That I should live to this-my soul's too full; Let this and this speak for me.-Bless thee, bless thee ! [Embracing him. But wherefore art thou absent from the camp? Pub. Think not, my lord, that filial reverence, Horatius. Oh, virtuous pride!-'tis bliss too exquisite For human sense !-thus, let me answer thee. Where are my other boys? [Embracing him again. Pub. They only wait 'Till Alba's loit'ring chiefs declare her champions, Our future victims, sir, and with the news Will greet their father's ear. Horatius. It shall not need, Myself will to the field. Come, let us haste, My old blood boils, and my tumultuous spirits Now with my boys, and be the next my last! Pub. My Horatia ere the dews Of evening fall, thou shalt with transport own me ; Horatia. Methinks, a lover Might take th' advantage of the truce, and bear Pub. Dearest sister, He with impatience waits the lucky moment This day unites us, and to-morrow's sun May hear thy vows, and make my friend my brother. Horatius. [Having talked apart with Valeria. ['Tis truly Roman.-Here's a maid, Horatia, Laments her brother lost the glorious proof Of dying for his country.-Come, my son, on her brother.] Not 'till my soul has pour'd Hear me, dread god of war, prote& and save him! For thee, and thy immortal Rome, he fights | him. Enter TULLUS HOSTILIUS, VALERIUS, and Guards. Valerius. The king, my lord, approaches. Horatius. Gracious sir, Whence comes this condescension ? Tullus. Good old man; Could I have found a nobler messenger, I would have spar'd myself th' ungrateful task My news will want a welcome. Horatius. Mighty king! Forgive an old man's warmth -They have not sure Made choice of other combatants!-My sons, Must they not fight for Rome? Tullus. Too sure they must. Horatius. Then I am blest! Tullus. But that they must engage Will hurt thee most, when thou shalt know with whom. Horatius. I care not whom. Tullus. Suppose your nearest friends, The Curiatii, were the Alban choice, Could you bear that? Could you, young man, support A conflict there? Pub. I could perform my duty, Great sir, though even a brother should oppose me, Tullus. Thou art a Roman! Let thy king embrace thee. Horatius. And let thy father catch thee from his arms. Tullus. [To Publius.] Know then, that trial must be thine. The Albans With envy saw one family produce Three chiefs, to whom their country dared entrust The Roman cause, and scorn'd to be outdone. Horatia. Then I am lost indeed; was it for this, For this, I pray'd! Pub. My sister | Valeria. My Horatia! Oh, support her! [Swoons. Horatius. Oh, foolish girl, to shame thy father thus ! Here, bear her in. [Horatia is carried in, Valerius and Valeria follow. I am concern'd, my sovereign, That even the meanest part of me should blast Tullus. It does most amply. She has cause for sorrow. The shock was sudden, and might well alarm A firmer bosom. "The weak sex demand "Our pity, not our anger; their soft breasts "Are nearer touch'd, and more expos'd to sorrows "Than man's experter sense. Nor let us blame "That tenderness which smooths our rougher na tures, "And softens all the joys of social life." We leave her to her tears. You must prepare for combat. Are all that are allow'd you. For you, young soldier, Some few hours But I charge you Try well your heart, and strengthen every thought Of patriot in you. Think how dreadful 'tis To plant a dagger in the breast you love; To spurn the ties of nature, and forget In one short hour whole years of virtuous friendship, Think well on that. Pub. I do, my gracious sovereign; And think the more I dare subdue affection, Tullus. True; but yet consider, Is it an easy task to change affections? |