Caius Gracchus, a tragedy (1920)

8/12/2019 Caius Gracchus, a tragedy (1920)

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Glass.

Book.


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CopjTight, 1920, byBONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

Copyright also in Great Britain and Ireland and in all countries sub-scribing to the Bern Convention, including the Scandinavian

Countries. All rights reserved. Rights of translationinto foreign languages reserved, including

the Scandinavian.

'T'HIS play in its printed form is designed for the reading publiconly. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by copyright,

in the United States and Great Britain, and no public or privateperformanceprofessional or amateurmay be given without thewritten permission of the author and the payment of royalty. As thecourts have also ruled that the public reading of a play for pay orwhere tickets are sold constitutes a performance, no such readingmay be given except under the conditions above stated. Anyonedisregarding the author's rights renders himself liable to prosecution.Communications should be sent to the author, care of the publishers.


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IntroductionOR three centuries, the Enghsh metricdrama has remained sterile of anynotable production. It may well bethat Shakespere set a standard toohigh for any other mortal to attain,even in the ages to come. Certain itis that the efforts of Massinger, of

Marlowe, of Ben Jonson, of Beaumont, of Fletcher,of Middleton, and of all the others of that brilliantgalaxy of the Elizabethan period, carried no appealto the generations that followed. The very titles oftheir great plays, such as Tamburlaine, The Jewof Malta, Duke of Milan, The Fatal Dowry,The Maid of the Inn, The Fall of Sejanus,*' Volpone, sound strange in modern ears.In France, the works of Racine, of MoHere, of

Corneille and of Voltaire continue a splendid history,to which Hugo and Rostand added no mean measureof lustre. The Italian revival may be continued downto the Eighteenth Century, when it produced the simpleintensity of Alfieri. In the literature of Germany,Schiller, Goethe and Hauptmann made the Eighteenthand Nineteenth Centuries glorious.But in the English language, the actor-manager-playwright from Stratford stands by himselfa veryColossus of the ages. He marks the beginning, and,thus far, the end, of the influence of the Renaissanceon our poetic drama. The great Greek poets laid thefoundation of the harmonic expression of thought andaction. And there is, in our language, no surviving


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Page 4 CAIUS GRACCHUS Introductionpersonality whose plays affirmatively force our atten-tion, between their time, and the day of Shakesperenor since. It may be that the day of the exact and ex-alted poetic drama, whatever its inherent literary orsocial value, has gone. Life may have adjusted its endspermanently to a different arrangement or beat ofthought. Admitting, for argument's sake, that the Rab-elaisian productions of Massinger, Marlowe and BenJonson failed to hold the popular attention for the samereason that Shakespere's Pericles, and the doubtful Titus Andronicus failed to hold it, still the ultimatefact remains that a few plays of Shakespere's constitutepractically the whole of our heritage of poetic dramaor important tragedy as known and given public atten-tion today.The critics, the self-avowed experts, the ex-pounders, and the textwriters, all tell us that theElizabethan cult is very dead. They join in assuringthe would-be venturer into the field of metric dramathat he is chasing the proverbial undomesticated goose;that every one who has tried his hand at the game hashad nothing but his frenzy for his effort.

Certain facts may, perhaps, seem to justify thosesolemn warnings. The ambitious essays into dramaticpoetry of yesterdaywhere are they? TrueBulwerLytton's Richeheu is still occasionally played, byour persistent tragedians. Stephen Phillips did his bestin Herod; his style was even hailed by some of ourprofessional wiseacres as being a wonderful new prod-uct. But the public displayed no enthusiasm: not evenmild interest. So, Phillips' wan work died. Had hewritten less for the critics, and more for the people,he might have achieved real results.

In my view, the reason why great dramatic poemshave failed to gain attention since the SeventeenthCentury, is that no one writing our language metri-cally has had anything to say that the Enghsh-speak-ing people cared to hear, or, having anything to say,has had the courage, the talent or the genius to sayit in such fashion as to compel public attention. This


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Introduction CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 5regrettable condition also applies, in great measure, tothe prose drama. Eliminate Sheridan's works, and whatEnglish play is there that has survived the test of evena century?But why does this condition maintain?The answer suggests itself.Puritanismthe inspiration of the period of Oliver

Cromwelldedicated itself to the murder of the soulof English poetry, by the unsparing use of cant. Theeffect of this drab poison continued through the Res-toration. It crossed the Atlantic with the Pilgrims,and it is with us today. It was inevitable that there-after English genius, when it did manifest itself, shoulddo so in the ode rather than in the sonnet. We hadMilton in the middle of the Seventeenth Century.And thenwe had Bunyan. Cant, regnant and tri-umphant, held aloft the whining church hymn as thegreatest thing in poesy; and a people blinded by itsown dust-throwing, celebrated the extinction of freeliterature as a great moral victory.

It is the fashion of the day for the literary censorsto decry the decadence of English letters. They bewailthe utter banality of best sellers, and sometimesalmost shed tears because no one is essaying real literature. All of which is quite touching. But woeto the unfortunate who takes any of this seriously,and addresses himself to letters for art's sake. Movedby that splenetic resentment on which both Pope andByron had occasion to comment, they are immediatelyupon him with such outpourings of venom as smallminds have always found useful to conceal their ownvapidnessor prostitution.

Into this situation, a new author intrudes, with hisoffering of a tragedy, in the classic style. The venturecalls for courage.We open the book with, say, tolerance. And what dowe find in its pages ?A dramatic work that breathes questions, thoughts,perplexities, struggles that are as old as humanity. Thewriter, we soon discover, is no maudlin sentimentalist.


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Page 6 CAIUS GRACCHUS IntroductionEssaying the Roman world, and an interpretation ofthe humanist mood, he sees pleb and patrician, cour-tesan and lady, slave and lord, in the true relation ofeach to the other.And he paints them as he sees them. He refuses tobelieve that the province of Uterature, or of poetry, is todeal only with piffle. He refuses to accept the dictum ofthe authorities that the mission of modern hteratureis to serve as a sort of subhmated movie. His char-acters are no mere lay figures, induced to action by themore or less artful, but always obvious, pulUng ofstrings. Each of his personages lives, breathes andmoves as do the men and women of our own time.It is refreshing to note that the play is not propaganda.The temptation to subvert the Muse to such purposesis very strong. Even the Divina Commedia, weare told, was written in support of a political faction,and the Furies of yEschylus, to which I shall referlater on, was worked out to bolster up the Areopagus.But in the present case, the author simply showsus the human masshigh, low and middlingas it is,and invites us to take our choice. He is the painter,not the advocate.In saying the foregoing, I do not wish to be taken

as missing the point that throughout the volume thereruns a note of passionate insistence on the sanctity ofLaw, and on the inevitableness of its ultimate triumph

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it is too patent to require expatiation. But this basicstrain is one of philosophic convictionnot of argument.In reading the work, we soon become conscious

that the author writes of the Roman Rome of theperiod covered by the play. It is not an English Rome,or an American Rome. Almost every page, bears evi-dence of study, of classic accuracy. We are not offendedby anachronisms. Even the master of Avon sometimesfailed in this particular. When Venus pleads with Adonis,it is a buxom Englishwoman of the middle class who isentreating an Eton youth: and the scene is that ofan English middle-counties countryside. When Brutusconfers with the conspirators, when Cleopatra exchanges


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Introduction CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 7compliments with Antony, we are uncomfortablyconscious of an all-English atmosphere. True, theShakesperian genius rose superior to these minutiae.But that is no reason why we should not welcome onewho writes of Rome in the second century beforeChrist as it then was, and as its thoughts, its mannersand its customs then were.The present volume shows, in its every hne, thatit is the work of a man who has something to say,and who says it well. When he touches on economics,he speaks with authority. Having chosen the iambicpentameter as his medium, the author convinces us thathe is master of the art of being stately, without beingstilted. Not for an instant do his characters step out ofthe picture. There is neither overdrawing, nor under-drawing. We come to understand every individualalmost immediately after his, or her, introduction.Throughout, Odin Gregory shows an exquisite and pre-cise sense of values. By this I mean values of words andstyle, as well as values of situation and action. Whenone of his characters is drawn into what may be called rhetoric, the action itself has been such as to makerhetoric acceptable. In the fifth act, the minghng of thereal with the unreal, of the supernatural and the phan-tastic with the commonplace, is so delicately handled,that the eerie is no longer so. The progress of Gracchusto the state of exaltation in despondency that mustprecede the peremptory order to the soldier to admin-ister the death-blow, constitutes a study in psychologythat has not been surpassed in any of the imaginativewriting with which I am famihar.Of the structural quality of the work, it may be said

that the author has brought the spirit of the Eliza-bethan verse to the Twentieth Century. Odin Gregoryis a classicist. His inspiration is plainly that of Spenser,Shakespere, Jonson and Dryden, not uninfluenced bythe refinement of Pope. But his language is that ofthe present day, skilfully applied to the uses of thesecond person singular, and to the atmosphere requiredin an epic. The simplicity of the style is that of the


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Pages CAIUS GRACCHUS IntroductionGreek masters. There is a gentle transition from meremelody to what I might call orchestral effect, as theaction requires it, and the reader is carried along inpleasurable sympathy. After the reader's attention hasbecome engaged by the first few pages, it can notslacken. The story itself lives. The action intensifies. Theblank verse deters us not at all. It merely makes thereading more succulent. And, curiously enough, wehunt for the long speeches, instead of skipping them.

I shall not attempt any analysis of the prosody ofthis work. There are various college professors whoclaim to have reduced the theory and practice ofpoetry-writing to a series of formulae. Perhaps thiscan be done, but I can not see it. But I do see this

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that in the present instance, the poet has written versethat any one can read without hiring an interpreter.It is the kind of verse that delights the eye, and ispleasant to the ear.The conception of the Furies, in Act V, must inevi-tably elicit comparison with the Eumenides of ^Eschylus.I think that Odin Gregory has succeeded in visualizingfor us these daughters of the Night as no one has donebefore. In ^schylus, the personalities of the ThreeFuries are lost in the chorus of the whole. Here, wehave the three spirits individualized, each functioningin her respective activities with a convincing vividness.

