My heart was honour's once

Tar. And shall be ever!

Come, I will show thee where bright honour grows,
Where thou shalt pluck it from the topmost branch,
And wear it in its freshest, fairest bloom. [Exeunt, 1..
SCENE II-A Street in Rome.

Enter HORATIUS and CELIUS, L.

Hor. Brutus and Collatinus are appointed
To sovereign sway, as consuls for the year.
Their self-elected senate meets to-morrow,
Though some remain, too honest for their views.
These for security exact conditions—

They ask a chief, whose well-established fame
May win the hearts of this inconstant people;
A chief so brave, that, should we prove victorious,
He may compel the king to keep his faith;

Or, if we fall, boldly revenge our deaths-
And such a chief I've found.

Cel. Indeed! In whom?

Hor. The consul's son-his much-loved son-young Titus.

Cel. What! to rebel against his father's power?
Hor. Ay, he is ours. This very night, Tarquinia
Will lead him forth to the Quirinal gate,

Whence they straight hasten to the camp at Ardea.
Impetuous youth is wrought upon with ease.
Though 'tis his father's frown upon his love,
And early vows pledged to the fair Tarquinia,
Alone which prompt him thus to lead our band:
Once in our power, we'll mould him to our ends:
His
very name will prove a tower of strength,
And Rome, once more, shall be restored to Tarquin.
Cel. Bravely resolved! But tell me -where is Tullia}
Hor. A captive, and confined in Rhea's temple;
Watched by the vestals, who there guard the flame
Upon the tomb where lies her murdered father.
Unhappy Tullia! our sw、 rds shall soon release thee.
Come! Hence at once! The hour draws near-away!
Ere two days pass these reptiles shall be crushed,
And humbled Rome sue for its monarch's pardon.

[Exeunt Horatius and Celius, R.

Enter LUCRETIUS and VALERIUS, L.

. That was Horatius 'parted, was it not?

e. The same.

7. Am I deceived? Methinks I heard

thing like discontent and treason muttered. c. I fear all is not safe. Assembled groups arquin's friends have been seen close in conference ering his name aloud. Ay, and some base, enerate Romans, called for a surrender. il. Horatius' arts may justly wake suspicion : Rome, we know, is still disgraced by many base, too sordid, to be bravely free.

us go

forth and double all the guards,

their steps watched, and intercept their malice. uc. Nay, there's a safer course than that; arrest them!

Tal. The laws and rights we've sworn to guard, for

bid it!

them be watched.

We must not venture farther.

arrest a Roman upon bare surmise, ould be at once to imitate the tyrant

mom we renounce, and from his throne have driven ! [Exeunt, R.

CENE III.-Rome.--A little dark.--The Temple of Rhea, with a large Central Door leading to the Tomb of Servius Tullius, late King of Rome. On one side of the Stage, a Statue of Rhea, and on the other, a Statue of Vesta, with altars, and incense burning before each.

PRIESTESS of Rhea. VIRGINS of the Temple.
Pr. Daughters of Rhea, since the lords of Rome
[ave to your holy hands consigned the charge
Of their now captive Queen, inform the Priestess
How your sad prisoner abides her durance.
s her proud soul yet humbled, or, indignant,
Doth it still breathe defiance and contempt?
Vir. Sullen and silent, she resolves on death:
She will not taste of nourishment. She comes.

Enter TULLIA, L.

Pr. I pray you, royal lady, be entreated-

Tul. I tell

you, no!

Pr. Think what a train of weary hears have passed Since you had taste of food.

Tul. 'Tis well!

The fewer are to come.

Pr. How can you live to meet your royal husband, To fold your children in your arms again,

If you resist support?

Tul. Ha! well remembered!

What news from Ardea? Will he march for Rome? Hark! Do you hear his trumpet? Is he coming? Ay, this is hope, and worth the feeding.

'Tis well-'tis well!

-doth the king know of this kindness?

