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.

[41]

[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![42] And be my witnesses, O, all ye gods!

[42]

[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.

[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.

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