John Howard Payne's tragedy of Brutus; or, The fall of Tarquin, as produced by Edwin Booth
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BOOTH'S SERIES OF ACTING PLAYS; -^ No. 6. JOHN HOWARD PAYNE'S TRAGEDY OF BRUTUS OR THE FALL OF TARQUIN AS PRODUCED BY EDWIN BOOTH Adapted from the Text of the Author's Edition, with Introduftory Remarks, C^c.j By henry L. HINTON. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY HURD & HOUGHTON, 459 BROOME STREET. ILLUSTRATED LIBRARY EDITION. WORKS OF J. FENIMOKE COOPER Printed on tinted paper from clear and handsome type. Each volume contains two engravings on steel, from drawings by F. O. C. Darl^y, engraved in pure line and etching, and several sketches on wood. In thirty-two volumes, crown 8vo. Precaution. The Prairie. The Spy. Wept of Wish-ton-Wish. The Pioneers. The Water Witch. The Pilot. The Bravo. Lionel Lincoln. The Heidenmauer. Last of the Mohicans. The Headsman. Red Rover. The Mon ikins Homeward Bound Miles Wallingford. Home as Found. The Chainbearer. The Pathfinder. Satanstoe. Mercedes of Castile. The Red Skins. The Deerslayer. The Crater. The Two Admirals. Jack Tier. Wing and Wing. The Sea Lions. 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HINTON. / NEW YORK- PUBLISHED BY HIJRD & HOUGHTON, 459 BROOME STREET. :: /^ ^ V a 76^^^^ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year r86f, By henry L. HINTON, In the Clerk's Office of the Distridl Court of the United States for the Southern Distrift of New York. INTRODUCTION John Howard Payne, the originator of quite a number of dramatic works, several of which are still occasionally played, is the author, or more properly speaking, the compiler of Brutus, for the play is made up almost entirely from dramatic works which are now no longer known to the stage; and were it not for the genius of a6lors such as Edmund Kean and the elder Booth, it is to be feared that the present produdion would never have taken the place it still holds on the stage. If, however, it has but slender literary merit, it nevertheless affords good opportunity for dramatic effed. In the present adaptation, that portion of Scene II., A61 3d, in which Lucretia's death is exhibited, which was subsequently cut out at the in- stance of Edmund Kean, — who perhaps found it an interference with his own prominence in the same scene, — has been restored. The play was first memorably produced in this country at the 'Eagle/ 'a theatre in Boston,* says the author of The Tragediaiiy 'about as large as the /'Globe" theatre in London, in which Shakespeare had a share, and in which Shakespeare played.' 'Good society,' continues the writer, 'shunned the ** Globe." There is no evidence that Lord Bacon — "Large-browed Verulam," ever set foot in it. When Shakespeare's company played before the Queen, it was at the palace, and not at the play-house. The "Globe" was not fashionable. Neither was the "Eagle." A few gray heads, whose hearts continued warm; a few critical brains; a few enthusiastic youths; and the remainder of the little cockpit was filled up by that crowd which the seeth- ing city spills after nightfall into its places of amusement. Bounded in that nutshell, Hamlet became king of the infinite space of thought ; Richard iv INTRODUCTION, found "ample room and verge enough" for his vast ambition; and there took place the most intense and memorable representation of John Howard Payne's tragedy o^ Brutus y or the Roman Father.* The creations of the adlors of the past live only in tradition. Thus Gar- rick lives through Davies his biographer, and by many of us the genius of Kean and Booth can only be caught, as it were, on the rebound, through Hazlitt and Gould; The latter, in the work from which we have just quoted, speaks thus of the elder Booth's presentation of the part of Brutus, at the theatre above mentioned : 'Booth enters running, and is called by some other charaAer on the scene, to minister to his amusement. The rounded back, the blank face, the rest- less, aimless motion of the hands, enabled folly to the life. Moved by his evil genius, Tarquin reports for pastime to Brutus, the details of his crime, beginning with the remark, "that will fill the fool with wonder." Brutus replies — ** You can say nothing that would make me wonder." Before the last word he made a slight pause, his looks grew keen, he uttered the word "wonder" with an ominous and penetrating accent, then leaned to listen. * During Tarquin's recital. Booth's eyes kindled with a strange blue light. His back straightened. He stood, crowned with reason, and on fire with indignation; and thus transformed as into a strong avenging angel (Tarquin's story done), he hurled upon him an anathema, the agony of which should last "millions of years," * Never shall we forget that speech. Every fibre of his frame seemed to contribute to swell the energy of his voice. And all the elements of his voice — ** Constringed in mass," burst upon the astonished and terrified offender. Nor can we forget Booth*s pale and terrible face, nor the lightning of his glance, nor the uneipefted, but most dramatic movement which supplemented the speech. While speaking he stood still, towering above his victim; but after the words "millions of years," he began to stride down the stage. The power which had animated his voice was transferred to his adion, and he literally occu- pied the little stage, treading it transversely to the extreme corner, as if he would pass over among the audience; then turning abruptly, he strode up IXTRODUCTION. v again to the other extreme, a fearful plav of look and feature, betraying meanwhile a silent, inward, growing, and tremendous resolution. * We next find him in the public square, addressing the citizens, over the body of Lucretia, There was no elocution in his speech. It was rough in voice, half choked with feeling. The manner was at the farthest remosed from that of an opera singer listening to his own musical grief. But his tones seemed the outcry of a torn and bleeding heart, and in them a noble anger strove with and finally overmastered the softer emotions. 