[He stretches out his bound arms toward her, and in a moment with a cry she runs to him, regardless of the gazing world, and kneeling at his feet kisses with fervor the hands in bondage for her sake. Murmurs from the multitude.

Appius (rising to his feet, his face aflame). Back, girl! Back from him! Lictor, part the twain!

[Lictor unwillingly obeys, whereat Virginia rising slips away from him to her father's side. Virginius advances, with his hand uplifted, toward the judgment seat.

Virginius. Delay no longer in the trial of This matter. We demand in common justice A hearing, and at once, O, Appius! Galba (aside to his friends). Mark yonder man upon the judgment-seat. Methinks 'tis he who coveteth the virgin, And Marcus but his instrument. Ah, see! The Chief is moved to acquiesce. Methinks He fears this pleb as he once feared Sicinius. Appius (haughtily). And now begins the judgment. Silence, all! My client, Marcus Claudius, step forth.

[The man obeys. Virginia, shuddering, looks only at her father.

Appius. Repeat thy statement, Claudius, we wait. Marc. O, noble Chief, and all ye men of Rome, I but reiterate my words to-day Spoken in explanation of my course[53] Of action yesternoon. A woman came Unto the house of Appius, one moon Ago, and came to perish on our hands. But ere she died she made a full confession Of having served in early years the wife Of this our citizen, Virginius, Who ignorantly hath been foully wronged, For whom we feel the deepest sympathy, And unto whom I now address myself.

[53]

[Turns to Virginius.

O, good centurion, this maid is not Thy child in blood; but, as I said, was born Of a slave woman in my house. Thy babe Died on the moment of its birth. Thou wert Away in service. Dost thou not recall? Virginius (in calm affirmative). Yea, that I do recall. (Aside.) Thou fiend of hell! Marc. (triumphantly). Has he not said? This slave, who did confess To us the truth, declared that she had played The thief and crept most slyly to my house, Stolen the infant of my nurse and slipped Out, 'mid the night and gloom, which, friendly, hid Her dastard deed. Virginia is the babe, And, therefore, lawfully belongs to me. Icilius. Ye gods! Multitude. No proofs? No evidence? Marc. (proudly). My word!

[Much laughter and some hissing.

Appius. Silence! Virginius, 

 Prev. P 33/46 next