ACT I

 

SCENE 1

 

SETTING:                                                   We are in the Forum, seeing into the main chamber of the Senate House (Curia Hostilia).

​

AT RISE:                                                     The Rostrum is set for a speaker to address the audience. In the Senate, the old MAGISTER waits, a
                                                                     large walking stick in his hands, as SENATORS arrive in togas with purple stripes and take their seats,
                                                                     talking among themselves.

 

 

(VARRO enters, mounts the rostrum and addresses the audience)

 

VARRO

Behold! Varro speaks! What woeful times

These Romans must endure! Lost our way,

We have, our Rome. First, Fabius, weak and gutless,

Here his is who leads us now.

(FABIUS enters, sits apart from senators)

There, Fabius stands,

"Maximus," they call him. Great, you ask?

I know not. Many, many say he's far from it.

Overrated, I say. When young, he stuttered,

Fa-Fa-Fa-Fabius, I dub him now.

"Thou canst not say that!" they exclaim, but lo,

I say it nonetheless.

 

Two consuls we possess most times,

Equal in power, to keep kings at bay.

(sighs)

Once, kings we had, and since they've gone,

Driven out. Tis worse now.

In other lands, a king I'd be, but here,

Approval of the witless must I gain.

For me to run for consul, the Senate must approve.

These witless few, they judge me, find me wanting.

They judge not me, but you, dear common folk.

 

With dire events, a dictator we need,

I should have been the one, all know 'tis true.

The senators, they envy me, they see

My crowds, their size and passion, and they fear.

My base they call "rabble," but they are wrong.

 

These so-called "elites” Fa-Fa-Fa-Fabius,

In their esteem, a dictator made.

 

Why him?

The name of Hannibal doth ring. A genius,

The greatest leader of our time, perhaps.

Manly and forceful, Rome needs such a man.

A man such as I, many, many people say.

 

He struck our ally, small and unimportant,

In Hispania, Gaul, or some such wretched place.

Thus, war with Carthage we must wage once more.

He crossed the Alps, defeated consuls three,

And claimed poor Flaminius' life.

 

(Holds a skull) Alas, poor Flaminius!

For he, like me, a populist, they say.

Yet my crowds are much larger. Vast!

(tosses skull carelessly over his shoulder)

Fabius’s dictatorship will expire,

The Senate must decide to renew.

The Senate, ha! A pack of old fools,

No wonder Hannibal did choose to strike.

 

(CORNELIUS enters, sits among senators)

Behold, Cornelius!

Crooked Cornelius, first consul to fall

To Hannibal in this grim, gruesome war.

His son, young Scipio, did save his skin,

Or else his head would grace a sharpened pike.

But father, son, no love between them holds. Sad!

 

(CATO enters, sits among senators)

And Cato, Marcus Cato, where are you?

Stand up, great man! A loyal man, he does

What Varro tells him, ne'er a question asked.

Sit, Marcus! Sit! Good man.

 

(PAULUS enters, sits among senators)

And then there's Lucius Aemilianus Paulus,

The favored one, the belle of this grand ball.

His daughter, Aemilia, a thorn,

A nasty woman, always whining.

 

They say Paulus holds a treasure rare,

A thing called "virtue," made to shame us all.

When I was young, they asked what man I'd be:

Courageous, just, or wise? I said,

"Rich!" for all the rest, a scam, a hoax, a lie.

My wealth, dear friends, arises from the trade

Of slaughterhouses, where the swine meet fate.

 

There's one more matter, friends, before the Senate,

A law to curb what women can possess,

Their garments, jewels, and some matters more.

I must confess, my care for it is slight,

But those who favor me do seem to care,

And so, I too, the Lex Oppia embrace.

Pray, do not ask me to expound its depths,

For lesser minds than mine have woven its design.

 

(sighs) I now must join these rulers feeble and old.

The time of Varro cometh, that I swear,

And as your consul, I shall rout Hannibal,

Defeat him soundly, leave him dazed and crushed.

With your support, together we shall strive

To make our Rome great once more!

(VARRO sits among senators)

 

SENATE MAGISTER

Order in this august assembly, order, I say!

(He bangs his stick on the floor twice)

Hear now, ye Senators, the Magister speaks,

And calls to order matters of the state.

Upon our hallowed floor, the balance seeks

To weigh the fates of laws that we create.

 

The Lex Oppia now demands our vote,

To send it hence unto the Comitia Tributa.

 

Step forth, ye Senators, with hearts aflame,

Present your thoughts, your passions, and your creeds.

