University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—High ground before Ardea; the besieging army in sight.
Enter Sextus: he looks back toward Rome.
Sextus.
What holds me from the town? I'd business there,
And made straight for the gates; it was the hour
Of opening, and I stood and watched them swing,
Yet could not stir a foot. Doubtless success
Hath somewhat weakened me; the branching road
Hath borne me hither, and I do not doubt
War's noisy traffic will best block my ears
From certain sounds the wind bears after me
In harassing pursuit. Why must I pause
To watch the sun rise? On Collatia's roofs
He glistens; the young doves were cooing low,
In the first light, when I set out for Rome.
What purple clouds beset the Capitol!
The temple's dark; but on the lower ground,
The Regia flares: 'twill be a stormy day;
I'll back to drill and discipline; two hours
Of the accustomed will recover me.
[Enter Brutus.]
There's Brutus—well, that's better, in the sun,
Than to encounter Collatine. [Observing Brutus.]
He loves
To mutter to himself.

Brutus.
[Climbing the hill.]
There is a way
Of life, a good for men, a shapely world,
Though all is black confusion. [He gains the summit, and sees the city lying in sunlight.]
God of day,
Thou hold'st the city, all her seven hills
Crowd for thy golden kiss! Apollo, rule
My Rome; thou hast the great assuaging art
Of eloquence; I, in my blurting rage,
Should move men to derision. 'Tis my blood
Revolts; that palace flaunting to the sky—
About its base the city strews her dead,
It is unclean, it savours of offence.
Thou punishest, thine arrows speed to hell,—
Send forth thy darts; for now, if heaven fail,
By crime, contagious wrath, conspiracy,
Must come the retribution. [Observing Sextus.]
Back to camp!
Surveying Ardea from this vantage-ground,
You counsel an assault?

Sextus.
Assuredly.
The town will yield, our engines at her walls.
We have been slack, and compassed her without
The press of resolution. Let her feel
Our will is in her overthrow, she'll ope
Her gates, and tremble. Think you there is aught
I could attempt, and fail in?

Brutus.
I am dull.
At Gabii you found guile answer best,
Who now are all for force,—at Gabii.
I cannot give advice; my head's a field
On which contending armies intermix;
I cannot clear a space for policy.

Sextus.
'Tis well, my cousin, that you keep a fool.
To be a prince,
Warm, lustful, arrogant, without respect
Of prejudice or person, is to learn
There's no opposing virtue in the world.
One need not sweat at one's iniquity;
All's slab to one's desire.

[Collatinus approaches.
Brutus.
There's Collatine!

Sextus.
Your nearest friend. [Aside, as he retires.]
Fools love such intercourse;
They trust each other. [Glancing at Collatinus.]
Now, for one quick breath,
I triumph; you at least are dispossessed,
And I am quit of envy. Everything
Is common and unclean. From Lucrece' couch
Where shall I go? 'Twas folly to survive!
[Exit Sextus.

Brutus.
Welcome, my Collatine! How went the wage?
[Aside.]
Yet am I scarcely curious.

Collatinus.
She won!
Proud Sextus fastened on her his great eyes,
In a very stare of wonder. The young prince
Hath seldom looked upon true modesty.

Brutus.
And must not; 'tis a sight too reverend
For one so impious.

Collatinus.
Brutus, there you err;
Our cousin Tarquin hath an open soul,
Boyish, and quickly moved. Soon as he saw
Lucrece, he quite forgot his angry fit,
And prayed to visit us. Methinks, e'en now
He lodges at Collatia.

Brutus.
Then he left
At very early dawn; for on the hill
We talked together, as you climbed to us;
And in the ruddy sunlight he grew pale,
As you approached.

Collatinus.
A shyness, it is true,
I've noted in him.

Brutus.
It were natural
He should have brought you tidings of your home.
I would not have you trust its sacred walls
To foreign soldiership. Take holiday;
And give Lucretia the most blest surprise,
And comfort of your presence. Go alone.
The dew of your first bridal privacy
Enter, and balm your soul! Our dusty camp
Hath something harmed you.

[A messenger enters, with letter.
Collatinus.
Here's a messenger!
Brutus, you come fresh from the oracle.
Interpret this.

Brutus.
[Reading.]
Rome harbours traitors;—it hath reached my ears;
Great glory shall you have delivering her,
Through my betrayal, from her enemies.
Speed with my father, and two trusty friends;
Brutus is worthy of thy faith.

Collatinus.
You've caught
The stare of the fixed priestess.

Brutus.
She's betrayed.

Collatinus.
Nay, Dullard, she betrays Rome's enemies.

Brutus.
We will avenge her.

Collatinus.
She shall have great fame.
Rome harbours traitors; she discovers this;
And saves her city: come!

Brutus.
Go, seek her father. Yonder is his tent.
[Exit Collatinus.
How it breaks on me! I can bear it all.
Ye gods, re-mark the city's boundaries;
Fling in my nature's ditch the holy fruits
Of man's religion, furrow deep in me
The piercing share that shall define the wall
Exiling tyranny.
[Re-enter Collatinus, with Lucretius.]
To-day are laid,
Lucrece, the deep foundations of thy Rome.
Thou'lt give thy blood? Her father,—Collatine,—
(Aloud.)
Friends, are you ready? Do not start in haste.

[Exeunt.