 | Junius Brutus |  |
SCENE II.
The Senate, Brutus, Cælius, Lictors.CÆLIUS.
O! frantic Romans,
How dare you violate the Laws of Nations!—
81
What means this Outrage on my Character?
BRUTUS.
Thy Character does but enhance thy Guilt:
No more appeal to a vain empty Title.
CÆLIUS.
A King's Ambassador—
BRUTUS.
Ambassador!
Thou'rt but a dignify'd Conspirator,
Presuming to commit the basest Crimes,
Beneath the Sanction of a Sacred Name.
The true Ambassador regards his Honour,
Nor stains by Treachery his awful Trust:
Promoting still Benevolence and Peace,
He's every where receiv'd with Reverence.
Try, if thy Actions suit this Character!—
But know, the Roman State, tho' thus provok'd,
Will faithfully obey the Laws of Nations;
Nor farther Punishment on You inflict,
Than to behold those perjur'd Parricides,
Whom You seduc'd, suffer the Fate they merit.
When that is past, go sooth Porsenna's Ear
With the Success of this perfidious Scheme;
And, in thy Person thus dismiss'd Untouch'd,
Thro' all Hesperia's States at once display
The Lenity of Rome and thy Disgrace.
Lictors, conduct him hence.
[Exit Cælius, attended by two Lictors.
| Junius Brutus | |