THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE ROMAN FATHER, TRAGEDY, [ Price One Shilling and Six-pence. ] THE ROMAN FATHER, A TRAGEDY. As itisAtfedatthe 'HEATRE ROYAL mDrury-Lane, By His MAJESTY'S Servants. By Mr. W. WHIVEHE AD. Utcunque ferent eafafta Minor es^ Fine ft Amor Patri tho* I might have been proud to have tranflated whole Scenes, if my Plan and Cha-* raclers would have, admitted of it. I mud beg leave to add, that I was induced, for the Sake of the Action, to put feveral Speeches at the latter End of the Play into the Mouth of Publius, which more properly belong to the Father. The Reader will accordingly find them reftored here to their firft Situation. PROLOGUE. Spoken by Mr. BARRY. BRITONS, To-night in native Pomp we come, True Heroes all, from virtuous ancient Rome ; In thofefar diftant Times wbtn Romans knew The Sweets of guarded Liberty, like You , And, fafe from Ills Which Force or FaBion brings, Saw Freedom reign beneath the Smile of Kings. Yet from fucb Times , and fitch -plain Chiefs as thefe, What can we frame a polifh'd Age topleafe ? Say, can you lift en to the artlefs Woes Of an old Tale, which every School-boy knows ? Where to your Hearts alone the Scenes apply, No Merit their* s but pure Simplicity. , . Our Bardhasplafda moft adventurous Part, And t urn' d upon himfelf the Critic's Art : Stripped each luxuriant Plume from Fancy's Wings^ And torn up Similies like vulgar Things. Nay even each Moral, Sentimental, Stroke, Wbert not the Character but Poet fpoke, He lopp'd, as foreign to his chafte Dejign ; Nor fpar'd an ufelefs tho* a golden Line. Thefe are his Arts ; if thefe cannot atone For all thofe namelefs Errors yet unknown, Jfjhnnning Faults which nobler Bards commit, He wants their Force to ftrike tb* attentive Pit* Bejuft and tell him fo , he ajks Advice, Wilting to learn, and would not ajk it twice. Your kind Applaufe may bid him write be-ivare f Or kinder Cenfure teach him to fcrbear. PERSONS Reprefented. MEN. TULLUS HosTiLiuSi King of Rome, Mr. Sowdon. HORATIUS, A Roman Senator, Mr.Garrick. PUBLIUS HORATIUS, His Son, Mr. Barry. VALERI us, A young Patrician^ Mr. King. WO MEN. V Sifter to VALE-? iv/r ur j VALERIA, j RJU ^ \Ui*.Ward. Citizens^ Guards, and Attendants. The Mufic compofed by Dr. BOYCE. The vocal Parts performed By Mr. BEARD, MifsNoRRis, Mifs COLE, &c. SCENE flow. THE ROMAN FATHER, TRAGEDY. ACT. I. SCENE I. A Room in. HORATIUSV Hcufe. A Soldier croffes the Stage, HORATIA following. HORATIA. AY Soldier. As you parted from myFather, Something I overheard of near Concern, But all imperfectly. Said you not Alba Was on the Brink of Fate,and7?z tho' oft expos'd to Danger ; And nas not her immortal Founder promis'd That flie fhouM rife the Miftrefi of the World ? HORATIA. And if Rome conquers, then HORATIA dies. VALERIA. Why wilt thou form vain Images of Horror, wrefcKcd I Is u then Becovte ^TRAGEDY. 5 Become impoflible that Rome fhould triumph, And CURIATIUS live? He muft, he mall ; Protecting Gods fhajl fpread their Shields around him, And Love fhall combat in HoR. ATIA'S Caufe. HORATIA. Think'fl thou fo meanly of him? No, VALERIA, His Soul's too great to give me fucfo a Trial ; Or could it ever come, I think, myfelf, Thus loft in Love, thus abject as I am, I fliould defpife the Slave who dar'd furvive His Country's Ruin. Ye immortal Powers ? I love his Fame too well, his fpotlefs Honour, At leaft I hope I do, to wifh him mine On any Terms which he muft blufh to own. What means thajt Shout? might we not afk, VALERIA? Didft thou not wifli me to the Temple ? Come, I will attend thee thither ; the kind Gods Perhaps may eafe this throbbing Heart, and fprea4 At le^ft a temporary Calm within, VALERIA. Alas, HORATIA, 'tis not to the Temple That thou would' ft fly j the Shout alone alarms thee. But do not thus anticipate thy Fate ; Why fhould'ft thou learn each Chance of varying War, Which takes a thoufand Turns, and fhifts the Scene From Bad to Good, as Fortune fmiles or frowns? Stay but an Hour perhaps, and thou fhalt know The whole at once. I'll fend Pfl fly myfelf To eafc thy Doubts, and bring thee News of Joy, HORATIA. .Again, and nearer too I muft attend thee. B VALERIA, 6 ffff ROMAN FATHER, VALERIA. Hark ! 'tis thy Father's Voice, he comes to cheer dice. Enter HORATIUS, and VALERIUS. HORATIUS. [entering] News from the Camp my Child ! [feeing VALERIA] Save you, fweet Maid! Your Brother brings the Tidings, for alas I am no Warrior now ; my ufelefs Age Far from the Paths of Honour loiters here In fluggifh Inactivity at home. Yet I remember HORATXA. You'll forgive us, Sir, If with Impatience we expect the Tidings. HORATIUS. I had forgot ; the Thoughts of what I was Engrofs'd my whole Attention. Pray, young Soldier, Relate it for me j you beheld the Scene, And can report it juftly. VALERIUS. Gentle Lady, The Scene was piteous, tho' its end be Peace. HCRATIA, Peace ? O my flutt'ring Heart ! by what kind Means. ? VALERIUS, 'Twere tedious, Lady, and unnecefTary To paint the Difpofition of the Field ; Suffice it we were arm'd, and Front to Front The adverfe Legions heard the Trumpet's Sound : But vain was the Alarm, for motionlcfs And wrapt in Thought they ftood, the kindred Ranks Had caught each others Eyes, nor dar'd to lift The fault'ring Spear againft the Bread they lov'd. Again ^TRAGEDY. 7 Again th' Alarm was given, and now they feem'd Preparing to engage, when once again They hung their drooping Heads, and inward nfourn'd. Then nearer drew, and at the third Alarm Cafting their Swords and ufelefs Shields afiSe Rufh'd to each others Arms. HORATIUS; 'Twas fo, juft fa, (Tho* I was then a Child, yet I have heard My Mother weeping oft relate the Story) Soft Pity touch'd the Breafts of mighty Chiefs Romans and Sabines, when the Matrons rufh'd Between their meeting Armies, and oppos'd Their helplefs Infants, and their heaving Breafts To their advancing Swords, and bade them there Sheath all their Vengeance. But I interrupt you,- Proceed, VALERIUS, they would hear th 1 Event. And yet methinks the Alban: pray go on. VALERIUS. Our King HOSTILIUS from a rifmg Mound Beheld the tender Interview, and join'd His friendly Tears with theirs j then fwift advanc'd Ev'n to the thickeft Prefs, and cried, My Friends, If thus we love, why are we Enemies ? Shall ftern Ambition, Rivalfhip of Power 3 Subdue the foft Humanity within, us ? Are we not join'd by every Tie of Kindred, And can we find no Method to compofe Thefe Jars of Honour, thefe nice Principles Of Virtue, which infeft the noble Mind ? HORATJA. There fpoke his Country's Father ! this tranfcends The Flight of Earth-born Kings, whofe low Ambition B 4 ' But 8 Joe ROMAN FATHER, But tends, to lay the Face of Nature veafte, And bhft Creation ! how was it receiv'd ? VALERIUS. As L himfelf could wifh, with eager Tranfport, In fhort, the Raman and the Alban Chiefs In Council have determin'd, diat fince Glory Muft have her Victims, and each rival State A'piring to Dominion fcorns to yield, Frcm either Ar>:iv /hull be chofe three Champicnf To fight the Caufe alone, and whate'er State Shall prove fuper-ior, there acknov.