ANTONY

Come on brave Caesar, And crown thy head, and mount thy Chariot. Th'impatient people run along the streets, And in a rout against thy gates they rush, To see their Caesar after dangers passed, Made Conqueror and Emperor at last. They sought t'eclipse thy fame, but destiny Reversed effect of their ambition. And Caesars praise increased by their disgrace That recked not of his virtuous deeds: But thus We see it fareth with the envious. Well Caesar, now they are discomfited, And Crows are feasted with their carcases. And yet I fear you have too kindly saved Those, that your kindness hardly will requite. I fear not those that to their weapons fly, And keep their state in Spain, in Spain to die. The hateful crew, That wanting pour in field to conquer you, Have in their coward souls devised snares To murder thee, and take thee at unwares. In conquered foes what credit can there be? Oh but their Countries good concerns them more. No, but that thou usurpest the right they owe. Yet Room endures not the command of Kings. Those whom thy rule hath robbed of liberty. I fear my foe until he be interred. A man may easier make his friend his foe. But resolution is a deadly thing. Those that are not. Else cannot Caesars Emporie endure. But we may shorten time with negligence. Fortune is fickle, Heaven imperious. As befits your state, Maintain a watchful guard about your gate. There is no hatred more if it be moved, Then theirs whom we offend, and once beloved. T'is wisdom yet not to be credulous. Thy praises show thy life is long enough, But for thy friends and Country all too-short. Should Caesar live as long as Nestor did, Yet Room may wish his life eternized.