 | Caius Gracchus |  |
SCENE III.
—Caius Gracchus's House.Enter Livia and Licinia.
Lici.
I am the happiest wife in Rome, my Livia!
The happiest wife in Rome.
Livia.
I doubt it not!
But there's Flaminius' wife, the other day,
Scarce from the Forum to her house could pass
For salutations, that her husband won
The consulate.
Lici.
That day, my Caius sat
At home with me, and read to me, my Livia.
Little cared I who won the consulate!
Livia.
And there's Lectorius has obtained a government;
His wife will be a queen!
Lici.
Well, let her be so!
My queendom is, to be a simple wife.
This is my government, my husband's house,
Where, when he sits beside me, I'm enthroned.
Enough. You'll smile; but, Juno be my witness!
I'd rather see him, with his boy upon
His knee, than seated in the consul's chair,
With all the senate round him.
[During this speech she pulls forward the table, &c. and places her embroidery.
Livia.
Yet his greatness
Must needs be thine.
Lici.
I do not care for greatness:
It is a thing lives too much out of doors;
'Tis anywhere but at home; you will not find it
Once in a week, in its own house, at supper
With the family. Knock any hour you choose,
And ask for it; nine times in ten they'll send you
To the senate, or the Forum, or to such
Or such a one's, in quest of it! 'Tis a month
Since Caius took a meal from home, and that
Was with my brother. If he walks, I walk
Along with him, if I choose; or if I stay
Behind, it is a race 'twixt him and the time
He promised to be back again, which is first;
And when he's back, and the door shut on him,
Consummate happy in my world within,
I never think of any world without.
11
Well, then, you are the happiest wife in Rome.
Lici.
Tell me, and did Flaminius' wife weep, Livia,
That day when Rome did salutation to her?
Livia.
Weep!—No. Why should she weep?
Lici.
For happiness.
Do you see? I cannot talk of Caius, but
I weep, so happy am I! Here's Cornelia;
That stately step is hers. She loves me, Livia,
Though oft she chides me, that I'd have my Caius
Live for his wife alone.
Enter Cornelia.
Cor.
Good day, my Livia.
Now would I lose my head, could I not tell
What this fair thing, that calls me mother, has
Been talking of: if not her husband, then
For once hath the hundredth chance turn'd up, with all
The ninety-nine against it!
Lici.
Well, a wife
May talk of her husband.
Cor.
Did I not tell you so?
Well, well! I've just now come from thy young Caius;
We've almost quarrell'd; would you think it? Mind,
Licinia, what I say. That boy's the making
Of a man that will not keep on humble terms
With Fortune, but walk up to her, and challenge her
To smile or frown her most.
Lici.
It must content me,
His father is not such a one.
Cor.
May be!
Lici.
Ay, but I'm sure of it!
[Sits down to her embroidery.
Livia.
Good day, Licinia!
Cornelia, health be with you!
Lici.
Must you go?
You have not told me yet the morning's news.
Livia.
Indeed I've heard none, save that Vettius,
They say, is to be banish'd, which no doubt
You know already.
Lici.
Not a word of it.
What is the time of day?
Livia.
'Tis the third hour,
And past. Good day again.
[Goes out.
Cor.
Good day, my Livia!
Why, my Licinia, what's the matter with you?
You've suffered Livia to depart, without
Saying good-bye to her.
Lici.
'Tis past the time
Caius should have been back, almost an hour.
Cor.
Well, what and if it is? Go on with your work,
And while the time away; the sooner he'll
Be with you.
[Advancing towards her, and looking over her shoulder.
12
A musk-rose, is it not? 'Tis everything
Except the scent, and that almost I think
I can perceive with looking on't. Indeed,
You are a skilful needle!
Lici.
Do you think
Caius hath aught to do with Vettius' trial?
Cor.
Think what is passing on Olympus! One way
Or the other, what concerns it us? Men have
Their proper business, which no part it is
Of ours to help to manage. Why, that thread's
A crimson one you're taking to the leaf?
Lici.
[Rising.]
Cornelia! Mother! Know you anything
About Caius? I'm sure you do. You praise
My work when I discourse of him; when I question you
Concerning him, your answer but puts off
The proper one, which, were it good to have,
Would you not give it me? I fear, I know
Not what! Oh, tell me what have I to fear?
Keep me not in the dark! A thing, we see not,
Stirring will startle us, which, when light comes,
We smile to find it nothing.
Cor.
Take your seat,
And I'll sit down by you; and listen to me.
Lici.
I thank you now, Cornelia!
Cor.
Thank me by-and-by;
You should, but I doubt you will not. I know nothing
Of Caius' measures.
Lici.
Measures!—Hath he measures?
Cor.