-ledg'd Power Shall fix tli' imperial Seat, and both unite Beneath one common Head. HORATIA: Kind Heaven, I thank thee \ Blefl be, the friendly Grief that touch'd their Souls ! Bleil be HOSTILIUS for the generous Counfel ! Blcfr. be the meeting Chiefs ! and bleft the Tongue, "VV hich brings die g-entle Tidings ! VALERIA. Now, HORATIA^ Your idle Fears are o'er. HORATIA. Yet one remains; Who are the Champions, are they yet elected I Has Rome VALERIUS. The Roinan Chiefs now meet in Council, And afk the Prefence of the Sage HORATJWS. Ho R A T i U s . \cfter having feerrtdfome time in Thought] Yet flill methinks, I like not this, to truft The ^TRAGEDY. $ The Roman Caufe to fuch a flendef Hazard Three Combatants ! 'tis dangerous Ho R A T.I A . [in a Fright] My Father J HORATIUS. I might perhaps prevent it HORATIA. Do not, Sir, Oppofe the kind Decree, VALERIUS: Reft fatisfied, Sweet Lady, 'tis fo folemnly agreed to, Not even HORATIUS'S Advice can (hake it. HORATIUS. And yet 'twere well to end thefe civil Broils : The neighb'ring States might take Advantage of them. Would I were young again ! how glorious Were Death in fuch a Caufe ! and yet, who knows. Some of my Boys may be fele&ed for it- Perhaps may conquer grant me that, kind Gods, And clofe my Eyes in Tranfport .''Come, VALERIUS* I'll but difpatch fome neceflary Orders, And ilrait attend thee. Daughter, if thou loveft Thy Brothers, let thy Prayers be pourM to Heaven, That one at leaft may fhare the glorious Tafk ! t#& VALERIUS. Rome cannot truft her Caufe to worthier Hands. , They bade me greet you, Lady } [7* Ho R A T I A ] Well, VALERIA, This is your Home I find; your lovely Friend And you, I doubt not, have indtrlgM ftrange Fears, run o'er all the horrid Scenes of War. VALERIA; jo The ROMAN FATHER^ VALERIA. Tho* we are Women, Brother, we are Romany Not to be feared with Shadows, tho' not Proof 'Gainft all Alarms, when real Danger threatens. HORATJA, [with fame Hffttatlon-'] My Brothers, gentle Sir, you (aid were well, Saw you their noble Friends the CURIATII ? The Truce perhaps permitted it. VALERIUS. Yes, Lady, I left them jocund in your Brothers Tent, Like Friends, whom envious Storms a- while had parted, Joying to meet again. HORATIA. Sent they no Meflage ? VALERIUS; None, Fair-one, but fuch general Salutations, As Friends would bring unbid. HQRATIA. Said CAIUS nothing ? VALERIUS. CAIUS ? HORATIA. Ay, CAIUS, did he mention mt ? VALERIUS. 'Twas flightly, if he did, and 'fcapes me now s O yes, I do remember, when your Brother Afk'd him in Jeft, if he had ought to fend, A Sigh's foft Waftage, or the tender Token Of Trefles breeded to fantaftic Forms To footh a love-fick Maid, (your Pardon, Lady,) Hefmil'd, and cr/d, Glory's the Soldier's Miftrefs. Ho- I A TRAGEDY. n HORATIA. Sir, you'll excufe me fomething of Importance My Father may have Bufinefs O VALERIA [dfid* toV & Talk to thy Brother, know the fatal Truth LERIA. J dread to hear, and let me learn to die, JfCuRiATius has indeed forgot mc [Exit. VALERIUS. She feems diforder'd ! VALERIA, Has flie not juft Caufe ? Can you adminifter the baneful Potion, And wonder at th' Effect ? VALERIUS. You talk in Riddles! VALERIA, They're Riddles, Brother, which your Heart unfolds, Tho* you afFedt Surprize. Was CURIATIUS Indeed fo cold ? poor, fhallow Artifice, The Trick of hopelefs Love ! I faw it plainly, ifet what could you propofe ? An Hour's Uneafinefs To poor HORATIA j for be fure by that Time She fees him, and your deep-wrought Schemes are Air. VALERIUS. What could I do ? this Peace has ruin'd me ; While War continued, I had Gleams of Hope, Some lucky Chance might rid me of my Rival, And Time efface his Image in her Breaft. JJut now VALERIA. Yes, now you muft refolve to follow Th' Advice I gave you firft, and root this PallioH Entirely from your Heart ; for know (he doats, Ev'n to Diftraction doats on CURIATIUS j And 12 TJje ROMAN FATHER, And every Fear (he felt, while Danger threaten'd, Will now endear him more. VALERIUS. Cruel VALERIA, You triumph in my Pain ! VALERIA. By Heaven I do hot, I only would extirpate every Thought Which gives you Pain, nor leave one foolifh Wifl| For Hope to dally with. When Friends are mad, 'Tis moft unkind to humour their Diftra&ion ; Harfh Means are neceflary. VALERIUS. Yetwefirft Should try the gender: VALERIA: Did I not? ye Powers ! Did I not footh your Griefs, indulge your Fondncfc While the leaft Profpecl of Succefs remain'd ? Did I not prefs you frill to urge your Suit, Intreat you daily to declare your Paffiori, Seek out unnumber'd Opportunities, And }ay the Follies of my Sex before you? VALERIUS. Alas, thouknow'ft, VALERIA, Woman's Heart Was never won hy Tales of bleeding Love : 'Tis by Degrees the fly Enchanter works Afluming Friendship's Name, and fits the Soul For foft Impreffions, ere the faulr/ring Tongue, And guilty-blufhing Cheek, with many a Glance Shot inadvertent, tells the fecret Flame. VA, A TRAGEDY. VALERIA. True, thefe are Arts for thofe who love at leifurej You had no Time for tedious Stratagem ; A dang'rous Rival preft, and has fucceeded. VALERIUS. I own my Error yet once more affift me Nay, turn not from me j by my Soul I mean not To interrupt their Loves Yet fhould fome Accident, 'Tis not impoflible, divide their Hearts, I might perhaps have Hope : Therefore 'till Marriag* Cuts off all Commerce, and confirms me wretched, Be it thy Tafk, my Sifter, with fond Stories, Such as our Ties of Blood may countenance, To paint thy Brother's Worth, his Power in Arnij "His Favour with the King, but moft of all That certain Tendernels of Soul which fteals All Womens hearts, then mention many a Fair, No matter whom, that fighs to call ycu Sifter. VALERIA. Well, well, away Yet tell me, ere you go^ How did this Lover talk of his HORATIA ? VALERIUS. Why will you mention the ungrateful Subject ? Think what you've heard me breathe a thoufand Tim.CS When my whole Soul diflblv*d in Tenderneis j Twas Rapture all ; what Lovers only feel, Or can exprefs when felt. He had been here, But fudden Orders from their Camp detained him< Farewel, HORATIUS waits me but remember, My Life, nay more than Life, depends on you. [*/ VA- 14 77^ ROMAN FATHER, VALERIA. Poor Youth ! he knows not how I feel his Anguifh, Yet dare not feem to pity what I feel. How fhall I ad betwixt this Friend and Brother ? Should fhe fufpecl his Paflion, (he may doubt My Friendship too; and yet to tell it her Were to betray his Caufe. No, let my Heart With the fame blamelefs Caution ftill proceed, To each inclining moft as moft diftreft, Be juft to both, and leave to Heaven the reft ! ACT A A TRAGEDY. ACT II. SCENE I. Scene continues. Enter HORATIA and VALERIA; HORATIA. ALAS, how eafily do we admit The Thing we wifh were true ! yet fure, VALERI A* This feeming Negligence of CURIATIUS Betrays a fecret Coldnefs at the Heart. May not long Abfence, or the Charms of War Have damp'd, at leaft, if not effac'd his Paffion ? J know not what to think. VALERIA. Think, my HORATIA, That you're a Lover, and have learn'd the Art To raife vain Scruples, and torment yourfelf With efery diftant Hint of fancied 111. Your CURIATIUS ftill remains the fame, My Brother idly trifled with your Paflion, Or might perhaps unheedingly relate What you too nearly feel. But fee, your Father. 