In its present shape, the tragedy is, of course, toolong for stage presentation. But it is so written thatits preparation for the theater is merely a matter ofmechanical excision. I lay no claim to the gift ofprophesy, but I venture the opinion that if properlypresented, it will draw English-speaking audiences asno serious play of recent years has drawn them.Odin Gregory has never before courted publicityfor his verse. He says he has been writing for his ownjoy. I have had the privilege of reading some of hisunpublished material. It ranges from madrigals to medi-tations, from sonnets to serenades. Those who lovegraceful word-painting may look forward to exquisitepleasure when those writings are released to the printer.


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Introduction CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 9My final word is that an important, and a virile figure

has appeared in English letters. His work is Art, becauseit is Truth. It is one of the really notable contribu-tions to the English literature of the last three cen-turies. With this first Tragedy as an earnest, we maylook forward to great things from him in the future, ifthe inspiration of his pen does not fail. But if he neverwrites another line, he should live in Enghsh poetry byvirtue of the intrinsic value of his Caius Gracchus.

THEODORE DREISER.Los Angeles, Calif.


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PrefaceaBERIUS GRACCHUS and CaiusGracchus were the sons of TiberiusSempronius Gracchus, twice Consulof Rome. Their mother, CorneHa, wasthe daughter of the great Scipio, con-queror of Carthage. The elder brotherdevoted himself to the interests of thecommon peoplethe plebsand when about to be

elected Tribune for a second term, was foully murderedby a mob of Senatorspatricians.The younger brother, Caius, served with honorin various foreign missions. He early commended him-self to the love of the people by his actions as quaestorin Sardinia. His honesty, his idealism, and his energeticwork in behalf of the commons, aroused the hostilityof the men of the upper class, who did everythingin their power to prove him dishonest, corrupt, etc.He was twice elected Tribune, and distinguished himselfby building magnificent roads, and other necessarypublic works, throughout Roman Italy. He fatheredlegislation that called for the return to the State, bythe very wealthy, of common lands, which the latterhad illegally appropriated, and for its distribution tothe landless; for the regulation of the price of corn;for the raising of the minimum military age to seven-teen; for the furnishing of clothing to soldiers at publicexpense; for the enlargement of the jury list, so as toinclude therein certain of the middle class citizens,and for the founding of foreign colonies. All theseactivities infuriated the patricians, as tending to impair


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Page 12 CAIUS GRACCHUS Prefacetheir powers, their special privileges, and their incomes.To lessen the intense affection of the common peoplefor Caius, his enemies arranged with one Drusus toplay the role of pretended champion of the poor. Drususwas a man of high lineage. He had himself elected aTribune, and undermined Gracchus by sponsoring themost fantastic laws in favor of the populace, alwaysassuring the latter that he was doing this at the behestof the Senate.The time having come for Gracchus to seek electionfor a third term as Tribune, a combination was formedagainst him, and, through the treachery of Drusus,he was fraudulently declared defeated. This deprivedhim of the cloak of sacrosanctity, that protected Trib-unes while in office.As soon as they rid themselves of Gracchus as aTribune, the patricians commenced to cancel thelaws he had caused to be enacted. Issue was finallyjoined between the Gracchan partisans and their oppo-nents on two measures. One had to do with the foundingof a Roman colony on the site of what had once beenCarthage; the other concerned the admission to thevoting privilege of the Italian allies of Rome. Gracchushad sponsored both these propositions.The patricians had recourse to legalistic trickery.They cleared Rome of many Italians who were entitledto voteand who were adherents of Gracchusbyarbitrarily ordering out of the city all citizens thereofwho had not been horn within its boundaries. Thenthey called a public assembly to pass on the proposalto cancel the Rubrian Law, which had authorizedthe location of a new city on the Carthaginian site,under the name Junonia. The pious patriciansclaimed that the augurs had declared the ventureinauspicious. The fact was, that the founding of newcolonies tended to create independent husbandmen,and to decrease the numbers of those destitute citizenson whose grossly underpaid labor, and tribute of ex-tortionate prices for food, the ruling class dependedfor its enormous gains.


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Preface CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 13Despite the fact that Gracchus was now a private

citizen, it was not at all certain that the patricianswould prevail. The killing, in the Forum, of Antyllius,a lictor, while he was carrying the entrails of the sacri-fice, gave the patricians and Senators a pretext forraising the cry of sacrilege. They did so, and calledon all good Romans to rally around the government,for the safety of the Republic, and in protection ofReligion.They had already excited the stodgy populace to acondition of apprehensive receptivity, by virtuouslyadvertising danger to the country from the aliens. An outcry against foreign devils was as efficaciousin arousing the fury of the stupid low and middle classRomans in B. C. 121, as it was many centuries later instirring the hatred of the brutishly dull coolies of China,and of their intellectual mates elsewhere. The patri-cians and the politicians had skilfully played on thepassions of the brainless by flinging the charges oftreason and sedition against all those who sought to putan end to their private and public plundering. Thefatuous, degenerate descendants of a once sturdy yeo-man race, who had become capable of only a limitedset of emotions, responded as was expected of them.They proudly, and joyously, and clamourously com-mitted political and social suicide. They desertedGracchus. The Republic was declared in danger. Patriotic citizens took control. Full power wasvested in the ConsulOpimiusand the clever rulingclass had its way with Gracchus, and with all thosewho had championed the cause of the common people.The soldiery, of course, obeyed orders, and butcheredas directed.In later years, the Romans came to realize, in part,

the vileness of which they had been guilty. They hon-ored the martyred brothers with statues, and with whatamounted to deification. Their mother lived on formany years, honored by the people as the Mother ofthe Gracchi.


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Page 14 CAIUS GRACCHUS Preface^HE admirable character of Caius Gracchusmay be summarized by saying that his wasessentially a constructive mind. He wasnot one of those whose affection for acountry is measured by what they can get out of it

for themselves. He truly loved Rome, and gave toit the best there was in him, asking nothing in returnbut opportunity for greater service. He was not influ-enced by the theories of violence that so often carryaway those whose sober sense of social values is over-come by waves of passionate rebellion against imme-diate wrong suffered, and oppression endured. Hesturdily maintained that in a State in which thecitizens can actually control the making of laws byexercising their rights of suffrage, effective socialprogress should be sought through legal media, andby the enforcement of Law against all alike.Gracchus clearly saw the danger of class warfare,

and sought to save his country from its baneful effects,by curbing the powers and prerogatives of the patric-ians, while enlarging the rights of the middle class,and of the plebeians. It may be taken for grantedthat he knew, as all thinking men have known, thatthe government of any people, in the last analysis,reflects the morals of the people themselves, and thatthe cure for immoral government lies not in pullingdown all governments, but in raising the intellectualstandards, the ideals, and the requirements of thosewho are governed. He was no stranger to the eternaltruth that the remedy for social injustice lies not indestruction, but in limitation, and that those whowould limit others must first be willing themselvesto be limited.To make possible the realization of his ideals bylegislation, Caius Gracchus strove to extend the votingright to all those who acknowledged the sovereignty ofRome. His opponents, the patricians, were the anar-chists of the period. Theirs was the most dangerousspecies of anarchy: that bred of the arrogance ofconscious power. They had no respect for the lives.


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Preface CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 15the rights, or the properties of any other than them-selves. Under cover of the shibboleth law and order,they had recourse to the most atrocious crimes to attaintheir ends, and to maintain their mastery. Constantlyinveighing against the horrors of mob rule, they incitedor practised itwhen they found it to their advantageto do so. According to them, mob violence, whenresorted to by them, or in their interest, was sanctifiedand proper, while like force invoked by the commons,on their own behalf, was unholy and improper. Whatthey could not obtain by craft, or by force, they gainedby the shameless misuse of the judicial process, as wellas of all the other instrumentahties of government.They drove Gracchus to his death, to prevent theextension of the voting right to the Italian peoples.To him who examines Rome's internal history dis-passionately, it soon becomes evident that the elim-ination of the two brothers^Tiberius and Caiusby the smug, viciously lawless ruhng element of theRoman population, marked the beginning of themoral and national degeneration of Rome that grewapace as Rome expanded imperially, and that finallyled to the complete extinction of the Romans as a nationand as a people.June, 1920. Odin Gregory.


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Dramatis PersonaeCaius GracchusM. FuLvius Flaccus, a partisan of GracchusLivius Drusus, a TribuneCaius Fannius, Consul, B. C. 122RuTiLius, son of Caius FanniusLucius Opimius, Consul, B. C. 121QuiNTus Antyllius, spy in employ of FanniusCalpio, slave to FanniusPhilocrates, guard to GracchusPoRTiNUs, a freedman, in house of GracchusSbptimuleius, a patricianPONTIFEX MaXIMUSA PlebeianA CitizenA SoldierSpirit of Tiberius GracchusLiciNiA, wife of GracchusLydia, a courtesanHelia, daughter of AntylliusOld WomanTisiPHONE, the blood-avengerMegaera, the denierAlecta, the unceasing

Priests, Magistrates, Senators, Lictors, Soldiers,Citizens, Bacchantes, etc.


