Brutus. Well, Titus, speak,-how is it with thee now? Ac! V. Scene 3. White, Sc. SPOR BRUTUS; OR, THE FALL OF TARQUIN. ACT I. SCENE I.-A Street in Rome. Enter VALERIUS and LUCRETIUS, R. Val. Words are too feeble to express the horror With which my soul revolts against this Tarquin By poison he obtain'd his brother's wife, Then, by a baser murder, grasp'd the crown. These eyes beheld the aged monarch, thrown Down from the senate-house,-his feeble limbs Bruised by the pavement,-his time-honour'd locks, Which from the very robber would have gain'd Respect and veneration,-bathed in blood! With difficulty raised, and tottering homeward, The murderers follow'd-struck him-and he died! Luc. Inexpiable crime! Val. High in her regal chariot Tullia came→ The corpse lay in the street, The charioteer Turn'd back the reins in horror. "On, slave, on! "Shall dead men stop my passage to a throne?" Exclaim'd the parricide. The gore was dash'd From the hot wheels up to her diadem! Luc. And Heaven's avenging lightnings were withheld! Here rules this Tullia, while the king, her husband, Rome from her trance with giant spirit would start, Luc. Ay, the same Lucius, who now dwells with The jest, the fool, the laughing-stock o' th' court, Val. Hold! I hear steps. Great things may yet be done, If we are men, and faithful to our country. [Exeunt, L. SCENE II.-The Camp before Ardea. Enter CLAUDIUS and ARUNS, laughing, L. S. E. Aruns. There is no doctor for the spleen like Lucius. What precious scenes of folly did he act When, lately, through the glorious scenes of Greece, Enter LUCIUS JUNIUS, R. Claud. Whither so fast, good Junius, tell us whither? Luc. To Rome, to Rome-the queen demands my presence. The state needs aid, and I am call'd to court. (Laugh.)' Am I a fool? If so, you cannot say I'm the first fool graced by a monarch's favour. Aruns. Why, Junius, travel has improved thy wit, Thou speakest shrewdly. Luc. Do I so, my lord? I'm always glad when you and I agree; You have just such a wit as I should choose. Would I could purchase such !-though it might split My head, as confined air does-water bubbles! Claud. How say you? Purchase? Pr'ythee what would'st give? Luc. What would I give ?-ten acres of my land! Luc. Ask the king, my cousin : He knows full well. I thank him, he's my steward, Claud. Who told thee so? Luc. The king himself. Now twenty years are past, Or more, since he sent for me from my farm. "Kinsman," said he, with a kind, gracious smile, "For the black crime of treason which was charged "Against thy father and thy elder brother, "Their lives have paid: for thee, as I love mercy, "Live and be happy: simple is thy mind ". Aruns. True, kinsman, true-i'faith 'tis wondrous simple. Luc. "And that simplicity will be a pledge "That thou wilt never plot against thy sovereign' Claud. Indeed, for that, I'll be thy bondsman, Junius. Luc. "Live in my house, companion of my children. "As for thy land, to ease thee of all care, "I'll take it for thy use; all that I ask "Of thee, is gratitude." Aruns. And art thou not Grateful for goodness so unmerited? Iuc. Am I not? Never, by the holy gods, Aruns. Thank the gods, then, for thy good memory, fool! Luc. The king your father sends for you to council, Where he debates how best to conquer Ardea. Shall I before, and tell him ye are coming? Claud. Ay, or behind, or with us, or stay here— As thy wit prompts,-as suits thy lofty pleasure, [Exeunt ARUNS and CLAUDIUS laughing. Luc. [Alone.] Yet, 'tis not that which ruffles me→ the gibes And scornful mockeries of ill-govern'd youth- And throw this vizor of thy madness from thee? B To avenge my father's and my brother's murder ! There's something nobler to be done-my soul ! To see Revenge Spring like a lion from the den, and tear These hunters of mankind! Grant but the time, To late old age, and may posterity Ne'er hear of Junius but as Tarquin's fool! [Exit LUCIUS JUNIUS. SCENE III.-Rome-A State Apartment in the Palace. of TULLIA. Enter TULLIA, preceded by GUARDS, BANNER BEARERS, LADIES; and followed by VALERIUS. She appears perturbed, and speaks apart. Tul. [Apart.] Why should the steady mind to shadows yield? And yet this vision shakes my frame with horror. "Remember, when, with wild ambition's frenzy And all Rome's empire in your view, you drove "Your chariot-wheels o'er your dead father's body, 66 Up to the shouting Forum!" Why, my soul, Dost thou not shun the remembrance of that hour? 'Twas but the cause-the cause-For this base clay How differs it from the dull earth we tread on, When the life's gone?-But, next, the Sibyl came. Whose mystic book at such a price we bought, And cried, "The race of Tarquin shall be kings "Till a fool drive them hence, and set Rome free! Strange prophecy !-What fool ?-It cannot be That poor dolt, the companion of my sons-Hark thee, Valerius-Know'st thou that same fool Now in the camp. Val. I know him well.-A man Who, when he had a name, was Lucius Junius:- |