Come, let us go. Scene Regulus Hamilcar's Where's your Ambassador? where is Hamilcar? Ere this he doubtless knows the Senate's will. Go, seek him out—Tell him we must depart—— Rome has no hope for him, or wish for me. Longer delay were criminal in both. —— Manlius Reg. He comes. The Consul comes! my noble friend! O let me strain thee to this grateful heart, And thank thee for the vast, vast debt I owe thee! But for thy friendship I had been a wretch—— Had been compell'd to shameful liberty. To thee I owe the glory of these chains, My faith inviolate, my fame preserv'd, My honour, virtue, glory, bondage,—all! —— Man. But we shall lose thee, so it is decreed—— Thou must depart? —— Reg. Because I must depart You will not lose me; I were lost, indeed, Did I remain in Rome. Because I must depart Man. Ah! Regulus, Why, why so late do I begin to love thee? Alas! why have the adverse fates decreed I ne'er must give thee other proofs of friendship, Than those so fatal and so full of woe? Ah! Regulus, Reg. Thou hast perform'd the duties of a friend; Of a just, faithful, Roman, noble friend: Yet, generous as thou art, if thou constrain me To sink beneath a weight of obligation, I could—yes, Manlius—I could ask still more. Man. Explain thyself. Reg. I think I have fulfill'd The various duties of a citizen; Nor have I aught beside to do for Rome. Now, nothing for the public good remains! Manlius, I recollect I am a father! My Publius! my Attilia! ah! my friend, They are—(forgive the weakness of a parent) To my fond heart dear as the drops that warm it. Next to my country they're my all of life;
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