Payne's Tragedy of Brutus (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ... If then 't will better sate thy cruelty, Precipitate me quick into those flames, And with the wreck of empire mix my ashes. Bru. Take her to Rhea's temple; take her hence, And lodge her with her ancestors Tul. Ye gods My father's sepulchre I 'll not approach it Bru. 'T will furnish wholesome recollection. Hence Tul. Not to that fatal place Send me not thither Bru. T is fixed. Tul. Choose the most loathsome dungeon--there confine me, Or give me death instead. My heart recoils Against that temple. Bru. There, and only there, By your dead father's tomb, you must abide The judgment of the State. Tul. Then, by the gods, Whom, for the last time, I invoke, If no means else Of ready death present themselves, No particle of food shall pass these lips, Till, in the void of nature, hungry madness, With blank oblivion entering, shall confound And cancel all perception. Exit R. Tullia, guarded. Brutus is following. Enter Titus L. U. E. Tit. Turn, O my father, And look upon thy son Bru. What wouldst thou? speak. Tit. If thou hast reason, O, have mercy also; But if in madness thou hast done this deed Bru. I am not mad, but as the lion is, When he breaks down the toils that tyrant craft Hath spread to catch him. Think not we will suffer These monsters to profane the air of heaven. Shall Titus, then, oppose our great design? Shall Brutus meet a recreant in his son? Banish this folly Have a care I know thee: There is a lurking passion at thy heart, Which leaves but half a soul for Rome and me. Tit. You wrong me. Like a Roman I exult To see Lucretia's murder thus avenged, And like a son glory in such a father Yet hear me through; nay, do not frown, but hear me. Bru. Go on; confess thy weakness, and dismiss it. Tit. T was in the sleep of my dear father's reason, Wh...