Tar. And shall be ever.

Come, I will show thee where bright honour grows,
Where thou shalt pluck it from the topmost branch,
And wear it in its freshest, fairest bloom.

[Exeunt TITUS and TARQUINJA, L.

SCENE II.-A Street in Rome..

Enter HORATIUS and CELius, L.

Hor. Brutus and Collatinus are appointed
To sovereign sway, as consuls for the ycar.
Their self-elected senate meets to-morrow.
Though some remain, too honest for their views,
These for security exact conditions-

They ask a chief, whose well establish'd fame
May win the hearts of this inconstant people;
A chief so brave, that, should we prove victorious,
He may compel the king to keep his faith;

Or, if we fall, boldly revenge our deaths

And such a chief I've found.

Cel. Indeed! In whom?

Hor. The consul's son-his much loved son-young Titus.

Cel. What! to rebel against his father's power!
Hor. Ay, he is ours. This very night, Tarquina
Will lead him forth to the Quirinal gate,

Whence they straight hasten to the camp at Ardea,
Impetuous youth is wrought upon with ease.
Though 'tis his father's frown upon his love,
And early vows pledged to the fair Tarquinia
Alone, which prompt him thus to head our band:
Once in our power, we'll mould him to our ends:
His very name will prove a tower of strength;
And Rome, once more, shall be restored to Tarquin.
Cel. Bravely resolved! But tell me-where is Tullia?
Hor. A captive, and confin'd in Rhea's temple ;
Watch'd by the vestals, who there guard the fiame
Upon the tomb where lies her murder'd father.
Unhappy Tullia! our swords shall soon release thee.
Come! Hence at once! The hour draws near-away!
Ere two days pass these reptiles shall be crush'd,
And humbled Rome sue for its monarch's pardon.

[Exeunt HORATIUS and CELIUS. R.

Enter LUCRETIUS and VALERIUS, L.

Val. That was Horatius 'parted, was it not?
Luc. The same.

Val. Am I deceived? Methinks I heard
Something like discontent and treason mutter'd.
Luc. I fear all is not safe. Assembled groups
Of Tarquin's friends have been seen close in con-
ference,

Muttering his name aloud. Ay, and some base
Degenerate Romans call'd for a surrender.

Val. Horatius' arts may justly wake suspicion :
And Rome, we know, is still disgraced by many
Too base, too sordid, to be bravely free.
Let us go forth and double all the guards,

See their steps watch'd, and intercept their malice
Luc. Nay, there's a safer course than that; arrest
them!

Val. The laws and rights we've sworn to guard, forbid it!

Let them be watch'd. We must not venture farther.
To arrest a Roman upon bare surmise

Would be at once to imitate the tyrant

Whom we renounce, and from his throne have driven ! [Exit LUCRETIUS and VALERIUS, R.

A little dark.

SCENE III.-Rome.

The Temple of Rhea, with a large central door leading to the Tomb of SERVIUS TULLIUS, late King of Rome. On one side of the stage a statue of Rhea, and on the other a statue of Vesti with alturs, and incense burning before each.

PRIESTESS of Rhea. VIRGINS of the Temple.
Pr. Daughters of Rhea, since the lords of Rome
Have to your holy hands consign'd the charge
Of their now captive Queen, inform the Priestess
How your sad prisoner abides her durance.
Is her proud soul yet humbled, or indignant
Doth it still breathe defiance and contempt?

Vir. Sullen and silent she resolves on death:
She will not taste of nourishment. She comes.

Enter TULLIA, L.

Pr. I pray you, royal lady, be entreated-
Tul. I tell you, no!

Pr. Think what a train of weary hours have pass'd Since you had taste of food.

Tul. "Tis well!

The fewer are to come.

Pr. How can you live to meet your royal husband, To fold your children in your arms again,

If you resist support?

Tul. Hah! well remember'd!

What news from Ardea? Will he march for Rome?
Hark! Do you hear his trumpet? Is he coming?
Ay, this is hope, and worth the feeding.

