[A tumult now arises in the background. Icilius springs forward with a cry.
Icilius. Virginia! Turn to me!
[He faces Marcus Claudius, and with one blow strikes him down, then clasps Virginia in his arms.
Virginia (sobbing wildly). And hast thou come at last?
Icilius (tenderly to her). Courage, dear heart!
[To Appius.
Now, as a free-born Roman, I demand
An explanation and a satisfaction!
[To Marcus, who essays to speak.
Silence, thou hound, ere I forget myself
And murder thee! Thine answer, Appius?
Appius. Lictor, part thou the twain.
Icilius. Thou canst not, lictor!
In common manhood and as her betrothed,
Thus do I hold to her against the world.
Appius. Then, lictor, strike!
Virginia. Now, intervene, ye gods!
Icilius, my love! Oh! men of Rome,
Have ye indeed forgot Lucretia?
[Swaying of the multitude. Appius Claudius rises in his car.
Appius. Be prudent, ye who do desire to see
Full justice. We must hark to every plea,
And will to-morrow judge the case. Till then,
Thou, Marcus, guard the maiden, since the man
Virginius is absent from the town.