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ACT I.Atrium, House of Caius Gracchus

[At curtain, shout fromwithout : Hail,Caius Gracchus ]

Phil:There sounds the heart of Rome

Antyll.:Tah Heart of chaff

If they had voted as they shoutPhil:Small use to vote,

When Money does the counting.Antyll:True : gold is goldPhil:

Aye, and the mob 's a fool. If IAntyll:If thouPhil:

If I had tongue, or art, to move that mass,I 'd cry: *' Away, to the accursed hill.And wring out from Capitoline by brawnWhat hath been filched from you by brainAntyll:Wouldst havePhil: The stolen pubhc lands, fair price for food.Our chosen Tribune, all our rights as menAntyll:

So speaks lord Fulvius.Phil:But Gracchus holdsWe move by law.


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PageIS CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IAntylL:Phil:

And thou-

Port.:

AntylL:Port.:

AntylL:PoH.:AntylL:PoH.:

I serve our chief.[Enter Portinus]AntyUius

PortinusI have brought

A message from thy daughter.Nothing 's ill.?

She cowers in gripping fear.Of what.''

A damnedPatrician youth, who'th stationed slaves about,To wait her coming out.

AntylL:His name.'*

Port.:I begged it.

She denied me the hateful name, sayingHe 's so exalted, she feared some vengefulstroke,Born of mine anger, might back-lash me withdeath.

She urges cautious silence, and prays theehomeThis even.

AntylL: And didst thou leave her thus: alone .^^PoH.:

I left two guards within, my friends, and gaveAlarm among the neighbors. I had staid.But I was bound to hasten for our lord.


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 19AntylL:PoH.:

AntylL:

Phil:

AntylL:Phil.:

AntylL:Phil.:

AntylL:Phil.:

AntylL:

I thank thee for thy service.I was thankedBy her request for service. I wait thy call.

[Exit PoRTiNus to interior]My Heha My girl My little girlSo soon in danger Curse of impotenceWhat can a mere plebeian soldier do.f*Patrician men The plunderers who rule our

landHow long will Romans bend the neck, and bearThe burden of their insolence, their blows,Their robbery, their rape, their cunningallThe horror of their lawless use of law?Ahif tomorrow we but win the dayWhat then?

Then is thy daughter safe.How so?

The law will rule alike for all in Rome,And every man will be its chosen ward.Our master hath some project?

Nay, not he;'T is Fulvius' plan. If by tomorrow's vote'T is shown our master hath the people's trust.Lord Fulvius will call them to arise.And name our lord protector; they '11 enact

decreesTo limit private fortunes, and to forceQuick restitution of the stolen lands.So Gracchus will be Consul?


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Page20 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IPhil:

AntylL:

Phil:Antyll:Phil:Antyll:

Phil:

That, and more:For he '11 be clothed with power to give all lawsFangs, claws, and sinews.

Pray it may be soThen many Roman fathers of our classWill taste tranquillity, when they are certainThey do not breed their daughters but to beThe offal of the golden beds of lust.Hope for tomorrow.

Hope? I hope, I hope.But hast no faith?

I Ve seen our failures mount.No matter. We shall win. The gods are just.This youthPortinusloves thy Httle maid?

Antyll:His ears are pierced.

Phil: He 's free.Antyll:

A freedman. TahOld Roman blood is not for erstwhile slaves.Voice of Sept.: [without]My life, mine arms, mine all, I gladly lend

I follow thee, dear Gracchus, to the endVoice of Gracch.: [without]

Septimuleius : I thank thee. Thou art a friendOf value.

Voice of Sept.: [without]And what 's more, my friend, we '11 win[Enter Septimuleius, from side]


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 21Sept.:

Phil:

Sept.:

Phil:

AntylL:

My litter, men.At once.[Motions to Antyllius, who exits]

Forgive me, lord.For this one question: doth the council break?It breaks. Our chief comes out.

I thank thee, lord.[Enter Antyllius]

The litter, lord.[Exit Septimuleius]Now, there 's the breed of man

I like. He 's noble, proud, erect; he hathA dignity that flatters our old blood.Phil:Our blood.

AntylL: He 's ancient Roman stock, as I.Phil:I see him but a harbinger.AntylL:

Of what.?Phil:Of victory: although an old-time friend.To-day 's the first he 'th joined in council

here.He hath a pointer's smell for what 's to come.AntylL:Our master 's winning .f*

Phil: More the spoils thereof.[Several men, engaged in conversation,enter from side, and pass out towardostium. Shouts without: Hail CaiusGracchus Down, Fannius ]


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Page22 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IAntylL: How? Fannius? Most strange What gust ofhappy wind

Blows one so high to us?Phil:So high, thou say'st?Who is too high to seek to scrape the sillOf Caius Gracchus' door?

AntylL: Have thee thy way;But it were well we showed him due respect.[Enter Fannius, Calpio]Hail, lord Thy pleasure?

Fann.:Soldier : I 'm in haste.The noble Gracchus:is he within?

AntylL: My lordOur master comes this instant. Pray, abideFann.: No more Go say that Fannius awaits

In panting hasteAntylL: [starts toward vnng]At oncePhil.: [stops Antyllius]

Stay Those who seekOur master, tarry here.Fann.:

I Ve said my willPhil.: We serve but Gracchus here.Fann.: Thou insolentPhil: We serve but Gracchus here.Fann.:

Speed as art bid


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 23Phil: We serve but Gracchus here

[Fannius and Calpio walk aside]Fann.: [aside, to Calpio, pointing to Philocrates]What of this man?Calp.: [aside, to Fannius]A dolt. We 've not his price.Fann.: [aside, to Calpio] Not gold.?Calp.: [aside, to Fannius] Not goldNor other bribes; both blandishments and coin.

Alike, fail to make impress on his ear.Fann.: [aside, to Calpio]He 's Roman?Calp.: [aside, to Fannius]No : a tribesman.Fann.: [aside, to Calpio]

Savage menAre often troubled by such streaks of faith.

[Points to Antyllius]The other?

Calp.: [aside, to Fannius]Serves us well since Gracchus lostThe Tribunate. He hath a merchant's soul.

Fann.: [to Philocrates]I '11 wait no more

Calp.: [points to Antyllius]Good soldier, thou

AntylL:I hear,And I would gladly serve


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Page24 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IPhil: Here I command:Here those who seek my master rest, and wait.Fann.: I '11 have thee whipped I '11

[Enter Gracchus, Fulvius, followedby PORTINUS]Fulv.: Ho Here 's noise of war

Thrice welcome sound What? Fannius, inarms?

Fann.: Hail, Gracchus FulviusI greet thee

Fulv.:HailThy wrath?

Fann.:'T is naught.

Fulv.: [aside, to Gracchus] Methinks our guest's red ireGrows pale too fast.Gracch.: [to Fannius]

I had not thought thy feetWould find my threshold grateful to their beat;Nor do I know what welcome to bestow,Or if as friend, or if as foe

Fann.: My wordsAre for thy private mind; wherefore, I prayThat but four ears attend on our two tongues.

Gracch.: [to guards]Ye three, withdraw, and voice mine urgentprayerTo those without for patience for a little while.

[Exeunt Philocrates, Antyllius,PORTINUS]And now


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Act I CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 25Fann.: [points to Fulvius]One still remainsFulv.:

And do I vex.Old comrade of a fairer morn? Methinks,I knew a time when every man who stoodAt Gracchus' elbow was the cherished loveOf Fannius, the beggar for men's votes.But now, I vex

Gracch.: [to Fulvius]Peace

[to Fannius]Fannius: as once,When thou hadst use of my poor art, didst pourThy cares, and fears, and hopes, into mine ear,What time I waved away the Consul's rods*To place them in thine eager hands; as then,

So now, my Fulvius holds all my faith;For, see,he changeth not.Fulv.:Fann..

Mark Changeth notThy tone implies a grievance: thy words

a blame.Both are unjust. My presence here, this day,Is witness to that latent love which, stirring.Impels mehard abused though I have beenBy thine ungoverned tongue,** to seek, in

grace.* On the day of the general election, it was the expectation of all present that CaiusGracchus would ask for the office of Consul, and it was conceded that be could havethe office if he wished it. Instead, he conducted Caius Fannius into the CampusMartins, and asked his friends to cast their votes for the latter for the higher office,Gracchus satisfying himself with re-election to the office of Tribune. Gracchus'support, of course, elected Fannius, who almost immediately thereafter showed him-self in his true colors, as a supporter of the patricians, and an enemy of Gracchus.** Gracchus having proposed certain of his laws, the population came from everypart of Italy to vote for them. The patricians induced the Consul. Fannius, tocommand all persons who were not Romans by birth, even though they were citizenshaving the right to vote, to leave the City forthwith. Gracchus thereupon publishedarticles of impeachment against Fannius, but the patricians prevailed, as they hadthe military power, and Gracchus could not bring himself to shed Roman blood.


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Page26 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IThy safety, Gracchus,now a private man,Who, though no more made safe by vesti-

ture,*Yet, with thy factious speech, still urgest towarThe foohsh, restless rabble at thy heel-straps;The while, observant of thy lawless noise.Up there, in council, in the Senate House,Rome's greatest plan the scourging strokes,by whichShalt expiate all thine audacious deeds.

Fulv.:

Fann.:

Rome's greatest, say'st thou? Faugh I almostretch

Rome's greatest? Nay, Rome's vilest is morefittingWho are those greatest, who, within thewalls

Of that old pesthouse,hard-eyed, smug, andsleek,

Sit scheming on the punishment of himWho dares espouse the cause of the oppressed?Those are the old ones, sacrilegious man;Those are the wise ones, those of ancient stock;Those are ordained divinely, who, in lineThat hath stretched on, unbroken, since thedaysWhen Romulus gave Rome her name and law.Have toiled to make her mistress of the world.Those are our greatest

So runs thy merry song.Now that the crooked** chair adorns thy hall.But I am mindful of those scarce-fled hours.

* Gracchus' term of oflBce as Tribune expired December 10, B. C, 122. The attackon him and his laws commenced immediately thereafter.** The chair of the magistratesthe Curulawas distinguished by its crooked, orturned, legs.