1 6 tie R O MA N F A T H E R, HORATIA. He feems tranfported ; fure fome happy News Has brought him back thus early : O my Heart ! I long, yet dread to afk him ; fpeak, VALERIA. Enter HORATIUS. VALERIA. You're foon return'd, my Lord. HORATIUS. Returned, VALERIA! My Life, my Youth's return'd, I tread in Air. I cannot fpeak; my Joy's too great for Utterance. O I cou'd weep-! my Sons, my Sons are chofen Their Country's Combatants, not one, -but all. HORATIA. My Brothers laid you, Sir ? HORATIUS. All three, my Child, All three are Champions in the Caufe of Rome. O happy State of Fathers ! thus to feel New Warmth revive, and fpringing Life renew'd Even on the Margin of the Grave ! VALERIA. The Tim Of Combat, is it fix'd ? HORATIUS. This Day, this Hour Perhaps decides our Doom. VALERIA. And isitknpwa With whom they muft engage ? HORATIUS. Not yet, VA!EJMA; JJut with Impatience we expeft eriChMcrnent Th A TRAGEDY. i 7 The Rcfolutions of the Alban Senate. And foon may they arrive, that ere we quit Yon hcftile Field, the Chiefs who 'dared bppofe , Rome's riling Glories, may with Shame conft-fs The Gods protect the Empire they have rais'd. Where are thy Smiles, HORATIA? whence proceeds This fuUen Silence, when my thronging Joys Want Words to fpeak them? Prithee, talk of Empire, Talk of thofe Darlings of my Soul thy Brothers, Call them whatc'er wild Fancy can fuggeft, Their Country's Pride, the Boaft of future Times, The dear Defence, the guardian Gods of Rome ! By Heaven thou ftand'ft unmov'd,. nor feels thy Breaft The Charms of Glory, the exftatic Warmth Which beams new Life, and lifts us nearer Heaven \ HORATIA. My gracious Father, with Surprize, and Tranfport I heard the Tidings, as becomes your Daughter. And like ( your Daughter, were our Sex allowed The noble Privilege which Mar. ufarps, Could die with Pleafure in my Codhtry's Caufe. But yet permit a Sifter's Weaknefs, Sir, To feel the Pangs of Nature, and to dread The Fate of thofe fhe loves, however glorious. And fure they cannot all furvive a Conflict So defperate as this. HORATIUS. Survive! by Heaven I could not hope that they fnould all furvive. No, let them fall } if from their glorious Deaths Rome\ Freedom fpring, I (hall be nobly paid For every fharpeft Pang the Parent feels. Had I a thcufand Sons, in fuch a Caufe C I could , i8 *tfic ROMAN I could behold them bleeding at my Feet, And thank the Gods with Tears ! Enter PUBLIUS HORATIUS PUBLIUS. My Father \ [Offering to knaL HORATIUS. Hence { Kneel not to me ftand off; and let me view At Diftance, and with reverential Awe, The Champion of my Country I O, my Boy, That I mould live to this -my Soul's too full ; Let this and this fpeak for me. Blefs thee, blcfs thee f [Embracing him* But wherefore art thou abfent from the Camp ? Where are thy Brothers ? has the Alban State Determin'd ? is the Time of Combat fix'd ? PUBLIUS. ^Think not, my Lord, that filial Reverence, However due, had drawn me from the Field, Where nobler Duty calls : a Patriot's Soul, Can feel no humbler Ties, nor knows the Voice Of Kindred, when his Country claims his Aid. It was the King's Command I mould attend you, Elfe had I ftaid 'till Wreaths immortal grac'd My Brows, and made thee proud indeed to fee Beneath thy Roof, and bending for thy BlefTmg, Not thine, HORATIUS, but the Son of Rome f HORATIUS. O virtuous Pride ! 'tis Blifs too exquifite For human Senfe ! thus, let me anfwer theev [Embracing him agmti* "Where art my othe* Boy ? PtfB- A TRAGEDY. 19 PUBLIUS. They only wait 'Till JIL'a's loitering Chiefs declare her Champions, Our future Victims, Sir, and with the News Will greet their Father's Ear. HORATIUS. It fhall not need, Myfelf will to the Field. Come, let us hafte ; My old Blood boils, and my tumultuous Spirits Pant for the Onfet. O for one fhort Hour Of vigorous Youth- that I might mare the Toil Now with my Boys, and be the next my laft ! HORATIA. My Brother ! PuBLiusl My HORATIA ! ere the Dews Of Evening fall thou (halt with Tranfport own me ; Shalt hold thy Country's Saviour in thy Arms, Or bathe his honeft Bier with Tears of Joy. Thy Lover greets thee, and complains of Abfenee With many a Sigh, and many a longing Look Sent tow'rd the Towers of Rome, HORATIA. Methinks, a Lover jfofl|ht take th'Advantage of the Truce, and bear His kind Complaints himfelf, not truft his Vows To other Tongues, or be oblig'd to tell The paffing Winds his Paffion. PUBLIUS* Deareft Sifter, He with Impatience waits the lucky Moment That may with Honour bear him to your Arms. C a 2 jt RO M A N I' A I ^ E It," Didft thou but hear how tenderiy he talks, How blames the dull Delay of Alban Council^ And chides the lingering Minutes as they pafs, 'Till Fate determines, and the tedious Chiefs Permit his Abfence, thou woud'ft pity him. But foon, my Sifter, foon (hall every Bar Which thwarts thy Happinefs be far away. We are no- longer Enemies to Alba^ This Day unites us, and to-morrow's Sun May hear thy Vows,, and make my Friend my Brother. HORATIUSV [Having talked apart with VALERIA. Tis truly Roman. Here's a Maid, HORATIA, Laments her Brother loft the glorious Proof Of dying for his Country. Come, my Son, Her Softnefs will infect thee, prithee, leave her. HORATIA. [Looking firft on her Fatherland then tenderly on her Brother. Not 'rill my Soul has pour'd its Wifhes for him. Hear me, dread God of War, protect and fave him ! [Kneeling. For thee, and thy immortal Rone he fights ! Dafh the proud Spear from every hoftile Hand That dares oppofe him; may each Alban Chief Fly from his Prefencc, or his Vengeance feel ! And when in Triumph he returns to Rome, [Rifing. Hail him,, ye Maids, with grateful Songs of Praife,- And fcatter all the blooming Spring before him. Curs'd be the envious Brow that fmiles not then, Curs'd be the Wretch that wears one Mark of Sorrow, Or flies not thus with open Arm> to greet him. Enter TULLUS HosTiLius, VALEHHT-, VALERIUS. The King, my Lord, approaches. ^TRAGEDY. 