"Por. Name not the word, my frighted thoughts run back, "And startle into madness at the sound. Luc. "What wouldst thou have me do? Consider well "The train of ills our love would draw behind it." Think, Portius, think thou seest thy dying brother Stabb'd at his heart, and all besmear'd with blood, Storming at Heav'n and thee! Thy awful sire Sternly demands the cause, th' accursed cause That robs him of his son: poor Marcia trembles, Then tears her hair, and frantic in her griefs, Calls out on Lucia. What could Lucia answer, Or how stand up in such a scene of sorrow? Por. To my confusion, and eternal grief, I must approve the sentence that destroys me. "The mist that hung upon my mind, clears up; "And now, athwart the terrors that thy vow "Has planted round thee, thou appear'st most fair, "More amiable, and risest in thy charms. "Loveliest of women! Heav'n is in thy soul; "Beauty and virtue shine for ever round thee, "Bright'ning each other: thou art all divine." Luc. Portius, no more; thy words shoot thro' my heart, Melt my resolves, and turn me all to love. Why are those tears of fondness in thy eyes? Why heaves thy heart? Why swells thy soul with sorrow? It softens me too much-farewell, my Portius; Por. Stay, Lucia, stay? What dost thou say? Forever? Luc. If the firm Portius shake To hear of parting, think what Lucia suffers! Luc. What dost thou say? Not part! Hast thou forgot the vow that I have made? Enter MARCUS. Marc. Portius, what hopes? How stands she? Am I doom'd To life or death? Por. What wouldst thou have me say? Mare. What means this pensive posture? Thou ap pear'st Like one amaz'd and terrify'd. Por. I've reason. Marc. Thy down-cast looks, and thy disorder'd thoughts, Tell me my fate. I ask'd not the success My cause has found. Por. I'm griev'd I undertook it. Marc. What? does the barbarous maid insult my heart, My aching heart, and triumph in my pains? That I could cast her from my thoughts for ever! Marc. Compassionates my pains, and pities me! Por. Marcus, no more; have I deserv'd this treat- Marc. What have I said! Oh, Portius, oh forgive mel A soul exasperated in ills fall out With ev'ry thing, its friend, itself—but, hah! What means that shout, big with the sounds of war? What new alarm? Por. A second, louder yet, Swells in the wind, and comes more full upon us. Marc. Oh, for some glorious cause to fall in battle! Lucia, thou hast undone me; thy disdain Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give me ease. Por. Quick, let us hence. Who knows if Cato's life Stands sure? Oh, Marcus, I am warm'd, my heart Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns for glory. [Exeunt. Enter SEMPRONIUS, with the Leaders of the mutiny. Sem. At length the winds are rais'd, the storm blows high, Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up Mean-while I'll herd amongst his friends, and seem My friends, and fellow-soldiers may be safe. [Exit. 1 Lead. We are all safe, Sempronius is our friend. Sempronious is as brave a man as Cato. But hark! he enters. Bear up boldly to him: Re-enter SEMPRONIUS, with Cato, Lucius, PORTIUS, and MARCUS. Cato. Where are those bold intrepid sons of war, That greatly turn their backs upon their foe, And to their general send a brave defiance? Sem. Curse on their dastard souls, they stand asto nish'd. [Aside. Cato. Perfidious men! And will you thus dishonour Your past exploits, and sully all your wars? Do you Sem. By heav'ns they droop! Confusion to the villains; all is lost. [Aside. Cato. Have you forgotten Lybia's burning waste, |