Volume Vii Part 25 (1/2)

Hark how these murderous Romans, viper-like, Seek to bewray their fellow-citizens.

O wretched world, from whence with speedy flight True love, true zeal, true honour late is fled!

SOLDIER. What makes my lord so careless and secure, To leave the breach and here lament alone?

YOUNG MARIUS. Not fear, my friend, for I could never fly; But study how with honour for to die.

I pray thee, call the chiefest citizens; I must advise them in a weighty cause: Here shall they meet me; and, until they come, I will go view the danger of the breach.

[_Exit_ YOUNG MARIUS, _with the Soldiers_.

_Enter, with drums and Soldiers_, LUCRETIUS, _with other Romans, as_ TUDITa.n.u.s, &c.

LUCRETIUS. Say, Tudita.n.u.s, didst thou ever see So desperate defence as this hath been.

TUDITa.n.u.s. As in Numidia, tigers wanting food, Or, as in Lybia, lions full of ire, So fare these Romans on Praeneste walls.

LUCRETIUS. Their valour, Tudita.n.u.s, and resist, The man-like fight of younger Marius, Makes me amaz'd to see their miseries, And pity them, although they be my foes.

What said I? Foes? O Rome, with ruth I see Thy state consum'd through folly and dissension!

Well, sound a parley; I will see if words

[_Sound a parley_--YOUNG MARIUS _appears upon the walls with the Citizens_.

Can make them yield, which will not fly for strokes.

YOUNG MARIUS. What seeks this Roman warrior at our hands?

LUCRETIUS. That seeks he, Marius, that he wisheth thee: An humble heart and then a happy peace.

Thou see'st thy fortunes are depress'd and down; Thy victuals spent; thy soldiers weak with want; The breach laid open, ready to a.s.sault: Now, since thy means and maintenance are done, Yield, Marius, yield. Praenestians, be advis'd; Lucretius is advis'd to favour you.

I pray thee, Marius, mark my last advice: Relent in time; let Sylla be thy friend; So thou in Rome may'st lead a happy life, And those with thee shall pray for Marius still.

YOUNG MARIUS. Lucretius, I consider on thy words: Stay there awhile; thou shalt have answer straight.

LUCRETIUS. Apollo grant that my persuasions may Preserve these Roman soldiers from the sword.

YOUNG MARIUS. My friends and citizens of Praeneste town, You see the wayward working of our stars; Our hearts confirm'd to fight, our victuals spent.

If we submit, it's Sylla must remit; A tyrant, traitor, enemy to Rome, Whose heart is guarded still with b.l.o.o.d.y thoughts.

These flattering vows Lucretius here avows, Are pleasing words to colour poison'd thoughts.

What, will you live with shame, or die with fame?

1ST CITIZEN. A famous death, my lord, delights us most.

2D CITIZEN. We of thy faction, Marius, are resolv'd To follow thee in life and death together.

YOUNG MARIUS. Words full of worth, beseeming n.o.ble minds: The very balsamum to mend my woes.

O countrymen! you see Campania spoil'd; A tyrant threat'ning mutinies in Rome; A world despoil'd of virtue, faith, and trust.

If then, no peace, no liberty, no faith, Conclude with me, and let it be no life!

Live not to see your tender infants slain; These stately towers made level with the land; This body mangled by our enemy's sword: But full resolv'd to do as Marius doth, Unsheathe your poniards, and let every friend Bethink him of a soldier-like farewell.

Sirrah, display my standard on the walls, And I will answer yond Lucretius: Who loveth Marius, now must die with Marius!

LUCRETIUS. What answer will your lords.h.i.+p then return us?

YOUNG MARIUS. Lucretius, we that know what Sylla is-- How dissolute, how trothless and corrupt, In brief conclude to die, before we yield: But so to die--Lucretius, mark me well-- As loth to see the fury of our swords Should murther friends and Roman citizens.

Fie, countrymen! what fury doth infect Your warlike bosoms, that were wont to fight With foreign foes, not with Campanian friends.

Now unadvised youth must counsel eld; For governance is banish'd out of Rome.

Woe to that bough, from whence these blooms are sprung!