University of Virginia Library

Actus tertius.

Enter Antony in a morning gown; the haire of his head and beard very long and unkembed.
Soldiers.
An.
Come fellow Sold. cheer your drooping spirits,
Behold the campe of Lepidus. This weed
Black as my Fortunes, these unkembed locks,
This rusty long-grown beard, this meager visage,
Emblems of my distresse, might make the bowells
Of ravenous Wolves and Tygers yern with pity,
But they are Romans, and have Roman hearts;
Come, come, the day may shine, when with delight
We shall recount the sorrows of this journey;
When by our fires, in bosome of our wives,
Our children too, and faithfull friends about us,
We shall discourse unto their greedy ears
Our travails through the Alps, and glory in them,
How every weary step presented us
With some new precipice; how we eas'd our limbes
Not on the soft repose of downy beds,
But on a frigid and congealed heap
Of snowy fleeces, with some rugged crag
To be our pillow. You shall then deride
The Roman pomp, and when you see an ear
Mung with a jewell, tell them 'twas not so
With you, when whilome on the Alpine cliffs
Your hairs were linkt with chains of dangling Isicle;
What a brave glory will't be at a feast,
Amongst th'abundance of the Roman luxury,
To tell them how your welcome drink was once
Not the sweet Nectar of the Lesbian grape,
Or Formian wines presented in a cup
Of Gold ingrav'n with Anticks, or in crystall
Priz'd more for its fragility then worth?
But, that which once Darius so esteem'd,
The muddy water of a tainted puddle
Scoopt with a hollow palm into your mouths;
And that your Viands were not Lucrine oysters,
The dainties of Cercei, or wild fowl
Procur'd as far as from the River Phasis,
But beasts whose stinking flesh would make the stomach
Of your luxurious citizen disgorge,
Roots, wild fruit, and the very barks of trees.
Thus faithfull Partners of my travails shall wee
Solace our selves, when these unwelcome clouds
Are blown away. I'm now to throw the Dice,
Pray heaven the chance be good; Retire you something.

Exeunt Soldiers.
Enter Soldiers as in Lepidus camp.
1 Sold.
What discontented wight is this approaches
Our trenches in this mournfull garb and habit?

2 Sold.
By Mars he looks like a Memento mori.

3 Sold.
Sure I have seen thy face.

Ant.
You have no doubt.
And if my eyes deceive me not, I see
Clodius and Lælius there among you, Two
That would have known me once.

Clod.
It may bee so.

Læl.
But if we cannot call you now to mind,
I hope you will impute it to your habit
And our forgetfulnesse, but not to pride,
Or scorn of misery.

Ant.
No I doe not Lælius.
For I may well seem strange to thee, who am
Grown almost out of knowledge with my selfe;
Yet have I not forgot my Name, which while
I was more happy was Antonius.

Clod.
Alas, I know you Sir to my grief.

Ant.
But now I will not arrogate that name,
For being faln from what I was, I must not
Make my self what I am. Alas I thought not,
Then when Antonius was Antonius,
Fortune would ere maligne me so as make me
An eye-sore to my selfe. Brave Romans, here
You see a wretch thrown from the height of greatnesse
To feed on carrion, and, in fellowship
Of Beasts, drink water out of tainted quagmires.
Some remnants of my Army are surviving
Which have with many a weary step past ore
The rugged Alps, and here attend the sentence
Of life or ruine from your Mouths.
Omnes. Alas!

Enter Lepidus.
Lep.
How's this? Antonius in a mourning habit
Close at my Trenches, and with fawning words
At parly with my Soldiers? Sound the trumpets,
And drown this Syrens language, or w'are lost.

Ex.
Trumpets sound.
Anton.
I had but two poor Engines by whose help
I thought the fortresse of these Souldiers hearts
Might be subdued, my habit and my speech;
And one's already frustrate, tis no matter.
Though with this more then Corybantian noise
My words are swallow'd, yet my miseries
Shall speak as loud as thunder in the ears
Of these relenting Romans, for I see
Tokens of pity in their looks, well here
Like a decayed statue will I stand
And speak a mute Oration, that may chance
Advance my hopes to th'height of wisht fruition.

Enter Souldiers as in Lep. camp.
1 Sold.
See where he stands.

