University of Virginia Library

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.