My foul is fo perplex'd with fears for you, Retire, retire; talking fo tenderly, You, like officious and condoling friends, But more afflict that mind you would compose: PORTIA. Alas! You would not use it now, if still you lov'd. BRUTUS. What means my PORTIA ? PORTIA. BRUTUS unjust! Oh! 'tis a wonder, which your very foes Would not believe, tho' told it by your friends: Am I but only partner of your pleasures, To lose that truft, which always follows kindness, BRUTUS. In this you wrong me, PORTIA. PORTIA. Would I did! I never wish'd a wrong to you before. BRUTUS. How have I liv'd, and which of all my actions PORTIA. O let me now try that foft way again. [Falls on his neck. That which, in troubling you, ev'n tortures me. Your refolutions, fpite of your unkindness. BRUTUS. The mighty CAESAR! I am that meaneft slave, if he remain [Apart. The mighty CAESAR. Kneel not, gentle PORTIA. PORTIA. I fhould not need, if you were gentle BRUTUS. [Weeps. Brutus. Oh! my foft heart! my refolution's arm'd [Takes her in his arms. It yields to PORTIA. You are now too charming: For pity, hide your kindness, or your beauty ; There's no refifting both. PORTIA. 'Tis kindness only Which makes me wish I had that beauty too. BRUTUS. What! with thee? The most obdurate creature, ev'n a tyrant, [Kiffes her. Oh! PORTIA, be not you that tyrant then; But tell me all. PORTIA. BRUTUS. Then, know, that they who came to me this night But why fhould I go on to thee, my PORTIA, In any language but in that of love? 'Tis to profane thy ear to entertain it PORTIA. But you were just about to let me know. BRUTUS. Know what! know things that will but trouble thee! Believe me, PORTIA, 'tis dangerous For thee to tread in these obscurer paths; Serpents lie hidden there, whose conscious sting Will rob thee of thy rest. Oh! prefs not thus to bear a part in that, I am a woman, but am CATO's daughter: BRUTUS. Well then, hear it all. PORTIA. Hold, dearest Brutus. I dare not hear it yet; I'll try this first. [She ftabs herself in the arm. BRUTUS. Hold, what d'ye mean? PORTIA. To try my fortitude. For, tho' I durft have trufted my firm mind Oh, wonder of thy fex! Gods! make me worthy of this matchless woman! Haste, hafte, and let thy wound be quickly drefs'd. Within I'll tell thee all, And in thy bofom pour my very foul. A messenger, my lord, from mighty CAESAR BRUTUS. [Exit LUCIUS. From CAESAR! and my brother CASSIUS too! [Exeunt. Between the fecond and third Act, these verses are to be fung by a perfon reprefenting the Genius of Rome. L SECOND CHORUS. O! to prevent this mighty empire's doom, The awful Genius of majestick Rome. Great is her danger: but I will engage |