For in this hallowed hall, we share the aim,

To serve the people and address their needs.

Now, Marcus Cato, we call upon your voice,

Speak your mind, let the Senate hear your choice.

​

CATO

Esteemed senators, I stand before you,

To advocate the passage of this law,

The Lex Oppia, which aims to restore

The ancient virtues that our Rome once knew.

 

In times of old, our women did abide,

By rules that sought to temper vanity,

And fostered modesty, a worthy guide,

To shape our Rome with strength and unity.

 

Our city thrived, a beacon to the world,

With women knowing their own place,

But now, alas, indulgence has unfurled,

And threatens Rome's foundations to displace.

 

I urge you all, my fellow senators,

To lend your voices to this worthy cause,

And bring about the change that Rome implores,

To save our state from its impending fall.

​

SENATE MAGISTER

Order, once more, esteemed senators, hark!

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice)

Aemilius Paulus, now we seek your wise remark,

Share your thoughts, and let your counsel embark.

 

PAULUS

Esteemed colleagues, now I rise to speak,

Against the Lex Oppia, a harsh constraint.

While some may deem it virtuous and wise,

I see it otherwise, a needless weight.

 

Our wives, our daughters, mothers of our kin,

Deserve a voice, a choice, in how they live.

To dictate dress and trinkets they may wear,

Is but a step to strip them of their freedom.

 

This Lex Oppia, cloaked in modesty’s name,

Will breed resentment, discontent, and strife.

Let us instead empower those we love,

To stand together, our partners in life.

 

Reject this law, and hold our women dear,

Embrace the change, and watch our city grow.

For Rome is strong when all her people share

A common purpose, forging trust and hope.

 

SENATE MAGISTER

Debate on the Lex Oppia has reached its end,

Now, senators, 'tis time to vote, attend!

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice)

Raise your hands, ye noble men, make your choice known,

By this action, the fate of Rome shall be sown.

(He counts the votes)

The votes are counted, the decision now clear,

The Lex Oppia passes, to some, a victory, others, fear.

(Clamor)

Order, I say! Order in this chamber, cease!

We've made our choice, let the uproar now release!

 

(to FABIUS) Fabius Maximus, I must remind you true,

To speak in favor of oneself, one mustn't do.

As Dictator, your silence is required by law,

Let others advocate, your self-praise to withdraw.

 

CORNELIUS

Hear now, O Senate, my esteemed voice,

As I, Cornelius, shall make my choice,

To advocate for Fabius's reign,

And justify his slow, relentless gain.

 

The errors of my past, I must confess,

At Ticinus River, brought distress,

I charged at Hannibal, fierce and bold,

But victory, alas, I could not hold.

 

My colleague Sempronius, brave and true,

At Trebia River, met the same fate too,

His men lay slain upon the blood-soaked ground,

While Hannibal, unscathed, marched on unbound.

 

But Fabius, with his steady hand and mind,

A different path, a wiser way, did find.

He nearly trapped the Carthaginian beast,

And would have crushed him, had his grip not ceased.

 

Extend his rule, let him maintain his course,

For Rome shall rise, triumphant, with great force,

And when at last, Hannibal makes a blunder,

Fabius shall strike, and tear his ranks asunder.

(Senators become noisy with crosstalk)

 

SENATE MAGISTER

Order in the chamber, senators, I say!

Cease this unruly clamor, let us weigh

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice)

Senators, let us maintain our decorum and grace,

As we hear from Gaius Terentius Varro in this place.

(VARRO arises to address the Senate)

 

VARRO

Varro, the voice of Rome, I stand to speak.

Against the cautious Fabius, I rise,

His slow approach, I deem, our strength belies.

 

This man, they call him wise, I dare to say,

Displays a timidity that feeds our foe.

 

Oh, Hannibal, a general much like Varro,

We share a spirit, fierce and unafraid.

Yet now Rome falters, led by feeble hand,

That shakes and trembles, fearing to command.

 

And while our Fabius stalls, the people turn

To Varro, who they trust to lead them right.

My speeches in the Forum draw crowds so vast,

The gods themselves are surely aghast!

 

This multitude, they flock to hear my voice,

And in my strength and vision, they rejoice.

For Rome deserves a champion, fierce and strong,

And Varro stands prepared to right this wrong.

 

PAULUS

Esteemed senators, I do confess my admiration,

For Fabius's strategy, which guides our nation.

Yet, though I see the merit in his plan,

I cannot lend support, as I began.