'It is safe to affirm that no passage in any performance of his, either in or out of Shakespeare, exhibited a greater intensity of dramatic conception, or a more thorough accord of utterance and aclion, than did the closing scene of this play. The Roman costume left head, neck, and arms bare. There might be seen swift changes of color; swifter and subtler movements of head and feature — now quivering and writhing with emotion, now fixed in immovable resolve. To watch this varied movement would have sads- fied the deaf. To listen to the accompanying tones — often inarticulate heart-cries, wrung thence by the passion of the hour, would have given mental vision to the blind.' COSTUME. The adlion of this play belongs to an early epoch of Roman histor}', 509 B. C, — a period when the Roman costume had not yet assumed all its familiar classic features. The degree of deviation, however, from the recognized types cannot be determined with precision. The following ab straci, from Hope's Costume of tlu Anaents, will portray the general char- a(5leristics for Roman attire, with some of its historic modifications. In preparing Julius Ca:sar for the stage, we shall furnish additional details. The pre-eminent dress of the Romans, and which distinguished them in the most marked way, as well from the Greeks as from the barbarians, was the toga. This they seem to have derived from their neighbors the Etrurians; and it may be called their true national garb. In the earliest ages of Rome, it appears to have been worn by the women as well as by the men, by the lowest orders as well as by the highest, at home as well as abroad, in the country as well as in town. Love of novelty probably vi INTRODUCTION, caused it first to be relinquished by the women ; next, motives of conveni- ence, by the men in lower stations ; and afterward, fondness of ease and constraint, even by the men of higher rank, when enjoying the obscurity of private life, or the retirement of the country. The material of the toga was wool; the color, in early ages, its own natural yellowish hue. In later periods this seems, however, only to have been retained in the togas of the higher orders — inferior persons wearing theirs dyed, and candidates for public offices bleached by an artificial process. In times of mourning the toga was worn black, or was left off altogether. The tunic, of later introduilion among the Romans than the toga, was regarded as a species of luxury, and was discarded by those who displayed and afFe6led humility, such as candidates and others. The tunic of the men only reached half way down the thigh, longer tunics being regarded in the male sex as a mark of effeminacy, and left to women and to eastern nations. The inferior fiindlionaries at sacrifices wore the tunic without the toga; so did the soldiers, when in the camp. The tunic of senators was edged round, or striped down the front with a broad purple border, called laticlavus; and that of the knights with a narrow purple border, called augusti-clavus. The pallium, or mantle of the Greeks, from its being less cumbersome and trailing than the toga of the Romans, by degrees superseded the latter in the country and in the camp. When worn over armor, and fastened on the right shoulder with a clasp or button, this cloak assumed the name of paludamentum. The common people used to wear a sort of cloak made of very coarse brown wool, and provided with a hood, which was called cucullus. The Roman ladies wore, by way of under-garment, a long tunic descend- ing to the feet, and more peculiarly denominated stola. This vestment assumed all the variety of modification displayed in the corresponding attire of the Grecian females. Over the stola, they also adopted the Grecian peplum, under the name of palla; which palla, however, was never worn among the Romans, as the peplum was among the Greeks, by men. This external covering, as may be observed in the statues of Roman empresses, displayed the same varieties of drapery or throw at Rome as at Athens. The togati seem to have worn a sort of short boot or shoe, with straps crossed over the instep, called calceus. The foot covering of the ladies at first had the same shape; but by degrees this latter assumed all the varie- ties of form of the Grecian sandal. Like all other nations in whom were INTRODUCTION. vii combined great means and opulence wherewith to foment the exuberances of fashion, and little taste through which to check its pruriencies, the Romans carried to a great pitch the shapeless extravagances of some parts of their attire, as may be seen in the absurd head-dresses of the busts of Roman matrons, preserved in the Capitol. The armor of the Romans seems chiefly to have