Inftead of the Mufick ufually play'd between the Acts, the following Verfes are, after this A, to be fung by a Chorus reprefenting the Roman People. W First CHORUS. I. HITHER is Roman Honour gone? That Valour, which fo bright has fhone, Muft to a haughty Mafter bow: Who, with our Toil, our Blood, and all we have befide, Gorges his ill-got Pow'r, his Humour, and his Pride. II. Fearless he will his Life expofe; So does a Lion, or a Bear; His very Virtues threaten those, Who more his bold Ambition fear. How stupid Wretches we appear, Who round the World for Wealth and Empire roam; Yet never, never think what Slaves we are at home! III. Did Men, for this, together join; Quitting the free wild Life of Nature? The setting up his Fellow-Creature? And of two Mischiefs chufe the greater? Oh, rather than be Slaves to bold imperious Men, Give us our Wildness, and our Woods, our Hutts, and Caves agen. IV. There fecure from lawless Sway, Out of Pride or Envy's way; Living up to Nature's Rules, Not deprav'd by Knaves and Fools; Happily we all fhould live, and harmless as our Sheep, And at last as calmly die, as Infants fall asleep. VOL. I. R ACT H ACT II. SCENE I. BRUTUS alone in his Houfe undreft. E would be King; nay will be, if he lives; Ambition, like a mad tempeftuous Sea, Swell'd him above the Bounds of wife diffembling, I, who am CÆSAR'S Friend, and partial for him; Is humbly brave, Nay, this CÆSAR also and gentle in his Greatness; Apt for Converfe, and cafy of Accefs; Bountcous as Nature, merciful as Heav'n ; Yet Yet oft Humility is but the Ladder, By which th'ambitious Climber gets fo high; Oh difmal Sound! Who can dread that too much? The fear of Slavery is Fortitude. And, to advise him? No, 'tis easier To kill a Tyrant amidst all his Guards, Than give him Counsel for his Country's Good. BRUTUS. Get me a Taper in my Study, Boy; Then, come and call me ftrait. [Exit LUCIUS; Re-enters immediately. LUCIUS. Here is a Scroll Newly thrown in at Window faft feal'd up. BRUTUS. Give it me, Boy, and hafte to light the Taper. [Exit LUCIUS 'Tis not yet Day, but fuch a fiery Night, That I may make a fhift to read this Parchment. BRUTUS, awake; for Rome has loft her Reft, [Reads. "And takes it ill that thou shouldft fleep fo foundly: "Awake, and ftrike!-There was a BRUTUS once"And TARQUIN-Ha, thus I must piece it out; There was a BRUTUS who redeem'd his Country, And did what now we all expect from thee. "Shall Rome-Tis dark, but fure it must be thus [Reads. "Shall Rome, the Miftrefs of the proftrate World, "Be ravifh'd by a Tyrant? BRUTUS, ftrike. O Rome! and doft thou call upon thy BRUTUS? Am |