ARGUMENT.
ALl Ages all Nations, and almost all men, have made Cesars Elogy; But I know none, that hath made his Apology. They thought it was easier to praise his Valour, then to justifie his Intentions, and that his warrs were mere Glorious then was their cause. Everie one believes he was a great Captain, but all do not believe that be was a good Citizen. They who called him the Father of Souldiers, have also called him the Tirran of Rome, and almost all have thought that he aspired at Soveraigh power. Yet whosoever considers the business will find, that he appeared rather innocent then criminall, and I do assure my self, if you will hearken to his reasons in the mouth of Calphurnia, you will not condemn him. Because our Nation was conquered by him, me thinks it is important to our Glorie, that our Conquerour be without tashe, and I think to defend the honour of France, by defending the I li [...]strious Cesar. He hath spoken so worthily of the Gaul's in his commentaries, that it is just the Gaules should speak of him, and I cannot endure it to be said that we have followed a Tirrans Chariot. Hear then what his Wife is going to say, who knew his intentions, and is going to make them known to you.
CALPHURNIA TO LEPIDUS.
CESAR is revenged Lepidus; The last of his murderers hath lost his life; And all the Romans have a Master: They themselves give to Augustus the Soveraign power, which they would have refused to the great Cesar if he had been capable of asking it: And for the punishment of their crime, they with their own hands forge the chains, which they not onlie ought to carrie; But which by right of Succession shall pass to their Postertie. Yes, Lepidus, because the Romans did unjustlie accust Cesar, of desiring to be their Tirran, they shall if I be not deceived, have triall of all that the cruellest Tirrany can make them endure. We alreadie see that Augustus hath no children, and that Tiberius hath inclinations speedilie to begin, what I say. And moreover, the knowledge that I have of the innocency of the first Cesars, makes me almost certainlie see the misfortunes which shall oppress Rome. The Gods are [...]oo just, not to chastise with rigout, them who massacred the Father of his countrey, and the protector of libertie. Yes, Lepidus, the great Cesar trulie merited [Page 158]these two Glorious Titles, and did not at all merit the treatment that he received. Trulie I wonder that the Romans have so evillie explained his intentions, since his whole life lets them see that he loved libertie: And also that the greatest crimes he is accused of, are the effects of his passionate desires to preserve it. You know Lepidus that in his more tender years, he declared himself enemie to Sy [...], and consequenclie to Tirranie. He was looked upon then as a Citizen too passionate for libertie, and was constrained to hid himself, and also to retire from Rome, that he might escape the Ambuscadoes that were laid against his life. After that, he accused Doll [...]bel [...], and Rigorouslie prosecuted him, for having acted with too much Soveraignitie, in the Government of his Province: And by that action made it sufficientlie known, that he approved not in him, what he condemned in others. In effect, while he was Pretor, there happned no disorder in the Republick: Though that was the time wherein he might have rather made his wicked actions appear: Because that charge was of greater importance, then what he had formerlie possest: However he did not abuse it: He did everie thing with prudence, and moderation: And his verie enemies could not reproach him of anie thing of that time. And to speak [...]atronallie, it never did anie thing but make the Romans power greater, by making new conquests for it everie day, hazarding his life in a thousand different occasions, and generouslie opposing all the Tirrans, who minded to usurpe the domination, He did not regard their being his relations or allayes: And did so much for the publick good, that he no more considered his particular interests. Trulie Lepidus, everie time I remember what Cesar hath done for the Romans, of the numbers of victories he hath gained, or against their enemies, or against their Tirrans; I immediatlie believe that my memorie deceives me: And that it altogether presents to me all the brave actions, that have been done since the beginning of Ages. I cannot, I say, think, that one and the same person had interprised so manic things, had accomplished so manic glorious designes had made so manic Conquests, had given so manic Battles, had so much hazarded his life, had escaped so manic dangers, [Page 159]and had not lived longer then others. Nevertheless, Lepidus you know, that Cesar hath done more then I say although he hath lived but fistic six years: And to recount onlie one part of his victories, and of the brave actions which he hath done before I undertake to justifie him, remember what he did in Spain. He subingated the Callaciens, and the Lusitanians even to the Ocean, where the Romans had never been. The conquest of the Gaules, you know, hath immortalised his glorie: For there in less then ten years, he did take either by composition or assault, more then eight hundred Towns, conquered