"Tis well. "Tis well.

But, tell me-doth the king know of this kindness?
Pr. What king?

Tul. What king?

Brutus, the king of Rome,-knows he of this?

Pr. He does.

Tul. And would he I should live?

Pr. He would.

Tul. Merciful villain!

Yes, he would have me live to page his triumphs: I know the utmost of his mercy

Subtle traitor!

I'll not taste food, though immortality

Were grafted to each atom-Hark! What's that?
Heard you that groan?

Pr. It is your fancy's coinage.

Tul. Again! "Tis deep and hollow:

It issues from the vault-Set the door open!

Open, I say,

Pr. It is your father's sepulchre.

Tul. My father! righteous gods! I kill'd my Horrible retribution!

Pr. Wretched daughter,

If thou hast done this deed, prepare thy spirit

By wholesome meditation for atonement,

And let no passion interrupt the task

Of penitence and prayer.

Tul. I'll pray no more.

There is no mercy in the skies for murder,
Therefore no praying, none.

father'

I have a plea for my impenitence

Madness!

These groans have made me mad; all the night through

'They howl'd distraction to my sleepless brain!
You've shut me up with furies to torment me,
And starved me into madness. Hark! again!
Unbar the door! Unbar it! By the gods
The voice is more than human which I hear!
I'll enter there-I will be satisfied,

Although the confirmation should present
His awful form-

[She rushes forward. The PRIESTESS and VEstals, in confusion and alarm, spring to the bar, which, falling with a crash, the door flies open, and discovers a monumental figure of SERVIUS TULLIUS, with camps burning on each side of it. TULLIA recoils, shrieks, falls, and expires. The others groupe around her, and the Curtain falls to soft music.

END OF ACT IV.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-A Street in Rome, with the Temple of Mars in view.

Enter BRUTUS and COLLATINUs, as Consuls, with LICTORS, VALERIUS, LUCRETIUS, and numerous followers, L.

Br. You judge me rightly, friends. The purpled

robe

The curule chair, the lictors' keen edged axe,
Rejoice not Brutus ;-'tis his country's freedom:
When once that freeedom shall be firmly rooted,

Then, with redoubled pleasure, will your consul
Exchange the splendid miseries of power,

For the calm comforts of a happy home.

Enter a MESSENGER, L.

Mess. All health to Rome, her senate, and her consuls. Br. Speak on-What message hast thou to impart ? Mess. I bring intelligence of Sextus Tarquin, Who, on arriving at a neighbouring village, Was known, and by the people stoned to death. Br. Now, Lucretia!

Thy ghost may cease to wander o'er the earth [Exit, L. And rest in peace.

Luc. Heaven's ways are just!

Col. Yet I regret the villain should be slain By any hand but mine!

Enter a CENTURION, R.

Cent. Health to Brutus !

Shame and confusion to the foes of Rome!

Br. Now, without preface, soldier, to your business Cent. As I kept watch at the Quirinal gate,

Ere break of day, an armed company

Burst on the sudden through the barrier guard,
Pushing their course for Ardea. Straight alarm'd,
I wheel'd my cohort round, and charged 'em home:
Sharp was the conflict for a while and doubtful,
Till, on the seizure of Tarquinia's person,
A young Patrician-

Br. Hah! Patrician?

Cent. Such

His dress bespoke him, though to me unknown.
Br. Proceed!-What more?

Cent. The lady being taken,

This youth, the life and leader of the band,
His sword high waving in the act to strike,
Dropt his uplifted weapon, and at once
Yielded himself my prisoner. Oh, Valerius,
What have I said, that thus the consul changes?
Br. Why do you pause? Go on.
Cent. Their leader seized,

The rest surrender'd. Him, a settled gloom
Possesses wholly, nor as I believe

Hath a word pass'd his lips, to all my questions

Still obstinately shut.

Br. Bring him before us.

[Exit CENTURION, R,