21 HORATIUS, Gracious Sir 3 Whence comes this Condefcenfion ? TULLUS HOSTILIUS, Good oU Man ; Could I have found a nobler MefTenger, I would have fpared jnyfelf th' ungrateful Tafk Of this Day's Embafly, for much I fear My News will want a Welcome. HORATIUS. Mighty "King ! Forgiv.e an ol<* Man's Warmth They have not fure Made choice of other Combatants. My Sons, Muft they not fight for Rome ? TULLUS HOSTILIUS. Too fure they muft. HORATJUS. Then I am bleft ( TULLUS HOSTILIUS. But that they mull engage -Will hurt thee moft, when thou {halt know with whom. HORATIUS. J care not whom. TULLUS HOSTILIUC. Suppofe your neareft Friends The Curiatii were the Alban Choice, Could you bear that? Could you, young Man, fuppprf A Conflia there ? PUELIUS. I could perform my Duty, Qjeat Sir, tho' even a Brother (hould oppofe m?. C3 22 'The ROMAN FATHER, TULLUS HOSTILIUS. Thou art a Roman ! Let thy King embrace thee. HoRATIUS. And let thy Father catch thee from his Arms. TULLUS HOSTILIUS. [To PuBLiy.5. Know then .that Trial muft. be thine* The Allans With Envy faw one Family produce Three Chiefs, to whom their Country dared entruft The Roman -Cauft', and fcorn'd to be outdone. HORATIA. Then I am loft indeed j was it for this, For this, I pray'xl ! [Swoons* PUBLIUS. My Sifter! VALERIA. My HORATIA ! HORATIUS. O foolifh Girl, to {hame thy Father thus ! Here, bear her in.f I am concern'd, my Sovereign* That even the meaneft Part of me fhould blaft With impious Grief a Caufe of fo much Glory. But let the Virtue of my Boy excufe it. TULLUS HOSTILIUS. It does moft amply. She has Caufe for Sorrow. The Shock was fudden, and might well alarm A firmer Bofcm. The weak Sex demand Our Pity, not our Anger ; their foft Brcafts Are nearer touch'd, and more expos'd to Sorrows Than Man's experter Senfe. Nor let us blame That Tendernefs which fmooths our rougher Natures, And ^ HORATIA it carried /, VALERIUS A T R A G E D Y. 23 And foftens all the Joys of focial Life. We leave her to her Tears. For you, young Soldier, You muft prepare for Combat. Some few Hours Are all that are allow'd you. But \ charge you Try well your Heart, and ftrengthen every Thought Of Patriot in you. Think how dreadful 'tis To plant a Dagger in the Breaft you love j To fpurn the Ties of Nature, and forget In one fhort Hour :yvhole Years of virtuous Friendship. Think well on that. PUBUVS, I tlo, my gracious Sovereign ; And think the more I dare fubdue Affection The more my Glory. TULLUS HOSTILIUS: True 5 but yet confider, Is it an eafy Tafk to change Affections ? In the dread Onfet can your meeting Eyes Forget their ufual Icitercourfe, and wear At once the Frown of War, and ftern Defiance ? Will not each Look recall the fond Remembrance Of Childhood paft, when the whole open Soul Breath'd cordial Love, and plighted many a Vow Of tend'reft import ? Think on that, young Spldier, And tell me if thy Breaft be ftill unmov'd ? PUBLIUS. Think not, O King, howe'er refolyM on Combat, I fit fo loofely to the Bonds of Nature, As not to feel their Force. I feel it ftrpngly. I love the Curiatn^ and would ferve them At Life's Expence : But here a nobler Caufe Demands my Sword : For all Connections elle, All private Duties are fubordinate C* T. 24. The ROMAN FATHER, To what we owe the Public. Partial Tics Of Son, and Father, Hufband, Friend, or Brother, Owe their Enjoyments to the public Safety, And without that were vain. Nor need we, Sir, Caft off Humanity, and to be Heroes Ceafe to be Men. As in our earl i eft Days, While yet we learn'd the Exercife of War, We iu ove together, not as Enemies, Yet confcious each of his peculiar Worth, And fcorning each to yield ; fo will we now Engage with ardent not with hoftile Minds, Not fired with; Rage, but emulous of Fame. TULLUS HOSTILIUS. Now I dare truft thee j go, and teach thy Brothers To think like thee, and Conqueft is your own. This is true Cpurage, not the brutal Force Of vulgar Heroes, but the firm Refolve Of Virtue, and of Reafon. He who things Without their Aid to mine in Deeds of Arnii, Builds on a fandy Bafis his Renown ; A Dream, a Vapour, or an Ague Fit May make a Coward of him. Come, HOR ATIUS, Thy other Sons (hall meet thee at the Camp, For now I do bethink me 'tis not fit They fhould behold their Sifter thus alarnvd. Hafte, Soldier, and detain them. [To one oftbs Guards. HORATIUS. " Gracious Sir, We'll follow on the inflant. TULLUS HCSTILIUS. Then Farewel. When next we meet, 'tis Rome and Liberty ! [Exit with Gnaj-:<. ^TRAGEDY, 25 HoRATIUS. Come, let me arm thee for the glorious Toil. I have a Sword whofe Light'ning oft has blaz'd Dreadfully fatal on my Country's Foes ; Whofe temper'd Edge has cleft their haughty Crefo, And ftain'd with Life-blood many a reeking Plain. Thisihaltthou bear ; myfelf will gird it on, And lead thee forth to Death or Victory. [Going. And yet, my PUB .LIU?, fhall I own a Weaknefsj Tho' I deteft the Caufe from whence they fpring, I feel thy Sifter's Sorrows like a Father. She was my Soul's delight. PUBLIUS, And may remain fo. This fudden Shock has but alarm'd her Virtue, Not quite fubdued its Force. At leaft, my Father, Time's lertient Hand will teach her to endure The ills of Chance, and Reafon conquer Love. HORATIUS. Should we not fee her ? PUBLIUS. By no means, my Lord ; You heard the King's Command about my Brothers, And we have Hearts as tender fure as they. Might I advife, you mould confine her clofely, Left the infect the Matrons with her Grief, And bring a Stain we mould not wifli to fix On the Horatian Name. HORATIUS. It fhall be fo. We'll think no more of her. 'Tis Glory calls. And humbler Paffions beat Alarms in vain. [Exit.- Ji fioR AT iv s geh off", Ho R A T i A enters at ancihr Dear. Ho- s6 tte ROMAN FATHER, HORATIA: Where h my Brother ? O my deareft PUBLIUS, Ife'eryoulov'd HORATIA, ever felt That Tendernefs which you have feem'd to feel, hear her now ! PUBLIUS. What would'ft thou, my HORA T I A I HORATlAi 1 know not what I would I'm on the Rack, Defpair and Madnefs tear my lab'ring SouL ~And yet, my Brother, fure you might relieve me. PUBLIUS. How, by what means ? By Heaven, I'd die to do it, HORATIA. You might decline the Combat. PUBLIUS. Ha! HORATIA. I do not Expe& it from thee. Prithee look more kindly, And yet, is the Requeft fo very hard ? I. only alk thee not to plunge thy Sword Into the Breaft thou lov'ft, not kill thy Friend, Is that fo hard ? I might have laid thy Brother. PUBLIUS. What canft thou mean ? Beware, beware, HORATIA. Thou know'ft I dearly love thee, nay thou know'ft I love the Man with whom I muft engage. Yet haft thou faintly read thy Brother's Soul, If thou can'ft think Entreaties have the Power, Tho.' urg'd with all the Tendernefs of Tears, To fhakc his fettled Purpofe : They may make My A TRAGEDY. - 27 My Tafk more hard, and my Soul bleed within me. But cannot touch my Virtue. HORATIA. 'Tis not Virtue Which contradicts our Nature, 'tis the Rage Of over-weening Pride. Has Rome no Champions She could oppofe but you? Are there not thousands As warm in Glory, and as tried in Arms, Who might without a Crime afpire to Conqueft, Or die with honeft Fame? PUBLIUE. Away, away; Talk to thy Lover thus. But 'tis not CAIUS Thou would'ft have infamous. HORATIA. O kill me not With fuch unkind Reproaches. Yes, I own I love him^ more PUBLIUS. Than a chafte Roman Maid Should dare confefs. HORATIA. Should dare ! What means my Brother ? I had my Father's Sanction on my Love, And Duty taught me firft to feel it's Power. Should dare confefs ! is that the dreadful Crime ? Alas but fpare him, fpare thy Friend, HORATIUS, And I will caft him from my Breaft for ever. Will that oblige thee ? only let him die By other Hands, and I will learn to hate him. PUBLIUS. Why wilt thou talk thus madly ? Love him ftill : And if we fall the Victims of our Country (Which Heaven avert !) wed, and enjoy him freely. 