xt7vx05x7193 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7vx05x7193/data/mets.xml Gilmore, Marion Forster. 1910  books b92-212-30910320 English J.P. Morton & Co., : Louisville, Ky. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Virginia  : a tragedy, and other poems / by Marion Forster Gilmore. text Virginia  : a tragedy, and other poems / by Marion Forster Gilmore. 1910 2002 true xt7vx05x7193 section xt7vx05x7193 




V I R G- I q I .A
          R 'Cragerip
     AND OTHER POEMS


  MARION FORSTER GILMORE

     ,d  i,,,  wvfF - T a,   13X, s _, EAr m

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V I R G I N I A

        A Tragedy

            AND

    OTHER POEMS

             BY



MARION FORSTER GILMORE











  JOHN P. MORTON  COMPANY
           I ncorpormted
       LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
            1910

 


































     COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY
MARION FORSTER GILMORE

 












Pebiratian



                TO MY FATHER

Years can not cloud the light of your clear eyes,
Steadfast and bright with high integrity;
Nor rob your spirit of the strength that lies
On those firm lips; nor dim the purity
Of a high soul, which bears the shield of Love
Untarnished, as it was upon the day
When One, with tender faith, desired to prove
Her "Royal Knight," and gave her heart away.
Bear her bright shield, and smile, as years roll by-
Years that have crowned you with the priceless crown
Of steadfast faith and worldwide charity-
Until you reap the joy that you have sown,
In that near land, where, with a light divine,
The eyes you love through all the ages shine.

 


























   [Thanks are due to the proprietors of The Cosmo-
politan Magazine and Leslie's Weekly, for their courtesy
in allowing the republication herein of a number of poems
which have previously appeared in issues of their copy-
righted magazines.]

 









              CONTENTS



VIRGINIA  ------------------------------------- -  I



Stewardship-                                 6i
The Sea Gull -62
Mt. Vernon -63
My Mother -64
The Cradle Song ------    -------------   64
Out of the Dark --                           65
Niobe -66
To the Genius of Death, by Canova            66
To the Winged Victory of Samnothrace -67
Beatrice Triumphant - _---                   68
The Call of the Irish Sea-                   68
The Lion of Lucerne----------                69
Sonnet to Niagara Falls---- ------    ----70
The Lost Heart ----------------70
Is He Not Mine ----- ----------------------- 71
Two Gifts -            _----------_       --- 71
The Moonflower ---------72
Three Kisses -__                             72
A Song of the West ------ .-----------------73
To Esther -                                  74
The Thrush -----------75
The Light of the Star -                      76
The Message of the Pines -                   77
The Lost Sunbeam --                          78
Heritage -----     ----------------------- 79

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VIRGINIA

A Tragedy

 







         CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY



                   Appius CLAUDIUS,
          Chief of the Ten and lawgiver of the Romane.
                   MARCUS CLAUDIUS,
                        His client.
                        OPPIus,
                      One of the Ten.
                      V IRGINIUS,
                A Roman centurion; a plebeian.
                        ICIT.iUS,
         A tribune of the commons and lover to Virginia.
                       SICINIUS,
        A plebeian soldier and an enemy of the Decemvirs.
                       HORATIUS,
                       GALBA,
                       MARIUS,
                       ITORTENSIUS,
                    Four Roman citizens.
                       TIBF.RIUS,
            A boy of noble birth; brother to Cornelia.
                  THE TEN DECEMVIRS.
                       A PORTER.
                           5,.
                        VIRGINIA,
                   Daughter of Virginius.
                       CORNELIA,
          A patrician lady. secretly betrothed to Sicinius.
                        CAMILLA,
                     Nurse to Virginia.
                         JULIA,
                         A maid.
                         A SIBYL.
    A SLAVE GIRL IN THE HOUSE OF ApPius CLAUDIUS.

    SOLDIERS, LICTORS, WOMEN, RABBLE, AND SERFS.

    Setting-Rome. Time-auring Supremacy of the Decenmrirs.
ACT I-Scene I-The Forum. Scene II-A Street in Rome.
ACT II-Scene I-The House of Appius. Scene Il-Women's Apartments
     in the House of Virginius. Scene III-Garden in Houseof Virginius.
     Scene IV-Home of Cornelia.
ACT III-Scene I-The Forum. Scene II-Homeof Virginius. Scene III-
     The Forum.

 








              VIRGINIA
                     A Tragedy



                     ACT I.

               SCENE I-THE FORUM.

A multitude of citizens gathered therein. Disturbance
    show n Gamong them by sullen looks and murmur-
    ings. Four citizens, two in patrician and two in
    plebciani garments, confer together.

    ist Cit. Enough, enough! I see we all agree
Upon this common cause of our grievance;
Our ranks, our unmixed blood, our differences,
Are all forgotten-nay, methinks they shall
In time together mingle when our blood
Shall be poured forth in this most righteous cause.
   2nid Cit. As ever art thou eloquent, 0 Marius,
And just; Brutus himself were not more so.
Patrician and plebeian, equalized
Iy common woe, together whisper menace
To those who work such havoc as, indeed,
Was never known in Rome until to-day.
   3rd Cit. Ye two are nobles; we, the commons are;
Yet all are leveled by the grief we feel
For Rome, our mother city, who so low
Hath fall'n. Hark! the multitude itself
Is wroth as we, yet, e'en as we. it lacks
The courage needful for this fierce occasion.

 





VIRGINIA



   4th Cit. Ay, list indeed! Mlark how the murmur
            swells !
            [They turn, and follow with their eyes the
               gaze of the Roman mob.
   Voices of tictors (without). MNake way, ye Romans,
            way for the noble Ten!
   3rd Cit. Pah! they announce them like to royal kings!
   1st Cit. Tyrants are ceremonious to the letter.
   Multitude. All hail to the lawgivers! Life and peace
Unto the Ten!
   2nd Cit. Jove's lightning strike them down,
The turncoats! Ah, the cowards and the curs!
Perfidious gang of fawners! Do they thus
Forget their wrongs in the wrongdoer's presence,
Or veil them with that slime, false loyalty
            [Enter the Ten Decemvirs, each preceded
               by twelve lictors armed with fasces.
   4th Cit. Lo! the presumption! How each lictor bears
Amongst his rods an axe to indicate
That life and death lie in his master's word.
Once was each tyrant pleased with one attendant
The way to clear-now must they number twelve.
             [The Decemvirs pause a space, the while
               thecr leader, Appius Cla udius, ad-
               dresses the assembled citizens.
   Appius. Ye Roman citizens! Unto our ears
Murmurings hath arrived laden with strife;
And though this day ye have protested loud
Your loyalty, and hailed us with acclaim,
Ye seem but ill-content. This must not be.
We have been lenient to every class-
What ye demand in reason ye receive.
Ye called for written laws, and lo! they hang



2

 





VIRGINIA



Within the Forum that all eyes may read.
Yet, mark ye! Read not only, but obey,
Else blood shall pour in torrents on these stones.
                               [Low, angry murmur.
What! would ye show your teeth, ye nobles brave,
Would bare your fangs, ( ye plebeian dogs!
Your teeth are drawn, patricians, and your fangs
Are dull, indeed, ye curs!         [A hissing protest.
                        What, open schism 7
Ho, lictors, strike! Ali! would ye calmer grow
Lictors, enough! Now must we on. Our time
Is pressing.  [As hie is on the point of departing with
               his colleagues, his gaze is arrested by
               the passing of a girl, clad all in white,
               attended, by her nurse, through the
               Forum.
(To a companiion.)  Now, by the ghost of Ixion, behold
Yon perfect vision of niost perfect beauty.
Enchanting grace! Exquisite featuring!
Youth lightly shadowved by young womanhood!
My passions Oppius, are all awake.
Aflame and spreading fast! Why, I would burn
All Rome to own her, touch her, feel her near;
I would receive the curses of the gods,
Be hurled to lowest Hades, and endure
The tortures set for Tantalus himself
If I might call her mine. Her kiss would prove
Sufficient food for me, her liquid eyes
Would quench my thirst if I should look within
And see the tears or draw the starry light
Into my soul! 0, Appius, ye are stricken!
   Oppius. Peace, peace, mine Appius, the maid is
            gone-
                          3

