"'Tis now too late. The lion when he's rous'd "Must have his prey, whose den we might have pass'd "In safety while he slept. To draw the sword, "And fire the youthful warrior's breast to arms "With awful visions of immortal fame, "And then to bid him sheath it, and forget "He ever hop'd for conquest and renown"Vain, vain attempt! "Valeria. Yet when that just attempt "Is seconded by love, and beauty's tears "Horatia. My dear Valeria! "Fain would I hope I had the power to move him." Valeria. My dear Horatia, success is yours already. Horatia. And yet, should I succeed, the hard-gain'd strife May chance to rob me of my future peace. Look on that fondness which has stabb'd his fame. He made to love, and a fond woman's weakness; But ill repay him for the mighty loss Valeria. Pray, furbear; And search not thus into eventful time For ills to come. "This fatal temper, friend, ❝ Alive to feel, and curious to explore "Each distant object of refin'd distress, "Shuts out all means of happiness, nor leaves it The very balm that should relieve its anguish. Of heart-felt ease and soft humanity. Horatia. I fain would hope so. Yet we hear not of him. Your brother, much I fear, has su'd in vain. "Valeria. The wings of love "Cannot fly faster than my brother's zeal "Will bear him for your service. "Horatia. I believe it, "Yet doubt it too. My sickly mind unites "Strange contradictions." Valeria. Shall I to the walls? I may from thence with ease survey the field, Horatia. My best Valeria! Fly then; "I know thy heart is there already." Thou art a Roman maid; and though thy friendship Detains thee here with one who scarce deserves That sacred name, art anxious for thy country. But yet for charity think kindly of me; For thou shalt find by the event, Valeria, I am a Roman too, however wretched. [Exit Valeria. Am I a Roman then? Ye powers! I dare not Resolve the fatal question I propose. If dying would suffice, I were a Roman : But to stand up against this storm of passions, Transcends a woman's weakness. Hark! what noise? 'Tis news from Curiatius -Love, I thank thee! Enter a Servant. Well, does he yield? Distract me not with silence. Say, in one word Serv. Your father Horatia. What of him? Would he not let him yield? Oh, cruel father! Horatia. Who? Serv. Borne by his attendants. Enter HORATIUS, led in by his Servants. Horatius. Lead me yet a little onward; I shall recover straight. Horatia. My gracious sire! Horatius. Lend me thy arm, Horatia-So-. My child, Be not surpris'd; an old man must expect Horatia. How are you, sir? Horatius. Better, much better. My frail body could not Support the swelling tumult of my soul. Horatia. No accident, I hope, alarm'd you, sir! My brothers Horatius. Here, go to the field again, You, Cautus and Vindicius, and observe Each circumstance. I shall be glad to hear The manner of the fight. Horatia. Are they engag'd? Horatius. They are, Horatia. But first let me thank thee For staying from the field. I would have seen Enter a Servant, who gives a paper to HORATIA, and retires. What paper's that? Why dost thou tremble so? Horatia. Oh, keep me not in this suspense, my father! Relieve me from the rack. Horatius. He tells thee here, He dare not do an action that would make him Unworthy of thy love; and therefore Horatia. Dies ! Well-I am satisfied. Horatius. I see by this Thou hast endeavour'd to persuade thy lover Horatia. I know not what I thought. He proves too plainly, Whate'er it was, I was deceiv'd in him Whom I applied to. Horatius. Do not think so, daughter; Could he with honour have declin'd the fight, What then couldst thou expect? Would he not curse To aggrandize thy race, and lift their fame Think well on that, and reason must convince thee. Horatia. [Wildly.] Alas had reason ever yet the power To talk down grief, or bid the tortur'd wretch Could reason govern, I should now rejoice They were engag'd, and count the tedious moments Till conquest smil d, and Rome again was free. Could reason govern, I should beg of Heaven () o guide my brot er's sword, and plunge it deep in the bosom of the man I love: |