Hath he hands and feet?—Hath he brains and heart?—Is he
A man?—What do you take him for?—Have men
No parts to play but lovers?—What! are they
Not citizens as well?—Have they not crafts,
Callings, professions? Women act their parts,
Then, when they make their order'd houses know them.
Men must be busy out of doors,—must stir
The city,—yea, make the great world aware
That they are in it; for the mastery
Of which they race, and wrestle, and such feats
Perform, the very skies, in wonderment,
Echoing Earth's acclaim, applaud them, too!
Enter Licinius.
What want you with me, my Licinius? [Rising and taking him aside.]
You
Have come to tell me something. Caius hath spoken
For Vettius? I was sure he would! 'Tis done!
He has enter'd the lists—he has stripp'd for the course! I know
He will not get fair play, no more than his brother.
These fears are not good omens, my Licinius!
But let him run it nobly!
13
Nobly he
Has started! Vettius is acquitted.
Cor.
So far
So well. Away! Hurry him home to us,—
The sooner here the better!
Lici.
[Rising.]
Stay, Licinius!
Cor.
I'll tell you all, Licinia; let him go.
Caius hath spoken in the Forum for
[Licinius goes out.
His brother's friend, and they've acquitted him.
Lici.
[Bursting into tears.]
An hour ago I was the happiest wife
In Rome!
Cor.
Licinia, if you are Caius' wife,
I am his mother. Is he not dear to me,—
My youngest son, and last? Yet do I bear
That which I know must come. I know my son:
Know thou thy husband—know our Caius Gracchus!
He loves his mother well—Licinia better,—
His country best! As I, his mother, grudge not
That he prefers thee, thou, his wife, repine not
That he prefers his country. Both of us
Make up our minds to whatsoe'er may follow.
Enter Lucius.
Luc.
My master 's coming, Cornelia, attended by a crowd
of citizens, who rend the air with shouts. They say he has
procured the acquittal of the noble Vettius. Rome is all joy
and exultation.
Cor.
Run to the door, and wait upon thy master.
[Lucius goes out.
Hear you, Licinia? Away with these sad looks;
Damp not your husband's triumph! Can you hear
The people's shouts, and not partake their joy?
Lici.
I can remember, when Tiberius fell,
Not one of all of them had voice enough
To bid his murderers hold!
Cor.
'Tis well, Licinia!
Had he not fallen in a most generous cause,
I should have thought of that as well as you!
[Shouts without.
Enter Caius Gracchus, Lucius, and Attendants.
My son—my Caius! give you joy!—You've saved
The life of your brother's friend!
Caius.
Licinia knows it?
Cor.
She does; go to her.
Caius.
She has more to learn.
Scarce had I left the Forum, when a message
From the consul follow'd, giving me the post
Of questor, and requiring me on the instant
To join Opimius.
[Lucius and Attendants go out.
Cor.
What! and must you leave us?
I did not look for this. At once, my Caius?
Well, son, I'm ready. Go, prepare thy wife.
14
What, my Licinia! don't you speak to Caius?
Lici.
You never said a word of it to me!
Re-enter Licinius.
Lic.
Come, Caius, are you ready?
Lici.
Ready for what?
Caius.
To take a ride, wife, and a long one, too.
Lic.
The general waits.
Re-enter Lucius and Attendants, bearing Caius's helmet, sword, and cloak.
Lici.
The general waits!—What general?
Where are you going, Caius?—Oh, ye gods!
What else do ye intend?—Tell me the worst!
Caius.
Love, I'm appointed questor to Opimius;
And but a moment have for the farewells
'Twould take a day to speak! Do you trust your Caius?
Lici.
Do I love thee!
Cor.
Ay, Licinia, if you love him!
Wouldst have thy husband be the lowest man
In Rome? Thou knowest none may hope to gain
The honours of the state, who have not shown
Their prowess in the field. A Roman wife
Is married to her husband's glory, not
His ease and pleasure. Come, take leave of him.
Lici.
I'll see you to your horse.
Cor.
What, with that face?
Lici.
Will you not see your boy before you go?
Caius.
I saw him, Sweet, as I came in.
Lici.
Well, Caius,
Farewell!
Caius.
Now, that's my own Licinia!
I'll send you letters, love, day after day.
Now, that's my own brave girl, to smile! 'Tis like
A sunny morning to a traveller
At setting out, which fills him with fair omens.
Farewell!
Lici.
I'll see you to the door.
Caius.
So do.
Keep up your heart, love; I can come to you,
You know, at a day's warning!—Think of that.
Or you can come to me!—and you will write
Dear letters, won't you! every word of which
I'll kiss, and think I press the hand that traced them!
There now;—and, love, remember, as I shall,
Sad parting makes sweet meeting. Now, my Licinia!
[They go out.
| Caius Gracchus | |