 | The Roman Revenge |  |
SCENE I.
A Grand Apartment in the House of Brutus.BRUTUS, ANTONY.
BRUTUS.
Urge it no more—I am fix'd.
ANTONY.
Think wiselier Brutus
BRUTUS.
Consul! when bold Oppression grapples Law,
Men, who protect the Oppressor, stab the State.
ANTONY.
Men, who so roughly dare Mischarge their Lord,
Pretending Liberty, pursue but Pride.
BRUTUS.
Cæsar, however rais'd, is less than Lord.
ANTONY.
Cæsar however wrong'd, is more than Friend:
Even Gratitude has made Respect, a Duty:
Present, or absent Thou—the Tribes will crown him.
BRUTUS.
Crown? whom?
ANTONY.
One, whom if Brutus knew but rightly,
BRUTUS.
I fear I do!
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No—if you did, you'd tremble.
BRUTUS.
I have already, trembled Antony!
Trembled—to hear a Roman tempt a Roman,
And dare corrupt a Patrsot, yet unsold!
ANTONY.
Corrupt, I wou'd not.—All I wou'd, I dare.
BRUTUS.
The basely bold shou'd learn, to dread the Just.
ANTONY.
When Brutus bids me dread—I hear and Smile.
BRUTUS.
Smile on your King: Flattery was made for Thrones.
The rough, wrong'd Roman frowns, with honest scorn.
ANTONY.
Brutus, I rev'erence Firmness; but despise
Th' Hypocrisy of Envy! I have a heart,
That being human, feels for humankind.
I tow're not to the Gods:—Virtue, once rais'd
Above Compassion, ceases to be Virtue:
Aiming at more than Man, thou sink'st to less.
BRUTUS.
I wou'd be less than King; and more than Slave.
ANTONY.
Farewell:—rash Zealots blindly grow unjust;
And Pride inflexible,, and deaf, as Thine,
Professing Virtue, make's ev'n Virtue hateful.
[Exit.
| The Roman Revenge | |