2.3 The ROMAN FATHER, HORATIA. O never, never. What, my Country's Bane ! The Murderer of my Brothers ! may the Gods Firft tear me, blaft me, fcatter me on Winds, Ajid pour out each unheard-of Vengeance on me ! PUBLIUS. Do not torment thyfctf thus idly Go, Compofe thyfelf, and be again my Sifter. Re-enter HORATIVS [with the Sword} HORATIUS. This Sword in Pelts Field What doft thou her* ? Leave him I charge thee,Girl Come come, my PUBLIUS, Let's hafte wl^ere Duty calk. HORATJA. What; to the Field ? He muft not, {hall not go ; here will I hang O if you have not quite call off Affection, If you dctelt not your diftracled Sifter HORATIUS. Shame of thy Race, why doft thou hang upon him? Would'ft thou entail eternal Infamy On him, on me, on all ? HORATIA. Indeed I "would not, I know^t afic Impoflibilities j Yet pity me, my Father! PUBLTUS. Pity thee ? Begone, fond Wretch, nor urge my Temper thiw, By Heaven I love thee as a Brother ought. Then hear my laft Refolve ; if Fate, averfe To 0Rf,*atid us, determine my Deftruclion, I charge thee wed thy Lover j he will then 2 Defcrvc A TRAGEDY: > 9 Defefve thee nobly. Or if kinder Gods Propitious hear the Prayers of fuppliant Rome^ And he fhould fall by me, I then jexpeft No weak Upbraidings for a Lover's Death, But fuch Returns as fhall become thy Birth, A Sifter's Thanks for having favM her Country. [Exit. HORATIA. Yet ftay Yet hear me, PUBLIUS But one Word HoRATIUS. Let go thy hold, rafh Girl, thouTt tempt thy Fathej To do an Outrage might perhaps diftracl him. HORATIA. Alas, forgive me, Sir I'm very wretched, Indeed L am Yet I will flrive to flop This fwelling Grief, and bear it like your Daughter. Do but forg'ive me, Sir. HORATIUS. I do, I do Go in, my Child, the Gods may find a Way To make thee happy yet. But on thy Duty, Whate'er Reports may reach, or Fears alarm thee, I charge thee come not to the Field. HORATIA. I will not, If you command it, Sir. But will you then, As far as cruel Honor may permit, Remember that your poor HOR ATIA'S Life Hangs on this dreadful Conteft ? HORATIUS. Lead her in. Ho- 2 6 ROMAN HoRATiusi [Looking after !:it>. Spite of my boafted Strength, her Griefs unman me. But let her from my Thoughts. The Patriot's Breaft No Hopes, no Fears, "but for his Country knows, And in her Danger lofes private Woes. * END of the Second A6h ACT ^TRAGEDY, 31 ACT III, SCENE I. Scene continues. VALERIUS and VALERIA meeting. VALERIUS. NOW, my VALERIA, where's the charming && That calls me to her ? with a Lover's Haft I fly to execute the dear Command. VALERIA. 'Tis not the Lover, but the Friend flie wants, If thou dar'ft own that Name. VALERIUS. The Friend, my Sifter j There's more than Friendmip in a Lover's Breaft, More warm, more tender is the Flame he feels -* VALERIA. Alas, thefe Raptures fuit not herDiftrefs, She feeks th' indulgent Friend, whofe fober Senfe Free from the Mifts of Paffion might direcl: Her jarring Thoughts, and plead her doubtful Cauf. VALERIUS. Am I that Friend ? O did flic turn her Thought On me for that kind Office ? VA- 3* The ROMAN FATHER, VALERIA. Yes, VALERIUS. She chofe you out to be her Advocate To CURI ATIUS ; 'tis the only Hope She now dares cherifli ; her relentlefs Brother With Scorn rejects her Tears, her Father flies her, And only you remain to footh her Cares, And fave her ere file finks. VALERIUS. Her Advocate ToCURIATIUs! VALERIUS. 'Tis to him me fends yon, To urge her Suit, and win him from the Field. Ikit come ; her Sorrows will more ftrongly plead Than all my Grief can utter. VALERIUS. To my Rival ! To CURIA/TIUS plead her Caufe, and tdftrh My Tongue a Leflbn which my Heart abhors ! Impoffible! VALERIA, prithee fay Thou Rome her hafty Tribute pours ; And on one vi&orious Son Half exhaufts her blooming Stores.. A YOUTH. Scatter here the Laurel Crown, Emblem of immortal Praife ! Wond'rous Youth ! to thy Renown Future Times (hall Altars raife. A VIRGIN. Scatter here the Myrtle Wreath, Tho' the bloodlefs Vih>tf Due ; Grateful Thoufands fav'd from Death Shall devote that Wreath to you. A YOUTH. Scatter here the Oaken Bough ; Ev'n for one averted Fate We that Civic Meed beftow He fav'd ajl, who fav'd the State* CHO- 58 . Could I but prove the Helen to deftroy This curs'd unfocial State, I'd die with Tranfport : Gaze on the fpreading Fires 'till the laft Pile Sunk in the Blaze then mingle with its Ruins. PUBLIUS. Thou {halt not live to that. HORATIUS. Aflift me, Friends Drag tear her off. O PuBLiUS O my Son Spare, fpare a Father ! [They force her of. i Pea- 62 *fbe ROMAN FATHER, Pu BL i us . [After a Paufe. Let her avoid me then. My whole Soul's mov'd, And Rome's immortal Genius ftirs within me ! Yes, ye dread Powers, whofe everlafting Fires Blaze on our Altars, and whofe facred Shields From Heaven defcending guard imperial Rome, I feel, I feel your Wrongs for you I fought, For you I bear the Sword. Lead on my Friends. {Exit. HoRATIUS. [Looking at him as be goes out. How dreadful, yet how lovely is his Virtue ! [Going after him. Enter VALERIUS and two or three Sei-vant*. VALERIUS. {-Stopping HORATIUS. Saw you your Daughter, Sir ? HORATIUS. Alas, VALERIUS, I yet ftand trembling on the Brink of Fate, And fcarce can think the dreadful Moment pafr. She has been here, and with fuch impious Outrage AflaiPd her Brother, that our utmoft Force Scarce fav'd her from his Sword. VALERIUS. He could not fufe Attempt her Life ! HORATIUS. He did. VALERIUS. And could you bear That Sight, my Lord ? Ho- ^TRAGEDY, $3 . HORATIUS. VALERIUS, afk me not What I could bear. I feel the Torment ft ill. And dread to think what Mifchiefs had enfued Had I like him been warm'd and deaf to Nature. VALERIUS. Eutfheisfafe? HORATIUS. Yes, from the Sword (he is ; But mad as the Cumecan Maid fhe raves, And pours mceflant Curies on her Country. Mifguided Girl ! But I can bear my Fate ; the Hand of Heaven Chaftlfes thus my Infolence of Joy, I were too happy dfe ! Yet Art perhaps May give her Eafe, your Sifter will attend her. I muft not fee her now ; PUBLIUS will think That I negle& him ; every Pang I feel_ Affronts his Virtue, and each idle Doubt Is Treafon to the State his Arm "has favcd. O my divided Heart ! [Exit. VALERIUS. PUBLIUS will think! Then 'tis in Rome, it feems, become a Crime Ev'n for the fofter Sex to let their Anguifh Tranfport their Souls beyond the Bounds of Reafon. Our Heroes would new-mold Humanity ; And tie down Madnefe to the pedant Rules Of dull Difcretion. Dar'd attempt her Life I Let me not think on that. I will avoid him, 'Till I am calm again. Go fome of you This Way, fome that, and fearch my Sifter out. 04 ZC JVOMAN r ATHEK, Say, If I meet her not, I fliall return And wait her here. This Violence of Grief Cannot laft long and fuch a Heart as hers So form'd for