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ARMINIUS: OR THE CHAMPION OF LIBERTY, A TRAGEDY. WITH AN HISTORICAL PREFACE.

BY ARTHUR MURPHY, ESQ.

Arminius Liberator haud dubie Germaniae, et qui non primordia Populi Romani, ſicut alii Reges Duceſque, ſed florentiſſimum Imperium laceſſierit, Praeliis ambiguus, Bello non Victus. Tacit. Annal. Lib. ii. S. 88.

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PREFACE.

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THE following Poem was written in the courſe of the laſt ſummer. Why it was not offered to the Stage, it is unneceſſary to mention. If it could in any degree anſwer the purpoſe, for which it was originally deſigned, it would not be, as perhaps now is the caſe, a mere trifle offered to the Public. The Author is conſcious that his powers are neither equal to the ſubject, nor to the zeal with which he undertook it. Removed though he is from the political world, he could not, in his private retreat, be altogether inattentive to the various events, which in the laſt ſeven years have changed the face of Europe, and, under the ſavage conduct of a Nation of profeſſed Atheiſts, counteracted the order of Providence in the formation of [vi]Civil Society. Nihil eſt illi Principi Deo, qui omnem hunc Mundum regit, quod quidem in terris fiat acceptius, quam Concilia Coetus que hominum jure Sociati, quoe CIVITATES appellantur (a). He ſaw the Monarchy of France overturned by the fury of a Democratic Faction, who have ſince reduced their whole Nation to a ſtate of Slavery not to be paralelled in the Records of Hiſtory. FIVE MEN called the DIRECTORY, have ſilenced the Legiſlature of their country; they tranſported Seventy of the Members to periſh on a foreign ſhore, and from that time have not ſuffered their NATIONAL ASSEMBLY to enter into a Debate, or to paſs a ſingle Law.

The Uſurpers at firſt covered their ambition with the maſk of Patriots ſtruggling for Liberty; and, as ſoon as they found themſelves poſſeſſed of Power, they deſtroyed LIBERTY ITSELF. With men of their ſtamp the practice has been uniformly the ſame from the days of Tacitus to the preſent hour. Ut Imperium evertant, LIBERTATEM praeferunt; ſr Everterint, LIBERTATEM IPSAM aggrediuntur (b)

[vii] When the Revolution began in France, the People of England did not look much deeper than the ſurface; the love of innovation was for ſome time thought to be zeal for civil liberty; and by great politicians and eminent orators it was called The FABRIC OF HUMAN WISDOM. That doctrine was ſpread far and wide, and honeſt men were deceived by appearances. In the mean time a JACOBIN PARTY was formed in various parts of England by CONSTITUTIONAL CLUBS and CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. Republicans in their hearts they pretended to act with ardour for the Conſtitution. They talked of the RIGHTS OF MAN, of REFORM OF PARLIAMENT, and UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, while in ſecret they wiſhed for nothing ſo much as to ſee the horrors of French Anarchy introduced into this kingdom. They knew that in a thunder-ſtorm the dregs of the barrel riſe to the top. They had read in the fable, that when the oak and the cedar were felled to the ground, the bramble reigned over the foreſt. Having nothing to loſe, they hoped in a convulſion of the ſtate, that they ſhould find their private advantage. The ſame views and principles in every age and country [viii]have been the motives of all pernicious citizens. The Engliſh JACOBINS, as well as the FRENCH, may find their picture drawn by the maſterly pencil of Tacitus. Falſo LIBERTATIS nomen obtendi ab üs, qui PRIVATIM DEGENERES, in publicum EXITIOSI, nihil ſpei niſi per diſcordias habeant (b)

While our home-bred Factions were employed at Sheffield, Norwich, Mancheſter, London, and other places, in laying the ſeedplots of Rebellion, this country was on a ſudden involved in a juſt, a neceſſary, an UNAVOIDABLE War. Unavoidable it muſt be called, ſince the REGICIDES thought fit to be the AGGRESSORS. This point has been warmly controverted, and much ink has been laviſhed on the ſubject. The preſent writer does not mean to enter the liſts with any perſon whatever: he only claims a right to think for himſelf, and, with all poſſible brevity, to exhibit the light in which things appeared to him.

It has been ſaid that Great Britain provoked the war by the recall of her Ambaſſador. But that event took place after the 10th of [ix]Auguſt, 1792, when the King of France was ſuſpended from all the functions of his office, and ſent, with the Royal Family, a priſoner to the Temple. The credentials of the Ambaſſador were then no longer valid. With whom was he to tranſact buſineſs? Was it to be matter of indifference, whether he negotiated with the King, to whom he was ſent, or with the BRISSOTS, the MARATS, the ROBESPIERES, and the reſt of that Pandaemonium? Would ſuch a conduct have been ſuited to the honour of the Britiſh Nation? It would have been nothing ſhort of a decided part in the internal affairs of France. Had LORD GOWER remained at Paris, he would have been in a precarious ſituation. He had ſeen the maſſacre of the 10th of Auguſt: Was he to wait for that of the 2d of September, when no leſs than three thouſand men, women, and children, were moſt barbarouſly murdered? The French have lately ſhewn that they can trample on the rights of ambaſſadors: They confined the ambaſſador of Portugal in a priſon, and might have behaved with equal inſolence to LORD GOWER. In ſuch a juncture, his Majeſty thought it became his dignity to ſend letters of recall, declaring, at the [x]ſame time, that he would not interfere in the internal government of that kingdom. If the French, who are now affiliating, that is enſlaving GENEVA, will enquire for the works of BURLAMAQUI, they will find that the recall of an ambaſſador, or a refuſal to receive one, may proceed from various cauſes, without being deemed a ſufficient provocation of war. It ſhould ſeem that the French themſelves were of that opinion, ſince it appears, that M. LE BRUN, at that time Miniſter for Foreign Affairs, in his anſwer to the communication made to him by LORD GOWER, expreſſed his wiſh, that a full reciprocity of juſtice and good-will might ſubſiſt between the two countries.

With what ſincerity the Republican Anarchiſts acted on that occaſion, may be inferred from their Decree of the 19th November, 1792, by which they promiſed fraternity and ſupport to the People of every country, who wiſhed to overturn their Government. It is almoſt ſuperfluous to add, that in anſwer to Froſt and Joel Barlow, the Preſident of the Convention hoped the day was not far diſtant, when he ſhould ſend congratulations to a ſimilar National Convention in England.

[xi] It is well known, that an inundation of French Jacobins, whom their o'ercloy'd country vomited forth to propagate their deteſtable principles, infeſted every part of London: In ſuch a period the ALIEN BILL was a wife and neceſſary meaſure: and it may now well be a queſtion, whether it ought not to be declared perpetual. Whenever a Peace ſhall be concluded, a banditti of Frenchmen, under the pretext of trade and commerce, will be ſent over to wage a war of principles againſt the Government.

In the latter end of the year 1792, the demagogues of Paris were reſolved on two grand objects, namely, the murder of their King, and a war with Great Britain. The former was executed on the 21ſt of January 1793; on the 24th of the ſame month M. Chauvelin received orders to depart. Though it was well known, that long before that time he had renounced his King, who had ſent him hither, and ſworn fidelity to his new maſters; and though his machinations in this country were well known, he was, notwithſtanding, ſuffered to remain as long as Lewis XVI. was permitted to live. His [xii]credentials expired with his martyred Sovereign. His character of ambaſſador was terminated by the fatal murder of his moſt Chriſtian Majeſty. To have received him with new credentials from the regicides, would have been incompatible with the moral dignity of the Britiſh Nation.

The rulers of Paris, having deſtroyed their, King, proceeded to their long-projected war againſt Great Britain. In their debate on that ſubject, on the 1ſt of February 1793, it was aſſerted by one of their orators, That the watchful conduct of the Britiſh Miniſters, their fears, and jealouſies afforded proofs of the progreſs of the opinions and principles of the French Revolution (c) Is not that avowal from the mouth of an enemy, a full juſtification of the ALIEN BILL? It was further aſſerted by Briſſot, that the Britiſh Miniſters, for the ſake of the trade and commerce of England, obſerved a STRICT NEUTRALITY. If corroborating proof of this pacific diſpoſition were neceſſary, we have the authority of the MARQUIS DE BOUILLE. That great Officer, known and [xiii]reſpected throughout Europe, informs us, that he attended the King of Pruſſia and the Emperor Leopold at Pilnitz, on the 22d of Auguſt, 1791, when theſe two powers formed a Treaty of Alliance; and in the month of September following, he was received in the Cabinet at Vienna, and there the Emperor told him, that he had been waiting for anſwers from the Courts of Ruſſia, Spain, England, and the principal Sovereigns of Italy, and had at length received them, and was aſſured of the aſſiſtance and co-operation of all thoſe powers, EXCEPT ENGLAND, which had expreſſed its determination to OBSERVE A STRICT NEUTRALITY (d)

What, in the mean time, was the real diſpoſition of the French towards Great Britain? Mr. HARPER, one of the Repreſentatives in the American Congreſs, has laid open the intrigues, the ſtratagems, and over-bearing inſolence of the French, from the very beginning of the Revolution. He tells us in expreſs terms, that their grand object was to deſtroy the trade of Great Britain. And [xiv]this was to be effected by ſetting fire to the four corners of Europe, and exciting the People in every quarter to inſurrection againſt their Government. A project ſo atrocious in its end, and ſo abominable in its means, has never been conceived before. And while all this was going on, the Convention, in order to hoodwink England, was making to her the moſt ſolemn aſſurances of pacific intentions. It even carried its diſſimulation to the almoſt incredible length of requeſting the mediation of England to bring about a Peace with Pruſſia and the Emperor. In the mean time, their inſtructions to GENET, (their Envoy to America) ſhewed, that it was their manifeſt object to draw the United States into a war with Great Britain. Thoſe inſtructions were dated January 3d, 1793. Supplementary inſtructions were delivered by the ſame perſon, January 17th, 1793. Louis XVI. was guillotined January 21ſt, 1793; Chauvelin was ordered to quit England, January 24th, 1793, and war was declared againſt England on the 1ſt of February following. If the diſmiſſal of Chauvelin was the occaſion of the war, as France alledged, why thoſe inſtructions on the 3d of January ſo long before the diſmiſſal? [xv]The Leaders of Oppoſition in England have long perſiſted in the error of regarding only the DECLARATIONS of France, and wholly overlooking her ACTIONS (e).’

If the war was at firſt unavoidable, it is now juſt and neceſſary, as appears from the behaviour of the Directory to LORD MALMESBURY. That Nobleman, inveſted with the character of Plenipotentiary, offered in the very outſet of the negotiation at Liſle, the terms of Peace drawn up in the form of a Treaty, which the enemy, had they been in earneſt, might have embraced with little or no delay; but, contrary to all precedent, they recalled at the end of near three months, the Plenipotentiaries, who poſſeſſed the thread of the whole negotiation, and ſent two new Agents to Liſle, with a ſettled deſign, in the moſt abrupt manner, to end all further Treaty. Thoſe new Agents by a note, dated the 16th of September, deſired to know whether Lord Malmeſbury had powers to give up to France and her Allies, all places conquered by Great Britain. They were told by his Lordſhip, that a deciſive anſwer in the [xvi]negative had been given on the 24th of July preceding. This was of no weight. A Peer of Great Britain, and a Plenipotentiary Ambaſſador, was ordered in the moſt inſolent manner to go and return, that is to fetch and carry for an inſolent Directory, who have emerged from obſcurity, to be the tyrants of their country. This demand of a general reſtitution is the more extravagant, becauſe after the three great and glorious victories, unparalleled in the Britiſh Annals, by LORD HOWE over the French, by LORD ST. VINCENT over the Spaniards, and laſtly, by LORD DUNCAN over the Dutch, it is not in their power to retake any one place that has been conquered from them. Rafts and gunboats will not be able to cope with the Britiſh Navy.

It has been aſked in the Houſe of Commons, "Are we to perſiſt in the war for the poſſeſſion of the Cape of GOOD HOPE, the Iſland of CEYLON, and Trincomale?" The following Extract from the Marquis de Bouille's Memoirs, will be a ſufficient anſwer to the queſtion. "In the ſummer of 1784," ſays that great General, ‘when I was preparing to ſet out from BERLIN to RUSSIA, I received an [xvii]order from Government to return to Paris. On my arrival there, the Miniſter acquainted me with a project relative to the Eaſt Indies. The object was, to unite the French and Dutch forces in an attack upon the Engliſh poſſeſſions, to reſtore to the Princes of the Country the Provinces conquered from them by the Engliſh, and to obtain and ſecure for the two nations Factories and Commercial Eſtabliſhments, which were to be free to the whole world. The means employed to ſecure ſucceſs to this enterprize, were an army of 18,000 men, independent of the garriſons already in that country; twenty millions of livres in ſpecie, and a Naval force able to oppoſe that of the Engliſh in the Eaſt Indies. TRINCOMALE, in the Iſland of CEYLON, was the place deſtined for the rendezvous of the troops, and the repoſitory of the military magazines. One third of the forces, as well as of the ſums neceſſary, and the ſtores and proviſions of every kind were to be furniſhed by the Dutch, who requeſted that I ſhould have the command of the expedition. In 1787, the Revolution broke out in Holland; but was ſuppreſſed [xviii]preſſed by the entry of a Pruſſian army under the command of the DUKE OF BRUNSWICK. All the bonds which united FRANCE and HOLLAND were diſſolved, the former baſely abandoning her Ally, and thus the vaſt project of the conqueſt of the Indies vaniſhed into air (f).’

It is to be obſerved, that the above project was in 1784, not more than a year after a General Peace, when nothing had occurred that could give umbrage to France. The ſame rooted averſion to this country 'ſtill ſubſiſts, and is openly avowed by the Directory: and, after this ſtatement, is TRINCOMALE an object of importance to this country? Shall it be given up to be the rendezvous of the enemy's troops, and the repoſitory of their magazines? To do it, were to be felo de ſe.

Ever ſince the return of Lord Malmeſbury, the Directory have waged a war of Billinſgate againſt this country. With ſcurrility, calumny, and the groſſeſt falſehoods, they have attempted to traduce and vilify a great nation, celebrated throughout Europe for its [xix]humanity no leſs than its valour. They have declared that the Engliſh are a generous people labouring under a bad government, and they are determined to give them on the the Royal Exchange a better conſtitution. Infatuated men! They had in the beginning of their Revolution the Britiſh Conſtitution as a model to imitate, but they preferred Anarchy. As Monteſquieu expreſſes it, they had BYZANTIUM before their eyes, and they built CHALCEDON. They have affiliated HOLLAND, BELGIUM, the States of Italy, and GENEVA, and they have robbed and plundered them all. It now remains for them to deſtroy the Commerce of Great Britain, and to erect their TRI-COLOURED FLAG on the Royal Exchange. For this purpoſe they have ſolicited ſubſcriptions in their own exhauſted country, but by that meaſure they rouzed the ſpirit of the Britiſh Nation. All degrees and ranks of men have conſpired with emulation to ſtrengthen the hands of Government, and from the Contributions paid in at the Bank, three things are manifeſt: Firſt, that the people are united, with one mind, one heart, one hand, againſt the [xx]attempts of a French banditti: Secondly, that this is an opulent country, ready and willing to ſtrengthen the hands of Government: And thirdly, the Voluntary Subſcriptions ſhew, that all ranks and orders of men repoſe entire confidence in his Majeſty's Councils, and his preſent Miniſters. The conſequence of this unanimity and firmneſs, it is hoped, will be the ſupport of the extenſive commerce of this country, and the empire of the ſea.

