Classic Poem

Act. 1. Scen. 1.

Sabina. Julia.

SABINA.

Excuse my weakness, & my Grief permit
In a distress, which so much merits it.
When such a storm does its approaches make,
It may become the strongest heart to shake.
And Constancy will now admit dispute,
Ev'n in the breast that is most resolute.
But yet, how rude so'êre the shock appear's,
Though not my sigh's, I can command my Tears.
Though violent sorrow may my heart surprize,
Yet Vertue still is regent in my Eys.
If to my heart I can confine my woe,
Though less then man, I more then Woman doe.
To stop my tears in an assault so rough
For our weake Sex will sure be brave enough.

JULIA.

It is for vulgar Souls I must confess,
Who create grief from every slight distress;
But a great heart would blush at that defect,
And all things dares from doubtfull fate expect.
Under our walls two Armys we survey
But Rome nêre yet, knew how to loose the day.
Applause, not Grief, we to her Fortune ow,
Who whilst she fights, must needs the mightyer grow.
Then let vain terrours from your breast depart,
And find out vows worthy a Roman heart.

SABINA.

My heart I gave to Horace , & 'tis true,
Since he's a Roman , I must be so too;
But yet that knot a fetter would be thought,
If my dear Countrey should be quite forgot:
Alba , where I began to see the light;
Alba , my native place, and first delight;
When I behold a war 'twixt us and Thee,
I dread our loss, & dread our victory.
Rome , if by this thy anger I create,
Find out a Foe whom I may justly hate;
When at thy walls, two armys in my sight,
Shew me my Brothers with my Husband fight,
What prayers can I make? how can I be
Without impiety concern'd for Thee?
I know thy growing Empire, yet so young,
By war alone must make her sinnews strong;
Thy future Grandeur is by fate design'd
Not to the Latines to be long confin'd.
The Gods the Suppliant World for thee intend;
And 'tis by arms thou must attain that End.
Far from repining at that Noble heat,
Which serves thy Stars, & helps to make thee Great;
I wish thy Troops may still new triumphs claim,
And passe Pyrenaean hills to Fame;
Goe, Eastern Conquests for thy sword design;
And pitch thy proud Pavillions on the Rhine;
Let all Lands tremble where thy Ensigns goe,
But that to which thou Romulus doest ow.
Subdue the utmost Regions of the Earth;
But spare the Town where Romulus had birth.
Forget not her from whom thy Citty draws
Her Name, & all her strength, both Walls & Laws.
Alba's thy Parent; let that thought arrest
Thy greedy sword; nor pierce thy Mothers brest.
For thy triumphant arms make other choice;
And in her Childrens fortune she'll rejoice.
Nay would with naturall concern disown
All Enemys of thine, were she not one.

JULIA.

Your words to me new and surprising are,
For since these Cities first engag'd in warre,
You have so unconcern'd for Alba stood,
As if your birth had beene of Roman blood;
I wonder'd at a Vertue so refin'd,
Which to your husband Alba had resign'd
And therfore so proportion'd my relief,
As if our Rome alone, had caus'd your Grief.

SABINA.

Whilst such a shock my reason did assaile,
As was too weak to weigh down either Scale;
Till all my flattering hopes of peace were lost;
To be entirely Roman was my boast.
If at Romes fortune I displeas'd have been,
I quickly chid that Mutiny within;
And when her Destiny was not so kind,
If for my Brothers Joy seduc'd my mind,
By Reasons help that motion I suppress'd,
And wept for all the Glory they possess'd.
But now these Cities must be lost or sav'd,
That Rome must sinck, or Alba be enslav'd;
And after battell there no help remaines
To the subdu'd, nor stop to her that gaines;
I should too barbarously my Countrey treat,
If I could be a perfect Roman yet.
And if your triumphs I should wish to see,
Bought with the blood that is so dear to mee.
A little less to one mans love resign'd,
To neither Citie I will be confin'd.
I feare for both, till fate the strife decide,
But must be then on the afflicted side,
Equall to both, whilst both yet equall are,
Must eithers grief, but neithers glory share,
For I resolve, in such a sharp debate,
To mourn the Conquer'd, and the Victor hate.
How oft does fortune with an equall blow
On different souls different effects bestow.
How distant is Camilla 's way from this!
Your Brother loves her, hers your Husband is;
Yet in each army, with another Ey,
She can a Lover, and a Brother spy.
When in Rome 's fortune you were most involv'd,
She was as much confus'd, & unresolv'd.
She storms from every Cloud did apprehend;
And trembled if the ballance did but bend.
The most unfortunate she did bemoan;
And whosoêre prevail'd, she was undone.
But now she heares of this decisive day;
Now their whole fates at stake both Cities lay;
A suddain Joy does on her brow appear

SABINA.