been that of the Greeks of the same periods. The helmet with the fixed visor, and which required being thrown back in its whole, in order to uncover the face, fell very early into disuse in the very heart of Greece itself, and never appears on Roman figures. On these the cuirass, or lorica, when belonging to dis- tinguished personages, generally follows the outline of the abdomen, and appears hammered out into all the natural convexities and concavities of the human body. One or more rows of straps, richly adorned and fringed, descended, by way of protedion, not only over the thighs, but also down the upper arms. The cuirass of the common soldiers often was cut simply round, and destitute of such straps. Sometimes this latter was formed of metal hoops or plates, sliding over each other ; sometimes of small scales, equally pliant, and sometimes of a plain surface of metal or leather. The Roman soldiers wore no greaves, but either used sandals tied with strings, or short boots laced before, and lined with the skin of some animal, of which the muzzle and claws were displayed as an ornamental finish. The Roman shield seems never to have resembled the large round buckler used by the Greeks, nor the crescent-shaped one peculiar to the Asiatics, but to have offered an oblong square, or an oval, or a hexagon, or an oflagon. The cavalry alone wore a circular shield, but of small dimensions, called parma. Each different legion had its peculiar device marked on its shields. As offensive weapons, the Romans had a sword, of somewhat greater length than that of the Greeks ; a longer spear, of which they never quitted their hold; and a short javelin, which they used to throw to a distance. Their armies were, moreover, provided with archers and with slingers. DRAMATIS PERSON-^. Of this adaptation of Brutus as cast for its first representation at Booth*s Theatre, New York,. )ius, ; Sextus, Aruns y sons to Tarquinius Superbus, king of Rome. Claudius, CoLLATiNua, their cousin Lucius Junius, afterward Brutus, nephew to Tarquinius. Titus, his son Valerius, Lucretius, ' Romans of horatius, Celius, Flavius Corunna, a Roman general A Centurion A Messenger.. First Roman Second Roman, patrician rank. Third Roman, Tulla, wife to Tarquinius .. Tarquinia, her daughter. . . , LucRETiA, wife to Collatinus Lavinia, her maid A Priestess A Vestal, Vestals, Attendants, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, &c. Scene: Rome j Col/at ia; The Camp before Ardea. BRUTUS; OR, THE FALL OF T A R Q^U I N ACT L Scene L Rorne. J street. Enter Valerius and Lucretius. Val. Words are too feeble to express the horror With which my soul revolts against this Tarquin : By poison he obtained his brother's wife, Then, by a baser murder, grasped the crown. These eyes beheld the aged monarch, thrown Down from the senate-house, his feeble limbs Bruised by the pavement, his time-honoured locks. Which from the very robber would have gained Respe6l and veneration, bathed in blood : With difficulty raised, and tottering homeward, The murderers followed — struck him, and he died. Luc. Inexpiable crime ! Val. High in her regal chariot Tullia came. The corpse lay in the street ; the charioteer Turned back the reins in horror. ' On, slave, on ! Shall dead men stop my passage to a throne ' ? 1* 10 BRUTUS. [act I. Exclaimed the parricide. The gore was dashed From the hot wheels up to her diadem. Luc. And heaven's avenging lightnings were withheld. Here rules this Tullia, while the king, her husband, Wastes our best blood in giddy, guilty war. Spirit of Marcus Junius ! would the gods Deign to diffuse thy daring through the land, Rome from her trance with giant spirit would start, Dash off her fetters, and amaze the world. FaL Junius, didst say ? O tyranny long since Had sunk, chained — buried in its native hell ! But Tarquin, trembling at his virtues, murdered Him and his elder son. The younger, Lucius, Then on his travels, *scaped the tyrant's sword, But lost his reason at their fearful fall. Luc. Ay, the same Lucius, who now dwells with Tarquin, The jest, the fool, the laughing-stock o' th' court Whom the young princes always carry with 'em To be the butt of their unfeeling mirth. Fal. Hold ! I hear steps. Great things may yat be done. If we are men and faithful to our country. \^Exeunt. Scene H. Thg camp before Ardea. Enter Claudius and Aruns, laughing. Aru. There is no doctor for the spleen like Lucius. What precious scenes of folly did he a<St When, lately, through the glorious scenes of Greece, He went with us to Delphi ! But behold, Where, full of business, his wise worship comes. Enter Lucius Junius. Clau. Whither so fast, good Junius, tell as whither ? Luc. To Rome, to Rome — the queen demands my presence. The state needs aid, and I am called to court \They laugh. SCENE II.] BRUTUS, II Am I a fool ? If so, you cannot say I'm the first fool graced by a monarch's favour. ^ru. Why, Junius, travel has improved thy wit : Thou speakest shrewdly. Luc. Do I so, my lord ? I'm always glad when you and I agree ; You have just such a wit as I should choose. Would I could purchase such ! though it might split My head, as confined air does — water bubbles ! C/au. How say you ? Purchase ? Prithee, what wouldst give ? Luc. What would I give ? — ten acres of my land. Jru. Thy land ! Where lies it ? Luc. Ask the king, my cousin : He knows full well. I thank him, he's my steward. And takes the trouble ofF my hands. C/au. Who told thee so ? Luc, The king himself Now twenty years are past. Or more, since he sent for me from my farm. ' Kinsman,' said he, with a kind, gracious smile, ' For the black crime of treason which was charged Against thy father and thy elder brother, Their lives have paid : for thee, as I love mercy. Live and be happy : simple is thy mind ' — Jru. True, kinsman, true — i' faith, 'tis wondrous simple. Luc. 