three hundered different Nations; And having seen before him in ranged Battle above three millions of armed men in manic encounters, he killed more then one million, and did take as manic prisoners. (O Cesar, O Illustrious Conqueror! Must the poigniard of an ungratefull Traytor, make thee loss thy life!) But I am not yet come to the last of his Victories: That famous Battle which he gave to Ariovistus upon the banks of the Rhine, where more then eightie thousand men died, makes it suslicientlie seen that Conquerours are never wearie. Further Cesar did not alwaies overcome with case: He hath some times seen victorie flic above his enemies camp, and same altogether readie to publish his desate: But his single valour forced them to return to his partie. The adventure of the Nervianes makes what I say abundantlie seen: All the Romans were desated, and the other were verie like to have been Masters of the field of battle, when Cesar did cast himself alone, amidst his enemies with his sword in his hand, and a sheild upon his left arm: And by an action worthie of Cesar, deserved to conquer these, who had almost conquered his People. After that, he was the first who passed the Rhine; He was the first who sailed with an armie upon the Occidentall Ocean; He conquered England, which none believed was in being: And carried his armes and Romes Glorie, in places where the name of Romans had never been. The famous prise of Alexia, is none of Cesars least actions: He saw in head of him, an Armie of three hundered thousand men, to make him raise the siedge: But having as much prudence as courage, he devided [Page 160]his armie, and acted so skilfullie, that they who lived before Alexia, did not know there was a powerfull reliefe coming to the Town. They did not know I say, they were inclosed between two powerfull enemies, untill Cesar had defated them; And Vercingentorix, who was in that place, was rendered to that famous Conquerour. Ah surelie! After that I doubt not but Historie will one day say, that he surmounted all ther Heroes: Yes, Lepidus, whosoever would compare the great qualities of the most Illustrious with him, will find that he hath excelled them. The Fabianes, Seipioes, the Metalles, and also they of his own time as Silla, Marius, the two invincible Lucullus, and Pompey, are inferiour to him in everie thing: He surmounted one by the difficulties of the countreys he conquered: The second by the extent of the Nations which he hath put under the Romans dominion: The hird by the multitudes of enemies he hath defated: An other by the feirceness of the People with whom he had to do, and whom he behooved both to overcome and teach: An other in sweetness, in clemencie, and in humanitie, to them whom he conquered: The last in magnificence and liberalitie to them who fought under him: And all of them in gaining manic battles, in defateing numbers of enemies, and in practising manic vertues. Behold Lepidus, the Victories which the Romans could not dispute with Cesar. They are reduable to him for all the blood that he shed in the many encounters he met with. It was for them that he fought; It was for them that he over came; It was for them that he conquered so manic countreys? And there were none to be found, untill the passage of that famous River, which Cesar traversed to come to Rome; or to say better, to come against the Tirran of Rome; I say there was none to be found but who did agree, that the Republick was much oblidged and indebted to Cesar. But Lepidus, I intend to show you this day that the other Victories which Cesar gained, are these for which the Romans are more oblidged to him. I intend to let you see that Cesar did never more stronglie testifie the passion that he had for libertie, and the hatred that he had to tirranie; Then when he fought and conquered Pompey. But to resume the matter from its [Page 161]source, to justifie Cesar, Pompey must be accused: And it must be seen, that as the one did alwaies testifie his being the Protector of libertie, the other, hath still made it appear that he aspired at Tirranie. All the World hath known, that Pompey did so manic things to usurpe the domination, that to hinder him from interprising it any more they wereconstrained to declare him alone Consull: And the Romans at that time loved better to satisfie his vanitie some way, then to oppose directlie him. But they did not use Cesar so, for so far from granting new honors to him, they [...]ragiouslie refused the just things that he sought. Lentulus Pompeyes Parlysan, disgracefullie banished Anthonie and Curio, who were constrained to disguise themselves like slaves, that they might return with safitie to Cesar; And all that Lepidus, because Cesar by them did ask, the continuation of the Government of the Gaules, whom he conquered. The unjust refusall that he got, did not carrie him to unjust designs: He did at that time know, that Pompey demanded not his return to Rome, but for his loss; That Pompey looked upon him as his enemie; And as the onlie obstacle that could hinder him from obtaining the Soveraign power, which he had so long pretended to. Cesar did then consider his particular preservation, and also the publick good. He