Of dying for his country.-Come, my son, Her softness will infect thee; pr'ythee, leave her. Horatia. [Looking first on her father, and then tenderly on her brother.] Not 'till my soul has pour'd Hear me, dread god of war, protect and save him! Enter TULLUS HOSTILIUS, VALERIUS, and Guards. Valerius. The king, my lord, approaches. Whence comes this condescension ? Tullus. Good old man; Could I have found a nobler messenger, I would have spar'd my self 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 rougner na tures, For you, young soldier, "And softens all the joys of social life." Are all that are allow'd you. 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? At once the frown of war, and stern defiance? Pub. Think not, oh, king, howe'er resolv'd on I sit so loosely to the bonds of nature, As not to feel their force. I feel it strongly. To what we owe the public. Partial ties Cease to be men. As in our earliest days, Tullus. Now I dare trust thee; go and teach thy brothers To think like thee, and conquest is your own. This is true courage, not the brutal force Of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve A dream, a vapour, or an ague fit May make a coward of him.-Come, Horatius, They should behold their sister thus alarm'd. Haste, soldier, and detain them. [To one of the guards. Horatius. Gracious sir, We'll follow on the instant. Tullus. Then farewell. When next we meet, 'tis Rome and liberty! [Exit with guards. Horatius. Come, let me arm thee for the glorious toil. I have a sword, whose lightning oft has blaz'd Whose temper'd edge has cleft their haughty crests, [Going. And yet, my Publius, shall I own my weakness; Though I detest the cause from whence they spring, I feel thy sister's sorrows like a father. She was my soul's delight. Pub. And may remain so. This sudden shock has but alarm'd her virtue, Not quite subdued its force. At least, my father, Ꭰ |