Viriato monologue (Act 4) — Numantia

The complete fury of the countless dead Within this city, now reduced to dust; Their fear of pactions with the foeman made; Their horror of subjection all unjust; Numantia's hatreds and her rancours dread, I hold them all within this heart as trust; I am the heir of all her bravery: What folly then to think of conquering me! Belovèd land, O town unfortunate, Fear not that I, reared in thy bosom dear, Do rave about my duty in this strait, Or e'er will flinch through promise or through fear! Though country fail me now, and Heaven and Fate, Though all the world conspire to crush me here, It cannot be that I will ever do What is not worthy of thy valour true! If to this hiding-place I ran through fear, The fear of speedy death and desperate, I'll sally forth, with mind and courage clear, Impelled to follow and to share thy fate. Vile dread hath passed, and I will offer here Amends as daring as the fault was great; And this the error of my guileless age I'll pay by dying with a manly rage! O valiant citizens, I here maintain That I do hold your grand resolve as trust, That these base Romans shall no triumph gain, Unless it be above our very dust! Their scheming plans with me shall prove in vain, If so they deal at me a deadly thrust, Or wile me on, with promises of weight, To life and pleasure, that wide-opened gate! Hold, Romans, let your burning ardour cease, To break the wall ye have no need to move; For though your mighty power should more increase, Ye shall not conquer me, as I shall prove! My firm resolve ye now may view in peace, And if ye doubt the pure and perfect love Which I have cherished for my country dear, This fall of mine will straightway make it clear!