 | Virginius |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
—Appius's House.Appius
[entering].
It is not love, if what I've felt before
And call'd by such a name be love—a thing
That took its turn—that I could entertain,
Put off, or humour. 'Tis some other thing;
Or if the same, why in some other state—
Or I am not the same—or it hath found
Some other part of sensibility
More quick, whereon to try its power, and there
Expends it all! Now, Claudius, your success?
Enter Claudius.
Claud.
Nothing would do, yet nothing left undone!
She was not to be purchased.
App.
Did she guess—
Claud.
She could not.
So guarded was my agent; who described you
A man of power, of noble family,
And regal fortune—one that ask'd not what
His pleasures cost—no further made disclosure.
App.
And did it nothing move her, Claudius?
Claud.
Nothing.
The more my agent urged, the more the shrunk
And wither'd hag grew callous. Further press'd
And with more urgent importuning; ire
And scorn, in imprecations and invectives,
Vented upon the monster—as she call'd him—
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To drop the suit she saw was hopeless.
App.
Now
Had I a friend indeed!
Claud.
Has Appius need
To search for such a friend, and Claudius by him?
App.
Friends ever are provisionally friends—
Friends for so far—friends just to such a point,
And then “farewell!”—friends with an understanding—
As “should the road be pretty safe”—“the sea
Not over-rough,” and so on—friends of ifs
And buts—no friends! O could I find the man
Would be a simple thorough-going friend!
Claud.
I thought you had one, Appius.
App.
So thought Appius,
Till Appius thought upon a test of friendship,
He fears he would not render to himself,
Could he be Appius' friend.
Claud.
Then Appius has
A truer friend than Appius is to Appius.
I'll give that test!
App.
What! you'd remove her father
And that Icilius whom you told me of?
Claud.
Count it a thing already done.
App.
My Claudius!
Can I believe it? Art thou such a friend,
That, when I look'd for thee to stop and leave me,
I find thee, keeping with me, step by step;
And even in thy loving eagerness
Outstriding me?—I do not want thee, Claudius,
To soil thy hand with their plebeian blood.
Claud.
What wouldst thou, then?
App.
I was left guardian to thee—
Claud.
Thou wast.
App.
Among the various property
Thy father left were many female slaves.
Claud.
Well?
App.
It were easy for thee, were it not,
To invent a tale that one of them confess'd
She had sold a female infant (and, of course,
Thy slave) unto Virginius' wife, who pass'd it
Upon Virginius as his daughter, which
Supposititious offspring is this same
Virginia.
Claud.
I conceive you.
App.
To induce
Your agent to confirm your tale would cost
But small persuasion. Is it done?
Claud.
This hour!
I'll find the school, my Appius, where Virginia
Pursues her studies. Thither I'll repair,
And seize her as my slave, at once. Do thou
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Her friends molest me in the attempt, I'll bring her,
And plead my cause before thee.
App.
Claudius! Claudius!
How shall I pay thee? O, thou noble friend!
Power, fortune, life, whate'er belongs to Appius,
Reckon as thine! Away, away, my Claudius!
[They go out severally.
SCENE II.
—A Street in Rome.Enter Lucius, meeting Titus, Servius, and Cneius.
Luc.
Well, masters, any news of Siccius Dentatus from the
camp, how he was received by the decemvirs?
Tit.
He was received well by the decemvirs.
Cne.
It wasn't then for the love they bear him.
Tit.
But they expect he'll help them to return the cuffs they
have gotten from the enemy.
Ser.
Do you wish for a victory?
Luc.
Yes, if Dentatus wins it. 'Tis to our credit, masters
—He's one of us.
Ser.
And is not Spurius Oppius one of us?
Luc.
He is; but he's in league with the patricians—that is,
the patrician decemvirs. He is but half a plebeian, and that
is the worst half. The better half he threw away when he
became half a patrician. I never liked your half-and-half
gentry; they generally combine the bad of both kinds, without
the good of either.
