University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

Inside view of Porsenna's Tent— who is seated on an elevated throne; numerous Guards, &c. ranged round, and a large tripod before the king in the centre of the stage, in which is placed a blazing fire.
PORSENNA.
Your toils, my valiant soldiers, well demand
Your leader's plaudits and your country's love.
At length the final doom of Rome's decreed,
And soon with victory crown'd, and rich with spoils,
Your mother land shall witness your return.
Then, scarf'd in gentle peace, your warlike toils,
With wives', with mothers', and with virgin's loves
Shall be repaid. To-morrow is the day,
The fatal morn that lights to sacrifice
Proud Rome, its freedom, and its citizens.
Yet, comrades, suffer not unmanly rage
To stain with brutal vengeance all your deeds.
Remember, that your enemies are brave;
That Romans only have maintain'd their rights,
All fall defending what yourselves preserve,
Their laws, their liberty, and native soil.

Enter Guards, with Mutius, Manlius, Silvia, and Servius, guarded.
PORSENNA.
Speak!
Why are these men disarm'd thus brought before me?
I thought our camp had been from bondsmen free,
And that Etruria was not thus disgraced
By soldiers who could swerve from duty.

OFFICER.
Most royal sir, if so it please you hear,
I will in brief the circumstance relate
Which thus hath forced me in your gracious sight.

PORSENNA.
Proceed!—

OFFICER.
Some hours are pass'd, since for a trait'rous act
Against yourself contriv'd, (of which our chief
Lentellus was assur'd,) young Manlius here,
And Junius, partner of the base design,
Were both by his command in fetters bound,
And to each captive was a guard assign'd.
But Servius straight, unmindful of his chief,
Free'd Junius from his fetters, and anon
Speeds him to Manlius' tent, where force achiev'd
Alike his liberation. Already
With hasty step they sought to 'scape the camp,
But I, appriz'd, pursued, and both were ta'en.
As hitherward I led them back, behold
Junius the renegade was seiz'd, with whom
This traitor villain to the state was found.
His hand a reeking dagger bore, all badg'd
With blood of brave Lentellus, who lay stretch'd
Dead at the murd'rer's feet.—I question'd him—
When, lo, he vaunted the accursed blow
Aim'd at your life, my liege; which by mistake
Inflicted was upon our chief Lentellus.
Thus far, my Lord, I know; and thus was urg'd
Into your royal presence.

PORSENNA.
I do commend thy diligence—Now, speak;
What dire injustice hath Porsenna done,
That should have prompted thus your trait'rous minds
To compass his destruction?

MANLIUS.
My leige,
In vindication of myself and friend,
And this good honest soldier too, I'll speak;
But for this stranger I can naught advance,
Whose person and intents are both alike
To us unknown.

PORSENNA.
Manlius, I've known thy loyalty and truth,
Thy courage tried in dauntless feats of arms.
This charge against thee, therefore, pains me more
Than words can well express. Be thine the task
To solve the doubts that crowd upon my mind,
And prove thee worthy of my former love.

MANLIUS.
My honour'd lord!
Thus simply runs the purport of my tale:
One beauteous maid Lentullus' love inspir'd;
Silvia—the offspring of bold Tullus' blood!
But she our chief refus'd, and fix'd on me
The gracious eye of kind preferment.
Still to be firmer rooted in her heart,
I foremost offer'd to oppose the foe,
And march'd into the field. Meanwhile the maid,
Misdoubting of the fate which might befall
Myself, th'unworthy object of her care,
In manly garments 'ray'd, the army join'd,
Where soon, unknown, she did become my friend,
And shar'd each anxious thought that swell'd my breast.
Of this, by stealth, our chieftain was appriz'd,
Whose slighted love, rekindling at the thought,
Brooded on dire revenge. He first assay'd
To shake the loyalty I bear my king:
Th'attempt being fruitless, next by jealousy
He sought to compass his design. But firm
In the assurance of my mistress' faith,
I heeded not the slander. Anon he strove
By arts to win my Silvia to his will.
This proving vain, our chief, to madness urg'd,
Lest she the secret should disclose, then seiz'd
And as a traitor led the maid away;
In whose defence I drew, as for my friend:
For the which deed myself was also ta'en,
As partner in the crime. Such was the tale
By Silvia told, which won this honest man
To stir against Lentullus' villany.
Lo, here, my liege, stands Silvia in your sight,
By all esteem'd, and by myself rever'd,
As youthful Junius, partner of my toils.

PORSENNA.
Thy simple tale doth well approve its truth,
And certify Lentellus' black designs.
To Silvia, Manlius, and my vet'ran guard
Give instant freedom.— (All released.)

