APPIUS. Good reason, too, Virginius. Come, Claudius, show thy mind: Let justice hear, if judgment may Virginius guilty find. CLAUDIUS. Thou sovereign lord and rightful judge, this[204] standeth now the case. In tender youth, not long agone, near sixteen years of space, Virginius a thrall of mine, a child and infant young, From me did take by subtle means, and keeps by arm full strong: And here before your grace I crave, that justice be extended, That I may have my thrall again, and faults may be amended. VIRGINIUS. Ah gods, that guide the globe above, what forged tales I hear! O Judge Appius, bend your ears, while this my crime I clear. She is my child, and of my wife her tender corpse did spring: Let all the country where I dwell bear witness of the thing. [APPIUS _and_ CLAUDIUS _go forth, but_ APPIUS _speaketh this_. Nay, by the gods, not so, my friend, I do not so decree: I charge thee here in pain of death thou bring the maid to me. In chamber close, in prison sound, she secret shall abide, And no kind of wight shall talk with her, until the truth be tried. This do I charge, this I command: in pain of death, let see, Without any let that she be brought as prisoner unto me. [_Exit_. [_Here let Virginius go about the scaffold._ Ah fickle fall, unhappy doom, O most uncertain fate,[205] That ever chance so churlishly, that never stay’d in state. What judge is this? what cruel wretch? what faith doth Claudius find? The gods do recompense with shame his false and faithless mind! Well, home I must, no remedy; where shall my soaking tears. Augment my woes, decrease my joys, while death do rid my fears. _Here entereth_ RUMOUR. Come, Ventus, come: blow forth thy blast: Prince Eol, listen well: The filthiest fact that ever was I, Rumour, now shall tell. You gods, bend down to hear my cry, Revengement duly show, Thy Rumour craves, bid[206] Claudius stay,[207] And bring Judge Appius low. That wicked man, that fleshly judge, Hath hired Claudius To claim a child, the only heir Of old Virginius: A virgin pure, a queen in life, Whose state may be deplored; For why the queen of chaste life Is like to be deflow’red By false Judge Appius, cruel wretch, Who straitly hath commanded, That she to keeping his be brought: Prince Pluto this demanded. To skies I fly, to blaze abroad The tromp of deep defame. Revenge, you gods, this Rumour craves, This blood and bloody shame. Have through the air! give place, you airs, This is my duty done. The gods confound such lecherers! Lo, Rumour, this I run.