'And that simplicity will be a pledge That thou wilt never plot against thy sovereign.' Clau, Indeed, for that I'll be thy bondsman, Junius. Luc. ' Live in my house, companion of my children. As for thy land, to ease thee of all care, I'll take it for thy use ; all that I ask Of thee is gratitude.' ^ru. And art thou not Grateful for goodness so unmerited ? Luc. Am I not ? Never, by the holy gods, Will I forget it I 'Tis my constant prayer 12 BRUTUS. [act I. To heaven, that I may one day have the power To pay the debt I owe him. But stay, stay — I brought a message to you from the king. Jru. Thank the gods, then, for thy good memory, fool ! Luc. The king, your father, sends for you to council, Where he debates how best to conquer Ardea. Shall I before, and tell him ye are coming ? Clau. rAy, or behind, or with us, or stay here, As thy wits prompt, as suits thy lofty pleasure. l^Exeunt Aruns and Claudius^ laughing. Luc. Yet, 'tis not that which ruffles me : the gibes And scornful mockeries of ill-governed youth, Or flouts of dastard sycophants and jesters — Reptiles, who lay their bellies on the dust Before the frown of majesty. — All this I but expert, nor grudge to bear ; the face I carry, courts it ! Son of Marcus Junius, When will the tedious gods permit thy soul To walk abroad in her own majesty. And throw this vizor of thy madness from thee, ATo avenge my father's and my brother's murder ? — And sweet, I must confess, would be the draught ! — Had this been all, a thousand opportunities I've had to strike the blow, and my own life I had not valued as a rush ; but still There's something nobler to be done ! — My soul. Enjoy the strong conception ! — O 'tis glorious To free a groaning country. To see Revenge Spring like a lion from the den, and tear These hunters of mankind. Grant but the time. Grant but the moment, gods ! If I am wanting. May I drag out this idiot-feigned life ) To late old age, and may posterity Ne'er hear of Junius but as Tarquin's fool ! \^Exit. SCENE III.] BRUTUS. 13 Scene III. Rome. A state apartment in the palace of Tullia. Enter Tullia, preceded by Guards, Ladies, and other Attendants, and followed by Valerius. Tul. \^Jside~\ Why should the steady mind to shadows yield ? And yet this vision shakes my frame with horror ! I thought his spirit thundered in my ear, ' Remember when, with wild ambition's frenzy And all Rome's empire in your view, you drove Your chariot-wheels o'er your dead father's body. Up to the shouting Forum !' Why, my soul, Dost thou not shun the remembrance of that hour ? 'Twas but the cause, the cause ; for this base clay, How differs it from the dull earth we tread on. When the life's gone ? But next, the Sibyl came, Whose mystic book at such a price we bought. And cried, ' The race of Tarquin shall be kings Till a fool drive them hence, and set Rome free !' Strange prophecy ! What fool ? It cannot be That poor dolt, the companion of my sons ! Hark thee, Valerius ; know'st thou that same fool Now in the camp ? Val. I know him well, — a man Who, when he had a name, was Lucius Junius : A braver citizen Rome never boasted. And wise and learned withal ; now changed, alas ! — • A spectacle which humbles me to look on ! Ttt/.' But is he harmless in his moody humours ? Val. Tame as my horse, which, though devoid of reason. Shall turn, shall stop, and at my angry bidding Shall kneel till I am throned on his back ! And this shall Junius : the like instinct stirs Junius and him, no more. Tul. \_Jside'] Hence, idle fears ! Yet, when he went to Delphi, 'tis given out 14 BRUTUS. [act i. The oracle addressed him with strange portents, And each night since, my dreams have been disturbed By a wild form, too much resembling his. Leading our soldiers forth with sword and flame, Revolters from the camp, to storm the palace. But he is sent from thence, and shall be watched. Enter Horatius. Hor. Your orders are obeyed : Lucius awaits. Tw/. Set him before us. \_Exit Horatius. [_To Valerius'] Tell me, will he answer If we do question him ? VaL I think he will : Yet sometimes, when the moody fit doth take him, He will not speak for days ; yea, rather starve Than utter nature's cravings ; then, anon He'll prattle shrewdly, with such witty folly As almost betters reason. Horatius returns with Lucius Junius. Tul. Hark thee, fellow. How art thou called ? Luc, A fool. Tul. Fool, for thy nature : Thou answerest well, — but I demand thy name. I Luc. Nothing but fool. / Tul. His faculties are brutish. CBrutus shall be thy name. Bru. Thanks to your grace. Hor. Dost like thy new name, gentle brute ? Bru. So well. Who will may take the fool, I care not who— Your highness, an' it like you. Hor. I the fool ! Sirrah, good words, or I will have thee beaten. SCENE III.] BRUTUS. 