Cor. Courage, Virginia. Why, much hope is left! To-day thy father will return, and he Would place his soul in jeopardy for thee. Virginia. Courage, ay, courage! I am brave again. It is the dawn. Cornelia, we will seek The outer court and wash our tears away In the cool fountain. Once again my cheek Is hot with spirit and my heart beats swift With hope and newborn trust in those I love. [50] [Exeunt the two, their arms wound round each other and Cornelia's lips pressed to Virginia's cheek. Scene III—The Forum. Scene III—The Forum. A multitude has gathered. Appius is in the judgment seat, with Marcus Claudius stationed beside him. Many women are weeping and the men appear silent and angry. Appius is surrounded by a guard of lictors. Cornelia and Tiberius are seated on the left in a car drawn by slaves. Near the center are gathered Galba, Hortensius, Horatius, and Marius. Marius. This vast suspense weighs on me heavily; I would not see that gentle maiden wronged For all my world possessions! E'en the gods[51] Would shriek with horror if yon slave of Dis, Young Marcus Claudius, should seize on her. Why doth she not appear? Hort. She and her father, Who hath returned, hot-foot, from camp to her, Tarry about the town, and every man They meet they do address with exhortations And prayers for justice and for witnesses, That this gross tale which men do know is false Shall be so proven. Yet all Rome is prone Beneath the foot of Appius and his nine Vile colleagues. Fear is most tyrannical, Justice is dying, Mercy now is dead. Marius. Then God alone can help the wretched maid! Hor. (hotly). Nay, shall she be defiled and made a slave? Not while my hands are free, my body quick With lifeblood, and my heart a man's. Why she Is pure and frail as is the mountain snow. Happy the man who stands her champion. Happy Icilius, our young tribune! [51] [Enter Virginius in mean, plebeian garments and Virginia simply clothed in white, her dark hair loose. A murmur of sympathy and admiration greet their appearance, quickly suppressed. Enter from the other side Icilius, vainly struggling in the hands of armored soldiers. His hair is wild and greatly disheveled, his features white and drawn with agony. Icilius. Virginia! Ah, my God! Virginia![52] Virginia. My Love! My Love! My Love! [52]
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