2 Sold.
Is that Antonius?

1 Sold.
The same, or rather not the same Antonius.

3 Sold.
'Fore Jove 'tis pity, he's a proper man.

4 Sold.
Me thinks he looks vile thin about the gills.

2 Sold.
He stands by Heaven like a Mercuriall Index.

4 Sold.
Ev'n such a meager face for all the world
Has Saturnes statue in the Capitoll.

Enter Clodius and Lælius in womens attire.
4 Sold.
But stay, what's here, a brace of Cockatrices?
Whither so fast, my pretty mincing Damsels?
Wee must not part thus, Come, come.

Clod.
Say you so?

VVith a box on the eare strikes him down
Soldiers.
Ha, ha, ha!

4 Sold.
What female devill tro was't? by Jove
My ear's as hot as limping Vulcans anvill.

Souldiers.
Ha, ha!

Exeunt.
Clod.
Now, Noble Antony, I see wee are
As much unknown to you in this disguise,
As you to us, when first you did appear
So far unlike our late renowned Consul;
But Sir to put you out of doubt I'm Clodius.

Læl.
And I am Lælius.

Clod.
Both come to recomfort
Your wretched fortunes.

Ant.
Friends I can but thanke you.

Læl.
'Tis more then wee deserve yet.

Ant.
'Tis as much.
As my forlorn estate can now afford.

Læl.
Your state's forlorn no longer then you please,
Take heart, the camp is ready to receive you.

Clod.
I, and to kill the Generall Lepidus
If you'l but say the word.

Ant.
Again I thank you,
And will not die a debter; nay I must
Die both a debter, and ungratefull too.
The courtesie's so great, my best endeavours
Will bee too feeble ever to requite it.
Yet shall the Generall Lepidus live for mee,
I will not raise my fortunes by his fall.

Clod.
Then Sir to morrow morning shall our campe
Expect you with your Soldiers, and the Trench
Bee levell'd 'gainst your coming.

Ant.
Clodius,
And Lælius the restorers of my life,
I were a foe to my own happinesse,
And which is more, respectlesse of your kindnesse,
If I should fail.

Clod.
Then Antony till then
Farewell.

Ant.
Farewell, farewell good Lælius.
Ex. Clod. & Læl.
Why now me thinks I'm Antony again;
I gratulate my Alpine travails now.
Who in a state so hopelesse as was mine
Would not for such an issue feed on dogs,
Or cats, or worse then both an age together?
Well I'l unto my fellow travailers,
This news will make them frolick. Thus the day
Usher'd with darknesse sends the sweeter ray.
Exit.
Enter Cæsar.
Now Cæsar summon thy whole self, thou art
But yet a stripling, and must arm thy self
With providence unknown in these few years.
The Senators, those Nestors of the State,
Disturb the fair præludium of my Glories:
They have created Decimus their Generall
Against Antonius, robb'd me of my Triumph,
And jealous of my fortunes, closely practise
To win the Soldiers from me, but I am not
So weak a Politician, on such termes
To part with these fair hopes: if this contempt
Be cast upon me, Antony yet living,
What would they doe if he were once extinguisht?
Well I'l no longer be deluded thus.
I'l doe what Pansa on his Death-bed wisht nie;
Even this, acquaint my self with Antony,
And Lepidus, to whom no doubt he is join'd.
Then will I send Centurions to the Senate,
To ask for me in name of the whole Army
The Consulship. If't be denyed, I am determin'd
To march my selfe to Rome, and gain by force
What fair means cannot win. They who intend
Betimes to compasse their wisht journeys end
Must take the day before 'em; so must I,
Set forth at morning of my age, and ply
My youthfull sinews in this task of glory,
Crowning my spring with harvest, that the story
Of Cæsars forward years, may be as bright
As others lives, and send as fair a light.

Exit.
Enter M. Cicero, and his brother Quint.
Mar.
Brother, I'm much perplext about this Cæsar,
He has so fixt his hopes upon the Consulship
Ther's no removing him.

Quint.
I alwaies fear'd,
What the Immoderate Honors which the Senate
Confer'd upon him would at length produce.
For if Antonius from deceased Cæsar,
Took his occasion to usurp the State;
What hope, may we suppose, will he put on
The Author of whose confidence is not
A murdred Tyrant, but the Senates self?
And truly brother you are to be blam'd
For the same flux of Honors with the rest.

