236 ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED PIECES. 



Envying at once their virtues and their wealth, 

 How could / hope a shelter from his power, 

 But in the false face I have worn so long ? 



Would you know why I summon'd you together ? 

 Ask ye what brings me here ? Behold* this dagger, 

 Clotted with gore ! Behold that frozen corse ! 

 See where the lost Lucretia sleeps in death! 

 She was the mark and model of the time, 

 The mould in which each female face was form'd, 

 The very shrine and sacristy of virtue ! 

 The worthiest of the worthy : Not the nymph 

 Who met old Numa in his hallow'd walks, 

 And whisper'd in his ear her strains divine, 

 Can I conceive beyond her! the young choir 

 Of vestal virgins bent to her ! Such a mind 

 Might have abash'd the boldest libertine, 

 And turn'd desire to reverential love 

 And holiest affection ! Oh, my countrymen ! 

 You all can witness, when that she went forth 

 It was a holiday in Rome ; old age 

 Forgot its crutch; labour, its task; all ran; 

 And mothers, turning to their daughters, cried, 

 " There.f there's Lucretia !" Now,:}: look where she lies, 

 That beauteous flower, that innocent, sweet rose, 

 Torn up by ruthless violence gone ! gone ! 



Say, would you seek instructions ? would you seek 

 What ye should do? Ask[| ye yon conscious walls 

 Which saw his poison'd brother, saw the incest 

 Committed there, and they will cry, REVENGE ! 

 Ask yon deserted street, where Tullia drove 

 O'er her dead father's corse, 'twill cry REVENGE ! 

 Ask yonder Senate-house, whose stones are purple 

 With human blood, and it will cry, REVENGE ! 

 Go to the tomb where lies his murder'd wife, 

 And the poor queen, who lov'd him as her son, 



* Most solemn manner, requiring a low tone, with a feeling of rief 

 mixed with revenge. 



f This requires an elevated tone of voice. 



\ Plaintive utterance, with an expression of horror. 



Solemn interrogatory, requiring a low tone. 



|| Rises into vehemence, with a strong feeling of revenge. 