Ser.
Well, we shall have news presently. Your brother,
Icilius, has just arrived with despatches from the camp. I
met him passing through the Forum, and asked him what
news he brought. He answered, none; but added, we might
look for news of another kind than what we had been lately
accustomed to hear.
[A shriek without.
Cne.
What's that!
Tit.
Look yonder, masters! See!
Ser.
'Tis Appius's client dragging a young woman along
with him.
Tit.
Let us stand by each other, masters, and prevent him.
Enter Claudius, dragging along Virginia, followed by Servia and others.
Servia.
Help! help! help!
Luc.
Let go your hold!
Claud.
Stand by!
She is my slave!
Servia.
His slave? Help! help! His slave?—
He looks more like a slave than she! Good masters!
Protect the daughter of Virginius!
Luc.
Release the maid.
Tit.
Forbear this violence.
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I call for the assistance of the laws;
She is my slave.
Servia.
She is my daughter, masters,
My foster-daughter; and her mother was
A free-born woman—and her father is
A citizen!—a Roman!—good Virginius,
As I said before—Virginius, the centurion,
Whom all of you must know.—Help! help! I say.
You see she cannot speak to help herself;
Speak for her, masters—help her, if you're men!
Tit.
Let go your hold!
Claud.
Obstruct me at your peril!
Luc.
We'll make you, if you will not!
Claud.
Let me pass!
Ser.
Let go your hold, once more!
Claud.
Good masters! patience—
Hear me, I say—She is my slave—I wish not
To use this violence, my friends; but may not
A master seize upon his slave?—Make way,
Or such of you as are dissatisfied,
Repair with me to the decemvir.—Come,
I only want my right!
Tit.
Come on, then!
Ser.
Ay,
To the decemvir!
Servia.
Run, run for Numitorius!—Alarm our neighbours!
—Call out Icilius' friends!—I shall go mad! Help! help!
help!
[They go out.
SCENE III.
—The Forum.Enter Appius, preceded by Lictors.
App.
Will he succeed?—Will he attempt it?—Will he
Go through with it?— [Looking out]
—No sign—I almost wish
He had not undertaken it; yet wish,
More than I wish for life, he may accomplish
What he has undertaken. O! the pause
That precedes action! It is vacancy
That o'erweighs action's substance. What I fear
Most is the hour. My blind impatience saw not
'Twas day! Her all-persuasive charms, alone
Will gather round her, from the passers-by
Troops to her succour!—What, then, with the aid
Of cries and tears, enforcing their appeal?
[Listens.
That sound brings feet in haste!—He brings her, but
Behemm'd with friends!—Now, play for love,
As boldly as for power! I must prepare
For his reception.
[Appius ascends the tribunal—Claudius enters, still holding Virginia, followed by Servia, Women, and Citizens.
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Do not press upon me;
Here's the decemvir—he will satisfy you,
Whether a master has a right, or not,
To seize his slave whene'er he finds her.
Servia.
Slave!
She is no slave. Thou liest to call her so!
She never was a slave! Thou worse than slave!
To give her such a name—Ay! threaten me!
She is a free-born maid, and not a slave,
Or never was a free-born maid in Rome!
O! you shall dearly answer for it!
App.
Peace!
What quarrel's this? Speak, those who are aggrieved.
Enter Numitorius.
Num.
Where is Virginia—Wherefore do you hold
That maiden's hand?
Claud.
Who asks the question?
Num.
I!
Her uncle Numitorius!
Claud.
Numitorius,
You think yourself her uncle—Numitorius,
No blood of yours flows in her veins, to give you
The title that you claim. Most noble Appius!
If you sit here for justice, as I hope
You do, attend not to the clamour of
This man, who calls himself this damsel's uncle.
She is my property—was born beneath
My father's roof, whose slave her mother was,
Who—as I can establish past dispute—
Sold her, an infant, to Virginius' wife,
Who never had a child, and heavily
Revolved her barrenness. My slave I have found
And scized—as who that finds his own (no matter
How long so ever miss'd) should fear to take it?
