THE RETURN OF GRACCHUS From Act I, Scene III. LICINIA. But mother, you Methinks are hardly glad to know he's coming. To strain him to my heart. CORNELIA. Your love, my child, Is wild with youth. Mine, sobered with life's age, LICINIA. But tell me, mother, when you heard it said Who watchest for thy mate, now tune thy song CORNELIA. Welcome to Rome, my boy. LICINIA. But thou art strange! Why truly, mother, thou didst promise right That I had lost my love. This is not he! This bearded soldier, seamed and browned in the wars! GRACCHUS. What, saucy one! Would'st thou disown thy lord? And will allow no mutiny in camp. So rebel, come, that I may punish thee With this, and this-and thus with kisses plague thee! LICINIA. Nay; get thee gone. I must perforce admit, I thought thou hadst grown wiser. GRACCHUS. How's this, mother? The while your grave look holds some big import. LICINIA. Nay, Gracchus-prithee, love! nay, not that look! GRACCHUS. What, have you not grown older? Still the same? And sulk at business, when it rivals love! CORNELIA. Unwillingly, with harshness thus to break Each moment lost is so much life-blood drawn, Rome's all a-fire; and your best lovers now Half-turned against you, pondering, shake their heads. As doubtful of your course. GRACCHUS. What! would they wish To see me drag out life the Senate's drudge? To rot away my soul, like worthless carcass In the highway cast, for daws and crows to pick at! All for the profit of the proud usurpers, Who from between our teeth the hard-earned bread At which the starving people stare, and wonder CORNELIA. Be cool' be cool! and heed that you do not, GRACCHUS. Mother, you're right. I loiter here too long. Send your best wishes with me and take heart. (Exeunt.) THE TRIBUNE From Act II, Scene II. SEPTIMULIEUS. I knew it! bless the Gods! We're now almost Upon the ladder's top. The people's voice Then, good luck, his friends! FIRST CITIZEN. Spite of the Senate they will make him tribune. SEPTIMULIEUS. Ay; to be sure they will! and he will make He notes my merits kindly. I told you so! I'm one of his best friends! Huzza for Caius Gracchus ! FIRST CITIZEN. Now we've got A tribune who, as cunningly as need be, May pose the law against your Livius Drusus. FULVIUS. Ay, let our lordly rulers champ the bit And fret their hearts out; 'tis not like that Gracchus Will abdicate the tribuneship to please them. He's fairly mounted and he'll ride them down. Till whip and spur at last have done their work, UNWELCOME COUNSELLINGS From Act II, Scene IV. GRACCHUS. But you are too unruly. You have schooled You make them drown in license and debauch. FULVIUS. Why, one would think, you had not yet unlearned GRACCHUS. You word it well; an enthroned thought it is! Which in the sweeping current mingling, drops By the great alchemy of reason, flows Pure as it must be, from its origin. Thought sprang from God, and all bestained with earth, |