Nor what this soothsayer but even now foretold, Being things impossible to human reason. Shall in a dream disturb me: Bring my couch, A sudden but a secure drowsiness [there; Invites me to repose myself. [A couch brought in.] Let music,
With some choice ditty, second it :-[Exit PAR- THENIUS.]-The mean time, Rest there, dear book, which open'd, when I wake, Lays the book under his pillow.
Shall make some sleep for ever.
[Music and a song. CÆSAR sleeps.
Re-enter PARTHENIUS and DOMITIA. Dom. Write my name
In his bloody scroll, Parthenius! the fear's idle : He durst not, could not.
Parth. I can assure nothing;
But I observed, when you departed from him, After some little passion, but much fury, He drew it out: whose death he sign'd, I know But in his looks appear'd a resolution Of what before he stagger'd at. What he hath Determined of is uncertain, but too soon Will fall on you, or me, or both, or any, His pleasure known to the tribunes and centurions, Who never use to enquire his will, but serve it. Now, if out of the confidence of your power, The bloody catalogue being still about him, As he sleeps you dare peruse it, or remove it, You may instruct yourself, or what to suffer, Or how to cross it.
Dom. I would not be caught
With too much confidence. By your leave, sir. No motion !-you lie uneasy, sir, Let me mend your pillow.
Parth. Have you it?
Dom. 'Tis here.
Cas. Oh!
Parth. You have waked him: softly, gracious madam,
While we are unknown; and then consult at leisure. [Exeunt.
Dreadful music. The apparitions of JUNIUS RUSTICUS and PALPHURIUS SURA rise, with bloody swords in their hands; they wave them over the head of CÆSAR, who seems troubled in his sleep, and as if praying to the image of Minerva, which they scornfully seize, and then disappear with it.
Cas. [starting.] Defend me, goddess, or this horrid dream
Will force me to distraction! whither have These Furies born thee? Let me rise and follow. I am bath'd o'er with the cold sweat of death, And am deprived of organs to pursue These sacrilegious spirits. Am I at once Robb'd of my hopes and being? No, I live- [Rises distractedly. Yes, live, and have discourse. to know myself Of gods and men forsaken. What accuser Within me cries aloud, I have deserved it, In being just to neither? Who dares speak this? Am I not Cæsar?-How! again repeat it? Presumptuous traitor, thou shalt die :-What
He that hath been a traitor to himself, And stands convicted here. Yet who can sit A competent judge o'er Cæsar? Cesar. Yes, Cesar by Cæsar's sentenced, and must suffer; Minerva cannot save him. Ha! where is she?
Where is my goddess? vanish'd! I am lost then. No; 'twas no dream, but a most real truth, That Junius Rusticus and Palphurius Sura, Although their ashes were cast in the sea, Were by their innocence made up again, And in corporeal forms but now appear'd, Waving their bloody swords above my head, As at their deaths they threaten'd. And me- thought,
Minerva, ravish'd hence, whisper'd that she Was, for my blasphemies, disarm'd by Jove, And could no more protect me. Yes, 'twas so, [Thunder and lightning His thunder does confirm it, against which, Howe'er it spare the laurel, this proud wreath
1 Trib. For, his throat cut, his legs bound, and his arms
Pinion'd behind his back, the breathless trunk Was with all scorn dragg'd to the field of Mars, And there, a pile being raised of old dry wood, Smear'd o'er with oil and brimstone, or what else Could help to feed or to increase the fire, The carcass was thrown on it; but no sooner The stuff, that was most apt, began to flame, But suddenly, to the amazement of The fearless soldier, a sudden flash
Of lightning, breaking through the scatter'd clouds, With such a horrid violence forced its passage, And, as disdaining all heat but itself,
In a moment quench'd the artificial fire: And before we could kindle it again,
A clap of thunder follow'd with such noise, As if then Jove, incensed against mankind, Had in his secret purposes determined An universal ruin to the world.
This horror past, not at Deucalion's flood Such a stormy shower of rain (and yet that word is Too narrow to express it) was e'er seen. Imagine rather, sir, that with less fury, The waves rush down the cataracts of Nile; Or that the sea, spouted into the air By the angry Orc, endangering tall ships But sailing near it, so falls down again.- Yet here the wonder ends not, but begins : For, as in vain we labour'd to consume The wizard's body, all the dogs of Rome,
Howling and yelling like to famish'd wolves, Brake in upon us; and though thousands were Kill'd in th' attempt, some did ascend the pile, And with their eager fangs seized on the carcass. Cas. But have they torn it?
