Come, we are Friends. But think not I am fond [Embraces him.

Of airy Trifles, tho' I value Fame.

Fame for good Deeds is the Reward of Virtue. Thirst after Fame is giv'n us by the Gods,

Both to excite our Minds to noble Acts,

And give a proof of fome immortal State,
Where we shall know, that Fame we leave behind,
That highest Blefling which the Gods beftow.

CASSIUS.

But 'tis a greater not to need their Blessings?
You Stoicks hold a wife Man is above them.

BRUTUS.

Yet not infenfible to Reputation.

For that he flights all Torments, ev'n Difgrace;
Nay, what is harder yet, defpifes Pleasure;
A Strength of Mind which only Man poffeffes.

CASSIUS.

I fee no fuch diftinction, nor wherein

Man fo tranfcends, except in Arrogance.
This great Superiority of Man

Often comes fhort ev'n of the meanest Creatures:

They in their ways more happily confin'd,

Seem not to scorn, or bear down one another;
Never ungrateful, or the leaft deceiving,

But keep wife Nature's Laws with strict Obedience.

Oh happy for the World, if in these Times

Mankind in gen'ral were no worse than Brutes!

BRUTUS.

Ill Men, indeed, I muft confefs are worse.

CASSIUS.

And fure the worst of all, their Country's Enemies. Thefe fhould be cenfur'd by our rev'rend Priefts, Who always raise our Thoughts to things abovej But yet connive at Villany below.

BRUTUS.

From hence the Miseries of Rome proceed.
When Fraud, Oppreffion, fouleft Calumny,
Contempt of Laws, and bold Impieties,
Appear bare-fac'd; no Auguries more fure
Foretell the Ruin of a finking State.

CASSIUS.

No Auguries! What do they e'er foretell,
But as the Politician bribes the Prieft?
Merc Combination against common Sense.

BRUTUS.

You'll have your way. But do you not remember That Southfayer who faid, the Ides of March Were come, not gone?

CAS

CASSIUS.

And that was all he knew:

Had he known more, why did he not inform?

BRUTUS.

The Gods decreed that Rome fhould be deliver❜d.

VARIUS,

That devout Thought revives our finking Hopes; Heav'n will not fail a Cause it once has bleft.

CASSIUS,

But truft not all to that, let us be careful. When you fhall march to-morrow after me, Should we not leave fome Forces here behind?

For what?

BRUTUS.

CASSIUS.

To keep thefe People firmly to us.

They, who at Rame command an Empire's wealth, Have dangerous Temptations of feducing.

VARIUS.

Oh never fear it. Shake Athenian Faith?

'Tis stopping Tides,

or ftriving with the Winds.

BRUTUS.

They are too learn'd, and prudent, not to know
That 'tis the greatest Folly to be false;
Not worth a Villany to gain the World.

A low mean Act fo rancles in the Mind,

There is no Joy, nor Quiet afterwards;

Kind Heav'n has form'd us fo, that we might find Content and Honefty ftill join'd together.

CASSIUS.

But, then we are the more oblig'd to guard 'em
Against what they might fuffer for our fakes.
BRUTUS,

Kindly, and juftly urg'd, I must confefs.
But think you, that our Enemies can spare
The smallest Legion from oppofing us?
Detaching fome, may be their loss of all.
Yet, for this Place I am concern'd fo much,

You shake my Reason when you urge their Danger.
Let them propose what Guards themselves defire.

CASSIUS.

Nay, there I differ; fince in War-affairs,
With all their Wit, they cannot judge fo welt:
Nor is it fit they judge in their own Cause.
I'll ftrait affemble them, and then debate
With calm deliberation this Affair;

Which well deferves our fpeedieft Management,
Since we are forc'd to march away fo foon.
You'll come, I hope, and fix our Refolution.

[Exit CASSIUS.

BRU

BRUTUS.

This Man has fome uneafinefs of Temper,
But over-balanc'd by his publick Spirit,

Which ever sways him to his Country's Good.
Whate'er our Master ZENO may have taught us,
Nothing is wholly perfect here below :

We fhould applaud the Merit that we find,
And caft a friendly Veil on good Men's Faults.
My Sifter JUNIA loves him to excefs;
(If there can be Excefs in Love, or Friendship.)
Go, and acquaint her gently with the Journey
Which he must take this night towards Philippi,
There to decide th' important Fate of Rome.

I must prepare the Forces under me,

[Exit LUCILIUS.

To overtake him on his March to-morrow:
From thence we'll hafte conjointly to the Battle:
This fcanty Road bears us not both together;
And we must once divide, to part no more.

[Exeunt BRUTUS and VARIUS.