Page "Lucretia" Paragraph 11

Sextus returned to camp.

The next day Lucretia dressed in black, went to her father's house in Rome and cast herself down in the suppliant's position ( embracing the knees ), weeping.

Asked to explain herself she insisted on first summoning witnesses and after disclosing the rape called on him and them for vengeance, a plea that could not be ignored, as she was speaking to the chief magistrate of Rome.

While they were debating she drew a concealed dagger and stabbed herself in the heart.

She died in her father's arms, with the women present keening and lamenting.

" This dreadful scene struck the Romans who were present with so much horror and compassion that they all cried out with one voice that they would rather die a thousand deaths in defence of their liberty than suffer such outrages to be committed by the tyrants.