With better cheer.-not a more kind reception. Cl. Rather, lady, Such birds of passage-we must hence to-night. [Crosses to R. Luc. With all the speed I can [Exit LUCRETIA. Sex. This is indeed a wife! Here the dispute Must end ; And, Collatinus, we must yield to thee! Ar. I will not envy thee,-but 'tis a wife From out the common pebbles. To have found her And not displeased at our rude interruption, Not to squeeze out a quaint apology, As, "I am quite ashamed; so unprepared! "Who could have thought! Would I had known of it!” And such like tacit hints, to tell her guests She wishes them away-thou'rt happy, Collatine. The gods forbid I should affect indifference, And say you flatter me. I am most happy.- Sex. Pray, pardon me : My mind was in the camp. He seems quite lost. How wine could heat us To such a mad exploit, at such a time Col. Now we are here, We shall encroach but little on our time If we partake the slender fare together Which will, by this, await us. Pray, my lords, Sex. Along-I'll follow straight. [Exit COLLATINUS. [Exeunt ARUNS and CLAUDius. Sex. (apart.) Had she staid here till now, I should have done Nothing but gaze. Nymphs, goddesses Are fables;-nothing can, in heaven or earth, Be half so fair!-But there's no hope!-Her face, Where frozen chastity has fix'd her throne, -Peace, undigested thoughts!-Down-down! By further time, ye bloom. END OF ACT II. till [Exit, R. ACT III. SCENE I.-Rome. The Capitol. Equestrian Statue of TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS. lightning Night. Enter BRUTUS, L. U.E. Thunder and Br. Lalone.] Slumber forsakes me, and I court the horrors Which night and tempest swell on every side. [Storm increases. Ha! this is well!-flash, ye blue-forked fires! Loud-bursting thunders, roar ! and tremble, earth! [A violent crash of thunder, and the statue of TARQUIN, struck by a flash, is shattered to pieces. What! fallen at last, proud idol! struck to earth! "Tis wisdom levels the commission'd blow. A fool, a Brutus ? [Storm increases] Hark! the storm rides on! The scolding winds drive through the clattering rain, Engender with the scene, and pant for action. [Sits on a fragment of the statue. Oh, for a cause ! A cause, ye mighty Gods! Soft, what stir is this? Enter VALERIUS, followed by a MESSENGer, l. She will take no denial. Time is precious, [Crosses behind, and exit MESSENGER, R. Br. [apart] Ha! Collatinus and Lucretia's kina men! There's something sure in this-Valerius too- Valerius-Hoa! Val. Who calls me? Br. Brutus. Val. Go, Get thee to bed! Br. Valerius ! [VALERIUS is departing. Val. Peace, Thou foolish thing! Why dost thou call so loud? Br. Because I will be heard. The time may come When thou may'st want a fool. Val. Pr'ythee, begone! I have no time to hear thy prattle now. Val. You'll anger me. [Seizing his arm Br. Waste not your noble anger on a fool. "Twere a brave passion in a better cause. Val. Thy folly's cause enough. There's but one wise, And him the gods have kill'd. Val. Kill'd! Whom? Br. Behold! Oh, sight of pity!-Majesty in ruins! Down on your knees-down to your kingly idol ! Val. Begone; Valerius kneels not to the living Tarquin. Br. Indeed!-Belike you wish him laid as low. Br. Jove tells thee what to do Strike!-Oh! the difference 'twixt Jove's wrath and thine! He, at the crowned tyrant aims his shaft, Thou, mighty man, would'st frown a fool to silence, And spurn poor Brutus from thee Val. What is this? Let me look nearer at thee. Is thy mind, That long lost jewel, found,-and Lucius Junius, Br. I am Brutus. Folly, be thou my goddess! I am Brutus, I thou wilt use me so !—If not, farewell. Why dost thou pause? Look on me! I have limbs, Parts and proportions, shoulders strong to bear, And hands not slow to strike. What more than Brutus Could Lucius Junius do? Val. A cause like ours Asks both the strength of Brutus and the wisdom Of Lucius Junius. Br. No more. We're interrupted. Val. Farewell. Hereafter we'll discourse, And may the gods confirm the hope you've raised! [Exit VALERIUS, R. Br. [Alone] My soul expands! my spirit swells within me, As if the glorious moment were at hand! Sure this is Sextus-why has he left the camp? Enter SEXTUS, wrapped in a mantle, a. U. E. and crosses to L. Welcome, gentle prince! Sex. Ha! Brutus here!-Unhoused amid the storm? Br. Whence com'st thou, prince? from battle? from the camp? Sex. Not from the camp, good Brutus-from Col latia The camp of Venus,-not of Mars, good Brutus. Sex. Why dost thou start?-thy kinswoman, Lu cretia Br. [Eagerly.] Well-what of her? speak! And I'll speak that shall fill thee with more wonder, Br. Nay, prince, not so; you cannot do a deed Sex. Indeed! Dost think it? Then let me tell thee, Brutus,-wild with passion She was alone. I said affairs of consequence Br. [Apart.] Patience, oh heart!—a moment longer, patience! Sex. When midnight came, I crept into her chamberBr. [Apart.] Inhuman monster! Sex. Alarm'd and frantic, She shriek'd out "Collatinus! Husband! Help!" A slave rush'd in-I sprung upon the caitiff, And drove my dagger through his clamorous throat; With terror, swore, by all the gods at once, Sex. Was mine! Br. [With a burst of frenzy.] The furies curse you, then! Lash you with snakes! When forth you walk may the red, flaming sun |