Marion Forster Gilmore

“ Cornelia, waken! But look not so cold.
Thou gentle heart! relieve the strain of grief [38]
With tears of passion. Then come home, come home.
Cor. (rousing herself) . Tell me, who art thou, O thou noble maid?
Virg. I am Virginia, whom thou knowest not.
Cor. Canst thou not take me from this staring crowd?
Their eyes are knives; the very air is poison.
Oh, God! He is not dead?
Virg. (assisting her to her feet) . Come home, sweet sister.
Tib. (sobbing) . Cornelia, my Cornelia! Speak to me!
Virg. Art thou Tiberius, thou tender child? ”

“ He bows his head upon Virginia's shoulder.
Appius. He faints with sudden revelation from
The gods of what is manifestly true.
Virginius, thou art deluded, or
A man, of old, deceptive.
Virginia. 'Tis a lie!
He is Virginius, no more, no less!
And 'tis enough, as Rome can witness to.
Thou art not worthy to crawl on the ground
And kiss the hand which hath these many years
Battled for Rome! Thou canst but harm our flesh. ”

“ Dear gods! The feet of Night are leaden shod,
And yet the precious moments speed too fast.
Oh, Death! had I the courage that thou dost
Demand, I'd summon thee. Methinks I hear
E'en now the distant rustle of thy wings.
And yet—thou tarriest—thou tarriest.
Cor. Would Death might choose me out as willing prey!
Virginia. Dear one, thy voice is weary like the world,
Which is so old and heavy with its years;
And yet thine eyes are bright, undimmed by tears.
Cor. Bright with the pain that kills by slow degrees. ”

“ Virginia, all unhearing, turns once more toward the columns where the moon again shines through.
Virginia (singing) .
"In the deep dream-light thy bark thou art guiding,
Shifting thy garments, the clouds, as a sail.
Rocked o'er celestial waves thou art riding,
Hiding thy features behind a light veil.
Dian, the spell of thy muteness cast o'er me.
Calm the wild tumult which wars in my brain,
E'er through my life may thine image, before me.
Shining and constant as ever remain." ”

“ Myself, who am a lady of the best
And noblest line in Rome. I offer thee
My services, if thou wilt free the maid
Who did befriend me in mine hour of need.
Virginia. Cornelia! To me! Nay, it shall not be!
Thou friend of friends, such sacrifice is vain.
One kiss alone I ask of thee—one kiss—
Then silence! See, Tiberius weeps for thee.
[Tiberius springs with a cry into Cornelia's arms. The two draw off together. The four citizens come forward.
Galba. O, Appius, we offer thee our lives [57]
To do with as thou wilt—but loose the maid!
Appius.Petitioners, ye gods, from every side? ”

“ He seizes rude hold on Virginia, who shrieks aloud in terror. At once the four citizens make their way to her side.
Now by the gods! I only take mine own.
Virg. Aid me, in Heaven's name, ye citizens!
Deliver me from shame! Icilius!
Icilius, my love, where art thou now?
Marc. (in undertone) . Thy struggles, maid, succeed in binding thee
But closer in mine arms. Hast thou a lover?
He hears thee not, and thou art my possession.
Now, still thyself. Gods! Proserpine, thou art
As strong as is Cybele's lioness!
Marius. Foul slave! Loose thou the maid! Oh, insolence!
Hor. Beast! ”

“ The gods have made me so. Now, turn about
Thy head. How white thy hair of late hath grown!
Camilla. Alack! mine age is on me!
Virg. (passionately caressing her) . Nay, not so!
Or if 'tis so, I love each silver thread.
Kiss me, Camilla—but I must proceed
With this thy toilet. Now is it complete.
Oh, Jupiter! it is a work of art!
Sweet nurse, thou wilt amaze my father when
He catches sight of thee. [Seizes a mirror.
Come, view thyself.
'Tis not ill-done, for I have marked the style.
Shake not thy head at me, I prithee now. [18]
I only sport with thee. Look not so grave.
Camilla. ”

“ The life of Appius will soon be spanned,
And a great wave of revolution shake
Rome's center; soon I drop a mighty pebble
On her dark surface, and the rings therefrom
Into a rush of water thence shall widen.
Cor. (partly rising from her chair, her eyes alight) .
The Fates be thanked that now the foul stagnation
Of Rome, enslaved, is stirring into life;
And thine the hand! Thou'rt worthy of the cause,
Thou patriot and model of a man!
Sic. Oh! but I love my city and my race!
Thank God that my stern duty lieth on
The selfsame path as love for thee, my sweet. ”

