LUCILIUS.
What! Dolabella here?

DOLABELLA.
A Friend to Varius,
Sent by Antonius in most secret manner,
To ask an Interview of noble Brutus,
Before the Soldier joins in bloody Battel.
Who knows but each great Chief may grow more kind,
In sight of wondring Armies may embrace,
And Rome shall smile at their returning Friends? (Exit Lucilius.

VARIUS.
And can you think that Brutus slew great Julius,
To suffer Tyranny in other Hands?

DOLABELLA.
Alas, that Tyranny is but a word,
Us'd only by us when we hate our Ruler.
Have we not found (you'll pardon me, good Varius)
That ev'n this Change you call'd Deliverance
Has but remov'd one Hardship for a greater,
A single Grievance for a Civil War.

VARIUS.
What do I hear! Is any Grievance equal
To that most abject State of being Subjects
To Will, to Passion, or to lawless Humour?

DOLABELLA.
Yet these expressions shew 'tis not mere ruling,
But ruling ill, you fear. When Prudence sways,
Tis Happiness, not Slav'ry, to be govern'd.
To bless our Times with Plenty, and with Pleasures,

Prevent Disorders, and promote Diversions,
Hinder us all from hurting one another,
Take all the Cares, and leave us all the Joys,
Can only be accomplish'd by great Power,
When plac'd in such a Man as God-like Brutus.

VARIUS.
Where is Content or Pleasure under force?
The Freedom of Man's Will not Heav'n constrains:
Who wants it, and endures it, is a Brute.
Yet put the case some Phœnix Prince should reign,
A Vulture might succeed; a Son, or Brother,
Who will undo in a few Months of Folly,
(For short will be his Reign, tho' seeming long)
Whate'er the Wise had been whole Years contriving.
Like Brutus did you say? A Man like Brutus
No more would be a Sov'reign, than a Slave:
A Man so virtuous, and so wise, well knows
'Tis better much to bear than do a Hardship.

DOLABELLA.
What hardship's done by acting for Men's good?

VARIUS.
What good can come from arbitrary Sway?
The choicest fare, forc'd down, will cloy the Stomach.
But here he comes himself to hear your Message.
At once the humblest and the highest Mind
That ever shin'd in all our Roman Story! (Exit Varius.

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