in The Wounds of Civil War, or Marius and Scilla — Lodge, Thomas
Metadata
Play
The Wounds of Civil War, or Marius and Scilla
Author
Lodge, Thomas
Year (catalogued)
1594
First performance
1588
Decade
1590s
Genre
Tragedy
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
Admiral's (Nottingham's) Men
Speech prefix(es)
Octa: | Octa. | Oct:
Words
366
Characters
2013
Typicality
0.44 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A06184
BritDrama no.
802
Cluster
Cluster 21 — Old fathers & plain counsel
Important excerpts
Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 21 (gar, shillings, alii, yongrave, ogenes, nat…). Matches are highlighted.
Monarchy, Who will revenge injustice by his sword And let me die for Cynna wills it so? Is then the reverence of this robe contemnnd? Are these associates of so small regard? Why then Octavius willingly consents, To entertain the sentence of his death. But let the proudest traitor work his will, I fear no strokes, but here will fit
Full speech
Nay Marius shall not tyrannise in Room, Old Citizens, as Scylla late ordained, King Tullius laws shall take their full effect, The best and aged men shall in their choice, Both bear the day and firm election. Strike villain if thou list, for I am pressed, To make as deep a surrow in thy breast. A bootless war to see our oh ntrey spoiled. Then uva ting death I mean to seat me here, Hoping that Consuls name and fear of laws, Shall justify my conscience and my cause, Now sirrah, what confused looks are these, What tidings bringest thou of dreariment? Courage Lord Anthony, if Fortune please, She will and can these troubles soon appease. But if her backward frowns approach us nigh, Resolve with us with honour for to die. Then Like a traitor he shall know ere long, In levying arms he does his country wrong. Avant thou traitor, proud and insolent, How darest thou press ne e civil government. Thou exile, threatnest thou a Consul then? Lictors, go draw him hence: such braving mates, Are not to boast their arms in quiet states. The father's son, I know him by his talk, That scolds in words when fingers cannot walk. But Jove I hope will one day send to Room The blessed Patron of this Monarchy, Who will revenge injustice by his sword And let me die for Cynna wills it so? Is then the reverence of this robe contemnnd? Are these associates of so small regard? Why then Octavius willingly consents, To entertain the sentence of his death. But let the proudest traitor work his will, I fear no strokes, but here will fit me still. Since justice sleeps, since tyrants reign in Room, Octavius longs for death to die for Room. Heavens punish Cynnas pride and thy offence. WHat helps my Lords to overhale these care ? What means or motions may these mischief end? You see how Cynna that should succour Room, Hath levied arms to bring a traitor in. Oh worthless traitor, woe to thine and thee, That thus disquieteth both Room and us. We will submit our honours to their wills: You ancient Citizens come follow me.
Plot summary
Plot — The Wounds of Civil War, or Marius and Scilla
King Mithridates has defied Roman power in Asia Minor, and the consul Sulla has been selected by lot to take reprisals. But Sulla lingers with the army in Capua, and the Senate votes to transfer the command to Marius, a more experienced soldier. Sulla invades the Senate with his troops and threatens to uphold his rights with violence. The senators take sides, and a civil war follows. Sulla is victorious; Marius takes refuge at Minturnum. Sulla proscribes Marius and his allies as traitors, and leads the army to Asia Minor. Marius is warned that his hosts plot his murder, but accepts his fate and goes to sleep. The assassin, Pedro, is unable to go through with the killing, so the magistrates simply ask Marius to leave town. He flees to Africa, and lives in the mountains on a diet of roots. Marius’ son comes to recall him to Rome: the new consul, Cinna, is sympathetic to him. But Sulla returns victorious from the east, and attempts to prevent his rival from entering Italy. Nevertheless Marius reaches Rome, and begins to settle old scores with violence. Cinna deposes and murders his fellow consul Octavius, Marius’ enemy, and Marius is appointed to fill the vacancy. Sulla is proscribed and his property confiscated, and Marius sends his son to engage Sulla’s army in battle. Sulla’s wife and daughter are arrested as they attempt to leave Rome; Marius threatens them with death, but then sends them honourably back to Sulla. Marius dies in office. After a bloody battle, Sulla enters Rome victorious and compiles an extensive death-list of his enemies. Young Marius holes up in Praeneste, the last stronghold of resistance, but after a siege he concedes the inevitable and commits suicide; Sulla’s forces conquer the city and put the inhabitants to the sword. Sulla is proclaimed dictator, and insists that the appointment be made perpetual; but he soon finds that supreme power brings with it a troubled mind, and resigns the office. He plans to retire to the country, but a spirit appears with a prophecy of his death. He takes his leave of his family, and is buried with great pomp.