had a minde to disarme his enemie, and the enemie of Rome, and also disarme himself. He then caused tell the Senate, to let the puritie of his intentions be seen, that he was readie to quit the Government of the Gaules, who had so often made him expose his life; That he was readie to lay down his armes; That he was readie to come and give account of his actions; That he was readie absolutlie to renounce all kind of authoritie, conditionallie that Pompey should lay down his armes, as well as he, and that they should both live as private persons. Me thinks these propositions were not Tirranick: Tirrans never do expose themselves to such things: And Pompeyes Procedour makes what I say verie well seen. If Cesar had proposed to him to divide the Soveraign power with him, perhaps he would have more favourabllie heard him; But because he desired to put him out of condition of being able to aspire anie more at Tirranie, he could not suffer so just [Page 162]a proposition; He made factions to hinder the Senate from being brought to reason; And to wearie Cesars patience entirlie, he caused as I have alreadie told you, and as you know, ignominiouslie banish them whom he had sent. He was treated as enemie of the publick good: And Pompey who sought but to set affairs on sire for Cesars death, and to profit himself by the misfortunes of others, loved better to ruine his countrey, then to change his wicked designs. All the Senators found Cesars propositions just: For he cause demonstrate to them, that if they would have him quit his armes, and Pompey not quit his: It was to give him the means of arriving at Monarchie: But demanding that it should be ordained for them both to quit, was asking a thing equallie profitable to all the people, and which should not offend Pompey, if he truelie had no wicked intentions. his Father in law Scipio, and his friend Marcellus, liked not to consent to it: And also they were almost the onlie men who hindered Cesar from obtaining what he demanded: And did so highlie speak of Pompeys interest, that because the Senate could resolve upon nothing, publick mourning was ordained for that particular dessention. Yet Cesar was not wearied: He writ again to the Senate; He made just propositions to them a second time: And both these times Pompeys faction was the strongest. Further I know not how Cesar can be accused, of having so much as dreamed to usurpe the Soveraign power; Because some time before the last injuries were done to him, Pompey having sent to recall some Troupes that he had given him; Cesar sent them back without being pressed to it: Sufficientlie testifying by that action, that he feared not for the weakening his own forces, nor the augmenting those of his Enemie: And did consequentlie let them see, that he had no concealled designs: But morover, where are the great preparations of War that Cesar hath made for so great an enterprise? Where are the intelligences that he hath practised in Rome or in anie other Towns: Where are his great Armies, or the manic Machines, for the battles that he must have given, or for the siedges he must have laid? No Lepidus, Cesar had none of all those things: And when Curia and Anthonie came to him disguised [Page 163]as slaves, to acquaint him of the unworthie treatment he had received in their persons, and of the wicked designs which Pompey had both against him and against the Republick: He had but five thousand in fantrie; And three hundred horse with him. Do you think Lepidus that these Troupes were sufficient if or a design of that importance? If Cesar had had that intention, he would without doubt have Leived a much stronger Armie, he would have found pretexts for it; And he was more wise then to have undertaken such a thing, without having a long time before searched outaway to make it succeed. It was not then apremeditated design that made him pass that River, which he hath made so famous by his passage: It was both a resentment of choller, of shame and despight, with an earnest desire to be revenged of his enemie, and to destroy a man who not onlie desired to destroy him, but also destroy the Republick, He departed then without anie premeditation; And the justice of Heaven conducting all his designs; He made himself Master of Italie in sixty dayes, without shedding the blood of the Citizens. As to Pompey, it well appeared by his conduct, that remorse of conscience made him loss his good sense: He was no more the great Pompey, who when he had none but lawfull designs, and when he served the Republiek, testified so much prudence and so much courage. He lost both the one and the other at that time: For though he had more Wariours then Cesar, and though he had the advantage of being in Rome; He no sooner understood, that he had past the Rubicone; But he fled in disorder: without so much as giving leasure for making sacrifices to the Gods, to calme that florme. But the knowledge he had of his wicked designs, doubtless made him believe, they would not be favurable to him: And there may be manic persons found, who in so great a trouble will loss that respect, which they alwaies did beat to them. Some did remember at that time, that he had been heard say, formerlie, that