Ah Julia how that Joy begets my feare!
With lookes so chearfull, & discourse so gay,
She entertain'd Valerius yesterday,
As could not sure come from her tongue or Eye,
If still within her heart my Brother ly;
A nearer object seizes her esteem;
And two years absence hath deformed him!
But though my Brother be to me so deare,
By care of him I must not injure her.
My groundless Jealousy concludes amiss;
Who can change love, at such a time as this?
How can a heart receive a wound thats new,
When such great shocks give it so much to doe?
Yet from Joy too this fatall day deter's;
And from contentments which resemble hers.

JULIA.

In me it equall wonder does produce;
Nor do I know what can be her excuse;
'Tis Constancy enough, if we can wait
Without impatience so severe a fate;
We overact our part if Joy we show.

SABINA.

See, some good Genius sends her hither now;
Her thoughts on this engage her to reveale;
From you her friendship nothing can conceale;
I'le leave you:-Sister, talk with Julia now;
For I'm asham'd my weakness to avow;
And so much sorrow does my heart invade,
That I must hide it in some secret shade.
Exit.
Scen. 2.

Julia. Camilla.

CAMILLA.

Why does she wish I should with you converse?
Does she beleive my trouble less then hers?
Or more insensible of this sad day,
Does she conclude I have no tears to pay?
With equall terrour I am threatn'd too;
And I shall loose as much as she can doe.
The man to whom I did my heart resign,
Must for his Countrey dy, or ruine Mine.
And all that I can love, (such is my Fate;)
Must now deserve my sorrow, or my hate.
Alas!-

JULIA.

-Yet her case more compassion moves,
Husbands we can not change, we may our loves.
Receive Valerius love, Curiace forget;
And you'll no more the other side regret.
But wholly ours, & recompos'd within,
You'll nothing have to loose, when Rome does win.

CAMILLA

Ah give me Counsell more legitimate;
Nor teach me with a crime to shun my fate;
For though my tide of woes I scarce can stem,
I rather would endure then merit them.

JULIA.

Can you beleive a prudent change a fault?

CAMILLA.

And can you think a Perjury is not?

JULIA.

What can engage us to our mortall Foes?

CAMILLA.

But what can disengage what honour ow's?

JULIA.

You would in vain disguise a thing design'd,
And which Valerius yesterday did find,
For the reception you to him did give,
Hath made his late expiring hope revive.

CAMILLA.

If to Valerius I then paid respect,
You nothing thence must for his hope collect;
Another Subject did my joys produce;
But I will now your errour disabuse;
I for my Curiace keep a flame too pure
Such a suspition longer to endure.
You know, his Sister was no sooner led
By happy Marriage to my Brothers bed;
But that my Father (pres't by him,) desir'd
I should reward the Love I had inspir'd;
One time to us blessings & Curses brings;
Allyes our Houses, disunites our Kings.
At once our Marriage, & the War resolv'd;
Our hopes created, & those hopes dissolv'd.
It promis'd all, & then snatch'd all away;
It made us foes and Lovers in a day.
How violent our Grief did then appeare!
How many blasphemys Heav'n then did heare!
And from my Eys how many Rivers fell!
I tell you not; you saw our last farewell.
The trouble of my Soul you since have seen;
And of my vows for peace have witness been.
At every news, in my distracted breast,
My Countrey, & my Lover did contest;
Toss'd with uncertain thoughts, I fled for ease,
To the relief of sacred Oracles;
Judge, if what yesterday I did obtain,
Might not assure my drooping heart again;
That famous Greek, who at th' Aventine dwells,
And heav'ns dark purposes to men foretells
He whom Apollo never yet betray'd,
By this reply my stormy thoughts allay'd.
" Alba & Rome to morrow changing face,
" Shall to thy wish't=for peace at length give place;
" And to thy Curiace thou shalt then be ty'd,
" So as no fortune ever shall divide.
I wholly on this answer did depend;
And finding it my utmost hopes transcend,
My Soul in Raptures of contentment flew;
Beyond what happyest Lovers ever knew.
Judge of their height, Valerius then I met,
And could ev'n him behold without regret.
He spoke of Love too, & I that could heare,
And never thought Valerius had been there;
His Courtship could from me no anger draw,
For every thing seem'd Curiace that I saw.
I thought all sounds told me how he did burn,
And all my answers Eccho'd my return.
The generall field which must to day be fought,
I yesterday had heard, but minded not;
My Soul those fatall objects did reject;
And still on Peace, & Marriage did reflect.
But soon those charming errours fled, & Night
With dreadfull Scenes my fancy did affright,
With heaps of slaughter, & with floods of gore,
Drown my vain Joyes; & all my fears restore;
I saw men dying, & then lost the sight;
A Ghost appear'd, & then it took its flight;
The fatall shades each others shape suppress;
Their terrour by confusion does encrease.