15 Bru. A fool thou wilt not beat, a brute thou dar'st not, For the dull ass will kick against his striker. If struck too harshly. TuL Let me hear no more •, There's mischief in his folly. Send him hence. But stay, I '11 search him farther. Hark thee, Brutus : Thou wast at Delphi, with our sons the princes ; Tell me what questions put they to Apollo ? Bru. Your sons did ask who should be chief in Rome. Tui. Ha ! What replied the oracle to that ? Bru. With pains and strugglings the prophetic dame JThis destiny reported from her god — Y Great and most glorious shall that Roman be, \Vho first shall greet his mother with a kiss.' Tui. That is fulfilled by Sextus. Hor. Ay, he straight Hastened from thence and kissed the queen his mother. Bru. Woe for me, I have no mother ! And yet I kissed her first. Tui. Thou kissed her ? Thou ? Bru. Yea, madam ; for just then my foot did slip In the fresh blood of a new-slaughtered vi6lim, And, falling, I did kiss my mother — earth. Z^- Tul. O that the earth had swallowed thee outright Till thou hadst kissed the centre ! I perceive. The gods are leagued with folly to destroy us. My very blood chills at my heart. Away ! lExit Tullia and Attendants. Hor. Hark thee, thou Brutus. I in part suspe6l Thou ap'st this folly ; if I find thee trifling Or juggling with the Pythia for predictions. By all the gods, I'll have thee flayed, thy skin Stripped into thongs, to strangle thee withal. Dissembling varlet ! [^Strikes Brutus^ who seizes him, Val. Shame, my lord ! forbear ! 1 6 ' BRUTUS. [act i. Threat'ning a fool, you do but wrong yourself. Hor. But that the princes love his son, brave Titus, My dagger should have pierced his throat ere now And sent him to his mother earth forever ! He shall be watched. Come, come with me, Valerius. [^Exit Val. The gods restore thee, Brutus, to thyself. And us to thee ! \^Exit. Bru. A little longer, A little longer yet support me, patience ! The day draws on : it presses to the birth, I see it in the forming womb of time, — The embryo liberty. Ha, 'tis my son ! Down, rebel nature, down ! Enter Titus. Tit. Welcome to Rome ' Would I might welcome thee to reason, too ! Bru. Give me thy hand, nay, give it me. Tit. What wouldst thou } Speak to thy son. Bru. I had a thing to say. But I have lost it. Let it pass, no matter. Tit. Look not upon me with those eyes, but speak ; What is it that annoys thee ? tell thy friend, How can I serve thee ? What dost lack ? Bru. Preferment. Thou canst do much at court. Tit. Ah, this is nothing ! Bru. So much the fitter for a fool's petition, And a court promise. Tit. O, this trifling racks me. Bru. Lend me thine ear: I'll tell a secret to thee Worth a whole city's ransom. This it is — Nay, ponder it, and lock it in thy heart — There are more fools, my son, in this wise world. SCENE III.] BRUTUS, 17 Than the gods ever made. Tit. Say*st thou, my father ? Expound this riddle. If thy mind doth harbour Aught that imports a son like me to know, Or, knowing, to achieve, declare it. Bru. Now, my son. Should the great gods, who made me what thou see'st. Repent, and in their vengeance cast upon me The burden of my senses back again, What wouldst thou say ? Tit. O, my lamented father. Would the kind gods restore thee to thy reason — Bru. Then, Titus, then I should be mad with reason. Had I the sense to know myself a Roman, This hand should tear this heart from out my ribs. Ere it should own allegiance to a tyrant. If, therefore, thou dost love me, pray the gods To keep me what I am. Where all are slaves, None but the fool is happy. Tit. We are Romans, Not slaves — Bru. Not slaves ? Why, what art thou ? Tit. Thy son. Dost thou not know me ? Bru. You abuse my folly. I know thee not. Wert thou my son, ye gods, Thou wouldst tear off this sycophantic robe. Tuck up thy tunic, trim these curled locks To the short warrior-cut, vault on thy steed ; Then, scouring through the city, call to arms. And shout for liberty ! Tit. [Starts'] Defend me, gods ! Bru. Ha I does it stagger thee ? Tit. For liberty ? Said'st thou for liberty ? It cannot be. 1 8 BRUTUS, [act i. Bru. Indeed ! 'Tis well — no more. Tit. What would my father ? Bru. Begone ! you trouble me. Tit. Nay, do not scorn me. Bru. Said I, for liberty ? I said it not : The awful word, breathed in a coward's ear, Were sacrilege to utter. Hence, begone ! Said I, you were my son ? 'Tis false ; I 'm foolish j My brain is weak, and wanders ; you abuse it. Tit. Ah, do not leave me; not in. anger leave me. Bru. Anger? What's that? I am content with folly: Anger is madness, and above mv aim ! \_jMusic heard. Hark ! here is music for thee, — food for love. And beauty to serve in the rich repast. Tarquinia comes. Go, worship the bright sun. And let poor Brutus wither in the shade. \^Exit, Tit. O truly said ! bright as the golden sun Tarquinia's beauty beams, and I adore ! [.^^ft music. Tarquinia enters., preceded by Damsels bearing a crown of gold^ some with censers .^ ^c..