If they oppose my claim, let them produce
Their counter-proofs, and bring the cause to trial!
But till they prove I know not what's mine own—
An undertaking somewhat perilous—
Mine own I shall retain—yet giving them,
Should they demand it, what security
They please for re-producing her.
App.
Why that
Would seem but reasonable.
Num.
Reasonable!
Claudius!
[With much vehemence—recollects himself.]
He's but a mask upon the face
Of some more powerful contriver. [Aside.]
Appius,
My niece's father is from Rome, thou know'st,
Serving his country. Is it not unjust,
In the absence of a citizen, to suffer
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Grant us a day to fetch Virginius,
That he himself may answer this most foul
And novel suit—Meanwhile, to me belongs
The custody of the maid. Her uncle's house
Can better answer for her honour than
The house of Claudius. 'Tis the law of Rome,
Before a final sentence, the defendant
May not sustain in what he still possesses
Disturbance from the plaintiff.
Tit.
A just law.
Ser.
And a most reasonable demand.
All the Citizens.
Ay! Ay! Ay!
App.
Silence, you citizens! Will you restrain
Your tongues, and give your magistrate permission
To speak? The law is just—most reasonable—
I framed that law myself—I will maintain
That law!
Tit.
Most noble Appius!
Ser.
A most just decree!
All the Citizens.
Ay! Ay!
App.
Will you be silent? Will you please to wait
For my decree, you most untractable
And boisterous citizens! Yes; I repeat,
I framed that law myself, and will maintain it.
But are you, Numitorius, here defendant?
That title none but the reputed father
Of the young woman has a right to—How
Can I commit to thee what may appear
The plaintiff's property; and, if not his,
Still, is not thine? I'll give thee till to-morrow
Ere I pass a final judgment—But the girl
Remains with Claudius, who shall bind himself
In such security as you require,
To re-produce her at the claim of him
Who calls her daughter—This is my decree.
Num.
A foul decree.—Shame! Shame!
Ser.
Ay, a most foul decree.
Cne.
A villanous decree.
Ser.
Most villanous.
Servia.
Good citizens, what do you with our weapons,
When you should use your own? Your hands!—your hands!
He shall not take her from us!
Gather round her,
And if he touch her, be it to his cost!
And if ye see him touch her, never more
Expect from us your titles—never more
Be husbands, brothers, lovers, at our mouths,
Or anything that doth imply the name
Of men—except such men as men should blush for.
App.
Command your wives and daughters, citizens,
They quit the Forum!
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They shall not command us,
That care not to protect us!
App.
Take the girl,
If she is yours.
Claud.
Stand by!
Virginia.
O save me! save me!
Icil.
[entering].
Virginia's voice!—Virginia!
[Rushes to her.
Virginia.
O, Icilius!
[Falls fainting in his arms.
Icil.
Take her, good Numitorius.
App.
You had better
Withdraw, Icilius; the affair is judged.
Claud.
I claim my slave.
Icil.
Stand back, thou double slave!
Touch her, and I will tear thee limb from limb,
Before thy master's face.—She is my wife,
My life, my heart, my heart's blood.—Touch her
With but a look—
App.
My lictors, there, advance!
See that Icilius quits the Forum.—Claudius,
Secure your slave.
Icil.
Lictors, a moment pause
For your own sakes! Do not mistake these arms!
Think not the strength of any common man
Is that they feel! They serve a charméd frame,
The which a power pervades, that ten times trebles
The natural energy of each single nerve
To sweep you down as reeds.
App.
Obey my orders!
Icil.
Appius! before I quit the Forum, let me
Address a word to you.
App.
Be brief, then!
Icil.
Brief!
Is't not enough you have deprived us, Appius,
Of the two strongest bulwarks to our liberties,
Our tribunes and our privilege of appeal
To the assembly of the people? Cannot
The honour of the Roman maids be safe?
