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 soft way again. Thus low, thus tenderly, I beg to know [Falls on his Neck. That which, in troubling you, ev'n tortures me. For every Thought of yours: that zealous part BRU BRUTUS. The mighty Cæsar ! I am that meaneft Slave, if he remain [Apart. The mighty CÆSAR. Kneel not, gentle PORTIA. PORTIA. I should not need, if you were gentle BRUTUS. [Weeps. BRUTUS. O my foft Heart! my Resolution's arm'd [Takes her in his Arms. It yields to PORTIA. You are now too charming: PORTIA. 'Tis Kindness only Which makes me wish I had that Beauty too. But are you, then, not angry? BRUTUS. What, with thee? The most obdurate Creature, ev'n a Tyrant, [Kiffes her. O PORTIA, be not you that Tyrant then; For well you know your Power, and may be mine. PORTIA. But tell me all. BRUTUS. Then, know that they who came to me this Night- 'Tis to profane thy Ear, to entertain it PORTIA. But you were juft 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 thefe obfcurer Paths; Serpents lie hidden there, whofe confcious Sting Will rob thee of thy Reft. Oh, prefs not thus to bear a part in that, Which with its weight will crush thy tender Mind, PORTIA. I am a Woman, but am CATO's Daughter: Think you 'tis nothing to have fuch a Father, BRUTUS. Well then, hear it all: PORTIA. Hold, dearest BRUTUS! I dare not hear it yet; I'll try this first. [She ftabs her felf in the Arm BRUTUS. Hold, what d'ye mean? PORTIA. To try my Fortitude. For tho' I durft have trusted my firm Mind With any thing which but concern'd my felf; BRUTUS. Oh, Wonder of thy Sex! Gods! make me worthy of this matchless Woman ! Hafte, hafte, and let thy Wound be quickly drefs'd. Within I'll tell thee all, And in thy Bofom pour my very Soul. Enter LUCIUS. LUCIUS. [Exit PORTIA. A Meffenger, my Lord, from mighty CÆSAR Is Is fent to fummon you, and CAIUS CASSIUS, BRUTUS. [Exit LUCIUS. From CÆSAR and my Brother Cassius too! [Exeunt. Between the fecond and third Act, thefe Verfes are to be fung by a Perfon reprefenting the Genius of Rome. L Second CHORUS. O, to prevent this mighty Empire's Doom, From bright unknown Abodes of Bliss I come, The Awful Genius of Majeftick Rome. Great is her Danger: but I will engage |