Mar.
Why Quintus, he deserved them and more
While he stood constant to his countreys cause;
As for my self, the dignity which I
Decreed him, was but just and necessary;
For you well know the name of Generall,
Though it was somewhat too much for his age,
Is not convenient only, but essentiall
To the well governing of so great an Army.
Now since Octavius has abus'd both that
And other favours, 'tis his own ambition
And not my fault, unlesse I must be censur'd
As guilty of another misdemeanours.

Quint.
You must, if you might have prevented it,
Which moderation would have done. But now
That Cæsar who (as you were wont to say)
Flow'd from the fountain of your Counsells, sullies
All your intendments; for alas what good,
What profit gain we by the overthrow
Of Antony, since for reward Octavius
Requires succession in his Tyranny?
Since he who vindicated one, begins
Himself another ill, as black as that,
And like to take a deeper root and footing?

Mar.
Nay, prethy Quintus, doe not aggravate.
The youth I hope is not so lost to goodnesse,
So desperately given, but I may win him
To have some pity on the State, to tender
The safeties of well-minded Citizens,
Especially of my beloved Brutus.

Quint.
What if he will not? shall we not be safe
But under his protection? Heaven defend us,
What would the noble Brutus say of this,
Should he but hear it, doe you think hee'd brook
His Safety should be so demissely begg'd
Of him that's heir to Julius, whom he slew?
Why now you put the reins of Tyranny
Into his hand, and indiscreetly kindle
The fire already glowing in his brest.
Hee'l raise his thoughts to fancy certainties,
And hasten to maturity what yet
Is scarce conceiv'd in th'womb of his Ambition;
When he perceives the authors of our liberty
Commended to his care, and that by you
Who have been hitherto the chiefest prop
And pillar of it. Why consider Mark
The very name of Cæsar seems t'encite him
'Gainst those which flew his Unkle.

Mar.
Cease Good Quintus,
You wrack me too severely.

Enter Tyro.
Tyro.
My Good Lord,
The Centiner Cornelius, from the Generall
Octavius Cæsar waits to speak with you.

Mar.
He must be mildly handled.

Quint.
As you please.

Mar.
Well, bring him in.

Exit Tyro.
Enter again Tyro with Cornelius.
Corn.
The Generall Octavius
Salutes your Lordship not by me alone
But by these Letters.
Delivers and Cic. reads.
Sir I must intreat you
In name of the whole Army to repair
To th'Senate.

Cic.
Yes Cornelius I will,
And glad I am to hear the noble Cæsar
Is in good health.

Corn.
Farewell my Lord.

Cic.
Farewell.

Exit Cornelius.
Marc.
Brother here's that I fear'd so much, there are
Four hundred Soldiers in the Armies name
Come to intreat for him the Consulship.
'Tis Cæsars own device I fear, although
He makes it not his, but the Armies suit.
What's your advice?

Quint.
Why are you doubtfull brother?
Ne'r give your voice, lest what you have atchiev'd
Against Antonius now degenerate
From the fair glory of a valiant mind,
To an opinion of slavish fear;
Nay worse, 'twill occasion to the world
To brand you with hypocrisie, and say
Your deeds have tended not to root our Tyranny,
But rather to obtain a milder Master.
You know the times; a Magistrate is made,
Doe what he can, the common mark of slander;
The best State-pilots oft are overwhelm'd
With the foul sea of an opprobrious mouth;
Their Vertues branded with the name of Vice,
Their diligence of deceit; but to consent
To this Ambitious suit for Cæsar, were
T'expose your self to a deserved censure
And such a one would taint your worthiest actions.

Exeunt.
Manet Tyro. Takes out a Table-book, and writes,

Cal. Sex. An. ab urb. cond. D. CC. XX. Cornelius
with other Centurions and Souldiers, to the number of
400 came in the behalf of the whole army to Rome, to
ask of the Senate the Office of Consull for their Generall
Octavius Cæsar.

