Then, in one inftant, all the Heav'ns were chang'd; Clouds, fwell'd with Thunder, rowl'd themfelves

along,

With noise too horrible for humane Ear.

CESAR.

It thunder'd, and it lighten'd: well, go on.

SECOND PRIEST.

Omens of ill in several kinds agree:
Having new chofe for folemn Sacrifice

A large-grown Bull, the goodlieft of the Herd;
With an unwonted Rage he breaks his Chains,
Making fierce way through all the frighten'd Croud,
Which gaz'd, and trembled; fo divided stood
Betwixt their Curiofity and Fear:

At laft, he at the Altar laid him down,

And feem'd to beg the Blow, which none durft give;
Then on a fudden fhook the Air like Thunder
And with unheard-of Bellowing breath'd his last,
When open'd, we beheld with Eyes amaz'd
This boift'rous Beast that rag'd with so much clamour,
Yet had no Heart.

CÆSAR.

And I fhould feem like him,

Did I give way to every idle Fear.

PRIEST,

PRIEST.

Is it an idle thing to fear the Gods?

Thou'rt in their Power, as the World in thine;
And each may own a Fear without a Blufh.

ANTONY.

Good CÆSAR be advis'd: in this one thing Yield to your Friends, and fend the Senate word You are not well.

CÆSAR.

What, fend 'em an Excufe? Have I in Conqueft ftretch'd my Arm so far, And fear at laft to tell Grey-beards the Truth? No, ANTONY, Truth will bear out it felf. I would do much to give my Friends Content; So, let them know I fhall not come to-day; Cannot, is false; and, that I dare not, falfer. I will not come: Go tell it to the Senate.

[TO DECIUS BRUTUS.

DECIUS BRUTUS.

But shall not I pretend fome Cause for this?

CÆSAR.

The Caufe is in my Will.

I will not go.

That is enough to fatisfy the Senate.

DECIUS BRUTUS.

Şir, I obey; but pardon my Affection,

If it offends you with untimely Care:
The Senate is refolv'd to give a Crown
This day to mighty CESAR: Who can tell,
Fit by to-morrow their loofe Minds may change?
Affemblies are uncertain as the Sea,

Which ebbs and flows, now rifes, and now falls,
Juft as the hum'rous Wind inclines to move.
No Woman changes more than Crowds of Men.
CÆSAR.

How weak your Fears feem now, good ANTONY! I must not let the fair occafion fall.

Prepare the Ceremony, I am ftay'd for.

BRUTUS.

Prudence in vain defends unhappy Men:

When Heav'n ordains, the Wifeft hafte to Ruin.

[Exeunt omnes.

To be fung after the Third Act, by two Aerial

Spirits.

Third CHORUS.

I.

ELL, oh tell me, whence arise

Thefe Disorders in our Skies? Rome's great Genius wildly gaz'd; And the Gods feem all amaz’d.

II.

Know, in fight of this Day's Sun,
Such a Deed is to be done,
Black enough to fhroud the Light
Of all this World in dismal Night.

I.

What is this Deed?

II.

To kill a Man,

The Greatest fince Mankind began:

Learned, eloquent and wife,

Gen'rous, merciful and brave!

I.

Yet not too great a Sacrifice,

The Liberty of Rome to fave?

II.

But will not Goodness claim Regard;
And does not Worth deserve Reward?

I.

Does not their Country lie at stake?
Can they do too much for her fake?

Both

Both together.

Tho' dreadful be this Doom of Fate,
Juft is that Pow'r which governs all :
Better this wond'rous Man fhould fall,
Than a moft glorious, virtuous State.