Fulv.:


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 27When, in thy fear lest, of their hate, thou loseThat fiercely craved-for bait of all thy dream-

ing,Most loud wert thou of those who belchedhigh streamsOf raging detestation of those men

Gracch.:

Fann.:

Gracch.:

Fulv.:Fann.:

Fulv.:

Speak not of yesterday, for 't is as goneAs yester hundred years. What man hath saidIs nowise earnest of his speech to come ....But 't is enough. Perhaps our old friend

hastensTo bear us tidings of a better mind;Speak, Fannius Thy wish?

Dost question, man.As if hadst aught to give, that I come seeking.I came here, Caius Gracchus, from regardOf other days, and from a wish to spareThy youthful years the ending that waswroughtTo him who went before thee, in the pittedpathThou now pursuest wildly. Heed Heed welland heed

Lest Caius join Tiberius in a deathDealt suddenly, when Power hints the deed.Dost dare Here, 'neath this roof, dost dare

to bandyMy brother's name?O infamous

Nay, nay:I conjured it in deep concern for thee.Thou nimble, pliant, lying tongueFann . ; [threateningly] Take heed


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Page28 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IGracch.:Fulv.:

Fann.:Gracch.:Fann.:

Fulv.:Gracch.:

Phil:

Gracch.:

Let 's to the nub.

The sword were best.Perhaps

What wouldst thou urge?This very day yield YieldGo out to that unpleasing mob, and cry:

Away Disperse Ye common-bom, disperseRome's masters are the men of substance, whoHave held their sway these many centuries.Patricians, only, are divinely giftedTo shape Rome's various laws So get you

hence.Or to your homes, or to your several tasks.And on the morrow, at th' appointed hour.When lord Opimius calls out the rolls.Do as he bids you, for his mandate comesStamped with patrician shrewdness, and is

wisely goodDo thus, and thou shalt live; but if, instead.Still boldest fast to thy rebellious course.Then will the rightful masters strike. I haveBetrayed a confidence to give thee warning.What say'st thou?

Let me speakNo, not at all.

This matter is my body's, and my tongue's.[Enter PhilocratesIWhat now?

Forgive my trespass :one awaitsBeyond the garden gate, who champsHis name?


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 29Phil:

I '11 whisperGracch,:

Say it loud.Phil:It is, my lord.The Tribune Drusus.

Fulv.:Drusus

Gracch.:He

Fann.: [aside] Tis time.Phil: No less, who, heels a-wing, asserts he hathA matter of importance for thine ear.Fulv.:

Gracch.:Be absent to him, Caius There 's no goodWithin that foxhke head for thee, or thine.Thy counsel 's taken of thy fears, dear friend.Nor pleasure, nor mine ease, incline in meTo hold or commerce, or debate, with thatMean jackal of the Senate. Yet our placeCompels an open ear to all who speak.A stinking breath may wing a precious thought.And from the basest metals shrines are

wrought.Bring Drusus hither

[Exit Philocrates]Fannius : thou stay on.And make one of what grows a tribe-meet here.

[Enter, from side, Drusus, Philoc-rates, ANTYIiLroS, PORTINUS. PhILOC-RATES motions Portinus to ostium, towhich Portinus exits. Thereafter,Portinus is seen from time to time,passing to and fro as outer guard]


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PageSO CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IGracch.:

Hail DrususDrusus:

Fann.:

Fulv.:

Drus.:Fulv.:

Gracch.:

Caius Gracchus : hail And thou,Good Fannius Most strangely metBut not

Inopportunely.Drusus sees me not.

I scarcely knew thee, for thy midnight scowl.My brow betrays the humor of my heart.Speak, Drusus What 's the whip that drives

thee thusTo ravish, stealthily, my postern door?Drus.:

Fain had I hoped to find thee here alone.Where of my kindness I might make thee rich.Gracch.: Thou make me rich?Fulv.: Ye patient godsFann.: [to Fulvius]

Have doneDrus.: Know, Gracchus, I 'm thy friend.Fulv.: O evil newsGracch.:

Speak freely : name thy gift, and state its price.Drus.:

I '11 speak thee fairly, Gracchus. At thy gatesA numerous rabble frets the pave, and waitsThe index of thy pleasure at the pollThat, on the morrow, will decide the fateOf those proposals which, in strict accordWith all the best of Roma's wisest planning.


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 31The Consul will submit to general vote.I know how dear the edict 's been to theeTo raise old Carthage from its greying dust;Hast had thy dreams, I doubt not, and, we 'retold,'T is dreamers' deeds do honor to gods' prompt-

ings.Yet have our Fathers sought the augurs' aid.Who, guided by the Fates, advise the Senatethus: Accursed the land on which old Carthagestood

Cursed are all those who on that land wouldbrood.

Fulv.:

Drus.:


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Page32 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IGracch.: [to Fulvius]

Stay\to Drusus]

Come, DrususendDrus.:Gracch.Drus.:

But greatest of thy follies is thy schemeTo take from noble families the landsThey 've held for many generations back.The lands they stole

The lands they have. That 's all.And having them, time hath confirmed theirright.

Such is the law of wealth, however gotten.Gracch.:

I '11 make that law a dustDrus.: Nor thou, nor any man,Nor now, nor any time, nor by whatever

means.Fulv.:

I have the means. 'T is here.[Points to his arm]

Drus.: [to Fulvius]I know thy ways.

[turns to Gracchus]So, on the morn, our Fathers urge the tribesTo void thy laws, and Rubrius' , ahke.Wherefore I come here, Gracchus, to beseechThat, moved by prudence

Fulv.:

Drus.:Prudence The false name

Of cowardicethou join with those wise men.

Of solid substance and fixed resolution.Who stand behind the Senate's wholesome rule.Believe: I urge this, Gracchus, from my

longing


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 33Fulv.:

Drus.:

To serve thee truly, who myself have servedThe meanest-stationed of the vulgar herd.Shout high thy service, Drusus, by whosecheating handThe Tribune Gracchus lost his chosen charge.Shout high Shout high its worth

Thou speakest illGracch,: [to Fulvius] Let be

[to Drusus]Before my lips unloose the flood behind them,There's one who must be heard. Philocrates

Phil: My lord.?Gracch.:

Tell thy mistress that I pray her company.[Philocrates salutes; exits]

Fulv.: [to Gracchus]But, Caius, why debate .^^

[Gracchus and Fulvius walk aside]Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]

I saw a kindling in thine eye, just now,That spoke as doth a beacon in the night.What stirs?

Drus.: [aside, to Fannius]A thought: the seedHng of a tongue-twist,That flowers in the furrows of my brain.

Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]Its name?

Drus.: [aside, to Fannius]The augurs,nay^the bud 's notyet full formed.


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Page34 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act ICalp.: [aside, to Antyllius]What news?Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio]There 's naught to tell.Calp.: [aside, to Antyllius] Thy lagging tongueMismates thine eager palm. I say :what news ?Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio]

A proper soldier makes a faulty spy.Mine eyes, of their own wisdom, fail to knowOr where, or how to look, or what to see.Calp.: [aside, to Antyllius]Arm they within here ?Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio] But as children arm.Who cushion every blade, lest it do hurt.Our lord is loath to shed the Roman blood.Calp.: [aside toAntyllius]What else.?Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio]There 's naught.Calp.: [aside, to Antyllius]

Their schemes?Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio]

Their schemes?Calp.: [aside, to Antyllius]

I've said.Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio ]Their schemesCalp.: [aMe, to Antyllius]Come, speak


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 35Antyll.: [aside, to Calpio]

If they prevail, why, then,The Gracchus dictator; lay bounds to wealth;Deprive the rich of all their great estates.

[Calpio walks away; Portinus showshimself for an instant from behindcolumn of exit to ostium, evidencesamazement, then disappears]

Fulv.: [aside, to Gracchus]I 'd answer with the sword, not with soft

speech

[Enter Licinia, Philocrates]Licinia: My lord hath bid me?Gracch.:

Lie:Drus.:

Fann.:

Gracch.:

Dear Licinia, nayI but entreated thy kind favor here.Good sirs:I welcome you to this, our home.The roof-tree gods protect thee, Gracchus'

wife.

May Jove's companion be thy constant guard.Most gracious and beloved, at this hour.Thine husband has been called on, by these

lords.To come to a decision most supreme.The words now spoken must foreclose me quiteOf one way, or the other. One of theseSpells truce with those whose might now stands

assured.By every vested power, the state's dread law;It spells soft leisure, and the sweet enjoymentOf vivid life, and all the mortal thingsThe body craves, and fancy finds its lovely

lure.


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Page36 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IBut by the other way, one quickly comesTo desolation's home, to lowering skies of lead,To bloody toil, to days and nights of dread.To scorning friends, to pain-racked limbs, andtearsOf anguish for the dullness of the slavesOn whose behalf these grinding griefs are

borne.Lie.

Fulv.:

Fann.:Gracch..

Drusr.

Fulv.:Lie:

My lord : it is ill day when woman's whimInclines her husband's will.

Most noble dame,I hail thee wit, and sage

But judge the choice?This is my proffered choice:or yield, and

now.Chafe knee on flooring at the Senate House.And whining Grace I erred by that onelie.Earn brotherhood with all the tawdry liarsthere,

Or, venturing a Gracchus, as of old.Take Truth for mistress, and, in her fair name.Speed to the doom ordained for every mortalWho dares proclaim this heavenly bride hisown.

'T were wrong of me to move, in such a choice,Until thy voice hath spoken for thy mind.Unfairly put I say It makes a prayerThat reads its own response.