But, tell me

Pr. What king?

Tul. What king?

Brutus, the king of Rome,-knows he of this?

Pr. He does.

Tul. And would he I should live?

Pr. He would.

Tul. Merciful villain!

Yes, he would have me live to page his triumphs:
I know the utmost of his mercy—

Subtle traitor!

I'll not taste food, though immortality
Were grafted to each atom-Hark!
Heard you that groan ?

Pr. It is your fancy's coinage.

Tul. Again! 'Tis deep and hollow:

What's that?

It issues from the vault-Set the door open!

Open, I say.

Pr. It is your father's se ulchre !

Tul. My father! righteous gods! I killed my father! Horrible retribution!

Pr. Wretched daughter,

If thou hast done this deed, prepare thy spirit,

By wholesome meditation, for atonemen

And let no passion interrupt the task

Of penitence and prayer.

Tul. I'll pray no more.

There is no mercy in the skies for murder,
Therefore no praying, none.

e a plea for my impenitenceness!

se groans have made me mad; all the night .hrough y howled distraction to my sleepless brain! 've shut me up with furies to torment me, 1 starved me into madness. Hark! again! par the door! Unbar it! By the gods, e voice is more than human, which I hear! enter there—I will be satisfied,

hough the confirmation should present s awful form

[She rushes forward. The Priestess and Vestals, in confusion and alarm, spring to the bar, which, falling with a crash, the door flies open, and discovers a Monumental Figure of Servius Tullius, with lamps burning on each side of it. Tullia recoils, shrieks, falls, and expires. The others group around her, and the Curtain falls to soft music.

END OF ACT IV.

ACT V.

SCENE I-A Street in Rome, with the Temple of Mars in view.

Enter BRUTUS and COLLATINUS, as Consuls, with Lictors, VALERIUS, LUCRETIUS, and numerous followers, L.

Bru. You judge me rightly, friends. The purpled robe,

The curule chair, the lictors' keen-edged axe,
Rejoice not Brutus ;-'tis his country's freedom!
When once that freedom shall be firmly rooted,
Then, with redoubled pleasure, will your consul
Exchange the splendid miseries of power,
For the calm comforts of a happy home.

Enter a MESSenger, l.

Mes. All health to Rome, her Senate, and her consuls.
Bru. Speak on-What message hast thou to impart?

Mes. I bring intelligence of Sextus Tarquin, Who, on arriving at a neighbouring village,

Was known, and by the people stoned to death. Exit, L Bru. Now, Lucretia,

Thy ghost may cease to wander o'er the earth,

And rest in peace!

Luc. Heaven's ways are just!

Col. Yet I regret the villain should be slain By any hand but mine!

Enter a CENTURION, R.

Cent. Health to Brutus !

Shame and confusion to the foes of Rome!
Bru. Now, without preface, to your business,
Cent. As I kept watch at the Quirinal gate,
Ere break of day, an arméd company

Burst on the sudden through the barrier guard,
Pushing their course for Ardea. Straight alarmed,
I wheeled my cohort round, and charged 'em home:
Sharp was the conflict for a while, and doubtful,
Till, on the seizure of Tarquinia's person,
A young Patrician-

Bru. Ha! Patrician?

Cent. Such

His dress bespoke him, though to me unknown.
Bru. Proceed!-What more?

Cent. The lady being taken,

This youth, the life and leader of the band,
His sword high waving in the act to strike,
Dropped his uplifted weapon, and at once
Yielded himself my prisoner. Oh, Valerius,
What have I said, that thus the consul changes?
Bru. Why do you pause? Go on.

Cent. Their leader seized,

The rest surrendered. Him, a settled gloom
Possesses wholly, nor, as I believe,

Hath a word passed his lips, to all my questions

Still obstinately shut.

Bru. Bring him before us.

[Exit Centurion, E

Val. Oh, my brave friend, horror invades my heart.

Bru. Silence-be calm.

Val. I know thy soul