No wonder ATTICUS, fo nice a Judge,
When he retir'd, preferr'd this place to all.
VARIUS.

Philosophy is highly'ft honour'd here;

And from that Fountain of superiour Wisdom
Flows all this Stream of Arts and Sciences.

BRUTUS.

Here Poetry, harmoniously divine,

Is most transporting thus accompany'd
With artful Paintings, and melodious Sounds.
The Muses join in all Athenian Pleasures.

VARIUS.

But that which has occafion'd thefe Delights,
Gives the true tafte to all; your matchlefs Merit.

BRUTUS.

Hold, VARIUS; too much has been faid already
In complement: and I receive it only

As Honour done me for Rome's fake, not mine.
So Prizes, taken but by vulgar Hands,

Are brought in Triumph to the Capitol.

LUCILIUS.

Yet then, we know, that Leader justly triumphs, Under whofe Conduct thofe rich Spoils are gain'd.

BRU

BRUTUS.

But were our Conduct equal to our Cause,
In which the noble CASSIUS, and my self
Have here engag'd all Afia on our Side;

Yet the whole World deliver'd, muft acknowledge
All owing to this gen'rous Commonwealth.

VARIUS.

Rome could not fail to find fupport in Athens,
Her elder Sifter, both in Arts and Arms,
And great Protectress of fair Liberty;

That Liberty to which fhe owes her Splendour.
BRUTUS.

Most truly noted: From whence ever came
Good Senfe, or Learning, Arts of Peace, or War?
Deepness of Thought, or Nobleness of Nature?
Except where Liberty enlarg'd the Mind?

VARIUS.

The very Air of Freedom breeds great Souls,
Which Education ripens into Virtue.

BRUTUS.

And here inspires the usefulleft of Virtues,
Tender Affection to our native Country.

VARIUS.

My Friends and near Relations, when I took
My tender leave, after a thousand Counfels,

Affur'd

Affur'd me that their greatest Satisfaction

Was, that they fent me to this famous Place, Where Wisdom, and where Virtue beft are taught; And own'd, when Romans write the most politely, Their highest Praife is to have copy'd well.

BRUTUS.

TULLY himself confeffes Greece fuperiour:
Yet he, of all our famous Wits of Rome,
Shines much the brightest.

VARIUS.

Such Applause from BRUTUS,

Is a Reward equal to all his Merit.

TITINIU S.

To be esteem'd by you, the greatest Kings

Here fend their Legions, and have lent their Treasure:

BRUTUS.

And timely comes this Aid: Advice from Rome
Affures us, all their Force is on the march.

VARIUS.

I thought Diffenfion was among their Chiefs,
Each of them striving to setup himself.

Enter CASSIUS.

CASSIUS.

Juft now is come most unexpected News ;

Our Foes have forc'd their Gen'rals to be Friends, And call'd it Civil War to fight in Quarrels Between OCTAVIUS and ANTONY;

Yet think their War is lawful against us.

TITINIU S.

Alas, what reasoning can there be in Fools,
Who, bred in Faction, blindly join with Knaves?

LUCILIUS.

They are for Licence, not for Liberty;

And love thofe Generals beft, who lead to Mischief.

BRUTUS.

You have defcrib'd a State juft ripe for Ruin.

CASSIUS.

Small Marches need they make, to meet a Foc
So eager as we are, to free our Country.

Oh the delay is tiresome!

BRUTUS.

Yet have Patience.

With Vigour act, but think of all with Caution.

CASSIUS.

Our Rendezvous is settled at Philippi.

BRUTUS.

Thither you march to-night, and I to-morrow.

But JUNIA comes, I fear, to mourn your Absence.

[Exeunt, Manet CASSIUS.

SCENE III.

Enter JUNIA.

JUNIA.

Now, all the Gods that guard the Innocent,
Protect my CASSIUS! they are marching hither:
Ruin is rolling on us from afar.

CASSIUS.

Not hither, JUNIA; we shall spare their Pains ;
Our Forces intercept their bold Presumption,
And I just now am making haste to meet them.

JUNIA.

Come then, away; with you all Pains are easy;
I am this moment ready for the Journey.

CASSIUS.

Ready, alas! you must not for this world

Share in the Shifts and Hazards I must run;
Virtue, like yours, here none will dare to harm ;
And while you stay in Athens, I am eafy;

My dear, and better half, is out of danger.

JUNIA.

And am I yet more wretched than I thought?