JULIA.

An opposite construction dreams require.

CAMILLA.

I would believe what I so much desire;
But I, & all my hopes of good success,
Find this a day of battell, not of peace.

JULIA.

'Twill end the War, & then a Peace is sure.

CAMILLA.

The pain is less then such a guilty cure.
If Rome or Alba must defeated be,
Dear Curiace can have no pretence to me.
No, it Camilla never can become
To wed the Conquerour, or Slave of Rome .
But what new Object does my sight surprize?
Is it thee Curiace ? may I trust my Eys?

Scen: 3:

Curiace, Camilla, Julia.

CURIACE.

Camilla doubt it not; And I am come,
Neither the Conquerour, nor Slave of Rome ;
Nor with the shame of Roman fetters here,
Or guilt of Roman blood, would I appeare.
Glory & Rome you love at such a rate,
You would despise my Chain, my Conquest hate.
And since alike in an extream so great,
I fear'd a Victory, & a Defeat; —

CAMILLA.

'Tis enough, Curiace , I can guess thy aym.
Thou fly'st a field so fatall to thy Flame;
Rather then me thy amorous heart would loose,
It to thy Countrey does thy sword refuse;
Let others make reflections on thy Fame;
And if they please so great a passion blame;
I can no quarrell have to this design;
What most thy Love shews, most obliges mine.
And if to Alba succour that deny's;
'Tis to make me the greater sacrifice.
But hast thou seen my Father, & does he
Allow a refuge in his house for thee?
Does not the Publick Private thoughts ├┤recome?
Does not he quit my interest for Rome ?
And to assure our fortune, let me know,
Did he appear a Father, or a Foe?

CURIACE.

With as much kindness my approach he saw,
As could be challeng'd by a Son=in=Law.
But Me he hath not by a Treason seen;
Which had unworthy his allyance been.
I quit not Alba by adoring you;
But keep my passion & my honour too;
And all the War, your Curiace hath not been
A better Lover then a Cittizen;
Nor to his Country's cause could Love prefer,
But whilst he sigh'd for you, he fought for her;
And if we must that sad contest renew,
I still must fight for Her, & sigh for you.
Yes, & in spight of all my passions charms,
Did the war last, I should be now in arms.
But a new peace gives me this free access,
And 'tis to that we ow this happiness.

CAMILLA.

O! who can faith to such a wonder give?

JULIA.

At least you may your Oracle believe.
And may discover by this good success,
This day of battell has produc'd a peace.

CURIACE.