 




VIRGINIA



Thy looks are wild, thy features are convulsed
With passion.
   1st Cit. See, Hortensius, yon man
What ails him Like a madman is his gaze,
And horrid is his flaming countenance.
   Oppius. Come, brother, come, my colleague, let's
            away.
   Appius. Hands off, 0, foolish man, for I am dead
To protest. I have been by lightning stricken.
   Oppius.          It is, indeed, too passionate to be
The wound from Eros' feathered shaft.
   Appius (groaniing).          Ah! God!
Where has she gone I can not see her face
Nor matchless form within the dreary crowd.
Women I spy in plenty. What a mob
Of uncouth shapes and homely featuring
These females are! She was a Cynthia,
And all beside her, hideous and bold
Bacchantes. I'll a lictor straight despatch,
To seize on her, for she belongs to me.
   Oppius. Nay, fool! Rash fool! Thou art not
            Jupiter
In power, that thou darest thus to seize,
In open daylight, objects of thy lust,
When they are daughters of free citizens.
Some shadow of excuse must herald such
Bold actions, lest the rabble rise in arms,
As in the days of fair Lucretia!
Thou canst presume, and yet in thy presumption
Play the sly part of virtue, ay, and justice,
Nor seem a mad and bigoted abductor.
I know the maid; a blameless child of one
Virginius, a soldier and a pleb.
Wait, wait, and on the morrow form thy plans,



4

 




VIRGINIA



But for this moment let the matter rest,
If thou art prudent. Come, let's on; the mob
Follows thy gaze, noting thy steadfast look.
   Appius. Speed morrow then. For I am now no
            better
Than madman; I, who hold the whole of Rome
Under my thumb, am raving only for
Nor heaven nor earth, nor power, nay, nor fame,
But for the captivation of a maid-
But for Virginia. Onward, let us on!
I'll march into the grim, gray gates of eve
And meet the morrow ere it hath arisen,
Tear down the portals of the night and force
Mly way into the chamber where the morn
Dozes, a lovely slothful soul of hope,
And seizing on her, madly I '11 demand
Virginia!                                  [Exeunt.

           SCENE II-A STREET IN ROME.

    Enter Marius and Horatius, twco patricians.

    Marius. He dared! lie dared! he dared!
    Horatius.                 And will dare more,
Until Rome wakens from her lethargy
And is herself again.
   Marius.        Till then we wait,
Enduring insult, tyranny, from him,
The common enemy of nobleman
And pleb.
   Horatius. Alas! once was he common friend
To both-our lawgiver; what changed him so
   Marius. A worm of pride that gnawed into his heart,
A blast of fiery desert wind that dried,

 




VIRGINIA



Withered and seared his noble disposition.
To-day he is a monster, where he was
But yesterday a leader and a god.
   Horatius. He angered the patricians by his show
Of democratic policy; the plebs
By barring intermarriage 'twcixt the two
Opposing classes!       [Enter Virginius and Icilius.
   Virginius.  Blessings, health to you!
Good wishes of a Roman unto Romans.
   Horatius (bitterly). Say rather, helpless, sullen,
            brooding curs!
We are no more-methinks thtou art no more;
Nor even thou, Icilius, our tribune.
There are no free, courageous sons of Rome,
But victims only, cowed beneath the lash
Of the Decemvirs-curses on their heads!
   Virgillnius. Methinks I 'm not the dog that thou
            hast said,
For 'tis my part and Swish to play the man.
The name of Appius I do despise.
And only bide my time to bury it
Deep in the soil, along with him who bears
Its weight. Although I will not fling myself
Upon the altar of Unreason as
A bootless sacrifice, yet am I still
Nor dog, nor worm, but one who waits and prays,
Nor prays alone, but puzzles out his plan
Of action. No, nor plans alone, but strives;
And striving, must achieve, unless the hand
Of sudden Death come in to tear the web.
Friends, we are hard pressed and we pant in pain,
Yet tyrants, howsoever strong, are still
Weaker than Justice and are shorter-lived