Quicunque Mundi terminus obſtitit,
Hunc tangat armis; viſere g ſtiens,
Qua parte debacchentur Ignes,
Quâ Nebulae, pluviique Rores. (g)

The ſituation, it muſt be granted, forms an awful period, and requires collected vigour, nothing leſs than the whole force of the community. And yet, at the ſame time, we ſtill hear a clamour for RADICAL REFORM. That men of eminence in the ſtate ſhould at length join in ſuch a cry is not a little ſurprizing. It may, therefore, not be improper to remind them, that on the trial of HARDY at the Old Baily, a letter to him [xxi]from the Society at Norwich was produced, containing the following paſſage: Whether it is the private deſign of the ſeveral Societies to rip UP MONARCHY BY THE ROOTS, and place DEMOCRACY in its ſtead? What was the anſwer? The Committee offer you every aſſiſtance in their power, but requeſt that your queſtions for the future may relate chiefly to REFORM OF PARLIAMENT.’ (h) This the Correſponding Society avow as their oſtenſible object, but conceal their intention with regard to Monarchy. When men of rank and ability allow themſelves, after all their efforts, to adopt the ſame clamour, they run the riſk of being thought to follow HARDY'S advice. Whoſe advice they follow. when their voice is raiſed againſt every meaſure of Government, it is impoſſible to ſay. The ſuſpenſion of the HABEAS CORPUS ACT is called a violent ſtep, nothing leſs than a violation of the Conſtitution, an encroachment on the liberty of the ſubject, and, in ſhort, a manifeſt prelude to the reign of terror. The reaſon aſſigned for this intemperate language is, that no proof of exiſting [xxii]plots againſt the State has been produced in Parliament. But that the Jacobins at Mancheſter, and other places, have been engaged in a conſpiracy againſt this country is evident beyond the poſſibility of a doubt. And ſurely, the power of providing for the ſafety of a whole people is inherent in the frame and ſpirit of the Conſtitution. Let us hear what a WHIG of the OLD SCHOOL has ſaid upon the ſubject. It is an abſurdity to imagine that thoſe, who have the authority of making laws, cannot ſuſpend any particular law, when they think it expedient for the public. When, therefore, any law does not conduce to this great end, the very obſervation of it would endanger the community, and that law ought to be laid aſleep for a limited time by proper authority. Every government muſt in its nature be armed with ſuch a power. There cannot be a greater inſtance of this, than in the old Commonwealth of Rome, who flattered themſelves with an opinion, that their government had in it a due temper of the Regal, Noble, and Popular Power, repreſented by the Conſuls, the Senators, and the Tribunes. Nevertheleſs, in this government, when the Republic was threatened [xxiii]with danger, they thought fit for the common ſafety to appoint a Temporary Dictator, inveſted with the whole power of the Three Branches; who when the danger was over, retired again into the community, and left the government, in its natural ſituation. The HABEAS CORPUS ACT was paſſed towards the end of Charles II.; and ſince that time has been ſuſpended, twice under the reign of William and Mary, once under King William, and once in the reign of Queen Anne; and again in the year 1715 And beſides, every unprejudiced man will conſider how mildly and equitably this power has been uſed. The perſons confined have been treated with all poſſible humanity, and abridged of nothing but the liberty of ruining themſelves and their families. (i) What Mr. ADDISON has ſaid of the Miniſters of GEORGE I. may be applied to the Councils of his preſent Majeſty, when the Habeas Corpus Act was ſuſpended four years ago. The whole body of the people have equal confidence on the preſent occaſion. But after all, ADDISON, it may be ſaid, was a party writer. [xxiv]MONTESQUIEU was neither WHIG nor TORY. His words are: Si la puiſſance legiſlative ſe croyoit en danger par quelque Conjuration Secrette contre L'Etat, ou quelque Intelligence avec les Enemis du dehors, Elle pourroit, pour un tems court et limité, permettre à a puiſance Exécutrice de faire arrèter les Citoyens ſuſpects, qui ne perdroient Leur Libertè pour un tems, que pour la conſerver pour toujours (k)

The clamour of a few againſt the preſent ſuſpenſion of the law is not the only miſchief of the times. A MONSTER IN POLITICS has lately ſtalked forth as formidable as that deſcribed by LUCRETIUS,

Horribili ſuper aſpectu mortalibus inſtans:

This Phantom is, ‘The SOVEREIGN MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE;’ a FOURTH ESTATE ſet up in a country, that has been for ages governed by the Legiſlative Authority of THREE. If there is ſuch a new order, it is of courſe paramount to KING, LORDS, and COMMONS, and, by conſequence, [xxv]there is an end of our boaſted Conſtitution. But where has this ‘SOVEREIGN MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE’ ever exiſted? At ATHENS the people had a ſhare in the government, and the citizens of Rome, by their TRIBUNES, aſſumed and exerciſed enormous influence; but they had no SOVEREIGN MAJESTY. In proceſs of time they both wrought their own ruin. The ſubjects of Great Britain are much wiſer; they delegate their whole authority to their Repreſentatives, and beyond that power they claim no authority. If ‘The SOVEREIGN MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE’ ever exiſted in any part of the known world, it muſt have been in a pure, unmixed, and perſect DEMOCRACY. And where can ſuch a government be traced? Polybius ſays, ‘Ruſt is the inbred bane of iron, and worms of wood; and as thoſe ſubſtances at laſt fall a prey to the evils that are congenial to their nature, in the ſame manner every SINGLE KIND OF GOVERNMENT breeds within itſelf ſome certain vice, which ſoon cauſes its deſtruction. Thus, ROYALTY degenerates into Tyranny; ARISTOCRACY into Oligarchy; and DEMOCRACY into Savage [xxvi]Violence (l).’ Such is the natural progreſs of the ſimple forms of government. A mixed limited Monarchy has, in its well tempered contexture, the means within itſelf of checking every miſchief: and till a wild Democracy has overturned all wholeſome laws, ‘The SOVEREIGN MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE’ is gigantic nonſenſe, full of ſound and fury, ſignifying nothing..

The REFORM projected by the JACOBINS of this country, would, beyond all doubt, rip up the Conſtitution by the roots. At ſuch a time, the Author of the following Scenes thought, if he could recall the minds of men to the origin and antiquity of the Conſtitution, under which the people have enjoyed their rights, their property, and their liberty for above five hundred years, his labours might have ſome tendency to ſtop the progreſs of the new philoſophy, and check the ſpirit of innovation. Our form of government, as Moteſquieu has truly obſerved, came to this country from the woods of Germany m. GAUL was reduced to a ſtate of ſlavery, while Germany diſplayed a ſpirit of independance. [xxvii]Arminius was the Great Hero of Germany. TACITUS tells us, That ‘he fought with alternate viciſſitudes of fortune: a man of warlike genius; and, beyond all queſtion, the deliverer of Germany. He had not, like the Kings and Generals of a former day, the infancy of Rome to cope with; he had to ſtruggle with a great and flouriſhing Empire: he attacked the Romans in the meridian of their glory; he ſtood at bay for a number of years with equivocal ſucceſs, ſometimes victorious, often defeated, but in the iſſue of the war, STILL UNCONQUERED. n It was from that northern hive that our Saxon anceſtors brought with them the ſame ſpirit of liberty, and a plan of civil government. They had experienced in their own country the diſadvantages of the general ſuffrage of the people in a maſs; they had occaſionally tried the more practicable mode of repreſentation: Ut miſſis Legatis in Commune Conſultarent, Libertas an Pax Placeret. They had recourſe to the ſame expedient in England. The WITTENAGEMOT was accordingly eſtabliſhed, [xxviii]conſiſting of the King, the Barons, and the Saxon Freemen. The inferior orders of the people were ſtill in bondage, but the remedy was ſoon applied. Letters of enfranchiſement were granted not only to individuals, but to the inhabitants of towns and cities, who were admitted by their Repreſentatives to a voice in the Great Council of the Nation. The conſequence was, that the kingly power, the privileges of the nobility and clergy, and the rights of the commons were ſo happily blended, that "I believe," ſays Monteſquieu, ‘ſo happy a form of Government never preſented itſelf to the mind of man o.’ The Great Council of the Nation, called under the ANGLO SAXON GOVERNMENT, the WITTENAGEMOT, in proceſs of time took the name of PARLIAMENT, and from that period has been the Palladium of Britiſh Liberty; a noble fabric, which our internal enemies would fain demoliſh by what they call a RADICAL REFORM.

It is, however, to be hoped that a veneration for the antiquity of ſo glorious a Conſtitution, and a due ſenſe of the bleſſings, [xxix]which mankind have enjoyed under it, will animate all true Engliſhmen againſt their enemies, whether foreign or domeſtic.

The Author of Arminius has had the pleaſure of working under a great maſter, and in the Notes annexed to the Tragedy, he has cited the paſſages which he has imitated, becauſe he knows that the ſentiments will come with weight and authority from the great writer of political hiſtory. That he has not been able to execute up to his own ideas and wiſhes, he is too conſcious; but for a well-meant endeavour no apology can be required.

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ARMINIUS; A TRAGEDY.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

[]
GERMANS.
  • ARMINIUS, the German Chief.
  • INGUIOMER, another Chief.
  • SEGIMUND, Son of Segeſtes.
  • GOTHMUND, Two Officers.
  • EGBERT, Two Officers.
  • DUMNORIX, Three Gauls in Arminius's Army.
  • CHELDERIC, Three Gauls in Arminius's Army.
  • TREBANTES, Three Gauls in Arminius's Army.
  • VELEDA, Daughter of Segeſtes, and Wife of Arminius.
  • German Soldiers, Bards, Women, &c.
ROMANS.
  • CAECINA, General of the Roman Army.
  • MARCUS, Roman Officers.
  • VALERIUS, Roman Officers.
  • SEGESTES, a German Chief in the ſervice of Rome.
  • FLAVIUS, Brother to Arminius.
  • Officers, Soldiers, &c.

SCENE on the Banks of the Viſurgis, now the Weſer.

ARMINIUS.

[]

ACT I.

SCENE I. A wild Heath; a ſtrong Caſtle in View Colours flying on the Ramparts, with S. P. Q. R. in large Letters; German Tents; Officers and Soldiers on the Heath.

GOTHMUND, on Guard; to him EGBERT.
EGBERT.
HOW long muſt we protract this ling'ring ſiege?
I hate all dull delay; prompt execution,
And manly vigour are the ſoldier's glory.
GOTHMUND.
Egbert, 'tis true; diſpatch, and ſudden onſet
Are the great ſprings of war: but well you know
We have in Inguiomer a gallant chief,
Fam'd for his warlike genius; long diſtinguiſh'd
By his heroic ardour; ever active
In the embattled field; ſtill ruſhing on,
Prompt, eager, fierce, and where the battle rages,
Oppoſing ev'ry danger.
EGBERT.
[4]
In the field
I grant you, Gothmund, his renown is great.
Arminius ſcarce out-ſhines him; But, my friend,
Where now that warlike ſpirit? Tame, inactive,
We dream away the time, and let that caſtle
Hold us at bay. You know we might ere now
Have ſtorm'd the works.
GOTHMUND.
Our numbers are too thin:
To conquer by aſſault our little army
Was ill prepar'd. To ſpare the lives of men,
Our General choſe to form a cloſe blockade,
And hop'd ere this by famine to reduce
A feeble garriſon.
EGBERT.
So judg'd our Chief;
For that he plann'd his meaſures, but we know
Th' envenom'd hate, the more than deadly feud,
That, like a pent-up ſire, inflames Segeſtes,
Ere ſince Arminius wedded to his daughter.
Veleda is a pris'ner in the caſtle;
By force her father ſeiz'd her, dragg'd her with him,
And there detains her, obſtinately bent,
Never to let her huſband ſee her more.
GOTHMUND.
No, never;
Diſtreſs and famine may conſume them both;
Content he'll periſh with her.
GOTHMUND.
[5]
But Arminius
Will ſoon be here; he comes by rapid marches
With a vaſt hoſt, the German world in arms;
And then, my friend, then we may ſtorm the works:
One bold aſſault ſhall end this tedious ſiege.

SCENE II. Enter a Soldier.

EGBERT.

Soldier, that look impatient—

SOLDIER,
On my ſtation
At yonder eaſtern gate, I ſaw this arrow
Riſe high in air, and ſoon with quick deſcent
Fall on the outſide of the caſtle wall,
Short of th' intended mark. It bore this paper
Brac'd round with care.
(He gives the paper.)
EGBERT. (Reads.)
"Segeſtes ſummon all your firmeſt vigour;
"Inſpire your garriſon; let no diſtreſs
"Compell you to ſurrender. With his legions,
"Caecina is at hand to raiſe the ſiege.
"Paſs but an hour, and he will bring relief."
What traitor has done this?
GOTHMUND.
Perhaps the deed
Of thoſe deſerters from the tribes of Gaul,
Who came but yeſterday with ſpecious ſeeming
To join our banners.
EGBERT.
The whole Gallic race
Conquer'd by Caeſar, to their maſters kneel,
[6] And crouch in bondage. Proud of being ſtil'd
Th' Allies of Rome, they caſt a jealous eye
On all the ſtates where liberty is cheriſh'd,
But chief on Germany, whoſe true born ſons
Maintain their laws, their independent rights,
Brave, unſubdued, and undebas'd by ſlavery.
(Looks at the paper.)
This may be Gallic fraud; but ſhould the news
Authentic prove, what then will Inguiomer—
GOTHMUND.

My friend, no more: Lo! where he comes this way.

SCENE III. Enter INGUIOMER, with Officers and Soldiers.

EGBERT.
The preſence of our Chief almoſt diſpells
The ſudden gloom that overcaſts us all.
Theſe ſudden tidings—
INGUIOMER.
Speak, nor hold me thus
In wonder and ſuſpenſe.
EGBERT.

Peruſe that paper.

INGUIOMER.

And is it this alarms you? Let me ſee it.

(Reads to himſelf.
EGBERT.
An arrow's flight was deftin'd to convey
The tidings to Segeſtes; but this ſoldier
Safe to my hands deliver'd it.
INGUIOMER.
This paper
May be the ſtratagem of old Segeſtes.
[7] Caecina with his legions! He advances
To raiſe the ſiege! It is Segeſtes
That ſent his lying arrow through the air,
In hopes by falſe intelligence to check
The ardour of our troops, and ſave from ruin,
From certain ruin yon devoted walls.
EGBERT.
Might I adviſe, 'twere beſt prepare this moment
To ſtorm the works; a feeble garriſon
Will not reſift a general aſſault.

SCENE IV. Enter another Soldier.

INGUIOMER.
Ha! with that air—thoſe looks—that wild ſurprize—
What have you ſeen? What heard? Speak, tell me all.
SOLDIER.
The Romans are at hand; with eager ſpeed
They ſweep along the vale.
INGUIOMER.

Deceive me not.

SOLDIER.
I would not do it: They are now in ſight.
On the high ſummit of yon wood-crown'd hill,
That fronts the weſtern ſun, a ſudden blaze
Of arms, of ſhields, and helms, glanc'd o'er the field.
I ſaw their banners, and their glitt'ring eagles
Diſplay'd in proud array.
INGUIOMER.
Could you deſcry
Their numbers?
SOLDIER.
[8]
No; I could not: of their ſtrength
No certain eſtimate can yet be made.
O'er the fam'd cauſeway, long ſince made by Druſus,
Their troops advanc'd. I ſaw their cavalry
Forth iſſuing from the wood that ſkirts the plain.
If their whole army was diſplay'd to view,
Their number is but ſmall. On ſolid ground
Perhaps their General may pitch his camp.
INGUIOMER.
What, ho! my faithful followers, ourſelf will view
The number and the poſture of their troops.
Should they advance, a wide extended marſh
Lies foul and deep before them. On that ſpot,
If they advance, 'tis fix'd to give them battle.
Their men and horſes (a) on the ſlimy ſoil
Will fall a ſacriſice, and with their blood
Deluge the crimſon marl.
EGBERT.
In ſtagnate pools
We have th'advantage; there a German ſoldier
Fights in his element.
INGUIOMER.
While I go forth,
'Tis yours, brave Egbert, to arrange your guards
Around the caſtle. Let the heralds ſummon
Segeſtes to ſurrender: Should he dare
Still to hold out, a general aſſault
Shall whelm himſelf, his caſtle, and his friends
In one prodigious ruin.
[Exit, followed by ſoldiers; Warlike muſic.

SCENE V. EGBERT, GOTHMUND, Soldiers, &c.

[9]
EGBERT.
At length he takes th' alarm; but ſtill his valour,
I fear, is rouz'd too late.
GOTHMUND.
Mean time, my friend,
I'll walk my round, and viſit ev'ry poſt.
EGBERT.

Obſerve both armies; let me know their motions.

GOTHMUND.

If ought of moment happen, you ſhall hear it.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

EGBERT.
Now let the herald ſummon to the walls
The proud Segeſtes.
[A trumpet ſounds three times.
A SOLDIER. (From the rampart.)
Why that piercing clangor?
What does your ſignal mean?
EGBERT.
To call Segeſtes
To hear our terms of peace.
SOLDIER.
Lo! here at hand
Segeſtes come.
SEGESTES. (From the rampart.)
What now does Egbert mean?
Why am I ſummoned to the walls?
EGBERT.
[10]
In pity
To all the wretched, miſerable Band,
Whom you with fix'd hoſtility detain
Within thoſe walls impriſon'd, I have call'd you,
To treat in friendly parley.
SEGESTES.

Speak your purpoſe.

EGBERT.
Lay down your arms, and with well-tim'd ſubmiſſion
Atone for errors paſt; throw wide your gates;
A general pardon will reſtore you all
To your lov'd friends, to life, and liberty.
With open arms your country will receive you.
SEGESTES.
Miſtaken, artful man! is this a time
To lure us to your purpoſe? Lo! See there!
Far as my eye can ſtrain, I ſee the Romans
On yonder plain that terminates the foreſt;
I ſee their eagles, their embodied legions;
O'er the wide field their ſpears, their ſhields, and javelins
Flaſh ſudden gleams of fire.
EGBERT.
There they muſt halt;
And there encamp. Should they attempt to wade
Through ſeas and pools, they'll meet with ſure deſtruction.
Or ere they bring relief, our ſcaling ladders
Shall ſtand againſt your walls; our men ſhall form
Their military ſhell, to ſap your works,
Burſt down your gates with ruinous aſſault,
And in one general havoc all your friends
Will glut the ſoldiers rage.
SEGESTES.
[11]
In vain, proud man,
In vain theſe menaces; even now I ſee
The legions form their lines. Behold! ſee there!
The battle is begun. From yonder tow'r
I can ſurvey the fortune of the field.
You have my anſwer.
[Exit from the walls.

SCENE VII.

EGBERT.
If the foe advances
To try the iſſue of a fierce engagement,
I dread his ſkill, and his ſuperior judgment.
There Inguiomer may fail. Impetuous fury
And raſhneſs oft have marr'd his noble daring.
Gothmund, what news? Your looks denote your fear—
Have the two armies met?

SCENE VIII. To him GOTHMUND.

GOTHMUND.
They have; at firſt
The day was ours, and gallant Inguiomer
Mow'd down the Roman ranks. The fight
Was in the marſhes, fierce and obſtinate.
But on the marſhy ground the Roman horſes
Could find no footing; goaded by their wounds
They made the ſoil more ſlipp'ry by their blood,
And with their carcaſſes the troopers lay
All in one purple heap.
EGBERT.
[12]
And what has turn'd
The fortune of the field?
GOTHMUND.
The foe retreated
Back to the ſolid plain. Elate with victory
Our men purſued them. There our enterprize
Has met a check, and ruin may inſue.

