisht tears, hate for the Vanquisher.

Julia.
What contraries do humane brests invade!
By several passions, several minds are sway'd;
And in this great affair Camilla's brest
After another manner is possest.
Her Brother is your Husband, yours to her
A servant is, in a concern as dear:
Yet with an eye from yours far different, she
Her blood engag'd against her love can see.
Whilst you maintain'd a courage, that throughout
Was brave and Roman, hers irresolute,
And fearful, dreaded petty skirmishes,
Trembling to think of either sides success.
Unto the Conquer'd still she gave her tears,
Fomenting so her endless griefs, and fears:
But when she now a day appointed knew,
And that a final Battel must ensue,
A sudden joy upon her forehead shone.

Sabina.
Alas! I fear that alteration!
With an unusual freedom yesterday
To young Valerius courtship she gave way,
And my poor Brother's interest laid apart,
This Rival doubtless triumphs in her heart.
Long absence joyn'd with present objects do
Debauch her heart from him she gave it to.
Excuse this passion in a Sisters care,
My love to him thus makes me doubt in her:
I raise my jealousie from grounds too light,
Unapt for changes are the days of fight.
In such a time as this few souls are fit,
New wounds, or new affections to admit;
And in the noise of War our passions move
With other thoughts, other concerns than love
But then we put not on such gayeties,
Such entertainments and delights as these.

Julia.
To me the cause is equally as strange,
Nor can I guess at her so sudden change,
It is enough in dangers of this kind
To see, expect, and moderate the mind:
But to arrive at joy is sure too much.

Sabina.
See a good Genius brings her to the touch.
Try her in this affair, and home; I know
Shee'l nothing hide from you, she loves you so.
I'le leave you! Sister, pray thee entertain
Julia a while, my sorrow is my shame.
And my poor heart opprest with griefs, and fears
Seeks solitude to hide my sighs, and tears.