Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/508

494 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