ACT II. SCENE I.

The fame Veftibule.

Enter VARIUS, with TITINIUS newly arriv'd at

W

Athens.

TITINIU S.

Hat mean these fumptuous Preparations?
Is this a Time for either Pomp or Pleasure
When two, the beft and boldeft Sons of Rome,
The jufteft Caufe too that was e'er defended,
Arc on the very Brink of their Destruction.

VARIUS,

O wrong not facred Athens, Sir, the Nurfe
The Mother of all Arts and Sciences:
Has fhe spread Wit and Learning thro' the World,
Nay foften'd Rome her felf (but rough before)
To Arts, to Eloquence, and gentler Manners,
And is fhe now upbraided?

TITINIUS.

Fallacious Eloquence, and useless Arts!

I

I own her Learning; but that Polishing

Has but too much weaken'd our harder Steel.

Our ancient, rough, and manly Worth now bends
At the hard touch of Perils and of Toils.
Our Gold is melted to a finer Shape,

But mix'd with drofs of Flatt'ry and Corruption.
How else could BRUTUS be a banish'd Man?
Or how could Liberty fly here for Refuge?

VARIUS.

And whither should it fly, if not to Athens?
The School of all Philosophy and Virtue.
Our publick Recreations here are facred:
This Day th' Athenians, ever true to Virtue,
In this low Ebb, in spite of pow'rful Rome,
Have kept their Custom, tho' against their Safety,
And confecrated Sports for your Success.

TITINIUS.

Is't poffible? Pardon a Stranger's Error,
Newly arriv'd with Succours from afar,

Sent from the Gods, I think: for 'tis their Cause;
And unknown Regions have cfpous'd our Quarrel.

VARIUS.

The Sports are just beginning; I have time
Only to let you know these are not Trifles,
Or fuch as are in Nations loofe of Manners;

But folemn Celebrations to the Gods,

With pious Hymns imploring their Protection,
Wife Athens ever has indulg'd Diversions
With more Magnificence than greatest Princes;
But they are all difpos'd in praise of Virtue,
Inspiring Courage, Generofity,

And most of all, Affection to their Country,
How think you now, TITINIUS?

TITINIUS.

I recant,

And

grow my self impatient for your Pleasures.

SCENE II.

The Scene opens, and difcovers the magnificent Temple of BACCHUS, where the publick Entertainments were wont to be celebrated at Athens. The Statue of BRUTUs being this day erected, is fuppofed to be the Occafion of thefe Solemnities, and must appear in the furthermoft part of the Stage. After the Shews and Songs are over, BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, and VARIUS remain on the Stage.

LUCILIUS.

By these refin'd Diverfions, we perceive
This Town retains its old Magnificence.

Na

No wonder ATTICUS, fo nice a Judge,

When he retir'd, preferr'd this place to all.
VARIUS.

Philosophy is highly'ft honour'd here;
And from that Fountain of fuperiour Wisdom
Flows all this Stream of Arts and Sciences.

BRUTUS.

Here Poetry, harmoniously divine,
Is most transporting thus accompany'd
With artful Paintings, and melodious Sounds.
The Muses join in all Athenian Pleasures.

VARIUS.

But that which has occafion'd these Delights,
Gives the true tafte to all; your matchless Merit.

BRUTUS.

Hold, VARIUS; too much has been faid already
In complement: and I receive it only

As Honour done me for Rome's fake, not mine.
So Prizes, taken but by vulgar Hands,

Are brought in Triumph to the Capitol.

LUCILIUS.

Yet then, we know, that Leader justly triumphs, Under whofe Conduct those rich Spoils are gain'd.

BRU

334

THE DEATH OF

BRUTUS.

But were our Conduct equal to our Cause;
In which the noble CASSIUS, and my self
Have here engag'd all Afia on our Side;
Yet the whole World deliver'd, must acknowledge
All owing to this gen'rous Commonwealth.

VARIUS.

Rome could not fail to find support in Athens;
Her elder Sifter, both in Arts and Arms,
And great Protectress of fair Liberty;

That Liberty to which fhe owes her Splendour,
BRUTUS.

Moft truly noted: From whence ever came
Good Senfe, or Learning, Arts of Peace, or War?
-Deepness of Thought, or Nobleness of Nature?
Except where Liberty enlarg'd the Mind?

VARIUS.

The very Air of Freedom breeds great Souls,
Which Education ripens into Virtue.

BRUTUS.

And here inspires the usefulleft of Virtues,
Tender Affection to our native Country.

VARIUS.

My Friends and near Relations, when I took
My tender leave, after a thousand Counsels,

Affur'd