Enter Senate, Cornelius and Centurions.
Cornel.
My Lords the Senators, we here are come,
To ask for Cæsar our victorious Generall,
In the behalfe and name of the whole Army,
The Office of the Consul, and expect
Your present answers to our just request.
We hope his Age will be no greater barre
To him, then it has been before to others,
Cervinus was but yet a youth, and Scipio
No more, when they were both created Consulls,
And yet the State repented them of neither.
We might produce the examples of great Pompey
And Dolabella, but we hope 'tis needlesse.

Cent.
Cornelius speaks the language of us all.

Cor.
And the whole Army, Fathers, speaks in us.

Cic.
What is your counsell Conscripts?

1 Sen.
Marcus Tullius
Our Liberty's at stake in my opinion.
And would be ruin'd should we grant the suit.

2 Sen.
'Tis palpable.

3 Sen.
We must not give such reins
To this Ambitious Youth.

4 Sen.
I know not one
In all our Order will consent unto it.

5 Sen.
The Tribunes are against it.

Cic.
Salvius too?

5 Sen.
I, he especially.

6 Sen.
And I.

All.
And All.

Cic.
Inform him good Minutius.

Min.
The Senators doe all intreat the Army
To be a while contented with the honors
Already heaped on your Generall,
The worthy Cæsar, and the States preserver.
When they shall judge it timely and convenient
He shall, I know't Cornelius, have both this,
And other dignities with a full hand.
While others rule, yet those that doe obey
Are no lesse part o'th'Common-wealth then they.

Cor.
Minutius you may keep your sentences,
For they nor your fair language shall perswade us
To leave the prosecution of our suit.
It seems the Conscript Fathers are against it;
But this shall doe it, if the Senate
Will not.

shews them the pommell of his sword.
Minut.
Hence traitrous varlet dost thou threaten us?

Exeunt Cornel. & Cent.
1 Sen.
How's this?

2 Sen.
So boistrous? then I fear a storm.

Cic.
A strange affront.

Min.
What heavy Tyranny
Must we expect from Cæsars Consulship
Whose agents dare thus check this sacred Order?

Exeunt.
Enter Pomponia, Philologus.
Pomp.
What is the Senate yet broke up Philologus?

Phil.
Yes, newly Madam.

Pomp.
Where's my Husband Quintus?

Phil.
Gone but t'accompany my Lord your Brother
Home to his house, he will be with you straight,
For so he bad me tell you.

Pomp.
'Tis enough.
Exit Phil.
Why what a peece of idle Vanity,
Is Woman to be so inquisitive?
My ear now itches, till I hear th'affairs
Debated in the Senate.—I have read
A very prety fiction now I think on't;
How the first mover, being, cause, or Nature,
Or Fate or Fortune, call him what you will,
When he first fram'd the fondling sexe of Women
In his Promethean shop, did form the Heart,
The Mind, the Soul, or whatsoere you call
That inner Pilot of this floating Clay,
Of strange and various matters, whence they did
Derive their as strange qualities and conditions:
A slut was formed of as foul a sow;
A subtil Huswife of a crafty fox;
A gluttonous and lazy Crone of earth;
A woman turning like a weathercock,
With the fond wind of crosse and foolish humours,
Smiling and frowning oft-times in an houre,
As false as winter sun-shine or a showre
In summer, was composed of the Ocean.
And so of all the rest, but she whose ears
Tingle as mine with this inquisitive itch,
Had, as the Fable fancies, for her Sire
A dog; but yet me thinks I cannot find
My selfe in all this brood; for though I have
A fond desire to hear, yet say I little,
I bark not, mine's a harmlesse folly which
Is never like to change me to a bitch
As't did the Trojan Hecuba.

Exit.
Enter Piso and Fulvia.
Pi.
Come, Fulvia, cease these sorrows, for thy husband
Has now shook off the chains that kept him down,
The frozen Alps have brought him to a Fortune
Which may weigh down the thought of past afflictions;
He's fellow Generall with Lepidus,
Nay, he alone rules all, and Lepidus
Has but the naked name and title only;
And now they have repast the Alps together,
With seventeen Legions, as I am inform'd,
Besides ten thousand Hors-men; nay Octavius
And he are now for ever reconcil'd;
Here's that will adde Authority to my words.

Delivers a Letter. She reads.
Fulv.
Octavius is our own; confirm'd, confirm'd.
By a more naturall tie then Friendship.

Piso.
How!

Fulv.
He must now call me Mother; for the daughter
Of Fulvia is decreed his Spouse.

