THEODOTUS, A Philofopher.

M. ANTONIUS, The Triumvir.

DOLABELLA, Friend of M. ANTONIUS.

JUNIA, Wife of CASSIUS, and Sifter of BRUTUS, Magiftrates of Athens.

Centurions.

Officers.

Soldiers.

The Play begins the Day before the Battle of Philippi, and ends with it.

For giving fhelter to that worthy Roman:
What means this Contradiction?

LUCILIUS.

I'll inform you.

Our Empire groan'd beneath the Pow'r of CÆSAR ;
'A Man fo fam'd for Clemency and Courage,
(Qualities charming ev'n in Enemies)

That none, tho' virtuous, could refolve to act
A bold and noble Deed, which all Men wish'd.

VARIUS.

You mean the Death of CESAR. Pray go on.

LUCILIUS.

At length, a Man of all the World inclin'd
The leaft to Violence, or any Paffion;
A Man fublimely wife, exactly just-

VARIUS.

After this Character, you need not name him.

LUCILIUS.

1

BRUTUS, the Head of all thofe noble Spirits
Who fhine at Rome, and rule the under World,
Selects the very choiceft of them all,

And fells the Tyrant in the very Senate.

VARIUS.

This Deed of BRUTUS feems the Will of Heav'n.

LU

LUCILIUS.

And fo accounted for his wondrous Virtue.
The Soldiers, Senators, and common People,
(If among Romans they can be fo call'd)
Ev'n the best Friends of CÆSAR follow'd BRUtus,
As the avow'd Deliv'rer of his Country:

Till his foft Nature, and his gen'rous Spirit,
Refign'd the Corps to be interr'd with Honour.

VARIUS.

That made this fatal Change, as we are told.

LUCILIUS.

Moft true, in thofe that heard the fam'd Oration.
What is it Eloquence cannot perfuade?

Reason itself comes over to its fide.

Thus ANTONY, foon as his Speech was ended,
Rais'd in that Heat fo great a Rage against us,
As forc'd ev'n Friends to act the part of Foes:
Yet now the wife repent, and rev'rence Athens
For thus fupporting the most worthy BRUTUS.

VARIUS.

The Roads from Rome are fill'd by valiant Crowds, Who fly from Safety, to partake our Danger.

LUCILIUS.

No wonder: fince Virtue has ever fix'd

Kind Correfpondence between Rome and Athens.

The Youth of Rome, and all whom Rome has con

quer'd,

Hither repair to learn Philofophy.

Chief among thefe, you (Son of famous TULLY)
Advis'd no doubt by your illuftrious Father,
Invited BRUTUS and his Brother CASSIUS
To make great Athens Center of the War,
VARIUS.

And fhe has own'd your Caufe in ample manner.
Armies are levy'd, and vaft Sums are rais'd,
In the defence of Roman Liberty.

LUCILIU S.

Oh Noble Efforts of Republick Spirit!
Why this is being Friends to Humane Kind;
Which, next to Heav'n, is most oblig'd to thofe
Who refçue Liberty from vile Oppreffion.

VARIUS.

Our ancient Heroes thus grew Gods themselves:
Befides, 'tis in a manner Self-defence

To help in neighb'ring Dangers; for it hinders
Future Incroachments on our felves at home.

LUCILIUS.

Of that, Athenians are almoft too jealous:
Ev'n with Ingratitude they crush Ambition,
And banish Merit, when the leaft afpiring.