1 Trib. Torn it, and devour'd it.
Cæs. I then am a dead man. since all predictions
Assure me I am lost. O, my loved soldiers, Your emperor must leave you! yet, however I cannot grant myself a short reprieve, I freely pardon you. The fatal hour
Steals fast upon me: I must die this morning By five, my soldiers; that's the latest hour You e'er must see me living.
Could I imp feathers to the wings of time,
Or with as little ease command the sun
To scourge his coursers up heaven's eastern hill, Making the hour to tremble at, past recalling, As I can move this dial's tongue to six ; My veins and arteries, emptied with fear, Would fill and swell again. How do I look?
Do you yet see Death about me?
1 Trib. Think not of him;
There is no danger: all these prodigies That do affright you, rise from natural causes; And though you do ascribe them to yourself, Had you ne'er been, had happened.
That I, that feel myself in health and strength, Exceeding well, brave soldier. Can it be, Should still believe I am so near my end, And have my guards about me? perish all Predictions! I grow constant they are false, And built upon uncertainties.
1 Trib. This is right;
Now Cæsar's heard like Cæsar.
Cas. We will to
The camp, and having there confirm'd the soldier With a large donative, and increase of pay, Some shall--I say no more.
Re-enter PARTHENICS.
Parth. All happiness, Security, long life, attend upon The monarch of the world!
Cas. Thy looks are cheerful.
Parth. And my relation full of joy and wonder. Why is the care of your imperial body, My lord, neglected, the fear'd hour being past, In which your life was threaten'd?
Parth. Past six, upon my knowledge; and, in
Your clock-master should die, that hath deferr'd Your peace so long. There is a post new lighted. That brings assured intelligence, that your legions In Syria have won a glorious day,
And much enlarged your empire. I have kept
Conceal'd, that you might first partake the pleasure In private, and the senate from yourself Be taught to understand how much they owe To you and to your fortune.
Cas. Hence, pale fear, then!
Lead me, Parthenius.
1 Trib. Shall we wait you? Cæs. No.
After losses guards are useful. Know your dis
tance. (Ereunt CESAR and PARTHENICS
Domitil. This for thy abuse Of Domitilla.
2 Trib. How strangely hopes delude men! as I live,
The hour is not yet come.
1 Trib. Howe'er, we are
To pay our duties, and observe the sequel.
[Exeunt Tribunes. DOMITIA and the rest come forward. Dom. I hear him coming. Be constant.
Re-enter CESAR and PARTHENIUS.
Cas. Where, Parthenius,
Is this glad messenger?
Steph. Make the door fast.-Here;
A messenger of horror.
Cæs. How! betray'd?
Dom. No; taken, tyrant.
In the conspiracy!
Parth. Behold this book.
[They severally stab him. Tribunes. [Within.] Force the doors!
Of all these mischiefs, shall go hence unpunish'd. Lay hands on her, and drag her to her sentence.- We will refer the hearing to the senate, Who may at their best leisure censure you. Take up his body: he in death hath paid For all his cruelties. Here's the difference; Good kings are mourn'd for after life; but ill, And such as govern'd only by their will, And not their reason, unlamented fall; No good man's tear shed at their funeral.
[Exeunt; the Tribunes bearing the body of CÆSAR.
THE GREAT DUKE OF FLORENCE.
TO THE TRULY HONOURED, AND MY NOBLE FAVOURER,
OF THORRELL'S-HALL, IN ESSEX.
SIR,-As I dare not be ungrateful for the many benefits you have heretofore conferred upon me, so I have just reason to fear that my attempting this way to make satisfaction (in some measure) for so due a debt, will further engage me. However, examples encourage me. The most able in my poor quality have made use of Dedications in this nature, to make the world take notice (as far as in them lay) who and what they were that gave supportment and protection to their studies, being more willing to publish the doer, than receive a benefit in a corner. For myself, I will freely, and with a zealous thankfulness, acknowledge, that for many years I had but faintly subsisted, if I had not often tasted of your bounty. But it is above my strength and faculties to celebrate to the desert your noble inclination, and that made actual, to raise up, or, to speak more properly, to rebuild the ruins of demolished poesie. But that is a work reserved, and will be, no doubt, undertaken, and finished, by one that can to the life express it. Accept, I beseech you, the tender of my service, and in the list of those you have obliged to you, contemn not the name of Your true and faithful honourer,
SCENE, PARTLY IN FLORENCE, AND PARTLY AT THE RESIDENCE OF CHAROMONTE
SCENE I.-The Country. A Room in CHARO- Their household Lars, whom they believed had
Enter CHAROMONTE and CONTARINO.
