SCENE--_The inside of the Temple of Bellona--Seats for the Senators and Ambassadors--Lictors guarding the entrance._ MANLIUS, PUBLIUS, _and Senators_. _Man._ Let Regulus be sent for to our presence; And with him the ambassador of Carthage. Is it then true the foe would treat of peace? _Pub._ They wish, at least, our captives were exchang'd, And send my father to declare their wish: If he obtain it, well: if not, then Regulus Returns to meet the vengeance of the foe, And pay for your refusal with his blood: He ratified this treaty with his oath, And ere he quitted Carthage, heard, unmov'd, The dreadful preparations for his death, Should he return. O, Romans! O, my countrymen! Can you resign your hero to your foe? Say, can you give up Regulus to Carthage? _Man._ Peace, Publius, peace, for see thy father comes. _Enter_ HAMILCAR _and_ REGULUS. _Ham._ Why dost thou stop? dost thou forget this temple? I thought these walls had been well known to Regulus? _Reg._ Hamilcar! I was thinking what I was When last I saw them, and what now I am. _Ham._ (_to the Consul._) Carthage by me to Rome this greeting sends, That wearied out at length with bloody war, If Rome inclines to peace she offers it. _Man._ We will at leisure answer thee. Be seated. Come, Regulus, resume thine ancient place. _Reg._ (_pointing to the Senators._) Who then are these? _Man._ The Senators of Rome. _Reg._ And who art thou? _Man._ What meanst thou? I'm her Consul; Hast thou so soon forgotten Manlius? _Reg._ And shall a _slave_ then have a place in Rome Among her Consuls and her Senators? _Man._ Yes!--For her _heroes_ Rome forgets her _laws_; Softens their harsh austerity for thee, To whom she owes her conquests and her triumphs. _Reg._ Rome may forget, but Regulus remembers. _Man._ Was ever man so obstinately good? [_Aside._ _Pub._ (_rising._) Fathers! your pardon. I can sit no longer. [_To the Senators._ _Reg._ Publius, what dost thou mean? _Pub._ To do my duty: Where Regulus must stand, shall Publius sit? _Reg._ Alas! O Rome, how are thy manners chang'd! When last I left thee, ere I sail'd for Afric, It was a crime to think of private duties When public cares requir'd attention.----Sit, (_To_ PUBLIUS.) And learn to occupy thy place with honour. _Pub._ Forgive me, sir, if I refuse obedience: My heart o'erflows with duty to my father. _Reg._ Know, Publius, that duty's at an end; Thy father died when he became a slave. _Man._ Now urge thy suit, Hamilcar, we attend. _Ham._ Afric hath chosen Regulus her messenger. In him, both Carthage and Hamilcar speak. _Man._ (_to_ REGULUS.) We are prepar'd to hear thee. _Ham._ (_to_ REGULUS.) Ere thou speak'st, Maturely weigh what thou hast sworn to do, Should Rome refuse to treat with us of peace.