Yet oft Humility is but the Ladder,
By which th'ambitious Climber gets so high ;
But, when he once attains the upmost Round,
Then straight he throws the useless Engine down,
Looks in the Clouds, and scorns the low degrees
By which he did ascend. Then Rome is lost!
But is there no way left us, but his Death?
What, kill the best, and bravest of Mankind,
Only for Jealousy? Of being Slaves.
Oh dismal Sound! Who can dread that too much?
The fear of Slavery is Fortitude.
And, to advise him? No, 'tis easier
To kill a Tyrant amidst all his Guards,
Than give him Counsel for his Country's Good.
This CÆSAR's Prudence may a while restrain him ;
But if Ambition once transports his Mind,
Down sink at once all Thoughts of Right, or Reason.
Goodness of Nature makes some struggle in him;
But even that Goodness will incline to think,
Rome shall be happier, when himself is higher.
Lucius awake ; what hoa! why LUCIUS!
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
Lucius, awake, awake!

BRUTUS.
Get me a Taper in my Study, Boy ;
Then, come and call me ftrait.

[Exit Lucius; Re-enters immediately.
LUCIUS.

Here is a Scroll
Newly thrown in at Window fast seal’d up.

BRUTUS.
Give it me, Boy, and haste to light the Taper.

[Exit LUCIUS.
'Tis not yet Day, but such a fiery Night,
That I may make a shift to read this Parchment.
“ BRUTUS, awake; for Rome has lost her Rest,

[Reads. " And takes it ill that thou shouldst seep so soundly:

Awake, and strike !—There was a BRUTUS once“ And TARQUIN-Ha, thus I must piece it out ; There was a BRUTUS who redeem'd his Country, And did what now we all expect from thee. « Shall Rome'Tis dark, but sure it must be thus.

[Reads. « Shall Rome, the Mistress of the prostrate World, “ Be ravish'd by a Tyrant? BRUTUS, strike. O Rome! and doft thou call upon thy BRUTUS?

Am

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, shall I opena

BRUTUS.
See who 'tis first; go Boy, and bring me word.

[Exit LUCIUS.
Would it were over once; I cannot reft :
In such a Plot there is no Peace of Mind:
The harshness of this Deed would sink my Spirits,
Did not aslifting 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 rest,
Their Faces are so muffled in their Robes.

BRUTUS.
Let them come in. They are the Faction!

SCENE II.

Enter Cassius and the rest of the Conspirators

muffled in their Robes.

BRUTUS.
Welcome, good Brother CASSIUS: welcome all,

CASSIUS.
Welcome the Hour that brings us thus together,

BRUTUS.

Know I these Men

CASSIUS.

You know them, and their Hearts,
Which are all set upon the Noble BRUTUS.
This is TREBONIUS; this DECIUS BRUTUS,
This CINNA, CASCA, and METELLUS CIMBER :
Your Friends, and Followers all.

BRUTUS.
They are most welcome.

CASSIUS.
BRUTUS, a word.

[They whisper. CASCA.

IF BRUTUS will but join, Qur 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 last resolv'd;
Ev'n against Friendship, Justice has prevail'd.
Give me your resolute Hands.

CASSIUS.

And let us swear.

BRUTUS. No Oath : the Cause already is so sacred, 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 such 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 these, (As who dares make a doubt) are noble Romans ; What needs a Tye among us but our Words ? Plain Honesty to Honesty engag’d, That CÆSAR shall not live to laugh at Cowards. Let Priests, and Women swear, and feeble Minds; Which, wav'ring still, need such a Childish Check : We are above such helps, and steady bear