Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Yet oft Humility is but the Ladder,

By which th' ambitious Climber gets fo high;
But, when he once attains the upmost Round,
Then ftraight he throws the useless Engine down,
Looks in the Clouds, and fcorns the low degrees
By which he did afcend. Then Rome is loft!
But is there no way left us, but his Death?
What, kill the best, and bravest of Mankind,
Only for Jealoufy? 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 fink at once all Thoughts of Right, or Reason.
Goodness of Nature makes fome struggle in him;
But even that Goodness will incline to think,
Rome fhall be happier, when himself is higher.
LUCIUS awake; what hoa! why LUCIUS!

I would it were my fault to fleep fo foundly.
LUCIUS, awake, awake!

[blocks in formation]

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,
Their Faces are fo muffled in their Robes.

BRUTUS.

Let them come in. They are the Faction!

[blocks in formation]

SCENE II.

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

[blocks in formation]

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.

[blocks in formation]

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 ;
Ev'n against Friendship, Juftice has prevail'd.
Give me your refolute Hands.

CASSIUS.

And let us fwear.

BRUTUS.

No Oath the Caufe already is fo facred,
There is no need of Oaths to make it more:
If Senfe of Slavery, and noble Shame,
If Thirst of honest Fame in After-Ages,
If glorious Juftice 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 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.
Let Priefts, and Women fwear, and feeble Minds
Which, wav'ring ftill, need fuch a Childish Check :
We are above fuch helps, and steady bear

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »