A YOUTH. Scatter here the laurel crown, A VIRGIN. Scatter here the myrtle wreath, A YOUTH. Scatter here the oaken bough; He sav'd all who sav'd the state. CHORUS. Thus for freedom, &c. Horatius. Thou dost forgive me then, my dearest boy, I cannot tell thee half my ecstasy. The day which gave thee first to my glad hopes Pub. No more, my friends.--You must permit me, sir, To contradict you here. Not but my soul, Is deaf to pleasure-Let me leave you, friends; As they are going off, HORATIA rushes in. I bade her come; she has forgot her sorrows, Horatia. Is this the hero That tramples nature's ties, and nobly soars Let me observe him well. Pub. What means my sister? Horatia. Thy sister! I disclaim the impious title ; Base and inhuman! Give me back my husband, My life, my soul, my murder'd Curiatius! Pub. He perish'd for his country. Horatia. Gracious gods! Was't not enough that thou hadst murder'd him, But thou must triumph in thy guilt, and wear His bleeding spoils -Oh, let me tear them from thee, Drink the dear drops that issu'd from his wounds, More dear to me than the whole tide that swells With impious pride a hostile brother's heart. Horatius. Am I awake, or is it all illusion! Was it for this thou cam'st? Pub. Horatia, hear me, Yet I am calm, and can forgive thy folly; Horatia. I will not go.-What, have I touch'd thee, then? And canst thou feel?-Oh, think not thou shalt lose Thy share of anguish. I'll pursue thee still, "Urge thee all day with thy unnatural crimes, "Tear, harrow up thy breast; and then at night” I'll be the fury that shall haunt thy dreams; Wake thee with shrieks, and place before thy sight Thy mangled friends in all their pomp of horror. Pub. Away with her! 'tis womanish complaining. Think'st thou such trifles can alarm the man Whose noblest passion is his country's love? "Let it be thine, and learn to bear affliction." Horatia. Curse on my country's love, the trick ye teach us To make us slaves beneath the mask of virtue; And violate the first great law within us. I scorn the impious passion. Pub. Have a care; Thou'st touch'd a string which may awake my ven geance. Horatia. [Aside.] Then it shall "do it." Pub. Oh, if thou dar'st prophane That sacred tie which winds about my heart, Indeed she's mad. Horatia. Stand off, I am not mad [To Publius. Nay, draw thy sword; I do defy thee, murderer, Barbarian, Roman!— -Mad! The name of Rome Makes madmen of you all; my curses on it. "I do detest its impious policy." Rise, rise, ye states (Oh, that my voice could fire Horatius. Distraction !-Force her off Horatia. [Struggling.] Could I but prove the Helen to destroy This curs'd unsocial state, I'd die with transport: Gaze on the spreading fires-'till the last pile Sunk in the blaze-then mingle with its ruins.` Pub. Thou shalt not live to that. [Exit after her. Thus perish all the enemies of Rome. Re-enter VALERIUS. [Without. Valerius. Oh, horror! horror! execrable act; If there be law in Rome; if there be justice, By Rome, and all its gods, thou shalt not 'scape. [Exit. Re-enter PUBLIUS, followed by HORATIA wounded. Horatia. Now thou'st indeed been kind, and I forgive you The death of Curiatius; this last blow Has cancell'd all, and thou'rt again my brother. A daughter bleeding by a brother's hand! My child my child! Horatia. What means this tenderness? I thought to see you Inflam'd with rage against a worthless wretch I said 'twas madness, but he would not hear me. Horatia. Oh, wrong him not; his act was noble justice, I forc'd him to the deed; for know, my father, |