University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The Gates of Rome.
Enter Mutius, disguised as an Etrurian; Clelia; with Soldiers, Plebeians, &c. &c. &c.
MUTIUS.
Let me once more upon our city's gates
The look of fondness bend.—Within those walls
From prattling infancy was I uprear'd
To boyish playfulness: my term of youth
In sports was pass'd: but grown to manhood's state,
I learnt those duties which adorn the man:
I learnt to love my country and its laws;
To curse the power of an usurping foe,
And die to save the temples of our gods.

CLELIA.
And by these virtues hast thou gain'd applause
From senators and people: thus repaid,
Who would not be a virtuous Roman?

MUTIUS.
He's none, that would not act as Mutius doth.—
Hear, oh my countrymen, ye sons of Rome,
To you my parting words I would address:
Let them strike deep into your noble minds,
And firmer link the impenetrable mail
Of virtuous courage that enshields your souls.
From gods you sprung: they've henceforth guarded Rome—
Rome, the common mother of us all. Jove,
To try the steady fortitude of man,
Will oft assail him with unlook'd for ills:
For this, and this alone, he lowers on Rome.
Think not he's heedless of our fate, my friends!
He'll launch from heav'n his rattling thunders down,
And fight the cause of justice and our land.
Perils ere now have threat'ned: but the sage
And rev'rend rulers that preside o'er Rome,
Have stemm'd the boist'rous stood of fate,
And still the common weal preserve. But now
The meagre form of famine stalk'd in view,
When meek-ey'd Charity, with balmy hand,
Straight minist'red to all. Doubt not the gods;
The virtuous ever meet the smiles of Jove.

1st PLEBEIAN.
May heav'n befriend us, as we love the gods!

2nd PLEBEIAN.
May Rome so prosper, as in her support
Her citizens with one accord will die!

CLELIA.
Wou'd any, for these bold invaders' laws,
Exchange his freedom, tho' 'tis coupled now
With perils that assail on every side.

ALL.
We'll rather die.

MUTIUS.
Is there a wretch, whose sacrilegious hand
Wou'd wrench from Liberty her even scale,
Wou'd pluck from out the senate-house those men,
Whose wisdom governs, and whose virtues save?

ALL.
We'll perish to preserve our laws.

CLELIA.
Then, on my life, the storehouse of the gods
Will straight be open'd to supply your wants.
Methinks already I behold the foe
Driv'n from our fertile soil. Methinks I view
The hardy labourer plenteously repaid;
And bounteous produce of our mother earth
Reward with golden harvest all our toils.

MUTIUS.
Be such your firm reliance on the gods,
Be such your firm dependance on those men
Who are the oracles of heav'n supreme.
With me it rests to act what Fate decrees,
To save, or die for, Rome and liberty!

CLELIA.
Farewell—for ever—Mutius—in this world.

MUTIUS.
To Rome, my countrymen, and Clelia too,
Mutius now bids farewell.—Ye sacred powers,
Whose will omnipotent must be obey'd,
Look down with pity on my country's wrongs,
And shield thy people from impending ills:
Preserve those altars, 'fore whose sacred fires
Our vows unceasingly were offer'd up:
Preserve our freedom from the spoilers' chains;
Preserve our rulers from a foreign yoke:
Save them, oh save the soil of liberty—
And if your will be so—oh grant that I
Restore the blessings of tranquillity:
Give peace to Rome and to my countrymen:
But should I fail in this, still fire their hearts
With love of all that constitutes life's bliss;
Still grant them courage in the cause to die
Of well-pois'd freedom and their ancient rights—
Of that religion their forefathers own'd,
And those sage rulers whom their choice approves.
Sanction but this, ye powers, and Mutius dies—
The friend of freedom, and the lov'd of gods.

1st PLEBEIAN.
May Providence to Rome propitious prove,
And send in safety its preserver back,
That we may testify our soul's best love.

ALL.
Heav'n preserve our hero.

CLELIA
(retiring toward the gates).
Once more farewell to Mutius!

