Part 3 (1/2)
_Man._ Peace, Publius, peace, for see thy father comes.
_Enter_ HAMILCAR _and_ REGULUS.
_Ham._ Why dost thou stop? dost thou forget this temple?
I thought these walls had been well known to Regulus?
_Reg._ Hamilcar! I was thinking what I was When last I saw them, and what now I am.
_Ham._ (_to the Consul._) Carthage by me to Rome this greeting sends, That wearied out at length with b.l.o.o.d.y war, If Rome inclines to peace she offers it.
_Man._ We will at leisure answer thee. Be seated.
Come, Regulus, resume thine ancient place.
_Reg._ (_pointing to the Senators._) Who then are these?
_Man._ The Senators of Rome.
_Reg._ And who art thou?
_Man._ What meanst thou? I'm her Consul; Hast thou so soon forgotten Manlius?
_Reg._ And shall a _slave_ then have a place in Rome Among her Consuls and her Senators?
_Man._ Yes!--For her _heroes_ Rome forgets her _laws_; Softens their harsh austerity for thee, To whom she owes her conquests and her triumphs.
_Reg._ Rome may forget, but Regulus remembers.
_Man._ Was ever man so obstinately good? [_Aside._
_Pub._ (_rising._) Fathers! your pardon. I can sit no longer.
[_To the Senators._
_Reg._ Publius, what dost thou mean?
_Pub._ To do my duty: Where Regulus must stand, shall Publius sit?
_Reg._ Alas! O Rome, how are thy manners chang'd!
When last I left thee, ere I sail'd for Afric, It was a crime to think of private duties When public cares requir'd attention.----Sit, (_To_ PUBLIUS.) And learn to occupy thy place with honour.
_Pub._ Forgive me, sir, if I refuse obedience: My heart o'erflows with duty to my father.
_Reg._ Know, Publius, that duty's at an end; Thy father died when he became a slave.
_Man._ Now urge thy suit, Hamilcar, we attend.
_Ham._ Afric hath chosen Regulus her messenger.
In him, both Carthage and Hamilcar speak.
_Man._ (_to_ REGULUS.) We are prepar'd to hear thee.
_Ham._ (_to_ REGULUS.) Ere thou speak'st, Maturely weigh what thou hast sworn to do, Should Rome refuse to treat with us of peace.
_Reg._ What I have sworn I will fulfil, Hamilcar.