SCENE IX. Enter SEGESTES on the Rampart.

SEGESTES.
My friends, I come to warn you of your fate.
Though foes in war, yet you are Germans ſtill.
Break up your camp, or ſure deſtruction hangs
On your devoted heads. A band of Romans
From the high waving foreſt, where they lay
Lodg'd in cloſe ambuſh, down the ſteep deſcent
Ruſh'd on th' aſtoniſh'd foe. I ſee them now!
They charge, they fight, they dye their ſwords in blood;
They bear down all, they follow, and they conquer:
Germans, be warn'd by me; depart at once;
Fly from the fury of a conqu'ring foe.
[Exit.

SCENE X. Enter a German Officer.

OFFICER.
Haſte, Egbert; let us fly; the day is loſt.
The Roman arms prevail; our broken ranks
In wild confuſion fly.
EGBERT.
[13]
And Inguiomer,
Say, what of him?
OFFICER.
He ſounded a retreat;
To the Viſurgis he directs his courſe;
On t'other ſide Arminius is arriv'd.
Sound a retreat; retire, ere yet the Romans
Hew down the bridge.
EGBERT.
This terrible diſaſter
Has ruin'd all; the ſiege at length is rais'd;
Withdraw, my friends; flight is our only ſafety.
[Exit with the reſt.

SCENE XI. A Shout within; a triumphant March is ſounded: Enter CAECINA, followed by Officers, the Eagles, and Colours, with S. P. Q. R. in large Letters.

CAECINA.
This day, my fellow-ſoldiers, this great day;
Has added luſtre to the Roman name.
The genius, and good auſpices of Rome
Have led us on to conqueſt; by your valour
Not the foe only, but the rugged nature
Of this wild ſavage country has been conquer'd.
The caſtle is reliev'd; now let our friends
Throw wide their gates, and here with grateful hearts
Hail their deliverers.
[The folding Gates are thrown open; the Soldiers march forward, and after them SEGESTES.]
CAECINA.
[14]
Segeſtes, you are welcome; welcome to your friends,
To life, and liberty.
SEGESTES.
If ardent zeal
By me exerted in the cauſe of Rome,
Claims your regard, I have not toil'd in vain.
CAECINA.
Your zeal is known and felt: Germanicus,
Wife, juſt, and equitable, and ſtill intent
On all th' events of war, no ſooner learn'd
That by (b) Arminius you were here pent up,
Than by his orders with a choſen band,
O'er a long track of moors, and fens, and foreſts
I march'd to your relief.
SEGESTES.
The virtues of your chief
I honour, and eſteem: He has my thanks.
CAECINA.
Of his regard you will have further proof.
For worth like yours new honours are intended.
SEGESTES.
I want no honours: While I thus addreſs you,
You ſee a man, who knows nor guilt nor fear.
The Deified Auguſtus (c) in the claſs
Of Roman citizens enroll'd my name.
Proud of that title, I have ſince remain'd
Faithful to Rome, and yet my country's friend,
The friend of Germany. My voice was ever,
For peace with Rome, for harmony, and friendſhip
Between both nations.
CAECINA.

Had your voice been heard—

SEGESTES.
[15]
I had no influence; that flaming brand,
That torch of diſcord, that ambitious chief,
Arminius, wing'd with the vaunt lightning's ſpeed,
In ev'ry region call'd aloud to arms;
To arms againſt Segeſtes, and his friends;
To arms againſt the Romans: Ev'n now,
He ruſhes forward, like the lion rouz'd,
Laſhing his ſides, and goaded on to fury.
'Tis ſaid, he brings all Germany in arms.
CAECINA.
To blaſt his frantic hopes, Germanicus
By rapid marches from the diſtant Rhine
Comes with his vet'ran troops. Are all your friends
Releas'd from yonder caſtle?
SEGESTES.
They went forth
At th' Eaſtern gate.
CAECINA.
Did Segimund, your ſon,
Endure the hardſhips of the ſiege?
SEGESTES.
With grief,
And burning bluſhes I recall his name.
He has revolted (d); three whole years have paſs'd
Since laſt theſe eyes beheld him. He, I fear,
Has join'd Arminius. Lo! our train of women
Comes forth in ſlow proceſſion.

SCENE XII. A Number of Women from the Caſtle, and after them VELEDA, in penſive Silence; her Hands ſtrained to her Boſom, and her Eyes fixed on her Womb (e).

[16]
SEGESTES.
Lo! Veleda!
You there behold my daughter.
CAECINA.
There I ſee
In that fair form, in that majeſtic mien,
Each blooming grace, and dignity of mind.
SEGESTES.
She was my only joy, my beſt delight,
My lov'd Veleda, till with treach'rous arts
Arminius ſtole her from her father's arms.
CAECINA.
Afflicted fair! why does that cloud of ſorrow
Obſcure thoſe eyes, and bend you to the earth,
Like ſome fair flower beneath the beating rain
That droops its languid head! Diſpell your grief,
And let thoſe eyes no more be dimn'd with tears.
VELEDA.
Tears have forgot to flow; their ſource is dry.
Deſpair is now the portion of a wretch,
Whom you have robb'd of all her ſoul holds dear.
CAECINA.

Why charge my conduct?

VELEDA.
Wedded to Arminius,
Why am I ſever'd from him?
CAECINA.
[17]
That, you know,
Was by your father's order.
VELEDA.
Even now
I bear the fruit of our connubial loves.
And muſt my infant, muſt my blameleſs child
Be born in ſlavery?
CAECINA.
Germanicus
Will ſoon be here: The virtues of the Prince,
His tender ſympathy, his ſocial love
Will ſoften all your cares, and give you comfort.
VELEDA.
Think you a heart like mine, a German heart,
That without liberty deems life a burthen,
Think you a mind ſo form'd will bear to live
A day, an hour in execrable bondage?
Is that the comfort Rome affords the wretched?
CAECINA.
Ungen'rous thought! for you a ſafe retreat
Shall be aſſign'd in the delightful clime
Of Italy, where grief and buſy care
No more ſhall cloud the ſunſhine of your days.
VELEDA.
And can the charms of luxury and vice,
Can warmer ſuns, and ſoft Italian ſeaſons
Lull to repoſe a mind upon the rack?
Infuſe a baſe oblivion of my friends,
And my loſt huſband? In our boiſterous clime
Fair liberty can ſoften all our cares.
'Midſt foreſts, rocks, and fens, and hills of ice,
It is our ſun: It gilds the horizon round.
CAECINA. [To SEGESTES.
[18]
I ſee the ſpirit of Arminius
Not of her father, kindles in her breaſt,
And thus inflames a weak deluded mind.
Veleda, hear me.
VELEDA.
Muſt I hence be dragg'd
A wretched captive, with my babe unborn,
Far from my native land? And do you Romans
Unſheathe your ſwords to triumph o'er a woman?
Do you wage war with infants in the womb?
CAECINA.

Speak your requeſt.

VELEDA.

Reſtore me to my huſband.

CAECINA.

Segeſtes, Speak your will.

SEGESTES.
'Tis yours to judge;
Yours to decide, which has the ſtrongeſt claim
Her huſband, or her father. She is the wife
Of fierce Arminius, (f) and ſhe ſprung from me.
CAECINA.
Since ſprung from you, ſhe merits gentle treatment:
Arminius will be ſtruck with Roman virtue.
Veleda, you are free; a choſen band
In ſafety ſhall conduct you to your friends.
[Exit with Officers, &c.

SCENE XIII. SEGESTES, VELEDA.

[19]
SEGESTES.

Alas! my daughter, can you leave me thus?

VELEDA.

And will you linger in this hoſtile camp?

SEGESTES.

The duty that a daughter owes her parent—

VELEDA.
Our country is our parent: 'tis to her
Our love, our duty, all our faculties,
Our wealth, our pow'r, our very lives are due.
She is the common mother of us all.
To you ſhe calls; to you ſhe lifts her hands;
She tears her hair; implores you not to plunge
A Roman Javelin in her matron breaſt.
Enter an Officer.
OFFICER.
A choſen band is ready to conduct you
To the Viſurgis' banks.
VELEDA.
Alas! my father,
Here muſt I leave you?
SEGESTES.

Go, farewell, my child.

VELEDA.
Yet, ere we part, ſhould the embattled armies
Meet in fierce conflict, let my warning voice
Withhold you from the field; whether you fall,
Or conquer, friends in a fierce civil war
[20] Die by the hands of friends; remember ſtill,
'Tis kindred blood that ſtains the crimſon plain.
SEGESTES.

Farewell, my child.

VELEDA. [Looking after him.
Farewell; perhaps for ever.
May all the Gods of Germany direct him.
[Exit.
End of the Firſt Act

ACT II.

[21]

SCENE .I. An open Plain, with the German Camp at the further end; German Soldiers in different Groupes.

EGBERT, GOTHMUND.
EGBERT.
GOTHMUND, this hurry, this tumultuous uproar
Is big with doubt, and fear, and wild diſtraction.
GOTHMUND.

The harbinger perhaps of victory.

EGBERT.

Would it were true: This ſoldier may inform us.

Enter a Soldier.
SOLDIER.
Far as my eye could ſtretch, I ſaw our men,
From yonder weſtern bank, march o'er the bridge.
GOTHMUND.
Perhaps ſome canton ſends auxiliary force
To join Arminius's army.
Enter SEGIMUND.
EGBERT.
Segimund!
What have you ſeen? What tidings do you bring us?
SEGIMUND.
[22]
From yon ſteep hill, imbrown'd with waving woods,
I ſaw the Roman eagles; ſaw their legions
On the embattled plain; I ſaw them ruſh
With force reſiſtleſs on the broken ranks
Of our inferior numbers. Fluſh'd with victory
They hung upon our rear, till the Viſergis
Check'd their career of ſlaughter. Lo! this way
The valiant Inguiomer.

SCENE II. Enter INGUIOMER, followed by Officers and Soldiers.

INGUIOMER.
Ye Gods of Germany, forgive your ſoldier,
If overpow'r'd by number I retreated,
To ſave my gallant warriors from the ſword.
What man could dare, I ventur'd. Witneſs for me
This blunted ſabre, and this ſhiver'd javelin,
And this my ſhield with honourable marks
Pierc'd and indented.
SEGIMUND.
In your country's cauſe
Your zeal and ardour have been long the theme
Of gen'ral praiſe.
INGUIOMER.
Yet to be thus compell'd
To raiſe the ſiege, afflicts and goads my heart.
It withers all my laurels.
SEGIMUND.
Does my father
Follow the Roman banners?
INGUIOMER.
[23]
Yes; Segeſtes
Is fix'd in guilt. Ere this, brave Segimund,
The caſtle has ſurrender'd to the Romans.
SEGIMUND.
And is Veleda, is my ſiſter left
To pine in bondage? Muſt Arminius's wife
Be led in ſad captivity to Rome?
INGUIOMER.

Too ſure ſhe muſt: her father wills it ſo.

SEGIMUND.
This vile indignity with ten-fold rage
Will fire our gallant chief; will kindle fury
In ev'ry German breaſt, and ſend the javelin
Launch'd with redoubled vigour to its mark.
INGUIOMER.
Thou brave young man, had your heroic virtue
Inſpir'd Segeſtes, he had now been happy,
Lov'd by Arminius, honour'd by his country;
But now the tainted rebel brands his name.
SEGIMUND.
He ſeiz'd me in his arms, and from my friends
Bore me unconſcious, yet of tender years,
To join the Romans. (a) At the Ubian altar
Adminiſter'd an oath; an impious oath,
To lift me in his league againſt my country.
Three years have paſs'd, fine laſt theſe eyes behold him.
I ſcarce ſhould know him now. As ſoon as reaſon
Dawn'd on my ſoul, I ſaw the horrid guilt
Of waging war againſt my native land.
I fled through foreſts drear; I lurk'd in caves,
[24] And roam'd from place to place, from ſtate to ſtate,
Till late I join'd the ſtandard of Arminius.
INGUIOMER.

Yonder I ſee him; Lo! he comes this way.

SCENE III. Enter ARMINIUS, Officers and Soldiers.

ARMINIUS.
My fellow-warriors, my brave gallant friends,
Ye gen'rous ſons of freedom, you are welcome
To the Viſurgi's banks. Arminius
With open arms receives you. Though repuls'd
By the ſuperior numbers of the foe,
You have dar'd nobly.—Inguiomer, thou brave,
Heroic chief, th' invader will not long
Enjoy his victory. I come in force
To check his pride; from all the German ſtates,
Far as the Danube to the Northern ocean,
I bring embodied nations to the field.
INGUIOMER.
I form'd a cloſe blockade; but ſtill Segeſtes,
The baſe, the willing ſlave of his new maſters,
Scorn'd to capitulate. Meantime Caecina
Advanc'd againſt me with ſuperior numbers.
My little army call'd aloud to battle.
I led them on.
ARMINIUS.
I know it, Inguiomer;
I know each circumſtance; you've acted bravely.
And has Segeſtes with his garriſon
March'd forth to ſwear fidelity to Rome?
INGUIOMER.
[25]

So ſays the voice of fame.

SEGIMUND.
And there my ſiſter,
My lov'd Veleda, ſhe muſt there remain
In ſad captivity?
ARMINIUS.
Thou generous youth,
Thou worthy ſon of an ignoble father,
Much I eſteem your ardour; much I honour
Your early virtue. But, your keen reflection
Plants daggers in my heart. Arminius's wife
Led in captivity! Diſtracting thought!
Come, dire revenge! inſpire me with the rage
Of the ſtern God of War, that I may pour
Deſtruction of th' Italian ſpoiler's head,
And whelm his legions in one mangled heap,
A ſacrifice to vengeance.
INGUIOMER.
You have rouzed
All that is man within me, for that ſcene
Of glorious havoc, for that juſt revenge
My boſom pants. Come, lead me to the onſet.
I burn to follow through the thickeſt ranks,
And there to vie with your heroic deeds.
ARMINIUS.
Inguiomer, we oft have fought together,
And ſeen each other's volour. In my tent
A council ſhall be held. We there will plan
The time, and order of our grand aſſault.
Caecina is deliver'd by the gods,
He and his army, to the ſlaught'ring ſword.
This moment, Segimund, do you go forth,
And iſſue orders, that our ſcouts may range
[26] The country round, and with due care explore
The motions of the enemy; their works,
And ſtation of their camp.
SEGIMUND.
Forthwith your orders,
Shall be obeyed.
[Exit SEGIMUND.
INGUIOMER.
A warlike ſoul like thine
Thinks nothing done, while aught is unperform'd.
One glorious onſet will conſummate all,
And that, I ſee, is lab'ring in your breaſt.
The time for fiery expedition calls,
One blow decides the war. By cold delay
We hazard all; for ſhould Germanicus—
ARMINIUS.

Does he alarm you?

INGUIOMER.
In the adverſe camp
He is expected with his vet'ran legions.
So ſay the pris'ners, whom our troops have led
O'er the Viſurgis: it is ſure intelligence.
ARMINIUS.
Have you not heard the great, the glorious tidings,
Germanicus, in a career of victory,
Far as th' Amiſia's banks * had led his legions.
He there made halt; he paus'd, and ſaw the danger
Of tracing back his ſteps far as the Rhine,
Midſt hoſtile nations, all in ambuſh waiting
To hang upon his rear. The coward fled
For ſhelter to his ſhips; he ſpread his ſails,
And truſted to the waves. The Northern ocean,
[27] Vaſt in circumference, tempeſtous, deep
Gave him no refuge. Soon a ſtorm aroſe,
And heav'd the mountain billows to the ſky.
His fleet was ſcatter'd; (b) ſome in diſtant iſles
Were daſh'd on pointed rocks; by whirlwinds driv'n;
The reſt have periſh'd in the brawling ſurge.
INGUIOMER.

So periſh all, who dare invade our country.

ARMINIUS.
Where now Germanicus?—Upon ſome rock
Perhaps he rolls his eyes around the wat'ry main,
And there ſurveys the wreck of all his hopes;
His boaſted eagles in the roaring deep
All ſunk, and ſwallow'd up. No aid from him
Caecina can expect. In yonder camp
We hold another (c) Varus and his legions.

SCENE IV. Enter SEGIMUND.

ARMINIUS.
Why, Segimund, that eager haſte?—What means
That ſudden clangor?
[A trumpet is heard at a diſtance.
SEGIMUND.
As I took my ſtation
Far as the verge of yonder level plain,
My ſtraining eye perceiv'd a well-oar'd galley,
Croſs the Viſurgis: From the higheſt maſt
The olive branch, the harbinger of peace,
Was manifeſt to view.
ARMINIUS.
The olive branch!
This, Inguiomer, is Roman policy:
In their diſtreſs they are the friends of peace.
INGUIOMER.
[28]
Lo! they are near at hand: might I adviſe,
Admit them to a calm, a patient hearing.

SCENE V. Enter MARCUS, with Roman Soldiers and Standards.

MARCUS.
To thee, Arminius, our brave Roman chief
Sends me with terms of kind and friendly import.
To thee too, Inguiomer, he proffers friendſhip.
Oft have I ſeen you in the ranks of war
Enacting prodigies of valour.
ARMINIUS.
Say,
Unfold your purpoſe. Why approach our camp?
MARCUS.
Caecina means to prove the moderation
That ſways his councils, and by me he ſends
A preſent, that he knows will glad your heart.
He ſends your wife: Lo! where Veleda comes.
Enter VELEDA.
MARCUS.

