University of Virginia Library

Scene the Second.

Cæsars Tents.
Enter Cæsar, Mecœnas, with Attendants.
Cæs.
Mecœnas see strict discipline they keep
Through the whole Camp, that neither wine nor sleep
Betray us to surprize: thô peace seem near,
Wise Pilots at the Port a tempest fear.

Mecœn.
Great Sir, your Souldiers find they have to do
Not with a rude unarm'd and barb'rous Crew,
But Romans like themselves, in Conquest bred,
And next your self, by the best Captain led.
Their jealousie of Fame and Love for you,
Will make 'em any thing forbear or do.

A shout of joy.
Enter Agrippa.
Agrip.
Antonius Legions newly are arriv'd,
And through the Camp are with loud joy receiv'd.
Tir'd with his impotent and distant sway,
They now, Great Sir, will you alone obey.

Cæs.
Then vanish all his hopes, and all my fears,
In my whole sky of Fate, no Cloud appears:
That one black corner did a tempest threat.

Agrip.
You much are to Photinus care in debt:
Him in the Camp, when I arriv'd I found.

Cæs.
Yee Gods! why am I to a Villain bound?
Tell my new friends, I their arrears will pay;
A Roman Emperor they still obey.

Mecœn.
Antonius now will any Laws receive,
What from weak Foes we do not take, we give.
Demand the Roman Legions yet behind,
And that his pow'r to Asia be confin'd.

Cæs.
The man was once my Friend, my Brother still:
What are these thoughts that wou'd ambition chill?

Mecœn.
Forget that name he has deserv'd so ill.
The spoil of Egypt will the VVar defray;
For a meer peace Rome will repine to pay.
Enter Octavia.
Him brother, let Ægyptian Princes call,
He has no Interest in your blood at all.
Since the best Ty he slights, and in her place
Does a less fair Ægyptian Queen embrace.

Oct.
Pernicious Counceller that does foment
A War, all but the Parthians wou'd prevent.
My Wrongs shall never thy Ambition hide,
I'le tear the Masque of pity from thy pride.
I thought thee once deserving thy great place,
Of Tuscan Kings sprung from the glorious race.
But thou art false, cruel, and bloody now,
That open hatred thou durst never show.
To my dear Lord, does still in malice lurk,
And on this dire Occasion seeks to work.

Cæs.
Sister, your Husband I would but reclaim,
And make him worthy of your virtuous flame.
His present life does his past glory stain,
He makes a Queen the Partner of his raign.
The Roman Empire he does much deface,
And with the Spoil adorns her foraign race.
Arabia where the Nabatheans live.
And part of Syria he did lately give.
To their new issue one he stiles the Moon:
To name the other, he profanes the Sun.

Oct.
If he has given much, he conquer'd more:
His valour, for his bounty, found the store;
And pardon somewhat on a Sisters score.

Cæs.
The names of Emperor and Queen they scorn,
And like immortal Gods themselves adorn.
He does for Bacchus, she for Isis pass,
And in their shapes, the wond'ring Crowd amaze.

Oct.
To Gods of their own honour leave the Care,
Since they both Jealous and Almighty are.
I fear so high you'l my concernments press;
You'l break on that you never can redress.

Cæs.
I understand no Riddles, but he shall
Do my Octavia sudden right or fall.
The rest I cou'd with small excuse forgive:
But under this affront I cannot live.

Oct.
You say his other faults you cou'd forgive.

Cæs.
Empire's our real quarrel, but I must
[Aside.
Her virtuous Mind with no such secret trust.
I could—

Oct.
Then that pretence I'le thus remove and dy:
Stabs her self. Mec. interposes.
Still more inhumane must I then remain,
The cover of your Pride and Lust to reign.
Thô I were dead you might your ends pursue,
But let me vanish from the painful view.

Mec.
Not for the World such virtue shou'd not dy,
But be intire translated to the Sky.

Cæs.
I Sister your late rashness can forgive,
So you henceforth will promise me to live.
Mecœnas see remov'd all means of Death,
Let Nature and not rage conclude her breath.

Ex. Cæsar, Agrippa, &c.
Oct.
Peace to the World and my unhappy Lord,
My Brother but for you wou'd soon afford.

Mec.
Condemn not actions till you know their end,
But mine perhaps will then but more offend.

Oct.
I know you'l say 'tis brave to rule alone,
That my great Brother wou'd become that Throne.
And raising him you in proportion rise,
But still remember there are Deities
Above you both, just, pow'rful, and wife.

Mec.
Ambition never overturn'd my mind,
I am already more then I design'd.

Oct.
Why do you then the general peace oppose;
'Tis Avarice or Ambition makes Men foes.

Mec.
I Madam wou'd some marks of courage show,
And what I durst for my great Master do.

Oct.
Romans of courage need no other proof,
Since to be born a Roman is enough.

Mec.
'Tis truth, but yet—

Oct.
Some unjust pique you bear,
My dearest Lord, you cannot well declare,
But good Mecœna's; for such once you were;
T'obstruct this Treaty for my sake forbear.

Mec.
'Tis for your sake alone, it must not be.

Oct.
If it be good for Rome, regard not Me.

Mec.
Y'are Sister to my Emperor and Friend,
My utmost care, must your concerns attend:
I do not as you think confusion seek,
Nor keep I to your Lord a secret pique:
But if this Treaty be confirm'd to day,
I must at Rome, and you in Asia stay.

Oct.
It is the part of the whole World I'd chuse,
And gaining Him, what is't I care to loose.

Mec.
Ah Madam, seem less virtuous or less fair,
Who can behold you and not vengeance sware.
Such suffering goodness will mankind ingage,
And on Antonius pull their publick rage.

Oct.
This to the Sister of your Emperor;

Mec.
This to the only Beauty I adore:
Beyond my patience you have rackt my Breast,
And my deep guilt at last must be confest.
I love you, Madam—

Oct.
My next request you'l then not disallow,

Mec.
Speak it, and I a blind Obedience vow.

Oct.
Let me then die for I have liv'd too long,
And heard of Love in my Antonius wrong.

Mec.
Not in his wrong! I'le the reversion wait,
And live like Heirs in hope of an Estate.

Oct.
Your word is past recall. My Death I claim.

Mec.
From me who both your Guard and Lover am.

Oct.
I not the stroak, but means of Death require:
By my own hand I noblest shall expire.
Will you then promise to promote the peace.

Mec.
You offer poison, to my known Disease:
But from those hands I nothing can refuse.
I'le ruine all my hopes, so you will live:

Oct.
Yes, I will live, but not an hour survive.
My dear Antonius him you must preserve,
If ought you from Octavia would deserve—

Ex.
Mec.
Whom, whilst he lives I never can enjoy,
And if he dies she will her self destroy.
“I am undone; obey or disobey!
“I needs must perish, but may chose my way.

Ex. Omnes.