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VARIUS.

But where is, Sir, your wonted resolution?

BRUTUS.

Gone, VARIUS, gone for ever with my PORTIA.

VARIUS.

Then, farewel all the Liberty of Rome !

BRUTUS.

The liberty of Rome! The thought of that
Has rous'd me up-Yet one figh more for PORTIA-
Rome yet shall have my cares: But Oh! my friend,
May this be the last battle among Romans !
It grieves my foul to fee this civil flaughter.
Fain I would live to leave my country free,
And with my dying eyes behold her profper.
Else I have done too much; and CAESAR's death
Too sharp a med'cine, if it does not cure.
'Twas cutting off a limb ev'n from myself,
And, oh! I now begin to feel the maim.
But 'tis too late, and we must now look forwards-
Command our men to spread on both the wings,
Lest they encompass us with greater numbers :
The troops we routed of OCTAVIUS

Will hardly have the heart to rally more. [Exeunt.

After they have founded a Battle for fome time,
enter LUCILIUS and another Officer.

LUCILIUS.

All's loft! Ambition triumphs over virtue.

OFFICER.

'Tis not our fault, but fate's: Did we not charge With fierceness fit to fight for all the world? First, all our darts we flung away despis'd,

Uncertain weapons of remoter war,
And rush'd on nearer with the furer sword;
As if each common soldier were a BRUTUS,
Rome at their hearts, and glory in their minds.
LUCILIUS.

But what is valour, when so overmatch'd
By elder troops, and much superior numbers ?
Yet no one yielded, while ten thousand dy'd;
Each call'd for death as fast as e'er he fell,
And still by ill-tim'd pity was refus'd,
We only fought to die, and they to fave us:
Which BRUTUs then perceiving, left the field,
And fled not from their fury, but their mercy.

Enter VENTIDIUS with a Company of Soldiers.

VENTIDIUS.

Pursue them close, and on your lives spare BRUTUS.
LUCILIUS.

Stop then your chace, and lead me to ANTONIUS.
I might have 'scap'd, but BRUTUS scorns to fly.

SOLDIER.

He's taken, he is taken.

[They give a great Shout, and carry out LUCILIUS,

whom they suppose to be BRUTUS.

SCENE

[Exeunt Omnes.

VI.

Enter BRUTUS, and TITINIUS, with some Officers.

BRUTUS.

Ye worthy few, who with unusual faith

Quit not a friend whom fortune has forsaken;

Rest your tir'd bodies on this bank a while:
Where like a shipwreck'd merchant I appear,
Gath'ring the dear remains of my lost fortunes.

OFFICER.

Oh, who can judge the councils of the Gods ?

[They all fit down.

Behold, the best of men is made a prey
To boundless wildness, and unjust ambition.

BRUTUS.

That wild ambition but too often profpers:
Yet sure the Gods know better far than we,
How to dispose the ruling of mankind.
If they will have (which yet seems wondrous strange)
Injustice to fucceed, and virtue suffer;
Our part is only to submit with rev'rence.

'Tis time, 'tis time that Rome should be at rest.

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How is that noble foul o'erwhelm'd with anguish,

Not for his own, but for his country's ruin!

I OFFICER.

BRUTUS.

Romans, for shame shew not such childish pity.
Think you I am fo fond of painful life,

[He rises hastily.

That my faint hand should tremble at my cure?
Why then refuse to do this last good office,
Which I, for want of friends, must do myself?
Nay, if my life could yet but serve my country,
Tho' rack'd with griefs, the very hopes of that
Would, like strong cordials, force me to endure it.
But lawless empire rules! what then remains
But death, or, worse than death, ignoble bondage?
Which if my foul can ne'er submit to bear,
Pardon, good Heav'n, my not enduring life
On fuch a hard condition!
Sacred virtue!

Thou Deity that all the good adore!
Why hast thou cast me off, and giv'n success
To thy own foes, and mine? I follow'd thee
Ev'n thro' the blood of CAESAR, whom I lov'd,
And who lov'd me. Ye powr's immortal! know
With what a heavy heart, and troubled mind,
I help'd my country by so harsh a means:
But I most gladly make thee this amends-

[CAESAR'S Ghost appears and vanishes. Oh CAESAR, CAESAR! Therefore rest appeas'd; I did not kill thee half so willingly. [Kills himself.

Enter ANTONY, DOLABELLA, VENTIDIUS, &c.

ANTONY.

The blow is giv'n, and we are come too late.

[A great Shout of Soldiers bringing in LUCILIUS. 280 THE DEATH OF M. BRUTUS. SOLDIER.

Rewards, and triumph! we have brought you BRUTUS,

LUCILIUS.

No, ANTONY: the Gods forbid that BRUTUS
Should ever be a pris'ner! by affuming

His name, I here have stopp'd their hot pursuit.

ANTONY.

This is not BRUTUS, but a worthy prize:
For you have brought a friend, and not a foe.
Youth, I admire thy virtue; be to me,

As thou hast been to him who now lies there.

[LUCILIUS starts, fees the Body of BRUTUS,
and kneels down by it.

Oh BRUTUS, I am robb'd of half my triumph;
To thy most gen'rous foul I ow'd my life,
And fain I would have taken kind revenge;
For, 'tis a debt lies heavy on me now.

Rise, worthy Roman, do not mourn in vain.

LUCILIUS..

[LUCILIUS rises.

Yield all ye heroes of immortal name,
Whose shining mischiefs only raise your fame:
If publick virtue well be understood,
Here lies the greatest man that e'er was good.

DOLABELLA.

Yet the just Gods a righteous judgment send;
He lov'd his country, but he kill'd his friend.

THE END.

THECA BOD

Z

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