"Each distant object of refin'd distress, "Shuts out all means of happiness, nor leaves it The very balm that should relieve its anguish. Of heart-felt ease and soft humanity. Horatia. I fain would hope so. Yet we hear not of him. Your brother, much I fear, has su'd in vain. "Valeria. The wings of love "Cannot fly faster than my brother's zeal "Will bear him for your service. "Horatia. I believe it, "Yet doubt it too. My sickly mind unites "Strange contradictions." Valeria. Shall I to the walls? I may from thence with ease survey the field, Horatia. My best Valeria! Fly then; "I know thy heart is there already." Thou art a Roman maid; and though thy friendship Detains thee here with one who scarce deserves That sacred name, art anxious for thy country. But yet for charity think kindly of me; For thou shalt find by the event, Valeria, I am a Roman too, however wretched. [Exit Valeria. Am I a Roman then? Ye powers! I dare not Resolve the fatal question I propose. If dying would suffice, I were a Roman : But to stand up against this storm of passions, Transcends a woman's weakness. Hark! what noise? Tis news from Curiatius !-Love, I thank thee! Enter a Servant. Well, does he yield? Distract me not with silence. Say, in one word— Serv. Your father Horatia. What of him? Would he not let him yield? Oh, cruel father! Serv. Madam, he's here Horatia Who? Serv. Borne by his attendants. Horatia. What mean'st thou ? Enter HORATIUS, led in by his Servants. Horatius. Lead me yet a little onward; I shall recover straight. Horatia. My gracious sire! Horatius. Lend me thy arm, Horatia-So-. My child, Be not surpris'd; an old man must expect These little shocks of nature; they are hints Horatia. How are you, sir? Horatius. Better, much better. My frail body could not Support the swelling tumult of my soul. Horatia. No accident, I hope, alarm'd you, sir! My brothers Horatius. Here, go to the field again, You, Cautus and Vindicius, and observe The manner of the fight. Horatia. Are they engag'd? Horatius. They are, Horatia. But first let me thank For staying from the field. I would have seen Enter a Servant, who gives a paper to HORATIA, and retires. What paper's that? Why dost thou tremble so ? Here, let me open it. [Takes the paper and opens it.] From Curiatius ! Horatia. Oh, keep me not in this suspense, my father! Relieve me from the rack. Horatius. He tells thee here, He dare not do an action that would make him Unworthy of thy love; and therefore Horatia. Dies I Well-I am satisfied." Horatius. I see by this Thou hast endeavour'd to persuade thy lover To quit the combat. Couldst thou think, Horatia, He'd sacrifice his country to a woman? Horatia. i know not what I thought. He prov too plainly, Whate'er it was, I was deceiv'd in him Whom I applied to. Horatius. Do not think so, daughter; Could he with honour have declin'd the fight, Think well on that, and reason must convinc power re thee To talk down grief, or bid the tortur'd wretch Could reason govern, I should now rejoice yet t They were engag'd, and count the tedious moment I should forget he ever won my soul, Forget 'twas your command that bade me love him, Nay, fly perhaps to yon detested field, And spurn with scorn his mangled body from me. Horatius. Why wilt thou talk thus? Pry'thee, be I can forgive thy tears; they flow from nature; But Heaven has will'd it, and Heaven's will be done! The glorious expectation of success Buoys up my soul, nor lets a thought intrude Rome's founder must have look'd, when, warm in youth, And flush'd with future conquest, forth he march'd Horatia. My dearest father, et me entreat you stay; the tumult there sill discompose you, and a quick relapse "ay prove most dangerous. I'll restrain my tears, they offend you. Horatius. Well, I'll be advis'd. |