Am I thought worthy of thy choice? 'Tis done:
Thou shalt not wait for aid that I can bring thee.

Enter LUCIUS again.

LUCIUS.

Some body knocks at th' Gate, Sir, fhall I open?

BRUTUS.

See who 'tis firft; go Boy, and bring me word. [Exit LUCIUS.

Would it were over once; I cannot reft:

In fuch a Plot there is no Peace of Mind:

The harshness of this Deed would fink my Spirits, Did not affisting Justice hold me up.

Enter LUCIUS with a Taper.

LUCIUS.

'Tis CASSIUS, my Lord.

BRUTUS.

Is he alone?

LUCIUS.

No, but I could not well perceive the reft,
Their Faces are fo muffled in their Robes.

BRUTUS.

Let them come in. They are the Faction!

SCENE II.

Enter CASSIUS and the rest of the Confpirators muffled in their Robes.

You know them, and their Hearts,

Which are all fet upon the Noble BRUTUS.
This is TREBONIUS; this DECIUS BRUTUS,
This CINNA, CASCA, and METELLUS CIMBER :
Your Friends, and Followers all.

Our Fabrick's firm, and nothing then can shake it :

He

He is the Cement that must hold us faft.

BRUTUS.

Well, noble Lords, I am at laft refolv'd;
Ev'n against Friendship, Juftice has prevail'd.
Give me your refolute Hands.

CASSIUS.

And let us fwear.

BRUTUS.

No Oath the Cause already is fo facred,
There is no need of Oaths to make it more:
If Sense of Slavery, and noble Shame,
If Thirst of honest Fame in After-Ages,
If glorious Justice cannot move our Souls,
They are too weak for fuch a Deed as this;
Break off betimes, and every Roman here
Retire with Blushes to his idle Bed;
And then let Tyranny for ever range,
Till each Man falls unpity'd: but if thefe,
(As who dares make a doubt) are noble Romans;
What needs a Tye among us but our Words?
Plain Honesty to Honefty engag'd,

That CESAR fhall not live to laugh at Cowards.
Let Priests, and Women fwear, and feeble Minds}
Which, wav'ring ftill, need fuch a Childish Check:
We are above fuch helps, and steady bear

Our even Souls, without one doubtful start. What Roman dares be base in such a business? Reckon his Guilt, and Shame, he ventures more Than if he did attempt ten Thousand Tyrants.

CASSIUS.

But what of CICERO? Shall we found him?
His Gravity will countenance our Heat.

TREBONIUS.

No need of that, now BRUTUS is engag'd.

BRUTUS.

I know him well, believe him juft and wife;
Yet Vanity a little clouds his Virtue:
Nor is he bold enough for fuch a Business.
The Horse that starts, however good befides,
In War is troublesome, nay dangerous.

DECIUS BRUTUS.

But ANTONY, fo well belov'd by CÆSAR,
That Inftrument of all his Tyranny,

If he furvive, will be another CÆSAR.

TREBONIUS.

DECIUS, well urg'd; ANTONIUS muft die.

BRUTUS.

O, by no means, our course will feem too bloody, To cut the Head off, and then hack the Limbs:

'Twill look like Anger, nay like Envy too;
For, ANTONY is great by CÆSAR's Favour;
Let us be Sacrificers, but not Butchers.
We only draw our Swords against Ambition;
Not against CÆSAR'S Perfon, but his Power:
Oh that we, then, could come at CESAR's Spirit,
Abate his Pride, and yet not spill his Blood! [Sighs.
It cannot be; CESAR alas must bleed.

Yet, gentle Friends!

Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's ferve him up, a Difh fit for the Gods;
Not mangled, as a Feaft to Beasts of Prey.

Our Hearts fhould melt, like those of tender Parents,
Who oft in fharp, but neceffary Rage,

Correct offending Children with Remorse,
Feeling more pain than what they make them fuffer.
This Mercy too looks better to the World,
Which shall not call us Murderers, but Heroes.
As for ANTONIUS therefore, think not of him;
For he can do no more, than CÆSAR'S Arm,
When CÆSAR's Head is off.

TREBONIUS.

But yet I fear him:

For he loves CÆSAR, and is most audacious.

BRUTUS.

I hope that loving CÆSAR is no Fault;

Elfe

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