A little worthless village cur, all night Bay with incessant noise the silver moon, While she, serene, throned in her pearléd car, Ser. Let it glance where and upon whom it will, Now hear what I have seen. I've seen young men, Aruns. Nay, hold! Sextus, you go too far. Sex. Why, pray, good sir, may I not praise the wife Of this same testy, froward husband here, But on his cheek offence must quivering sit? And dreamed of insult!-the abortive child Of misconstruction, whose near-sighted eye Discerns not jest for real. humour: Col. I heed you not-jest on; I'll aid your Cast on the woman whom he loves! though here From her true value, more than they could add ope Aruns. If that a man might dare to My wife, who loves her fire-side, and hates gadding, Residing at Collatia. Sex. [Aside.] Well timed;-I'll seize th' occasion: ew this Lucretia ere I sleep, and satisfy - senses whether fame has told the truth. oud.] I'll stake my life on't-Let us mount our horses. d post away this instant towards Roine. at we shall find thy wife, and his, and his, aking the most of this, their liberty. hy, 'tis the sex: enjoying to the full ne swing of licence which their husbands' absence On rioting at home? Col. Had I two lives, I'd stake them on the trial Nor fear to live both out. Sex. Let us away, then. Come, come, my Collatinus,-droop not thus- Be gay. Col. I am not sad Sex. But fearful for th' event. Col. Not in the least. Sex. A little. SCENE II.-Rome.-An Apartment in the Palace. Enter BRUTUS, L. Bru. [Alone.] Oh, that some light would beam from heav'n to teach me When to burst forth, and how to gain my purpose! And tear each private tie from my fixed heart. Enter TITUS, L. [Retires Tit. Tis done! 'tis done! auspicious are the fates Tarquinia's word is pledged, and all is brightness! Bru. [Coming down.] That exclamation was too lofty, boy : Such raptures ill become the troubled times— Of such, no more. Tit. Oh! at an hour like this, Who could repress the thrill of grateful joy! Bru. What of her? Tit. Her vows are pledged, And Heaven's propitious smile will make her mine. What! Thine? Heaven make Tar Bru. Thine? quinia thine? Away! away! Heav'n spurns the race she springs from! Our vows are past. They cannot be recalled. Bru. No, Titus, not forever! If thou art mine, thou canst not be Tarquinia's. Tit. Nay, loose me, father-this is frenzy all. Bru. Leave me. Retire. Thine is no Roman heart. Ere long the moon will change-the moon-my god. dess And then thou may'st behold a change in Brutus. Tit. 'Tis as I thought; Folly resumes its reign. Grant him once more the treasure now withheld, [Exit, R. Bru. [Alone.] I was too sudden. I should have delayed, And watched a surer moment for my purpose. He must be frighted from this dream of love. What, shall the son of Junius wed a Tarquin! As yet I've been no father to my son I could be none: but, through the cloud that wraps me ve watched his mind with all a parent's fondness, Could I once burst the chains which now enthral him. The time may come when heaven will heal our wrongsTe your hands, mighty powers, I yield myself I will not doubt heaven's goodness or Rome's virtue— Then, hence despair! Still thou and I are twain ! [Exit, L. SCENE III.-The House of Collatinus, at Collatia.—An Apartment lighted up. LUCRETIA discovered, surrounded by her Maids, all employed in embroidery, and other female occupations.— LAVINIA is on the R. of Lucretia. Luc. How long is it, Lavinia, since my lord Hath changed his peaceful mansion for the camp And restless scenes of war? Lav. Why, in my simple estimation, madam, 'Tis some ten days, or thereabout, for time Runs as it should with me-in Perhaps ten years. yours, it may be Luc. I do not understand thee. Say'st thou, with me time runs not as it should? The dull and silent melancholy-brood To love retirement; women were not made Luc. Go to; thou know'st not what thou say'st, Lavi- I thank the gods, who taught me that the mind, Than all the sumless hoards which Plutus boasts; Is in retirement-that her highest comfort Shall read her deeper-nor shall time, which palls [Crosses, R. -Soft-I hear footsteps! Hour of rapture! Look! My life, my love, my Collatinus comes! Enter COLLATINUS, CLAUDIUS, ARUNS, and SEXTUS L. Lucretia rushes into the arms of Collatinus My lord, most welcome! Col. Welcome these, my friends, Lucretia !-our right royal master's sons; To grace our humble mansion. Luc. Welcome yourself! And doubly welcome, that you bring such friends. My heart is full of joy! Aruns. Rather, fair lady, [Exeunt Attendants, B. You should be angry, that unseasonably, And with abrupt intrusion, we've thus broke Upon your privacy. Luc. No, my good lord; Those to whom love and my respect are due, Can ne'er intrude upon me; had I known This visit, you, perhaps, might have been treated Claud. Rather, lady, Such birds of passage-we must hence to-night. Luc. To-night? Doth not my lord say no to that? Col. I would, Lucretia; but it cannot be. |