Once more ſhe's yours:

(Takes her hand)

—I thus reſign her to you.

ARMINIUS.
Can this be poſſible? Surprize and wonder
O'erpow'r each faculty:—Once more Veleda,
Thus do I ſee you?—What no God could promiſe,
We are allow'd to meet again in life.
I ſhall go wild with joy: And do I ſee you
Once more reſtor'd to theſe fond circling arms?
VELEDA.
[29]
My brave, my honour'd huſband! Once again,
Free'd from captivity, releas'd from bondage,
A German wife, whoſe (d) hymeneal gods
Form all her bliſs, her only joy on earth,
Reviſits her loſt huſband; in his arms
Enjoys her ſacred rights—this rapture ſwells
Above all bounds, and thus in tears of joy
Will force its way.
[Embracing him.
ARMINIUS.
Thou dear, thou tender pledge
Of conſtancy and love! To fold thee thus,
Is joy and victory. Not ev'n the day,
That ſaw me triumph o'er three ſlaughter'd legions,
And Germany reliev'd from proud oppreſſion;
When not a Roman Eagle hover'd o'er us,
And with one loud acclaim conſenting nations,
Hail'd me, "the brave deliverer of Germany;"
Not ev'n that day with ſuch ſincere delight
Inſpir'd my ſoul, as that which now tranſports me,
When! Gracious Gods! When thus I call you mine.
[Embracing her.
And did your father, did that haughty rebel
Reſign you to me?
VELEDA.
No; it was his wiſh
With pride, and fix'd hoftility to you,
To hold me ſtill in bondage; but Caecina
With mild humanity releas'd me to you.
My brother here! Here in Arminius' camp,
[Seeing Segimund.
The ſoldier of his country!
SEGIMUND.
[30]
Oh! My ſiſter,
Your great example in my country's cauſe
Inſpires my ſoul with more than common ardour.
VELEDA.

Thou brave, thou gen'rous youth!

[They embrace.
MARCUS.
Caecina ſcorns to wage a war with women.
Though adverſe in the field, he ſtill regards
A huſband's rights, and ſends you back your wife.
ARMINIUS.
To own an obligation to a Roman,
To me is thraldom: Yet he has my thanks.
MARCUS.
Caecina means to give you ſtronger proof,
That moderation governs all his actions.
If you will liſten to his juſt propoſals,
By his ambaſſador he means to offer
Fair terms of peace.
VELEDA.
I had forgot: Your brother,
Who came the leader of a Raman cohort,
To ſee me ſafe deliver'd to your arms,
Explain'd the Roman General's deſign.
ARMINIUS.

Where is my brother now?

MARCUS.
Cloſe to yon bank
He halted with his men.
ARMINIUS.
Inform your General,
When hoſtages in form have been exchang'd,
[31] By his ambaſſador he then may ſend
His overtures of peace.
MARCUS.
I ſhall report
Your anſwer to Caecina.
ARMINIUS.
Will you grace
Your Roman name by one more liberal act?
MARCUS.

Speak your requeſt.

ARMINIUS.
My brother's near at hand;
You Romans call him Flavius: Will you grant
One friendly interview? Though leagu'd with Rome,
He is my brother ſtill.
MARCUS.
Withdraw your guards;
To Inguiomer deliver up your ſabre,
That no rude outrage may diſturb your meeting.
ARMINIUS.

I promiſe it—

(gives up his ſabre)

—you have my plighted faith.

MARCUS.
Together you may hold a friendly parley:
He ſhall attend you here.
ARMINIUS.
You have my thanks;
Farewell, Veleda; Segimund conduct her
To my pavillion. You my friends retire.
[They go out.

SCENE VI.

[32]
ARMINIUS alone.
Since he revolted to the Roman banners,
Four times the ſun hath made his annual round,
And in that time theſe eyes have not beheld him.
Inſpire me, Gods, with mild perſuaſive ſpeech,
With words of pow'r, to wake each tender feeling,
And melt into his heart. But lo! he comes.

SCENE VII. ARMINIUS, FLAVIUS, (e).

ARMINIUS.
I wiſh'd to ſee a brother: By that name
Can I address you, while that Roman garb
Declares hoſtility, and ſpeaks the man
Who has renounc'd his friends, abjur'd his country,
And bears a heart, that to the pulſe of nature
Anſwers no more?
FLAVIUS.
Accuſe me not unjuſtly:
I meet Arminius with a brother's love.
ARMINIUS.
Say you behold me, with the pious love
You owe your country, and with joy, with rapture
Arminius ſprings to claſp you in his arms.
FLAVIUS.
Though I come hither from the adverſe camp,
And follow Caeſar's ſtandard; yet my country,
The welfare of all Germany, the peace,
And happineſs of millions, ſtrongly plead
Here in this boſom; thoſe the pow'rful motives
That urge me to the war.
ARMINIUS.
[33]
And by that war,
Is ſlavery the boon you mean to grant
To your devoted country? For thoſe bright,
Thoſe noble motives, does that burniſh'd helm
Diſplay its luſtre?
FLAVIUS.
This high plumed helmet
(taking it off)
Germanicus with his own warlike hand
Plac'd on my brow.
ARMINIUS.
And that unſeemly ſcar,
That marks your forehead, and deforms your viſage,
What gen'rous hand beſtow'd it?
FLAVIUS.
On the banks
Of the Adrana *, where the Cattian nation,
After a battle obſtinately fought,
Gave way at length to the undaunted valour
Of veteran troops, I ſaw a Roman preſs'd
By a fierce German with his lifted ſabre,
When inſtantly I flew to his relief,
And then receiv'd this honourable wound,
But ſav'd a Roman citizen from death.
ARMINIUS.
For that exploit, that great heroic deed,
What was your recompence?
FLAVIUS.
A civic crown (f),
A military chain, and other honours,
That grace the Roman's valour.
ARMINIUS.
[34]
Did thoſe honours
Glare in your eye, and lure you from your country?
FLAVIUS.

They are my nobleſt pride.

ARMINIUS.
(With a ſneering laugh)
You have the wages
Of a ſlave cheaply bought (g).
FLAVIUS.
Controul this violence;
I have not merited this keen reproach.
ARMINIUS.
And do thoſe baubles pay you for your treaſon?
Contempt and laughter mix with indignation.
Thou baſe deſerter!
FLAVIUS.
Brother, if you knew
The Roman character—
ARMINIUS.
Full well I know it.
The nations of the world too long have groan'd
Beneath their iron rod: And ſhall your Caeſars,
Your Caeſars deified, and for their crimes
Enroll'd among the Gods of Rome, ſhall they,
Who trample on their Senate, and their people,
Demand the homage of a free-born race,
And bid the Northern world embrace the yoke?
FLAVIUS.
Germanicus is lov'd where'er he's known.
He leads the armies of Imperial Rome
To fame and victory. Where now the ſpirit
Of the TUBANTES, and the CATTIAN ſtate?
[35] They have ſubmitted, and the Roman chief
Enſures his conqueſt by the arts of peace.
He wins all hearts; he calls the wand'ring ſavage
From fens, from foreſts, and from hills of ſnow
To ſettled manſions; teaches them to form
New laws, new cities; to enjoy the ſweets
Of civil union, and of poliſh'd life.
ARMINIUS.
Their arts of poliſh'd life are Roman vices,
The baits of luxury; the balefull charm,
That mingles in the cup delicious poiſon
To ſweeten ſlavery.
FLAVIUS.
No more I'll bear
This torrent of abuſe.
ARMINIUS.
With patience hear me:
I now deſcend to humble ſupplications.
I now conjure you by the ſacred ties
Of honour; by the love (h) you owe your country,
Atone for what is paſt; renounce your treaſon.
By me your mother prays, implores, beſeeches you,
Not to betray your family and friends.
Think of the vaſt renown of leading armies
To ſerve your country: To that glorious conduct
Will you prefer the vile deteſted name
Of a deſerter, a perfidious traitor?
FLAVIUS.
Here break we off; here end this impious ſtrain
Againſt the lords, and ſov'reigns of the world;
The friends of human kind. Oppoſing them,
'Tis you betray the intereſts of humanity.
[36] Hither I came diſarm'd, or my good falchion
Should vindicate the cauſe of Roman virtue.
ARMINIUS.
Preſumptuous man! I dare thee to the field.
What ho! bring forth my arms.
Enter MARCUS.
MARCUS.
Controul this rage;
On terms of peace this interview was granted,
Flavius withdraw; you're wanted at your poſt.
FLAVIUS.
Farewell, Arminius; may we never meet
In the embattled field.
[Exit with Marcus.
ARMINIUS.
Thou traitor, go,
And 'midſt the armed files avoid my ſword.
And yet, —muſt brothers meet in adverſe arms?
In kindred blood muſt they imbrue their javelins?
'Tis ever thus, when diſcontent and faction
Brood over fancied ills, and fire with rage
Sons againſt fathers, brothers againſt brothers.
'Tis horror all, and worſe than civil war.
End of the Second Act.

ACT III.

[37]

SCENE I. The German Camp.

VELEDA, SEGIMUND.
VELEDA.
OH! Segimund, to ſee you thus my brother,
Arm'd in your country's cauſe; to ſee you here,
Here in Arminius's camp, once more reſtor'd
To your beſt friends, your country, and your gods,
Expands my tow'ring ſoul above all bounds.
My joy wants words: 'tis ſpeechleſs ecſtacy.
SEGIMUND.
Thanks to the gods, who lent a ray of truth
To light and guide me to the paths of honour.
I ſaw my father's guilt; I ſaw him join'd
In a flagitious league againſt his country.
There ceas'd a father's power; there clos'd for ever
All his authority: in vice and treaſon
I ow'd him no obedience.
VELEDA.
Your firſt duty
You owe your country; and you now diſcharge it,
Dear to your friends, ennobled by your virtue.
SEGIMUND.
Oh! had my father, and Arminius's brother,
Glow'd with due feeling for their country's wrongs,
[38] And in their boſoms own'd the ſacred flame
Of public liberty; we then together
Might join Arminius, and together tread
The paths of war, with mutual ardour fir'd,
All gen'rous rivals in the field of glory.
VELEDA.
Alas! vain hope: Segeſtes views Arminius
With deadly hate, implacable, and fierce,
Fix'd in his heart: it gangrees there like poiſon.
With that fell fury he made me his pris'ner.
SEGIMUND.
And did he mean to drag you in his train,
Through all the horrors of wide waſting war?
VELEDA.
No; I was deſtin'd to a diſtant clime,
To ſome Italian city; there, he ſaid,
Perpetual ſpring, and ſun-enliven'd ſcenes
Would teach me to abhor our northern tempeſts;
There wean me from my friends, and from the love
I bear Arminius. But, oh! not for me
Gay gilded ſcenes, and bright Italian ſuns;
No, let me wander on the mountains' ridge;
Roam through the foreſt; in the rapid bark
Ply the tough oar, and glide along the ſtream;
Give me my humble clay-built tenement;
Free from a maſter let me call it mine;
That thought, though tempeſts gather o'er my head,
Will warm my heart amidſt eternal ſnows.
SEGIMUND.
Arminius by his care thoſe rights will guard.
Ere long he means to give a looſe to war.
Gods! ſhould my father join the hoſtile ranks!
My heart recoils with horror at the thought.
VELEDA.
[39]
Diſpel your fears, nor thus anticipate
Imaginary ills.

SCENE II. To them ARMINIUS.

VELEDA.
Arminius, welcome,
Your preſence ſooths my ſoul to peace and joy.
ARMINIUS.
Oh! my Veleda! By your late misfortunes
Endear'd, and now more welcome to my arms!
It joys me much to find you thus engag'd
In parley with your brother: Segimund,
Obſerve her well; her councils will direct,
And guide your ſteps: ſhe differs from her father.
SEGIMUND.
She breathes the energy of truth and virtue.
Your camp to me is the true ſchool of honour.
ARMINIUS.
Heroic youth! with an obſervant eye
I've mark'd your zeal for liberty; your prompt
Undaunted valour, and your love of glory.
The nobleſt gift a German chief can give,
Shall grace your merit. Go to my pavillion,
And by my orders you will there receive
A warlike horſe, (a) with a victorious lance
Deep ting'd with Roman blood.
SEGIMUND.
This gen'rous proof
Of your eſteem, ſhall with the love of fame
Inſpire my ſoul, and kindle all its fires.
ARMINIUS.
[40]
A grand exploit, a vaſt, a glorious enterprize
Will ſoon take place: To you ſhall be aſſign'd
A poſt of honour. Inguiomer has help'd
To plan our meaſures; he will tell you all.
[Exit SEGIMUND.

SCENE III.

ARMINIUS, VELEDA.
VELEDA.

With pride I ſee a brother's early virtue.

ARMINIUS.
Your gen'rous ſpirit animates his frame,
One ſoul informs you both.—Veleda, tell me
Do you bring with you to your huſband's arms
Unblemiſh'd honour? Do you now return
Pure, and immaculate, unſtain'd, unviolated
By the proud ſpoiler, the Italian robber?
VELEDA.
No ruffian dar'd with brutal violence
Aſſault my virtue: torn from your embrace
Life had no charms, and death had loſt his terror.
That was my ſafe guard: ſhe who dares to die,
Protects herſelf; the guardian of her honour.
ARMINIUS.
Thou beſt of women! in the hour of peace
My joy, my comfort; in the embattled field,
The brave inſpirer of all martial deeds!
To hear thy voice; to have thee in the rear
The witneſs of my conduct, (b) the applauder
[41] Of ev'ry gallant action, gives an edge
To my keen falchion, nerves my lifced arm,
And gives freſh ardour in my country's cauſe.
VELEDA.
Our nuptial rites inſtructed me in all
The rigid duties of a German wife.
The ſword, the ſhield, the ſpear, and other gifts.
Were the firm bonds (c) of our connubial union,
Our hymenial gods. From them I learn'd,
It was my contract, my religious vow
To be your partner in all toil and danger,
To ſhare your pains, and dare with you in war.
ARMINIUS.
You have dar'd nobly with me: in the ſhock
Of the embattled lines, one thought of thee
Wing'd with the light'ning's ſpeed has ſent me forward
Into the thickeſt danger. From the field
Your care receiv'd me, rouz'd my drooping ſtrength,
Reviv'd my ſpirit, as you counted o'er
Each honourable ſcar, and dreſs'd my wounds.
VELEDA.
Then, in thoſe moments to embrace my ſoldier,
To count with praiſe his honourable wounds;
Apply the healing balm of plants and flow'rs,
And aromatic ſhrubs, was the delight,
The tender office of a faithful wife,
Who ſaw her hero in his country's cauſe
Defying danger, prodigal of blood,
The great deliverer of Germany.
ARMINIUS.
Grant me that triumph, ye benignant gods,
Crown me with that renown; I then ſhall ſay,
I've liv'd enough, (d) for nature and for glory.
VELEDA.
[42]
Glory like yours no injuries of time
Will e'er extinguiſh; in immortal bloom
Your dear-bought laurels will for ever flouriſh.
Your zeal for liberty ſhall be the theme
Of the whole northern world. To fame like yours
The bards of Germany (e) ſhall tune their harps,
And in immortal ſtrains ſend down your name
To future times, and with their pious hymns,
Their ſacred minſtrelſy, by your example
Inflame poſterity to brave exploit.

SCENE IV. To them INGUIOMER.

ARMINIUS.

What tidings, Inguiomer?

INGUIOMER.
I've ſeen the poſts,
The camp, the works, and numbers of the foe.
Where the Viſurgis pours a ſhallower ſtream,
Join'd by a choſen band I forded over,
And watch'd the motions of CAECINA's army.
On a long narrow neck of ſolid ground,
With fens and marſhes round him, cloſe pent up,
Upon an iſthmus in the wat'ry waſte,
Their legions are inclos'd. I ſaw their ſoldiers
All buſy at the works: entrenchments, ramparts,
And mounds of turf thrown up with ſudden haſte
Are now their only hope
ARMINIUS.
Caecina there
Is inſulated; there impriſon'd cloſe
By fens and marſhes. By my ſpecial order
[43] A choſen band already ſtand prepar'd
To iſſue forth, and gain by diff'rent roads
The ſummit of yon hills; there to unſluice
All the whole ſtore of long collected waters,
And deluge all the vale.
INGUIOMER.
The Romans then
May look aghaſt, and ſhudder at their fate.
ARMINIUS.
The ſun declining ſlopes his weſtern wheels,
And deep'ning into gloom the lazy clouds
Promiſe a night to veil the face of things.
The troops deſign'd to circle round the hills,
And lie in ambuſh there; are they drawn up,
And ready for their enterprize?
INGUIOMER.
They are, all eager for the march: yet ere they ſtart,
They wiſh to hear your animating voice,
And from yourſelf receive their final orders.
ARMINIUS.
My gallant friends ſhall hear me; Inguiomer,
I go with joy to ſee their warlike ſpirit.
I leave you now, Veleda: at the dawn,
A glorious ſcene of havoc and revenge,
A noble ſpectacle ſhall glad your eyes.
Truſt to my care; you ſtill ſhall live in freedom.
[Exit.

SCENE V. VELEDA, INGUIOMER.

