She seeks th' indulgent friend, whose sober sense, On me for that kind office? Valeria. Yes, Valerius. She chose you out to be her advocate To Curiatius; 'tis the only hope She now dares cherish; her relentless brother And save her ere she sinks. Valerius. Her advocate To Curiatius! Valeria. 'Tis to him she sends you, To urge her suit, and win him from the field. Valerius. To my rival! To Curiatius plead her cause, and teach My tongue a lesson which my heart abhors! Impossible! Valeria, pr'ythee say Thou saw'st me not; the business of the camp Valeria. What means my brother? [Going. You cannot leave her now; for shame, turn back; Valerius. They flow in vain, Valeria: Nay, and thou know'st they do. Oh, earth and heaven! This combat was the means my happier stars Found out to save me from the brink of ruin ; Valeria. Yet thou canst murder her task. Faleria. I know the task is hard, and thought I knew Thy virtue too. Valerius. I must, I will obey thee. Lead on.-Yet pr'ythee, for a moment leave me, Valeria. My Valerius! I fly to tell her you but wait her pleasure. [Exit. Valerius. Yes, I will undertake this hateful office ; It never can succeed.-Yet at this instant It may be dangerous, while the people melt Makes her my friend, and may afford hereafter A thousand tender hours to move my suit. That hope determines all. [Exit. SCENE II. Another Apartment. Enter HORATIA and VALERIA. HORATIA with a Scarf in her Hand. Horatia. Where is thy brother? Wherefore stays he thus ? Did you conjure him? did he say he'd come ? I have no brothers now, and fly to him As my last refuge. Did he seem averse To thy entreaties? Are all brothers so? "Alas, thou told'st me he spake kindly to thee! "'Tis me, 'tis me he shuns; I am the wretch "Whom virtue dares not make acquaintance with. "Yet fly to him again, entreat him hither, "Tell him for thy sake to have pity on me. "Thou are no enemy to Rome, thou hast "No Alban husband to claim half thy tears, “And make humanity a crime." Valeria. Dear maid, Restrain your sorrows; I've already told you Horatia. Oh wherefore then Is he away? Each moment now is precious; Long scenes of lasting peace, and smiling years Valeria. I will again go seek him; pray, be calm; Of vengeance is already stretch'd against him, Oft as I fram'd thy web, He sate beside me, and would say in sport, And one must conquer. Enter VALERIUS and VALERIA. Valerius. Save you, gracious lady; On the first message which my sister sent me |