Mercy Otis Warren

Name: The Sack of Rome — Act III
Author: Mercy Otis Warren

Summary

“The Sack of Rome — Act III”, is a work by Mercy Otis Warren. It explores elements such as Eudocia, Ardelia and Valentinian.

Quotes from The Sack of Rome — Act III (Mercy Otis Warren)

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ He feels no pang but for Eudocia's sake; Yet jealousy has wak'd a war within; Resentment, love, and rage, by turns distract, And make his soul a chaos of despair. Maximus
Will he o'ercome this painful struggle In a noble breast?---Can he renounce her charms? When filial tears are leagu'd with just revenge, When duty, fame, and glory combat love, Will the fond lover act the hero's part, And snatch the princess from a rival's arms, Mid'st blood and slaughter, and the fresh grown yews His sword may strew around her father's tomb? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ These tears indulge, to bathe his sacred urn, And while they trickle o'er thy blooming cheek, Water the willows round thy father's tomb, Till the brave veteran Ætius shall chace The bold Petronius from the imperial throne. Eudocia
Ah! Ætius!---Oh! happy Rome, if Ætius had liv'd. Edoxia
Had Ætius liv'd!---Just gods! what means Eudocia? Has the monster slain the noble Ætius, And rais'd so high the mounds of death around, That justice cannot reach a traitor's heart? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ The Roman people, sicken'd by his sloth, Detest a weak, a lecherous, dastard prince Who yet cuts down the bravest men Rome boasts, And mocks the most heroick of her sons Abused virgins rave in wild despair; Affronted matrons weep, and beauty sighs, While groans reecho from the tomb of grief, And cry for vengeance on the emperor's head ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ Nor e'en Megara's tongue, though it were dip'd In all the poisons of her curling snakes, Till the gall ganger'd every name but hers, Durst whisper aught to wound Ardelia's fame: But yet her wrongs may urge thy dauntless arm, And give full vigour to a bold design, To smite a scepter'd brow---yes---that is all--- The man himself's a poltroon--- Yet he's an emperor. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ The bird of death that nightly pecks the roof, Or shrieks beside the caverns of the dead; Or paler spectres that infest the tombs Of guilt and darkness, horror or despair, Are far more welcome to a wretch like me Than yon bright rays that deck the opening morn; That softly gliding o'er the dewy field Give life to nature---cheer the daisied lawn, Where my Ardelia trod the dappled mead, And breath'd fresh sweetness through the blooming dale. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ Each face is pale, and every eye's askance, As wrapt in dark mysterious intrigue: That Maximus must meditate revenge There's not a doubt; and when he strikes 'Twill be a deadly blow---his arm disdains A mean or vulgar stroke---and his bold spirit Shakes at no resolve---yet 'tis too soon To execute the deed---his dreaded rage, Oh! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ No eagle darting down the slaughter'd field Of human carnage strew'd with mangled limbs, More swiftly bends its talons to the prey, Than shall my sword deal thunderbolts around, Whene'er Petronius wishes for its aid. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act III

“ Will Valentinian venture to the sports? Traulista
The emperor comes with more than usual pomp, A chosen cohort added to the guards. Maximus
Though guilt makes cowards, justice finds them out: Not all the legions of the western world Shall screen him from my sword, my just revenge. (Exeunt)
Scene IV (Eudocia and Placidia)
Eudocia
Alas ! my fears---my throbbing heart lie still, Nor startle thus, e'en at a quiv'ring leaf: The downy pillow gives me no repose, And slumbers fly from the soft silken couch; Ill boding terrors shake the gilded roof ”

Mercy Otis Warren

Summary

Quotes from The Sack of Rome — Act III (Mercy Otis Warren)

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