ACT IV. SCENE I..

The Scene, a Street, through which CASAR paffes in Pomp to the Senate-Houfe, attended by thofe Senators who were with him at the end of the former Act.

Be pleas'd, Great CÆSAR, to perufe this Parchment.

MESSALA.

'Tis from a Friend of CESAR this Petition;

At your first leisure read his humble Suit.

SPURINN A.

Oh, CÆSAR, read mine firft, 'tis for your Safety:

VOL. I.

T

Read

Read it, Great CÆSAR, read it inftantly.

CÆSAR.

What moft concerns our felf fhallaft be read:

I'll lay it up against a time of leisure.

CASSIUS.

[TO CASSIUS.

What, do you trouble CÆSAR in the Street?
Bring your Petitions to the Capitol.

SPURINN A.

But, mine concerns his Life.

CASSIUS.

I know it does;

Therefore away, we'll all take care of that.

SCENE II.

The Scene is changed to the Senate-House, which appears full of Senators, who all rise up at CASAR's coming. One of them whispers BRUTUS.

SENATOR.

All good Succefs attend your Enterprize.

CASSIUS.

What did he say?

BRUTUS.

He wifh'd me good Success.

CAS

CASSIUS.

See, he makes up to CÆSAR earnestly.
We are betrayed! But I will kill my felfs
CÆSAR, or CASSIUS never fhall go back.

BRUTUS.

There is no Danger, CASSIUS; CÆSAR fmiles;
You may perceive they talk of something else.

DECIMUS BRUTUS.

Let's all kneel round to beg for CYMBER's Life.

BRUTUS.

'Tis mean at any time, but needless now s Go you, I will not kneel.

CASSIUS.

Well, what you please.

CASCA strikes firft; but ftay, CÆSAR will speak.

SCENE III.

CÆSAR fits on a Seat above the reft; then rises up and speaks, while the Senators ftand round him.

Now, Rev'rend Lords, if any weighty Thoughts
Oppress your Minds, unload your Cares on me;
For, that's a Burthen which belongs to Power.

Is there a barbarous People yet fo rude,
Or fo remote, as not to fear your Arms?,
I'll make them join with all the World befides
In due Submiffion to fuperior Virtue.

Is that great Parthian King fo haughty grown,
As not to reverence this awful Senate?

My Arms fhall hafte to humble all his Pride,
And bring him bowing to your leaft Commands.
Others, to raise themselves, deprefs their Country;
But my Ambition is to make your Valour
Shine out more bright to all the fubject World.
Yet vain were all my Triumphs, if I fhould
Be fear'd abroad, and not belov'd at home;
Therefore, what Enemy have I not pardon'd?
The name of Foc excuses Hate, and Harm;
And he that fears it least, forgives it sooncst.
Cold Friends,indeed, are fomething more provoking;
Yet I can pass them by with Scorn and Pity.
The equal Law fhall run its even Course;
Nothing fhall interpofe, except my Mercy;
Juftice herself may lean that way fometimes.
Plain Merit fhall not languifh unregarded,
While cunning Courtship steals away the Favour.
On this depend; and while I govern thus,
You will not grudge, if I fhall govern long;

And

And not refign my Pow'r, like unlearn'd SYLLA, For want of Skill to use it.

[They all ftab CESAR, who struggles with them till he fees BRUTUS ftrike.

What, BRUTUS too!

CÆSAR.

Nay, then 'tis time to die.

[Falls down, and covers himself with his Robes,

BRUTUS.

Liberty, Freedom! Tyranny is dead.

Nay ftir not, worthy Lords, nor be amaz'd;
We mean no harm to any Roman here:
Conful, retire, for fear the coming Crowd
Should prefs too much upon your rev'rend Age.
CASSIUS.

Run to the Streets, and cry out Liberty!
Ring in their Ears aloud that pleasing Sound.
Stoop, Romans, stoop,

And let us bathe our Hands in CESAR'S Blood,
Befpot our Garments, and befmear our Swords
Then walk we forth into the Market-place,
And waying our red Weapons o'er our Heads,