stricking the foot against the Earth would make Souldiers arise. That way of speaking, which smells, of Tirranie, was he reproached with: And one of the chiefest of Rome, seeing his astonishment. boldlie said to him; Now strick the earth, to [Page 164]oncrease your armie, that you may oppose Cesar. He was also reproached of ambition and unjustice: And what was said against him at that time, makes it sufficently seen that Pompey, was the tyrran, that Cesar, was the Protector. In effect he was no sooner in Rome, then he courtiouslie treated all the senatores: he with a sweet tenderness prayed them to Pacifie every thing; and again proposed to them most just, and most reasonable articles of peace, thereby to make them agree with Pompey. But they knowing that Pompey would be all or nothing; They did not make it, and excused themselves to Cesar. But Lepidus, when this Ilustrious Heros, was created dictator, gave he any markes of his having desires to aspire at tyrranie. Non at all; He recalled the banished; Replaced in honor the children of them who had been con fiscated in the time of Silla, who was a Tyrran, and eleven dayes after voluntarlie demitted the dictatorship, contenting himself with being Consulate, with Servilius Jsauricus. After that Lepidus, can any say that Cesar was a tyrran, and that Pompey, was the defender of libertie. But let us finish the giving account of his Illustrious Life in few words, that we may have the more leasure to Lament his death, Doubtless you remember all the artifice that Pompey used, to shun fighting with Cesar, and draw affairs to delay: and they were so certainly visible, and his ambitione so known, that his verie souldiers boldlie said, he continued not the warr, but for to continue his authority, In effect, he knew that either victorious or conquered, he must quitt the soveraign Power, or altogether take of the Mask, that concealed him to the halph of the Romaines. But Cesar, whose confidence was in the equity of his cause, and in that of the gods, searched after his enemies He seared not to assault and sight him; He had nothing in his heart that reproached him of crime; He knew that he revenged Rome, by revenging himself; And by freeing himself of an adversarie, He freed Rome of a tyrran. His hope of heaven did not deceive him: He gained the battle and Pompey lost it. That man who had been so much favoured by fortune whille he was innocent, was abandoned by it when he became Criminal. He did not anie more know aither to fight or overcome; nor did somuch as know how to be overcome like a man [Page 165]of courage, Howsoon his partie had gotten the worst in the battle of Pharsalia, in sted of annimating them by his example he went into his tent, without knowing almost what he said: And knowing that affairs went still worse for him, that his entrenchments were forced And that Cesar, approached, what (said he all frightned) even in our Camp, and after he had spoken in this mannner, he again fledd, and abandoned all that remained of his Partie. Yet me thinks it would have ben more glorious for him to have died by Cesars armes then by the sword of the traitour Septimius, who formerlie commanded under him: But this great man, having in his heart, hatred, remorse, repentance; shame of being overcome, and ambition; We neid not wonder if losing hopes of reinging, He, in fine lost his reason, But after we have seen that Cesar was skilful in the art of conquering, I pray you Lepidus let us look if he did also know the use of victorie; if he was inhuman or clement; If he was just or rigorous? If he was tyrran or Romane Citisen. How soon the field of battle was left to him, and the eagernesse he had to fight was mitigated when he saw such multitudes of dead souldiers round about him, he shedd so many tears, as he had caused them shedd bloud: O gods, (cried he weeping,) Ye know it was their desyre and that they Compelled me to be their conqueror! For Cesar after having gained so many Illustrious victories, doubtless would have bein blamed, if he had abandoned his armie. Any other Conqueror but Cesar, would shedd tears of soy, after having gained the battle: But for him, He could not rejoyce in his Victorie, because it had cost the lives of some of his citisens. Believe me Lepidus, Tyrrants do not weep for their ennemies: And clemencie and pitty are sentiments which they know not at all. However you know that Cesar, almost pardoned all his: He also had a particular care to cause search for that prefidious man, who afterwards caused him loss his life: And when the traytor Brutus, rendred himself to him, he treated him as if he had bein his son: Woe is me! me thinks I see my dear Cesar, going from rank to rank asking from his people news of Brutus, looking among the dead bodies, if he was not yet there in condition to be suceoured, and doing all things possible to save him, [Page 166]who by a horrid ungratitude, thrusted a poigniard into his breast. O gods! is it possible that Cesar, could make so bad a choice? That among all the Romans he loved his murtherer, better then any other, and that the gods who testified their having such particular care of his life, did not advertise him, that he whom he loved best of