Know, then, this virgin is betroth'd to me,
Wife of my hope—Thou shalt not cross my hope
And I retain my life—Attempt it not!
I stand among my fellow-citizens—
His fellow-soldiers hem Virginius round,
Both men and gods are on our side! But grant
I stood alone, with nought but virtuous love
To hearten me—alone would I defeat
The execution of thy infamous
Decree! I'll quit the Forum now, but not
Alone!—My love! my wife! my free-born maid—
The virgin standard of my pride and manhood,
Of peerless motto! rich, and fresh, and shining,
And of device most rare and glorious!
I'll bear off safe with me—unstain'd—untouch'd!
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Your duty, lictors—Claudius, look to your right!
Icil.
True citizens!
Tit.
Down with the traitor!
Ser.
Down with him—Slay him!
[The Lictors and Claudius are driven back; Claudius takes refuge at Appius's feet, who has descended, and throws up his arms as a signal to both parties to desist —whereupon the people retire a little.
App.
So, friends! we thank you that you don't deprive us
Of everything; but leave your magistrates
At least their persons sacred—Their decrees,
It seems, you value as you value straws,
And in like manner break them. Wherefore stop
When you have gone so far? You might, methinks,
As well have kill'd my client, at my feet;
As threaten'd him with death before my face!
Rise, Claudius! I perceive Icilius' aim:—
He labours to restore the tribuneship
By means of a sedition! We'll not give him
The least pretence of quarrel. We shall wait
Virginius's arrival till to-morrow.
His friends take care to notice him—The camp's
But four hours' journey from the city. Till
To-morrow, then, let me prevail with you
To yield up something of your right, and let
The girl remain at liberty.
Claud.
If they
Produce security for her appearance,
I am content.
Tit.
I'll be your security.
Ser.
And I.
Cit.
We'll all be your security.
[They hold up their hands.
Icil.
My friends,
And fellow-citizens, I thank you; but
Reserve your kindness for to-morrow, friends,
If Claudius still persist—To-day I hope
He will remain content with my security,
And that of Numitorius, for the maid's
Appearance.
App.
See she do appear!—and come
Prepared to pay the laws more reverence,
As I shall surely see that they receive it.
[Appius, Claudius, and Lictors go out.
Icil.
Look up! look up! my sweet Virginia,
Look up! look up! You will see none but friends.
O that such eyes should e'er meet other object!
Virginia.
Icilius! Uncle! lead me home! Icilius,
You did not think to take a slave to wife?
Icil.
I thought, and think to wed a free-born maid;
And thou, and thou alone, art she, Virginia!
Virginia.
I feel as I were so—I do not think
I am his slave! Virginius not my father!
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It cannot be; my life must come from him;
For, make him not my father, it will go
From me.—I could not live an he were not
My father.
Icil.
Dear Virginia, calm thy thoughts—
But who shall warn Virginius?
Num.
I've ta'en care
Of that; no sooner heard I of this claim,
Than I despatch'd thy brother Lucius,
Together with my son, to bring Virginius,
With all the speed they could; and caution'd them—
As he is something over-quick of temper,
And might snatch justice, rather than sue for it—
To evade communication of the cause,
And merely say his presence was required,
Till we should have him with us. Come, Virginia;
Thy uncle's house shall guard thee, till thou find'st
Within thy father's arms a citadel,
Whence Claudius cannot take thee!
Icil.
He shall take
A thousand lives first.
Tit.
Ay, ten thousand lives.
Icil.
Hear you, Virginia! Do you hear your friends?
Virginia.
Let him take my life first! I am content
To be his slave then—if I am his slave!
Icil.
Thou art a free-born Roman maid, Virginia;
All Rome doth know thee so, Virginia—
All Rome will see thee so.
Cit.
We will! We will!
Icil.
You'll meet us here to-morrow?