Char. You bring your welcome with you. Cont. Sir, I find it
In every circumstance.
Char. Again most welcome.
Yet, give me leave to wish (and pray you, excuse
For I must use the freedom I was born with) The great duke's pleasure had commanded you To my poor house upon some other service; Not this you are design'd to: but his will Must be obey'd, howe'er it ravish from me The happy conversation of one
As dear to me as the old Romans held
To bless and guard their families.
Cont. 'Tis received so
On my part, signior; nor can the duke But promise to himself as much as may Be hoped for from a nephew. And 'twere weakness In any man to doubt, that Giovanni. Train'd up by your experience and care In all those arts peculiar and proper To future greatness, of necessity Must in his actions, being grown a man, Make good the princely education Which he derived from you.
Char. I have discharged,
To the utmost of my power, the trust the duke Committed to me, and with joy perceive The seed of my endeavours was not sown
Upon the barren sands, but fruitful glebe, Which yields a large increase: my noble charge, By his sharp wit, and pregnant apprehension, Instructing those that teach him; making use, Not in a vulgar and pedantic form,
Of what's read to him, but 'tis straight digested, And truly made his own. His grave discourse, In one no more indebted unto years, Amazes such as hear him : horsemanship, And skill to use his weapon, are by practice Familiar to him: as for knowledge in
Music, he needs it not, it being born with him; All that he speaks being with such grace deliver'd, That it makes perfect harmony.
Cont. You describe
A wonder to me.
Car. Sir, he is no less;
And that there may be nothing wanting that May render him complete, the sweetness of His disposition so wins on all
Appointed to attend him, that they are Rivals, even in the coarsest office, who Shall get precedency to do him service; Which they esteem a greater happiness, Than if they had been fashion'd and built up To hold command o'er others.
Cont. And what place
Does he now bless with his presence? Char. He is now
Running at the ring, at which he's excellent. He does allot for every exercise
A several hour; for sloth, the nurse of vices, And rust of action, is a stranger to him. But I fear I am tedious, let us pass,
If you please, to some other subject, though I can- Deliver him as he deserves.
Cont. You have given him
A noble character.
Char. And how, I pray you,
(For we, that never look beyond our villas, Must be inquisitive,) are state affairs Carried in court?
Cont. There's little alteration :
Some rise, and others fall, as it stands with The pleasure of the duke, their great disposer. Char. Does Lodovico Sanazarro hold Weight, and grace with him?
Cont. Every day new honours
Are shower'd upon him, and without the envy Of such as are good men; since all confess The service done our master in his wars 'Gainst Pisa and Sienna may with justice Claim what's conferr'd upon him.
Char. 'Tis said nobly;
For princes never more make known their wisdom, Than when they cherish goodness where they find They being men, and not gods, Contarino, They can give wealth and titles, but no virtues; That is without their power. When they advance, Not out of judgment, but deceiving fancy, An undeserving man, howe'er set off With all the trim of greatness, state, and power, And of a creature even grown terrible
To him from whom he took his giant form. This thing is still a comet, no true star; And when the bounties feeding his false fire Begin to fail, will of itself go out,
And what was dreadful, proves ridiculous. But in our Sanazarro 'tis not so,
He being pure and tried gold; and any stamp
I do profess (and when I do deny it, Good fortune leave me!) you have been to me A second father, and may justly challenge, For training up my youth in arts and arms, As much respect and service, as was due
To him that gave me life. And did you know, sir,
Or will believe from me, how many sleeps Good Charomonte hath broken, in his care To build me up a man, you must confess Chiron, the tutor to the great Achilles, Compared with him, deserves not to be named. And if my gracious uncle, the great duke, Still holds me worthy his consideration, Or finds in me aught worthy to be loved, That little rivulet flow'd from this spring; And so from me report him.
Hath fill'd his highness' ears with the true story Of what you are, and how much better'd by him. And 'tis his purpose to reward the travail Of this grave sir, with a magnificent hand. For, though his tenderness hardly could consent To have you one hour absent from his sight, For full three years he did deny himself The pleasure he took in you, that you, here, From this great master, might arrive unto The theory of those high mysteries Which you, by action, must make plain in court. "Tis, therefore, his request, (and that, from him, Your excellence must grant a strict command,) That instantly (it being not five hours riding)
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