University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

BRUTUS.
To Your Decrees, great Gods! I am resign'd.
You, by my Hands, have rear'd this noble Fabrick
Of Legal Power, and Public Liberty,
Fix'd on the Basis of Eternal Justice,
And promising to last a Length of Ages!—
Yet in an Hour, my own unnatural Sons
Would have destroy'd this fair and stately Structure,
Had not just Heav'n blasted their impious Purpose.—
O! Power Supreme!—Father of Men and Gods!
Strengthen the generous Hands that fight for Freedom,
And strike a Terror thro' the Foes of Rome!—
Remov'd from Public View, I may discard
The awful Rigour of a Roman Consul,
And with Paternal Pity mourn my Sons,
By too severe a Fate, at once cut off,
In early Youth, with everlasting Shame,
(O killing Thought!) as Traytors to their Country!
That thou, Tiberius! hast conspir'd with Tyrants,
To introduce Despotic Pow'r and Bondage,
Nature recoils!—It sinks my Soul with Sorrow!—
But then that Titus too, so brave a Roman,
Who on this Day, distinguish'd by his Triumph,
Was crown'd with Laurels in the Capitol
By my own Hands, in Presence of the People,
Hope of my Age, and Glory of his Country!
That he should join in this Accursed Scheme!—
O Titus! Titus! would the Gods permit me
To offer up my Life to ransom thine,
For Thee, my Son, I would contented die!
But Honour, Virtue, Rome, all, all forbid it!—
O Rome! thou little know'st, what Pangs I feel,
To fix thy Rights, and make thee free and glorious!