University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—The Senate. Brutus, Collatinus, Publius, and Senators.
Publius.
The Tarquins are in arms.

Collatinus.
They press on Rome.
Sextus and Aruns lead Etruscan bands,
That devastate and hasten.

Publius.
In the city
The people harness for the coming fray,
And burn to strike for freedom. Let all swear
The oath that nevermore a king shall rule,
Nor anything remain within our walls
That threatens liberty.

Collatinus.
Lo! Brutus speaks.

Brutus.
Consul, to you I turn, not willingly,
But with firm trust. I love you, yet for Rome
I speak what seems like hatred. All the folk
Chafe at the name you bear—Tarquinius—
It binds them to the memory of wrongs;
Its syllables enslave them. Collatine,
Quit us for ever, of your own accord,
In amity; complete the benefit
Of building up a state, forego your place,
And leave Rome a republic.

Collatinus.
As ye will.
Brutus, you called me to the government,
And now dismiss me,—for an accident.
This is your justice?

Brutus.
Friend, the people's dread
Is groundless, yet they hold you bear the taint
Of tyranny: endure the ignorance
That blunders for the common weal.

Senators.
Depart,
Crowned by your country's love.

Collatinus.
Your jealousy
Procures this exile. Am I treasonous?
Read my offence.

Brutus.
[Aside.]
By heaven, his consulship
Is dearer than a child! [Aloud.]
Reluctance shows
The people's fear well augured. You resist?

Senators.
Take all your wealth.

Collatinus.
I'll travel to the home,
Among Collatia's vines, where once I lived
Not lonely. Fare ye well.

Brutus.
Peace! let us rise,
And mutely do him honour. In his stead
[Exit Collatinus.
One must be chosen to conduct the war,
That straightly must engage us.

Senators.
Publius.
Interprets best the citizens' desires.

Brutus.
And, for my part, I should confirm their choice,
Which must be made in haste. Let messengers
Summon the centuries; at early dawn
Rome marches with her consuls to the field.
Despatch this business, and return to me.
I crave a second wisdom, for my friend
[Exeunt Publius and Senators.
Is gone from me; 'tis the last severance;
I have divorced them all. No private love
Remains to me; my spirit, forced to wait
On the slow lips of deity, hath need
Of leisure absolute from base affairs
Of place, of honour, and of precedence.
Yet is my heart constrained for room to hold
Its joys, its aspirations, its belief:—
Mine eyes are hindered from their goal. Oh, fast
As fore-lived things crowd through the musing brain,
The wide, delivering ages press on me,
And all my wasting passions of regret
Put on virility and seek to serve.
What mans one like to-morrow? [Looks down on the crowd, mustering in the Field of Mars.]
Goodly sight!
O Romulus, they muster on thy plain,
They dominate; and in this general joy,
This buzz of liberty, I find release
From my o'erpressing heart. My hope is built
Upon the multitude; in them are hid
The treasures of the commonwealth, and as
They grow into a people, from the source
And fountain-head of freedom they will frame
The laws that shall exalt. Lo! Publius
Is chosen. [Advances to meet him as he re-enters, with Senators.]
Hail, my brother!

Publius.
Dearest bond!
Brutus, I feel an army in myself
From those acclaiming voices.

Senators.
Victory
Attend your holy war!

Brutus.
[To Publius.]
Our day is won.

[Exeunt.