Thus every prayer.Dear lord :^the night I came to thee as bride,I brought thee neither riches for thy needs.Nor station, nor such other vulgar things


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 37As some men seek of women, or of life.I brought thee but the honor of my soul,A virgin body, and a sweet regardFor that high spirit, which, from out the ruckOf casual manhood, marked thee what thou

art.Thus didst thou take me, and from that firsthour,When, 'pressed with fears, and doubt of a newlife,

I yielded to thy passion's fervid clasp,I 've lived thy wife, my husband, and, soliving.Have wondered I had thought I lived

before.I 've lived thy wife, my Caius, to enjoyNot only triumphs, and the loud acclaimThat flowed to thee or from the high, or lowly;Not only feasts, not only songs, or crownsOf glory from a grateful people's hands:For these, a myriad concubines thou couldstHave found, with ease, dear husband, at thy

call.Or lustful Cyprians, or else the frailAnd shallow ladies of our high-born world,Who deck their bodies daily for the feast,And spurn a share in aught but life's dehghts.Ah no,I 've hved to be thy wife indeed.Who sought to be as worthy of thy trustAs she Rome honors as thy mother. Come,Hast thou forgot that day, my husband, whenThou haltingly madest known to me thy wishThat from the beauty of our long-time home.Which reared its stately frame on Palatine,We take our course to this drab precinct .^^ Ah,Hast thou forgot the joy with which I flew,T' effect the change that served thy need

or thoughtSo glad that now, at last, my day had comeTo put away a thing I dearly cherished.


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Page38 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IThat thus our Uves and loves might blend

the more?Hast thou forgot that day when thou wert

broughtFrom slaughter's field, a quiver of raw flesh?I drove from out thy private chamber, then,Both nurse and slave, and, during nights and

days.While holding vigil o'er thine anguished bed.Mixed, with my tears of sorrow at thy pain,Joy of th' unfortune that had given thee to me,Alone to love, and tend, and bring to life.Hast not forgotten, husband:and the doubtThou, now, in jest, pretendest of my wish,Hurtspainsas if some thoughtless, cruelwordThou hadst to thy Licinia first addressed.

Drus.

Lie:

Declared, divine Licinia, as befitsA Roman lady, and a Roman wife.Yet is it well that lofty thought, at times.Consult with prudence, in a loved cause.Love is but life, and pallid death writes end Both to the warm embrace, and to the tender

glance.Respect is joy, and he who walks abroadThe butt of envy, and the served of men,May well content his very inmost soulTo give some whit of this, or that belief.So as to live less freely, but to live secure.I know not of thine art of giving upTo keep. The part can never be the wholeNaught touches me but this : that in all things,My husband will so do, that when, at last.He seeks within mine arms, or on my breast,What of soft solace from myself may flow.Mine eyes will boldly look in his, and findNaught of the craven, naught of the coward

there.


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 39Fann.:

Gracch..

Fulv.:

Drus.:Lie:

Gracch.:Fann.:Gracch.:

Fann.:Gracch.:Drus.:

Unhappy woman Dost thou urge thy spouseTo death, or nameless torture, worse thandeath?

Dost dare to threaten? Here?So, so, with threats?

Nay, he but arguesUrge, or threat,'tis oneI '11 speak you now. Here, by my mate, I stand

Unclothe him, men, of all his dignities:Proclaim him felon, or impress the markOf basest slavery into his fleshStill will my loving hands weave crowns about

his head.Still will my fervid hps kiss off the horrid shameThe rack? The fire? But Caius will not shrink;And when, at last, ye render back again.Misshaped, or limbless, Caius Gracchus' frame,It will be far more straight, and whole, to meThan even golden-haired Apollo's ownI am the wife of Gracchus, lord: I 'mnotHis light of love, or plaything of his easeLicinia

Foolish womanFannius

My wife came hither but to guide my heart,And not to hold debate with such as thou.Dost dare

I dare, and sayHarsh speech Harsh speech


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Page 40 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IGracch..

Lie:

Fulv.:

Port:Gracch.:Port.:

Gracch.:

Ye seek my answer in your various ways:Thou, Drusus, and thyself, my ponderous lord

Here,take it to the vampire crew that waitsWithin the vaulting hall of yonder fetid tomb

I am my brother's brother,his, whose voice,Spanning the mournful water in its strength.Calls plaintively each day to me, still quick.I am my mother's son, and, through her blood.The blood of Scipio is mine:the staffStaff of the lowly I, and though, by guile,The Senate, and those others ye name great-est,Have, haply, robbed me of my lawful rightStill to strive on for them as Tribune; yet,I am not hke the false Lucanean lake.Which, erstwhile sweet, now to the parched lipYields but the torture of a bitter brine.There speaks my Caius

And my Caius, too.Dear lady,I do homage to you both[LiciNiA embraces Gracchus; enterPORTINUS]

My lordSpeak on-

A message.Give it me.

[PoRTiNus hands roll to Gracchus,who walks aside with Fulvius andLiciNiA. PoRTiNus starts to go out;hesitates, stops in front of Antyixius,makes as if to speak; Antyllius makesgesture of impatience; Portinus startsto walk back toward Gracchus]


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 41Gracch.: Aught else? Speak out.Port.: [hesitates] No, master; there 's naught else.

[Exit PORTINUS]

Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]What cursed spirit arms him to the fight?Drus.: [aside, to Fannius]He thinks in rhetoric, and feeds on dreams,And sacrifices fact for that which seems.Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]He 's stone.Drus.: [aside, to Fannius]We '11 try once more.Fann.: [aside, to Drusus] And thenDrus.: [aside, to Fannius]

Tonight,I shall unfold what shapes within my mind.

Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]The augurs?Drus.: [aside, to Fannius]Yea .... When Fulvius saidPah

I felt the rootling of a thought bore here,[Points to his head]

and sprout.Antyll.: [aside, to Philocrates]

I have thy leave, at dusk?


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Page42 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IPhil.: [aside, to Antyllius]

Till sunrise. ReturnIn time to guard our lord, when he fares forth.

AntylL: [aside, to Philocrates]I thank thee. Gods Were I not poor, nor hadA daughter

Phil.: [aside, to Antyllius]WhatAntylL: [aside, to Philocrates]

'T is naught,the soul of naught;I was but dreaming. That was naught I said.

Phil.: [aside, to Antyllius]Portinus peeves thee.^^

AntylL: [aside, to Philocrates]Ayethat 's it That 's itGracch.: [aside, to Fulvius and Licinia]My mother writes.Fulv.: [aside, to Gracchus]

All's well.?Gracch.: [aside, to Fulvius and Licinia]

She thinks all 's ill.Lie: [aside, to Gracchus]What 's wrong .5^Gracch.: [aside, to Fulvius and Licinia]

She makes complaint that Scipio'sOwn daughter hears the Gracchus' nomenlinkedToo oft with news of loss, defeat, and, worse

Of ignoble retreat ....[Puts away the roll]


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 43Fulv.: [aside, to Gracchus]

I tell thee, Caius : we war, or elsewe perish

Gracch.: [aside, to Fulvius]With reasonFulv.: [aside, to Gracchus]Nowith armsGracch.: [aside, to Fulvius]

We 're Romansall.Fulv.: [aside, to Gracchus]We 're hunted prey, who shed our naturaltusksAnd seek indulgence of the bloody chasers, we

[Angry shouts are heard]Gracch.:

Phil:

Fann.:

What 's that?My lord, it is thy clustered friends,Who chafe, impatient of thy tardy stay.They cry: Our Gracchus keeps us waitingmuchAnd fret their peevish mood with their own

clamor.Drink in the essence of that threatening growl.And sense its import fully, fatuous boyWhat is its source but all-pervading lack?Lack of the softer virtues, which the mindMay gather only through the many yearsWhen, free from carping care, and crushingwant,

Man hath the leisure for the gentler prompt-ings;Lack of the courteous bearing, and the lackOf that concern of equals which is quickenedBy others' sorrow, and their pain, or need.These are thy clientsthe sorry pack for

which


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Page44 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IThou, Caius Gracchus, hast renounced thy

right,By brain and blood, to greatness in our gloriousstate.To be, instead, the whilom chief of thoseWho, when art giving, croak to thee: Hail,gracious lordAnd when art spent, will shrilly shriek: Thoudog

Fulv.:

Lie:Gracch.:

Fulv.:

Gracch.:

Dog art thyself

O wicked wordNay, nay.

Refrain from chiding; for there comes muchtruthFrom Fannius, conjoined with all the gall

That flows from him. The Gracchi know too wellThe timber of the fickle crowd, and if'T were but for gain, or profit, or for highState station, that I strove with those poorfolkWhose shifting passions take the place of

thought.And of whose loyalness, the greater portionIs but the clamor of an empty gutThen might I think as Fannius, and asHe doth, so, mayhap, even might I also do.That, heaven and earth and hell would all

forbid

But II writhe in anguish and in painBecause I 'm bid by that which dwells in meThat neither have I chosen, nor can lose.A demon, say patriciansperhaps 'tis so;A god, my friends crybe it as it will;For, good or evilthere's the urge which still,With inward lashing, drives me on and on.


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Act I CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 45Drus.:

Gracch.

Drus.:

Gracch.

