BRUTUS.

Romans, for fhame fhew not fuch childish pity.
Think you I am fo fond of painful life,
[He rifes haftily.
That my
faint hand fhould tremble at my cure?
Why then refuse to do this last good office,
Which I, for want of friends, muft do myself?
Nay, if my life could yet but serve my country,
Tho' rack'd with griefs, the very hopes of that
Would, like strong cordials, force me to endure it.
But lawless empire rules! what then remains
But death, or, worse than death, ignoble bondage?
Which if my foul can ne'er submit to bear,
Pardon, good Heav'n, my not enduring life
On fuch a hard condition!

-Sacred virtue!

Thou Deity that all the good adore!

Why haft thou caft me off, and giv'n success
To thy own foes, and mine? I follow'd thee
Ev'n thro' the blood of CAESAR, whom I lov'd,
And who lov'd me. Ye powr's immortal! know
With what a heavy heart, and troubled mind,
I help'd my country by fo harsh a means:
But I most gladly make thee this amends-

[CAESAR'S Ghoft appears and vanishes.

Oh CAESAR, CAESAR! Therefore rest appeas'd;

I did not kill thee half fo willingly.

[Kills himself.

Enter ANTONY, DOLABELLA, VENTIDIUS, &C.

ANTONY.

The blow is giv'n, and we are come too late.

[A great Shout of Soldiers bringing in LUCILIUS.

SOLDIER.

Rewards, and triumph! we have brought you BRUTUS,
LUCILIUS.

No, ANTONY: the Gods forbid that BRUTUS
Should ever be a pris'ner! by affuming

His name, I here have ftopp'd their hot purfuit.

ANTONY.

This is not BRUTUS, but a worthy prize:
For you have brought a friend, and not a foe.
Youth, I admire thy virtue; be to me,
As thou hast been to him who now lies there.

[LUCILIUS farts, fees the Body of BRUTUS,
and kneels down by it.

Oh BRUTUS, I am robb'd of half my triumph;
To thy most gen'rous foul I ow'd my life,
And fain I would have taken kind revenge;
For, 'tis a debt lies heavy on me now.
Rife, worthy Roman, do not mourn in vain.

LUCILIUS.

[LUCILIUS rifes

Yield all ye heroes of immortal name,
Whofe fhining mifchiefs only raise your fame:
If publick virtue well be understood,

Here lies the greatest man that e'er was good.

DOLABELLA.

Yet the juft Gods a righteous judgment fend;
He lov'd his country, but he kill'd his friend.