Brutus A Tragedy |
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| 5. | SCENE V. |
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 | Brutus |  |
SCENE V.
BRUTUS, VALERIUS, ATTENDANTS, LICTORS.VALERIUS.
The senate hath resolved,
To thy determination to submit
The sentence of thy son.
BRUTUS.
To mine!
VALERIUS.
His fate
On thee alone depends.
BRUTUS.
How of the rest
Have they disposed?
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All who conspired besides
Have been condemn'd; e'en now perhaps they feel
The mortal stroke.
BRUTUS.
And is his destiny
Referr'd to me? The fathers of their country,
Have they to my arbitrement decreed
The life or death of Titus? of my son?
VALERIUS.
It is a signal honour, which they thought
Due to thy virtues.
BRUTUS.
O my country!
VALERIUS.
What,
Shall I inform the senate, is thy answer?
BRUTUS.
That Brutus sees, and values, as he ought,
A favour so distinguish'd; freely given,
And unsolicited; nor shall he prove
Unworthy of the trust.—But, Titus yielded
Without resistance; could he then—Forgive me,
If I am anxious to find grounds for doubt.
To him Rome owes her freedom; and affection
Cannot at once its pleasing thoughts resign,
My heart still t'ward him beats.
VALERIUS.
Th'unhappy Tullia—
BRUTUS.
Say, what of Tullia?
VALERIUS.
Hath too well confirm'd
The truth of our suspicions.
BRUTUS.
How, Valerius?
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Brought back with shame and anguish to our walls,
When her sad eyes beheld the dreadful scene
Of punishment prepared; her hand completing
The melancholy sacrifice, she fell,
She breathed her last; thus offering to our laws,
Ill-fortuned maid, the sole remaining branch
From a vile tyrant sprung.—If Titus err'd,
If strongly tempted, he betray'd his country,
She was the cause.—My heart reveres thee, Brutus—
I venerate a father's sacred grief;
But Tullia when expiring, hither cast
Her eyes, scarce struggling with th'incumbent weight,
And call'd on Titus.
BRUTUS.
Oh, all-righteous gods!
VALERIUS.
Thou art his judge; whether thou strike the victim,
Save, or condemn; Rome cannot but approve
What Brutus shall determine.
BRUTUS.
Lictors, hence!
Bring Titus strait before me.
VALERIUS.
I retire,
While all my bosom, by thy virtue fill'd,
Dilated swells. Astonishment and pity
With admiration join as I behold thee.
I go with awe imprest, to represent
Th'excess of thy affliction to the senate,
And thy unshaken fortitude of soul.
| Brutus | |