Flac. Is this to be endur'd? Could Caius brook it? I have no blood of his within my veins, And yet they boil! Marc. Had he but spoke the word, He should have been aveng'd. "He rail'd at us.-Come, Let us follow him! Tit. Hold, for the common cause! Marc. The common cause were serv'd by any hurt that We could do Opimius. He's a tyrant! Flac. The worst of tyrants! Marc. Come, let's follow him, and rid our country of a Tyrant ! Tit. Stay!-How are we prepar'd for such a thing? Remember, too, it is the time of sacrifice. Flac. Caius was tame to bear it." See, he returns, And chafing like a flood from its embankment New burst. Re-enter CAIUS GRACCHUS, R. C. Grac. Endure a life on sufferance [Crosses to L.-The Citizens get round to R. Like this! Why, you must think me water, friends, Or something farther still remov'd from blood"If there's such poverty in nature-that I seem to have no proper heat in me," To keep cool veins under the force of that A tyrant. C. Grac. [Rushes before them.] No! Tit. Here comes his Lictor with The entrails. Enter Lictor, with the entrails, L. U. E. Lictor. Way there, evil citizens ! Tit. Down with him! "Tis an evil word for him. [They follow him off, L. U. E. C. Grac. Hold! Hold! Come back-my friends my countrymen ! You know not [A loud groan, L. U. E. Tit. [Returns with a bloody dagger.] You are re venged! He's dead! C. Grac. Blood shed!-Blood is not washed away, except You should not do? With blood! [The people return slowly and sullenly. I throw't away on? Had I not here the tyrant Sour stomach, was a thing to pitch against And you must smite his slave! Now, look you, for Flac. Remember, 'twas For you they did it. C. Grac. Me? O! I retain The memory of all they have done for me! "Flac. Observe their looks.-They are depress'd and spiritless From your rebuke. It is not well to bring Their zeal to such an ebb. C. Grac. It is indeed The tide for ebbing." Listen! [Thunder.] Do you hear? Tit. The heavens lower "C. Grac. On us! There is something awful in their speech, More than the sound. [Thunder.] That's anger! Enter VETTIUS, hastily, L. U. E. Vet. Disperse! Disperse! [FULVIUS and half the Citizens cross behind to R.] The Consul heavily Has ta'en his Lictor's death. The Senate Is convoked. [Thunders louder. Several of the people withdraw R. and L. slowly. C. Grac. Now it speaks out. ""Tis not for naught They keep that stirring in the heavens. Some foot, On haste with wrath, hath from Jove's presence now Gone forth, the bearer of an errand, whose Dread import hath set all Olympus shaking!" Flac. You are infusing fear into the crowd. C. Grac. Nothing is best Flac. Here comes your brother. Enter LICINIUS, hastily, L. U. E. Licin. A decree has pass'd the Senate, that the Consul Look to the public safety. Caius, you And Fulvius Flaccus are the men they aim at You must protect yourselves! [Thunders still louder. Flac. Observe, the citizens fall off from us. [TITUS and VETTIUS cross behind to R. C. Grac. Why, let them go! As long as our veins are full, Why should their's flow? Let them fall off to one- Let them, I say! It shall be writ in blood, So shall their groans unpitied rend their breasts— No sweeter music! Here, even at the foot The tyrant's wrath alone! [Goes and kneels at his father's statue, hiding his face with his hands. Flac. What! hold your neck To the axe! Enter POMPONIUS, hastily, L. U. E. Pom. Caius, the Consul's Lictors, I'm advis'd, Are on the watch for you. Flac. Meet force with force! [The Citizens return in larger numbers, R. and L. The people throng to you again. 'Twas but The storm dispersed them. Licin. Gracchus, Caius Gracchus, If you're a man, act like one. Keep not terms Already to the slaughter. Caius, 'tis Your country calls on you! Pom. With tears. Flac. With wrongs. Licin. Tiberius calls on you. C. Grac. Give me your hands. "Tis done, my friends-'tis past!-I will. [Very low thunder.] You hear? Great Jove! Our fates command us! Betimes to-morrow on Mount Aventine. ،، We've scanty time for preparation." Night C. Grac. I will meet thee, Flaccus. "Flac. It cannot. They strike already, that do draw on us.' C. Grac. Against myself, I pledge myself.-O, Rome, The sons do love thee most, must make thee bleed! [Exeunt, severally. "SCENE IV.-An Apartment in Caius's House.— A Couch. Enter CORNELIA, and LICINIA with a scroll; followed by Lucius, carrying lights, one of which he sets down. Cor. Will you not go to bed? Cor. He must sup out. Licinia. Well, I'll sit up for him. Cor. What, with those eyes that look so ill prepar'd To play the watcher? Licinia. I will read, Cornelia, And keep myself awake.-I can't lie down! Go you to bed, my mother. Cor. I'll not give you Excuse for so uncall'd-for labour, by Partaking it.-Good night. Licinia. Good night. [Exit CORNELIA and LUCIUS. I wish He would come home!-Why should he sup abroad 10 To night? Most like it is my brother's fault. To Carbo's house-or Flaccus's-or to some Is strange companion to an anxious heart! [She sits down and reads-grows gradually drow- Enter CAIUS, without seeing her. C. Grac. What meant the boy by starting when he Me in ?-What's in my face, to make him hold The worth of precious things.-The common couch A day I've thrown myself upon, without Thought it supported me-when now I pass'd it, What?-Licinia!→ Asleep too. She is sitting up for me! Of grievances, dost doubly stake thy life Thou wilt achieve beneath the peaceful brows Of the household eaves, that never thought to see it, Of frowning battlements-and lead along The streets, where children, wives, and matrons tread, Mar's revels, fitter to be acted on Some far removed, unfrequented waste ;--- |