all men, should of all men be the most cruell against him. But it is not yet tyme to speak of Brutue, his ungratitude; The clemency and the goodness of Cesar, furnishes me With too good a subject to leave it so soon: And to let his affasinates cryme appear as great as it is, his vertues must appear with all the splendour that they had. Tyrrans have some times put a pryce upon the heads of their enemies, they have promised abolitione of all sorts of crimes to these who would bring them: And sometimes when they have been satisfied, they have looked upon that fatall present with joy. But Cesar, used not his so; He would not see that of Pompey; He weeped bitterlie; He treated him ignominiously who presented it to him, and forced him to the necesity, of making his recourse to flight, thereby to save his life. For me, I find that actione more glorious for Cesar, then if he had overcome Pompey: But though he was alone to weep for his enemie; He was not alone to fight. Further, He well testified that He did not so much regaird Pompey, as to his own Particular, then as to that of the Republick? For he not only pardoned all them of his partie who would render themselves? But he took a particular care of all Pompeys friends: And by that made it seen that he hated not his person, but only that He desyred to destroy his unjust and pernicious dessignes. Any other but Cesar, after having been victor, would have considred his own security; By banishing some, by puting others to death, and by putting himself in a condition to defie the rest. But for him, He considered nothing but the gathering the ruptures of Pompeyes naufrage. It might have been said that it was his army that was defated: And that He stayed in that place, to railly his troups, He testified so much swetnesse and goodness to them who came and listed themselves under his coulors. He did also wreat to Rome, That the sweetest fruits he receved of the Victorie, was that every day, He saved the life of some of their [Page 167]Citizens. O Lepidus. Tirrants have no such words! Further to demon [...] rate the equitie of his intentions, and to show that his victorie was not a change of Fortune, but an effect of the will of the Gods; he continued happie in other things that he enterprised. The War of Egypt, and that of Armenia, from whence he writ to Rome, that he was come, that he had seen, and that he had overcome, makes what I say abundantlie seen. After that, in one single day, he made himself Master of three Camps; killed fiftie thousand men; And lost but fiftie Souldiers. In your opinion Lepidus, was it Cesars arm that fought so, or rather was it not that of the Gods? That Illustrious victorie made him no more inexorable then the rest: For when he was told, that Cato was killed by his own hand? O Cato! (said he) how I envie thy death, because thou hast envied my glorie of saving thy life. Perhaps some will say, that if Cato had lived. Cesar would not have done what he said: But it is easie to imagine, that he who pardoned Brutus and Cicero, who carried armes against him, would have also pardoned Cato. But Lepidus I will have none judge of Cesar by the knowledge I have of him; I will have none judge of Cesar by what his friends will say of him; But I will onlie have them judge of him by the honors that the Romans have done to him, dureing his life, and after his death. And truelie, it was not without reason that there was a Temple of Clemencie builded in acknowledgement of his; Because there was never a conqueror, who did so perfectlie know the practise of that vertue. But pray you tell me Lepidus, how is it possible that these same Romans, who since the ending of the Wars, could not reprocah Cesar of anie act of Soveraignitie; how is it I say possible, that these verie men who builded this Temple of clemencie, by the knowledge they had of his goodness, could call him Tirran; It might be found in Historie, that Triumphant Arches have been erected for Tirrans: That by their orders, and by their violence, their statues have been placed upon the Altars: But that by a voluntary gratitude, Temples have been builded to their glorie, and Temples of Clemencie; Is that which will not be found in all Ages, and wich wil be found of Cesar: For in fine, he [Page 168]was no Tirran, and doubtless, merited more then was given him. Do you not remember Lepidus, of the day wherein he caused redress Pompeyes statues, and wherein Cicero said, that by re-elevating the, he seeured his own: That action was then found as brave, as it was; All the Romans spake of no other thing, and all did agree, that Cesar was the most Illustrious of all the Heroes, And trulie at that time Cesar seemed as just as generous: For whereas these statues were erected for Pompey, in the time that he served the Republick; He would have no mark of honour taken from him. which he did effectuallie merit. Further Tirrans are never in safitie: They fear everie thing, and trust themselves to no bodie: They judge themselves worthie of a violent death: And by the pains they take to shun it, they make it appear that they know they merit it. But for Cesar, because he trusted to his innocence, he also trusted to all People: For he put Brutus