 

While times of crisis call for desperate means,

And we may yearn for control by any means,

The danger lies in concentrating might,

In one man's hands, it's neither just nor right.

 

I urge you, senators, to contemplate,

The values that our Rome does cultivate,

And let the people choose the course they steer,

Through this dark time, with hope, not fear.

 

We trust in them to make the rightful choice,

To elect consuls who shall raise their voice,

And heed the wisdom of Fabius's way,

While honoring the Republic, come what may.

 

SENATE MAGISTER

Debate on this matter has come to an end,

Now, senators, 'tis time to vote, attend!

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice)

Shall we extend Fabius's dictatorship yet more,

Or appoint a consul to share Sevilius Geminus's chore?

Those in favor of extending Fabius's reign,

Raise your hands high, and let your vote be plain.

(He watches as the senators raise their hands)

The votes are counted, and the decision is due,

Fabius's dictatorship will expire, as scheduled, true.

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice)

A new consul will be appointed, with haste,

To share Servilius Geminus's power and space.

Until the next consular election arrives,

Let Rome's fate be guided by these two wise.

With this decision made, let us bring this session to a close,

And let our leaders move forward, to face Rome's foes.

(He bangs the stick on the floor twice. SENATE MAGISTER exits the chamber, bringing the session to a close. FABIUS approaches CATO as all other SENATORS depart the chamber.)

 

FABIUS

Cato, if you would, stay a moment more,

For I would speak with you, about this war.

(Pulls CATO aside)

Marcus, let us talk, for we are friends,

Though lately disagreements mar our bond.

 

CATO

Pray tell, dear Fabius, reveal to me,

Why Lex Oppia earns your disapproval?

 

FABIUS

Friend Marcus, the purpose of our laws,

Is to protect the people from themselves,

And from the tyranny of state's own power,

This legislation fails in both respects.

 

The simplest farmer grasps with certainty,

The conditions under which all life thrives,

Yet even wise philosophers fall short,

In knowing what makes humans flourish best.

 

We must assume that each one's path is unique,

And grant them space to shape their destinies.

The state's own role: to foster such a sphere,

Wherein our citizens pursue their joy.

 

CATO

My Fabius, in politics I find,

The core of who we are, our very selves.

Where one does stand reveals their virtues, vices,

And guides the center of their character.

 

I hold respect for you, but must confess,

With those whose views diverge from mine, I struggle.

To keep a bond of friendship strong and true,

When politics do tear our hearts asunder.

 

FABIUS

My Cato, if you hold to such a view,

I fear a lonely path you shall traverse.

For no two souls see every issue eye to eye,

And that, my friend, is perfectly alright.

 

Our great Republic stands upon the base,

That disagreement shall be commonplace,

Yet through the art of compromise, we find,

A common ground for those with good intent.

 

CATO

But tell me, Fabius, is Lex Oppia

The sole concern that concerns you today?

Or is there more that you wish to discuss?

 

FABIUS

The Lex Oppia, true, does split our thoughts,

But Varro's rise, I fear, a greater ill.

 

This man you stand beside, a demagogue,

He thinks of naught but self and fleeting fame.

His words, like poison, spread through Rome's fair streets,

Ensnaring minds with false and gilded dreams.

 

I urge you, Cato, weigh the path you tread,

And ponder well the man to whom you're bound.

Is Varro's cause the one that truly serves

The greater good of Rome and all her sons?

I ask you now, as brother and as peer,

Reflect upon the course you now embrace.

 

CATO

I see his flaws, this Varro whom I aid,

His hunger for the praise and hearts of Rome.

But in these times, the game of politics

Requires a voice that rouses men to act.

 

His popularity, it serves my causes,

And wins elections, pushing laws I seek.

And with his help, our goals shall be achieved.

So, though his nature may not be refined,

I stand with Varro, for the greater aim.

 

FABIUS

I understand your stance, and yet I warn,

This Varro is a flame, too fierce to tame.

Do not deceive yourself with thoughts of reins,

For he may slip your grasp and wield his own.

 

CATO

Your words I hear, respected Fabius,

But times have changed, and so has politics.

No more the genteel art of compromise,

Instead, a stage for spectacle and show.

 

Engaging masses through their deepest fears,

And stirring hearts with hatred and disdain,

Varro succeeds in capturing their minds,

A skill that's valued in these trying times.

 

So, with respect, I bid you now farewell,

Our paths diverge, though friendship still remains.

May Rome find strength in both our separate ways,

And rise above her challenges, unscathed.

 

(CATO exits)

 

(BLACKOUT)

 

(END OF SCENE)