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Could chance, or fenfelefs atoms join

To form a foul fo

great as his?

Or would those pow'rs we hold divine,
Destroy their own chief master-piece?
Where so much difficulty lies,

The doubtful are the only wife.

And, what must more perplex our thoughts; Great Jove the best of Romans fends, To do the very worst of faults,

And kill the kindest of his friends.

All this is far above our reach,
Whatever priests prefume to preach.

ACT V. SCENE I.

SCENE the FORUM.

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, followed by crowds of Citizens.

BEHOLD

I CITIZEN.

EHOLD the men who have deliver'd Rome! 2 CITIZEN.

BRUTUS has freed us all, and he shall rule us.
3 CITIZEN.

We will be free, and serve the noble BRUTUS.
BRUTUS.

Why, Friends, ye speak impoffibilities;

Would ye be free, yet ferve? how odd that founds!
I grieve to fee you bear your change no better.
But give me leave to fatisfy you all,

Why we have done this deed, and for whofe fakes.
I'll go up here; they who will hear me, stay ;
The rest may follow CASSIUS, and hear him.
I CITIZEN.

I would hear BRUTUS speak.

2 CITIZEN.

I'll follow CASSIUS:

And we'll compare together what they say.

3 CITIZEN.

The noble BRUTUS is afcended: SILENCE!

BRUTUS.

Friends, dearest countrymen, and worthy Romans;
You lovers of your laws and liberties;

Hear me throughout with patience, not with passion:
For, tho' your kindness is my chief contentment,
I would not owe your judgment of this deed
To any thing but reason well inform❜d.

Who is it here thinks CAESAR innocent?
I was his friend, and yet I thought him guilty;
And faults are great, which friends cannot forgive.
Why should I kill him then but for your fakes?
A wretch who yields a limb to be cut off,
Does only that to fave a life that's dearer :
And when a grieving parent whips his child,
Call it correction, but not cruelty.

If then the very best of CAESAR's friends
Should ask me, Why I kill'd him? Thus I anfwer:
It was not that I lov'd him less than he;

But 'twas because I lov'd my country more.
Wou'd you

have CAESAR live, and die all flaves;
Rather than have him dead, to live all freemen?
AS CAESAR lov'd me, oh! I weep for him;
As he was fortunate, I can rejoice;

As he was valiant, I honour him:

But, as he was ambitious, I flew him.

Who's here fo bafe, as would become a bondman?
If any, fpeak; for him I have offended.

Who's here fo rude, that would not be a Roman? :
If any, fpeak; for him I have offended.
Who's here fo vile, to value any thing,

Ev'n his best friend, before the publick good?
I own, nay boast, I have offended him.

What fay you countrymen ?

CITIZEN.

None, BRUTUS, none.

BRUTUS.

Then none have I offended by his death.
The reason for it shall be fair enroll'd;

His glory not diminish'd in the least.

Here comes his body, mourn'd by good ANTONIUS;

Enter ANTONY with the body of CAESAR.

Who, tho' a friend of CAESAR, is ours too;
And fo has leave to bury him with honour.
In a free government all should be friends:
And he, who would have fav'd this CAESAR's life,
Shall yet receive advantage by his death,
Freedom of vote in governing the world:
As which of you shall want it? I conclude;
That, as I flew my friend to fave my country,
I here have the fame dagger for myself,

Whenever Rome shall wish, or need my death.

I CITIZEN.

[Defcends.

Live, BRUTUS, live: bring him in triumph home. 2 CITIZEN.

Give him a statue by his ancestors.

3 CITIZEN.

Let him be CAESAR.

4

CITIZEN.

CAESAR was nothing to him;

Let him be crown'd, I will have BRUTUS Crown'd.

BRUTUS.

Hold, worthy countrymen.

I CITIZEN.

Peace; filence.

2 CITIZEN.

Peace;

For BRUTUS fpeaks again.

BRUTUS.

You'll make me draw this dagger once again;
But 'tis against myself; for I would die

Your fellow-friend, rather than live your lord.
You almost make me wish CAESAR alive:

If one must rule, there's none could do it better.
Pray hear MARC-ANTONY; for my fake hear him;
He fpeaks by our permission, and is noble.
But, while he praises CAESAR, then remember
I honour'd him as much, but lov'd you more.
Nay, stay, good Romans; not a man go with me.
[Exit.

I CITIZEN.

This CAESAR was a tyrant; BRUTUS fays fo;
And no man living knows a tyrant better.
2 CITIZEN.

For, neighbours, why should BRUTUS kill him elfe?
He lov'd him. Therefore fure he was a tyrant.
3 CITIZEN.

Notably faid! answer me that who can.
But come, let's hear MARC-ANTONY a little,

ANTONY.

For BRUTUS' fake I am beholden to you.

Bb

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