MUTIUS.
The gods and liberty attend on Rome,
As my fix'd love is Clelia's—in the grave.

[Exit at the side.
Clelia and Plebeians repass the gate.

SCENE II.

Interior view of a tent.
LENTELLUS
(solus).
The faith of Manlius to his god and king
My speech hath vainly strove to move. But now
I've tented the young stripling to the soul:
For tho' the gen'rous temper of his blood
May urge for awhile to doubt the fraud,
Yet there's in jealousy a secret sting
That rankles at the heart unseen.—Silvia,
By my command will straight attend me here.
As to the youthful Junius first I'll speak,
Allotting for the morrow's dawn some post
Where perils imminent on ev'ry side
Shall those await who there commence th'assault:
Thus fear shall urge her to unsex herself,
And for my mercy sue. This point attain'd,
I'll grant her wishes, so her stubborn heart
Forswear my rival, and receive my vows.—
But yonder timidly behold she comes.
Relentless fair one! know, the time is near
When thou shalt sue to him who was thy slave.
Enter Silvia, (with apparent timidity.)
Throughout our camp the tongue of good report
Proclaims aloud the feats of youthful Junius.

SILVIA.
Great sir,
They wrong far nobler spirits, thus to praise
A being so unworthy as myself.

LENTELLUS.
It is with virtuous courage always thus:
The truly noble build their fame on deeds,
Nor ever to the tongue of praise give ear.

SILVIA.
I wou'd I knew what actions thus have gain'd
The mark'd attention of our sov'reign's friend?

LENTELLUS.
I will not pain a truly valiant breast
By dwelling on its worthiness.—Be thou
The sole proclaimer of thy glorious deeds.
To-morrow gives to carnage and revenge
The conquer'd sons of Rome. To thee a post
Of peril and of honor I allot.
There may the glory-thirsting Junius carve
The way to victory and brow-deck'd fame.

SILVIA
(after a conflicting pause).
So Manlius be my partner in the toil,
I doubt not, gen'rous sir, to reap success.

LENTELLUS.
That must not be; already hath he gain'd
The laurels which by right were Junius' due.
Therefore have I so order'd it, that he
A post remote from thine should occupy,
That either of his merits may give proof.

SILVIA
(after an apparent violent struggle, replies with energy).
Sir, to the utmost Junius shall maintain
That praise which ill accords with his deserts.

LENTELLUS
(aside).
By heavens, her wayward spirit foils my plan.
(Addressing her.)
Know'st thou, young man, how death in dread array
Will compass thee on ev'ry side? Know'st thou
The furious courage that impels the souls
Of men to desperation driv'n? Then, think
Of Roman hardihood to madness urg'd,
And then confess if equal courage nerve
Thy dawning manhood to attempt the feat.

SILVIA
(boldly).
I know my spirit, but I doubt my pow'r:
Still shall my fate avouch that I've a soul
Defying danger, and contemning death.

LENTELLUS.
To-morrow's onset shall the truth avouch.

SILVIA.
Wou'd great Lentellus any further speech
With one so much beholden to his praise?

LENTELLUS
(aside with passion).
What must be done? shall she my purpose mar,
And turn upon myself my plann'd intent?
Fate wills that I should throw the mask aside,
And act no longer in these borrow'd robes.
She proves, 'tis true, superior to my arts;
She shall not now be victor o'er my power.
(Turning to Silvia, and after observing her attentively, advances, and seizes her hand.)
Yes, youthful Junius, we must still confer:
Such noble virtue must not 'scape so soon
The prying eye of him who can discern
A martial spirit in a female breast.

SILVIA
(confused).
What means my chief?

LENTELLUS.
Think'st thou that Junius in these borrow'd robes
Conceals the form of Silvia from my sight?
Dost thou believe discernment in me sleeps,
And that I know not Manlius for thy love?
Short-sighted girl!—But I will work my end:
His ruin shall avenge my slighted vows.
Dost thou remember how I knelt, and sigh'd,
And drew down pity from thy rev'rend sire,
Who interceded for me, but in vain?
Dost thou remember this, and still believe
That with my love all vengeance too is fled?
If such thy thoughts—thou know'st me not, proud maid!