Cit.
Every man!
Icil.
Cease not to clamour 'gainst this outrage. Tell it
In every corner of the city; and
Let no man call himself a son of Rome
Who stands aloof, when tyranny assails
Her fairest daughter. Come, Virginia,
'Tis not a private, but a common wrong;
'Tis every father's, lover's, freeman's cause;
To-morrow, fellow-citizens! to-morrow!
Cit.
To-morrow!
[They go out severally.
SCENE IV.
—The Camp.Enter S. Oppius and Q. F. Vibulanus.
Opp.
Has he set out?
Vibul.
He has, my Oppius,
And never to return; his guard, instructed
To take good care of him. There's not a man
But's ten times sold to us, and of our wishes
Fully possess'd. Dentatus will no more
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The site of our encampment. He will find
At least the air of it was wholesome.
Opp.
What
Report are they instructed to bring back?
Vibul.
They fell into an ambush—He was slain.
Opp.
But should the truth by any means ooze out?
Vibul.
Imprison them, and secretly despatch them,
Or ope the dungeon-doors, and let them 'scape.
Opp.
I should prefer the latter method.
Vibul.
Well,
That be our choice. But when it is determined
To spill blood otherwise than as it may
Be spill'd, to hesitate about some drops
Is weakness, may be fatal.—Come, my friend,
Let us be seen about the camp, and ready,
With most admiring ear, to catch the tidings,
Which all ears, save our own, will wonder at.
Here's one that went with him!
Enter Marcus.
Well, friend, your news?
Marc.
Dentatus is no more; but he has dearly sold his life.
The matter has been reported as you directed. By few it is
received with credence—by many with doubt; while some
bold spirits stop not at muttering, but loudly speak suspicion
of foul play. A party that we met, a mile beyond the lines,
no sooner heard our story, than they set off to bring the body
to the camp. Others have followed them. Fabius, we have
your gage for safety.
Vibul.
You have.—Come, let us show ourselves.—Guilt hides,
And we must wear the port of innocence,
That walks abroad and looks its foes in the face.
[They go out.
SCENE V.
—A Mountainous Pass.The body of Dentatus discovered on a bier—Soldiers mourning over it.
Trumpets—Enter Virginius and Soldiers.
Virginius.
Where is Dentatus? Where is the gallant soldier?
Ah, comrade! comrade! warm! yet warm! So lately
Gone, when I would have given the world, only
To say farewell to thee, or even get
A parting look! O gallant, gallant soldier,
The god of war might sure have spared a head
Grown grey in serving him! My brave old comrade!
The father of the field! Thy silver locks
Other anointing should receive, than what
Their master's blood could furnish!
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There has been treachery here!
Virginius.
What!
1st Soldier.
The slain are all our own. None of the bodies
are stripp'd—These are all Romans. There is not the slightest
trace of an enemy's retreat—And, now, that I remember, they
made a sudden halt, when we came in sight of them at the
foot of the mountain—Mark'd you not, too, with what confused
haste they told their story, directed us, and hurried on
to the camp?
Virginius.
Revenge! The decemvirs! Ay, the decemvirs!
For every drop of blood thou shalt have ten,
Dentatus!
Luc.
[without].
Hoa! Virginius!
Virginius.
Here! Who calls?
Luc.
[entering].
'Tis well you're found, Virginius!
Virginius.
Is it you?
What makes you from the city? Look, my Lucius!—
See what a sight you've come to witness!—Look!
My brave old comrade! Honest Siccius!
Siccius Dentatus, that true son of Rome,
On whose white locks the mother look'd more proudly
Than on the raven ones of her youngest and
Most hopeful sons, is nothing now but this,
The sign and token of himself! Look, comrades,
Here are the foes that slew him! Not a trace
Of any other—not a body stripp'd—
Our father has been murder'd—We'll revenge him
Like sons! Take up the body! Bear it to
The camp; and as you move your solemn march,
Be dumb—or, if you speak, be it but a word,
And be that word—Revenge!
