A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Lucretia
LUCRETIA.
When the Romans were at war with the Rutuli, and before the capital, Ardea, the siege of which went on very slowly, the general officers had a good deal of leisure for diversions, and they mutually made entertainments for one another in their quarters. One day, when Sextus Tarquinius was feasting his brothers, their kinsman Collatinus being of the company, the conversation happened to turn upon the merit of their wives. Every one extolled the good qualities of his own; but Collatinus affirmed, that his Lucretia excelled all others. It was a kind of quarrel; and, in order to end it, they took the method that mirth and wine inspired, which was, to mount their horses and surprize their wives; and it was agreed, that she whom they found employed in the manner most becoming the sex, should have the preference. Away therefore they galloped first to Rome, where they surprized the king's daughters-in-law all together in the midst of gaiety and diversions, who seemed much disconcerted by the unexpected return of their husbands. From Rome they hastened away to Coilatia, the place where Collatinus resided in time of peace. Though the night was far advanced when the princes arrived there, they found Lucretia up, with her maids about her, spinning and working in wool. The company her husband brought of a sudden did not discompose her, and they were all pleased with the reception she gave them. Sextus the eldest son of the reigning prince, Tarquinius Superbus, and the impious Tullia, was so captivated with her beauty, and inflamed with passion, which her insuperable modesty made the more violent, that he became exceedingly unwilling to leave the place; but there was an absolute necessity for his appearing in the camp before Ardea. However, he found a pretence to return very soon to Collatia, and went to lodge at his kinsman's house. Lucretia entertained him with great civility and respect; and after supper he was conducted to his apartment, where he remained quiet great part of the night. But when he thought the family asleep, he arose, and drawing his sword, entered the room in which Lucretia lay, without being discovered by any of her domestics. On approaching her bed-side, he made her acquainted with his wishes, and the weapon with which he was armed; threatening, at the same time, to kill her, if she attempted to escape, or offered to alarm the family.
But he had recourse to entreaties and menaces in vain. Determined, however, to accomplish his purpose, he sternly desired her to take choice of two conditions, of death with dishonour, or life with happiness. "On the one hand," whispered he, "you shall become my wife, and with me enjoy all the power and honours which I possess or have in prospect, the kingdom of Rome and the sovereignty of Italy. But if you refuse, I will first kill you, and then stab one of your male slaves; and, laying your bodies together, declare that I caught you in his embrace, and slew you to revenge the injured honour of Collatinus." Subdued by the fear of shame, Lucretia, who had set death at defiance, submitted, and the infamous Sextus returned next morning to the camp with the exulting air of a conqueror.
The feelings of a beautiful and virtuous lady thus dishonoured may easier be conceived than described. Lucretia, however, behaved with composure and dignity. Having dressed herself in black, she ordered her chariot, and drove from Collatia to Rome. On entering the house of her father Lucretius, she threw herself at his feet, and embracing his knees, remained for some time bathed in tears, without uttering a word. He raised her affectionately, and asked what misfortune had befallen her. "To you, O father! I flee for refuge, under a dreadful and irreparable injury. In her calamities forsake not your daughter, who has suffered worse than death."
Struck with wonder and astonishment at what he heard and saw, her father desired her to say what injury she had sustained. "That," said Lucretia, "you will know too soon for your peace. In the mean time, assemble your friends and relations, that they may learn from my lips the shameful and severe necessity to which I have been compelled to submit, and that they may concert with you the means of revenge."
Lucretius accordingly invited to his house, by a hasty message, the most considerable of his kindred and connexions in Rome, both male and female. When they were assembled, Lucretia unfolded to them her melancholy tale, with all its cruel circumstances; then embracing her father, and recommending herself to him, to all present, and to the gods, the just avengers of guilt, she drew a dagger, which she had concealed beneath her robes, and plunging it into her breast, at one stroke pierced her heart. The women, distracted with grief, beat their bosoms, and filled the house with shrieks and lamentations, while Lucretius embraced the bleeding body of his daughter, who expired in his arms.
This awful spectacle filled all the Romans who were present with so much horror, blended with compassion, that they unanimously exclaimed they would rather die ten thousand deaths in defence of their liberties, than suffer such abuses to be committed by the Tarquins. Among the persons of distinction thus affected, was included Publius Valerius, afterwards surnamed Puhlicola, a man of great prudence and patriotism. He was chosen to go to the camp before Ardea, in order to acquaint the husband of Lucretia with her fate; and endeavour, in conjunction with him, to engage the army to revolt.
But Valerius had hardly begun his journey, when he met Collatinus coming to Rome, yet ignorant of the misfortunes of his family: and with him came Lucius Junius, surnamed Brutus, or the Fool, from the air of stupidity which had hitherto marked his character. That stupid appearance, however, was only assumed, as a mask to conceal his superior talents from the jealous eye of Tarquin II. who had put to death his father and his eldest brother, as too powerful and high-minded men to submit to his tyrannical government.
Brutus, in the mean time, only waited for a proper opportunity of recovering the lost liberties of his country. And no sooner did he hear Valerius relate the unhappy story of Lucretia, than, asking protection of the gods, he hastened to the house of mourning; where, finding the father and husband of Lucretia sunk in the deepest sorrow, he told them they would afterwards have leisure to bewail her fate; they ought now to think of avenging it.
In consequence of this advice, a consultation was instantly held, at which Brutus explained the cause of the degrading character he had assumed, and prevailed upon Lucretius, Collatinus, Valerius, and their common friends, to join in a resolution of expelling Tarquin and his usurping family. On the dagger with which Lucretia destroyed herself, and in sight of her breathless corpse, they swore to expel the Tarquins with fire and sword. And this sacred band of patriots accomplished their purpose, and laid the foundation of the Roman glory, by restoring that liberty of which for many centuries afterwards the people were so justly proud.
Brutus, and Collatinus, the husband of Lucretia, were the first consuls, and were appointed in the year of Rome 244, 508 years before Christ.