Junius Brutus A Tragedy |
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| 5. | SCENE V. |
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 | Junius Brutus |  |
SCENE V.
Brutus, Valerius, Proculus, Lictors.VALERIUS.
Brutus, to Thee the Senate have transferr'd
Their Right of Judgment on thy Son's Offence.
BRUTUS.
To Me?
VALERIUS.
To Thee alone.—
BRUTUS.
What of the rest?
VALERIUS.
Their Sentence is already past.
Ev'n now perhaps the Lictor's dreaded Hand
Cuts off their forfeit Lives.
BRUTUS.
Say'st thou the Senate have to Me referr'd
The Fate of Titus?
VALERIUS.
Such is their Sovereign Will.
86
What Answer shall I bear?
BRUTUS.
That Brutus justly values this high Favour,
Which tho' he did not seek, he'll aim at least
By an impartial Conduct to deserve.—
But did not Titus yield without Resistance,
Who might—You will excuse my doubtful Heart—
He was the Hope of Rome—I feel I love him—
VALERIUS.
Lucia—
BRUTUS.
Ha!
VALERIUS.
Lucia, this very Moment,
Too far confirms his Guilt.
BRUTUS.
Confirms his Guilt!
VALERIUS.
No sooner she beheld the fatal Scaffolds,
The gathering Crowd, the Lictors, and the Axes,
But this unhappy Maid, with frantic Sorrow
Tore her dishevell'd Hair, and raving cry'd,
Is this the Royal Dower to Titus promis'd?
Speaking she sunk, oppress'd with mighty Woe!
The deadly Struggle o'er, and Life return'd,
Her Servants seize this Interval of Reason,
And with officious Care conduct her hither.
BRUTUS.
Just Gods!
[After a Pause.]
Lictors, bring in Titus.
87
A Father's Grief deserves to be rever'd.
Rome will approve whatever You decree.
[Exit.
| Junius Brutus | |