Who could have thought it! the two army's met,
And both prepar'd for fight, with equall heat;
When between both, behold! our Generall stands,
And a short audience from your Prince demands;
" Romans (said he then,) whence comes all this rage?
" What fury makes us thus in arms engage?
" At least, let Reason our instructer be;
" Our daughters are your Wives; your Neighbours we!
" Hymen so much our union did pursue,
" That our Sons challenge Grandfathers in you;
" We but one Kindred, & one People are;
" Why should we tear our selves with Civill war?
" Where he that Conquers looses too, & wears
" His noblest Lawrell water'd with his tears.
" Our common Foes expect this bloody day;
" With hopes to make the Conquerour their Prey;
" Who scarsely that just judgment can avoid,
" When he himself, has half his strength destroy'd.
" They smile to see us thus our force abuse;
" Which against them we should more nobly use;
" Let us these little discords then forsake;
" Which so bad Kinsmen of good souldiers make.
" But if a thirst of Empire be the cause,
" Which either People to this madness draws;
" If with less slaughter that may be supply'd
" It will unite us, rather then divide;
" Let either Citty combatants design;
" And all her Fortune to their swords resign;
" And as of them the Gods shall then ordain;
" Let the weak yield, & let the stronger reign
" But so as blushes to the looser sav'd;
" They may subjected be, but not enslav'd.
" And to no shame or Tribute condiscend;
" But on the Victors standards to attend.
" Thus our two States we may one Empire call.
He said no more, but this affected all.
Each on the hostile Ranks casting his Ey;
A Friend, a Kinsman, or a Brother spy's;
They wonder now, by what unnaturall rage,
They in this publick Parricide engage;
A friendly strife, allmost a peace 'twas thought;
By which a War was to a Duel brought
And 'twas resolv'd at last, that only three
On either side should their whole armyes be.
All seek for th'honour, but the Generalls take
More leasure, this important choice to make.
Ours to the Camp, yours to the Senate went.

CAMILLA.

Oh Gods! how much you study my content!

CURIACE.

'Tis the agreement, that within two houres,
Our Champions fortune must determine ours.
Till they are nam'd, we freely goe & come;
Rome in our Camp is, & our Camp in Rome .
And since no orders now access refuse;
His old acquaintance every man renew's,
I, by my Passion led, your Brothers found;
And my Love since with such success is crown'd;
That now your Father is by promise ty'd,
To bless me with Camilla for my Bride.
To morrow, Dear Camilla , is the Day;
To morrow, & I trust you will obey
What both your Love & Piety commands.

CAMILLA

A Daughters duty in obedience stands.

CURIACE

Come then, that pleasing Order now receive,
Which must an end to all my sufferings give.

[CAMILLA

I go, in hope my Brothers there to see,
And know the Period of our Misery.]

JULIA.

Be that your way, the Temple shall be mine;
Where for you both I'll praise the Powers Divine.

Act 1 Scen. 1.

Sabina Julia.

SABINA

Excuse my weakness, & my Grief permit
In a distress, which so much merits it
When such a storm does its approaches make,
It may become the strongest heart to shake
And Constancy will now admit dispute,
Ev'n in the breast that is most resolute.
But yet, how rude so êre the shock appear's,
Though not my sigh's, I can command my Tears
Though violent sorrow may my heart surprize,
Yet Vertue still is regent in my Eys.
If to my heart I can confine my woe,
Though less then man, I more then Woman doe.
To stop my tears in an assault so rough
For our weake Sex will sure be brave enough.

JULIA

It is for vulgar Souls I must confess,
Who create grief from every slight distress;
But a great heart would blush at that defect,
And all things dares from doubtfull fate expect
Under our walls two Armys we survey
But Rome nêre yet, knew how to loose the day.
Applause, not Grief, we to her Fortune ow,
Who whilst she fights, must needs the mightyer grow
Then let vain terrours from your breast depart,
And find out vows worthy a Roman heart.

SABINA

My heart I gave to Horace , & 'tis true,
Since he's a Roman , I must be so too;
But yet that knot a fetter would be thought,
If my dear Countrey should be quite forgot:
Alba , where I began to see the light;
Alba , my native place, and first delight;
When I behold a war 'twixt us and Thee,
I dread our loss, & dread our victory.
Rome , if by this thy anger I create,
Find out a Foe whom I may justly hate;
When at thy walls, two armys in my sight,
Shew me my Brothers with my Husband fight,
What prayers can I make? how can I be
Without impiety concern'd for Thee?
I know thy growing Empire, yet so young,
By war alone must make her sinnews strong;
Thy future Grandeur is by fate design'd
Not to the Latines to be long confin'd.
The Gods the Suppliant World for thee intend;
And 'tis by arms thou must attain that End
Far from repining at that Noble heat,
Which serves thy Stars, & helps to make thee Great;
I wish thy Troops may still new triumphs claim,
And passe Pyrenaean hills to Fame;
Goe, Eastern Conquests for thy sword design;
And pitch thy proud Pavillions on the Rhine;
Let all Lands tremble where thy Ensigns goe,
But that to which thou Romulus doest ow.
Subdue the utmost Regions of the Earth;
But spare the Town where Romulus had birth
Forget not her from whom thy Citty draws
Her Name, & all her strength, both Walls & Laws
Alba's thy Parent; let that thought arrest
Thy greedy sword; nor pierce thy Mothers brest.
For thy triumphant arms make other choice;
And in her Childrens fortune she'll rejoice
Nay would with naturall concern disown
All Enemys of thine, were she not one.

