ACT IV.

SCENE I.

The Scene a Street, through which CAESAR paffes in pomp to the Senate-house, attended by thofe Senators who were with him at the end of the former Act.

Be pleas'd, great CAESAR, to peruse this parchment.

MESSALA.

'Tis from a friend of CAESAR, this petition; At your first leisure read his humble fuit,

SPURINNA.

Oh! CAESAR, read mine first, 'tis for your safety: Read it, great CAESAR, read it instantly.

CAESAR.

What most concerns ourself, fhall last be read:
I'll lay it up against a time of leisure. [To CASSIUS,
CASSIUS.

What! do you trouble CAESAR in the street?
Bring your petitions to the Capitol.

SPURINNA.

But, mine concerns his life.

CASSIUS.

I know it does;

Therefore away; we'll all take care of that.

SCENE II.

The Scene is changed to the Senate houfe, which appears full of Senators, who all rife up at CAESAR'S coming. One of them whispers BRUTUS.

SENATOR.

All good fuccefs attend your enterprize.

What did he say?

CASSIUS.

BRUTUS.

He wish'd me good fuccefs.
CASSIUS.

See, he makes up to CAESAR earnestly.
We are betray'd! But I will kill myself;
CAESAR or CASSIUS never shall go back.
BRUTUS.

There is no danger, CASSIUS; CAESAR fmiles;
You may perceive they talk of fomething else.
DECIUS BRUTUS.

Let's all kneel round to beg for CYMBER's life.

BRUTUS.

'Tis mean at any time, but needless now;

Go you; I will not kneel.

CASSIUS.

Well, what you please.

CASCA ftrikes first; but ftay, CAESAR will speak.

CAESAR fits on a feat above the reft; then rises up and fpeaks, while the Senators ftand round him.

Now, rev'rend lords, if any weighty thoughts
Oppress your minds, unload your cares on me;
For that's a burthen which belongs to pow'r.
Is there a barb'rous people yet so rude,
Or fo remote, as not to fear your arms?
I'll make them join with all the world befides
In due fubmiffion to fuperior virtue.

Is that great Parthian king fo haughty grown,
As not to reverence this awful fenate?

My arms shall haste to humble all his pride,
And bring him bowing to your least commands.
Others, to raise themselves, deprefs their country;
But my ambition is to make your valour
Shine out more bright to all the subject world.
Yet vain were all my triumphs, if I should
Be fear'd abroad, and not be lov'd at home;
Therefore, what enemy have I not pardon'd?
The name of foe excuses hate, and harm;
And he that fears it least, forgives it fooneft.
Cold friends, indeed, are fomething more proovking;
Yet I can pafs them by with scorn and pity.
The equal law fhall run its even course;
Nothing fhall interpofe, except my mercy;
Justice herself may lean that way fometimes.
Plain merit fhall not languish unregarded,
While cunning courtship steals away the favour.

On this depend; and while I govern thus,
You will not grudge, if I fhall govern long;

And not refign my pow'r, like unlearn'd SYLLA,
For want of skill to use it.

CASCA.

Oh! I can hold no longer. [They all ftab CAESAR, who struggles with them till he fees BRUTUS strike.

CAESAR.

What, BRUTUS too! Nay, then 'tis time to die.
[Falls down, and covers himself with his robes.
BRUTUS.

Liberty! freedom! tyranny is dead.
Nay, ftir not, worthy lords, nor be amaz'd;
We mean no harm to any Roman here:
Conful, retire, for fear the coming crowd
Should prefs too much upon your rev'rend age.
CASSIUS.

Run to the streets, and cry out, Liberty!
Ring in their ears aloud that pleafing found.
Stoop, Romans, ftoop,

And let us bathe our hands in CAESAR's blood,
Befpot our garments, and befmear our fwords;
Then walk we forth into the market-place,
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Cry out aloud, freedom and liberty!

BRUTUS.

The deed is done, what need we triumph in it?

SCENE IV.

Enter a SENATOR.

Well now, what news?

SENATOR.

The people are amaz'd,

Cry out, and ftare, and run about the streets,

As in an earthquake.

[They all ftoop down to CAESAR's body, except

BRUTUS.

CASCA.

How many ages hence

Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er,

In states unborn, and accents yet unknown!

TREBONIUS.

How many times fhall CAESAR bleed in fport,
While the attentive throng shall melt in tears,

Come, on then, let's away.

BRUTUS fhall lead, and we will grace his steps
With all the best and boldeft fons of Rome.

BRUTUS.

What! ANTONY return'd, and without arms!