Unblushing speech, and ere the word
Of brave Virginius could be heard,
Vile Appius hasty judgment gave,
And the pure virgin, as a slave,
Decreed to Claudius. Then her sire,
Most noble knight, his soul afire,
Beheld how this decree unjust
Consigned his loved one to the lust5940
Of Appius, and that all in vain
He strove to save his child from stain;
So rather than such foul disgrace
Should sully her, he set his face
To suffer grief, than hell more hot,
If Titus Livius japeth not.”
XXXVII
This telleth how—the judgment given—
Virginius unto madness driven,
Strake off his well-loved daughter’s head,
Though to her life his life was wed,5950
Preferring rather that his child
Should die unstained than live defiled ;
Then the sad head to Appius sent.
Who met his well-earned chastisement.
“FOR not in rage, but fondest love,
Virginius slew this spotless dove,
And then, all gory, at the feet
Of Appius cast her visage sweet
Tn open court, before the eyes
Of all who stood there, and loud cries5960