Thou dost beguile thy brain with fervid words,And for a figment forfeitest thy hfe.Life? Life? How, then? Is that

a private thingThat 's given every man, at birth, to keep?Life is a loan, and not a gift. What useWe 've made of it, we all must answer, whenWe 've to return the pledge to its first source;And there 's conviction in me that some powerMakes jealous inquiry into its stateWhen, at th' appointed time, it homes again:What hath been wrought with it? What

treasure hath been earned?Was 't but for passion's glut, or mere elapse.Or for one's self, or common good, its leaseWas exercised by him who held the grant?And when these questions face my life, at last,I would not have it droop, in squalid shame.For Caius Gracchus' deeds in his short term.But thou art very young. Hast labored much;Make ease thy love; give up some time to play.And when thou hast attained to calmer age.Come back again to pubhc life with ripened

mind.What Are the years of life laid out so sure.That man may treat them as a fixed fund.On which to draw for this, or that, expense.As inclination may dispose his spendthrift will?Not so to me. I view each passing dayAs something pilfered from me, and I see.In every falling night, the terror of a loss.That naught repairs. Life speeds in constant

ebb.It is a cask of water, deftly tapped:The outer view shows a small spurting stream,But, seen on top, the surface is serene:


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Page46 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IThe liquid mass below seems dark, and firm,And gleams assurance of a long, unmoved

repose.Thus, while it slowly settles, on the stavesWet rounds go dry, and pass away; and still,The lowering whole bears, on its lineless face.No index of the lessened bulk below.But see There comes a swirl The constant

suckingFirst marks the placid surface. There 's alarm And now, the pangs of dissolution growMore turbulent, and more: the remnant sways.And agitates, in terror of its fate.The while the vacant body dully moans.And shivers to the sobbing of the flood.Till, in a racing, whirling, gurgling stream,That runs more swiftly as it strives to stay.The dregs rush out ... 'T is done . . . The

cask is dryFann.:

Gracch.:

If I interpret thy mind properly.It nibbles at immortal fame. Good. Granted.But wilt find the road thereto much smoother

paved.While mounting higher, higher in the stateAs brother of its masters, than as now art:The creature of every changing whim and moodOf that breath-wafted garbage in thy gutter.To live forever in the minds of men.f*Aye, that 's a moving wish : to cause a passingnameTo sound in ears of those as yet unborn,When he who claimed it is but powdered dustMan: that which stirs in us, and brings this

prize.Is not invoked by splendor of estate.Nor by the laurel won by strife, or craft;Yet every whining beggar hath a storeOf price thereof to spend.


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 47Drus.: [aside, to Fannius] The price is very mean.Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]

He raves Or else, to balm his recent wound.He hath recourse to fancies of future bhss.Drus.:Gracch.:

What is this paltry price thou wouldst extol?It is the thing named lovethe pitying loveThat closely holds all mortal grief and wrongWithin its tender fold, and gently smilesAn understandingness and fragrant cheer.That love, broadcast with prodigal uncount.Will flow to its first source in after-timeThough aeons passwhen one with quiveringthoughtYearns for the love of him who one time loved.There lies the secret of unending life:Immortal love, alone, avails to breachThe stubborn wall of immortahtyBethink thee that no man may earn such loveIn high estate, nor yet by sheer designing;And sense the folly of thine empty words

[Shouts. Enter ragged plebeian, accom-panied by old woman]AntylL: [holding pleb.]

Hold, witch's sonPleb.:

Gracch.:

Pleb.:

I am no witch's son.But one of Caius Gracchus' men Sweet lordArt troubled? Enter.

[Pleb. runs in, falls at Gracchus' feet]O thou friend and hopeOf Rome's most poor and lowly Certain ones.Who saw thy portal frame lord Fannius,Now hiss in doubting ears the tale that thouThou hast forsaken us, the common ones.And made softpeace with Rome's accursed rich.


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Page48 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IWhereonsince I am neater garbed than mostOf Rome's free citizens, who wait thy word

withoutAn embassy am I, to bring to theeTheir prayer thou do not leave us for the bribeLord Fannius holds out with which to buy

thee.But stay our gracious father, as of yore.Gracch.:

Shalt stop, and thine own very self shalt hearMine answer. Now arise. No Roman shouldBend knee to other than a god. Arise

[Pleb. rises]And this one with thee?Pleb.:

She 's a matron, lord,Sent hither by the will of all the people.Who seeks thine aid for her young soldier son.

Gracch.:I '11 hear her presently. Rest, mother, rest.[Assisted by Licinia, old woman sits on bench]

Pleb.:

Fann.:

Pleb.:

Fann.:Pleb.:

Fann.:Pleb.:

Fann.:

Who spoke of bribe for thee, shall rue hisspeech

Dost glibly prate of bribes, my fiery friend;Here 's a denarius. Go out and shout : Hail Fannius Hail HailThat I will not

Here 's five denarii. Now wilt thou shout?Say'st five?

Aye, five.Yetismyanswer no

Here 's ten denarii for theethyself.


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Act I CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 49Pleb.:

Formemyself ?Fann.:

For thee Now wilt thou shout?Pleb.: NowwillIshout ? Forten?[Cheers by populace]

Fann.: Ten silver coins.Lie:

O gracious Juno, pity usDrus.: [aside] The worldHangs trembling in the balance for ten coinsCalp.: [aside]Thou noble Roman citizen To serve

Such chosen of the gods was I enslavedPleb.: Ten whole denarii WhythatwouldbuyFulv.: [pushes pleb. outward]Run Tell the waiting friends that our good

chief.Great Caius Gracchus, takes no bribe Shout

thatPleb.: [running out]

Cheer Caius Gracchus, for he hath refusedA mighty bribe, a very mighty bribeDrus.:

'T is for himself he cheers.Fulv.: He 's honest, still.Drus.: But by another's, not his own free will.

[Shouts Hail, Caius Gracchus ]


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Page50 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act I[to Fulvius]Take shame Thou hast despoiled that scurvy

ratOf treasure he will much regret, when onceThe ardor of the instant hath worn off.

Gracch.: [to old woman]Now, mother, speak thy sorrow: let me hear.Old Worn.:Lord Gracchus Be my shield this tearful day.

And save my boymy baby[Kneels at Gracchus' feet]Gracch.: Who art thou-f^Old Worn.:A Roman mother.Gracch.:

Of a son?Old Worn.: Aye, lord,Who'th served the city in three long campaigns,Was five times wounded, and hath naught to

eat.Gracch.: Who wrongs thee.^^Old Worn.: One who had much corn, from whomMy son, to feed us both, took what his hands

Could carry, of his store.Gracch.: And nowOld Worn.: Those hands

He loses in two days. GodsFann.: For the theft?Old Worn.:

Theft? Theft? And is it theft to take to eatWhen hunger gnaws within, and there 's nowork to do?


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 51Fulv.: No work?Old Worn.: No work for those who ask a wage.There are too many slaves who work for

nothing:The slaves our conquering soldiers brought toRome Ha, haDrus.: [aside, to Fannius]

There 's humor in the sibyl.Fann.: [aside, to Drusus]

Curse her plaintShe makes our task the harder in this house.

[Turns to old woman]But did the youngster, to secure the needsOf both of you, make offer of himselfIn servitude .f^

Old Worn.:In slavery .f^ My son.^^A Roman soldier?

Fann.:Ayewhy not? You *re poor?Gracch.: O monstrous

Lie:Horrible

Fulv.: O swelling heart,Void, void the blood that floods thee, or it

burstsStay, murder that invades my straining

throat.And dims mine eyes with red . . . That 'swhat they seek:To make all toilers slaves


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Page52 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IOld Worn.:

If he had daredTo such dishonor, I 'd have seen him deadFann.: Dost see him worse

Old Worn.: My son For just a few,A paltry few, dried grains of needed cornDrus.: That 's theft. That is the lawOld Worn.: Then change the law

Such laws are wicked Do ye hear? They 'revileThe law? What was the law when ye called outMy boy, as soldier, from my side, to faceThe tearing shafts of death? Ye said 'twasneedful,And so I gave him. Now he needs, and I

:

And we, who offered up our lives when bidden.Are not to take a little heap of cornWe, who to serve you, took a world in armsLaw Law When one who 's naked takes someclothesFrom him who hath too manyis that steal-

ing?When one who 's hungry takes some food fromhimWhose belly 's crammedis that a theft ?Why? Why?It 's need Your lawyour law that calls itwrong,Needs curing Change it Make it work both

waysWhom ye 've the right to draft for death,have rightTo draft, in turn, the things they need to live


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 53The thief is he who hoards while others starveThat 's law Oh, save him Save my little boy

Gracch.:Alas, I 've not the power, for I 'm notA Tribune any longer. Drusus is.Beg him.

Old Worn.: [kneels to Drusus]O help me, TribuneDrus.:

'Tis the lawOld Worn.:And there 's no help.^*Fann.: No help, old woman, none.Now, get thee hence.Gracch.:

This roof is mine, not thine.Stay, rest thee, mother: eat, and pray the gods;Perhaps they will have pity on thy boy.

Old Worn.:The gods.f^ There are no gods There are butthoseWho have the gold to make all Romans slaves.And we, who serve them, and give up our lives.

To make them fat: so fat, so fat, so fatThere are but we, who should have all, withnot a thing;And they, who, earning not a thing, have allof all

Ha, ha, the gods Patricians Lords ElectHell curse you Curse you, bloated blood-

suckers Hell curse you Leeches Oh, my boy, my boy

His hands His two dear hands My darlingbaby's hands

[Exit old woman]Gracch.: Make fast the portals.


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Page54 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IPhil:

Drus.:

Gracch.

Aye, my lord; 't is done.[Exit Philocrates]

Thine eyes have seen. Now hast thou learnedaught newFrom that ambassador, and that old beldamWho oozes anarchy?

Aye, I 've learned muchOf evil in that state, wherein one manHath so much wealth, that with the paltriestpinchFrom out his smallest coffer, he can buyThe very inwards of still another, who.Because he craves some ease, must sell hisarm and faith.And, also, I have learned from that poormotherTo whom thou wouldst not grant the Trib-

une's aid.To think of it He took a few hard grains ofcorn.And pays with his two hands; but ye^ye takeVast lands, hoards, mounds of unearned toll,whole provinces.

