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DISCOURSE 89
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there. She fell down unconscious. Later, she recovered her consciousness. She looked at the crowd of people and said:
"Oh! My brothers! I am a Roman lady appealing to the men of Rome. In the palace of the Roman Emperor, the chastity of the Roman mothers, Roman sisters and Roman daughters is being ruthlessly destroyed. I am Lucretia, the renowned Roman matron known for my purity and chastity but the Prince (at that time, the emperor was a prince) has robbed my chastity by raping me. My grief and anguish are inexpressible. I seek justice from you. I demand justice from you".
On hearing the agonised cries of Lucretia, all the Romans who were standing there stood tongue-tied. No one said anything. Her indignation become intense.
"Why are you silent? Is this the courage of the Roman heroes who strike terror into the hearts of enemies on battlefields? Do you attach no value at all to the chastity of your mothers, sisters and daughters? Oh you Roman heroes! What has happened to your heroism? Awake from your stupor and oppose this terrible injustice; otherwise the world will despise you".
Even then no body said anything. All were mute. Lucretia was standing there looking to them for help but finding that they were helpless, she snatched the dagger of a soldier who was standing nearby and stabbed her chest with it. She fell down on the ground. Her blood began to flow and within a few moments, the bird of her life flew away.
THE SACRIFICE BROUGHT INSPIRATION
Lucretia's action of killing herself kindled the flames of revolution in the hearts of Romans. At that time, a valiant and armed soldier by name Brutus came forward and pulled out the dagger from Lucretia's chest and holding it over his head, said addressing the mob :
"My countrymen! My dear Romans! I say this wearing on my head the blood of a Roman daughter. This great enormity has been perpetrated by the Roman Emperor who is the very
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