Regulus, the noblest Roman of them all; a tragedy in five acts

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. 1841 Excerpt: ...for me. Mar. And for thy ships! I feel no shame in taking such a bribe, My hero and my husband; 'tis resolv'd, If Dives lose his ships, I lose--? Div. Be sure, Thy Regulus. Mar. And he--? Div. Returns--to die! Mar. Returns to die! to die! The patriot Dives! The merciful, magnanimous, and just! Where shall I see him? Div. Wrap thee in thy robe, I will protect thee. Mar. Thou? poor Marcia, sir, A dame of Rome, can well protect herself. Conduct me if you list, my part is plain If truth and honour stand not in our way, You have your ships, and I my heart's desire. they go forth. SCENE III. Regulus in an Apartment of Dives' Pavilion. A Lamp burning Reg. How near to those I love; the air they breathe, I breathe once more; the stars which tend their sleep Smile o'er my head: they see me in their dreams, And Marcia calls my name--my long-lost wife! Perhaps like myself she watches thro' the night. I did her wrong to think that she could rest, And be more selfish than myself who wake Of famine to embrace her, now so soon. Oh, if our grief hath worn her, it will dim The joy, I fondly hope to be in store, To hail our young ones' progress, since I left, Their bodies' beauty, and their minds' encrease. How, like her mother, grows my gentle girl, How, like our bravest youth, my hopeful boys. muses. Marcia is let in by Dives, who retires, she halts at the entrance from agitation. My keepers, such they are, would have me blind; Yet, thro' their own precautions, they disclose What is their state and ours; ye powers who guide The destinies of Rome, instruct me, still, How most to serve my country! Mar. Noblest! best! Reg. Ha! what art thou, when man and nature sleep, Who com'st upou my musings? Thro' the gloom, Thou seem'st a woman? Mar. Regulus! Reg. Thy voice approaching. I...