6

 




VIRGINIA



Than Liberty, the queen whom Justice serves.
Because our wrongs are heavy must we brood,
And chafe, and curse our stars and Appius
What war was ever closed successfully
With sullen warriors and men untrained,
Unready or undone by foul Despair
   lcilius. Thou hast inspired me and curbed my wrath,
Which held in it no reason, all unl)ound,
Ready to leap a lion on its prey.
Ay, there's a time for all things. I shall wait,
Knowing, Virglitus, that thy words are true.
Wisdom, the gods be thanked, hath never flowed
Forth from thy lips in words of honeyed sounds,
Nor yet in pompous phrases burdened down
With ponderous eloquence, but bold and frank,
ShIining as bright and ringing forth as true
As thy good sword that thou hast borne so well
In camp, palestra, or in battle-field.
   Virglitins. My words are bold, for I am full of grief
At men's delinquency and heavy souls;
Frank-ay; because 'tis late to talk in riddles
Or metaphors, that veil the precious truth
Within; shining with fervor, ringing true,
Because the cause I do uphold is true
As life and death is real.
   Horatills.      Thine eloquence
Is worthy of a better hearing than
This little company. I would that thou
Wouldst lead us into action, noble pleb.
   Virgin ius. My duties are at present with mine own-
With her, my fair ewe-lamb; when she becomes
The spouse of this our friend and our tribune,
Virginius shall owe himself to none,
But feel compelled the Commonwealth alone

 




VIRGINIA



To serve. And here's my hand in oath that I
Shall serve it well! The gods help Appius!
                 [Enter Siciniuts, in civilian garments.
   Marizus. Greetings, Sicinius, and health to thee!
   Sic.  And Heaven's favor unto you, my friends.
How now! All deep in sombre conference
   Icilius (impetuously). Sicinius! What curse hath
            come to Rome,
That bends her proud and regal head beneath
The yoke of shame The collar of the serf
Hangs heavy round her haughty neck. Ye gods!
The mightly Romulus, methinks, must find
The grave a cell that keeps him from his Rome;
How must his mighty spirit chafe when he
Receiveth tidings from the newly dead,
Concerning this, his city, now so low
Amid the dust of Wrong and Bigotry!
Tell us, thou man of action, what bold move
We needs must make. Oh! be our CEdipus!
   Horatiuts. Hist, noble tribune! Favor silence. These
Are times of peril; cast thou Caution's die.
   Icilius (amazed). What! knowest thou not this man,
            Sicinius
He who has bearded all the noble Ten,
He whose brave words of indignation ring
From hill to hill of -Rome Sicinius!
   Horatius (sullenly). I have been absent from the
            town these twelve
Long moons, nor know I all that thou dost know.
   Icilius. Why, man, look not so sour and so sad.
   Virginius. Peace, youths!  Sicinius hath but little
            chance
To speak his mind. I beg of thee that thou,
                         8

 




