The two great vacant Offices of Prætors,

(On which ev'n neighbouring Princes look with Envy) Shall now be fill'd by two the greatest Romans.

I owe the Commonwealth that Care, to find
Who best deserves her Favour or her Frown.

CASSIUS.

We neither beg for one, nor fear the other.

CÆSAR.

CASSIUS, Iknow your Soul is void of Fear,
And above grudging at your Brother's Greatness.

CASSIUS.

understand no Oracles; but fure

BRUTUS and I are Friends as well as Brothers.

CÆSAR.

And therefore you will be the more contented,
If I advance him ev'n above your felf;
Defert like his can never rife too high.
I know no Pleasure equal to obliging
S 4

Tranfcend

Tranfcendent Merit in an humble Mind.

Such modeft Worth fhould get the Prize from

Courtship.

Yet this may only be my Love's mistake;

For, I confess my Weakness, I am frail

[Embracing BRUTUS.

Like other Men, and partial for a Friend;
Yet that's a fault Heav'n cafily forgives.

Ee thou, my beft lov'd BRUTUS, Chief of Prætors:
And, CASSIUS may accept the second Place,

[TO CASSIUS.

Not only in the State, but my Affection. No thanks; a Coin not counted among Friends. [Exit CÆSAR.

SCENE III.

CASSIUS.

Tis well it proves no worse.

BRUTUS.

What worse can be?

CASSIUS.

Sure, BRUTUS has no reason to complain.

BRU

BRUTUS.

Yes, of you, CASSIUS; if you can believe
I would receive a Favour from a Foe.
Is this a time to be oblig'd by Cæsar?
Good Gods! had I not doubts enough before?
Did I not ftruggle hard enough for Virtue?
That this laft Tenderness of his is added
To shake my very Soul? The strong impreffion
May break my Heart, but fhall not bend my Mind.
CASSIUS in this is honour'd more than BRUTUS;
For, when our Country is fo much debas'd,
Repulfe is glorious; and Advancement Shame:
I'll not be rais'd by him who ruins her.
It was no private Injury provok'd me;
Frowns had not frighten'd me, nor shall his Favours
With all their Syren Voice entice me to him.
I must go on through Virtue's plainest course;
In that smooth Path there is no fear of falling.

SCENE IV.

Enter the Confpirators, and other Senators.

CASSIUS.

See if our Friends are not already come.

Tis later than we thought. You are well met.

CINNA.

Is CESAR ftirring yet?

CASSIUS.

Just now gone in

And will, when dreft, immediately come forth.

Fear nothing, all's fecure.

SCENE V.

Enter CESAR again, dress'd.

CESAR.

Welcome, my Friends.

DECIMUS BRUTUS.

The Senate does attend great CESAR'S Prefence;

And we are come to wait upon you thither.

CÆSAR.

Let 'em attend a while, 'tis early yet.

What, ANTONY, who revels all the Night,
Is he up too? Nay, then 'tis time to go.

AN

ANTONY.

Rather to ftay: I came not here in Courtship.
But 'tis the facred College of the Priests

Which brought me hither; and they wait without.
Hear 'em, Great CESAR; it concerns you nearly,
And what does fo, is for the Good of Rome.

CÆSAR.

The Senate stays, another time will serve. [As he is going out, enter the Priests, who stop him.

PRIEST.

Great CÆSAR, hail! forgive our zealous hafte,
Urg'd by Divine Portent which fent us here,
To warn the mighty Ruler of the World.

CÆSAR.

Speak: I attend the Meffage of the Gods.

PRIEST.

'As on Mount Aventine I lately fate,

Attir'd with facred Robes, and Southward turn'd;
The Heav'ns all clear, and free from black Prefage:
With my bent Wand I the due Rites perform'd,
And parted all the Regions of the Air.
When lo, ill-boding Birds appear'd from far,
Bearing Misfortunes on their ominous Wings:
I gaz'd upon them with Prophetick Skill,
Till a fierce flash of Lightning check'd my Sight.

Then,