_Here entereth_ JUDGE APPIUS _and_ CLAUDIUS.
The furies fell of Limbo lake My princely days do short: All drown’d in deadly ways I live, That once did joy in sport. I live and languish in my life, As doth the wounded deer. I thirst, I crave, I call and cry. And yet am nought the near:[183] And yet I have that me so match Within the realm of mine: But (Tantalus amids my care) I hunger--starve, and pine. As Sisyphus, I roll the stone In vain to top of hill, That ever more uncertainly Revolving slideth still. O, if to her ’twere as to me,[184] What labours would I fly, What raging seas would I not plough To her commodity? But out alas, I doubt it sore, Lest drowsy Morpheus[185] His slumb’ry kingdoms planted hath With dews unbeauteous.[186] O gods above that rule the skies: Ye babes that brag in bliss: Ye goddesses, ye Graces, you, What burning brunt is this? Bend down your ire, destroy me quick. Or else to grant me grace, No more, but that my burning breast Virginia may embrace.[187] If case your ears be dead and deaf, The fiend and spirits below, You careless carls of Limbo lake, Your forced mights do show. Thou caitif king of darksome dens, Thou Pluto, plagued knave, Send forth thy sacred vengeance straight, Consume them to the grave, That will not aid my case--
CLAUDIUS. Content, and if it like your grace, I will attempt the deed: I summon will Virginius Before your seat with speed.
HAPHAZARD.Do so, my lord: be you not afraid, And so you may happen to hazard the maid: It is but in hazard and may come by hap: Win her or lose her, try you the trap.
APPIUS. By the gods, I consent to thee, Claudius, now; Prepare thee in haste Virginius unto. Charge him, command him, upon his allegiance, With all kind of speed to yield his obeisance, Before my seat in my consistory, _Subpœnâ_ of land, life and treasury. No let, no stay, nor ought perturbance Shall cause me to omit the furtherance Of this my weighty charge. [_Here let_ CLAUDIUS _go out with_ HAPHAZARD.
APPIUS. Well, now I range at large my will for to express; For look, how Tarquin Lucrece fair by force did once oppress, Even so will I Virginia use.
[_Here let_ CONSCIENCE _speak within_. Judge Appius, prince, O stay, refuse; Be ruled by thy friend! What bloody death with open shame Did Tarquin gain in end?