“ A pause. Softly a dim gray light steals through the columns; the moon is sinking slowly. Cornelia turns in sudden terror.
Farewell, immortal friend, go to thy rest;
Thy kindly watch is o'er.
Cor. Virginia, see!
Now dawns the cruel day when thou—when thou—
Ye gods have mercy on us twain this day! ”

“ And now have found in this Virginia
My property. A woman hath confessed;
The one who stole her thence and fled away,
Returning but to die within the house
Of Appius, my patron, whom I serve.
Cam. Oh, liar! I first clasped her in mine arms
When she was born! Remove thine impious hand!
In childhood and in girlhood I have watched
Her growth, and guarded her from shame or harm.
Multitude. Ay, ay! She speaks the truth! Loose thou the maid!
She is no slave. We know Virginius.
Marc. Now, I'll have justice, though it cost me e'en
My life, itself. ”

“ I would receive the curses of the gods,
Be hurled to lowest Hades, and endure
The tortures set for Tantalus himself
If I might call her mine. Her kiss would prove
Sufficient food for me, her liquid eyes
Would quench my thirst if I should look within
And see the tears or draw the starry light
Into my soul! O, Appius, ye are stricken!
Oppius. Peace, peace, mine Appius, the maid is gone—
Thy looks are wild, thy features are convulsed [4]
With passion.
1st Cit. See, Hortensius, yon man?
What ails him? Like a madman is his gaze,
And horrid is his flaming countenance. ”

“ While they speak, the already clouded sky darkens so rapidly that all start and look out across the populated hills. A distant peal of thunder is heard, followed by a second, greater in volume. All press together, then a cry arises: "Way, make way! The sibyl of the vale would speak! She is inspired!" The dense crowd parts and all swing backward in confusion. A flash of lightning breaks the heavy gloom, followed by a muttering of thunder. A few large raindrops fall. The sibyl enters through the multitude, a weird, mad form, with tossing hair and wild, disheveled garments. ”

“ A hissing protest from the multitude and a cry from Virginia follows this announcement. Icilius faces the Chief Decemvir with blazing eyes, and draws Virginia closer.
Icilius. Over my body only shall yon hound
Of Hell seize on her. I am yet a man
With strength to shield or life to sacrifice
For that which is mine own. Sleep 'neath his roof? ”

“ Mayhap e'en now he lieth in the camp,
Struck down by men who envy him his fame!
Oh! horrid thought! most dread, most cruel thought!
Camilla (arousing herself with effort) . Nay, weep not, my Virginia; I regret
Those vague emotions which are doubtless false [20]
Deceiving dreams, sent me by Mercury,
Who oft delights in filling mortal minds
With gray forebodings, as thou art aware.
Quick! Kiss me, child, and dry those silly tears.
Lo! now methinks I hear thy father's step.
Virg. (joyously) . Father! mine own dear father!
(Voice of Virginius without.) Little one! ”

“ Scene I—the House of Appius.
The curtain, rising, discovers a bondmaid in the center of a spacious court, filling her pitcher at the fountain. It is midday, and the light streams down from above, flooding the entire space with radiance. The woman sings in an undertone, as she turns to water the roses twined around the columns in the background. Enter Marcus Claudius. He approaches the maiden, leisurely.
Marc. Ah! pretty one! Fortune has favored me! ”

“ That scarce is conscious hope, but mocked and crushed
By the stern laws of Rome and tyranny
Of the false Ten, since ever it was born.
Thy bright brown eyes are luminous with soul; [29]
Wise, gentle brother, dost thou weep for me?
Tib. (sobbing passionately) . A curse upon those false and dreadful Ten!
Cornelia, would that I might succor thee!
Cor. Most dear, my brother, weep no more for me;
The gods, who love true lovers, do despise
Tyrants and murderers, and sure will aid
Our cause if we be patient to the end. ”

“ It rises again to show the collected army, with Virginius and Icilius at the head. Appius is about to leave the seat, his cloak around his head. Several lictors have fallen to the ground. Camilla still kneels beside the body, gazing vacantly before her. Virginia's dark hair falls like a shroud around her. ”

“ Busy passing to and fro of citizens. Enter Cornelia and Tiberius, attended by two slaves. The former appears embarrassed, fluttered, and distressed, the latter troubled and concerned.
Cor. Gods! How the people stare upon me, brother!
Alas! They reek not of a woman's heart,
But judge me bold and courting their attention,
I who am hungry for one gaze alone,
Yet can not find. ”

“ Without thee it now would seem
Love were nothing but a dream.
[Cornelia suddenly appears from out the gloom behind and puts her arms about Virginia's neck.
Cor. Love but a dream? Ah, no! The gods forfend! [46]
Virginia. ”