[The Soldiers bear off the body—Virginius following, is stopped by Lucius.
Luc.
Virginius!
Virginius.
I did not mind thee, Lucius!
Uncommon things make common things forgot.
Hast thou a message for me, Lucius? Well,
I'll stay and hear it—but be brief; my heart
Follows my poor Dentatus!
Luc.
You are wanted
In Rome.
Virginius.
On what account?
Luc.
On your arrival
You'll learn.
Virginius.
How! is it something can't be told
At once? Speak out, boy! Ha! your looks are loaded
With matter—Is't so heavy that your tongue
Cannot unburthen them? Your brother left
The camp on duty yesterday—Hath aught
Happen'd to him? Did he arrive in safety?
Is he safe? Is he well?
Luc.
He is both safe and well.
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What then? What then? Tell me the matter, Lucius.
Luc.
I have said
It shall be told you.
Virginius.
Shall! I stay not for
That “shall,” unless it be so close at hand
It stop me not a moment.—'Tis too long
A coming! Fare you well, my Lucius.
Luc.
Stay,
Virginius; hear me then with patience.
Virginius.
Well,
I am patient.
Luc.
Your Virginia—
Virginius.
Stop, my Lucius!
I'm cold in every member of my frame!
If 'tis prophetic, Lucius, of thy news,
Give me such token as her tomb would, Lucius—
I'll bear it better—Silence.
Luc.
You are still—
Virginius.
I thank thee, Jupiter! I am still a father!
Luc.
You are, Virginius; yet—
Virginius.
What, is she sick?
Luc.
No.
Virginius.
Neither dead nor sick! All well! No harm!
Nothing amiss! Each guarded quarter safe,
That Fear may lay him down and sleep, and yet
Still sounding the alarm! I swear thou tell'st
A story strangely. Out with't! I have patience
For anything, since my Virginia lives,
And lives in health!
Luc.
You are required in Rome,
To answer a most novel suit.
Virginius.
Whose suit?
Luc.
The suit of Claudius.
Virginius.
Claudius!
Luc.
Him that's client
To Appius Claudius, the decemvir.
Virginius.
What!
That pander!—Ha!—Virginia!—You appear
To couple them! What makes my fair Virginia
In company with Claudius? Innocence
Beside lasciviousness! His suit! What suit?—
Answer me quickly!—Quickly! lest suspense,
Beyond what patience can endure, coercing,
Drive reason from her seat!
Luc.
He has claim'd Virginia.
Virginius.
Claim'd her!—Claim'd her!—
On what pretence?
Luc.
He says she is the child
Of a slave of his, who sold her to thy wife.
Virginius.
Go on, you see I'm calm.
Luc.
He seized her in
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Appius was giving judgment.
Virginius.
Dragg'd her to
The Forum! Well! I told you, Lucius,
I would be patient.
Luc.
Numitorius there
Confronted him.
Virginius.
Did he not strike him dead?—
True, true, I know it was in presence of
The decemvir.—O! had I confronted him!—
Well? well? The issue?—Well?—O'erleap all else,
And light upon the issue! Where is she?
Luc.
I was despatch'd to fetch thee, ere I could learn.
Virginius.
The claim of Claudius, Appius' client—Ha!
I see the master cloud!—This ragged one,
That lowers before, moves only in subservience
To the ascendant of the other—Jove,
With its own mischief break it and disperse it,
And that be all the ruin! Patience! Prudence!
Nay, prudence, but no patience. Come!—A slave—
Dragg'd through the streets in open day! My child!
My daughter! my fair daughter, in the eyes
Of Rome! O, I'll be patient!—Come!—The essence
Of my best blood in the free common ear
Condemn'd as vile!—O, I'll be patient!—Come!
O, they shall wonder—I will be so patient!
[Virginius rushes out, followed by Lucius.
END OF ACT III.
| Virginius | |