 | The Death of Caesar |  |
SCENE VII.
CASSIUS, a dagger in his hand, DOLABELLA, ROMANS.CASSIUS.
The deed is done, the tyrant is no more.
DOLABELLA.
Now, now assist me Romans! rush upon him!
And pierce the traitor with a thousand wounds!
CASSIUS.
Strive, strive my countrymen, to imitate
What this right hand hath gloriously perform'd!
You are no longer subject to a master.
Nation of heroes! conquerors of the world!
Hail the return of liberty! this hand
Hath broke her fetters.
DOLABELLA.
Will you then betray
The cause of him you loved, my countrymen?
In worth transcendent, in renown unrivall'd,
Shall his illustrious blood flow unrevenged?
CASSIUS.
For you, for Rome, I have not spared from death
My dearest friend.—Whose blood is spilt, but his
Who would have fasten'd on you servile bonds?
Say, is there one among you all that hear me
So low in virtue, of a soul so tame,
A spirit so infirm, as to regret
Cæsar and slavery? Is there here a Roman
So vile, so base as to desire a king?
If there be one,—speak,—load me with reproaches.
I see instead, joy spread o'er every face.
You could not but applaud the righteous deed,
370
Lovers of glory, and heroic virtue.
ROMANS.
He was a tyrant,—may his memory perish!
Perish the name of Cæsar!
CASSIUS.
You, who now
Can call the world your own!—Offspring of Rome!
Who now your long-lost happiness may boast!
Preserve for ever in your noble hearts
These glowing sentiments!—But let me warn you
Against surprize; I know that Anthony
Means to appear before you; recollect
That Cæsar was his master, that he served
Beneath him even from his tender years,
Instructed in that school iniquitous,
In each tyrannic art.—He will attempt
To justify his lord, his views ambitious,
And thirst of government.—But much of you
Will he misdeem, if he supposes aught
Of subtle rhetoric from his lips pronounced,
Will turn your souls aside.—Here must he speak;
It is his right; such are the laws of Rome;
These laws are sacred, nor shall Cassius ever
Fail to obey them. But meantime, forget not
That the collective body of the people
Have now supreme authority, the judges
Of Cæsar, Anthony, and of myself.
Again you enter on your legal rights,
By violence, and fraud, unworthily
So long denied. By Cæsar ravisht from you,
Take them again from me, not shorn of strength,
But firmer, more establish'd. Now I seek
The capitol, there Brutus with the senate
In council sits, me he expects, the time
Demands immediate haste.—With him combined,
Again within this seat of anarchy,
371
Return propitious; this, our grateful task;
Nor shall we fail to stifle the remains
Of factious rage, to crush the latent plots
Of desperate villany, and raise once more
The beauteous pile of freedom from its ruins.
Only do you, my much-loved countrymen,
With willing hearts consent to be restored
To every privilege, and render'd happy;
Do not betray yourselves, I ask no more.
Dread Anthony's designs, but chief beware
Lest he should circumvent you by his wiles,
And nice display of art.
ROMANS.
Let him presume
To speak a word 'gainst Cassius, and he dies.
CASSIUS.
These words be as a sacred bond betwixt us!
Imprint them, gentle Romans, on your minds;
Remember them and me.
ROMANS.
Our hearts are fixed,
Ne'er to forget th'avengers of their country.
| The Death of Caesar | |