Yet oft Humility is but the Ladder, By which th' ambitious Climber gets fo high; 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. I would it were my fault to fleep fo foundly. 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 hafte to light the Taper. [Exit LUCIUS. 'Tis not yet Day, but fuch a fiery Night, That I may make a fhift to read this Parchment. "BRUTUS, awake; for Rome has loft her Reft, [Reads. "And takes it ill that thou shouldft fleep fo foundly: "Awake, and ftrike!-There was a BRUTUS once"And TARQUIN-Ha, thus I muft 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 fure it must be thus. [Reads. "Shall Rome, the Mistress of the proftrate World, "Be ravish'd by a Tyrant? BRUTUS, ftrike. 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, 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 affifting 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, 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. 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 last resolv'd ; CASSIUS. And let us fwear. BRUTUS. No Oath the Caufe already is fo facred, 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 Honefty engag'd, That CESAR fhall not live to laugh at Cowards. |