^ proper for the ceremonials of a dedication to Fortune. What dedication, or what holy service, Doth the fair client of the gods provide ? In the celestial synod is there one Who w^ill not listen to Tarquinia's prayer ? Tar. I go to Fortune's temple, to suspend Upon the votive shrine this golden crown. While incense fills the fane, and holy hymns Are chaunted for my brother's safe return, What shall I ask for Titus ? Tit. Though the goddess. In her blind bounty, should unthrone the world, To build me one vast empire, mv ambition, If by thy love unblest, would slight the gift : SCENE I.] BR UTUS. 19 Therefore of Fortune I have nought to ask ; She hath no interest in Tarquinia's heart ; Nature, not Fortune, must befriend me there. Tar. Thy gentle manners, Titus, have endeared thee. Although a subject Roman, to Tarquinia. My brother Sextus wears thee next his heart ; The queen herself, of all our courtly youth. First in her favour holds the noble Titus ; And though my royal father well may keep A jealous eye upon thy Junian race, — A race unfriendly to the name of king, — Yet thee he cherishes ; with generous joy The monarch sees thy early virtue shoot. And with a parent's fondness rears its growth. Tit. O neither name, nor nature, nor the voice Of my lost father, could he wake to reason. Not all the wrongs that tyranny could pile On my affli£led head, not all the praise That patriot gratitude could shower upon me. Can shake the faithful purpose of my soul. To sever it from love and my Tarquinia. Tar. Approve that firmness in the shock of trial. And if my love can recompense thy virtue. Nor tortures, nor temptations, nor the wreck Of Rome and empire, shall divide me from thee. To this I pledge my hand. Now to the temple ! [^Exeunt. ACT II. Scene I. The tent of Sextus in the camp before Ardea. A banquet. Sextus, Collatinus, Claudius, and Aruns discovered.^ drinking. Sex. Come, then, here's to the fairest nymph in Italy ; And she's in Rome. 20 BRUTUS. [act II. ^ru. Here *s to the fairest nymph in Italy ; And she is not in Rome. Sex. Where is she then ? Jru. Ask Collatine ; he'll swear she's at Collatia. Sex. His wife ! j^ru. Even so. Clau. Is it so, Collatine ? Well, 'tis praiseworthy, in this vicious age. To see a young man true to his own spouse. O, 'tis a vicious age ! When I behold One who is bold enough to steer against The wind of tide and custom, I behold him With veneration. 'Tis a vicious age ! Col. Laugh on, though I'm the subject ! If to love My wife's ridiculous, I'll join the laugh ; Though I'll not say if I laugh at or with you ! j^ru. The conscious wood was witness to his sighs, The conscious Dryads wiped their watery eyes. For they beheld the wight forlorn, to-day, And so did I ; — but I shall not betray. Here now he is, however, thanks to me. That is, his semblance, for his soul dwells hence. How was it when you parted ? She : ' My love, Fear not, good sooth, I'll very constant prove.' He : ' And so will I, for whereso'er I steer, 'Tis but my mortal clay ; my soul is here.' Sex. And prithee, Collatine, in what array Did the god Hymen come to thee ? how dressed, And how equipped ? I fear me much, he left His torch behind, so that thou couldst not see A fault in thy beloved ; or was the blaze So burning bright, that thy bedazzled eyes Have since refused their office ? Col. And doth Sextus Judge by his own experience, then, of others ? SCENE I.] BR UTUS. %i To him, I make no doubt, hath Hymen's torch Discovered faults enough ; what pity 'twas He had not likewise brought i' th' other hand A mirror, where the prince might read himself. Sex. I like thee now : thou'rt gay, and I'll be grave. As to those dear, delicious creatures, women. Hear what my own experience has taught me : I've ever found 'em fickle, artful, amorous, Fruitful in schemes to please their changeful fancies. And fruitful in resources when discovered. They love unceasingly, they never change — O, never ! — no ! — excepting in the object. Love of new faces is their first great passion ; Then love of riches, grandeur, and attention. Knowing all this, I seek not constancy. But, to anticipate their wishes, rove. Humour their darling passion, and am blest. Col. This is the common cant — the stale, gross, idle, Unmeaning jargon, of all those, who, conscious Of their own littleness of soul, avoid With timid eye the face of modest virtue ; Who, mingling only with the base, and flushed With triumphs over those they dare attack. The weak, the forward, or depraved, declare — And fain would make their shallow no'tions current — That womankind are all alike, and hoot At virtue, wheresoe'er she passes by them. I have seen sparks like these, and I have seen A little worthless village cur, all night Bay with incessant noise the silver moon. While she, serene, throned in her pearled car. Sailed in full state along ; but Sextus' judgement Owns not his words, and the resemblance glances On others, not on him. Sex. Let it glance where and upon whom it will, 22 BRUTUS. [act II. Sextus is mighty careless of the matter. Now hear what I have seen. IVe seen young men, Who, having fancied they have found perfection — Col. Sextus, no more — lest I forget myself, And thee. I tell thee, prince — Jru. Nay, hold ! Sextus, you go too far. Sex. Why, pray, good sir, may I not praise the wife Of this same testy, froward husband here. But on his cheek offence must quivering sit ? And dreamed of insult ! — the abortive child Of misconstrudtion, whose near-sighted eye Discerns not jest from real ! Col. I heed you not — jest on ; I '11 aid your humour : Let Aruns use me for his princely laughter, Let Claudius deck me with ironic praise ; But when you touch a nearer, dearer subject, Perish the man, nay, may he doubly perish, Who can sit still, and hear, with skulking coolness, The least abuse, or shadow of a slight, Cast on the woman whom he loves ! though here Your praise or blame are pointless equally, Nor really add the least, nor take away From her true value, more than they could add To th' holy gods. Jru. If that a man might dare to ope his lips When Collatinus frowns, I would presume To say one word in praise of my own wife ; And I will say, could our eyes stretch to Rome, In spite of the perfe6lions of Lucretia, My wife, who loves her fireside, and hates gadding. Would prove far otherwise employed — and better, Ay, better, as a woman, than the deity Residing at CoUatia. Sex. [Aside] Well timed ! I '11 seize th' occasion, SCENE II.] BRUTUS. 