University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Vestibule in Athens.
Enter Lucilius and Varius.
Lucilius.
Express upon Express arrives from Rome.
Their Veneration for most noble Brutus
Is now reviv'd, and makes all mourn his Absence.

Varius.
But yet some threaten to destroy us here,
For giving Shelter to that worthy Roman:
What means this Contradiction?

Lucilius.
I'll inform you.
Our Empire groan'd beneath the Pow'r of Cæsar;
A Man so fam'd for Clemency and Courage,
(Qualities charming ev'n in Enemies)
That none, tho' virtuous, could resolve to act
A bold and noble Deed, which all Men wish'd.

Varius.
You mean the Death of Cæsar. Pray go on.

Lucilius.
At length, a Man of all the World inclin'd
The least to Violence, or any Passion;
A Man sublimely wise, exactly just—

Varius.
After this Character, you need not name him

Lucilius.
Brutus, the Head of all those noble Spirits
Who shine at Rome, and rule the under World,
Selects the very choicest of them all,
And fells the Tyrant in the very Senate.

Varius.
This Deed of Brutus seems the Will of Heav'n.

Lucilius.
And so accounted for his wond'rous Virtue.
The Soldiers, Senators, and common People,
(If among Romans they can be so call'd)
Ev'n the best Friends of Cæsar follow'd Brutus,
As the avow'd Deliv'rer of his Country:
Till his soft Nature, and his gen'rous Spirit,
Resign'd the Corps to be interr'd with Honour.

Varius.
That made this fatal Change, as we are told.

Lucilius.
Most true, in those that heard the fam'd Oration.
What is it Eloquence cannot persuade?
Reason itself comes over to its Side.
Thus Antony, soon as his Speech was ended,
Rais'd in that Heat so great a Rage against us,
As forc'd ev'n Friends to act the Part of Foes:
Yet now the Wise repent, and rev'rence Athens
For thus supporting the most worthy Brutus.

Varius.
The Roads from Rome are fill'd by valiant Crouds,
Who fly from Safety, to partake our Danger.

Lucilius.
No Wonder: since Virtue has ever fix'd
Kind Correspondence between Rome and Athens.
The Youth of Rome, and all whom Rome has conquer'd,
Hither repair to learn Philosophy.
Chief among these, you (Son of famous Tully)
Advis'd no doubt by your illustrious Father,
Invited Brutus and his Brother Cassius
To make great Athens Centre of the War.

Varius.
And she has own'd your Cause in ample manner.
Armies are levy'd, and vast Sums are rais'd,
In the Defence of Roman Liberty.

Lucilius.
Oh! noble Efforts of republick Spirit!
Why this is being Friends to Human-kind;
Which, next to Heav'n, is most oblig'd to those
Who rescue Liberty from vile Oppression.

Varius.
Our ancient Heroes thus grew Gods themselves:
Besides, 'tis in a manner Self-defence
To help in neighb'ring Dangers; for it hinders
Future Incroachments on ourselves at home.

Lucilius.
Of that, Athenians are almost too jealous:
Ev'n with Ingratitude they crush Ambition,
And banish Merit, when the least aspiring,

Varius.
Most wisely do they act, nay justly too:
For we reward a Leader's Service best,
In barring him the Means of doing Mischief.
Happier, much happier had it been for Cæsar,
Had he been banish'd, while yet innocent,
Than e'er return'd triumphant o'er his Country.