JULIA.

Your words to me new and surprising are,
For since these Cities first engag'd in warre,
You have so unconcern'd for Alba stood,
As if your birth had beene of Roman blood;
I wonder'd at a Vertue so refin'd,
Which to your husband Alba had resign'd
And therfore so proportion'd my relief,
As if our Rome alone, had caus'd your Grief.

SABINA

Whilst such a shock my reason did assaile,
As was too weak to weigh down either Scale;
Till all my flattering hopes of peace were lost;
To be entirely Roman was my boast
If at Romes fortune I displeas'd have been,
I quickly chid that Mutiny within;
And when her Destiny was not so kind,
If for my Brothers Joy seduc'd my mind,
By Reasons help that motion I suppress'd,
And wept for all the Glory they possess'd
But now these Cities must be lost or sav'd,
That Rome must sinck, or Alba be enslav'd;
And after battell there no help remaines
To the subdu'd, nor stop to her that gaines;
I should too barbarously my Countrey treat,
If I could be a perfect Roman yet
And if your triumphs I should wish to see,
Bought with the blood that is so dear to mee.
A little less to one mans love resign'd,
To neither Citie I will be confin'd
I feare for both, till fate the strife decide,
But must be then on the afflicted side,
Equall to both, whilst both yet equall are,
Must eithers grief, but neithers glory share,
For I resolve, in such a sharp debate,
To mourn the Conquer'd, and the Victor hate.

JULIA

How oft does fortune with an equall blow
On different souls different effects bestow.
How distant is Camilla 's way from this!
Your Brother loves her, hers your Husband is;
Yet in each army, with another Ey,
She can a Lover, and a Brother spy
When in Rome 's fortune you were most involv'd,
She was as much confus'd, & unresolv'd.
She storms from every Cloud did apprehend;
And trembled if the ballance did but bend
The most unfortunate she did bemoan;
And whosoêre prevail'd, she was undone
But now she heares of this decisive day;
Now their whole fates at stake both Cities lay;
A suddain Joy does on her brow appear

SABINA.

Ah Julia how that Joy begets my feare!
With lookes so chearfull, & discourse so gay,
She entertain'd Valerius yesterday,
As could not sure come from her tongue or Eye,
If still within her heart my Brother ly;
A nearer object seizes her esteem;
And two years absence hath deformed him!
But though my Brother be to me so deare,
By care of him I must not injure her.
My groundless Jealousy concludes amiss;
Who can change love, at such a time as this?
How can a heart receive a wound thats new,
When such great shocks give it so much to doe?
Yet from Joy too this fatall day deter's;
And from contentments which resemble hers.

JULIA.

In me it equall wonder does produce;
Nor do I know what can be her excuse;
'Tis Constancy enough, if we can wait
Without impatience so severe a fate;
We overact our part if Joy we show

SABINA

See, some good Genius sends her hither now;
Her thoughts on this engage her to reveale;
From you her friendship nothing can conceale;
I'le leave you:-Sister, talk with Julia now;
For I'm asham'd my weakness to avow;
And so much sorrow does my heart invade,
That I must hide it in some secret shade.
Exit.

Scen. 2.

Julia Camilla.

CAMILLA

Why does she wish I should with you converse?
Does she beleive my trouble less then hers?
Or more insensible of this sad day,
Does she conclude I have no tears to pay?
With equall terrour I am threatn'd too;
And I shall loose as much as she can doe.
The man to whom I did my heart resign,
Must for his Countrey dy, or ruine Mine
And all that I can love, (such is my Fate;)
Must now deserve my sorrow, or my hate
Alas!-

JULIA

-Yet her case more compassion moves,
Husbands we can not change, we may our loves.
Receive Valerius love, Curiace forget;
And you'll no more the other side regret
But wholly ours, & recompos'd within,
You'll nothing have to loose, when Rome does win

CAMILLA

Ah give me Counsell more legitimate;
Nor teach me with a crime to shun my fate;
For though my tide of woes I scarce can stem,
I rather would endure then merit them

JULIA.