VELEDA. [Looking after him.
By you defended, by your gen'rous efforts
Protected, guarded, Germany is ſafe
[44] From the oppreſſor's rod. In him we ſee
The godlike ſpirit of thoſe ancient worthies
Who toil'd, or bled for liberty and laws.
INGUIOMER.
Years have elaps'd, ſince by his patriot ardour
Expell'd, exterminated the Romans fled
Beyond the Rhine. Their boaſted Emperor,
Their deified Auguſtus, dar'd no more
Invade the land: his ſchemes of wild ambition
By one great overthrow he ſaw defeated,
He paſs'd his days in miſery of heart;
Wept for his loſs, and like a puny infant
Cried, "Varus, Varus, (f) give me back my legions."
VELEDA.
Oh! may Tiberius, who uſurps the name
Of Caeſar, may that fell, that ſavage tyrant,
That monſter of iniquity and fraud,
Before the dawn relumes the purpled Eaſt,
Oh! may Arminius give him ample cauſe
To mourn his ſlaughter'd legions; may he ſhed
The tear of bitt'reſt anguiſh, on the rack
Of a mind torn and goaded by his crimes.
INGUIOMER.
This very night we ſtorm the Roman camp.
Our plan is form'd; our meaſures are concerted;
Your brother will lead on a choſen band,
A brave battalion: There the gen'rous youth
May by his deeds immortalize his name.
VELEDA.
I doubt him not: Within his boſom glows
The hero, and the patriot. Since the Gods
Reſtor'd me to my friends, this very day
I ſaw my brother buſy at his poſt;
[45] I paus'd, and liſten'd to him; then I heard
The language of his heart: A train of bards
With fervent zeal in flow proceſſion came,
Chaunting their heav'nly ſtrains. "My brother cried,
"Come, ſee me fighting in my country's cauſe.
"If victory attends me (g), to your annals
"Add a young warrior; if I fall in battle,
"Record my memory."
INGUIOMER.
He gives an earneſt
Of matchleſs worth, the rival of Arminius.

SCENE VI. To them GOTHMUND.

GOTHMUND.
A barge, with ſtreamers waving to the wind,
Has croſs'd the river, and ev'n now ſhe lies
Cloſs anchor'd near the ſhore. The Roman chief
Sends his ambaſſador.
INGUIOMER.
And have you ſeen
Arminius?
GOTHMUND.
With ſome choſen officers
He holds a Council in his tent; and there
I could not treſspaſs on his privacy.
VELEDA.
Be mine that taſk; from me he will not deem it
Ill-judg'd intruſion; I will ſeek him ſtraight.
[Exit.
GOTHMUND.
Ere this the Deputy has reach'd our camp.
Think you he brings ſuch equitable terms,
[46] As may conciliate peace between the nations,
And cloſe the ſcene of carnage and deſtruction?
INGUIOMER.
'Tis fit he ſhould have audience: But in vain,
I fear, he comes: Our frantic foes,
Enur'd to war, with mad ambition fir'd,
And fluſh'd with hope of univerſal empire,
Will ne'er agree to give the world a peace,
On the broad baſe of juſtice, and the laws
That bind conſenting nations.

SCENE VII. The back Scene draws: In the middle a Throne raiſed with Turf: A warlike March: Soldiers walk forward, and line the Stage on both ſides: ARMINIUS following, and takes his Seat.

ARMINIUS.
At length the Roman general ſees the ſtreights,
To which his ſcanty numbers are reduc'd.
Deſtruction hovers o'er him; in deſpair,
Which he calls lenity, and Roman virtue,
By his ambaſſador he offers terms.
But what ambaſſador?—That hoary traitor,
Segeſtes is his delegate: By him
He hopes to grace his cauſe; that vile deſerter,
That foe to liberty, that friend of Rome,
Brings his inſidious overtures: He comes
To varniſh o'er the ſlavery he loves.
Conduct him hither; let the traitor enter.

SCENE VIII. Enter Soldiers bearing Enſigns and Eagles, and after them SEGESTES.

[47]
ARMINIUS.
Ere now, Segeſtes, we have often met
On better terms; together we have ſought
Th' embattled foe, our hearts with equal ardour
Panting for glory, and our pointed javelins
Thirſting for hoſtile blood. But now that bond
Of gen'rous union is diſſolv'd for ever.
SEGESTES.
Judge not too raſhly: Still this boſom glows
With ſocial love; ſtill feels the ſympathy
Of kind affections; anger and reſentment
For my loſt daughter now ſubſide in peace.
Foes in the field, in private we are friends.
ARMINIUS.
Friendſhip is founded on the nobleſt baſis;
On generous ſentiment, and public virtue;
On truth, on honour, and congenial minds.
Treaſon and honour never can embrace.
Now, ſpeak your embaſſy: I long to hear
The orator of Rome.
SEGESTES.
My embaſſy
Aims at the peace of Germany and Rome.
Wide waſting war too long has made the land
A ſcene of deſolation. Helpleſs widows,
Afflicted virgins, and unhappy orphans
Are bath'd in tears. Your fields are cover'd o'er
With the unburied limbs of ſlaughter'd ſoldiers,
Romans and Germans; all your ſacred groves
[48] Are levell'd in the duſt, and all your rivers
Surcharg'd with blood run purple to the ſea.
ARMINIUS.
But whence thoſe horrors? Say, with truth declare,
Who were the authors of that wild deſtruction?
SEGESTES.
To trace our mutual errors to their ſource,
And on the Roman, or Cheruſcan name
To fix the cauſe, is not within my province.
I come the harbinger of peace; I come,
To ſtate the meſſage of the Roman chief.
It is his wiſh by juſtice, and by mercy,
Not by the ſword, to win conſenting hearts,
To call the wand'ring German to the arts
Of poliſh'd manners, and of ſocial life.
'Tis on this baſis he would raiſe his trophies,
His trueſt glory.
ARMINIUS.
Still I'm loſt in darkneſs:
Wherefore this torrent of ſuperſlous ſpeech?
If your new maſters call it eloquence,
And Roman oratory, ſtill to us
'Tis the mere pomp of words, and vain parader
You come to offer peace; declare your terms.
SEGESTES.
Thus then Caecina by my voice informs you.
Let the Viſurgis be the weſtern boundary
Of the Cheruſcan ſtate: From thence the country,
Far as the Albis *, whoſe impetuous courſe
[49] Empties its current in the Northern ſea,
Shall be your vaſt domain.
ARMINIUS.
Yet tell me more:
Th' extenſive region from the Weſtern bank—
SEGESTES.
Far as the Rhine the nations ſhall ſubmit
To the mild ſway, the wiſdom, and the laws,
By which the glory of Imperial Rome
Means to reform, and humanize the world.
ARMINIUS. [Riſing.
Is this the boaſted juſtice of your maſters?
And is it thus they humanize the world?
SEGESTES.

Where'er they penetrate, fair order dawns.

ARMINIUS.

Where'er they penetrate, oppreſſion follows.

SEGESTES.
The whole Cheruſcan ſtate is granted to you.
You wage no war for conqueſt.
ARMINIUS.
The Cheruſcans
Wiſh for no conqueſt; conqueſt is the aim
Of murd'rer's fluſh'd with inſolence and pride.
The fell ambition of the haughty Romans
Gave us, in evil hour! Between the Rhine
And the Viſurgis to behold their eagles,
Their lictors, tribunes (h,) and their vile collectors,
Exactions, tributes, cruelty and luſt;
Rapine and murder!—Theſe are their exploits;
A band of robbers!—Are the nations rich?
[50] Happy and thriving (i)? Roman avarice
Becomes their foe. Do they endure diſtreſs,
And pine in want? Roman ambition ſtill
Aims at new victory: To them alike
The wealth and poverty of nations; all
Muſt fall before your ſov'reigns of the world.
To rob and ravage is their art of war,
And when they've made a ſolitude around them,
They call it peace.
SEGESTES.
Their offer now imports
A firm, a laſting peace: Within your limits
Live ſafe, and uninvaded: Rome is willing
On terms to grant a vaſt extenſive region.
ARMINIUS. [Riſing.
Think you I mean to merchandize (k) the war?
To barter part of Germany? By ſale,
And vile exchange, to traffic for our own?
Go tell your General my laſt reſolve,
[Coming forward.
Let him give back my country; let him give
To free-born men their unmoleſted rights,
Their plan of laws, their temples, and their gods.
From the Viſurgis let him call his legions;
Repaſs the Rhine, and on the ſide of Gaul
Enjoy the bank, which your divine Auguſtus
Vainly call'd Germany; there let him dwell
In ſullen majeſty, and let his Eagles
No more, like Vultures, hover o'er our heads.
Let him do this, Arminius grants him peace.
SEGESTES.
This haughty anſwer with redoubled fury
Will light the flame of war, and once again
Wide waſting ſlaughter ſhall ſtalk o'er the land.
ARMINIUS.
[51]
Go and inform Caecina, tell your Gen'ral
Till I have chas'd his robbers and freebooters
Back to the Rhine, my ſword ſhall ne'er be ſheath'd.
And if the Romans will not leave a ſpace,
A ſcanty ſpace, where I can live in freedom,
Arminius for himſelf will find (l) a ſpot,
Where he can die with honour.
SEGESTES.
Muſt I bear
This anſwer to Caecina?
ARMINIUS.
End we here
This war of words: All parley now is clos'd.
Conduct the traitor to his Roman friends.
[Exit SEGESTES, with his Train.
INGUIOMER.
We thank you, brave Arminius, for this zeal,
This gen'rous ardour for our ſacred rights.
ARMINIUS.
'Tis yours, my friends, 'tis yours this very night
To prove, by valour, that the Gods reſerve us
To be aſſerters of the public weal,
And ere the dawn, by one collected blow
To wreak our vengeance on the Roman race.
End of the Third Act.

ACT IV.

[52]

SCENE I. The German Camp ſtill continues.

ARMINIUS, INGUIOMER,
ARMINIUS.
THAT treach'rous ſlave, the Ambaſſador of Rome
Has had his anſwer.
INGUIOMER.
When Caecina hears
The energy of truth, the firm deciſion
That liberty inſpir'd, his heart will ſhrink,
And ſhudder at the ruin that ſurrounds him.
ARMINIUS.
The blow muſt ſoon be ſtruck; the hour draws nigh;
Time preſſes; we are call'd; his parting ray
The ſun has ſpent, and in ſuffuſion red
His glaring orb is quench'd; clouds roll on clouds,
And night hangs low'ring on the drowſy world,
Propitious to our purpoſe.
INGUIOMER.
All things favour
Our grand aſſault. On yonder eaſtern bank,
O'er the Viſurgis where our bridge was join'd
To the main land, the head has been deſtroy'd
By Roman caution; but our boats and platforms
Well chain'd together will ſecure our march.
ARMINIUS.
[53]
By Heav'n, this night Caecina and his legions
Shall ſhare the ſate of Varus; once again
We ſhall exterminate the Roman race.
Some ſtrong emotion, ſome prophetic ardour
Expands my breaſt, and o'er informs my ſoul.
I feel the god; imagination burns,
And colours to my ſight a glorious ſcene,
A ſcene of victory! I ſee their camp
Floating in gore; their tow'rs and ramparts ſtorm'd;
Their mangled bodies in one purple heap
Cov'ring the plain, to feed the region kites.

SCENE II. Enter SEGIMUND.

ARMINIUS.
Segimund, you come in time: where are your friends,
Gothmund and Egbert?
SEGIMUND.
Both with haſty ſtep,
Purſue me hither.
ARMINIUS.
Have you ſeen my orders
Duly obey'd?
SEGIMUND.
I have; the men collected
Wait in their tents, impatient for the ſignal
To iſſue forth, and on the open plain
Form their battalions.

SCENE III. Enter GOTHMUND and EGBERT.

[54]
ARMINIUS.
Gothmund, you are welcome;
And you brave Egbert. Inguiomer, you ſee
The warlike chiefs, who by my choice are deſtin'd
To burſt the barriers of the Roman camp,
And let wild uproar looſe.
INGUIOMER.
Confide in them;
Their valour in the field has oft been prov'd.
ARMINIUS.
Thus then, my friends: you, Segimund, muſt lead
A brave, a choſen, well compacted band,
To ſtorm the eaſtern gate. Againſt the foe
Uſe his own arts. The military ſhall
Form with your bucklers: under that advance
To ſap their walls, and to hew down their gates.
Thoſe barriers levell'd, ruſh undaunted forward;
Enter their camp, lead on your valiant troops,
And plant your ſwords in ev'ry breaſt you meet.
SEGIMUND.

This night ſhall prove me worthy of your choice.

ARMINIUS.
Egbert, 'tis yours to head a ſtrong reſerve,
And follow in the rear; ſupport the ranks,
And heap new terror on the aſtoniſh'd foe.
You, Gothmund, muſt aſſault the weſtern gate.
A brave, a warlike, a well choſen number
Of fierce battalions will obey your ſignals.
INGUIOMER.
There at the head of well embodied ſquadrons
I plant my ſtandard, to watch all events,
[55] All turns and all viciſſitudes of war;
And if the foe alarm'd ſhould ſally forth,
He'll ruſh on ſure deſtruction.
ARMINIUS.
At the head
Of my diviſion I ſhall circle round
To the wide open vale, and in the woods
That ſkirt the borders, find a ſtation fit
For my battalions; there in ambuſh wait
To intercept Caecina in his flight,
And give his legions to the ſlaughtering ſword.
SEGIMUND.
Our duty calls; we'll ſeek our ſev'ral poſts,
And form our lines.
ARMINIUS.
Yet ſtay; another word:
Remember all to move in ſilent order;
Let not a ſtir, no voice, no ſound be heard.
Let ev'ry ſoldier huſh his pent up valour,
Till in one moment, one collected blow
You burſt upon 'em: To conceal our march
A night of vapours hovers o'er our heads.
While you advance, let ſhouts, and hideous tumult,
War-ſongs, and howlings, ſound throughout our camp,
With horrid uproar; let fires blaze to heav'n,
And dart a ſudden luſtre o'er all the field.
Veleda comes; my valiant friends farewell.
[Exeunt INGUIOMEP, SECIMUND, EGDERT, and GOTHMUND.

SCENE IV. ARMINIUS, VELEDA,

[56]
ARMINIUS.
Approach Veleda; in this awful moment,
Big with the fate of Germany, your preſence
Brings joy and comfort. Sure ſome pow'r above
Watch'd over all your ways; ſome guardian god
From his religious grove ſail'd through the air
To ſhelter innocence, and give you back
To a fond huſband's arms.
VELEDA.
And yet forgive me,
Though with your words you charm my liſt'ning ear,
And ſoothe each raviſh'd ſenſe to dear delight,
Forgive Veleda, if alarming fears
Come like the raven o'er ſome wretches' cottage,
Foreboding ill; this ſad, this aching breaſt,
Ev'n in your preſence, mingles grief with rapture.
ARMINIUS.
Where now, Veleda, where thy wonted firmneſs?
Is this a time for weak dejected paſſions?
This night, you know, we ſtorm the Roman camp,
And bury all in ruin.
VELEDA.
In that rage
Of unrelenting ſlaughter, my poor father—
Ye gods, if poſſible, forgive his crimes!
My father there may undiſtinguiſh'd fall,
And add his body to the purple heap.
ARMINIUS.
Waſte not a thought on him: degen'rate man!
He has long ſince renounc'd the tender ties
That bind in union, parents, ſons, and friends.
[57] All moral rectitude, all virtue loſt,
What hope remains? In a corrupted heart
Crimes grow on crimes; the mind debas'd engenders
Pride, faction, murder, ſtratagems, and treaſon.
Such is Segeſtes.
VELEDA.

He's my father ſtill.

ARMINIUS.
He is a ſlave, a Roman ſlave; a vile
Deſerter, dead to honour, and the love
He ow'd his country, that ſupreme of laws,
Nature's great edict in the human heart.
VELEDA.

Yet for a father tears will force their way.

ARMINIUS.
Reſtrain your tears: your ſorrow is ill-tim'd.
Say, have you ſeen my ſquadrons? are they rang'd
In order for their march?
VELEDA.
Drawn up in ranks
They wait the ſignal. Fires, as you directed,
Blaze through the camp, and as they dart around
Their ſudden light'ning on the burniſh'd arms,
I ſaw the ſoldiers' looks: Each ardent eye
Flaſhes with martial fire. In ſilence fix'd
Each warriour medidates his deeds of valour,
His brave exploits; in fancy, ere he ſtarts,
His javelin quivers in a Roman's heart.
ARMINIUS.
Brave warlike men! I go this moment
To let them know the order of their march.
But ſee where Inguiomer—
VELEDA.
[58]
Our tunefull bards,
And all our German wives (a), reſolv'd to urge
The grand aſſault, and animate the fray,
Are now aſſembled. I muſt hence with ſpeed
To join the matrons, and their virgin train.
[Exit.

SCENE V. ARMINIUS and INGUIOMER.

ARMINIUS.
Are all things ready? Is there aught, my friend,
Unthought of, unprovided?
INGUIOMER.
I have gome my round
Through the wide camp: A nobler ſhow of war
Was ne'er diſplay'd. Impatient of delay
They wield their javelins, and demand the ſignal.
ARMINIUS.
Anon our march begins: Well, Segimund,
You come in haſte.
Enter SEGIMUND.
SEGIMUND.
I've ſummon'd all the chiefs
To meet you here: This way they bend their ſteps.
ARMINIUS.
I firſt muſt ſee the troops of my diviſion.
The men require my preſence: With diſpatch
My orders ſhall be giv'n; ſo tell the chieſs.
You, Inguiomer, receive them; let them here
Wait my return: A moment brings me to you.
[Exit.

SCENE VI. INGUIOMER, SEGIMUND.

