University of Virginia Library

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.