Pub. Ah! couldst thou look into my inmost soul, And see how warm it burns with love and duty, Thou would'st abate the rigour of thy words.

Reg. Could I explore the secrets of thy breast, The virtue I would wish should flourish there Were fortitude, not weak, complaining love.

Pub. If thou requir'st my blood, I'll shed it all; But when thou dost enjoin the harsher task That I should labour to procure thy death, Forgive thy son—he has not so much virtue.

Publius

Reg. Th' important hour draws on, and now my soul Loses her wonted calmness, lest the Senate Should doubt what answer to return to Carthage. O ye protecting deities of Rome! Ye guardian gods! look down propitious on her, Inspire her Senate with your sacred wisdom, And call up all that's Roman in their souls!

O ye protecting deities of Rome!

Manlius

  See that the lictors wait, and guard the entrance— Take care that none intrude.

Reg. Ah! Manlius here? What can this mean?

Ah! Manlius here?

Man. Where, where is Regulus? The great, the godlike, the invincible? Oh, let me strain the hero to my breast.—

Where, where is Regulus?

Reg. (avoiding him.) Manlius, stand off, remember I'm a slave! And thou Rome's Consul.

Man. I am something more: I am a man enamour'd of thy virtues; Thy fortitude and courage have subdued me. I was thy rival—I am now thy friend; Allow me that distinction, dearer far Than all the honours Rome can give without it.

I am something more:

Reg. This is the temper still of noble minds, And these the blessings of an humble fortune. Had I not been a slave, I ne'er had gain'd The treasure of thy friendship.

Man. I confess, Thy grandeur cast a veil before my eyes, Which thy reverse of fortune has remov'd. Oft have I seen thee on the day of triumph, A conqueror of nations, enter Rome; Now, thou hast conquer'd fortune, and thyself. Thy laurels oft have mov'd my soul to envy, Thy chains awaken my respect, my reverence; Then Regulus appear'd a hero to me, He rises now a god.

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