Mercy Otis Warren

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

The Sack of Rome — Act IV

Summary

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

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

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Thy deep dejection---thy too curious eye--- A brow o'ercast with something like a frown, Ne'er seen before, where sweetness sits enthron'd, And soft complacence has been us'd to smile, Amidst the grief that wrung the aching heart. Eudocia
Does thine own conscience smile, and whisper peace; And art thou sure that all's secure within? I much suspect, thy friend, Traulista, Is a secret foe---and that his hostile hand, Oft steep'd in blood---fierce as the vulture's fang, Was not inactive on that fatal day, When the remorseless sword mow'd down as grass The faithful friends to Valentinian's house. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ There's nought, true courage prompts the brave to do, Or virtue justifies, or honour calls, But what I dare attempt. But if it mars the peace of Rome--- Edoxia
The peace of Rome is an ideal thing; Lost in the tide of every shameful vice, Rapine and blood; and violence and lust But mock the story of her ancient fame. Canst thou a moment balance in the scale The tranquil scenes of harmony and peace, With all the lustre that adorns a crown? Eudocia gives an empire with her hand. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Edoxia
Ye gods!---where am I?--- Shall I be aw'd by Maximus's frown To stain the glory of the Horatian name? Alas!---ye patriots of ancient fame--- Where are the youth, whose glorious fathers di'd To save the commonwealth? Arise! ye ancient, venerable shades, Who bravely fought for liberty and Rome: Assist my powers---my single arm shall dare Some dreadful deed of horrid desperation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Eudocia
If thou art guilty, own thy crime at once; A poor defence will make thee doubly so. If the least guilt contaminates thy soul, My own would share by hearing thy excuse; I see thee not till time restore thy fame ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ I swear by all the deities of Rome, By him who thunders in the vaulted skies, And downward points the artillery of Heaven, 'Till worlds dissolve beneath his dreaded frown, The most distinguish'd vengeance shall befall The Roman world, for Maximus's sake. (Exit)
Scene IV (Gaudentius and Eudocia)
Gaudentius
Though nature frowns, and monsters howl around And threat the bands of each domestick joy, Yet innocence and truth should cease to weep; 'Tis guilt alone should tremble in the storm. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Heaven blast a wretch, whose fierce barbarick heart Would violate in thought so chaste a fame--- A purity allied to heaven itself. Alas! the charms that have subdu'd my heart Have something more than human in their birth. Traulista
Then why profanely sigh for charms divine? Think thee of Bleda's hospitable dames, Won without wooing---thine without a sigh; But if ye choose to wanton in the west, And hang upon the dimpled smile of love, A day, perhaps, or less, brings on the scenes That level all the bars round birth and beauty, Or innocence and elevated worth. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Scene II (Edoxia, solus)
Where shall I fly?---to what sequester'd shade Where the world's distant din no more alarms, Or warring passions burst through nature's tie And make mankind creation's foulest stain. Horror and guilt stare wild in every eye; Freedom extinguish'd in the fumes of lust Bleeds fresh beside Rome's long expiring fame; Virtue's become the rude barbarian's jest, Barter'd for gold, and floating down the tide Of foreign vice, stain'd with domestick guilt: Oh! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ Nor does the goddess ponder unresolv'd: She wafts at once, and on her lofty car, Lifts up her puppet---mounts him to the skies, Or from the pinnacle, hurls headlong down, The steep abyss of disappointed hope. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mercy Otis Warren, The Sack of Rome — Act IV

“ My sword---my services---my life are thine--- Ambition burns, and love and glory join--- Yet name no task that more distracts my country. Edoxia
Then thou canst see the empress bath'd in tears, Drag'd by Petronius to the sacred altar--- Compell'd to be his bride---the fair Eudocia, But a moment lent, to dry the filial tear, Ere she's compell'd to wed his worthless heir? ”

Mercy Otis Warren

Summary

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

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