The Works of John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave, Marquis of Normanby, and Duke of Buckingham. In two volumes ... The third edition, Corrected |
I. |
The Works of John Sheffield | ||
SCENE II.
Enter Brutus and Cassius.Cæsar.
You seem amaz'd at such an early Summons;
I have not slept all Night.
Cassius.
On what account?
Cæsar.
'Tis only what I suffer from my Cares.
But my unquiet Mind should not disturb
Such noble Romans, had you not been both
Nearly concern'd in what I have to say.
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We are betray'd.
[Softly.
Brutus.
No Matter; let us not
Betray ourselves by Want of Resolution.
[Softly.
Cæsar.
The two great vacant Offices of Prætors
(On which ev'n neighb'ring Princes look with Envy)
Shall now be fill'd by two the greatest Romans.
I owe the Commonwealth that Care, to find
Who best deserves her Favour or her Frown.
Cassius.
We neither beg for one, nor fear the other.
Cæsar.
Cassius, I know your Soul is void of Fear,
And above grudging at your Brother's Greatness.
Cassius.
I understand no Oracles; but sure
Brutus and I are Friends, as well as Brothers.
Cæsar.
And therefore you will be the more contented,
If I advance him ev'n above yourself;
Desert like his can never rise too high.
I know no Pleasure equal to obliging
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Such modest Worth should get the Prize from Courtship.
Yet this may only be my Love's Mistake;
For, I confess my Weakness, I am frail [Embracing Brutus.
Like other Men, and partial for a Friend;
Yet that's a Fault Heav'n easily forgives.
Be thou, my best-lov'd Brutus, Chief of Prætors:
And Cassius may accept the second Place, [To Cassius.
Not only in the State, but my Affection.
No Thanks: a Coin not counted among Friends.
[Exit Cæsar.
The Works of John Sheffield | ||