Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 36
XXXVI
Learn how Virginius made his plea
To Appius, who corruptedly
His fair and well-loved daughter gave
To Claudius for his chattel slave.
Appius and Virginia
“Acord vile Appius merited,
When he his felon servant sped
As witness false, to foully swear
Against Virginia, maid most fair,5910
Of brave Virginius daughter dear,
As doth in Livy’s page appear,
Because he could not subjugate
Her virtuous mind, nor quell the hate
His suit inspired. Vile Claudius cried
In open court: ‘Upon my side,
O judge, give sentence, seen I can
Prove clearer claim than other man
To this fair maid, who is to me
The house-bred slave in simple fee.5920
For she beneath my roof was born,
And being thence unjustly torn,
Was to Virginius’ palace led,
And therein reared and nourishèd.
Great Appius, sentence give, I pray
That, from Virginius reft away,
Restored she be to my good care.
And if denial he should dare
To give my oath, I straight will bring
Good witness to affirm the thing.’5930
’Twas thus this villain servant told
His vile and treacherous tale with bold,
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.”