[She kneels beside the fainting girl.
Oh, tearful sight! Ah me, most sorrowful!
Thou art Cornelia, whom I oft have seen,
Of whom I've heard from thy dear lover's lips.
I knew him well; he waits for thee beyond
The sea, in the broad Islands of the Blest,
Where heroes find a haven and a rest.
[She smooths the other's brow in silence for a space, and then proceeds.
Look up, poor broken spirit, and discern
A friendly face and weep upon my heart.
She will not rouse herself! Good people, pray,
Press not upon her. Bring a car, O slave,
The lady is unable to return
On foot. The carriage waits without the place?
'Tis well. And now to bring her to herself!
Cornelia, waken! But look not so cold.
Thou gentle heart! relieve the strain of grief
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?
Weep not; assist me with thy stricken sister.
[As the three, the slaves in close attendance, are about to make their way through the multitude, there comes a sudden disturbance, and Marcus Claudius springs forward.
Marc. Ho! stay a bit, my servant; stay with me!
[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! I will kill thee, maim thee like a dog,
Unless thou takest thy hand from off the maid!
Marc. (panting). Reserve thy threats and play thou warily,
Justice upholds me!
The multitude. Justice!
Marc. (coolly). Shout less loud,
Look not aghast, my masters. I will take
This girl by law—she is my rightful slave.
Hor. 'Tis false!
Marc. Soft, friend, be calm, hold off, I pray!
Hark! she was born a slave within my house,
And thence was stolen and declared to be
The offspring of the man Virginius,
Whose wife had borne an infant at the time,
Which on the moment of its birth had died.
Virginius himself was then away,
And on returning deemed it was his babe,
And deems so to this day. I waited long,
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.
Hor. Which it is like to, dog!
[He strikes him boldly with, clenched fist. The client staggers, losing his hold on Virginia, who takes refuge with the three citizens.
Hortensius. Where is thine evidence?
Galba (ironically). Ay, e'en thy word
Weighs naught with us free citizens of Rome.
Marc. (hissing between his teeth). My word shall weigh with you, ye coward curs!
For lo! My word is—Appius! Ah—so!