The Works of John Sheffield :: :: University of Virginia Library

He would be King; nay, will be, if he lives;
This most important Day disclos'd that Secret:
Ambition, like a mad tempestuous Sea,
Swell'd him above the Bounds of wise Dissembling,
And ended all our Hopes of future Freedom.
Justice and Liberty! farewel for ever!
If Brutus is thus sensible of Slav'ry,
I, who am Cæsar's Friend, and partial for him;
What is it then to others? to those Thousands,
Who must lie heap'd in Dust, to raise him higher?
But my own Words reproach me; can I call
Myself his Friend, and yet consent to kill him?
By Heav'n, no less than plain Ingratitude!
That heavy Load presses my tender Mind;
I cannot bear it. Nay, this Cæsar also
Is humbly brave, and gentle in his Greatness;
Apt for Converse, and easy of Access;
Skill'd in all Arts, matchless in Eloquence;
In War and Business indefatigable.
Bounteous as Nature, merciful as Heav'n;
In all, sublime, high, and unparallel'd.

243

Yet oft Humility is but the Ladder,
By which th'ambitious Climber gets so high;
But, when he once attains the upmost Round,
Then strait he throws the useless Engine down,
Looks in the Clouds, and scorns the low Degrees
By which he did ascend. Then Rome is lost!
But is there no way left us, but his Death?
What! kill the best, and bravest of Mankind,
Only for Jealousy! of being Slaves.
Oh dismal 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.
This Cæsar's Prudence may a while restrain him;
But if Ambition once transports his Mind,
Down sink at once all Thoughts of Right or Reason.
Goodness of Nature makes some Struggle in him;
But ev'n that Goodness will incline to think,
Rome shall be happier, when himself is higher.
Lucius, awake; what hoa! why Lucius!
I would it were my Fault to sleep so soundly.
Lucius, awake, awake!

Lucius.
Call you, my Lord?

244

Brutus.
Get me a Taper in my Study, Boy;
Then come and call me strait.

[Exit Lucius; re-enters immediately.
Lucius.
Here is a Scroll
Newly thrown in at Window, fast seald up.

Brutus.
Give it me, Boy, and haste to light the Taper. [Exit Lucius.

'Tis not yet Day, but such a fiery Night,
That I may make a Shift to read this Parchment.
“Brutus, awake; for Rome has lost her Rest, [Reads.

“And takes it ill that thou shouldst sleep so soundly:
“Awake, and strike!—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 sure it must be thus. [Reads.

“Shall Rome, the Mistress of the prostrate World,
“Be ravish'd by a Tyrant? Brutus, strike.”
O Rome! and dost thou call upon thy Brutus?

245

Am I thought worthy of thy Choice? 'Tis done:
Thou shalt not wait for Aid that I can bring thee.

Enter Lucius again.
Lucius.
Somebody knocks at the Gate: Sir, shall I open?

Brutus.
See who 'tis first; go Boy, and bring me Word. [Exit Lucius.

Would it were over once; I cannot rest:
In such a Plot there is no Peace of Mind:
The Harshness of this Deed would sink my Spirits,
Did not assisting Justice hold me up.

Enter Lucius with a Taper.
Lucius.
'Tis Cassius, my Lord.

Brutus.
Is he alone?

Lucius.
No, but I could not well perceive the rest,
Their Faces are so muffled in their Robes.

Brutus.
Let them come in. They are the Faction!