Piso.
indeed!

Fulv.
I, and Octavius too has past the Rubicon,
And is now marching hither with 8 Legions.
So Cicero I think has lost his shelter.
Now shall my Husband Antony, and I
Be for his stabbing jeers at length reveng'd.
Piso I thank you, all my cares are vanisht.

Exit.
Piso.
This woman's now secure, but I have eyes
Which stay not at the Superficies,
But pierce to th'center and the heart of things.
I am afraid this friendship is not reall,
And but to compasse his own ends. He creeps
Into acquaintance with Antonius,
That by his aid I doubt himself may win
A good successe to his Ambitious aymes;
As first to seat himself in th'Consulship,
Next to root out the Macedonian Chiefs
Brutus and Cassius; but will this bee all?
Will he sit still and on this height determine
To fix the pillar of his hopes? No, no,
Ambition cannot brook Plurality.
Only one Neptune in the Sea doth dwell,
One Jove in Heaven, and but one Dis in Hell:
Heaven, Hell, and raging Sea have each but one,
And He or Antony must rule alone.

Ex.
Enter Salvius, Cicero.
Salv.
Alas good Cicero, 'twas not hate to you
Nor love unto Antonius that I did it,
But pure devotion to my Countreys cause.

Cic.
But my immoderate hate of Antony
(I now confesse it) blinded my discretion,
And carried me too inconsiderately
Unto this dangerous planting of Octavius.

Salv.
'Twas that I fear'd, and therefore did withstand you.
You favour'd Cæsar, and maintain'd his youth
In opposition of Antonius,
Lest Antony should get the upper hand;
I favour'd Antony, and oppos'd your counsells,
Lest Cæsar should ascend too high a pitch;
Your aim was to beat down a reigning Tyranny,
Mine to keep down springing Ambition;
Yours to oppresse Antonius culminant,
Mine to suppresse rising Octavius; both
Good in th'intent, though in effect pernicious.

Cicer.
Sure some superiour power has order'd this,
And made us instruments of our own subversion;
But this afflicts me most, that these calamities
Should happen at a season so unfortunate,
When Brute and Cassius are so far remote,
Nor furnisht neither to oppose such violence,
Enter Apuleius.
You look, good Tribune, as if horrour dwelt
Upon your browes; what tydings Apuleius?

Apul.
My Lord Octavius is directly coming
To th'City with an Army of 8 Legions;
Antonius too and Lepidus are come
With mighty forces into Italy
Only with this intent, to second Cæsar;
The streets are fill'd with tumult and confusion
Some run about not knowing what to doe,
Others remove their families and goods
Into out-villages, or stronger places
Within this City.

Salv.
Heaven defend us, Cicero,
Alas we are undone.

Apul.
The Senate, Sir,
Is now in consultation of some course
Whereon to pitch. Your presence is expected.

Cic.
No doubt it is; but Ile absent my selfe,
The Conscript Fathers may themselves determine
What's best in this necessitating straight
For their own safeties, I should say the States,
But there the choise is crost; as for my self
Nothing can come amisse. I'v liv'd too long
To see this day. The Fathers forc't to yeeld
(As now they must) to th'ruine of their liberty:
O 'tis a corrosive to my soul to think on't.
Twere good you two would goe and take your place.

Both.
We will, and that with speed; Farewell.

Cic.
Farewell.

Ex.
Enter Senate.
1 Sen.
Wee must bee speedy Fathers. What's counsells?

2 Sen.
Twere best in my opinion to dispatch
A message to him to present him with
The Consulship.

3 Sen.
I, that's the safest way.

4 Sen.
But th'Armies fired for the late repulse
How shall we stay their furies?

2 Sen.
Wee'l decree
To th'whole 8 Legions twice so much in
As wee have promis'd to the two.

1 Sen.
How say you?
Are you content?

Omnes.
Content! we must of force.

1 Sen.
See what the Tribunes say to't.

Sen.
They consent,
Forc't by the same necessity as wee.

1 Sen.
Come then, let's speedily dispatch the Legats.

Exeunt.
Enter Cicero.
Cic.
How will this royall City now become
A nest of Vultures! and her Senatours
Be made a wretched prey to rav'nous talons!
Will Cæsar think himself secure, while men
So much addicted to the State survive?
No; Tyranny's suspicious, hee'l unhead them,
Lest happily they should beget young Brutes.
Enter Salvius.
Salvius what news?

