The Inflexible Captive Part 6

_Man._ O unexampled worth! O G.o.dlike Regulus!

Thrice happy Rome! unparalleled in heroes!

Hast thou then sworn, thou awfully good man, Never to bless the Consul with thy friendship?

_Reg._ If thou wilt love me, love me like a _Roman_.

These are the terms on which I take thy friendship.

We both must make a sacrifice to Rome, I of my life, and thou of _Regulus_: One must resign his being, one his friend.

It is but just, that what procures our country Such real blessings, such substantial good, Should cost thee something--I shall lose but little.

Go then, my friend! but promise, ere thou goest, With all the Consular authority, Thou wilt support my counsel in the Senate.

If thou art willing to accept these terms, With transport I embrace thy proffer'd friendship.

_Man._ (_after a pause._) Yes, I do promise.

_Reg._ Bounteous G.o.ds, I thank you!

Ye never gave, in all your round of blessing, A gift so greatly welcome to my soul, As Manlius' friendship on the terms of honour!

_Man._ Immortal Powers! why am not I a slave?

By heav'n! I almost envy thee thy bonds.

_Reg._ My friend, there's not a moment to be lost; Ere this, perhaps, the Senate is a.s.sembled.

To thee, and to thy virtues, I commit The dignity of Rome--my peace and honour.

_Man._ Ill.u.s.trious man, farewell!

_Reg._ Farewell, my friend!

_Man._ The sacred flame thou hast kindled in my soul Glows in each vein, trembles in every nerve, And raises me to something more than man.

My blood is fir'd with virtue, and with Rome, And every pulse beats an alarm to glory.

Who would not spurn a sceptre when compar'd With chains like thine? Thou man of every virtus, O, farewell! may all the G.o.ds protect and bless thee.

[_Exit_ MANLIUS.

_Enter_ LICINIUS.

_Reg._ Now I begin to live; propitious heaven Inclines to favour me.----Licinius here?

_Lic._ With joy, my honour'd friend, I seek thy presence.

_Reg._ And why with joy?

_Lic._ Because my heart once more Beats high with flattering hope. In thy great cause I have been labouring.

_Reg._ Say'st thou in _my_ cause?

_Lic._ In thine and Rome's. Does it excite thy wonder?

Couldst thou, then, think so poorly of Licinius, That base ingrat.i.tude could find a place Within his bosom?--Can I, then, forget Thy thousand acts of friendship to my youth?

Forget them, too, at that important moment When most I might a.s.sist thee?--Regulus, Thou wast my leader, general, father--all.

Didst thou not teach me early how to tread The path of glory; point the way thyself, And bid me follow thee?

_Reg._ But say, Licinius, What hast thou done to serve me?

_Lic._ I have defended Thy liberty and life!

_Reg._ Ah! speak--explain.--

_Lic._ Just as the Fathers were about to meet, I hasten'd to the temple--at the entrance Their pa.s.sage I r.e.t.a.r.ded by the force Of strong entreaty: then address'd myself So well to each, that I from each obtain'd A declaration, that his utmost power Should be exerted for thy life and freedom.

_Reg._ Great G.o.ds! what do I hear? Licinius, too?

_Lic._ Not he alone; no, 'twere indeed unjust To rob the fair Attilia of her claim To filial merit.--What I could, I did.

But _she_--thy charming daughter--heav'n and earth, What did she not to save her father?

_Reg._ Who?

_Lic._ Attilia, thy belov'd--thy age's darling!

Was ever father bless'd with such a child?

G.o.ds! how her looks took captive all who saw her!

How did her soothing eloquence subdue The stoutest hearts of Rome! How did she rouse Contending pa.s.sions in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of all!

How sweetly temper dignity with grief!

With what a soft, inimitable grace She prais'd, reproach'd, entreated, flatter'd, sooth'd.

_Reg._ What said the Senators?

_Lic._ What could they say?

Who could resist the lovely conqueror?

See where she comes--Hope dances in her eyes, And lights up all her beauties into smiles.

_Enter_ ATTILIA.

_At._ Once more, my dearest father----

_Reg._ Ah, presume not To call me by that name. For know, Attilia, I number _thee_ among the foes of Regulus.

_At._ What do I hear? thy foe? my father's foe?

_Reg._ His worst of foes--the murd'rer of his glory.

_At._ Ah! is it then a proof of enmity To wish thee all the good the G.o.ds can give thee, To yield my life, if needful, for thy service?

_Reg._ Thou rash, imprudent girl! thou little know'st The dignity and weight of public cares.

Who made a weak and inexperienc'd _woman_ The arbiter of Regulus's fate?

_Lic._ For pity's sake, my Lord!

_Reg._ Peace, peace, young man!

Her silence better than thy language pleads.

_That_ bears at least the semblance of repentance.

Immortal Powers!----a daughter and a Roman!

_At._ Because I _am_ a daughter, I presum'd----