_Caius._ I will make them heard. Rome is a slumbering lion, and my voice Shall wake the mighty. Thou shalt see I came Prepared for all; and as I track’d the deep For Rome, my dangers to my spirit grew Familiar in its musings. With a voice Of wrath the loud winds fiercely swell’d; the waves Mutter’d around; heaven flash’d in lightning forth, And the pale steersman trembled: I the while Stood on the tossing and bewilder’d bark, Retired and shrouded in my mantle’s folds, With thoughtful eyes cast down, and all absorb’d In a far deeper storm! Around my heart, Gathering in secret then, my spirit’s powers Held council with themselves; and on my thoughts My country rose,--and I foresaw the snares, The treacheries of Opimius, and the senate, And my false friends, awaiting my return. * * * * * Fulvius! I wept; but they were tears of rage! For I was wrought to frenzy by the thought Of my wrong’d country, and of him, that brother Whose shade through ten long years hath sternly cried “Vengeance!”--nor found it yet. _Ful._ It is fulfill’d. _Caius._ And how? _Ful._ Thou shalt be told. _Caius._ Explain thy words. _Ful._ Then know--(incautious that I am!) _Caius._ Why thus Falters thy voice? Why speak’st thou not? _Ful._ Forgive! E’en friendship sometimes hath its secrets. _Caius._ No! True friendship never! Caius afterwards inquires what part his brother-in-law, Scipio Emilianus, is likely to adopt in their enterprises. His high renown-- The glorious deeds, whereby was earn’d his name Of second Africanus; and the blind, Deep reverence paid him by the people’s hearts, Who, knowing him their foe, respect him still-- All this disturbs me: hardly will be won Our day of victory, if by him withstood. _Ful._ Yet won it _shall_ be. If but this thou fear’st, Then be at peace. _Caius._ I understand thee not _Ful._ Thou wilt ere long. But here we vainly waste Our time and words. Soon, will the morning break, Nor know thy friends as yet of thy return; I fly to cheer them with the tidings. _Caius._ Stay! _Ful._ And wherefore? _Caius._ To reveal thy meaning. _Ful._ Peace! I hear the sound of steps.