Paffion, fo acceflible To tender Pains, may learn once more to prove The pleafing Tranlports of reviving Love. The END of the Fourth ACT. ACT ^TRAGEDY. ACT V. SCENE I. n-e Street. Enter VALERIA and a Servant. VALERIA. [ In Difer&r. REgard not me. Did you not fay, my Brother Was here ? Where is he ? Yet I know not why I wifh him here, but that my burftirig.Heart May Vent its Griefs, and find a Refuge for them. SERVANT. Madam, my Lord approaches. Enter VALERIUS. VALERIA. O VALERIUS, HORATI A, poor HORATIA'S loft for ever ; Her unrelenting Brother VALERIUS. Deareft Sifter, Compofe your Fears. She has efcap'd his Rage, But now I faw her Father, and his Care Has fav'd her from the Blow, and begs your Aid To footh her tortur'd Mind. F 66 Tie ROMAN FATHER, VALERIA. What fays my Brother ? How fav'd ? alas, too fure fhe dies this Moment, She had no Father there ; thefe Eyes beheld The fatal Stroke, and thefe fad Arms receiv'd her. Nor had I left her now but to obey Her own Command, and by Intreaties force Her cruel Brother to her. VALERIUS. [lfith Amazement. When was this ? Where was it ? Say, VALERIA VALERIA. When I left you To feek fome cliff" 'rent Way our haplefs Charge, Led by the Noife from Street to Street I ran, And came at laft where through the gather'd Crowd I faw but could not reach her. Wild fhe fecm'd, Struggling with all that would oppofc her Paflage, And trying every Method to provoke- Hex Brother's Fury : With dire Blafphemies, Which (hock'd my trembling Soul, her Tongue profan'd Each awful Name, and not a God efcap'd Her imprecating Rage. VALERIUS. Well, well, enough ; But come to him. VALERIA. Silent awhile heftood, As the dead Calm before the Thunder rolls, Nor anfwer'd to her Rage : Then, rous'd at once, As if fomelnfpiration touch'd his Soul, His Bofom heav'd, he rais'd his Eyes to Heav'n, Then burft in Tears, ami ^ilft he wept he dfove The v* TRAGEDY. 67 The Poiniard to her Heart, and thus, he cried, Thus perifti all the Enemies of Rome ! VALERIUS. Thou feem'ft to plead his Caufe. VALERIA. Alas, my Brother, I fpeaic but what I faw. VALERIUS. Where was her Father ? VALERIA. I know not, but fome Chance, they faid, detain'dhim; He fcarce had left the Crowd, and thought her fafe. VALERIUS. Scarce left the Crowd, and thought her fafe ? O Gods,. 'Twas I, 'twas I detain'd him ; in that Moment The horrid Deed wa$ done. Where are theynow > VALERIA. I hope with her. She fear'd fome fatal Violence, And therefore beg'd me to intreat them to her. VALERIUS. And have you fcen them ? Are they Friends ? VALERIA. O no, I found them high in Wrath : The poor old Man Torn with contending Paflions threaten'd oft Deftruftion on his Son, who with Difdain Laid bare his Breaft, and bade him ftrike the Blow. The Patriot then took Place, and he would wifa He never hud a Daughter. My Approach AlavJBfx'd them both ; but PUBLIUS foon refum'd His wonted Firmnefs, bade her Father go And mingle Tears with hers, he would not fee her, F 2 Nor 6&* jTfo ROMAN FATHER, Nor dared pollute his Conquefb with her Prefence. Haft thou no Heart, the Father erred, and look'd Unutterable Sorrow ; at which Sight He yielded, and obey'd. I left them then To feek you out. My Brother, you regard not What I have (aid. You hear me ncx. VALERIUS. VALERIA, Revenge is bufy here. Yes, thou proud Chief^ In fpite of all the Glories which furround thee, I yet may erufh thy Pride I VALERIA, You will not kill him ? VALERIUS. Kiflhim, VALERIA } Ti$ no common Death "Which he fhall die : I will have noble Vengeance, The Thought delights my Soul ! [Going. VALERIA. What Thought, my Brother ? Nay tell me, or you go not. Stay at leaft 'Till you hear more. I feel HORATIA'S Wrongs As ftrong as you. [Exit V^LEIUU?. He's gone. Tho' my Htatt bleed* For my poor dying Friend, I mint purfue him. His fatal Rafhnefs may diftreH; her more, And bring frefh Sorrows on an aged Sire Opprcfs'd' too mueh already. [Exit.. SCENE A TRAGEDY. SCENE the lafh A Room in HORATIUS'J Houfe. Ho R ATI A an a Couch^ end j&tendanfa HORATIA, Ceafe, ceafe your crud Aid, ye fhall not fave me. My utmoft Wifh is Death, and I will have it. Enter HoiiATius and P^BLIUS. Yet, let me thank you for this little Life Your Art prolongs, 'till I have made my Peace, And alk'd Forgivenels here, HORATIUS. My Child, my Child! HORATIA. What means this Tendernefs? 1 thought to fee you Inflamed with Rage againft a worthlefs Wretch, Who has diflionour'd your illuftrious Race, And ftain'd its brighteft Fame. In Pity look not Thus kindly on me, O behold me, Sir, With that Hern Afpect my wrong'd Brother wears, And I may then fupport this dreadful Parting : For I have injur'd you. HORATIUS. Thou has not, Girl ; I {kid, 'twas Madnete ; but he would not heai me, HORATIA. wrong him not, his Ac"l was noble Juftice, 1 forc*d him to the Deed : For know, my father, It was not Maduefs, but the firm Refult Of fettled Reafon, and deliberate Thought, F 3 I was jo *Tke- ROMAN' FATHER, I was rcfolvcd on Death, and witnefs Heaven, I'd not have died by any Hand but his For the whole round of Fame his Worth fhall boaft Thro' future Ages. Nought but this, my Father, Could reconcile us ; I forgive him now The Death of CURIATIUS j this laft Blow Has cancell'd that, and he's once more my Brother. HORATIUS. What haft thou faid ? Were't thou fo bent on Death r Was all thy Rage diilcmbled ? HORATIA. All, my Father, All but my Love was falfe ; what that infpired Juttei'd freely, and ftill hate the Caufe Which has undone us, tho' I know 'twas Virtue. But for the reft, the Curfes which 1 pour'd On Heav'n-defended Rome, were merely Lures To tempt his Rage, and perfect my DeftrucHon. Heav'n ! with what TranfportI beheld him mov'd, How my Heart leap'd to meet the welcome Point, And leave its Sorrows there ! HORATIUS. Unkind HORATIA ! Kad'ft thou no Pity on thy Father's Age ? Could'ft thou to eafe thy Griefs abandon his, And leave him Childlefs. HORATIA. Childlefs ? gracious Powers, Can he be Childkfs from whofe happy Loins JRsme's great Deliverer fprung, and ftill furvives TobhfsandcherHhhim. Ho- A TRAGEDY. 71 HORATIUS. He does indeed, And I'm afham'd to think how I neglect him. - Forgive me, Boy ; me has unman'd my Virtue. Yet can I fee her thus, and not remember Her thoufand little tender Arts, which footh'd The Cares of Age, and led me gently through The Evening of my Days ? HORATIA. Forget them, Sir, They all are nothing now ; this laft dire Adi: May j'uftly {hut me from your Breaft for ever. Turn, turn to him ; there blooms the kind Support Of your remaining Life. What tho' he bends His ftern Regards on me, who have defervM them r He is by Nature gentle, mild, and loving, Will greatly pity your defeated State, And pay a double Duty. HORATIUS. Wherefore then Would'ft tbou provoke his Rage, and make me look With Horror on him ? HORATIA. 'Tis on me, not him, That thou (hould'ft look with Horror ; 'twas my Acl, HORATIUS. O foolim Nature, how it ftruggles here Againftthe force ofReafon ! Save me, Boy, From the dire Conflift : when I look this way, [To bh So*. 