VIRGINIA



Good friend, expound thy views as to these days
Of tyranny, for Romans are at bay.
   Sic. If I should speak, then would I speak myself
Into my grave; so twist mine earnest tongue
As soon would wring it from its fevered roots,
Mine eyeballs blind themselves with fiery tears
Of love for Rome; my life would withered be
With all the curses breathing forth, aflame
With hate for Appius! Oh, ye gods! in what
Have we outraged you that we now are cursed
With such a blight as Famine never cast
Over the fields of plenty, withering
Alike the grain and the wild wayside bloom,
Sweeping across the vast, bright lands of peace,
And leaving staring Ruin in its way
Oh! Rome, thou much-wronged child of Romulus,
That I might break the seals from off thine eyes,
And place a flaming sword within thy hand,
A watchword in thine ear-"EEndure for her
Who is thy rightful mistress, Liberty."
A battle-cry upon thy glowing lips,
"Onward!"   A prayer within thy mighty heart,
And prophecy to stir thy godlike soul
To action. But the times are ripening!    [A pause.
Could I relate thy wrongs, I would not cease,
Nor spare myself, but speaking, sink to earth,
Worn with the task. Yet who can number them
That are as numberless as Heaven's stars
I say, as I have said to you before,
We Romans will again secede, again
.March, in a body, to the Sacred 'Mount,
And threaten as of old another Rome,
A nobler Rome, a Rome unbound and free,
To found thereon, or else a revolution,
                         9

 




VIRGINIA



Bloody and merciless and full of horrors,
Shall ravage Rome, but we be satisfied.
The fire and the sword hath ready tongues;
They fawn not to the great, nor spare the high,
They lick and bite nor fail in eloquence.
So, to the fire and the sword must we
Resort; for city, home, and cherished ones
Demand that guilty blood, as a libation,
Be poured in answver to the blood of Rome,
Which crieth to her children from the ground!
                                             [Exeunt.



I')

 




VIRGINIA



                      ACT I I.

          SCENE I-THE HOUSE OF Appius.


The curtain, rising, discovers a bondmaid in the center
    of a spacious court, fillingg her pitcher at the foun-
    taini. It is miilday, and the light streants down from.
    above, flooding the entire space wivth radiance. The
    womianl sings inl anl untdertonte, as she tuirnts to wcater
    the roses twinted arounld the columnis lin the back-
    groutnd. Entetr Marcus Clauditus. He approaches
    the maident, leisurely.
    Marc. Ahl! pretty one! Fortune has favored me!
I enter in due time to proffer aid.
   Slave. Nay, shame on thee, a inan free-born, to thus
Address a bondmaid, when there is no need.
   Marc. Thy humble mien is fitting, girl, but I
Am modest, and, thus far, will graciously
Demean myself.
   Slave.             Demean thyself, indeed!
I only mocked thee, fool; thy proffered aid
I scorn. Low-born plebeian, who art thou,
To set thyself above a child of kings
   Marc. (angrily). Ha! Have a care! Take heed!
             Thy saucy tongue
Eludes thee, mischief hungry. Fairest slave,
But for that very fairness which is thine,
I'd have thee lashed by him who favors me!
   Slave (wheeling about in scorn). Who shelters, who
            supports, who uses thee,



1I

 




VIRGINIA



And for his own vile ends! Lends thee his brains,
H1is power and knowledge for thy petty, sly
Returns. He, fierce and false; thou, mean and small;
Hie, merciless; thou, only Marcus' friend-
And both unscrupulous as Mercury.
   Marc. (fiiriously). Thou art too scathing in thy
            judgnient, damsel!
   Slatle. Nay, I am mild to what thou dost deserve.
   Marc. Ho-w darest thou, a slave, to judge me so
   Slare. King Tarquin, called Superbus, or the Proud,
He was mine ancestor. And 1, alone
Left of his line, in bondage languish. Thouw,-
What canst thou boast of' Of the blood of plebs,
Yet lower e'en than they who gave thee birth;
Despised of all, for thou art neither slave,
Nor free; thou hangest slothlike on the skirts
Of mighty men, that they may represent
Thy cause-support, suecor, and plead for thee,
In gratitude for thy poor services.
Avaunt! Fawner and client, touch me not!
             fShe spuir)s hi ic lhen he woould approach
               heor, and haughtilqy departs.
   Marc. (gazing aft/br her). Adieu, thou helpless
            scorner, chained despiser,
Thy tongue hath sought to whip me sore-in vain.
A client knows not shame nor injured pride,
Nor is lie haughty, for the blood of kings
Heats not his veins. So Marcus, too, is low,
Ready to stoop to aught, however base,
To gain his ends. But triumph over triumphs!
Marcus will issue forth the conqueror,
Flushed with his victory, while other men
Lie low and bite the dust because they clung
To honor! He, clean void of conscience, sucks



