[The mob shrinks backward at the name, and Marcus laughs in scorn.
(Vindictively.) I see it hath a little weight with you?
"Free citizens of Rome!" Ye make me laugh.
Oh! ay, I know ye'd mob me joyously,
Stone me, or cast me from Tarpeian Rock,
Save that—save that—ye dare not! Appius
Would leave not one small particle of this,
His client, unavenged. Back, all of you!
The maid is mine! Ye can not say me nay.
One of the multitude. But if we threaten thee, or bear her off,
And save her from thy most illegal movements,
What then?
Marc. What then? To Appius Claudius
For justice I would go!
[Murmurs of fear are heard on every side.
(With mocking smile). Lo! now he comes
Within the Forum.
[Even as he speaks the Chief of the Decemvirs enters. He is seated in a chair which is borne by four slaves.
Appius (frowning sombrely). What bodes this tumult? Who, yon lovely girl?
Multitude. Justice! We would see justice, Appius!
Appius. Silence! and let me hear one voice alone.
Marcus, my client, speak, for I would have
An explanation of this strange disturbance.
Marc. Most noble Appius, I owned this girl,
Born in my house full sixteen years ago,
Of my slave-woman.
Cam. (boldly). Liar! All men know
Her mother was free-born and wedded to
Virginius, centurion and pleb.
Appius. Gag yonder hag, or drag her hence—I'll have
No withered woman's voice of spite exclaiming.
Cam. Thy lictor shall not lay his hands upon me!
My place is here. My voice shall speak for her,
Nor fear thee, king of tyrants and despoilers!
Long have I inwardly foreseen this day,
And prayed the gods to change the hand of Fate.
It seems my prayers are valueless. But still,
Still there does yet remain to me—my curse!
And all shall feel its potency who dare
To lay a finger on Virginia.
[She faces Marcus Claudius with her arm extended and her manner menacing.
Thou, fool of fools, who ventured to pollute
The purest virgin breathing in this land,
Because thou placed thy hand upon her flesh,
Which is as perfect as her perfect soul,
I curse thee—ay, and with a heavy curse,
For that which thou hast done! Thy misery
Shall soon exceed even thy trespasses,
Which in themselves are countless as the stars.
Be cursed, and live accursed and die accursed!
And be my witnesses, O, all ye gods!
[She turns toward Appius—her attitude becomes calm, and majestic.
And as for thee—I fear thee not. My curse
Shall rest on thee according to thine actions.
This much I have to say—thy tyranny
And rule of blood is waning to its close.
Beware, nor haste thy doom before its time.
Marc. (trembling). Seize on her, some of you, for she is mad.
One of the multitude. Nay, she is gifted with strange prophecy.
She voices Jove.