SILVIA.
Thou wilt not stain thy soul, nor act a part
So unbecoming great Porsenna's friend?

LENTELLUS.
To-morrow numbers Manlius with the dead,
And makes thee mine for ever. Already
The heart of him thou lov'st have I estrang'd:
He thinks thee false, as Silvia and his friend.
Thus doubly have I made my prey secure—
He dies with the conviction of thy shame.

SILVIA.
Oh, despicable man! Think'st thou I'll live
To be the wife of one so lost to shame?
Think'st thou that Silvia wears this martial steel,
And that her arm wou'd shrink in virtue's cause?
Lentellus, thou hadst once my best esteem,
But now inherit my eternal hate.
Thou searst mine eyes, and to my sick'ning soul
Thy voice sounds deadlier than the mandrake's groan.
Thou'rt all my mind conceives of villany;
And Death with all his terrors I'd caress,
And think him Manlius, when compar'd with thee.

LENTELLUS.
This is but the momentary swell of pride;
Lentellus heeds it not—'twill soon be hush'd:
For violence of passion, as a storm
More dreadful for the term, is soonest spent:
This rage will all dissolve in sighs and tears.

SILVIA.
Never—Thy malice shall not swell my rage,
Nor all thy deep-laid schemes draw forth one tear.
Why shou'd I dread so base a wretch as thee?
Are there not gods, and is not Heav'n just?
Thou think'st to triumph in thy villany:
But know, that even now thou art my slave,
So weak is vice opposed by virtue's arm.

LENTELLUS.
Be such thy consolation then.—Without.
Enter Etrurian Soldiers.
In chains and bondage thou shalt wait my will.
See this young traitor in the tent confin'd
Which is allotted for Etruria's foes.

SILVIA
(disarmed by guard).
Thy chains, thy bondage I alike despise,
And smile at all which cowardice like thine
Dare meditate to work its fell intent.
Farewell, vain man! I leave thee to thy fate,
And to that monitor which stirs within—
Conscience—whose sting the gods on thee inflict.

[Exit guarded.
LENTELLUS.
Insulting maid! thy words at length have rous'd
Those passions which but waver'd in my breast.
The doom of Manlius now is seal'd; and thou
(When king Porsenna's seat I have attain'd)
Shall be a base dependant on my will,
And power compel thee to receive that love
Which gentleness, with terms of honor join'd,
Cou'd not enforce thee t'accept.—'Tis sworn;
Just vengeance claims it, and shall be obey'd.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Part of the Etrurian Camp.
Enter Guards with Silvia.
SILVIA
(addressing SERVIUS, the head guard).
In pity hear me.

SERVIUS.
Young man I dare not:
Our general's orders have forbid all speech.

SILVIA.
Is it not painful then to witness grief—
To be the partner of thy captive's woe.

SERVIUS.
The soldier's duty never is a pain,
Tho' fate omnipotent and worldly ills
Encounter him on every side.—What then
Save pleasure must the soldier feel, who thus
In ignominious chains a wretch secures,
Whose trait'rous soul cou'd harbour black intents,
And war against a monarch just and good;
A king protected by his country's laws;
A king enthron'd in ev'ry subject's love?

SILVIA.
Next to the rev'rence I owe the gods,
Is that I bear my king. To prove myself
The champion of Porsenna and my land,
I'd face the worst of ills, and smile at fate,
That cou'd no tortures find to shake my love.
—Oh! let thy reason own the voice of truth,
Nor bar soft mercy's passage to thy soul.
Give ear, my friend; and if my simple tale
Move not thy breast to pity, and relieve,
Then henceforth brand me with a traitor's name.

GUARD.
Thy prayers are vain:
Our lives were forfeit did we dare comply;
Therefore no more; but patient bear thy lot.

SILVIA.
It must be so—resign'd, I place my trust
Where justice never sleeps. The eye of heav'n,
Watchful, can read the very thought of guilt,
And for a term o'er virtue give it sway,
Till, dreadfully retributive, at once
It blast the bloom of vice with virtue's beam,
And bury all its glories in disgrace.