12

 




VIRGINIA



The sweets of life down to their sweetest dregs. [Pauses.
Ha! who is that -My master hath returned!
             [Peers through a curtained doorway on
                the rightt.  As he retreats, Appius
                Cla dlius uflters hurriedly. His toga is
                disordlere4, ilis counte naitce aflame with
                winie anid passion. He throws himself
                hteavily itpon a couch.
   Appius. Wine, fetch some wine! At once, with no
            delay!
   Marc. (aside).  Aknd drunk as Baceclus at his
            wedding-feast!
(Al1oud.)  Which kind, my lord
   zIppilus. Falernian! Mark ye, dilute it not!
   Marc. (aside). I need no prophet's eyes to see his end.
To Bacchus I assign him with due care.          [Exit.
   Appius (in htoarse undertone). I looked but once,
            and, looking, she was gone,
Leaving me reeling, drunk with loveliness.
I have imbibed deeply this day in wine,
Yet hath it less intoxicating power
Than hath a tremor of her lashes or
A flutter of her garments! I am struck,
And heavily!    [le groanos anid ela.ps his head with his
                  hands.
          Virginia ! Elements
Are in thy name-temipest and burning flame!
My soul is tossed as though it were at sea,
Mv brain is floatinl on the vaeant air,
My heart consumed in everlasting fire!
             [Enter Marcus, bearing a goblet and an
               amphiora.
   Mare. Thy rare Falernian.
   Applits.         Fill ilme the cup.       [Drinks.



1 3

 





VIRGINIA



Sweet solace and indulgence of the gods,
Unequaled nectar, give me satisfaction!
Better to me this pleasure than the sight
Of fair Elysium. Such ecstasy
As is the privilege and portion of
Souls freed from Hades and its rack and wheel
And snatched to Heaven, can no sweeter be
Than is mine ecstasy, when wafted on
The summer zephyr, comes this breath, divine,
Of nectar and ambrosia in one.
Virginia, to myself, to thee, to Love,
I drink! And now, my Marcus, sit thee down!
I would confer with thee.
   Marc. (seats himself). What is thy will
   Appius. Marcus, this morn I made my way in state
Through Rome-and, in the market-place, beheld
A sight that hath undone me for this day.
My heart hath slipped its leash and now is set
Hard on the trail, not to be turned aside.
   Marc. What vision hath the gods vouchsafed thee,
            then e
   Appits. 'Twas more than vision; thanks to Vulcan be,
Who did create that mortal styled a woman,
At once a snare, at once a perfect boon;
At once a curse, at once a lasting blessing.
It was a maid, a lowly, mortal maid,
A maid of mean plebeian birth as well,
Yet beautiful as though she had arisen
From out the golden heart of some fair rose,
Or drowsy, dreamy, tempting, fresh and fair,
Had issued, shyly, from the troubled depths
Of rock-bound spring, a nymph but newly born,
And shrinking from the glances of the morn.
Virginia, child of one Virginius,
                         14

 




VIRGINIA



Centurion of courage and renown,
She burst upon me like a revelation
Unto a prophet. She is mine as sure
As are the stars possessions of the Night.
She'll have no will but imine, no choice but mine;
She'll yield her body unto me, until
I find the chance to win her heart and soul.
I '11 hold her and I'll kiss her heart away;
I'll chain her soul to mine with links of gold.
But whether she shall ever love me true
I little care, so that her lips are mine,
So that I daily touch her hands and feel
Her dusky hair blow cloudlike 'gainst my cheek.
Marcus, thou art the man to work my weal,
By aiding me in this, mine enterprise.
   Marc. What! Shall I play the game and thou receive
The winnings
   Appius (htaugghtily). Ay, assuredly. 0, pause,
And pausing, see thyself in honest light.
Thou art my client; thou to me dost owe
Thy safety, standing, possibly thy life.
I know the law-I made the law, the while
Thou canst not read a letter; as a pleb
Few rights are thine those few I gave thy class
At the expense of the patrician favor.
Break with me, and thou'lt break thy fortunes, ope
Thy chest of troubles, like the silly maid
Who brought untold misfortunes on herself
And on the world. Assist me and thou'lt gain
MNy favor, keep my needful, strong protection.
   Marc. Enough! I follow thee and will obey.
   Appius. E'en to the letter
   Marc.            To the letter, lord.
                         15