Salv.
What news! why Cæsar's Consul.
Legates are sent unto him with the offer.

Cic.
Heavens! what a tide of woes must Rome expect,
When she must lift the axe to her own head?
That Brutus were at home now! we would loose
Our dearest bloud, before our liberty.
Thrice happy you, which in the Mutine field
Gave up your lives! you breath not with the rest,
To taint your former glories with black treason
To your own Countreys freedome; in soft peace
Rest your immortall souls. But wretched we,
That for one Tyrant, now are plagu'd with three.

Enter Qu. Cicero.
Quint.
Brother, the Africk Legions are arriv'd.

Mar.
Arrived Quintus?

Quin.
Marcus 'tis most certaine.

Marc.
Nay, then we will not on such feeble terms
Part with our Countreys freedome, Salvius come.

Exeunt.
Enter Senators.
Senator.
What have we done my Lords? given up our liberty,
Without the shedding of one drop of bloud?
Twill grow a custome for Ambitious men
T'usurp the offices of State, if thus
The Consulship be made a prey to force;
Nay rather let's oppose and bear th'assault,
Till Decimus or Plancus come and succour us.
Let's fight till our lifes latest breath be spent,
Rather then leave a gap for Tyranny,
Never before attempted with successe.
There was, there was that virtue once in Rome,
When her brave Worthies would not stand agast:
At such a threatned storm as this, but strike
The bolt from hand of that usurping Jove
Durst venture once to raise it. Conscripts, what
Have we let dull and rust the glorious edge
Of that heroick boldnesse? or is't only
Imprison'd in the sheath? let's draw it out:
Nor faile our Countrey, but uphold her cause,
While we have hearts, and hands, like true-born Romans.

Enter Cicero.
Cicer.
Fathers you were too forward inth'dispatch
Of your Legation to Octavius.
You will repent it.

1 Sen.
M. Tullius, why?

Cic.
The Africk Legions are arriv'd.

Sen.
Arriv'd!
Then let the Messengers be called back.

Ex.
Cic.
Fathers, I need not urge how bright and glorious
Is zeal unto the common cause. I know
You prize it as the jewell of your lives,
And you doe well; for 'tis a Musick which
Will, like the note of the Caystrian bird,
Stick by you till your latest gasp; and then
Be your good Genius mounting to the skies
Your winged souls, where being stellifi'd
You shall with shining Opticks see how weak
A nothing is, this molehill earth whereon
Poor Mortalls toil so; there you shall behold
How feeble, how ridiculous a madnesse
Is fond Ambition. But I lose my self
In this divine and pleasing contemplation,
Come let's dispose our selves for opposition.

Senators.
With all our Hearts. Heaven prosper the attempt.

Exeunt.
Enter Cæsar, Captains, Soldiers.
Cæs.
How's this? the Senate so unconstant? well.
Cornelius take some certain Horsemen with you,
Post to the City, and assure the people,
I come not with intent to raise a tumult,
But on faire terms of peace; make hast before,
And I will follow with all speed I can.

Exit.
Enter Pomponia and Young Quintus.
Pomp.
So studious Quintus in such times as these?

Quint.
Yes, Madam, therefore 'cause the times are such
Though Cæsar be a youth as well as I,
Yet he is one of deeper undertakings
Then can be sounded by such heads as mine;
Pray heav'n they puzzle not the piercing judgments
Of our grave Senators.

Pomp.
And 'tis my prayer,
But what is't you are reading?

Quint.
'Tis a book
My Unkle Marcus wisht me to peruse.

Pom.
You cannot better spend your mornings leisure
Then after his præscriptions. Time's a treasure.
‘A day is like a costly ring of Gold,
‘And morning is the Diamond of that ring.
But tell me something which your book containes
Worthy our hearing.