Cheat out of taxes, make the courts your tools.And Romans gab, and growl, and shake theirheads, and do

Just nothing Ye enjoy, and scoff, and thrive,and thrive.By Jupiter Is all this to endure.'*If so, then heaven 's void, all morals jests.And laws are but the patter of sheer foolsBut I will not believe it No I '11 notI '11 not believe ye '11 flourish on this wise for-

everI '11 not believe the commons will not rise,That they will not shake off their stupid sloth,Their indolent, their shrinking, cowards' sloth,


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 55And bring you to a stern accounting on some

dayI '11 not believe it, sirs I '11 not I '11 not

Fann.:Gracch.:

Fulv.:

Drus.:

So, still artstubbornintent on thy design?Yea On the morrow, in the Forum, theyThe pompous master-thievesthose ancient

onesWhom callest Roma's greatestthey, and I,Must lay our issues for the whole of Rome tojudge.There smugly plead your hoary rights to takeWhathath notwrungyour sweat; tofeastonthatWhich other hands have culled. But I, again.

Will cry the truth that no man, or by birth.Or by the play of craft, should stand empoweredTo claim command of place, or others' toil.Or reverend bow, or usury on thatWhich hath not been amassed by present labordone.That is my gage; I '11 stake on its true meritThe issue of the people's voice, whateverThe guise be of the scheme ye may employTo cozen them into some offward moveDrawn to undo my work for them of manyyears. [Shouts of populace: Gracchus Hail

Gracchus Sound of closing door.Noise of shouting becomes deadened.Enter Philocrates; resumes his sta-tion]

There speaks the statesman and the man ofarms

And to that challenge add we all our forceThe dextrous wits that plan for other thingsWill drown thine efforts in some special floodDevised to work that end. The surging mob.Whose throaty bellow sounds so brave thewhile.


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Page56 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act I

Gracch.

Drus.:

Gracch.:

Drus.:

Fulv.:

Drus.:Fulv.:

Gracch.:

Will leave thee, as is left one loathsomelyMarked leper, when the masters, in accord,Bestir their minds to silence thy loose tongue.Say'st thou they '11 leave me? Then is Grac-

chus lost;But if I win? Thou fox-head,if I win? ....Hoc age Count your stakes before ye play . .Hast heard my words: they point my future

deedsThen here we part,and here thy doom issealed.Aye, here we part: each to his several fate.Thou, Fannius, to thy trough, and Drusus

thouSmooth, trilUng cuckoo of the lawless highTake thee the path of dalliance and of lieEnough This insolence makes patience vile;Art forfeit to thy fate, thou reckless manWhich runs, at least, with honor, reckful sir:\ word thou may'st not use without a blush,E'en though thou live to see thy knowing noseO'erlap thy clever chin.

Thou scumThouwellthou thou

Philocrates Conduct lord Drusus as he came.And then unfold our inner gate to these.[Points to Fannius and Calpio]

Drus.:I fear for thee most poignantly, my friend.

[Exeunt Drusus and Philocrates, R. ;Gracchus, Fulvius, and Licinia, L.]


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 57Fann.: [aside, to Calpio]That woman makes my cooling blood to courseWith ardor and desire I 'd long thought dead.

Mark well her safety for mine arms' delight,When she 's deprived of Gracchus' shieldingclasp.

Calp.: [aside, to Fannius]Thy Calpio will bring the radiant dame,Whole and unsullied, to thy passion's feast.[to Antyllius]I have some other questionsAntylL:

Calp.:AntylL:Calp.:AntylL:

Lie:

Gracch.:

Lie:

Not here; I fear.I furlough tonight: I '11 meet thee for an hour.My purse is flatmy special need distressing.At my lord's.

An hour. Gold coins?Hast said.

Done.[Enter Philocrates; bows to Fannius,who exits with Calpio, escorted byPhilocrates and Antyllius. Shouts : AhFannius Gracchus HailGracchus Enter Gracchus, Licinia,FuLvius. Gracchus and Fulvius beartheir togas]

Stay, Caius. Rest at home; my love prays:stay

Nay, sweetest wife: those fretful ones await.Whom I must court again within the hour,Lest, overnight, their fickle memories loseThe service of two lustrums of full years.Then arm thee, husband.^


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Page58 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IFulv.: That 's my prayer, too.Gracch.:

The Gracchan sword is not for Roman breasts.Lie: [lifts sword from wall]

If not for thine own self^for mine, my lorddo not challenge Fate with lowered point,Nor shed thy buckler when there 's menace by.Which thee but once, but me will prove a thou-sand timesWith fatal thrust, whilst art abroad.

Fulv.: Take armsMeet feint with blow, and for a wound dealdeath

Gracch.:1 fight for Rome, not Romans And thissword 'sA warrior's, not a warder's

Lie:Dearest love :Think well of slain Tiberius, and me.

Gracch.:I praybeseechthou do not cast thy tears.As fuel, on the raging flames that nowConsume me. There 's such warfare in my

breastAs when two mighty hosts are battle-locked.Now grip and tear my love, and earth'sdesire.That bend me to the languor of thy bosom;And now those mighty legions range the fieldThat cry my duty. Wife Let those win theday

Fulv.:Caius They fight with club, with pike, with

secret blade.


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 59Whom thou opposest with mild argument.Arm right with power So the gods have done,When they have deigned to aid in mortal

strife

Lie: [lays sword at side of fountain]Not so Not so Go forth, my love, go forthI feel, I read thy soul, and know its goadAnd if this kiss be sealed our very last'T is a caress of honor, that Jupiter himselfMay envy any mortal.

Gracch.:Gracious love

Fulv.: [to Licinia]

Thy mind 's my champion, thy heart 's myfoe;I fear your hearts will bring us all much woe

Gracch.:

Phil:

Fulv,:

Gracch.:

[Shouts by populace: Die, Fannius ]

Attend [Enter Philocrates, Antyllius]What 's toward there?

The populaceAssails lord Fannius

Good Speed his death

O wretched men Have Romans come so low.f*[Strides toward doorway]


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Page60 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IFulv.: [makes motion to restrain him]

Nay, Caius, let the hungry, snarHng wolvesFeed on their meat.

Gracch.:Are we like Drusus, then.Or even Fanniusto 'venge a wrong.Whose cure is in our wills, with cowards'

blows?Forfend such guilt

AntylL: [looks out through doorway]My lord, he is o'erwhelmed

Gracch.: O craven deed Who love me, speed to shield

AntylL: My lord, I go I go[Exit Antyllius]Phil:

This hot despatchHath strangeness in its quality.Gracch.: [to Philocrates]

Wouldst sayPhil: Mine arm lives with my heart.Gracch.: [to Fulvius] And thou?Fulv.:

I must:Persuaded by thy will, but not thy thought.

Gracch.:Then speedFulv.:

I bid my leaden self to fly.To raise the arm that will assail us. Hi[Exeunt Gracchus, Fulvius, Philoc-rates. Cry: Hail Gracchus HailFulvius Hail Gracchus '']


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ActI CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 61Gracch.: [without]

Friends, stay your hands, in Rome's proudnameHalt Halt

[Tumult ceases. Portinus enters stealth-ily, takes Gracchus' sword; exit]

Lie: [in position of adoration]Ye gods, who read men's hearts, and knowtheir souls,Heed this, my prayer :Guard and preservemy love

Curtain


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Fann.:Calp.:

Fann.

ACT IIChamber in Palace of Caius Fannius

[Before curtain:voice of one manchanting

To make one such.Who hath too much.Ten thousand go with all too littleIn Vulcan's name.Hold, curb and tame:The over-rich men's acres whittle

Chorus, by many voices:They have too much, and we too UtileSo let us whittle, whittle, whittle ]

[Fannius wears several bandages]

They do not come?My lord, all Rome moves here,

Excepting, only, those for whom we wait.[Distant sound of men marching; chantby many voices

:

They have too much, and we too littleSo let us whittle, whittle, whittle ]

Yelp on, ye slinking curs Yelp on, beforeThe master-brains of Rome appoint the wayTo whip you back to lair, and den, and kennel.For ever more to crouch, with lips so sealedBy cringing fear, and terror's livid lash.That for a thousand years, no common crea-

ture


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Page64 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IIWill dare to lift his eye again, to gazeDirectly on a high-born face Yelp on,Ye toilers with the hand Soon shall ye wooThat silence which ye now destroy, as boonMost blessed, and with shrinking, quaking,

freezing hearts.Pray for the privacy ye now eschew,Lest that your knotted persons may obtrude

themselvesTo any idly wandering patrician gaze.And thereby earn the ironed whip, as instantpay

[Enter Rutilius]

AveHere at last

Yes, father.O't is thou.

But I. My welcome 's cold?Yes, . . . No. . .

[Distant chant

:

We 'II whittle, whittle, whittle ]But stop

There 's that I should discuss with thee atlength.

Which, to allay th' impatience of a trystDelayed, I '11 speak on now.

Calp.:Sir, by your leave

Fann.: [to Calpio]I wish thee here. Thou hast a festive sense,That sometimes shames mere wisdom.

Rut:Fann.:Rut:Fann.:Rut:Fann.:


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ActII CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 65Rut:

Fann.:

Rut.:

Fann.:

Rut:Fann.:

Rut:Fann.:Rut:

Hold my back[Calpio stands behind Rutilius]Good son The tripping tongue of rumor speedsA brackish tale to my reluctant earPan's pipes What now? And of what heinouscrimeThe crime of folly. Yesternight, 't is said,With other youths as brainless as thyself,Thou didst display to all the eyeing worldUpon the common highway, such mawkish

stateAs did more honor to thy vintner's skill.Than to the due regard for outward showThat birth, and ancient rule, impose on thee.'T was but a lark. Patricians all, we playedThere lies the fatal faultthat ye were all

Patricians.

