compound of all excellence, and pray he mighty gods to put thee to no trial eyond a mortal bearing. Bru. No, they will not ay, be secure, they cannot. Pr'ythee, friend, Ha!-enough: -Thou can'st excuse this weakness, [Valerius gives the sign. I understand thee-Since it must be so, Do your great pleasure, gods! Now, now it comes! TITUS and TARQUINIA are brought in, R., guarded. advances, Tarquinia remains in the back-ground. Titus Tit. My father!-Give me present death, ye powers! Cent. What have I done!-Art thou the son of Brutus ? Tit. No, Brutus scorns to father such a son! Oh, venerable judge, wilt thou not speak? Turn not away; hither direct thine eyes, And look upon this sorrow-stricken form, Then to thine own great heart remit my plea, And doom as nature dictates. Val. Peace, you'll anger him— Be silent, and await! Oh, suffering mercy, [Brutus turns away from his son, waves his hand to Bru. Come hither, Collatinus. The deep wound You suffered in the loss of your Lucretia, I saw your agony-I felt your woe し Col. You more than felt it-you revenged it, too. Bru. But, ah! my brother consul, your Lucretia Fell nobly, as a Roman spirit should She fell, a model of transcendent virtue. Col. My mind misgives. What dost thou aim at, Bru- Bru. [Almost overpowered.] That youth-ny Titus I loved him more than language can express- Col. My heart bleeds for you-He may yet be saved— Bru. [Firmly.] Consul,-for Rome I live-not for myself: I dare not trust my firmness in this crisis, Warring 'gainst everything my soul holds dear! [Collatinus goes out, R., attended, and as Brutus is de- Tar. Stop,-turn and hear the daughter of your king' I speak for justice-mercy, thou hast none, For him, your son : By gratitude and love I drew him off— I preserved his life! Who shall condemn him for protecting mine? Bru. We try the crime; the motive, Heaven will judge. My honour he hath stabbed-I pardon that. He hath done more—he hath betrayed his country. That beats for freedom, every Roman feels, Tar. Because thy soul was never swayed by love, Canst thou not credit what his bosom felt? Bru. I can believe that beauty such as thine Tar. Hard, unrelenting man! Are these the fruits Wearied the gods with pray'rs, till they restored han these new ensigns, Brutus; more than all [To Brutus. If these will not appease a parent's heart, Brutus will suffer as he may.-Enough That we enlarge Tarquinia. Go, be free! Centurion, give her conduct out of Rome! Lictors, secure your prisoner. Point your axes. To the Senate-On! [Exeunt Brutus and Guards, L. Cent. Come, lady, you must part. Tar. Part! Must we part? You must not tear him from me; I will die Cent. You've heard the consul. Tar. Thou hast heard the king, Fought for him while he led you on to conquest. Tit. If thou dost wish That I should 'scape the peril of my fate, I conjure thee to accord To Brutus, and accept his promised safeguard. Your words, your looks, your beauty, feed his wrath; And pity flies his heart. Let passion pause; Leave me to solitude, to silence leave me; Then nature's gentlest whispers may be heard. Tar. Say'st thou? Conduct me to the dreariest waste That ever melancholy madness trod, And let my swelling heart in silence burst; Plunge me in darkness, shroud this fatal form In everlasting night, I am content! Lo! I obey! This is the test of love: [Officers advance. Tit. See, I am warned. Farewell, my life's last joy! When my eyes lose thy image, they may look On death without dismay. To those blessed powers Who gave thee every virtue, every grace That can ensure perfection, I commit thee. [They embrace, and are torn asunder. Titus is car ried off by the Lictors, L., and Tarquinia faints and is borne off by the Centurion and Guards, r. SCENE II.-Rome.-An Apartment in the House of Brutus Enter BRUTUS, R. Bru. [Alone.] Like a lost, guilty wretch, I look around And start at every footstep, lest it bring The fatal news of my poor son's conviction!- Val. My friend, the Senate have to thee transferred The right of judgment on thy son's offence. Bru. To me ! Val. To thee alone. Bru. What of the rest? Val. Their sentence is already passed. E'en now, perhaps, the lictor's dreaded hand Cuts off their forfeit lives. Bru. Say'st thou, that the Senate have to me referred The fate of Titus? Val. Such is their sovereign will. They think you merit this distinguished honour. A father's grief deserves to be revered : Rome will approve whatever you decree. Bru. And is his guilt established beyond doubt ? Bru. [With a burst of tears.] Oh, ye gods! ye gods! [Collecting himself.] Valerius! Val. What would'st thou, noble Roman? Bru. 'Tis said thou hast pulled down thine house, Va lerius, The stately pile that with such cost was reared. Val. I have; but what doth Brutus then infer? Val. Yes, Brutus, I conceive The awful aim and drift of thy discourse- SCENE III.-Exterior of the Temple of Mars.-Senators, BRUTUS enters, R., followed by VALERIUS-he bows as he Bru. Romans, the blood which hath been shed this day Hath been shed wisely. Traitors, who conspire Against mature societies, may urge Their acts as bold and daring; and though villairs, |