University of Virginia Library

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.