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, CASSIUS. But 'tis a greater not to need their Blessings? BRUTUS. Yet not infenfible to Reputation. For that he flights all Torments, ev'n Difgrace; CASSIUS. I fee no fuch diftinction, nor wherein Man fo tranfcends, except in Arrogance. 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; 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. CASSIUS. No Auguries! What do they e'er foretell, 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 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 Kindly, and juftly urg'd, I must confefs. You shake my Reason when you urge their Danger. CASSIUS. Nay, there I differ; fince in War-affairs, Which well deferves our fpeedieft Management, [Exit CASSIUS. BRU BRUTUS. This Man has fome uneafinefs of Temper, Which ever sways him to his Country's Good. We fhould applaud the Merit that we find, I must prepare the Forces under me, [Exit LUCILIUS. To overtake him on his March to-morrow: [Exeunt BRUTUS and VARIUS. |