Addressing Silvia.
Thy worthy parent, gentle maid, still lives
In my remembrance; and, 'spite of this disguise,
In thee the lineaments of Tullus' child,
Oft view'd before, again do I recall,
And know thee well for virgin Silvia.
For this thy true love shewn, be henceforth bride
To Manlius, well deserving such deserts.
(To Servius.)
On thee, old man, whose life was freely risk'd
Supporting innocence and justice' cause,
My bounty shall be shower'd. (To Silvia.)
Yet, gentle maid,
Whate'er thou know'st of this same stranger here,
Whose daring hand thy base oppressor struck,
Thyself being present—prithee, now unfold,

SILVIA.
Most gracious sire; with many fears oppress'd
For Manlius' safety, and this gen'rous guard,
I bent my trembling steps to 'scape unseen
Without the limits of the camp—when, lo,
Lentellus cross'd my way—in vain I sued;
He threat'ned instant death to this old man,
If still obdurate I refus'd his love.
Still mercy was my plea, till rage at length
To brutal force the chief impell'd—I fled;
When straight this unknown youth appear'd. Converse
Awhile they held; but with my fears oppress'd,
I heeded not the sum of their discourse,
And from my dread awoke, but to behold
The cause of all my terrors stretch'd in death.

PORSENNA.
'Tis well:
The gods have haply thus his crimes repaid:
Now, stranger, speak: what purpose sway'd thy soul,
Thus boldly to enact this deed of death.

MUTIUS.
I struck for Rome and liberty.

PORSENNA.
Whence art thou, and thy name?

MUTIUS.
Prais'd be the gods! in Rome I first inhal'd
The breath of freedom and of life—My name
Is Mutius—Roman Mutius, thy sworn foe.

PORSENNA.
What act against thyself, thy kin, or friend,
Hath in thee rous'd such hate inveterate?

MUTIUS.
Thou art my country's scourge—the bane of Rome.

PORSENNA.
Wou'd not thy legions, crown'd with victory,
Prove as oppressive to Etruria's race?

MUTIUS.
And if 'twere so, I trust Etruria boasts
A man like me, that for his native rights
Wou'd be a voluntary sacrifice.

PORSENNA.
How wou'dst thou have sav'd thy country and thy friends?

MUTIUS.
By plunging in thy breast the self-same steel
That drank Lentellus' blood. I freely swore,
And with the senate's blessings hither came
To work my purpose, and contented die.
Yet think not, chief, this ignominious hand
Shall 'scape the recompense its failure claims.
(Gradually advances to the tripod, and raising his hand, thrusts it into the fire, looking with dauntless mien upon the astonished prince.)
Thus let it crumble in the scorching flames—
Perish the foul dishonor—that these eyes
Be never blasted with its hated form.
And thou, great chief, by this example learn
How I regard thy punishments severe,
Which on my mortal frame shall be inflict.
Proud chief, a Roman soul knows how to act,
And how to suffer—Myself am not alone
The only person henceforth thou must fear.
Three hundred Roman youths like me conspired,
And will accomplish your destruction.
Therefore prepare for their attempts.—No dread,
No show of anguish shall my mien display,
But thus your utmost torments I'll defy:
Nor writhe a limb, nor blanch my quiv'ring cheek;
But still exulting in my country's cause,
Die worthy Rome, myself, and liberty.

(During this speech, Mutius bends his eye stedfastly upon. Porsenna, who, together with every one present, observe him in wondering admiration—Mutius, on concluding, withdraws his hand, and wraps it in the folds of his garment.
PORSENNA.
Brave Mutius!
I never was in magnanimity outdone:
My death was thine intent—The blow was foil'd,
Yet has thine heroism gain'd the cause
Which fail'd in action: Mutius, freedom's thine,
And for thy valour, still shalt thou maintain
Thy gods, thy liberty, and ancient rights.
Porsenna grants the senate's terms—gives peace:
'Tis Mutius saves his country and his friends.

[Porsenna descends from his throne, and advances to Mutius.
MUTIUS.
Thy deeds my admiration oft inspir'd:
But now this act magnanimous displays
A godlike spirit in a mortal breast.
Be thou, great chief, for ever lov'd of Rome,
For in its walls there breathes not one who boasts
A mind more noble, or a soul more just.

PORSENNA.
Mutius, live henceforth in Porsenna's breast;
Thy virtue claims unrivalled my esteem.

MUTIUS.
Most noble chief;
To merit thy mind's praise shall forthwith be
The pride of Mutius and the boast of Rome.

PORSENNA
(to one of his Officers).
Dispatch mine herald to the city's gates:
Bid him the senate greet with friendly words:
Bid him proclaim how Mutius sav'd the state,
And gain'd Porsenna's everlasting love:
Tell them, their conq'ror now becomes their friend;
That virtuous magnanimity transform'd
The thirst of vengeance to sweet amity—
The deadly steel into the olive bough.
Bid him announce the hero's quick return,
And that ourself escorts him on the way.
[Exit Officer.
(To Mutius.)
Yes, dauntless youth, with thee I'll straight proceed,
And ratify the terms of lasting peace;—
My nobles all, brave Manlius and his love,
Shall be the witness of thy kindred's joy,
And Rome's reception of its valiant son.

MUTIUS.
I lack smooth words of compliment, to show
How much I am beholden to your praise.
Yet, brave Porsenna, be assur'd of this:
My tongue, whene'er it dwells on virtue's theme,
Shall 'title thee the hero of my tale.