23 View this Lucretia ere I sleep, and satisfy My senses whether fame has told the truth. I'll stake my life on't — let us mount our horses,. And post away this instant towards Rome — That we shall find thy wife, and his, and his. Making the most of this, their liberty. Why *tis the sex : enjoying to the full The swing of licence which their husbands' absence Affords. I'll stake my life that this is true. And fhat my own — ill as I may deserve it — Knows her state best, keeps best within the bounds Her matron duties claim, that she's at home. While yours are feasting at their neighbours' houses. What say'st thou, Collatine, on rioting at home ? Col. Had I two lives, I 'Id stake them on the trial. Nor fear to live both out. ' Sex. Let us away. Come, come, my Collatinus, droop not thus. Be gay. Col. I am not sad — Sex. But fearful for th' event. Col. Not in the least. Sex. A little. CoL Not a whit : You do not know Lucretia. Sex. But we shall. Let's lose no time. Come, brothers, let's away ! \^Exeunt. Scene H. Collatia. The house of Collatinus. An apartment lighted up. Lucretia discover ed.^ attended by Lavinia and Maids, all employed in embroidery and other female occupations. Luc. How long is it, Lavinia, since my lord 24 BRUTUS. [act. ii. Hath changed his peaceful mansion for the camp And restless scenes of war ? Lav. Why in my simple estimation, madam, 'Tis some ten days or thereabout, for time Runs as it should with me ; in yours, it may be Perhaps ten years. Luc. I do not understand thee. Say'st thou, with me time runs not as it should ? Explain thy meaning, — what should make thee think so. Lav. All that I mean is, that if I were married, * And that my husband were called forth to th' wars, I should not stray through the grove next my house. Invoke the pensive solitude, and woo The dull and silent melancholy, brood O'er my own thoughts alone, or keep myself Within my house mewed up, a prisoner. 'Tis for philosophers To love retirement ; women were not made To stand cooped up like statues in a niche. Or feed on their own secret conternplations. Luc. Go to, thou know'st not what thou say'st, Lavinia. I thank the gods, who taught me that the mind. Possessed of conscious virtue, is more rich Than all the sumless hoards which Plutus boasts ; And that the chiefest glory of a woman Is in retirement, that her highest comfort Results from home-born and domestic joys. Her noblest treasure a deserving husband ; Who, not a prisoner to the eye alone, A fair complexion or melodious voice. Shall read her deeper, nor shall time, which palls The rage of passion, shake his ardent love. Increasing by possession. This, — again I thank The gracious gods, — this husband, too, is mine ! Soft, I hear footsteps ! Hour of rapture ! Look ! My life, my love, my Collatinus comes ! SCENE ii.j BRUTUS. 25 Enter Collatinus, Claudius, Aruns, and Sextus. My lord, most welcome ! Co/. Welcome these, my friends, Lucretia ! — our right royal master's sons ; Passing this way, I have prevailed with them To grace our humble mansion. Luc. Welcome yourself, And doubly welcome, that you bring such friends. Haste, maidens, haste, make ready for our guests ! \_Exeunt Attendants, My heart is full of joy ! Aru. Rather, fair lady, You should be angry that unseasonably. And with abrupt intrusion, we've thus broke Upon your privacy. Luc. No, my good lord ; Those to whom love and my respecSl are due, Can ne'er intrude upon me ; had I known This visit, you, perhaps, might have been treated With better cheer, not a more kind reception. This evening little did I think my house Would have possessed such lodgers. Clau. Rather, lady, Such birds of passage ; we must hence to-night. Luc. To-night ? Doth not my lord say no to that ? Col. I would, Lucretia ; but it cannot be. If aught the house affords, my dearest love. To set before your guests, I pray prepare it : We must be at the camp ere morning dawn. An hour or two will be the utmost limit Allowed us here. Luc. With all the speed I can, I'll play the caterer ; though I am tempted. 26 BRUTUS. [act ii. Would that delay your journey, to be tardy, And prove a sluggish housewife. [^Exit, Sex, This is indeed a wife ! Here the dispute Must end ; And, Collatinus, we must yield to thee ! Jru. I will not envy thee ; but 'tis a wife Of wives, — a precious diamond, picked From out the common pebbles. To have found her At work among her maids at this late hour. And not displeased at aur rude interruption ! Not to squeeze out a quaint apology, As, ' I am quite ashamed — so unprepared — Who could have thought — would I had known of it !' And such like tacit hints, to tell her guests She wishes them away. Thou'rt happy, Collatine. Col. Enough, enough ! The gods forbid I should afFe6l indifference. And say you flatter me. I am most happy. But Sextus heeds us not ; he seems quite lost. Sex. Pray, pardon me : My mind was in the camp. How wine could heat us To such a mad exploit, at such a time. Is shameful to refle6t on : let us mount This instant, and return. Col. Now we are here. We shall encroach but little on our time. If we partake the slender fare together Which will, by this, await us. Pray, my lords. This way. \_Exit. Sex. Along ! I '11 follow straight. \_Exeunt Aruns and Claudius. Had she staid here till now, I should have done Nothing but gaze. Nymphs, goddesses Are fables ; nothing can, in heaven or earth. Be half so fair. But there's no hope ! Her face, SCENE I.] BRUTUS. 