Part 14 (1/2)

_At._ Grief, that dissolves in tears, relieves the heart.

When congregated vapours melt in rain, The sky is calm'd, and all's serene again. [_Exit._

_Barce._ Why, what a strange, fantastic land is this!

This love of glory's the disease of Rome; It makes her mad, it is a wild delirium, An universal and contagious frenzy; It preys on all, it spares nor s.e.x nor age: The Consul envies Regulus his chains-- He, not less mad, contemns his life and freedom-- The daughter glories in the father's ruin-- And Publius, more distracted than the rest, Resigns the object that his soul adores, For this vain phantom, for this empty glory.

This may be virtue; but I thank the G.o.ds, The soul of Barce's not a Roman soul. [_Exit._

_Scene within sight of the Tiber--s.h.i.+ps ready for the embarkation of Regulus and the Amba.s.sador--Tribune and People stopping up the pa.s.sage--Consul and Lictors endeavouring to clear it._

MANLIUS _and_ LICINIUS _advance_.

_Lic._ Rome will not suffer Regulus to go.

_Man._ I thought the Consul and the Senators Had been a part of Rome.

_Lic._ I grant they are-- But still the people are the greater part.

_Man._ The greater, not the wiser.

_Lic._ The less cruel.---- Full of esteem and grat.i.tude to Regulus, We would preserve his life.

_Man._ And we his honour.

_Lic._ His honour!----

_Man._ Yes. Time presses. Words are vain.

Make way there--clear the pa.s.sage.

_Lic._ On your lives, Stir not a man.

_Man._ I do command you, go.

_Lic._ And I forbid it.

_Man._ Clear the way, my friends.

How dares Licinius thus oppose the Consul?

_Lic._ How dar'st thou, Manlius, thus oppose the Tribune?

_Man._ I'll show thee what I dare, imprudent boy!-- Lictors, force through the pa.s.sage.

_Lic._ Romans, guard it.

_Man._ G.o.ds! is my power resisted then with arms?

Thou dost affront the Majesty of Rome.

_Lic._ The Majesty of Rome is in the people; Thou dost insult it by opposing them.

_People._ Let n.o.ble Regulus remain in Rome.

_Man._ My friends, let me explain this treacherous scheme.

_People._ We will not hear thee----Regulus shall stay.

_Man._ What! none obey me?

_People._ Regulus shall stay.