Can you beleive a prudent change a fault?

CAMILLA

And can you think a Perjury is not?

JULIA

What can engage us to our mortall Foes?

CAMILLA

But what can disengage what honour ow's?

JULIA

You would in vain disguise a thing design'd,
And which Valerius yesterday did find,
For the reception you to him did give,
Hath made his late expiring hope revive.

CAMILLA.

If to Valerius I then paid respect,
You nothing thence must for his hope collect;
Another Subject did my joys produce;
But I will now your errour disabuse;
I for my Curiace keep a flame too pure
Such a suspition longer to endure
You know, his Sister was no sooner led
By happy Marriage to my Brothers bed;
But that my Father (pres't by him,) desir'd
I should reward the Love I had inspir'd;
One time to us blessings & Curses brings;
Allyes our Houses, disunites our Kings.
At once our Marriage, & the War resolv'd;
Our hopes created, & those hopes dissolv'd
It promis'd all, & then snatch'd all away;
It made us foes and Lovers in a day.
How violent our Grief did then appeare!
How many blasphemys Heav'n then did heare!
And from my Eys how many Rivers fell!
I tell you not; you saw our last farewell
The trouble of my Soul you since have seen;
And of my vows for peace have witness been
At every news, in my distracted breast,
My Countrey, & my Lover did contest;
Toss'd with uncertain thoughts, I fled for ease,
To the relief of sacred Oracles;
Judge, if what yesterday I did obtain,
Might not assure my drooping heart again;
That famous Greek, who at th' Aventine dwells,
And heav'ns dark purposes to men foretells
He whom Apollo never yet betray'd,
By this reply my stormy thoughts allay'd.
" Alba & Rome to morrow changing face,
" Shall to thy wish't=for peace at length give place;
" And to thy Curiace thou shalt then be ty'd,
" So as no fortune ever shall divide
I wholly on this answer did depend;
And finding it my utmost hopes transcend,
My Soul in Raptures of contentment flew;
Beyond what happyest Lovers ever knew.
Judge of their height, Valerius then I met,
And could ev'n him behold without regret
He spoke of Love too, & I that could heare,
And never thought Valerius had been there;
His Courtship could from me no anger draw,
For every thing seem'd Curiace that I saw
I thought all sounds told me how he did burn,
And all my answers Eccho'd my return
The generall field which must to day be fought,
I yesterday had heard, but minded not;
My Soul those fatall objects did reject;
And still on Peace, & Marriage did reflect
But soon those charming errours fled, & Night
With dreadfull Scenes my fancy did affright,
With heaps of slaughter, & with floods of gore,
Drown my vain Joyes; & all my fears restore;
I saw men dying, & then lost the sight;
A Ghost appear'd, & then it took its flight;
The fatall shades each others shape suppress;
Their terrour by confusion does encrease.

JULIA.

An opposite construction dreams require.

CAMILLA

I would believe what I so much desire;
But I, & all my hopes of good success,
Find this a day of battell, not of peace

JULIA

'Twill end the War, & then a Peace is sure

CAMILLA

The pain is less then such a guilty cure.
If Rome or Alba must defeated be,
Dear Curiace can have no pretence to me
No, it Camilla never can become
To wed the Conquerour, or Slave of Rome
But what new Object does my sight surprize?
Is it thee Curiace? may I trust my Eys?

Scen: 3:

Curiace, Camilla, Julia

CURIACE

Camilla doubt it not; And I am come,
Neither the Conquerour, nor Slave of Rome ;
Nor with the shame of Roman fetters here,
Or guilt of Roman blood, would I appeare.
Glory & Rome you love at such a rate,
You would despise my Chain, my Conquest hate.
And since alike in an extream so great,
I fear'd a Victory, & a Defeat; —

CAMILLA.

