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Consul more than seventy years before the introduction of the Licinian
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laws。 By availing himself of a singular crisis in public feeling； he had
obtained the consent of the Commons to the abolition of the Tribuneship；
and had been the chief of that Council of Ten to which the whole direction
of the state had been committed。 In a new months his administration had
become universally odious。 It had been swept away by an irresistible
outbreak of popular fury； and its memory was still held in abhorrence by
the whole city。 The immediate cause of the downfall of this execrable
government was said to have been an attempt made by Appius Claudius
upon the chastity of a beautiful young girl of humble birth。 The story ran
that the Decemvir； unable to succeed by bribes and solicitations； resorted
to an outrageous act of tyranny。 A vile dependent of the Claudian house
laid claim to the damsel as his slave。 The cause was brought before the
tribunal of Appius。 The wicked magistrate； in defiance of the clearest
proofs； gave judgment for the claimant。 But the girl's father； a brave
soldier； saved her from servitude and dishonor by stabbing her to the heart
in the sight of the whole Forum。 That blow was the signal for a general
explosion。 Camp and city rose at once； the Ten were pulled down； the
Tribuneship was re 雜 tablished； and Appius escaped the hands of the
executioner only by a voluntary death。
It can hardly be doubted that a story so admirably adapted to the
purposes both of the poet and of the demagogue would be eagerly seized
upon by minstrels burning with hatred against the Patrician order； against
the Claudian house； and especially against the grandson and namesake of
the infamous Decemvir。
In order that the reader may judge fairly of these fragments of the lay
of Virginia； he must imagine himself a Plebeian who has just voted for the
re 雔 ection of Sextius and Licinius。 All the power of the Patricians has
been exerted to throw out the two great champions of the Commons。
Every Posthumius； 苖 ilius； and Cornelius has used his influence to the
utmost。 Debtors have been let out of the workhouses on condition of
voting against the men of the people； clients have been posted to hiss and
interrupt the favorite candidates； Appius Claudius Crassus has spoken with
more than his usual eloquence and asperity： all has been in vain； Licinius
and Sextius have a fifth time carried all the tribes： work is suspended； the
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booths are closed； the Plebeians bear on their shoulders the two champions
of liberty through the Forum。 Just at this moment it is announced that a
great poet； a zealous adherent of the Tribunes； has made a new song which
will cut the Claudian nobles to the heart。 The crowd gathers round him；
and calls on him to recite it。 He takes his stand on the spot where；
according to tradition； Virginia； more than seventy years ago； was seized
by the pandar of Appius； and he begins his story。
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Virginia
Fragments of a Lay Sung in the Forum on the Day Whereon Lucius
Sextius Sextinus Lateranus and Caius Licinius Calvus Stolo Were Elected
Tribunes of the Commons the Fifth Time； in the Year of the City
CCCLXXXII
Ye good men of the Commons； with loving hearts and true； Who
stand by the bold Tribunes that still have stood by you； Come； make a
circle round me； and mark my tale with care； A tale of what Rome once
hath borne； of what Rome yet may bear。 This is no Grecian fable； of
fountains running wine； Of maids with snaky tresses； or sailors turned to
swine。 Here； in this very Forum； under the noonday sun； In sight of all the
people； the bloody deed was done。 Old men still creep among us who saw
that fearful day； Just seventy years and seven ago； when the wicked Ten
bare sway。
Of all the wicked Ten still the names are held accursed； And of
all the wicked Ten Appius Claudius was the worst。 He stalked along the
Forum like King Tarquin in his pride： Twelve axes waited on him； six
marching on a side； The townsmen shrank to right and left； and eyed
askance with fear His lowering brow； his curling mouth which always
seemed to sneer； That brow of hate； that mouth of scorn； marks all the
kindred still； For never was there Claudius yet but wished the Commons
ill； Nor lacks he fit attendance； for close behind his heels； With
outstretched chin and crouching pace； the client Marcus steals； His loins
girt up to run with speed； be the errand what it may； And the smile
flickering on his cheek； for aught his lord may say。 Such varlets pimp and
jest for hire among the lying Greeks： Such varlets still are paid to hoot
when brave Licinius speaks。 Where'er ye shed the honey； the buzzing flies
will crowd； Where'er ye fling the carrion； the raven's croak is loud；
Where'er down Tiber garbage floats； the greedy pike ye see； And
wheresoe'er such lord is found； such client still will be。
Just then； as through one cloudless chink in a black stormy sky
Shines out the dewy morning…star； a fair young girl came by。 With her
small tablets in her hand； and her satchel on her arm； Home she went
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bounding from the school； nor dreamed of shame or harm； And past those
dreaded axes she innocently ran； With bright frank brow that had not
learned to blush at gaze of man； And up the Sacred Street she turned； and；
as she danced along； She warbled gayly to herself lines of the good old
song； How for a sport the princes came spurring from the camp； And
found Lucrece； combing the fleece； under the midnight lamp。 The maiden
sang as sings the lark； when up he da