PORSENNA.
Mutius, I crave no more;
To be approv'd of such a man as thee,
O'ertops the sum of my deserts. But come,
Sound forth each instrument of war—sound loud—
That, swelling on the breeze, the martial strain
Give signal to the senate of our march.

[Exeunt all—Mutius marching beside Porsenna.

SCENE II. and last.

The gates of Rome.
Enter in procession through the gates. Valerius and Lucretius, Senators, Clelia bearing a wreath of oak, Vestal Virgins, Patricians, Soldiers, Plebeians, &c.
From the side of the stage, enter Guards, followed by Porsenna, Mutius, Manlius, Silvia, Servius, &c. grand march playing while arranging round the stage. Mutius' arm in a sling.
PORSENNA.
Guardians of Rome, defenders of its rights,
Behold the saviour of your native land.
In Mutius, view the youth whose virtue gain'd
Porsenna's plaudits and your nation's peace.

LUCRETIUS.
Rome's senators and citizens divide
'Twixt thee, great king, and Mutius, their applause.
Thy gen'rous clemency—his patriot zeal—
Thy love of virtue and his dauntless deeds,
Claim equally our wonder and our praise.

MUTIUS.
A thousand joys are center'd in this breast,
Nor know I how to give them utterance.
I feel a reverential glow, and own
The deed was none of mine, but heav'n's—Once more
Our rights, our temples, and our city's free:
Once more I'm welcom'd by my kindred's smiles,
And virgin Clelia's love: The senate too
Requites my action with its thanks. And here,
In majesty array'd, do I behold
The friend of virtue and the friend of Rome.

VALERIUS.
The senate and the people welcome back
Their brother, champion, and preserver.

LUCRETIUS.
And in memorial of the sacrifice,
To Mutius henceforth be the title join'd
Of Scævola, that so in times to come
Thy children, by inheriting the name,
May learn to emulate their sires bold deeds.
From Clelia too receive the oak-bound wreath:
It is the hero's due, and therefore thine—
By valor thine, brave Mutius Scævola.

CLELIA
(advancing—MUTIUS bends on one knee).
Mutius, my soul's with exultation fir'd.
Again to view thee—and to view thee thus,
With more than mortal pleasure glads my heart—
Receive the recompense to valour due:
Thus Clelia crowns thee with the badge of fame—
The wreath, whose verdure time can never blight—
Whose bloom shall live the rudest storms of fate,
And still transmit thy memory—to be
The theme of virtue and the hero's boast.

MUTIUS
(rising).
Virtue ne'er thirsts for praise to come—'tis here:
I feel th'immortal glow now fill my soul—
Virtue rewards itself.—Yet, Clelia, say,
Canst thou behold thy Mutius as before?
Look on this scarf, whose folds enclose that arm
Which oft was rear'd in Rome's defence—but now
Is motionless for ever.

CLELIA.
Can Mutius stain me with a doubtful thought?
Can he, whose honor-crested brow displays
The soul magnanimous, thus question me?
Think'st thou the body's sears can taint my mind?
It is the soul's dishonor Clelia loathes;
And such a wound will ne'er be Scævola's.
Hadst thou been all one mangled form of blood;
Had gashes so thy martial front disguis'd,
That lineaments were scarce discernible;
Still wou'd I glory in thee, so thy mind
Were not polluted by dishonor's touch.
Oh, Mutius! think not but in times to come,
There will be heroes to defend their land—
Heroes like thee—that, in their country's cause,
Will forfeit thus a limb; and deem the loss
The body's lasting badge of ornament.

MUTIUS.
It is my glory, since in Clelia's eyes
The token is acceptable.

PORSENNA.
The union of twin souls like these must prove
Worthy the admiration of the gods.
First in the senate shall be ratified
The lasting peace which Rome to Mutius owes.
Then twofold nuptials shall the altar grace;
Give Clelia to her martial Scævola,
Our Manlius to his Silvia.—This done,
Let Romans and Etrurians joyful meet;
Let festive mirth on ev'ry side proclaim
The sweets of amity, the joys of peace.

MANLIUS.
To offer praises adequate, great sire,
To goodness so transcendant, were but vain;
Be mine the task by loyalty to prove
That I have merited your gracious smiles.

SILVIA.
If in your sight I have found grace, my liege,
Let me be blotted from the line I boast,
Be deem'd an alien to brave Tullus' blood,
Whene'er in thought or action I forget
That love and duty which by right are yours.

CLELIA.
Great chief;
Receive my heart's o'erflowing gratitude.
Thy clemency has sav'd my country's rights,
And render'd back the hero of my soul.

PORSENNA.
Who'd ride to victory through seas of blood?
'Tis clemency alone can touch the heart,
And link contending souls in amity.

MUTIUS.
Romans have prov'd they'll die to save their rights.
Be ours henceforth the task, great chief, to learn,
From thy example, how to feel the woes
By fate inflicted on our enemies.
Come, Clelia, to the gods we'll offer praise:
They guard the valiant and protect the just.
Therefore let Roman virtue henceforth prove
That Rome is worthy of the gods bless'd love:
Let's stamp each Roman breast bright virtue's home,
And friends of virtue will be friends to Rome.