wretch from all his hopes away, And drive his shatter'd bark again to sea.

ACT III.

Scene—A Portico of a Palace without the gates of Rome—The abode of the Carthaginian Ambassador. Enter Regulus and Publius meeting.

Scene

Regulus

Publius

Reg. Ah! Publius here at such a time as this? Know'st thou th' important question that the Senate This very hour debate?—Thy country's glory, Thy father's honour, and the public good? Dost thou know this and fondly linger here?

Pub. They're not yet met, my father.

Reg. Haste—away— Support my counsel in th' assembled Senate, Confirm their wav'ring virtue by thy courage, And Regulus shall glory in his boy.

Haste—away—

Pub. Ah! spare thy son the most ungrateful task. What!—supplicate the ruin of my father?

Reg. The good of Rome can never hurt her sons.

Pub. In pity to thy children, spare thyself.

Reg. Dost thou then think that mine's a frantic bravery? That Regulus would rashly seek his fate? Publius! how little dost thou know thy sire! Misjudging youth! learn, that like other men, I shun the evil, and I seek the good; But that I find in guilt, and this in virtue. Were it not guilt, guilt of the blackest die, Even to think of freedom at th' expense Of my dear bleeding country? To me, therefore, Freedom and life would be the heaviest evils; But to preserve that country, to restore her, To heal her wounds though at the price of life, Or what is dearer far, the price of liberty, Is virtue—therefore slavery and death Are Regulus's good—his wish—his choice.

Pub. Yet sure our country——

——

Reg. Is a whole, my Publius, Of which we all are parts; nor should a citizen Regard his interests as distinct from hers; No hopes or fears should touch his patriot soul, But what affect her honour or her shame. E'en when in 

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