University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FOURTH.

Appius, Marcus.
Ap.
She loves Icilius? and she is his spouse?
Hence more inflexibly in my design
And more immutably, shall I persist.
Go, headstrong rebel, go, now in the people
Trust, while I. ...

Mar.
Appius, didst thou ever see
The people more inflamed, or more disposed
To insurrection?

Ap.
Nothing did I see
Except Virginia; and she shall be mine.
Thou perhaps would'st tell me that I ought to fear?
Dar'st thou say this to Appius? Did he,
Who fear'd the people, ever govern them?
With their first impulses to temporize;
Their second to anticipate; to wear
An aspect of perpetual defiance;
Subtly with haughty threat'nings to mix
Seductive flatteries: these are the chief arts
By which I am now what I am; and here
Greater than any man ere was before
Shall make myself.

Mar.
So long as lives Icilius,
In vain thou threaten'st or seducest them.
In him, and in his ardent eloquence,
His boldness as a tribune, they discover,
Their ancient rights recalling, powerful fuel
To feed again an unextinguish'd flame,
Which now breaks forth in enterprizing breasts.

Ap.
While there remains aught else for me to do,
Icilius shall live. 'Tis oftentimes
Not profitless to make parade of mercy:
Yes, let him live; and let the people see,
How little he can thwart the schemes of Appius.
Thou shalt behold that fickle people change
Its timid love to hatred and contempt,
And turn their weapons to Icilius' ruin.
Yes, thou shalt see that very populace
Made instrumental to his punishment.

Mar.
But ah, what courage to the multitude,
What strength to Icilius, will not the return
Of this Virginius bring?

Ap.
But the return
Of this Virginius, Marcus, dost expect it?
Come and behold, how, having once gain'd time,
Appius to use it well, wants not the skill.