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sang as sings the lark； when up he darts his flight； From his nest in the
green April corn； to meet the morning light； And Appius heard her sweet
young voice； and saw her sweet young face； And loved her with the
accursed love of his accursed race； And all along the Forum； and up the
Sacred Street； His vulture eye pursued the trip of those small glancing feet。
。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
Over the Alban mountains the light of morning broke； From all the
roofs of the Seven Hills curled the thin wreaths of smoke： The city…gates
were opened； the Forum all alive With buyers and with sellers was
humming like a hive： Blithely on brass and timber the craftsman's stroke
was ringing； And blithely o'er her panniers the market…girl was singing；
And blithely young Virginia came smiling from her home： Ah！ woe for
young Virginia； the sweetest maid in Rome！ With her small tablets in her
hand； and her satchel on her arm； Forth she went bounding to the school；
nor dreamed of shame or harm。 She crossed the Forum shining with stalls
in alleys gay； And just had reached the very spot whereon I stand this day；
When up the varlet Marcus came； not such as when erewhile He crouched
behind his patron's heels with the true client smile： He came with lowering
forehead； swollen features； and clenched fist； And strode across Virginia's
path； and caught her by the wrist。 Hard strove the frightened maiden； and
screamed with look aghast； And at her scream from right and left the folk
came running fast； The money…changer Crispus； with his thin silver hairs；
And Hanno from the stately booth glittering with Punic wares； And the
strong smith Mur 鎛 a； grasping a half…forged brand； And Volero the
flesher； his cleaver in his hand。 All came in wrath and wonder； for all knew
that fair child； And； as she passed them twice a day； all kissed their hands
and smiled； And the strong smith Mur 鎛 a gave Marcus such a blow； The
caitiff reeled three paces back； and let the maiden go。 Yet glared he
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fiercely round him； and growled in harsh； fell tone； ‘‘She's mine； and I will
have her； I seek but for mine own： She is my slave； born in my house； and
stolen away and sold； The year of the sore sickness； ere she was twelve
hours old。 'Twas in the sad September； the month of wail and fright； Two
augers were borne forth that morn； the Consul died ere night。 I wait on
Appius Claudius； I waited on his sire： Let him who works the client wrong
beware the patron's ire。''
So spake the varlet Marcus； and dread and silence came On all the
people at the sound of the great Claudian name。 For then there was no
Tribune to speak the word of might； Which makes the rich man tremble；
and guards the poor man's right。 There was no brave Licinius； no honest
Sixtius then； But all the city； in great fear； obeyed the wicked Ten。 Yet ere
the varlet Marcus again might seize the maid； Who clung tight to Mur 鎛
a's skirt； and sobbed； and shrieked for aid； Forth through the throng of
gazers the young Icilius pressed； And stamped his foot； and rent his gown；
and smote upon his breast； And sprang upon that column； by many a
minstrel sung； Whereon three mouldering helmets； three rusting swords；
are hung； And beckoned to the people； and in bold voice and clear Poured
thick and fast the burning words which tyrants quake to hear。
‘‘Now； by your children's cradles； now by your fathers' graves； Be
men to…day； Quirites； or be forever slaves！ For this did Servius give us
laws？ For this did Lucrece bleed？ For this was the great vengeance
wrought on Tarquin's evil seed？ For this did those false sons make red the
axes of their sire？ For this did Sc 鎣ola's right hand hiss in the Tuscan fire？
Shall the vile fox…earth awe the race that stormed the lion's den？ Shall we；
who could not brook one lord； crouch to the wicked Ten？ Oh； for that
ancient spirit which curbed the Senate's will！ Oh； for the tents which in old
time whitened the Sacred Hill！ In those brave days our fathers stood firmly
side by side； They faced the Marcian fury； they tamed the Fabian pride：
They drove the fiercest Quinctius an outcast forth from Rome； They sent
the haughtiest Claudius with shivered fasces home。 But what their care
bequeathed us our madness flung away： All the ripe fruit of threescore
years was blighted in a day。 Exult； ye proud Patricians！ The hard…fought
fight is o'er。 We strove for honors'twas in vain； for freedom'tis no more。
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No crier to the polling summons the eager throng； No Tribune breathes the
word of might that guards the weak from wrong。 Our very hearts； that
were so high； sink down beneath your will。 Riches； and lands； and power；
and stateye have them：keep them still。 Still keep the holy fillets； still
keep the purple gown； The axes； and the curule chair； the car； and laurel
crown： Still press us for your cohorts； and； when the fight is done； Still fill
your garners from the soil which our good swords have won。 Still； like a
spreading ulcer； which leech…craft may not cure； Let your foul usance eat
away the substance of the poor。 Still let your haggard debtors bear all their
fathers bore； Still let your dens of torment be noisome as of yore； No fire
when Tiber freezes； no air in dog…star heat； And store of rods for free…born
backs； and holes for free…born feet。 Heap heavier still the fetters； bar closer
still the grate； Patient as sheep we yield us up unto your cruel hate。 But； by
the Shades beneath us； and by the gods above； Add not unto your cruel
hate your yet more cruel love！ Have ye not graceful ladies； whose spotless
lineage springs From Consuls； and High Pontiffs； and ancient Alban kings？
Ladies； who deign not on our paths to set their tender feet； Who from their
cars look down with scorn upon the wondering street； Who in Corinthian
mirrors their own proud smiles behold； And breathe the Capuan odors； and
shine with Spanish gold？ Then leave the poor Plebeian his single tie to
life The sweet； sweet love of daugther； of sister； and of wife； The gentle
speech； the balm for all that his vexed soul endures； The kiss； in which he
half forgets even such a yoke as yours。 Still let the m