Scene from "Virginius." APPIUS, CLAUDIUS and LICTORS. Appius. Well, Claudius, are the forces At hand? Claudius. They are, and timely, too; the people Are in unwonted ferment. App. There's something awes me at Upon her, my Appius! Fix your gaze upon Till they are thine. Haste! Your tribunal! Haste! [APPIUS ascends the tribuna [Enter NUMITORIUS, ICILIUS, LUCIUS, CITIZENS, VIRGINIUS leading his daughter, SERVIA and CITIZENS. A dead silence prevails.] Virginius. Does no one speak? I am defendant here. Is silence my opponent? Fit opponent To plead a cause too foul for speech! What brow App. You had better, Virginius, wear another kind of carriage; This is not of the fashion that will serve you. Vir. The fashion, Appius! Appius Claudius tell me The fashion it becomes a man to speak in, Whose property in his own child the offspring Of his own body, near to him as is His hand, his arm - yea, nearer closer far, Knit to his heart-I say, who has his property App. Stand forth Claudius! If you lay claim to any interest In the question now before us, speak; if not, Claud. Most noble Appius Vir. And are you the man That claims my daughter for his slave?-Look at me And I will give her to thee. Claud. She is mine, then: Do I not look at you? Vir. Your eye does, truly, But not your soul. I see it through your eye But gives the port of impudence to falsehood Dares as soon shew its face to me. Your soul Go on, I had forgot; the fashion of my speech Claud. I demand Protection of the Decemvir! App. You shall have it. Vir. Doubtless! App. Keep back the people, Lictors! What's Your plea? You say the girl's your slave. Produce Your proofs. Claud. My proof is here, which, if they can, Let them confront. The mother of the girl [VIRGINIUS, stepping forward, is withheld by NUMITORIUS, Numitorius. Hold, brother! Hear them out, or suffer me To speak. 1 Vir. Man, I must speak, or else go mad! And if I do go mad, what then will hold me From speaking? She was thy sister, too! Well, well, speak thou. I'll try, and if I can, Be silent. Num. Will she swear she is her child? [Retires. Vir. (starting forward.) To be sure she will a most wise question that! Is she not his slave? Will his tongue lie for him — Or his hand steal or the finger of his hand Beckon, or point, or shut, or open for him? To ask him if she'll swear! Will she walk or run, In jeopardy by such a barefaced trick! App. No law in Rome, Virginius, Seconds you. If she swear the girl's her child,} Icilius. Fear not, love; a thousand oaths App. You swear the girl's your child, And that you sold her to Virginius' wife, Who passed her for her own. Is that your oath? Slave. It is my oath. App. Your answer now, Virginius. Vir. Here it is! [Brings VIRGINIA forward Is this the daughter of a slave? I know 'Tis not with men as shrubs and trees, that by The shoot you know the rank and order of The stem. Yet who from such a stem would look For such a shoot. My witnesses are these.. The relatives and friends of Numitoria! Speak for me, my friends; Have I not spoke the truth? Women and Citizens. You have, Virginius. App. Silence! Keep silence there! No more of that! You're very ready for a tumult, citizens. [Troops appear behind. Lictors, make way to let these troops advance! We have had a taste of your forbearance, masters, Vir. Troops in the Forum? App. Virginius have you spoken? Vir. If you have heard me, I have; If not, I'll speak again.' App. You need not, Virginius; I had evidence to give, Which, should you speak a hundred times again, Would make your pleading vain. Vir. Your hand, Virginia! Stand close to me. App. My conscience will not let me That Claudius' father at his death, declared me The guardian of his son. This cheat has long Been known to me. I know the girl is not Virginius' daughter. Vir. Join your friends, Icilius, [Aside. I feel for you; but though you were my father, The majesty of justice should be sacred Claudius must take Virginia home with him. Vir. And if he must, I should advise him, Appius, To take her home in time, before his guardian Complete the violation which his eyes Already have begun, friends! fellow-citizens! The tongues that told him she was not my child His client, his purveyor, that caters for His pleasure markets for him- picks, and scents, And tastes, that he may banquet serves him up His sensual feast, and is not now ashamed, -to help him In the open common street before your eyes His arms around her. Look upon her Romans! Tear her from Appius and his Lictors while She is unstained. Your hands! your hands! Citizens. They are yours, Virginius. App. Keep the people back Support my Lictors soldiers! Seize the girl, And drive the people back. Icilius. Down with the slaves! [The people make a show of resistance; but upon the advance of the soldiers, retreat, and leave ICILIUS, VIRGINIUS and his daughter, etc., in the hands of APPIUS and his party. Deserted! - Cowards! traitors! Let me free But for a moment! I relied on you; Had I relied upou myself alone, I had kept them still at bay! I kneel to you Let me but loose a moment, if 'tis only To rush upon your swords. Vir. Icilius, peace! You see how 'tis, we are deserted, left Alone by our friends, surrounded by our enemies, Nerveless and helpless. App. Separate them, Lictors! Vir. Let them forbear awhile, I pray you, Appius : It is not very easy. Though her arms Are tender, yet the hold is strong by which She grasps me, Appius- forcing them will hurt them; |