University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

SCENE, A Hall in the Palace of the Consuls.
The Senate, Brutus, Silvius, Rufus, Proculus, Lictors, the Slave Vindex.
BRUTUS.
Yes; Mournful Rome must now have wept in Blood.
Death would have march'd triumphant thro' the Gates,
And heap'd the Streets with slaughter'd Citizens.
This very Night, was Tarquin to have enter'd.
Nor Sex, nor Age would have escap'd his Sword
Keen with impetuous Rage, and fell Revenge.
Then had our Liberties been lost for ever!
This close-concerted Scheme, big with Destruction,
Sprung from the fertile Brain of fraudful Cælius.
In Rome were also found rebellious Sons,
Who in Defiance of their solemn Oaths,
And every Tye that binds the Heart of Man,
Conspir'd with Tyrants to enslave their Country!
The Captain of this Band was bold Messala.
Lur'd with the Hopes of ample Wealth and Honours,
He promis'd to betray our Gates to Tarquin.

SILVIUS.
You still maintain our Rights and Liberties
With the same Zeal, as you at first redeem'd them.
But Say, how was this subtle Plan detected?

BRUTUS.
The Power Supreme, with ever-waking Eye,
Has watch'd for Rome, and guarded all our Lives.
That Slave, unseen, hearing th'Intrigues of Cælius,
[Pointing to Vindex.
Open'd to Me this formidable Plot.
Rouz'd by the pressing Danger of the Romans,
I strait gave Orders for the Public Safety:
The Ministers of Justice seiz'd Messala,
And had receiv'd express Command from Me,
To bring him instantly before the Senate.
Encompass'd as he stood, he from his Bosom
A secret Dagger snatch'd, and boldly cry'd,
“The Man who dares conspire, must dare to die!
Speaking, he fiercely plung'd it in his Breast.
Th'astonish'd Lictors ran too late to save him.

RUFUS.
What Words can pay the Thanks we owe to Brutus,
For his unwearied Toils to serve his Country?
Too mild the Fate of this audacious Traytor!—
For these perfidious Arts of smooth-tongu'd Cælius,
Eternal Infamy shall brand his Name!
Is he escap'd, rejoicing in his Crimes?

BRUTUS.
Cælius was far advanc'd. Our Troops pursu'd,
And seiz'd him near the Tuscan Camp with Lucia.
Doubt not, we soon shall dive into the Depth
Of this Conspiracy. Active Valerius
Is now employ'd in finding out the Authors.
But when you know their Names, Fathers, beware
Not to betray the State by ill-tim'd Mercy.
Fulfill your Vows: Regard their Crimes alone.
Let us be just to Rome, nor spare the Guilty,
Tho' ev'n the dearest Friends, Brothers, or Sons.
The Man who gives his Voice to pardon Treason,
Should be esteem'd Accomplice with the Traytor.
[To the Slave.]
Vindex, to whom indulgent Heav'n has given
A Dignity of Soul above thy Birth;
Thou, who hast sav'd the Roman State from Bondage,
Grateful Receive that Liberty we owe thee:
Be Free, and Equal to the greatest Roman.
[A Huzza without.
What gives Occasion to this sudden Shout?

PROCULUS.
Cælius, conducted by a Guard, approaches.

BRUTUS.
Not all his Arts can cover, or disguise
His flagrant Infamy.—