[59]
SEGIMUND.
The Gods in juſtice to mankind lead on
A terrible example to the pride,
And the ambition of theſe fierce invaders,
Who well deſerve their fate. They taſte at Rome
The ſweets of liberty, yet hither come,
To the Viſurgis' banks, to trample on the necks
Of independent nations.
INGUIOMER.
There, my friend,
You are deceiv'd; you know not all the truth.
Rome is no longer free; her fam'd Republic
Is now no more; her boaſted liberty
Yields to a tyrant, and long ſince ſhe fled
Far from ſoft ſeaſons and Italian ſkies,
To dwell in our tempeſtuous Northern clime,
Henceforth a Scythian (b) and a German bleſſing.
SEGIMUND.

As ſuch we'll cheriſh it: The warriors come.

SCENE VII. Enter German Officers and Soldiers: They Line one ſide of the Stage; the BARDS at the top, and the Women behind them, with VELEDA in the Centre.

INGUIOMER.
My friends, I read impatience in your looks.
The God of war inſpires uncommon ardour.
Soon will Arminius—
SEGIMUND.

Lo! the hero comes.

SCENE VIII. Enter ARMINIUS.

[60]
ARMINIUS.
My fellow-warriors, you brave, gen'rous band,
A great occaſion calls us to the field,
A glorious enterprize. Let us go forth
The champions of our country. We are ſummon'd
By the loud voice of nature; ev'ry motive
That can excite, and animate our valour,
All cauſes that inflame the heart of man,
Conſpire this night to draw the avenging ſword.
From hence I date the liberty of Germany.
The REQUISITION of the proud invader
No more ſhall force our ſons to join their ſtandard,
And in a maſs to fight their foreign wars.
No more our virtuous wives, and virgin daughters,
Shall ſuffer brutal luſt and violation.
The Romans are ſurrounded, cloſe beſieg'd;
No means of flight: By the immortal gods,
They are deliver'd victims to our ſwords.
[A trumpet ſounds.
INGUIOMER.

That ſound proclaims the ſignal for the march.

ARMINIUS.
'Tis as I order'd: Oh! my gallant friends,
My brave aſſociates, if your country's cauſe
Glows in your boſoms; if you feel the glory
Of your renown'd forefathers; if the flame,
The ſacred flame of liberty inſpires you;
If you prefer the plan of ancient laws
To foreign tyrants, and a foreign yoke:
Now graſp your javelins, now unſheathe your ſwords.
In me behold your Gen'ral; in the field
[61] Behold your fellow-ſoldier: follow me,
Follow Arminius; I will marſhal you
To fame, to liberty, immortal glory.
[A warlike march.
[Exit, followed by all.
The Bards come forward, ſinging.
1.
Hark, warriors, hark!—That voice again!
A warning voice! heard you the ſound?
To arms, it cries, to arms ye freeborn men;
To arms the woods,
To arms the floods,
To arms, to arms, the echoing hills rebound.
2.
The thunder rolls; the light'nings glare;
The gods are ruſhing to the plain;
Their chariots glitter in the air;
Death in his ſhroud
Rides in a cloud,
And liberty calls forth her martial train.
3.
Ye warriors ſeek th' embattled throng;
For freedom who his zeal diſplays,
His fame ſhall live, —in ſacred ſong;
And tuneful rhyme,
To lateſt time
The Bards of Germany ſhall ſound his praiſe.
[Exeunt.
[62] The Women come forward, ſinging: VELEDA, in the centre.
Yes, go, ye gen'rous band,
Firm champions of the land,
O'er all the field
Your javelins wield;
Where'er you ruſh, ſtill in the rear
Your wives and daughters you ſhall hear;
Our war-ſongs, and our cries
Shall rend th' aſtoniſh'd ſkies,
Till you unſluice a crimſon flood,
And ſtretch th' invaders welt'ring in their blood.
[Exeunt; VELEDA following them.

SCENE IX. The Roman Camp.

MARCUS, VALERIUS.
MARCUS.
A night of ſuch impenetrable darkneſs
I ſcarce remember.
VALERIUS.
'Tis a night of horror,
But ſafe from danger.
MARCUS.
Still at ev'ry poſt
We muſt keep careful watch.

SCENE X. Enter CAECINA.

CAECINA.
In this deep gloom,
This more than midnight horror, have you mark'd
A ſtir, a motion from the adverſe camp?
MARCUS.
[63]
There the barbarians ſacrifice the hours
To joy and revalry, and wild carouſals.
At intervals we hear them: hills and valleys
Ring with the hideous roar. Their blazing fires
At times illumine the incumbent clouds,
And ſhew their diſtant camp.
VALERIUS.
From a deſerter
Juſt now arriv'd I learn their ſecret councils.
He is a Gaul by birth.
CAECINA.

Where is he now?

VALERIUS.

At hand he waits your pleaſure.

CAECINA.
Lead him hither.
[Exit Valerius.
We muſt break up our camp. Germanicus
Can bring us no relief: The brawling waves
Have ſunk his ſhips (c), and he perhaps is loſt.
An hour before the dawn we muſt depart.
Marcus, let all be ready for our march.
[Exit Marcus.

SCENE II. CAECINA, and DUMNORIX, one of the GAULS.

CAECINA.

You come reſolv'd to join the Roman banners.

DUMNORIX.
My name is Dumnorix; the friend of Rome;
I hate Arminius and his wild ambition.
CAECINA.
[64]

When did you leave his camp?

DUMNORIX.
This very day,
When Inguiomer before your conqu'ring ſword
Croſs'd the Viſurgis. Then Arminius,
Inflam'd to madneſs, burning for revenge,
Vow'd the deſtruction of the Roman name.
CAECINA.

Means he this night to try the chance of war?

DUMNORIX.
This night his troops muſt reſt: To-morrow's ſun
Will light him to the onſet.
CAECINA.
For this news
You have my thanks.
DUMNORIX.
I came with nobler views:
Say but the word, and ev'n this very night
Arminius may be conquer'd.
CAECINA.

Name the means.

DUMNORIX.
By a mix'd goblet daſh'd with ſecret aconite,
Or a barb'd arrow ting'd with deadly poiſon,
I can diſpatch him.
CAECINA.
Would'ſt thou thus inſtruct
A Roman Gen'ral in the trade of murder?
A fell deſign, like yours, in elder times
Was offer'd to the Senate (d). That auguſt,
That great aſſembly ſcorn'd it with diſdain,
[65] And caution'd Pyrrhus to protect his life.
Such was the virtue of the Roman ſtate;
It ſtill ſurvives: We conquer ſword in hand,
And wage no war by murder, or by poiſon.
DUMNORIX.

My friends from Gaul have ſworn—

CAECINA.

Go, ſeek your friends—

DUMNORIX.

The glory may be mine—

CAECINA.
Away: no more;
[Exit DUMNORIX.
Deteſted perfidy!
MARCUS. [Entering.
What ho! to arms;
Muſter our forces; ſound there, ſound th' alarm.

SCENE XII. CAECINA, MARCUS.

CAECINA.

Ha! Marcus, ſpeak; what fraud? what ſtratagem?—

MARCUS.
While the barbarians riot in their camp,
Their troops in ſilent order have advanc'd,
And now inveſt our ramparts.
Enter VALERIUS.
VALERIUS.
Haſte, or all is loſt;
At the Praeterian gate collect our ſtrength—
CAECINA.
Be that my care; go, where our works are weak;
There make your firmeſt ſtand.
[Exit, followed by ſoldiers.
[66] Enter a SOLDIER.
SOLDIER.
Marcus, this way;
Haſte to the Decuman; that gate's in danger.
MARCUS.

Valerius, come; the time demands our ſwords.

SOLDIER.
They've burſt the palliſades, and o'er the Foſſe
Have laid a bridge of hurdles; ſome already
Have burſt into the camp; their wives and daughters,
Kindling their fury, follow in the rear.
MARCUS.

Valerius, come; the time demands our valour.

[A ſound of trumpets, Exeunt
VALERIUS, MARCUS, and Soldiers.

SCENE XIII. Enter SEGESTES, on one ſide; SEGIMUND on the other.

SEGESTES.
Raſh youth, whoe'er thou art, advance no farther;
Retire, and quit the camp.
SEGIMUND.
Preſume not, Roman,
To give the law in Germany; that ſpot,
You dare to tread on, is our ſacred right,
Our native ſoil: the ſons of freedom ſcorn
Th' invader's proud command.
SEGESTES.
I warn you hence;
Go, join your fugitives, or this right arm
Shall cleave you to the ground.
SEGIMUND.
[67]

The gods of Germany thus claim their victim.

[They fight.
SEGESTES.
That blow—too deep, —too deep—it pierces here—
Thus I collect my ſtrength;
(lifts his arm)
it will not be;
My life-blood flows apace; the day is thine.
[Falls on the ground.
SEGIMUND.
This ſhield, this javelin, and this plumed helm
Are mine by conqueſt; they are my reward,
The glorious trophies of ſuperior valour.
[Stoops to take off the helmet.
SEGESTES.
The hand of death is on me, and my eyes,
My eyes are dim—and yet a glimm'ring ray
Begins to dawn—I think, I know that face;
Art thou, ſay, —ſpeak—art thou my Segimund?
Thou art, —Thou art my ſon—I die by thee—
SEGIMUND.

Gods! can it be?—is this—is this my Father?

Enter MARCUS.
MARCUS.
The foe retires diſmay'd; the camp is clear'd.
Segeſtes ſlain! raſh youth, this horrid deed—
SEGESTES.
He is my ſon;—oh! ſpare him;—ſpare his youth;
He knew me not;—he did not know his father;
Alas! I die.
SEGIMUND.
[68]
Yet ſtay, my father, ſtay;
Live to redeem me from the horrid crime
Of parricide—
SEGESTES.
Oh! you are innocent;
No guilt is thine; my error did it all;
Oh! had I fall'n thus fighting for my country—
Your hand, —oh! let me claſp it once again;
Your father pardons you;—alas!—I die;
That pang;—I die; juſt gods forgive my crimes—
[He dies.
SEGIMUND.
His eyes are fix'd; the pulſe of life is o'er;
I, —I have murder'd him; the deed is mine,
The horrid, impious, execrable deed!
I have deſtroy'd, (e) the author of my being.
MARCUS.

Riſe, ſoldier, riſe; your grief atones for all.

SEGIMUND.
Roman, I am your pris'ner; ſtrike your blow,
Strike to my heart; do juſtice on a wretch,
A man of blood, a terrible aſſaſſin;
An impious parricide!—Here point your javelin,
And let me, let me die in this embrace.
MARCUS.
Aſſiſt him, ſoldiers; raiſe him from the ground,
And bear him hence.
SEGIMUND.
You ſhall not tear me from him.
Oh! happy weapon!—'tis my father's dagger;
It is his legacy; now do your office;
[Stabs himſelf.
[69] You're welcome to my heart;—by thee 'tis fit
His murderer ſhould die.
VELEDA. [Within.
I heard his voice;
My brother's voice; ſtand off, I will have way.
MARCUS.

What means that frantic woman?

Enter VELEDA.
VELEDA.
Let me ſee him;
Where is he?—Ha! my brother! On the earth
Welt'ring in blood!—And is it thus, dear youth,
Thus, miſerable victim, thus expiring,
Gaſping in death, thus muſt Veleda ſee you!
SEGIMUND.
I know that voice; and now I ſee thee too,
For the laſt time I ſee thee;—oh! my ſiſter,
There lies your father; a pale mangled corſe;
Entomb us both together;—in one grave
Let us lie down in peace.—Farewel for ever.
[Dies.
VELEDA.

Thus do we part!—Was it for this I follow'd you?

MARCUS.
They fought like gen'rous warriors; but the ſon
Prevail'd; he laid his father low in death,
And then diſpatch'd himſelf.
VELEDA.
What do I hear?
He kill'd his father! Horror!—At the ſound
Humanity is ſhock'd!—yet for his country
He graſp'd the javelin; in the cauſe of Rome
[70] Segeſtes fell, and merited his fate.
Yet for a father, filial tears will flow.
MARCUS.

Riſe from the ground, and quit this mournful ſcene.

VELEDA.
Alas! my Segimund, no crime is thine.
It is the guilt of tumult and revolt;
The epidemic madneſs of the times;
When diſcontent, and jealouſy, and faction,
When ſtrife, and wild ambition ſow the ſeeds
Of party-rage; when civil diſcord arms
Sons againſt fathers, (f) brothers againſt brothers,
Then kindred blood is ſpilt; then horrors multiply,
And nature ſhudders at a ſight like this.
[Pointing to the dead bodies.
MARCUS.

My duty calls me hence; you muſt depart.

VELEDA.
Yet grant my pray'r, and by one gen'rous act
Shew that you Romans feel the touch of nature.
Let me bear hence the bodies; in our camp
Let me interr them; let me lay together
My father and my brother, and with tears
Pay the laſt office to their cold remains.
In life divided, let one grave unite them.
MARCUS.
It ſhall be ſo; I yield to your requeſt.
Soldiers bear hence the bodies.
[They are carried off.
VELEDA.
For this kindneſs
Accept my thanks. They both are now at peace.
From this ſad ſpectacle, this ſcene of woe,
All Germany may learn the dire effects
[71] That flow from party-rage.—This day may give
A leſſon to the world, and teach the nations
That civil union is their trueſt bliſs;
And late poſterity, when theſe diſaſters
Shall be recorded by th' hiſtoric muſe,
May learn by our example to avoid
Theſe fatal errors. Over crimes like theſe,
Oh! may they ſhed a ſalutary tear,
And fathers, ſons, and families unite
One voice, one heart, to guard their native land.
End of the Fourth Act.

ACT V.

[72]

SCENE I. The German Camp.

CHELDERIC, TREBANTES; Both of them Gauls.
TREBANTES.
CHELDERIC, theſe Germans made a bold aſſault,
But Roman diſcipline repell'd the fury
Of wild barbarians.
CHELDERIC.
For this night they've conquer'd;
But in broad day-light what muſt be their fate?
Their little army cannot meet the numbers
With which Arminius covers all the plain.
As well the level ſhore may ſtand the fury
Of the rough northern ſea, when laſh'd by winds
It rolls its mountain billows on the land.
TREBANTES.
And yet, if our propoſal has been heard;
If from the Roman Dumnorix has met
With due applauſe, a cheap, an eaſy victory
Will end the war.
CHELDERIC.

And lo! our hero comes.

SCENE II. To them DUMNORIX.

[73]
CHELDERIC.

Dumnorix you're welcome.

DUMNORIX.
To avoid
All prying eyes, I've walk'd a weary round
Through woods, and fens.
CHELDERIC.
And does the Roman chief
Approve our plot?
DUMNORIX.
Is thus Caecina known?
Govern'd by ſcruples, by fantaſtic rules
Of pride, of honour, and dry muſty maxims,
He talk'd, I know not what of ancient Rome,
And ſcorns our proferr'd aid.
CHELDERIC.
Short-ſighted man!
His low contracted ſpirit will not ſee,
That victory obtain'd by fraud, or valour,
Enſures ſucceſs; (a) and cover'd ſtratagem
Alike with laurels decks the hero's brow.
DUMNORIX.
Caecina is no general: I talk'd
With the brave leaders of th' allies from Gaul:
All with one voice applaud our enterprize.
They promiſe bright rewards: no more at preſent,
I hear the ſound of ſteps this way advancing.
We will confer in private—

SCENE III. To them GOTHMUND.

[74]
GOTHMUND.
Our whole army
Is under arms; all at their pròper poſts.
What keeps you from your ſtation?
DUMNORIX.
Has Arminius
Enter'd the camp?
GOTHMUND.
Not yet; do you go forth,
And join your ſtandards: loiter here no more.
[Exeunt DUMNORIX, CHELDERIC, TREBANTES.
What mean thoſe Gauls? What brings them thus together?
They meditate ſome dark deſign; perhaps
To be deſerters to the Roman camp.

SCENE IV. INGUIOMER, GOTHMUND.

GOTHMUND.

What of Arminius?

INGUIOMER.
Frequent meſſengers
With eager ſpeed come poſting to the camp.
Arminius is at hand; to me he ſends
His orders; all muſt reſt upon their arms
Ready for action, when occaſion calls.
GOTHMUND.
His warlike ſpirit never knows a pauſe
No danger can deter him, nought can check
His active genius, till he tow'rs above
Whate'er oppos'd his courſe.
INGUIOMER.
[75]
To-morrow's dawn
We'll ſee him, with determin'd vigour
Ruſh to the field, and thunder through the war.

SCENE V. To them EGBERT.

EGBERT.
Marcus, the Roman officer, has gain'd
A paſſport to the camp. He ſays he brings
A meſſage of high import from Caecina.
INGUIOMER.
Conduct him hither.
[Exit EGBERT.
On his narrow iſthmus
Beſieg'd, and ſore beſet, perhaps the Roman
Means to capitulate.

SCENE VI. Enter MARCUS.

MARCUS.
Caecina ſends me
To claim an audience of Arminius.
INGUIOMER.

He ſoon will join us here. What is your errand?

MARCUS.
Our Gen'ral ſends this letter to your Chief;
A letter fraught with matters of high moment.
INGUIOMER.

Say, do you come to offer terms of peace?