'Tis Reafon's Triumph} Juftice fancHfies Paternal Lore, and Glory crowns the whole. F 4 But 72 fhe ROMAN FATHER, But when I turn to her, I feel my Strength Again relapfe, and fcarce can blefs the Hand "Which fav'd my Country. HORATIA. Then, there's nought remains, But thus to rid you of the only Clog, [Tearing off her Which keeps AfFeftion from its proper Sphere, Bandages,. And {hackles Coward Virtue. But forgive me ! PuBLIUS. My Sifter, ftay ; I charge thee live, HORATIA. thou haft planted Daggers here ! HORATIA. My Brother! Can you forgive me too ? then I am happy. 1 dared not hope for that. Ye gentle Ghofh That rove Elyfium, hear the facred Sound ! My Father and my Brother both forgive me ! I have again their Sanction on my Love. O let me haften to rhofe happier Climes Where unmolefted we may fhare our Joys, Nor Rome, nor Aiba^ mail difturb us more ! Enter VALERIA. [In a Fright. O Sir, O my HORATIA yet thou liveft, And may'fl recover all. HORATIUS. What^mean you, Lad} I VALERIA. AH Rame^ my Lord, has ta'en th' Alarm, and Crowds Of Citizens enrag'd are polling hither To call for Juftice on HORATIUB' Head. HORATIA, For what ? VA- 'A TRAGEDY. 73 VALERIA. For thee. HORATIA. O Heavens ! why Numbers of them Beheld his Provocation, VALERIA. True they did j But my unhappy Brother JHTORATIUS. What of him ? VALERIA. Alas he loved HORATIA, and her Lofs Has urg'd him to this Frenzy. HORATIUS. What of him ? -, Does he arraign my Son ? VALERIA. He leads the Crowd, And, as he pleafes, fways their giddy Minds : Paints the dire Tale in all its Pomp of Sadnefs, And wakes Compaffion by each varied Art Of winning Eloquence. Around the King They prefs in thoufands ; his Authority, Tho' aided with ftricl Promifes of Jufticc, Can fcarcely calm their agitated Minds. T But (he (hall live, and all be well again. Burning tenderly taitw/^HoRATiA, HORATIA. O no, it cannot be detcfted Parricide ! Could'ft thou not die without the added Guilt pf murdering all thy Race ? O Sir -O Brother ! Can 74 The ROMAN FATHER, Can ye behold me now, and not recall Your kind Forgivenefs ? Can ye will ye? Speak ! But do not curfe me, Sir ! Yet why, my Father, Why fcmd you thus amaz'd ? The Laws are yours ; What Right can they pretend, ungrateful Men ? Has not a Roman Father Power to take The Lives of all his Children ? He but afted . By your Command O take the Deed on you f PUBLIUS. My Sifter ftay, and you, my Father, hear me. I'll end this Strife, and die fince they require it Heaven knows how willingly \ But let not Ignominy ftain my Wreaths, Let me not fall a public Spectacle Dragg'd like a Criminal to Jufticc. No, My Father, fave me from that dreadful Scene, Aflume the generous Right die Laws allow you, And take this forfeit Life with Honour from me. [Offering him bis Swiret. HORATIUS, True, and it {hall be fo, Yes, yes, my Children, We'D die together. Ho R A T i A . [Rifing from the Cauch. O forbear, forbear ! Was this Pang wanting to compleat my Fate ! In Pity to yourfelves, to the dear Honour Of }xmr unfpotted Names ! O blind old Man Dareft thou lift up thy tacrilegious Hand Againft the Chief, the God that laved thy Country. [4 Noife withtut, Alas they're here- help, me, I die O now My Father, now exert thy utmoft Force With A TRAGEDY. 75 With them, and {hew thyfelf indeed a Roman ; Not with thy Sword. i ft CITIZEN. [Without. We muft not be denied. 2d CITIZEN. We will have Juftice. VALERIUS: We demand Ho R ATI us, HoRATIA. Would I could live ! it will not be HORATIUS. My Daughter ! HORATIA. Regard not me There, there employ thy Power. 'Tis my laft Prayer VALERIA, I adjure thee By the juft Gods, proclaim him innocent They'll think my Father partial O remember Remember, dear VALERIA Brother Father! fZ)w. VALERIA. She's gone, fhe's dead ! PUBLIUS. Then Fate has done it's worft. Where are thefe Citizens ? HORATIUS. VALERIA, PUBLJUS, look there look yonder what a Sight I Is it for this we wifh for Length of Days ! O my poor bleeding Boys, how much I envy Your happier Lot ! [Noife without. Enter TULLUS, VALERIUS, and CITIZENS. VALERIUS. See ! Fellow Citizens, fee where fhe lies The bleeding Viftim TV*-' j6 Tit ROMAN FATHER, TULLUS. Stop, unmanner'd Youth ! Think'ft thou we know not wherefore we are here ? Seeft thou yon drooping Sire r Ho R ATI us. [Turning ha/?i!y towards tlttn, Permit them, Sir. TULLUS. What can he mean ? Some other time, HORATIUS. HORATIUS. O no, this Inftant. ifl CITIZEN. He feems eager for it. He fides with us, TULLUS. Well, be it fo. I know not What he intend* ; but if he meets my Wifhes, His ftrong unlabour'd Eloquence of Grief May move them more than Reafon's fubtieft Force. What would ye, Romans ? VALERIUS. We are come, dread Sir, In the behalf of murdered Innocence Murdered by him, the Man HORATIUS. Whofe conquering Arm Has faved you all from Ruin. O Shame, Shame ! Has Rome no Gratitude? Do ye not blufh To think whom your infatiate Rage purfues ? pown, down, and worfhiphim. jft CITIZEN. Does he plead for him? ^TRAGEDY. 77 2d CITIZEN. Does he forgive his Daughter's Death ? HORATIUS. He does. And glories in it, glories in the Thought That there's one Roman left who dares be grateful. If you are wrong'd, then what am I ? Muft I JBe taught my Duty by th' affected Tears Of Strangers to my Blood ? Had I been wrong'd 1 know a Father's Right, and had not afk'd This ready talking Sir to bellow for me, And mouth my Wrongs in Rome. VALERIUS. Friends, Countrymen, Regard him not, his Griefs have hurt his Reafon. 'Tis true that PUBLICS has preferv'd his Country ; But maft one glorious Aft exalt him quite Beyond all Laws, and give a boundlels Scops To his o'erweening Cruelty ? ere long He'll claim a privilege to murder all Who dare oppofe his Will ; and when his Sword Has fpread with mangled Carcafes your Streets, He'll tell you 'twas that Sword which faved his Country. HORATIUS. Injurious Youth : That Sword which faved his Country Was never drawn but in his Country's Service. Some of you muft remember, you I'm fure SERVILIUS you were there, and muft remember With what dire Curfes this unhappy Girl I will not call her mine purfu*d us all, And dar'd infult the Majefly of Rone. 78 T&e ROMAN FATHER, ift CITIZEN. Yes, yes we all remember. HORATIUS. 'Twas for that, For that he kill'd her ; 'twas not him me injur'd, *Twas in your Caufe he kill'd her, not his own ; And muft he die for that ? if 'tis a Crime To vindicate your Honour, he indeed Has been moft guilty ; 'twas for that he Fought, For that he kill'd his Friends the Curiatii ; If that's a Crime, O let him die for that, Not for his Juftice on a guilty Girl > And he mail fall contented. VALERIUS. Guilty Girl ? How guilty ? Madnc-fs has a Privilege To talk unpunifti'd, and was ne'er till now Arraign'd feverely. HORATIUS. Mad ? She was not mad ; Believe me, Friends, me own'd it ere me died, Confefs'd me did it to provoke his Vengeance Deliberately guilty. VALERIUS. Citizens, Friends, Countrymen, regard not what he fays. Stop, ftop your Ears, nor hear a frantic Father Thus plead againft his Child, IIORATIUS. He does belie me, What Child have I ?