But the maids we flushedThe maids .^^

Ayethat 's the circumstance that first be-trayedOur play to vulgar view. Night was still day.We were a company of Roma's best.And oldest, families. We were in haste

To revel at a Grecian woman's house.Where Aphrodite holds her lustful state.And teaches, by her adepts, arts of lovingWe, cruder Romans, have not yet attained.When at a crossing, loa startled flockOf common maidens, homeward bound fromsome


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Page66 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IIRite of devotion at the Huntress' shrine.To-ho The game drew chase Who could

resist? We pointedAnd, these in laughter, those in earnest, we,First but with words, then hands, and then

with curling arms,Endeavored to induce to pleasant pranks.But, of the quarry, some with real, and some

with mock of fear.Sought flight, and so filled the air with piping

shrieks.That soon the scum came pouring from theholesWherein they 'd burrowed for the settlingdark.Thenvalor had been folly. We withdrew.

In order, from the fray, as nobles should.The maidens scampered on their way. Westrolled on ours.'T was thus the passing frolic ended, quite.At least

Fann.:Rut:

Fann.:

Rut:

And thou wouldst sayWithin mine arms,

I held, a little while, a girl more fairThan has made glad man's eyes since thatfar dayWhen Troiia's prince first saw his Helen'sradiance gleam.But innocent, scarce ripe : her rounded breasts

Forbear What 's more to tell of the event .'^While struggling in the prison of mine eager

hold.She cried: I know thee, son of FanniusMy father is Antylliusgreat Gracchus' guard

Shalt know his wrath when he hears of myhurt


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Act IIFann.:

Rut:Fann.:

Rut:

Fann.:Rut.:

Fann.:

Rut:Fann.:Calp.:

Rut:Fann.:

Rut:

CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 67Antyllius

The same. What then?Most strangeWhat sightless cast of Chance is this? Or,

is it someUntoward throw of Fate's enmeshing strands?Chance? Fate? Hail, both By Jove's seductiveeyeI swear I shall enjoy that maid ere cocks crow

thrice

Dost raveThat I do not My mind is set.I burn with hot desire : such craving as never

yetHath shriveled mortal flesh with amorous fire.Son^this Antyllius is now appliedIn service that 's most urgent to us all.But for his sheltering steel, I were a corpse

this hour.Antylliusand thou

He is our spy.He 'waits me in the courtyard now, to tell,

tell, tell

I '11 have the maidAntyllius is oneWho would most mightily avenge his wrong.

I '11 have the maid 'T is but a common man.


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Page68 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IIIn ranks, whom wouldst hold out to balk my

will;I '11 have the maid, e'en though a legion fullOf sweaty plebs maintained her moated keep.He 's here; he does not know. He must not

leave to learn.Fann.:

Calp.:Fann.:

Calp.:

Rut.:Calp.:

Fann.:

Rut.:

Come, Calpio: hast moved the boy, at times;What say'st?The youth sounds valor with his words.

He is of noble stock, and gracious line,But of this madnessSir,in high-born ones.The will to have flares out in various ways,

Of which the common herd must pay the due;For this are ye the lordsand those the folk.Ha, Calpio Some day I '11 make thee free

I 've thrived so long in careless state, as will-less slave,

I 'd faint beneath th' oppressive freedman'sload.

Now end this Attic salt. The instant questions.That press for quick solution, make thy willTo this one rape an added load uponMy groaning back. Bethink thee well, my son:Forego this thing.

I '11 have the maid I craveHer body for my pleasure. It were vainTo be a noble born, and to possessUnnumbered stores of wealth, if still the strongInsistence of the flesh were wronged with iced

denial.It is my due I '11 have the maid


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ActII CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 69Fann.: What must

Will be; yet this thou owest to thyself:Still to debate thee both thy loss, and gain,In every act that 's traced to thine own hand.

[Chant by many voices: They have too much, and we too littleSo let us whittle, whittle, whittle ]

Dost hear that demon's song? It sounds athreatMore present than thy greenling mind absorbs.Mark well those words[Chant by one voice: So let us whittle, whittle, whittle ]

Rut:Fann.:

Rut:Fann.:

Rut:

I did not write the song.But thou may'st write its sequel by thy frolics;A sequel that will fall upon thy headWith splintering force. Bethink thee of the fateOf Appius Claudius.*

Art bound to chide?Not chidebut teach. Give heed to mine

advice.x4rt rich and noble. Thou art both becauseThe futile mass we call plebeian dogsBelieve thee better than themselves. That

thoughtIt is the business of thy life to makeGrow ever more established in their minds.Thy words are pleasing.

Vide story of Virginius


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Page70 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IIFann.:

Attend still further, son.Thy Hfe is but a sacrifice to effortFor those of lower fortune, whom the godsHave, in their wisdom, ordered to be poor.And servants of thine hands. So That's the

partAssigned to thee, by Fate, to play. And whileThou dost impersonate that character with

skill.The world of joy, and pleasure, is all thine.To sate the appetite for what thou wilt;Take that which lures thee most; enjoy thebest

Of all the things that woo thee: murder,cheat,

Suborn the magistrates,seize virgin maidensTo grace thine orgies,send a myriad menTo bloody war, to please some paltry passingwhim.Or yet to heap up treasures in thy chests;They '11 serve, those fools: they '11 pay

they '11 slay their ownAnd hail thee great, besides, and cheer thyname.

If only dost pretendand do it wellCalp.:

Fann.:Give ear Give ear Pretend Pretend 's theword

Pretense and Cunning These are the twinpillarsThat hold aloft the house of High Estate.

Play that which thou art not, with studiednoise.Do that which is thyself, in quiet style.Or such that none remain who may avenge.Or make a public talk that ever can be heard.Preach virtue, piety, and loyalness,But see these poisons ne'er infect thyself.


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ActII CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 71Acclaim as patriots the cringing servile,Denounce as traitors who presume to free-born

thought.Be quick with vengeance on who dare thy rule,And lean on Terror as thy surest aid;But if the plebs essay to strike in turn.Hire hostile chiefs to force thy yoke on rebel

necks.And, having mastered, pave the land with

twisted deadMake life a thing of profit. Every actHe who is destined to high place commitsIs first well planned to bear the heavy fruitOf rich reward. Do naught for naught Hold

thatWho hath, is master; who hath not, is slave.Who wins is virtuous; the loser's knave.To those, the common ones, allot the blissOf great rewards in some uncertain future

state;But grasp thy profit hereand reach formore, and moreRut:

Fann.:But great ones sometimes give with lavish

hand.^^

Give charity for profit, but make very sureIts trickling is well trumpeted to every ear;Tag public benefactions with thy name.But, suck out thrice their cost by increased

tolls.Keep wary eye on scribblers,* for there isMalignant power in the fluent pen.Command its scraping; hold its adepts asThy strumpet heralds: or by gold, or guile,Or else by making easy to be grasped

* There was a stringent law against the publishing of offensive satires. Macaulaysays that while Rome acquired practically all her literary style from othernations, satire was her own highly developed production.


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Page72 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IIThe laurel to thy panders, in the while,Thou dost, by shouted laughter, or high scorn.All paid for from thy purse, make come still-bornThe offspring of the hostile-flavored brain.Rut:

Fann.:

Rut:

Fann.

Rut:Fann.

How still the empty stomachs, when they yelp?Make phrases. When most filching, speak most

fineThe vulgar all to lick-spittling incline;Emotions for the lowfor us the loot;Urge them to sacrifice: and snatch its lus-

cious fruit.Yet, time, and time, they force the shield of

\SiWS?

Keep Janus' temple gaping. All the rightsThey toilsomely attain while reveling in peace.These aspen-brained cast off with gladsome

shoutWhene'er we sound a martial strain without.Roll up thine eyes, and shout: Our duty

firstAnd strip them, while their gusts of fervorburstDeclaim sonorously of Honor, Right,Of Trust, and Faith, and Love's Ennobling

Light;Sing Sweet Contentment to the timorous mob,But, or in peace or war: lie, rob, lie, rob

But there are others who will do the same?Make common cause with those of thine own

kind;Eternal plotting is th' eternal baseOf rule of caste by caste. But plot and warby stealth.


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ActII CAIUS GRACCHUS Page 73Rut:Calp.:Fann.:

Rut:Fann.:Rut:

Fann.:

What if betrayed,arraigned?Thy mind 's acute.

If ever by some clear-eyed foe art chargedWith any of these deeds,in shrieking ireCall every god as witness to the starkAnd vicious falseness of his horrid slander;Invoke the glory of the Roman name.And fill the air with noble-sounding words.While in a minor tone thou sowest dark hintsOf nameless ills to come if art denied thy ways.Whereon, the stupid rabble will denounceThese libellous aspersions at thy call.And, at thy bidding, they will join to proveTheir splendid, lofty spirit, and to earnThe graciousness of thy approval, by dis-

patchingThe bawling plaintiff from the Tarpeian Rock,As enemy of Rome. 'T is thus the slinking cur.Kept starving by his master, fawns on him.When called to bark or bite; in hope, withal.To earn a passing pat, or rancid boneSuch is the wisdom of the world, that hath beenSince earth was earth,and will be for alltime.Thy counsel's weight allows of no retort . . .Hast learned the need of caution in thy sport .^There 's naught I 've learned that makes memore afraid;I say again: I '11 have that lovely maid

Then dost thou still impress me with the taskTo make her succorless . . . Perplexing . . .[to Calpio] What say'st.?^


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Page 74 CAIUS GRACCHUS Act IICalp.:

Rut:

Fann.:

Guard:Fann.:

Opim.:

Fann.:

Opim.:

It may be done, perhaps, butShame on thee,To bring a but into so fine a speech

Sing once again, without that jarring screechThy humor 's vile

[Enter guard]

My lord : the Consul 's here.Admit him.

[Exit guard]Now the gods be praised Here 's oneWho drives his scruples where his needs com-mand;A worthy master in a troubled land[Enter Opimius]

Hail, first of Romans Take my flowing thanksFor calling council in this humble place.Thy body's wrongs call louder than thy voice.And, as thy words, win both my love and trust.To both of these I urge Rutilius,My son, whose presence I would fain have

Caius Gracchus, a tragedy (1920)

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