University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

TITUS
alone.
He's gone—But in what Anguish has he left me!
Lucia might still be Mine! But on what Terms?
It shocks my very Soul to think of them!
This wily Orator came to discover
The secret Flame that preys upon my Heart—
It stands confest; my Looks, my every Action
Betray'd the Force of my unbounded Love.
He now returns triumphant to Porsenna,
And mocks the Folly of my fond Desires—
Still Lucia might be Mine! I might with Her
Wear Life away in ravishing Delights!
Great Gods! if this were true—What vain Delusions
Dazzle my Senses, and distract my Thoughts!
While here I wildly chase a fleeting Phantom,
All Rome demands me at the Capitol.
Th'impatient Multitude, in countless Numbers,
Gather'd beneath the high Triumphal Arches,
Echo my Name with joyful Acclamations,
And call me to begin the solemn Oaths,
Th'inviolable Pledges of our Freedom!
I'll go—But there I shall behold the Senate,
That Crowd of Kings, the Object of my Hatred—
Unhappy Wretch! would they so much offend thee,
Was not thy doating Mind enthrall'd to Lucia?
Here every thing disgusts thy sickly Sense.
Awake! awake! shake off this sluggish Softness!
Ah! Titus, calm this Tempest of the Soul,
That mocks thy Reason, and defies Controul:
Quell thy Revenge; this Tenderness subdue;
To Rome, to Brutus, and Thyself be true!
O'er thy own Passions now the Conquest gain,
Those Tyrants of the Mind, that rend this tortur'd Brain!