Attilia waiting here ? Is't possible ? Is this a place for Regulus 's daughter ? Just gods ! must that incomparable maid Associate here with Lictors and Plebeians ? Let not her sorrows make my fair unjust . Is there in Rome a heart so dead to virtue That does not beat in Regulus 's cause ? That wearies not the gods for his return ? That does not think all subjugated Afric A slender , unimportant acquisition , If , in return for this extended empire , The freedom of thy father be the purchase ? These are the feelings of Imperial Rome ; My own , it were superfluous to declare . For if Licinius were to weigh his merit , That he 's thy father were sufficient glory . He was my leader , train 'd me up to arms ; And if I boast a spark of Roman honour , I owe it to his precepts and his virtues . Ah ! spare me thy reproaches — what , when late A private citizen , could I attempt ? ‘ Twas not the lust of power , or pride of rank , Which made me seek the dignity of tribune ; No , my Attilia , but I fondly hop 'd ‘ Twould strengthen and enforce the just request Which as a private man I vainly urg 'd ; But now , the people 's representative , I shall demand , Attilia , to be heard . Ah ! think , Attilia , who that Consul is , Manlius , thy father 's rival , and his foe : His ancient rival , and his foe profess 'd : To hope in him , my fair , were fond delusion . Be it so , my fair ! but elsewhere make thy suit ; Let not the Consul meet Attilia here , Confounded with the refuse of the people . Behold he comes . O bless me with a look , One parting look at least . O sweet , yet powerful influence of virtue , That charms though cruel , though unkind subdues , And what was love exalts to admiration ! Yes , ‘ tis the privilege of souls like thine To conquer most when least they aim at conquest . Yet , ah ! vouchsafe to think upon Licinius , Nor fear to rob thy father of his due ; For surely virtue and the gods approve Unwearied constancy and spotless love . Ah ! my friend ! and At . O by this hand we beg —— With joy , my honour 'd friend , I seek thy presence . Because my heart once more Beats high with flattering hope . In thy great cause I have been labouring . In thine and Rome 's . Does it excite thy wonder ? Couldst thou , then , think so poorly of Licinius , That base ingratitude could find a place Within his bosom ?— Can I , then , forget Thy thousand acts of friendship to my youth ? Forget them , too , at that important moment When most I might assist thee ?— Regulus , Thou wast my leader , general , father — all . Didst thou not teach me early how to tread The path of glory ; point the way thyself , And bid me follow thee ? I have defended Thy liberty and life ! Just as the Fathers were about to meet , I hasten 'd to the temple — at the entrance Their passage I retarded by the force Of strong entreaty : then address 'd myself So well to each , that I from each obtain 'd A declaration , that his utmost power Should be exerted for thy life and freedom . Not he alone ; no , ‘ twere indeed unjust To rob the fair Attilia of her claim To filial merit .— What I could , I did . But she — thy charming daughter — heav'n and earth , What did she not to save her father ? Attilia , thy belov 'd — thy age 's darling ! Was ever father bless 'd with such a child ? Gods ! how her looks took captive all who saw her ! How did her soothing eloquence subdue The stoutest hearts of Rome ! How did she rouse Contending passions in the breasts of all ! How sweetly temper dignity with grief ! With what a soft , inimitable grace She prais 'd , reproach 'd , entreated , flatter 'd , sooth 'd . What could they say ? Who could resist the lovely conqueror ? See where she comes — Hope dances in her eyes , And lights up all her beauties into smiles . For pity 's sake , my Lord ! Because I am a Roman , I aspired T ’ oppose th ’ inhuman rigour of thy fate . Oh ! my best Attilia , Do not repent thee of the pious deed : It was a virtuous error . That in us Is a just duty , which the god-like soul Of Regulus would think a shameful weakness . If the contempt of life in him be virtue , It were in us a crime to let him perish . Perhaps at last he may consent to live : He then will thank us for our cares to save him : Let not his anger fright thee . Though our love Offend him now , yet , when his mighty soul Is reconcil 'd to life , he will not chide us . The sick man loathes , and with reluctance takes The remedy by which his health 's restor 'd . Would my Attilia rather lose her father Than , by offending him , preserve his life ? Yes , he shall live , and we again be bless 'd ; Then dry thy tears , and let those lovely orbs Beam with their wonted lustre on Licinius , Who lives but in the sunshine of thy smiles . Ah ! my fair mourner , All 's lost . Yes , at my life 's expense , my heart 's best treasure , Wouldst thou instruct me how . Farewell , my love ! If possible , to save the life of Regulus . Since the disease so desperate is become , We must apply a desperate remedy . No , my gentle love , Too much I prize thy safety and thy peace . Let me entreat thee , stay with Barce here Till our return . Soon shalt thou know it all — Farewell ! farewell ! Let us keep Regulus in Rome , or die . At length I 've found thee — ah , my charming maid ! How have I sought thee out with anxious fondness ! Alas ! she hears me not .—— My best Attilia ! Ah ! grief oppresses every gentle sense . Still , still she hears not —— ‘ tis Licinius speaks , He comes to soothe the anguish of thy spirit , And hush thy tender sorrows into peace . ‘ Tis one who comes the messenger of heav'n , To talk of peace , of comfort , and of joy . Cease , cease , my love , this tender voice of woe , Though softer than the dying cygnet 's plaint : She ever chants her most melodious strain When death and sorrow harmonise her note . I come to dry thy tears , not make them flow ; The gods once more propitious smile upon us , Joy shall again await each happy morn , And ever-new delight shall crown the day ! Yes , Regulus shall live .—— Mock thy afflictions ?— May eternal Jove , And every power at whose dread shrine we worship , Blast all the hopes my fond ideas form , If I deceive thee ! Regulus shall live , Shall live to give thee to Licinius ’ arms . Oh ! we will smooth his downward path of life , And after a long length of virtuous years , At the last verge of honourable age , When nature 's glimmering lamp goes gently out , We 'll close , together close his eyes in peace — Together drop the sweetly-painful tear — Then copy out his virtues in our lives . Thou know'st what influence the name of Tribune Gives its possessor o'er the people 's minds : That power I have exerted , nor in vain ; All are prepar 'd to second my designs : The plot is ripe ,— there 's not a man but swears To keep thy god-like father here in Rome —— To save his life at hazard of his own . We 'll seek thy father , and meanwhile , my fair , Compose thy sweet emotions ere thou see'st him , Pleasure itself is painful in excess ; For joys , like sorrows , in extreme , oppress : The gods themselves our pious cares approve , And to reward our virtue crown our love . Rome will not suffer Regulus to go . I grant they are — But still the people are the greater part . The less cruel .—— Full of esteem and gratitude to Regulus , We would preserve his life . His honour !—— On your lives , Stir not a man . And I forbid it . How dar'st thou , Manlius , thus oppose the Tribune ? Romans , guard it . The Majesty of Rome is in the people ; Thou dost insult it by opposing them . Hatred ? ah ! my friend , It is our love would break these cruel chains . What faith should be observ 'd with savages ? What promise should be kept which bonds extort ? Rome is no more if Regulus departs . Lay down your arms — let Regulus depart .