MARCUS.
Soon as Arminius ſees the generous ſpirit,
That ſways, directs, and guides Caecina's heart,
[76] Your Chief may think hoſtilities ſhould ceaſe,
And with the ſympathy of noble minds,
Unite in ties of friendſhip.
INGUIOMER.
This to me
Is a dark myſtery: unfold your purpoſe.
MARCUS.
Here in your very camp a plot is form'd
Againſt Arminius's life: no more has reach'd
My ear; that letter will diſcloſe the whole.
Gives the letter.
Here ends my embaſſy; the time demands
That I return with ſpeed to join our friends.
INGUIOMER.
Egbert, be it yours to guard him hence.
Give him ſafe conduct to the Roman camp.
[Exeunt MARCUS and EGBERT.

SCENE VII. INGUIOMER, GOTHMUND.

GOTHMUND.
A dark conſpiracy againſt the life
Of our brave Chief, here in our very camp!
INGUIOMER.
You hear it gods! and does your thunder ſleep?
Will you not ſend your forked lightning down,
Wing'd with red vengeance on the traitor's head?
GOTHMUND.

Soon as Arminius—

[Sound of trumpets.
INGUIOMER.
In good time he comes.
That trumpet's clangour ſpeaks the Chief's arriv'd.

SCENE VIII. Enter ARMINIUS, attended by guards.

[77]
ARMINIUS.
Inguiomer, theſe checks but ſerve to animate
The martial ſpirit of a warlike race.
INGUIOMER.
Protected by the friendly gloom of night
Caecina and his army ſtood at bay:
Around their camp no glim'ring ray of light
Shew'd us their works: mean time our lamps and torches
Made us a mark for all their miſſive weapons.
Our lights extinguiſh'd, courage then was uſeleſs;
Diſorder and conſuſion follow'd. None could ſee
Where to aſſault: I ſounded a retreat.
ARMINIUS.
Wiſely you judg'd: to-morrow's orient ſun
Shall ſee his legions overwhelm'd in ruin.
INGUIOMER.
Since then an officer has brought this letter:
It is addreſs'd to you.
ARMINIUS.
To me a letter!
Give it; let me ſee it.
[Reads.
‘The ſenſe of honour that governs the mind of a Roman general, will be ſeen in this letter. I write to caution you againſt a foul conſpiracy. A Gaul this day deſerted from your army. The villain has ſet a price upon your life, and for that reward is ready to end your days by poiſon. I need not tell you that I rejected his offer with indignation. An enemy in the field, I ſcorn [78]the trade of a baſe aſſaſſin. Be upon your guard againſt clandeſtine enemies. Farewell.’
If this be true, I can almoſt allow
A Roman ſtill may have a ſenſe of honour.
If any Gauls are lurking in our army—
GOTHMUND.
Their number is not great; but I have watch'd them
With an obſervant eye.
ARMINIUS.
They are a traiterous race.
Had they made head againſt the Roman arms
Like men, who knew the value of their liberty,
Th' imperial Eagles ſoon had wing'd their flight
To their Italian realms; and ſlavery
Repaſs'd their Alpine hills, to dwell at Rome
And with their ſenate kneel at Caeſar's feet.
INGUIOMER.

They fought in parties, and the whole was conquer'd.

ARMINIUS.
All civil union was to them unknown;
Strangers to liberty, and now ſubdued
To crouch in bondage; the ambitious ſlaves
Would raiſe the tree of tyranny, and overturn
In every ſtate, in all the nations round them,
The laws that hold ſociety in peace.
INGUIOMER.
We muſt be wary; Gothmund, we muſt look
With circumſpective eyes; watch ev'ry motion,
All ſecret meetings, and by due attention
Mar this deteſted project.
ARMINIUS.
[79]
For his conduct
Caecina claims both gratitude and praiſe.
But has he ſent that falſe perfidious Gaul
Back to our camp?
GOTHMUND.

The traitor ſtill is there.

ARMINIUS.
Let a well choſen officer be ſent
To tell Caecina that his gen'rous action
Reflects a luſtre on his name: but ſtill
To crown the deed with glory, the aſſaſſin
Muſt be deliver'd up to juſtice; tell him
'Tis my requeſt.
INGUIOMER.
Soon as the ſlave arrives
A ſtrict enquiry will afford a clue,
To guide us through the maze of their deſigns,
And trace the Gauls, who tamper'd in the treaſon.
ARMINIUS.
Gothmund, do you ſelect ſome truſty officer
To bear our meſſage: let him ſtrait depart.
[Exit GOTHMUND.
INGUIOMER.

Caecina will comply.

ARMINIUS.
And if he does,
I in my turn will act a gen'rous part.
His little army ſhall have leave to march
Free, unmoleſted to the diſtant Rhine.
I'll ſheath the ſword, and for ſuch ſplendid merit
Spare the effuſion o'en of Roman blood.
How wears the night?
INGUIOMER.
[80]

'Tis now the ſecond watch.

ARMINIUS.

Are the troops all arrang'd, as I directed?

INGUIOMER.
They're under arms, and at their ſev'ral poſts
All watchful ſtand, impatient to renew
The charge, and though repuls'd, with joy they find
They have ſuſtain'd no loſs.
ARMINIUS.
They have ſuſtain'd
A loſs we all muſt feel, and long muſt mourn.
That brave, heroic youth, the gallant Segimund,
Whoſe early virtues were by all admir'd;
Who won each ſoldier's love; whoſe ſpring of life
Promis'd an harveſt of immortal glory;
He is no more.
INGUIOMER.

No hoſtile hand ſubdued him.

ARMINIUS.
Alas! I know the whole diſaſt'rous ſtory.
I've ſeen Veleda; ſhe has told me all.
I left her paying the laſt funeral rites
To her lov'd brother: to her father too
She grants ſepulchral honours, though his crimes
Drew vengeance on his head. Veleda's virtue
Is ever lovely, and adorns her name.
She mourns a father loſt, and while to him
She pours the heartfelt tribute of her tears,
Her filial piety demands our praiſe.

SCENE IX. To them GOTHMUND.

[81]
GOTHMUND.
Your orders are obey'd. I have diſpatch'd
A deputation to the adverſe camp.
ARMINIUS.
The time now calls for action: Inguiomer,
We will go forth to viſit ev'ry poſt,
And with true ardour fire the ſoldier's breaſt.
[Exeunt ARMINIUS and INGUIOMER.
GOTHMUND.
Would that this treach'rous Gaul were in our pow'r.
Upon the rack the ſlave ſhall die in torment,
And his accomplices ſhall ſhare his fate.

SCENE X. To him VELEDA.

VELEDA.
Oh! 'tis too much—this agony of mind,
It is too much;—it pierces to the quick;
It rends each tremb'ling nerve about the heart.
GOTHMUND.

Veleda, why this violence of ſorrow?

VELEDA.

Oh! Gothmund, the adventures of this night—

GOTHMUND.
Do they afflict you? The dun ſhades of night
Shelter'd the foe; we ſounded a retreat,
But at the dawn Arminius will revenge it.
His plan is form'd already.
VELEDA.
[82]
Well I know
Arminius has reſources in his vaſt,
His warlike genius. But with all his valour
Can he aſſuage my ſorrows? I have loſt
More than the treaſury of words can tell;
More than imagination can conceive.
My brother Segimund! He's loſt for ever.
GOTHMUND.
For him our men are overwhelm'd with ſorrow.
We all lament his fate.
VELEDA.
I know all muſt;
But bitter anguiſh is for me alone.
I found him in the moment of his victory,
Gaſh'd, mangled, bleeding, gaſping on the ground,
Like a fair flow'r, in all its bluſhing honours,
Shorn by the ſcythe, and with'ring in its bloom.
GOTHMUND.

It was his own raſh act: he knew no guilt.

VELEDA.
It was his father's crime: his father fell
In arms againſt his country. Segimund,
Unconſcious, ſtruck the blow for juſtice.
But the affections of a heart like his
Pierc'd to his ſoul, and drove him to deſpair.
Dear youth, he's loſt: and with him ev'ry virtue,
Heroic ardour, honour, truth, and love,
And ev'ry grace that could adorn his youth,
To full perfection riſing: all is vaniſh'd;
All, all is loſt, for ever, ever loſt.
GOTHMUND.
[83]
Arminius ſtill remains; his tender care
Will miniſter relief, and heal your woes.
VELEDA.
Arminius is the idol I adore;
But buſy memory will know no reſt.
A much lov'd brother will be ever preſent;
His lovely image ſtill will glide before me,
But theſe ſad eyes muſt never more behold him.
I've waſh'd his wounds, and bath'd him with my tears;
Over his clay cold corſe I've thrown my mantle;
Cloſe to his ſide I've laid his warlike javelin;
And, as he order'd, ſtretch'd his father by him.
In his cold grave he reſts: but worth like his
Will ever live, and with his fame enrich
The annals of his country.
[A deep Groan is heard from a diſtance.
Hark! that ſudden groan—
GOTHMUND.

Be not alarm'd: you ſoon ſhall know the cauſe.

[Exit.
VELEDA.
Almighty Gods! if from your ſtores of wrath
Your awful will prepares ſome new affliction,
Suſpend your purpofe; ſpare a wretch like me.
Gothmund, you look aghaſt.
Enter GOTHMUND.
GOTHMUND.
I ſcarce can ſpeak;
My blood recoils; my tongue denies its office.
VELEDA.

Ha! what diſaſter? ſpeak, relieve my fears.

GOTHMUND.
[84]
On his tribunal as Arminius ſtood,
In act to animate the liſt'ning ſoldiers,
While torches caſt their vivid blaze around him,
A barbed arrow from ſome ambuſh'd villain
Flew to its deſtin'd mark, and pierc'd his heart.
VELEDA.

Let me this moment fly to his relief.

[Exit VELEDA.
GOTHMUND.
Relief I fear is vain: ſpeak, Egbert, fay,
How fares Arminius?
Enter EGBERT.
EGBERT.
All who boaſt their ſkill
In medicinal lore, exert their art
To draw the arrow from his bleeding wound.
Enter VELEDA.
VELEDA.
Oh! what a ſpectacle of woe and horror!
This way they lead him; what a ſight is there?
Pale, pale, and wan! ye gods protect his life.

SCENE THE LAST. ARMINIUS is led forward; INGUIOMER, Officers, Women, and Soldiers round him.

ARMINIUS.
Aſſiſt me; lend your aid; conduct me forward;
A little onward;—here, —here ſet me down.
VELEDA.
[85]
Arminius, ſpeak; 'tis your Veleda calls.
How fare you now?
ARMINIUS.
Oh! I am ſick at heart;
My ſtrength decays; fair day-light cloſes o'er me;
Approach; draw near; let me once more behold you.
VELEDA.
My feeble frame gives way; my flutt'ring heart
Throbs wild with agony; it ſinks within me.
Gods! is there no relief?—Compoſe your ſpirits;
Reſt may reſtore you.
ARMINIUS.
Oh! no reſt for me;
The barbed arrow pierc'd too deep, —too deep.
They wrench'd it out; they made a breach in nature;
They tore my frame aſunder.
VELEDA.
To theſe wounds
The healing art may miniſter relief.
ARMINIUS.

Nought can avail; the ſwift, the ſubtle poiſon—

VELEDA.

Poiſon!

ARMINIUS.

It burns, —it rankles in my veins.

VELEDA.
Oh! let me with theſe lips draw forth the venom;
The deadly aconite (c) let me imbibe,
That I may ſave all that my heart adores.
ARMINIUS.
[86]
You are too good;—the poiſon is diffus'd
Through all my frame;—it burns; an inward fire
Conſumes my veins; thoſe pangs muſt end me ſoon.
Enter EGBERT.
EGBERT.
Inguiomer, our Herald is return'd.
The treach'rous Gaul he finds is in our camp.
His name is Dumnorix—
GOTHMUND.
That ſlave is ſeiz'd,
With his accomplices; they all ſhall ſuffer,
Whate'er the keeneſt torture can inflict.
ARMINIUS.
Let not a thought of me, let no reſentment
Inſpire revenge and cruelty: proceed
As juſtice warrants, and the laws direct.
EGBERT.
The Romans in deſpair have fled their camp;
Already they have croſs'd the narrow iſthmus,
And urge by rapid marches tow'rd the Rhine.
ARMINIUS.
Aſſiſt me; raiſe me up: All gracious pow'rs!
Ye guardian gods of Germany! to you
I lift my hands; to you in gratitude
I bow thus lowly down; to you I offer
My humble adoration!—I have liv'd
To ſee my country free; once more to ſee
The Roman Eagles and their boaſted legions
In terror wing their flight acroſs the Phine.
[87] They are exterminated; they are gone;
They've vaniſh'd from the land:—I die content.
[Falls back in his chair.
VELEDA.
Is there no help to ſave ſo dear a life?
Bring ev'ry aid:—a pale, a livid hue
Spreads o'er his features;—ſee, —his eyes are fix'd.
ARMINIUS.
Raiſe me once again: Now, mark my words;
Should the ambition of aſpiring Rome
Muſter her legions; ſhould her arms prevail,
And leave no ſpot, where freedom can reſide;
Bear to my Saxon friends my laſt advice.
Let them embark for Britain; there they'll find
A brave, a hardy race, who by their valour
Made Caeſar from their coaſt unfurl his ſails,
And ſave his legions by inglorious flight.
INGUIOMER.

Your orders ſhall be faithfully perform'd.

ARMINIUS.
Yet more;—when landed on that happy ſhore,
Let my friends join in union with the natives.
Britons and Saxons there may form one people;
And from the woods (d) of Germany import
A form of government, a plan of laws
Wiſe, juſt, and equitable; laws of force
To guard the gen'ral weal, and on the baſe
Of public liberty, of ſocial order,
And equal juſtice, raiſe the nobleſt fabric
Of civil union, like their own proud cliffs
'Midſt wild commotions ſtill to ſtand unſhaken,
And be in time the envy of the world.
VELEDA.
[88]

My ſpirits ſink; I faint; ſupport me—

[Leans on a Woman's arm.
INGUIOMER.
Ev'n now,
When flutt'ring life is on the wing to leave him,
The ſafety of his friends claims all his care.
ARMINIUS. [Raiſing himſelf.
Another word; it is my warning voice.
Let Britons guard their coaſt againſt the Gauls,
And never, —never let that treach'rous race,
NOR THEIR DESCENDANTS to the lateſt time,
Obtain a footing on their ſea-girt iſle.
Let Britons ſeize the trident of the main,
And plunge th' invaders in the roaring ſurge;
A band of ſlaves, who would reduce mankind
To their own level, and enſlave the world:
An hoard of ſavages, freebooters, murderers,
Who trample on all laws; who own no gods;
Whom in a maſs their country diſembogues,
By depredations to lay waſte their neighbours,
And ſpread rebellion, anarchy, and ruin.
VELEDA.
Alas! theſe ſtrong exertions are too much;
They waſte his vital ſpirit:—See—behold him;
He faints; he dies; and oh! muſt I ſurvive him?
ARMINIUS.
I burn; I burn; that pang; 'tis paſt; and yet,
Thus ling'ring on the margin of both worlds,
A ray of light perhaps breaks in upon me.
—A time may come, when Germany ſhall ſend
A royal race, allied to Britain's kings,
To reign in glory o'er a willing people.
[89] —I ſee the radiant aera dawn; I ſee.
The great event, when in a diſtant age
A monarch ſprung from that illuſtrious line
Shall guide the ſtate, give energy to laws,
And guard the rights of man; his throne encircl'd,
Adorn'd, illumin'd by a train of virtues,
That win all hearts, and arm each honeſt hand
In the great cauſe of freedom, and the laws,
For which their anceſtors in ev'ry age
Toil'd, fought, and bravely conquer'd; then bequeath'd
Seal'd with their blood a glorious legacy,
A SACRED TRUST to all ſucceeding times.
[Sinks back in his chair.
VELEDA.
Alas! he dies; is there no art to ſoften
Theſe mortal pangs? Support him, Inguiomer;
Aſſuage his ſorrows; lull him to repoſe.
ARMINIUS.
Farewell, my friends;—farewell;—I can no more;
Life ebbs apace; my weary nature ſinks;
Yet ere I die, —Veleda, —once again.
VELEDA.

My feeble frame;—conduct me; lead me to him—

ARMINIUS.

My eyes are dim—where are you? reach your hand.

[Offers his hand, falls back, and dies.
INGUIOMER.
There fled the beſt, the pureſt, nobleſt ſpirit
That e'er inform'd the patriot breaſt.
VELEDA.
To me
What now is life? —I will not linger here
In this bad world, a miſerable wretch,
[90] Condemn'd to ſolitude, and endleſs woe.
Give me this dagger;
(ſnatches it)
now, Arminius, now,
I come;—I follow thee—
[Going to ſtrike.
INGUIOMER.

Reſtrain this rage, this frantic, wild deſpair.

[Holds her arm.
VELEDA.
Off;—ſet me free;—you ſhall not chain me down
In agony of mind, in reſtleſs miſery.
Oh! let me follow him;—Arminius, no,
No, nothing ſhall divorce us.
[Raiſing her arm.
A FEMALE ATTENDANT.
Horror! forbear; I muſt arreſt your arm;
The blow that ends you, murders innocence.
A mother ſtill ſhould hear the voice of nature.
VELEDA.

Why hold me thus?—and yet, thoſe tender accents—

FEMALE ATTENDANT.
Think of the infant whom you ſtill ſupport;
The precious babe that waits to ſee the light.
VELEDA.

My precious babe!

[Looking tenderly at her.
FEMALE ATTENDANT.

'Tis yours to rear and cheriſh it.

VELEDA.

My unborn babe, that waits to ſee the light.

