University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Inside view of the Temple of Jupiter.
A SOLEMN MARCH.
Enter Valerius and Lucretius, the Consuls. Senators, Patricians, with lictors and fasces, &c. The Priest of the Temple, Vestal Virgins, Roman Matrons, &c. &c. Chorus Singers, &c.
VALERIUS
(advancing).
With shouts of general praise he onward pass'd:
Beside him, virgin Clelia stately walk'd,
Whose brow, tho' stamp'd with beauty's signet, wore
A look as dauntless as brave Mutius' self.

LUCRETIUS.
The gods attend the dangerous enterprise.
Ours be the task to supplicate their aid,
Or speedy terminate our lengthen'd woes.
What if we fall? In honour's urn enclos'd
Our mem'ries shall live while time endures—
The theme of virtue and the hero's praise.

Enter Clelia.
CLELIA
(addressing the senators).
Health to the guardians of our country's rights,
The bold defenders of Rome's liberty.

VALERIUS.
To Clelia welcome, in whose virgin form
Sits magnanimity and honour thron'd.

LUCRETIUS.
The senate's thanks await the people's friend!
Whose deeds of mercy, and whose virtues tried,
Rank her to valiant Mutius next a-kin.

CLELIA.
The hero's gone—To Rome he bade adieu,
And with his latest words great Jove implor'd
To save his country, or its children nerve
With patriot glow, that shou'd in death maintain
Their firm allegiance to th'immortal gods,
Their love of Rome, its freedom, and its rights.

LUCRETIUS.
Our actions shall attest the prayer was heard:
We will not sully by disgraceful deeds,
The gen'rous stock from which our Mutius sprung.

CLELIA.
One mind, one virtue, and one love of fame
Be the inherent property of all:
One bless'd religion animates our souls
With thirst of never-failing bliss to come:
One code of laws we boast, and those alone
We will obey: one soil exuberant
Its children hath maintain'd.—Thus are we one
By nature, by religion, and our rights.
Then let us unanimity display,
And boast one spirit to support our land,
And act like Mutius in our country's cause.

LUCRETIUS.
Senators, patricians, people, are agreed
No other gods, nor laws we will obey;
'Tis Rome and honor, liberty or death.

CLELIA.
Fathers, the eye of heav'n is bent on Rome.
E'en now perhaps the gods in conclave sit,
Determining the crisis of our fate.
Let us before their sacred altars bow:
The bold in virtue are the meek in pray'r.

THE PRIEST OF JUPITER.
Parent of all, by all confess'd
Of space the mighty Lord,
Whose mercy succours the distress'd,
Whose power's by all ador'd.

GRAND CHORUS.
From Heav'n's high throne thy rattling thunders send,
Dismay the foe, thy people's rights defend.

VESTAL VIRGINS.
Father of peace, eternal Sire,
Award the threat'ning fate;
Enshield thy vot'ries vestal fire,
Preserve the Roman state.

GRAND CHORUS.
So shall our fervent notes thy praise proclaim!
So shall we bend before thy hallow'd name.

SINGLE MALE VOICE, TENOR.
Oh, source of justice, guard the just;
Save those who place in thee their trust;
Crown val'rous cause with victory,
Mutius with immortality.

GRAND CHORUS.
Crown val'rous cause with victory,
Mutius with immortality.

SAME VOICE.
Oh, may'st thou sanction his intent,
And prove him on thy mission sent;
So shall he reap the victory,
And merit immortality.

GRAND CHORUS.
So shall he reap the victory,
And merit immortality.

PRIEST
(base voice).
Oh, boundless spirit, at whose dreadful nod
All nature trembling owns thee for its God.
Oh scepter'd monarch of the air,
Supremely good, divinely fair,
Behold thy people, succour their distress,
Thine arm can conquer, and thy smile can bless.

GRAND CHORUS.
Jove immortal, just and good,
In heav'n, on earth, in fire and flood,
Let thine hand repel the wave,
And the bark of freedom save.
Grant that Rome's expiring breath
Call for libety or death.

(Curtain falls.)