University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—A Street in Rome.
Enter Vettius and Pomponius.
Pom.
It was a false return. He had their votes,
Though he has lost his office. Lo you, now,
What strides they take that used to walk before
So circumspectly! Scarcely is he brought
Into a private state again, than they
Proceed to abrogate his laws. This blow,
If there it light, where it is meant it should,
Will not fall short a hair's breadth of his life.

Vet.
You may be sure of it! To compass that
Opimius got the consulship.

Pom.
This morning,
Caius and he met near the Capitol;
Flaccus held Caius by the arm;—Opimius,
On seeing him, makes a dead stand, and then,
With eyes fix'd on him thus, and folded arms,
He follows him right round, and cries to him,
“What, hoa! you, Caius Gracchus, whither now?
What plot 's on foot?” Then falls on him with such
A torrent of vile terms, as it would sting
The tamest looker-on to hear.

Vet.
And how
Did Caius bear it?

Pom.
Why, as one that, seeing
A tiger ready couch'd to spring upon him,
In quick avoidance finds security.
He pass'd in silence on. Opimius had
His Candiot troops with him. But where is Flaccus?

Vet.
Gone to bring Caius to the Forum. How
Have you disposed our Latin friends?

Pom.
About
The rostrum.

Vet.
Fear not! If it comes to numbers,
Ours can tell theirs thrice over.

Enter Licinius.
Lic.
Friends, well met!
Something's on foot that bodes not good to Caius.
I pass'd just now a group of senators:
One of them named him, and had farther spoken,
But that another placed, on seeing me,
His finger on his lip. You may be sure
They only want occasion to despatch him.

Vet.
All Rome perceives it. Men inquire for him
As one whom mischief dogs: “Is Caius well?
When saw you him?—Does he go out to-day
To the Forum?”—half under breath, as fearing for
The answer. Others, as his friends pass by,
Lay heads together, and, with eyes glanced towards them,
Whisper with looks, portentous. Some do smile
That never smiled before on aught that loved him.
That's the worse sign! A smile from those that hate us,
Ensures some scowl of fate about to fall,
If not already lowering.

Pom.
What's to be done?

Lic.
Meet them with force.

Pom.
Agreed!

Vet.
Agreed!

Lic.
Away, then!
If you have any friend as yet unpledged,
Change oaths with him.

Vet.
When meet we in the Forum?

Lic.
At the third hour—It is the hour of his fate!
If they repeal his laws, farewell to Rome!

[They go out.