 




VIRGINIA



   Appius. Then hearken. Choose some morning, soon
            or late,
And hasten to the market-place. The maid
Receiveth schooling there. When she appears,
Spring forward boldly, seize her by the arm,
(And yet be not too rude in thy demeanor);
When all the multitude around demand
An explanation, say to them that she
Was born of a slave-woman in thy house,
Ere thou a client had become. And add
That she had been in secret borne away,
And, by the wife of one Virginius,
Claimed as a child; her own at birth had died,
And he, Virginius, kept in ignorance,
Grossly deceived, believeth it his flesh
And blood. The tale is wild; no proof hast thou,
Nor witnesses; and yet it is enough
Seeing that I control the Romans as
The Fates control the lives of mortal men,
And need the barest shadow of excuse
To work my will-I, who am autocrat!
Assume a righteous air, if that doth lie
Within the limits of thy doubtful, Tare
Accomplishments. When they protest, then say
"To Appius for justice I will go,"
And leave the rest to me.
   Marcus.              Av. lea-vae to thee
The cowing of the Roman mob, for that
Lieth within the limits of thy rare,
Doubtful accomplishments. So let it be.
I'll serve thee well-will my returns be worthy
The peril of my venture
   Appius.               Also leave
That matter unto me.



16

 






VIRGINIA



SCENE II-WOMEN 'S APARTMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF
                     V1IIGINIUS.

Style of ornaments and hangings very simple. Virginia,
    bending over her nurse, who is seated in a chair,
    appears to have jest completed the arrangement of
    the latter's hair.

    Virg. Nay, now, let be! 'Tis most becoming so.
What! would'st thou call't presumptious to assume
The style of headdress worn by noble ladies
Foolish Camilla! Thou art nobler far
Than many score fine dames, however high
They hold their heads or wear their tresses-so!
Oh, 'tis entrancing! Stay, I have not done.
   Camilla (groaning in mock despair). Alack! was
            ever nurse so harried by
A maid as silly and as sweet as thou!
   Virg. No, never! for I'm sweet because I've kissed
Thy kind old cheek so oft and have imbibed
Therefrom the sweetness only found in thee.
And I am silly-I suppose, because
The gods have made me so. Now, turn about
Thy head. How white thy hair of late hath grown!
   Camilla. Alack! mine age is on me!
   Virg. (passionately caressing her). Nay, not so!
Or if 'tis so, I love each silver thread.
Kiss me, Camilla-but I must proceed
With this thy toilet. Now is it complete.
Oh, Jupiter! it is a work of art!
Sweet nurse, thou wilt amaze my father when
He catches sight of thee.            [Seizes a mirror.
                      Come, view thyself.
'Tis not ill-done, for I have marked the style.
                          17

 




VIRGINIA



Shake not thy head at me, I prithee now.
I only sport with thee. Look not so grave.
   Camilla. Sweet one, because thou art so gay to-day,
I fear to-morrow thou wilt be in tears.
Excess of spirits bears excess of grief.
Thou'rt young and fair as Hero; but to her
Misfortune came and loss and heavy woe!
   Virg. Now, thou remindest me of Wisdom's owl-
Croak not so somberly. Thou who art one
Whose heart is ever genial with mirth,
Wrong'st Nature to cast shadows over youth.
   Camilla (drawying Virginia to her tenderly).  My
            little love, I would not seem to sigh;
Ever have I despised a sorry face,
A gloomy or foreboding disposition.
Thou hast most aptly said that I to-day
Belie my character. Forgive! Forget!
   Virg. (pouting). Forget, thou croaking raven of
            despair 
Thou dost expect too much. I may forgive,
But not forget. What ailest thee to-day
Art thou not ill or weary with thy tasks
We'll make thy labor lighter, and thy cares
As to the household now shall rest on me.
   Carnilla. Not so, sweet child. There is no need for
            that.
I am not ill nor weary, nay, nor sad,
But fearful and in dread of hidden woe.
What may the morrow bring to thee, my babe,
Or to thy father, or thy lover What,
I can not see, but only feel and dread.
   Virg. Camilla! Something surely ails thee now.
Oh! I am mystified and overcome
By thy prophetic words, thy drear address,
                         is