'Tis enough, Curiace , I can guess thy aym
Thou fly'st a field so fatall to thy Flame;
Rather then me thy amorous heart would loose,
It to thy Countrey does thy sword refuse;
Let others make reflections on thy Fame;
And if they please so great a passion blame;
I can no quarrell have to this design;
What most thy Love shews, most obliges mine
And if to Alba succour that deny's;
'Tis to make me the greater sacrifice
But hast thou seen my Father, & does he
Allow a refuge in his house for thee?
Does not the Publick Private thoughts ├┤recome?
Does not he quit my interest for Rome?
And to assure our fortune, let me know,
Did he appear a Father, or a Foe?

CURIACE

With as much kindness my approach he saw,
As could be challeng'd by a Son=in=Law
But Me he hath not by a Treason seen;
Which had unworthy his allyance been
I quit not Alba by adoring you;
But keep my passion & my honour too;
And all the War, your Curiace hath not been
A better Lover then a Cittizen;
Nor to his Country's cause could Love prefer,
But whilst he sigh'd for you, he fought for her;
And if we must that sad contest renew,
I still must fight for Her, & sigh for you.
Yes, & in spight of all my passions charms,
Did the war last, I should be now in arms.
But a new peace gives me this free access,
And 'tis to that we ow this happiness.

CAMILLA.

O! who can faith to such a wonder give?

JULIA

At least you may your Oracle believe.
And may discover by this good success,
This day of battell has produc'd a peace

CURIACE

Who could have thought it! the two army's met,
And both prepar'd for fight, with equall heat;
When between both, behold! our Generall stands,
And a short audience from your Prince demands;
" Romans (said he then,) whence comes all this rage?
" What fury makes us thus in arms engage?
" At least, let Reason our instructer be;
" Our daughters are your Wives; your Neighbours we!
" Hymen so much our union did pursue,
" That our Sons challenge Grandfathers in you;
" We but one Kindred, & one People are;
" Why should we tear our selves with Civill war?
" Where he that Conquers looses too, & wears
" His noblest Lawrell water'd with his tears.
" Our common Foes expect this bloody day;
" With hopes to make the Conquerour their Prey;
" Who scarsely that just judgment can avoid,
" When he himself, has half his strength destroy'd
" They smile to see us thus our force abuse;
" Which against them we should more nobly use;
" Let us these little discords then forsake;
" Which so bad Kinsmen of good souldiers make
" But if a thirst of Empire be the cause,
" Which either People to this madness draws;
" If with less slaughter that may be supply'd
" It will unite us, rather then divide;
" Let either Citty combatants design;
" And all her Fortune to their swords resign;
" And as of them the Gods shall then ordain;
" Let the weak yield, & let the stronger reign
" But so as blushes to the looser sav'd;
" They may subjected be, but not enslav'd.
" And to no shame or Tribute condiscend;
" But on the Victors standards to attend
" Thus our two States we may one Empire call.
He said no more, but this affected all.
Each on the hostile Ranks casting his Ey;
A Friend, a Kinsman, or a Brother spy's;
They wonder now, by what unnaturall rage,
They in this publick Parricide engage;
A friendly strife, allmost a peace 'twas thought;
By which a War was to a Duel brought
And 'twas resolv'd at last, that only three
On either side should their whole armyes be.
All seek for th'honour, but the Generalls take
More leasure, this important choice to make.
Ours to the Camp, yours to the Senate went

CAMILLA.

Oh Gods! how much you study my content!

CURIACE.

'Tis the agreement, that within two houres,
Our Champions fortune must determine ours.
Till they are nam'd, we freely goe & come;
Rome in our Camp is, & our Camp in Rome .
And since no orders now access refuse;
His old acquaintance every man renew's.
I, by my Passion led, your Brothers found;
And my Love since with such success is crown'd;
That now your Father is by promise ty'd,
To bless me with Camilla for my Bride
To morrow, Dear Camilla , is the Day;
To morrow, & I trust you will obey
What both your Love & Piety commands

CAMILLA

A Daughters duty in obedience stands.

CURIACE

Come then, that pleasing Order now receive,
Which must an end to all my sufferings give

[CAMILLA

I go, in hope my Brothers there to see,
And know the Period of our Misery]

JULIA.

Be that your way, the Temple shall be mine;
Where for you both I'll praise the Powers Divine.