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 "the men of iron" from the nations who "stood still before them."

The first act concludes with the parting of Caius and Fulvius in wrath and suspicion, Cornelia having accused the latter of an attempt to seduce her daughter, the wife of Scipio, and of concealing the most atrocious designs under the mask of zeal for the cause of Liberty.

————————Of liberty What speak'st thou, and to whom? Thou hast no shame, No virtue, and thy boast is—to be free! Oh! zeal for liberty! eternal mask Assum'd by every crime!

In the second act, the death of Emilianus is announced to Opimius, the consul, in the presence of Gracchus, and the intelligence is accompanied by a rumour of his having perished by assassination. The mysterious expressions of Fulvius, and the accusations of Cornelia, immediately recur to the mind of Caius. The following scene, in which his vehement emotions, and high sense of honour, are well contrasted with the cold-blooded sophistry of Fulvius, is powerfully wrought up.

Caius. Back on my thoughts the words of Fulvius rush, Like darts of fire. All hell is in my heart! (Fulvius enters.) Thou com'st in time. Speak! thou perfidious friend! Scipio lies murder'd on his bed of death! Who slew him?

Ful. Ask'st thou me?

Caius. Thee!—thee, who late Did'st in such words discourse of him, as now Assure me thou'rt his murderer. Traitor, speak!

Ful. If thus his fate doth weigh upon thy heart, Thou art no longer Gracchus, or thou ravest! More grateful praise, and warmer thanks, might well Reward the generous courage which hath freed Rome from a tyrant, Gracchus from a foe!

Caius. Then he was slain by thee!

Ful. Ungrateful friend! Why dost thou tempt me? Danger menaces Thy honour, Freedom's wavering light is dim; Rome wears the fetters of a guilty senate; One Scipio drove thy brother to a death Of infamy; another seeks thy fall; And when one noble, one determin'd stroke,