27 Her look, her eye, her manners, speak a heart Unknowing of deceit ; a soul of honour, Where frozen chastity has fixed her throne. And unpolluted nuptial san6lity. Peace, undigested thoughts ! Down, down ! till, ripened By further time, ye bloom ! \_Exit. ACT III. Scene I. Rome. The capital. Equestrian statue of Tarquinius Superbus. Night. Thunder and lightning. ^ Enter Brutus. Bru. Slumber forsakes me, and I court the horrors Which night and tempest swell on every side. Launch forth thy thunders, Capitolian Jove ! Put fire into the languid souls of men ; Let loose thy ministers of wrath amongst them. And crush the vile oppressor ! Strike him down. Ye lightnings ! Lay his trophies in the dust ! \_Storm increases. Ha ! this is well ! Flash, ye blue-forked fires ! Loud-bursting thunders, roar ! and tremble, earth ! [y/ violent crash of thunder^ and the statue of Tarquin^ struck by a flashy is shattered to pieces. What ! fallen at last, proud idol, struck to earth ! I thank you, gods ! I thank you ! When you point Your shafts at human pride, it is not chance, 'Tis wisdom levels the commissioned blow. But I — a thing of no account — a slave — I to your forked lightnings bare my bosom In vain, for what's a slave — a dastard slave — A fool, a Brutus ? \_Storm increases.^ Hark ! the storm rides on, The scolding winds drive through the clattering rain, And loudly screams the haggard witch of night. 28 BRUTUS. [act hi. Strange hopes possess my soul. My thoughts grow wild, Engender with the scene, and pant for a6lion. With your leave, majesty, I'll sit beside you. And ruminate awhile. \_Sits on a fragment of the statue, 0 for a cause ! A cause, ye mighty gods ! Soft, what stir is this ? Enter V alerivs^ followed by a Messenger. Val. What ! Collatinus sent for, didst thou say ? Mes. Ay, Collatinus, thou, and all her kinsmen, To come upon the instant to Collatia ; She will take no denial. Time is precious. And I must hasten forth to bring her husband. \Exit, Bru. \A5ide'\ Ha ! Collatinus and Lucretia's kinsmen ! There's something sure in this. Valerius, too ! Well met. Now will I put him to the test. Valerius, Ho ! Val, Who calls me ? Bru. Brutus. Val. Go, Get thee to bed ! [Valerius is departing, Bru. Valerius ! Val, Peace, Thou foolish thing ! Why dost thou call so loud ? Bru. Because I will be heard ! The time may come When thou mayst want a fool. Val. Prithee, begone ! 1 have no time to hear thy prattle now. Bru. By Hercules, but you must hear. \_Sei%ing his arm. . Val. You'll anger me. Bru. Waste not your noble anger on a fool ! 'Twere a brave passion in a better cause. Val. Thy folly's cause enough. Bru. Rail not at folly. There's but one wise, and him the gods have killed. SCENE I.] BRUTUS, 29 P'al. Killed? Whom? Bru. Behold! O, sight of pity ! Majesty in rains ! Down on your knees, down to your kingly idol ! Fai, Let slaves and sycophants do that. Not I ! Bru. Wilt thou not kneel ? Fa/. Begone ; Valerius kneels not to the living Tarquin. Bru. Indeed ! Belike you wish him laid as low ? FaL What if I do ? Bru. Jove tells thee what to do — Strike ! O the difference 'twixt Jove's wrath and thine ! He, at the crowned tyrant aims his shaft ; Thou, mighty man, wouldst frown a fool to silence, And spurn poor Brutus from thee. Fa/. What is this ? Let me look nearer at thee. Is thy mind. That long-lost jewel, found ? and Lucius Junius, Dear to my heart, restored ? Or art thou Brutus, The scoff and jest of Rome, and this a fit Of intermittent reason ? Bru. I am Brutus ! Folly, be thou my goddess ! I am Brutus, If thou wilt use me so ; if not, farewell ! Why dost thou pause ? Look on me ! I have limbs, Parts and proportions, shoulders strong to bear, And hands not slow to strike ! What more than Brutus Could Lucius Junius do ? Fal. A cause like ours Asks both the strength of Brutus, and the wisdom Of Lucius Junius. Bru. No more — we're interrupted. Fa/. Farewell. Hereafter, we'll discourse. And may the gods confirm the hope you've raised ! f^Exit, Bru. My soul expands ! My spirit swells within me, 30 BRUTUS, [act hi. As if the glorious moment were at hand ! Sure this is Sextus. Why has he left the camp — Alone — and muffled ? Enter Sextus, wrapped in a mantle. Welcome, gentle prince ! Sex. Ha ! Brutus here ! — unhoused amid the storm ? Bru. Whence com'st thou, prince ? from battle ? from the camp ? Sex, Not from the camp, good Brutus — from Collatia — The camp of Venus, not of Mars, good Brutus. Bru. Ha! Sex, Why dost thou start ? Thy kinswoman, Lucretia — Bru, Well, what of her ? speak ! Sex. Ay, I will speak, And I'll speak that shall fill thee with more wonder. Than all the lying oracle declared. Bru. Nay, prince, not so j you cannot do a deed To make me wonder. Sex. Indeed ! Dost think it ? Then let me tell thee, Brutus j wild with passion For this famed matron, — though we met but once, — Last night I stole in secret from the camp. Where, in security, I left her husband. 