Quint.
Madam, the whole volume
Is like a gallery hung about with pictures
Of filiall piety. Here on trembling shoulders
More fam'd then those of Hercules, which upheld
The heavenly orbes, one bears his aged father
Through midst of flames, and so conserves that being
Which was the Spring of his. Another bears
Her on his pious back who in her wombe
Bare him. Here one sustains her mothers life
With the same food wherewith her own first breath
Was by that mother cherisht; these were deities
In Natures heaven, and have now an Elysium
Not to inhabit only but to rule.
Yet that which makes me most admire, is this,
That the mute son of Crœsus should unlose
The fetters tyed by Nature to his tongue,
And cry, Kill not the King.

Pomp.
To save our Parents
Is the first law and dictate Nature writes
In our hearts fleshy Tables, therefore did she
Articulate the undistinguisht murmurings
Of his chain'd tongue, left by her fault that law
Should vent its force and vigour in the youth.

Quint.
Methinks I envy the example.

Pomp.
What?
Would you your father should be so indanger'd
That you might save him?

Quint.
No, not for a world.
But who knows what this age doth travail with?

Pomp.
True, But the President coheres not; You,
The heavens be thank'd for't, were not born dumb.

Quint.
Tis a great benefit; but yet me thinks
I could incarcerate, as he freed his voice,
To save a father. I could win by bridling
As great a name, as he by giving reins
To stupid nature; such an act would come
Within the verge of praise, whereas his does not
Without th'internalls.

Pomp.
Goe, you make me sad.
Exit Quintus.
What Genius has inform'd my Quintus fancy,
That he still meditates on such examples?
Pray heaven my husband never prove an object
For him whereon to exercise this piety.
Exit.
Enter M. Cicero.
Still doe I strive against the stream, and like
A silly Lark mount the inraged wind,
Which i I doe not poise my actions well
Will carry me away. We thought the Gods
By their auspicious providence had sent
The Africk Legions to our succour; but
They are revolted from us, and their Captains
Taken to favour. Only one Cornutius
Scorning to beg life from this second Cæsar
Has like a second Cato slain himself.
And I would follow him, but that the good
And safety of my Countrey is my Remora.
I will for th'present seek Octavius favour,
It cannot be a stain to Cicero
Since all have don't already but my self.

Enter Senators.
Sen.
Have you made peace wth Cæsar?

Cic.
I have sued it
By mediation of his friends, and now
Wait to accost him, sure he is at hand.

Sen.
He is indeed; Hark how the people shout.

Shout.
Enter Cæsar and others.
Sen.
Health to the worthy and victorious Consul.

Cæsar.
Fathers I thank you.

Cicer.
Haile to Noble Cæsar.

Cæs.
My Honor'd Father!

Cic.
Tis too high a Title
For M. Tullius Cicero.

Cæs.
Now you wrong me,
The Parent of my country must be mine.
But yet I must be bold to tell you Sir,
You have been something sparing of your courtesies;
You are the last of all my Noble friends
That come to wellcome my return from Gaule.

Exeunt. A shout.
Chorus.
O what awoundiug shout was this!
Tis even as banefull as the Mandrakes note,
The shrieks of damned souls, the hisse
Of Scorpions, Adders, or the Sirens throte.
Let it be strangled, 'tis a sound
Will wake pale death from his Cimmerian Cell,
Twill rend a passage through the ground,
And bring the Furies from their Court of Hell:
The barbarous Thracians though they sing
Their dead unto their graves, would howle to see
So black, so venemous a sting
Enter the body of their State, as we.
For these are but Sardonian smiles
Which dance upon our browes; this fading mirth
Will prove an Embryon, and beguile's
When wee shall find it still-borne at the birth.
O what a golden age w'enjoy'd
Under the Reverend Saturnes of the State!
But now an upstart scarce unboyd,
Unto an age of iron gives new date.
What power this ruine on us slings?
Julius is turn'd his Genius, we fear,
And lent him Tityus Vultures wings
T'enhaunce the swiftnesse of his proud careere
If such a little time as scant
Full twenty Summers have a Consul bore
Of such a growth, so culminant;
What may we think alas of twenty more?
Others when in this sacred way
Of honor, they had travail'd but so far,
Would sit them down, and sagely say,
Death was mature unto a Consular.
But this young Minion of blind chance,
Like a skie-climbing Eagle still will tower
Untill he shall himself advance
Unto a Sov'raign Independent power.
Heavens! if it be your sacred pleasure
To put a period to our Tibertie,
O let the Scepter know some measure,
That being servile we may yet seem free.