_Cæs._ I have heard too much,
And study not with smooth shews to invade
My noble Mind as you have done my Conquest.
Ye are poor and open: I must tell ye roundly,
That Man that could not recompence the Benefits,
The great and bounteous services of _Pompey_,
Can never dote upon the Name of _Cæsar_;
Though I had hated _Pompey_, and allow'd his ruine,
[I gave you no commission to performe it:]
Hasty to please in Blood are seldome trusty;
And but I stand inviron'd with my Victories,
My Fortune never failing to befriend me,
My noble strengths, and friends about my Person,
I durst not try ye, nor expect: a Courtesie,
Above the pious love you shew'd to _Pompey_.
You have found me merciful in arguing with you;
Swords, Hangmen, Fires, Destructions of all natures,
Demolishments of Kingdoms, and whole Ruines
Are wont to be my Orators; turn to tears,
You wretched and poor seeds of Sun-burnt _Egypt_,
And now you have found the nature of a Conquerour,
That you cannot decline with all your flatteries,
That where the day gives light will be himself still,
Know how to meet his Worth with humane Courtesies,
Go, and embalm those bones of that great Souldier;
Howl round about his Pile, fling on your Spices,
Make a _Sabæan_ Bed, and place this Phoenix
Where the hot Sun may emulate his Vertues,
And draw another _Pompey_ from his ashes
Divinely great, and fix him 'mongst the Worthies.
_Ptol._ We will do all.
_Cæs._ You have rob'd him of those tears
His Kindred and his Friends kept sacred for him;
The Virgins of their Funeral Lamentations:
And that kind Earth that thought to cover him,
(His Countries Earth) will cry out 'gainst your Cruelty,
And weep unto the Ocean for revenge,
Till _Nilus_ raise his seven heads and devour ye;
My grief has stopt the rest: when _Pompey_ liv'd
He us'd you nobly, now he is dead use him so. [_Exit._
_Ptol._ Now, where's your confidence? your aim (_Photinus_)
The Oracles, and fair Favours from the Conquerour
You rung into mine Ears? how stand I now?
You see the tempest of his stern displeasure,
The death of him you urged a Sacrifice
To stop his Rage, presaging a full ruine;
Where are your Counsels now?
_Acho._ I told you, Sir,
(And told the truth) what danger would flye after;
And though an Enemy, I satisfied you
He was a _Roman_, and the top of Honour;
And howsoever this might please Great _Cæsar_,
I told ye that the foulness of his Death,
The impious baseness--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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