I had no Comfort left for your Misfortunes, CASSIUS. And you fhould go, did I not doubt my own: It shakes, alas, my firmeft Refolutions. I, like fome skilful Swimmer in a Shipwreck, May, for thy fake, make too much haste to shore, My Mind on you, and never think beyond. JUNIA. Beyond? Why, is there any thing beyond CAS CASSIUS. What fays my Charmer? can I leave this Woman? Yet there's one Tye, more dear than Life, or Love; "Tis Honour, and the facred Good of Rome. For thefe I kill'd the greatest Man on Earth, (And faying that, I need not name your Brother) JUNIA. Did I e'er think that CASSIUS would forfake me? CASSIUS. Forfake? I leave you as the richest Pledge JUNIA. Jewels we prize we seldom leave behind : And make Adverfity it self seem pleasing. My Love could do all this, if yours were equal. Z2 Weeps. CASSIUS. All this? nay more, what cannot JUNIA do? JUNIA. You die? Oh Heav'n! the very Sound of that Checks my Designs, and chills all my Defires. CASSIUS. Haft thou not heard how hard ungrateful Rome JUNIA. Oh I have talk'd too long: go on, make haste; CASSIUS. Your spotless Fame must always be your Guard, Wait there for me and BRUTUS. He, to-morrow, Shall follow, at the head of mighty Numbers, A Caufe, well worthy of the World to fuccour ! JUNIA. Farewel! thou trueft, kindeft, beft of Men! [Exit CASSIUS, Manet JUNIA. SCENE IV. Enter VARIUS. VARIUS. JUNIA in Tears! fofhines an April Sun ; JUNIA. Alas, my Lord, CASSIUS is gone to Sardis. VARIUS. Is't poffible? So I was told before, Yet never could believe it till this moment. JUNIA. Why, was it not determin'd fo in Council? VARIUS. I must confefs it was debated there, And wifh'd by fome, that all our Force at Sardis Had fome great Chief, for keeping martial Sway: But who could hope that CASSIUS would be willing To part from you, one Day, without Occafion? JUNIA. Is it fo ftrange that CASSIUS fhould be forward VARIUS. His Fame forbids I fhould have fuch a Thought. But yet JUNIA. But what? I cannot guess your Meaning. VARIUS. Not all the noble Difcipline of War, Strict Rules of Conduct, Heat of martial Prowefs, The Faith of Friendship, or the Oaths of Leagues, Not Fame it self, no nor the Publick Good, Deferve to be preferr'd to JUNIA's Love. |