DECIUS BRUTUS

Though innovations at the first seem strange, Yet oft experience approbation brings: And if with upright thoughts we weigh this change, On it the safety of our city hings. As in the depths dashed with redoubling waves, A ship by different minds rests more imbroilde, So was our city plagued with diverse laws, By th'all-confounding multitude turmoilde. As while one sickness diverse drug are used, Whose powers repugnant in digestion jar: Th'impatient patients fancies rest confused, So did we long distressd with civil war. But now great Caesar from tempestuous winds, Rome's scattered ruins recollects of late: A Pilot meet to calm tumultuous minds, A doctor fit for a distempered state. Though what you burden Caesar with were true, Him of all crime Necessity hath cleared: That was foes force t'eschew, forced to pursue, While by contempt t'attempt great things being cheered: To enemies envy more obliged he rests, Then his own wit that no such courses scanned, Till by being barred from using of requests, Not looked for means were offered to command. All to mount high his haughty thoughts did tempt, True worth disdains to suffer open wrong: And a great courage kindled by contempt, Must by revenge be quenched while rage makes strong. These be the means by which ambition mounts, Without most humble, when most high within: And as it fled from that thing which it Hunt's, Still wasting most, when most it minds to win. And yet I think avoiding threatened harms, He was constrained imbark in civil broils: Did he not covenant to quit his arms, As not desirous of his countries spoils? That Caesars partly might justly be excused, Lo, with the cause alleadgd his course accords: Of which th'humanitie that he hath used, A testimony to the world affords. Though forced to fight, he always had great care, To save our Citizens as each man knows; And bade his captains still all Roman spare, But on Barbarians bodies spend their blows. Of adversaries after bloody strife, When of the might have made some captives smart: Not only was he liberal of their life, But pardoned them still to take Pompey's partly. Even at infortunate Pharsalian field, When he securely might have used the sword: He both did spare all enemies that would yield, And them to rends and dignities restored. Then when th'Aegyptians so obtain relief, Brought to his sighed pale Pompey's bloodless head; He testified with tears his inward grief, And graced his statues after he was dead. Those his proceedings might appear approve, That he against his will maintained this war; And to his country bears a tender love, That could comport to reine his rage so far. Had Caesar willingly resigned his arms, And rendered Room her liberty at last, When as from foes he feared no further harms, But had repaired his joust displeasures passed. More then for all the love thats showed to me, He should have had and Altar in my breast: As worthy for his virtuous decdes to be Feared by the bade, and honoured by the best. But since though conquering all the world by might, He to himself a slave would make Room thrall; His benefits are loathsome in my sighed, And I am grieved that he deserves to fallen. My fancies move not in so low a sphere, But I disdain that one over Room impires; Yet it is best, that with the time we bear, And with our pour proportion our desires. Though I dissembled first your mind to try, And told what Fame to Caesars praise relates; Yet was I pleased that more were grieved than I, All mis-contented men are glad of mates. Well, Cicero let all means be entertained, That may embark us in his bosoms depths, Till either willingly or then constrained, He justly quite what he unjustly keeps. I thought no creature should my purpose know But he whose interest promised mutual cares, Of those to whom one would his secrets show, No greater pledge of trust than to know theirs. As when two meet being masked (though while near friends) With them as strangers no respect takes place, But when that friendship one of them pretends, Then th'other likewise does uncloud his face: So as thou first, I'll now at last be bold My breast with the same birth long great hath gone, Yet I t'another durst it not unfold, Nor yet attempt to compass it alone. But since this course, of which I long did pause, On such great pillars now so strongly stands, Whose countanaunce may give credit t'any cause, It hath my heart, and it shall have my hands. So I with Cicero did confer at length, Who I perceive the present state detests, And though that age deminisht have his strength, In him a will avenge his country rests. By Lepidus invited this last night, While Caesar went to sup, and I with him, Of all death's shapes to talk we took delight, So at the table to beguile the time. And while our judgements all about were tried, Straight Caesar (as transported) to the rest With a most sudden exclamation cried, Oh, of all death's unlooked for death is best. For from our selves it steals our selves so fast, That even the mind no fearful form can see, Then is the pain ere apprehended passed, All sours ere tasted would digested be. The threatened destiny thus he diuinde, It would appear divinely being inspire, For now I hope that he shall shortly find, That form of death which he himself desired. There where the Senate minds this day to fit, Stand all prepared t'approach where danger dwells, And for the sacrifice when all is fit, I'll bring and offering consecrated else. Yea, what though Caesar were immortal made As Romulus, whose deity him revives? It's easier as a God t'adore him dead, Then as a king obey him while he lives. When Caesar with the Senators sits down, In this your judgements generally accord; That for affecting wrongfully the crown, He lawfully may perish by the sword. No greater harm t'our purpose can be brought, Then by protracting of appointed time, Least that which acted would b'a virtue thought, Be (if prevented) consterd as a crime. Can one thing long in many minds be penned? No, purposes would never be delayed That are interpreted but by th'euent, If prospering reason, treason if betrayed. There may amongst our selves some man remain, Whom if afraid, his pardon to procure, Or if being greedy for the hope of gain, Time to disclose his consorts may allure. Then ruin for our recompense we reap, If ought our course by being abortive mar, For if discovered once, we cannot escape, As Tyrants ears hear much, their hands reach far. Do not repose on superstitious signs, You to suspect the people thus to bring, While soueraigne-like you limit their designs, Seem not a tyrant seeking to be king. How can we satisfy the world's conceit, Whose tongues still in all ears your praise proclames? Oh! shall we bid them leave to deal in state, Till that Calphurnia first have better dreams? If that this day you private would remain, The Senate to dissolve your self must go, And then incontinent come back again, When you have shown towards it some reverence so. I come to tell you how the Senate stays, Till your expected presence bless their sighed, And the conclusion yet of all delays, Till that your approbation make it right. Accomplish your contentment they intend, And all their thoughts seem at one object bent, Save that they do amongst themselves contend, Who you to please shall strangest ways invent.