Enter Manlius.
MANLIUS.
Just gods! and do I thus behold my friend?

SILVIA.
Then heav'n's propitious to its votary's pray'rs.
Manlius! thy Silvia's true; thy friend sincere,
Lentellus is a villain.

MANLIUS.
There's in thy words a charm that speaks them true:
Give way, ye servile ministers of vice,
Give freedom to the innocent, nor bar
The course of ardent friendship such as mine.

[Takes Silvia, and advances to the entrance of the tent, Guard intercepting him.
SERVIUS.
Dare not advance; for tho' we know thy worth,
Yet as the traitor's friend we must regard
That being who would intercept our course.

MANLIUS
(unsheathing his sword).
Base wretch, no more.

Enter Lentellus hastily, followed by Guards.
LENTELLUS.
Secure this new found traitor to the state,
[Guards seize Manlius.
Who boldly would the course of justice check,
And free the partner of his villany.

SILVIA.
Oh, Manlius ador'd, my friend, my love,
Not Junius, but thy Silvia, thou behold'st.

LENTELLUS.
Guards, away, bear him from my sight.

[Silvia is borne off by Guard.
MANLIUS.
That voice, those words! delusion is no more.
A thousand fancies rush upon my brain:
It must be so. (Addressing Lentellus)
Villain, thy base designs
Stand naked to my view. I know thee now:
Thy lavish'd praises were but wily snares;
Thy proffer'd friendship and thy specious words
So many lures to catch my thoughtless youth:
But now I solve thy traitorous intent:
The mystery's clear'd, and in his villain's garb
Lentellus stands before me.

LENTELLUS.
Presumptuous boy! thou may'st awhile indulge
This speech unbridled: for thy crimes ere long
Shall seal thy tongue in ignominious death.

MANLIUS.
My soul defies thy threats: for all in vain
Shall I be branded with a traitor's deeds,
And die the victim of thy tyrant pow'r.
My love, my Silvia, never will be thine:
Her steady virtue will defy the shock
Of malice, treachery, or brutal force:
Her bosom beats in honor's sacred cause:
She has a mind to prompt—a hand to act,
Shou'd dire necessity demand the blow.

LENTELLUS
(sarcastically).
What means this frantic rage? Is this the youth;
Is this Etruria's friend, whose deeds in arms
Shone forth conspicuous in his country's cause?
Is this that Manlius whom Porsenna prais'd?
The same that wrought upon my easy soul?

MANLIUS.
The same that was deceiv'd—but knows thee now:
And, tho' in bondage, dares defy thy arts,
And tell thee thou'rt a villain.

LENTELLUS
(to the guards, haughtily).
Conduct the strippling traitor from my sight.
Remote from the companion of his crimes,
Let him in chains against his fortune rail,
Till I in pity grant him an ignoble death.

MANLIUS
(contemptuously).
I go; and with thee leave my soul's contempt.
My bondage or my death with joy I greet,
Since from thy fellowship I thus am freed.

[Exit guarded.
LENTELLUS.
Why, so, my dearest wish is thus attain'd,
And Manlius falls an easy prey. His breast,
With friendly glow inspir'd, by force of arms
Wou'd fain have rescued Silvia from the guard,
Spurning the course of justice and his chief.
For this bold act he dies; and Silvia thus,
Of lover and of friend at once bereft,
Becomes the victim of my arts. This night
Our sev'ral chiefs within my tent will meet
To plan the morrow's sackage of proud Rome.
I'll then Porsenna's clemency dispraise,
And shou'd I find them apt, in plainer terms
The darling purpose of my soul unfold.
I've sounded some more lowly in command,
But they are all so bounden to their chiefs,
That none without their sanction dare to act.
Shou'd secret measures fail, this hand at least
Shall rid me of Porsenna's hated life,
And force enthrone me in his royal seat.
I wou'd the time were come: for night decides
By general sanction, or my sole resolve,
The final doom of great Etruria's king.