For giving shelter to that worthy Roman : LUCILIU S. I'll inform you. Our Empire groan'd beneath the Pow'r of CÆSAR; That none, tho' virtuous, could refolve to act VARIUS. You mean the Death of CESAR. LUCILIUS. Pray go on. goon. At length, a Man of all the World inclin'd VARIUS. After this Character, you need not name him." LUCILIUS. BRUTUS, the Head of all thofe noble Spirits Who fhine at Rome, and rule the under World, Selects the very choiceft of them all, And fells the Tyrant in the very Senate. VARIUS. This Deed of BRUTUS feems the Will of Heav'n. Lu LUCILIUS. And fo accounted for his wondrous Virtue. Ev'n the best Friends of CESAR follow'd BRutus, Till his foft Nature, and his gen'rous Spirit, VARIUS. That made this fatal Change, as we are told. LUCILIUS. Moft true, in thofe that heard the fam'd Oration. Reason itself comes over to its fide. Thus ANTONY, foon as his Speech was ended, VARIUS. The Roads from Rome are fill'd by valiant Crowds, Who fly from Safety, to partake our Danger. LUCILIUS. No wonder: fince Virtue has ever fix'd Kind Correfpondence between Rome and Athens. The Youth of Rome, and all whom Rome has con. quer'd, Hither repair to learn Philosophy. Chief among thefe, you (Son of famous TULLY) And fhe has own'd your Caufe in ample manner, LUCILIUS, Oh Noble Efforts of Republick Spirit! VARIUS. Our ancient Heroes thus grew Gods themselves : To help in neighb'ring Dangers; for it hinders LUCILIUS. Of that, Athenians are almost too jealous: VARIUS. loft wifely do they act, nay juftly too: SCENE II. Enter DOLABELLA pulling off his Difguife, LUCILIUS. What! DOLABELLA here? DOLABELLA. A Friend to VARIUS, ent by ANTONIUS in moft fecret manner, To ask an Interview of noble Brutus, Before the Soldier joins in bloody Battle. Who knows but each great Chief may grow more kind, In fight of wondring Armics may embrace, And Rame shall smile at their returning Friends? VARIUS. [Exit LUCILIUS. And can you think that BRUTUS flew great JULIUS, Το To fuffer Tyranny in other Hands? DOLABELLA. Alas, that Tyranny is but a Word, Us'd only by us when we hate our Ruler. Have we not found (you'll pardon me, good VARIUS VARIUS. What do I hear! Is any Grievance equal DOLABELLA. Yet thefe Expreffions fhew 'tis not mere ruling, Where is Content or Pleasure under Force? The Freedom of Man's Will not Heav'n constrains: Who |