Then on his travels, 'scaped the tyrant's sword, Luc. Ay, the same Lucius, who now dwells with Tar quin, The jest, the fool, the langhing-stock o' th' court, Whom the young princes always carry with 'em 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, Where, full of business, his wise worship comes. Enter LUCIUS JUNIUS, L. Claud. Whither so fast, good Junius, tell us whither ? Luc. To Rome, to Rome—the queen demands my pre sence. The state needs aid, and I am called to court. [They laugh. I'm the first fool graced by a monarch's favour. 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 Claud. How say you? Purchase? Prithee, 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, And takes the trouble off my hands. Claud. Who told thee so? Luc. The king himself. Now twenty years are past, r more,—since he sent for me from my farm. Their lives have paid: for thee, as I love mercy, 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 your 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? Luc. Am I not? Never, by the holy gods, pay I brought a message to you from the king. 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 wits prompt-as suits thy lofty pleasure. [Exeunt Aruns and Claudius, laughing, R. Luc. [Alone.] Yet, 'tis not that which ruffles me-the gibes And scornful mockeries of ill-governed youth- And throw this vizor of thy madness from thee, (And sweet, I must confess, would be the draught!) I had not valued as a rush.-But still 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, Grant but the moment, gods! If I am wanting, May I drag out this idiot-feigned life To late old age, and may posterity Ne'er hear of Junius but as Tarquin's fool! [Exit, L. 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, Val. I know him well.-A man Who, when he had a name, was Lucius Junius:-- braver citizen Rome never boasted, and wise and learned withal; now changed, alas! spectacle which humbles me to look on! Tul. But is he harmless in his moody humours? Val. Tame as my horse, which, though devoid of rea son, hall turn, shall stop, and, at my angry bidding, hall kneel till I am thronéd on his back! And this shall Junius: the like instinct stirs unius and him,—no more. Tul. [Apart.] Hence, idle fears! -Yet, when he went to Delphi, 'tis given out Leading our soldiers forth with sword and flame, Enter HORATIUS, L. Hor. Your orders are obeyed: Lucius awaits. [To Valerius.] Tell me, will he answer If we do question him? Val. I think he will: [Exit Horatius Yet sometimes, when the moody fit doth take him, He'll prattle shrewdly, with such witty folly HORATIUS returns with LUCIUS JUNIUS. Tul. Hark thee, fellow, How art thou called? Luc. A fool. Tul. Fool, for thy nature : Thou answerest well, but I demand thy name. Luc. Nothing but fool. Tul. His faculties are brutish: BRUTUS shall be thy name. Bru. Thanks to your grace! Hor. Dost like thy new name, gentle brute? Bru. So well, Who will may take the fool. I care not who- Hor. I the fool! Sirrah, good words, or I will have thee beaten. Bru. A fool thou wilt not beat—a brute thou darʼst not, For the dull ass will kick against his striker, If struck too harshly. Tul. Let me hear no more; There's mischief in his folly. Send him hence. [Brutus going, I, But stay-I'll search him farther.-Hark thee, Brutus: Thou wast at Delphi, with our sons the princes Tell me what questions put they to Apollo? Bru. Your sons did ask who should be chief in Rome. Tul. Ha! What replied the oracle to that? Bru. With pains and strugglings, the prophetic dame This destiny reported from her god 'Great and most glorious shall that Roman be, 'Who first shall greet his mother with a kiss.' Tul. That is fulfilled by Sextus. Hor. Ay, he straight Hastened from thence, and kissed the queen his mother. Bru. Woe for me, I have no mother! Bru. Yea, madam; for just then my foot did slip In the fresh blood of a new-slaughtered victim, And, falling, I did kiss my mother-earth. Tul. Oh, that the earth had swallowed thee outright, Till thou hadst kissed the centre! I perceive, The gods are leagued with folly to destroy us. My very blood chills at my heart.-Away! [Exit Tullia, Guards and Ladies, rapidly, R. and L. Hor. Hark thee, thou Brutus :-I in part suspect Thou ap'st this folly; if I find thee trifling Or juggling with the Pythia for predictions, By all the gods, I'll have thee flayed, thy skin Striped into thongs, to strangle thee withal. Dissembling varlet ! [Crosses, L., and strikes Brutus, who seizes him. Val. Shame, my lord! forbear! Threat'ning a fool, you do but wrong yourself. |