University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Senate, Brutus, Valerius, Proculus.
BRUTUS.
Welcome, Valerius.
Hast thou discover'd the Conspirators?
But whence this Gloom? What means that downcast Look?
You tremble.

VALERIUS.
Remember thou art Brutus.

BRUTUS.
Explain thyself.

VALERIUS.
My Tongue faulters.
[He offers a Scroll to him.
This secret Draught of the Conspiracy,
In which the leading Rebels stand enroll'd,
Was by the Lictors seiz'd upon Messala.

BRUTUS,
[Looking upon the Scroll.]
Are not my Eyes deceiv'd? Detested Day!
O wretched Father!—What! my Son Tiberius!
Forgive me, Senators—Is he secur'd?

[Returning the Scroll.
VALERIUS.
He stood on his Defence with two bold Traytors,
Who rather chose to die, than to surrender;
And, obstinately fighting, near them fell.—
But there remains a heavier Weight of Grief;
To Rome, to Thee, and Me, far more afflicting!

BRUTUS.
What do I hear?

VALERIUS.
Resume, and read again
This dreadful List.

BRUTUS.
O Torture! Torture!—Titus!—

[He falls into the Arms of Proculus.
SILVIUS.
What! Titus charg'd with practising Rebellion!
After such glorious Deeds in our Defence,
Can He, at last, be faithless to his Country?
If his ingenuous Bosom harbours Treason,
Where shall we seek for Honour, Truth, and Virtue?
Who can be safe, when Titus is accus'd?

RUFUS.
I value and admire, no less than Silvius,
Th'heroic Worth of your Illustrious Son.
[To Brutus.
But we're no Strangers to his headstrong Passions;
We know to what Excess he was transported,
When his ambitious Views were lately check'd.
How far a blind Resentment may prevail,
'Tis hard to say. But if, which Heav'n avert!
Th'unhappy Youth has been seduc'd by Cælius,
I'll joyfully concur in any Measures
To testify our Gratitude to Brutus.
Perhaps Valerius can inform us farther.

VALERIUS.
I found him wand'ring in a lonely Place,
Anxious, unarm'd, dismay'd, and full of Horror;
His down-cast Eyes and folded Arms confess'd,
Some mighty Woe sat heavy on his Soul.

BRUTUS.
Fathers, return without me to the Capitol;
I ought not now to take a Seat among you.
Justly exterminate my guilty Race:
Nor will I there attend you, lest my Presence
Shou'd seem design'd t'arrest your speedy Vengeance.

[Exeunt Valerius and all the Senators.