“ Sic. Straight to the Forum—then unto the camp.
The movements of our foemen, the Sabines,
Are grave. Methinks I'll soon be called upon
To enter into active services.
Farewell, Cornelia! kiss me once again!
Sweet mistress, noble lady! fare thee well! [Exit swiftly.
Cor. Gone! Gone! So swiftly, like an eager shaft
From Roman bow. Vanished, my gallant love!
Where shall I see him when he doth return
To me? May Mars attend and favor him,
And Victory with laurel wreath adorn
His earnest brows. Sicinius, farewell!
[33]
ACT III.
Scene I—A Cloudy Morning in the Forum. ”

“ Appius. Lictors, take into custody yon man.
Lest he do mischief.
Icilius. By the almighty gods!
Unhand me! I will kill thee, as a man
Would kill a beast. Ah! foulest trick to seize
Upon me from the rear. Oh, God! Oh, God!
[He sinks helpless upon the stones at Virginia's feet, two lictors binding him firmly with cords. The storm now breaks, shrieking in maddest fury, the lightning playing over the hills of Rome.
Scene II—A Chamber in the Home of Virginius. [45]
Midnight and darkness, save where the moonlight shimmers through the columns on the left. ”

“ E'en the gods [51]
Would shriek with horror if yon slave of Dis,
Young Marcus Claudius, should seize on her.
Why doth she not appear?
Hort. She and her father,
Who hath returned, hot-foot, from camp to her,
Tarry about the town, and every man
They meet they do address with exhortations
And prayers for justice and for witnesses,
That this gross tale which men do know is false
Shall be so proven. Yet all Rome is prone
Beneath the foot of Appius and his nine
Vile colleagues. Fear is most tyrannical,
Justice is dying, Mercy now is dead.
Marius. ”

“ Break with me, and thou'lt break thy fortunes, ope
Thy chest of troubles, like the silly maid
Who brought untold misfortunes on herself
And on the world. Assist me and thou'lt gain
My favor, keep my needful, strong protection. ”

“ With lifeblood, and my heart a man's. Why she
Is pure and frail as is the mountain snow.
Happy the man who stands her champion.
Happy Icilius, our young tribune!
[Enter Virginius in mean, plebeian garments and Virginia simply clothed in white, her dark hair loose. A murmur of sympathy and admiration greet their appearance, quickly suppressed. Enter from the other side Icilius, vainly struggling in the hands of armored soldiers. His hair is wild and greatly disheveled, his features white and drawn with agony.
Icilius. Virginia! Ah, my God! Virginia! [52]
Virginia. ”

“ They turn, and follow with their eyes the gaze of the Roman mob.
Voices of lictors (without) . Make way, ye Romans, way for the noble Ten!
3rd Cit. Pah! they announce them like to royal kings!
1st Cit. Tyrants are ceremonious to the letter.
Multitude. All hail to the lawgivers! Life and peace
Unto the Ten!
2nd Cit. Jove's lightning strike them down,
The turncoats! Ah, the cowards and the curs!
Perfidious gang of fawners! Do they thus
Forget their wrongs in the wrongdoer's presence,
Or veil them with that slime, false loyalty? ”

“ Betwixt Rome's great plebeian and this lady.
Tib. Ay, sir, she loved him e'en as he loved her;
But naught was said because they feared the Ten.
Nay, I was wrong! Sicinius and fear
Are alien the one unto the other!
But rather did he bide his time until
These men should be o'erthrown and Rome be freed
From their most hateful laws and government.
One of the multitude. Hark to the boy! He is a demagogue. ”

“ Ere Marcus Claudius lay hands on her.
Marius. Ay, he is right; the maiden yet is free.
The charge hath not been proven, Appius!
Appius. So be it. We will acquiesce thus far,
But lictors must be stationed as a guard
About the house wherein she spends the night,
Lest she escape and law be unfulfilled.
Cor. (coming forward) . I will go thither and attend this night [44]
Upon her. Thou, Tiberius, return
Home with the slaves. To-morrow meet me here.
Slave. Lady, thy lips are white and thou art ill.
See, thou dost tremble.
Cor. Woman, what of that? ”

“ A multitude has gathered. Appius is in the judgment seat, with Marcus Claudius stationed beside him. Many women are weeping and the men appear silent and angry. Appius is surrounded by a guard of lictors. Cornelia and Tiberius are seated on the left in a car drawn by slaves. Near the center are gathered Galba, Hortensius, Horatius, and Marius. ”