[Melts into tears, and her dagger fulls.
INGUIOMER.
This is thy triumph, pow'rful nature; this
Thy gen'rous inſtinct; thou prime ſource of virtue!
VELEDA.
Oh! what a precipice of guilt and horror
Have I eſcap'd! My child deſtroy'd by me,
[91] Ev'n by the mother's hand!—unbidden tears,
You choak all utt'rance; the bare image ſtrikes,
It cleaves my very heart—Arminius, now
Farewell awhile; you point me back to life;
You bid me here endure the load of grief,
To rear the tender charge you have bequeath'd me.
That duty done, perhaps the gods may ſend
A ſon, to emulate your great example.
Grant me that pray'r, and then with joy, with tranſport,
From this ſad dreary world I'll wing my flight,
To trace your path in yon empyreal ſkies.
[Lies by the body.
INGUIOMER.
There died the friend of liberty and man,
The champion of his country!—O'er his relicks
A grand, a ſplendid monument ſhall riſe,
Deck'd with the ſpoils of many a well-fought field,
With Roman Eagles, and Imperial banners,
The trophies of his wars. The hallow'd mould
The ſons of Germany with pilgrim feet
Shall oft reviſit; with their tears embalm
His clay-cold aſhes, and then ſighing ſay
At length Arminius reſts from toil and danger,
With all his country's bleſſings on his head.
FINIS.

Appendix A NOTES ON THE TRAGEDY OF ARMINIUS.

[]

Appendix A.1 ACT I.

(a) CUNCTA pariter Romanis adverſa: Locus uligine profundâ, idem ad gradum inſtabilis, procedentibus Lubricus; Corpora gravia Loricis, neque Librare pila inter undas poterant. Contra Cheruſcis ſueta apud paludes praelia, procera membra, haſtae ingentes ad vulnera faciunda; quamvis procul. Annal. i S. 64. Arminius cum delectis Scindit agmen, Equiſque maxime vulnera ingerit: illi Sanguine ſuo, et Lubrico paludum Lapſantes, Excuſſis Rectoribus disjicere obvios, proterere jacentes. Annal. i. S. 54, 55.

(b) Neque multo poſt Legati a Segeſte venerunt, auxilium orantes adverſus vim popularium, a quêis Circumſidebatur; Validiore apud Eos Arminio, quando Bellum ſuadebat. Germanico pretium fuit, Convertere Agmen; pugnatumque in obſidentes, et Ereptus Segeſtes magnâ cum propinquorum et Clientium Manu. Annal. Lib. i. S. 57.

[2] (c) Non hic mihi primus Erga Populum Romanum fidei et Conſtantiae dies: Ex quo a Divo Auguſto Civitate donatus ſum, amicos inimicosque ex veſtris Utilitatibus delegi; neque odio patriae, verum quia Romanis Germaniſque idem conducere, et pacem quàm Bellum probabam. Annal. Lib. i S. 58.

(d) Addiderat Segeſtes Legatis filium, nomine Segimundum: ſed Juvenis Conſcientiâ cunctabatur; quippe anno, quo Germaniae deſcivêre, Sacerdos apud Aram Ubiorum Creatus ruperat vittas, profugus ad Rebelles. Annal. i. S. 57.

(c) Inerant faeminae nobiles, inter quas Uxor Arminii, eademque filia Segeſtis, mariti magis quàm parentis animo, neque victa in Lacrymas, neque voce ſupplex, compreſſis intra ſinum manibus, gravidam Uterum intuenas. Annal. i. S. 57.

(f) Filiam neceſſitate huc Adductam fateor: tuum erit conſultare, utrum praevaleat, quod ex Arminio concepit, an quod ex me Genita eſt. Annal. Lib. i. S. 58.

Appendix A.2 ACT II.

(a) See as above, Annal. i. S. 57.

(b) Plures Caeſar claſſi impoſitas per flumen Amiſiam Oceano invexit. Ac primo placidum AEquor mille navium remis ſtrepere, aut Velis impelli: mox atro nubium globo Effuſa Grando: ſimul variis undique procellis incerti fluctus proſpectum Adimere, regimen impedire; Mileſque [3]pavidus, et caſuum maris ignorus, dum turbat Nautas, vel intempeſtive juvat, officia prudentium Corrumpebat: Omne dehinc caelum, et mare omne in Auſtrum ceſſit, qui tumidis Germaniae terris, profundis Amnibus, immenſo nubium tractu validus, et rigore vicini Septemtrionis horridior, rapuit disjecitque naves in aperta Oceani, aut Inſulas Saxis abruptis, vel per occulta vada infeſtas. Pars Navium hauſtae ſunt; plures apud Inſulas Longius ſitas Ejectae. Sola Germanici triremis Chaucorum terram adpulit; Quem per omnes illos dies nocteſque apud Scopulos et prominentes oras, cum ſe tanti Exitii reum clamitaret, Vix Cohibuere amici quominus Eodem Mari oppeteret. Annal. Lib. ii. S. 23, 24.

(c) Arminius irrupere Germanos jubet, Clamitans, "En Varus, et Eodem iterum fato Victae Legiones."— Annal. i. S. 65.

(d) Dotem non Uxor Marito, ſed Uxori Maritus offert. Inter haec munera Uxor accipitur, atque Invicem ipſa armorum aliquid Viro offert. Hoc Maximum Vinculum, haec arcana ſacra, hos Conjudales Deos Arbitrantur.— De moribus Germ. S. 18.

(e) Arminius, "ut Liceret cum fratre colloqui" oravit. Erat is in Exercitu Cognomento Flavius, inſignis fide, et amiſſo par vulnus oculo paucis ante Annis, duce Tiberio: tum permiſſum; progreſſuſque ſalutatur ab Arminio, qui amotis Stipatoribus, "ut Sagittarii noſtrâ pro Ripâ diſpoſiti Abſcederent," poſtulat; et poſtquam digreſſi, "Unde ea deformitas Oris?" Interrogat fratrem: illo Locum et praeliam referente, "Quodnam praemium recepiffet?" Exquirit. Flavius Aucta Stipendia, Torquem, et Coronam, aliaque militaria dona memorat, irridente [4]dente Arminio vilia Servitii Praemia. Exin Diverſi ordiuntur: Hic ‘Magnitudinem Romanam, opes Caeſaris, et victis graves poenas; in deditionem venienti paratam clementiam; neque conjugem et filium ejus hoſtiliter haberi.’ "Paulatim inde ad jurgia prolapſi, quominus pugnam Conſererent, ne flumine quidem interjecto cohibebantur, ni Stertinius adcurrens plenum irae, armaque et equum poſcentem Flavium attinuiſſet. Cernabatur contrà minitabundus Arminius, praeliumque denuntians; nam pleraque Latino Sermone interjaciebat, ut qui Romanis in Caſtris ductor Popularium meruiſſet.— Annal. Lib. ii. S. 9, 10.

(f) See the laſt Note.

(g) Irridenti Arminio vilia ſervitii praemia. Annal. Lib. xi. S. 9.

(h) Arminius fas patriae, Libertatem avitam, penetrales Germaniae Deos, Matrum precum ſociam, ne propinquorum et adfinium, denique generis ſui deſertor et Proditor quam Imperator eſſe mallet. Annal. Lib. ii. S. 10.

Appendix A.3 ACT III.

(a) Exigunt enim principis ſui liberalitate illum Bellatorem equum, illam cruentam victricemque frameam.— De Morib. Germ. S. 14.

(b) CIVILIS matrem ſuam ſororeſque, ſimul omnium conjuges, parvoſque Liberos conſiſtere a tergo jubet; [5]Hortamenta victoriae, vel pulſis pudorem: Virorum cantu, et faeminarum ululatu ſomuit acies. Tacit. Hiſt. iv. S. 18.

(c) Ne ſe mulier extra virtutum cogitationes, extraque Bellorum caſus putet, ipſis incipientis matrimonii auſpiciis admonetur, venire ſe Laborum periculorumque ſociam, idem in pace, idem in Bello paſſuram auſuramque: Hoc juncti Boves, hoc paratus equus, hoc data arma denuntiant. Sic vivendum, ſic pereundum. Tacit. de Morib. Germ. S. 18.

(d) Satis diu vel Naturae vixiſſe, vel gloriae. Cicero pro Marcello.

(e) Sunt illis quoque Carmina, quorum Relatu, quem Barditum vocant, accendunt animos, futuraeque pugnae fortunam ipſo cantu augurantur. Tacit. de Morib. Germ. S. 3.

(f) Varianam cladem paene exitiabilem, tribus legionibus, cum duce Legatiſque, et auxiliis omnibus caeſis. Adeo namque Conſternatum Auguſtum ferunt, ut per continuos Menſes barbâ capilloque ſummiſſo, Caput interdum foribus illideret, vociferans, "QUINCTILI VARE LEGIONES REDDE." Sueton. Auguſt: S. 23.

(g) See an account of the Canadian War-ſongs, Charlevoix, Voyage de L'Amerique. See alſo European Settlements in America. Vol. i.

(h) Segeſtem Germanos nunquam ſatis Excuſaturos, quod inter Albim et Rhenum Virgas, et ſecures, et togam viderint. Annal. Lib. i. S. 59.

(i) Raptores orbis, poſtquam cuncta vaſtantibus defuere, terras, et maria Scrutantur: Si Locuples Hoſtis eft; [6]AVARI: Si pauper, AMBITIOSI: Soli omnium opes atque inopiam pari affectu concupiſcunt: auſerre, trucidare, rapere, falſis nominibus IMPERIUM, atque ubi ſolitudinem faciunt, PACEM appellant. Tacit. Agricola, S. 30.

(k) Non cauponantes Bellum, ſed Belligerantes. Enn [...]us.

(l) Avitus ipſi Boiocalo ob memoriam Amicitiae, daturum agros pollicitus; quod ille, ut proditionis pretium, aſpernatus, addidit, "DEESSE NODIS TERRA, IN QUA VIVAMUS, IN QUA MORIAMUR, NON POTEST." Annal. Lib. xiii. S. 56.

Appendix A.4 ACT IV.

(a) Nec minor cum Uxoribus Eorum pugna, quam cum ipſis [...]uit; quum objectis undique plauſtris atque carpentis, altae desuper, quaſi e turribus, Lanceis contiſquè pugnarent. Florus, Lib. iii. Cap. 3.

Vos quoque, qui fortes animas Belloque peremptas
Laudibus in Longum Vates dimittitis Aevum,
Plurima Securi fudiſtis Carmina BARDI.
Lucan, Pharſalia, Lib. i. V. 447.

(b)

Libertas ultra Tigrim, Rhenumque receſſit,
Ac toties mobis jugulo quaeſita negatur,
Germanum Scythicumque Bonum.
Lucan, Lib. vii. V. 433.

(c) See Act I. Note (b).

[7] (d) Timochares Ambracienſis Fabricio Conſuli pollicitus eſt, ſe Pyrrhum veneno per ſilium ſuum, qui potionibus ejus praeerat, necaturum. Ea res cùm ad Senatum eſſet delata, miſſis Legatis Pyrrhum monuit, ut adverſus hujus generis inſidias cautius ſe gereret, memor urbem a a filio Martis Conditam, et armis Bella, non venenis, gerere debere. Timocharis autem Nomen ſuppreſſit, Utroque modo AEquitatem amplexus; quia nec hoſtem malo exemplo tollere, neque cum, qui bene mercri paratus ſuerat, prodere voluit. Val. Maxim. Lib. vi. Cap. 5.

Reperio apud Scriptores Senatoreſque Eorum Temporum, Adgandeſtrii, principis Cattorum, Lectas in Senatu Literas, quibus "mortem Arminii" promittebat, "ſi patrandoe neci venenum mitteretur;" Reſponſumque eſſe, non fraude, neque occultis, ſed palam et armatum populum Romanum hoſtes ſuos ulciſci; quâ gloriâ aequabat ſe Tiberius priſcis Imperator. bus, qui venenum in Pyrrhum Regem vetuerant, prodid [...]rantque. Annal. Lib. ii. S. 88.

(e) Eo notabilior Caedes fuit, quia filius Patrem interfecit: Rem, nomniaque, auctore Vipſtanio Meſſalâ, tradam. Julius Manſuetus, ex Hiſpaniâ, RAPACI Legioni additus, impubem filium domi Liquerat: is mox adultus, inter SEPTIMANOS a Galbâ conſcriptus, oblatum forte patrem, et vulnere ſtratum, dum ſemianimem ſcrutatur, Agnitus, agnoſcenſque, et exſanguem amplexus, voce flebili precabatur "Placatos patris manes," ‘Neve ſe ut parricidam averſarentur; publicum id facinus; et unum militem quotam Civilium Armorum partem.’— Simul attollere corpus, aperire humum, ſupremo erga parentem officio fungi. Advertere proximi, deinde plures: Hinc per omnem aciem Miraculum, et quaeſtus, et ſaeviſſimi Belli Execratio: nec eo ſegnius propinquos, adfines, [8]fratres trucidatos ſpoliant: Factum eſſe ſcelus Loquuntur, faciuntque. Tacit. Hiſt. Lib. iii. S. 25.

Ceterum et prioribus Civilibus Bellis par Scelus inciderat; nam praelio, quo ad Janiculum adverſus Cinnam pugnatum eſt, Pompeianus Miles fratrem ſuum, dein, cognito facinore, ſeipſum interfecit, ut Siſenna memorat: tanto acrior apud Majores, ſicut Virtutis gloria, ita flagitiis Paenitentia fuit. Tacit. Hiſt. Lib. iii. S. 50.

(f) VOLTAIRE, in his HENRIADE, had his eye upon the paſſages in Tacitus cited in the former note. He deſcribes a father, in the heat of battle, engaged with his ſon: An extract from the Epiſode will, probably, be acceptable to the reader.

En fin vieux d'Ailly, par un coup malheureux
Fait tomber a ſes pieds ce Guerrier genereux.
Ses yeux ſont pour jamais fermés a la Lumiére;
Son Caſque aupres de lui roule ſur la Pouſſiére.
D'Ailly voit ſon viſage: "O deſeſpoir! O Cris!
"Il le voit; il L'embraſſe: "HELAS C'EST MON FILS"
Le Pére infortuné, les yeux baignés de Larmes,
Tournait contre ſon ſein ſes parricides armes;
On L'arrête, on s'oppoſe a ſa juſte fureur;
Il s'arrache en tremblant de ce Lieu plein d'horreur;
Il deteſte a jamais ſa coupable Victoire;
Et ſe fuyant Lui-même, au milieu des deſerts,
Il va cacher ſa peine au bout de L'Univers.
Là, ſoit que Le Soleil rendit Le jour au monde,
Soit qu'il finit ſa courſe au vaſte ſein de L'onde,
Sa voix faiſait redire aux échos attendris
Le nom, le triſte nom de ſon malheureux fils.
[9] Du heros expirant la jeune et tendre amante,
Par la terreur conduite, incertaine, tremblante,
Vient d'un pied chancelant ſur ces funeſtes bords;
Elle cherche, elle voit dans la ſoule des morts,
Elle voit ſon époux; elle tombe éperdue;
Le voile de la mort ſe repand ſur ſa vue;
"Eft-ce toi, cher amant?"—Ces mots interrompus,
Ces cris demi-formés ne ſont point entendus;
Elle r'ouvre les yeux; ſa bouche preſſe encore,
Par ſes derniers baiſers, la bouche qu'elle adore:
Elle tient dans ſes bras ce corps pâle et ſanglant,
Le regarde, ſoupire, et meurt en l'embraſſant.
Père, époux malheureux, famille deplorable,
Des fureurs de ces tems exemple lamentable,
Puiſſe de ce combat le ſouvenir affreux
Exciter la pitié de nos derniers neveaux,
Arracher à leurs yeux des larmes ſalutaires,
Et qu'ils n'imitent point les crimes de leurs pères.
HENRIADE, Chant viii, V. 255.

Appendix A.5 ACT V.

(a)

Mutemus Clypeos, Danaûmque inſignia nobis
Aptemus; dolus, an virtus, quis in hoſte requirat?
VIRG; AENEID: Lib. li, V. 390.

(c)

Si l'on veut lire l'admirable ouvrage de Tacits fur les
Moeurs des Germains, on verra que c'eſt d'eux que les
ANGLOIS ont tiré l'idée de leur Gouvernement Politique.
Ce beau Syſtême a été trouvé dans les bois.
L'Eſprit des Loix, Lib. xi, Cap. 6.

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Notes
(a)
Somn. Scip. S. iii.
(b)
Annal. Lib. xvi. S. 22.
(b)
Ann. Lib. xi. S. 17.
(c)
See Debrett's Collection of Addreſſes from Engliſh Clubs, publiſhed in the year 1793.
(d)
See the Marquis de Bouille's Memoirs of the French Revolution, page 422.
(e)
See Harper's Pamphlet, Page 94, 95.
(f)
The Marquis de Bouille's Memoirs, Page 41.
(g)
Horace, Lib. III. Ode 3.
(h)
Hardy's Trial, by Gurney, Vol. I. Page 223, 225
(i)
See the Freeholder, No. 17.
(k)
L'Eſprit des Loix, Lib. xi. Cap. vi.
(l)
See Polybius, Book vi. Chap, i.
m
L'Eſprit des Loix, Book
n
Annal. Lib. II. S. 88.
o
L'Eſprit des Loix. Lib. xi. Cap. vi, viii.
*
Now the Ems, near Embden.
*
Now the Eder, in the Landgravate of Heſſe.
*
Now the ELBE.
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TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 3514 Arminius or the champion of liberty a tragedy With an historical preface By Arthur Murphy Esq. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-6217-C