University of Virginia Library

Scæn. 3.

Enter Maximus.
Max.
Gods, what a sluce of blood have I let open!
My happy ends are come to birth, he's dead,
And I reveng'd; the Empires all a fire,
And desolation everywhere inhabits:
And shall I live that am the author of it,
To know Rome from the awe o'th world, the pitty?
My freinds are gone before too of my sending,
And shall I stay? is ought else to be liv'd for?
Is there an other freind, an other wife,
Or any third holds halfe their worthynesse,
To linger here alive for? Is not vertue
In their two everlasting soules departed,
And in their bodies first flame fled to heaven?
Can any man discover this, and love me?
For though my justice were as white as truth,
My way was crooked to it, that condemnes me:
And now Æclus, and my honored Lady,
That were prepares to my rest and quiet,
The lines to lead me to Elizium:
You that but stept before me, on assurance
I would not leave your freindship unrewarded,
First smile upon the sacrifice I have sent ye,
Then see me commingly bodly: stay, I am foolish,
Somewhat too suddaine to mine own destruction,
This great end of my vengance may grow greater:
Why may not I be Cæsar? Yet no dying;
Why should not I catch at it? fooles and children
Have had that strength before me, and obtaind it,
And as the danger stands, my reason bids me,
I will, I dare; my deare friends pardon me,
I am not fit to dye yet if not Cæsar;
I am sure the Souldier loves me, and the people,
And I will forward, and as goodly Cedars
Rent from Oeta by a sweeping tempest
Winted againe and made tall masses, defie
Those angry winds that split 'em, so will I
new peece againe, above the fate of women,
And made more perfect far, then growing privat,
Stand and defie bad fortunes: If I rise,
My wife was ravish'd well; If then I fall,
My great attempt honors my Funerall.—

Exit.