- Ala?, I have but One, And him ye would tear from me. All CITIZENS. Hear him, hear him /* TRAGEDY. 79 POBLIUS. No, let me fpeak. Think'ft thou, ungenerous Youth, To hurt my Quiet ? 1 am hurt beyond Thy Power to harm me. Death's extremeft Torture? Were Happinefs to what I feel. Yet know My injur'd Honour bids me live, nay more, It bids me even defcend to plead for Life. But wherefore wafte I Words. 'Tis not to hinj But you, my Countrymen, to you I fpeak, He lov'd the Maid, CITIZENS, How, loved her ? HORATIUS. Fondly loved her, And under Show of public Juftice fcrcens A private Paflion, and a mean Revenge. [VALERIUS feems confounded and goes to his Sifter. Think ye I loved her not ? high Heaven's my Witnefs How tenderly I loved her, and the Pangs I feel this Moment, could you fee my Heart, Would prove too plainly I amftill her Father. You'll (ay I love him too. I glory in it. But 'tis not for myfelf, my Dregs of Life Will foon be fpent, 'tis for my Country's Service I would preferve her Champion. 'Tis not me Whom you fhould pity, 'tis yourfelves, your Wives, Your tender little Ones ; for moft of you Are Fathers too. O think, the Time may come. When you again fhall want his Sword, and find Perhaps an hoflile Ear as deaf to Mercy As I have found But I forget myfelf, You are all Romans, and what you decree However hard isjuft. So 7/k ROMAN FATHER, ift CITIZEN. He fnall be faved. VALERIUS has mided us. ALL. Save him, fave him ! HORATIUS. I thank you, Friends. VALERIUS. What mean ye, would ye fave A Murderer from Death ? I'll not be held, [Te his Sifter. It was no Crime to love her, I will fpeak. If Juftice moves you not, yet dread th' Event. Fear ye not Heaven and the avenging Gods Who gave him up to Shame, and urg'd him on To ftain his Conquefts with a Sifter's Blood HORATIUS. Away, away ; is he the firft whofe Arm Was {rained with Kindred Blood ? and dar'ft thou talk Jn Rome thus idly ? Whaf s our Founder then, If he's a Murderer ? Heaven approved the Death Of Remus, as deliberate as this. TULLUS. Enough, enough ! With Reverence fpeak we of thofe mighty Names Which ftand enroll'd above. All Acls of Blood Muft not be deem'd as Murders. 'Tis the Intent And not the A&ion constitutes the Crime. My Friends, and Fellow Citizens, I praife That Zeal for Juftice in you, which permits not Tfee Blaze of Fame, or Gratitude itfelf For A TRAGEDY. Si for AcYions which might move -inferior Minds, To blind or weaken its determin'd Force. Tho' here perchance it err. Behold this Youth So late your Glory, with what confcious Shame He fees himfelf reduced for one ram Act, The Crime of Virtue, to folicit here A Life which he contemns. He loved the Maid With a fond Brother's Love ; and had he felt No nobler Pafiion, me had ftill furvived. That other Pafiion was his Love of you. Say, mail he die for that ? For 'tis to you He makes his laft Appeal. Or grant it were a Crime, the worft of Crimes, You might with Ardor feize the happy Power Which Fortune now allows you. Could you elfe Have rais'd your Gratitude to his Defert ? Fate feerns to have found out this only Means By which you could reward him. Life for Life You may return him now, for Freedom, Freedom, ift CITIZEN. We did declare him free, but this VALERIUS Would interrupt our Will. 2d CITIZEN. Rome glories in him ! TULLUS. Or turn this Way, if yet a Doubt remains. Behold that virtuous Father, who could boaft This very Morn a numerous Progeny, The dear Supports of his declining Age. Then read the fad Reverfe with pitying Eyes, And tell your confcious Hearts they fell for you. G Ho- 82 'The ROMAN FATHER, HORATIUS. I am o'erpaid by that, nor claim I ought On their Accounts ; for by high Heaven I fwear I'd rather fee him added to the Heap Than Rome enflaved. ift CITIZEN. O excellent HORATIUS. 2d CITIZEN. O worthy Father ! qd CITIZEN. Were he ten Times guilty, The Son of fuch a Sire might pafs unpunifh'd. TULLUS. 7' hen I pronounce him free. And now, The Evening of thy ftormy Day at laft Shall dole in Peace. Here, take him to thy Breaft. HORATIUS. My Son, my Conqueror ! 'Twas a fatal Stroke, But (hall not wound our Peace. This kind Embrace Shall fpread a fwect Oblivion o'er our Sorrows , Or if in After-times, tho' 'tis not long That I (hall trouble you, fome fad Remembrance Should fteal a Sigh, and peevifh Age forget Its Refolution, only boldly fay Thou faved'ft the State, and I'll intreat Forgivenefs. TULLUS. VALERIUS too muft be your Friend again. But that we leave to Time. The prefent Hour Muft be employ'd to expiate his Offence. Be that thy Care, HORATIUS ; that the Gods May blefs To-morrow's Rites, and gracious hear Our Hymns of Praife for Liberty reftor'd. Learn A TRAGEDY. 83 Learn hence, ye Romans, on how fure a Bafe The Patriot builds his Happinefs ; no Stroke, No keeneft, deadlieft, Shaft of adverfe Fate Can make his generous Bofom quite defpair, But that alone by which his Country falls. Grief may to Grief in endlefs Round fucceed, And Nature fufFer when our Children bleed : Yet frill fuperior muft that Hero prove Whofefirft, beft Paffion is his COUNTY'S LOVE. EPILOGUE, fpoken by Mrs. PritcbarJ. T A DIES, by me our courteous Author fends *~* His Compliments to all hi$ Female 1 riends : And thanks them from his Soul for every bright Indulgent 'Tear, which they have Jhed To-night. Sorrow in Virtue* s Gsufe proclaims a MIND, And gives to Beauty Graces more refin'd. O who could bear the lovelieft Form of Art, A Cherub's Face, without a feeling Heart ! "fis there alone, whatever Charms we loaf, ^ho" Men may flatter, and tho y Men will toafl^ 'Tis there alone they find the Joy fine ere, The Wife, the Parent, and the Friend are thzr^. All elfe, the veriejl Rakes themselves muft own, Are but the -paltry Play -things of the 'Town - t S4 EPILOGUE. The painted Clouds ; which glittering tempt the Ctact, Ihen melt in Air, and mock the vain Embrace. Well then -, tie private Virtues, 'tis confejl, Are the f oft Inmates cf the Female Breajl. But then, they fill fo full that crouded Space, That the p or Public feldom finds a Place. And I fufpett there' 's maty a Fair-one here, Who pour'd her Ssrro-ws on HORATIA'J 5/Vr, That J&ll retains fo much of Fltjh and Blood, She'd fairly hang the Brother, if Jhe could. IVly, Ladies , tooefnre, if that be all. At your Tribunal he muftftand cr fall. Whatever his Country, or Hs tire decreed, Ton are bis Judges nc<;i%#nd he tnuft plead. Like other Culprit fyu&s, he waited Grace -, But could have no Sc j f- inter eft in the Cafe. Had Jhe been V/ife y or Miftrcfs, cr a Friend, It might have avfizered-fo'ue convenient E*>:d : But a mere Sifter, \:hom he lev* d to take Her Life aivay, and fcr his Country's Sake ! Faith, Ltodies, yen ma? pirdon him ; indeed There's verj little Ffzr the Crimsjhould fp True Patriots are cut rare awwg the Me-:, And realty wight be ufefr.l, noiv and then.