M. T. CICERO's FIRST ORATION AGAINST M. ANTONIUS. B EFORE I touch, Fathers Confcript, upon these public Concerns, which I now intend to fubmit to your Confideration, I fhall in a few Words lay before you my Conduct both in my Departure and my Return. WHEN a Our Author here, does not as he commonly does, introduce his Oration with an Exordium; this Oration being of the deliberative Kind: And Cicero knew that the Hearers came prepared for the Occafion, and were apprized of the Importance of the Cafe. i WHEN I had fome Grounds to hope that the Government was at laft reverted to your Order and Authority, I determined to remain on a kind of a Confular and Senatorial Watch" nor did I once go off my Foft, nor did I once call off my Eyes from the Concerns of my Country, ever fince the Day on which we met in the Temple of Tellus, where I did all I could to lay the Foundation of Peace, and for that Purpose I revived an ancient Ufage of the Athenians. I likewife adopted the Greek Term, formerly used by that People in compofing the Commotions of their City; and I delivered my Sentiments for burying all Remembrance of Civil Difcord in perpetual Oblivion. SPECIOUS on that Occafion was the Language of Marcus Antonius, ftrong was his public P 2 b This has an Allufion to a Soldier's ftanding Centry, and observing a particular Poft or Charge. Such a Manner has a prodigious Influence upon the Hearers, and no body who reads it, now, but must be touched with the pathetic Sentiment that it contains. • After Cafar's Death, Anthony managed with great Addrefs, and even out-witted ourAuthor, and the other Friends of the republican System of Government. He pretended a mighty Zeal for the Liberties of Rome, and appeared fo warm, that he not only out-did the greatest Patriots in Zeal, but fent his only Son as a Pledge to the Confpirators, of their being in Safety to come to the Senate. Our public Spirit; and a Reconciliation with our moft Our Shakespeare has wonderfully hit on the Character of Anthony, in his celebrated Play of Julius Cæfar, which, as it may be a Key to the Reader in the following Orations, I fhall here tranfcribe. After Cæfar is killed, Anthony is introduced I know not, Gentlemen, what you intend, Who elfe must be let Blood? Who elfe is rank? As Cafar's Death's Hour; nor no Inftruments Of half that Worth as thofe your Swords made rich I do befeech ye, if ye bear me hard, Now, whilft your purpled Hands do reek and smoke, I fhall not find myself fo apt to die: No Place will pleafe me fo, no Mean of Death, Hath done this Deed on Cafar: For your Part, Of Brother's Temper, do receive you in With all kind Love, good Thoughts, and Reverence. In the difpofing of new Dignities. Bru. Only be patient till we have appeas'd Why I, that did love Cæfar when I ftruck him, Ant. Firt most worthy Citizens, was confirmed by him and his Children. Every thing that then folP 3 lowed First, Marcus Brutus, will I fhake with you; My Credit now ftands on fuch flippery Ground, That I did love thee, Cafar, oh, 'tis true; Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy Death, Caf. Mark Anthony. Ant. Pardon me, Caius Caffius; 3 The Enemies of Cæfar will fay this Caf. I blame you not for praising Cæfar so; Ant. Therefore I took your Hands; but was indeed Upon this Hope, that you fhall give me Reafons, Brut. Or else this was a favage Spectacle. Our Reasons are fo full of good Regard,." You lowed was agreeable to this Beginning. He fum You fhould be fatisfied. And am moreover Suitor, that I may You know not what you do; do not confent Know you, how much the People may be mov'd Brut. By your Pardon, I will myfelf into the Pulpit first, And fhew the Reafon of our Cæfar's Death. Caf. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. Be it fo: I do defire no more. Brut. Prepare the Body then, and follow us. Manet Anthony. .T [Exeunt Confpirators. Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding Piece of Earth! That I am meek and gentle with thefe Butchers. Thou art the Ruins of the nobleit Man, That ever lived in the Tide of Times. Woe to the Hand that fhed this coftly Blood? (Which, like dumb Mouths, DO OPE their Ruby Lips, A Curfe |