If, shunning faults which nobler bards commit, B THE ROMAN FATHER. ACT I. SCene 1. A Room in HORATIUS's House A Soldier crosses the Stage, HORATIA following. Horatia. STAY, soldier. As you parted from my father, But all imperfectly. Said you not Alba Was on the brink of fate, and Rome determin'd Or perish in th' attempt? Sold. 'Twas so resolv'd This morning, lady, ere I left the camp. Our heroes are tir'd out with ling'ring war, And half-unmeaning fight. Horatia. "Alas! I hop'd "The kind remorse which touch'd the kindred states, "And made their swords fall lightly on the breasts "Of foes they could not hate, might have produc'd "A milder resolution." Then this day Is fix'd for death or conquest? [He bows. ] To me death, But wherefore should I wish? The gods will crown Sold. My duty, lady, Commands me hence. Ere this they have engag'd; And conquest's self would lose its charms to me, Should I not share the danger. As the Soldier goes out, VALERIA enters, who looks first on him, and then on HORATIA. Valeria. My dear Horatia, wherefore wilt thou court The means to be unhappy? Still enquiring, Had hurt thy quiet, that thou might'st have learnt it Alba to me is Rome. Wouldst thou believe it? Ev'n dreaded their success. Oh, Curiatius ! Valeria. Forbear this self-reproach; he is thy husband, And who can blame thy fears? If fortune make him That we are miserable: nature there Horatia. True; yet sure A Roman virgin should be more than woman. To rush into the Tiber's foaming wave, "Swol❜n with uncommon floods," or from the height Of yon Tarpeian rock, whose giddy steep Has turn'd me pale with horror at the sight, |