"I was too sudden. I should have delayed And watched a surer moment for my purpose. He must be frighted from his dream of love. What! shall the son of Junius wed a Tarquin? As yet I've been no father to my son,-- I could be none; but, through the cloud that wraps me, I've watched his mind with all a parent's fondness, And hailed with joy the Junian glory there. Could I once burst the chains which now enthrall him, My son would prove the pillar of his country,-- Dear to her freedom as he is to me." Few things in the history of the stage have been superior in its way to what Forrest made the opening of the third act in Brutus. It is deep night in Rome, thunder and lightning, the Capitol in the background, in front an equestrian statue of Tarquinius Superbus. Brutus enters, revolving in his breast the now nearly complete scheme for overthrowing the despot. Appearance, thoughts, words, voice, manner, all in strict keeping with the time and place, he speaks: "Slumber forsakes me, and I court the horrors Which night and tempest swell on every side. Launch forth thy thunders, Capitolian Jove! Put fire into the languid souls of men; Let loose thy ministers of wrath amongst them, And crush the vile oppressor! Strike him down, Ye lightnings! Lay his trophies in the dust! [_Storm increases._ Ha! this is well! flash, ye blue-forkéd fires! Loud-bursting thunders, roar! and tremble, earth! [_A violent crash of thunder, and the statue of Tarquin, struck by a flash, is shattered to pieces._ What! fallen at last, proud idol! struck to earth! I thank you, gods! I thank you! When you point Your shafts at human pride, it is not chance, 'Tis wisdom levels the commissioned blow. But I,--a thing of no account--a slave,-- I to your forkéd lightnings bare my bosom In vain,--for what's a slave--a dastard slave? A fool, a Brutus? [_Storm increases._] Hark! the storm rides on! Strange hopes possess my soul. My thoughts grow wild. I'll sit awhile and ruminate." Seating himself on a fragment of the fallen statue, in contemplative attitude, his great solitary presence, blending with the entire scene, presented a tableau of the most sombre and romantic beauty.