 




VIRGINIA



And I would probe thy meaning deeply, lest
A vision should have warned thee of a flood
Of coming tribulation. Gentle nurse,
Hast visited of late the oracle
Speak! Speak to me! Speak to Virginia! Say!
Tell me, nor torture me upon the rack
Of fear and dread prolonged.
   (Janilla (slowly).      If it were aught
That I might put to thee or e'en myself
In syllables, I 'd speak. But syllables
Are clumsy things. Words are inanimate,
Dull, helpless weapons, powerless unless
The thoughts are present skillfully to wield
The blades. Then cut and thrust they mightily,
Ready to wound1, or e'en with menace kill.
I know not what I fear. I know not why
Nor wherefore. Has the gift of second-sight
Been by the gods this day on me bestowed   [A pause.
I seem to see great sorrow brought about
By shameless wrong; I seem to see a eloud,
Laden with anguish which may soon descend
In burning drops on Rome, where'er I turn.
Who are the victims I can not discover,
But when I close mine eyes from out the black
That blinds them, lo! a knife like lightning sent
By Jove flashes upon me and is gone!
   Virg. (sobbing). Alas! M ,y joy is fled and all is
            gloom.
Sure 'tis some peril scowling o'er my father.
Mayhap e'en now he lieth in the camp,
Struck down by men who envy him his fame!
Oh! horrid thought! most dread, most cruel thought!
   Camilla (arousing herself with effort). Nay, weep
            not, my Virginia; I regret
                         19

 




VIRGINIA



Those vague emotions which are doubtless false
Deceiving dreams, sent me by Mercury,
Who oft delights in filling mortal minds
With gray forebodings, as thou art aware.
Quick! Kiss me, child, and dry those silly tears.
Lo! now methinks I hear thy father's step.
   Virg. (joyously). Father! mine own dear father!
   (Voice of Virginhius without.)  Little one!
No welcome at the door
             [Virginia runs to the curtained doorway,
               through which her father enters, and
               flings her arms in tearful ecstasy around
               his neck.
   Virginius. What! tears, dear heart
   Virg. But smiles will clear them soon. I feared
            for thee
Most foolishly, yet ne'ertheless, I feared.
   Virginius. -Most foolishly, indeed, my dark-haired
            Psyche,
Thou pure-embodied soul, my spirit's light.
Look up, dear child, and kiss thy father fond.
He's wearied and he needs his heart's restorer.
             [The two come forward, he in his shining
               armor, she nestling birdlike in the shel-
               ter of his arm.
My daughter, I have seen Jeilius.
   Virg. Ah ! Father!
   Virginius (mockingly). "'Ah!    Father!"   Ay, I
            saw him. Me he held
Firmly, besieging me with queries, all
Concerning thee. How had Virginia fared
While he was absent -the presumptions boy!
Couldst thou fare otherwise than well with me
And then with eager eyes he questioned as
                         20

 




VIRGINIA



To thy remarks, thy thoughts concerning him,
Thy attitude to things in general.
Where did Virginia spend her days In school
Was she by chance affrighted at the state
Of Rome since lie had left her Like unto
A feverish flame, lie reached on every side,
Hungry for news of his Virginia.
   Virg. (dreamily). My Love! My Love! Mine own
            Icilius!
Oh! gentle gods, my happiness