and Cass [...]us in authoritie by making them Pretors and would take no care of his safitie. Ah would to Heaven! That he had followed his friends counsell at that time: But he was too Generous, to be capable of such prudence, as does so stranglie resemble fear, that it does verie often produce the same effects. And moreover, he thought that having made known to the Romans, the sinceritie of his intentions, he should have no need of anie other provision for his safitie. He lost not one single occasion of testifying to them that he preferred the qualitie of a Roman Citizen to all other: As you know, when he returned one day from Alba, when some did salute him, they called him King; But he answered them, that he was named Cesar and not King. Yes, Cesar you had reason to prefer that name to this of King: You have rendered it so famous that you cannot quit it without losing by the change: You must having lived Cesar, die Cesar. Do you also remember Lepidus, that when the Senate decered new honors for him, he said with an extream moderation, that his honors had rather need of being retrinched then augmented: Nor are you ignorant, that when Anthonie by an inconsiderate zeal caused present the Royall Bandeau to him, he twice refused it: And commanded it to be carried to Jupiters statue: [Page 169]As if he would have said, that the Romans should onlie be commanded by the Gods. What could he do more at that time to testifie to the Romans, that he aspired not at Tirranie, then Publicklie to refuse the badge of Royaltie? Would anie have had him cause put Anthony to death for that cryme? No that would not have been just: and he who had pardoned his enemies of a hundered crymes, ought also to pardone a rash zeal in on of his friends. I well know that Pompeys partisans have said, that Cesar, contributed to some excessive honors that were done to him, thereby to essay the peoples good will: But know, Lepidus, if he had contributed to them, his refuseing of them would have been with designe, to justifie his intentions, Ah, Lepidus, to speak truelie of the matter, the friends, flatterers, and enemies of Cesar, are they who equally oppressed him, with the Crowns of flowres, that they did throw upon him The first by excesse of affection: others, by the desyre of pleasing and making themselves great, and others, by design of giving pretexts to the people, to murmure against Cesar; And of having some coulor for the villanies which they under hand devised against him. But tell me, Lepidus, what other thing could Cesar doe, then refuse the honors that were offered to him! Moreover if Cesar, had a desyred to be King, it would not have been impossible to him: That same arm that made him conquer so many countreyes, and gain so many victories, would have secured the Empire to him. He was too well instructed in worldlie affairs, to belive that by meeknesse, and the suffrage of all the Romans, he could arrive at the throne: Doubtless, he knew that crowns are taken by violence, and are never given: And if he had intended to make himself King, He would have used force and not meekness. France would have furnished him with ane armie strong enough for that: And if with five thousand foot and three hundred horse he put Pompey to the flight, and made himself master of all Italie; It would not have been more difficult for him after the battle of Pharsalia, to have usurped the soveraign authority. The Gaules, would have followed him with joy, and would have come unto Rome, to retake the bootie, which the Roman Legins had for merlie taken from them. In fine Lepidu; [Page 170]He would have acted like a tyrran, and usurper, and not like a citizen. I do avouch that Cesar, desired to reign, but it was in the Romans hearts, and not in Rome: He did them everie day new favours; He considered onlie their felicity and their glory: And in the verie time wherein they were meditating his death he employed all his pains to make them live happily. Lepidus, was there ever a more Ilustrious Heroe then Cesar? Repass all his life with himself, you shal not find on single blemish, but you shall their find all vertues in the highest degree the victorys which he gained were not of those which fortune gives blindlie to them who confide in it absolutlie: He gained them both by valour and reason: and when he gave any thing to chance, it was because reason would have it so. The stadefastness of mind, that he alwayes testified, in all the dangers wherein he exposed himself for the republick, is ane incomprehensible thing: He ever beheld good and evil fortune with the same countenance. Love, Choller, Hatred Revenge, and Ambition, did never make him guilty of anie imbecillitie: He was alwaies. Master of his passions, and did never let himself be surmounted but by Clemencie. Nevertheless, there are men, there are Romans, who have been so wicked, as to look upon Cesar as a Tirran. But no, Lepidus, the business was not altogether so; The particular ha [...]red which Cassius did bear to Cesar, because he preferred Brutus to him, in designing to make him Consull to his prejudice, was that which made the conspiracie. It was not for having violated the Roman Laws; it was not for having male-treated the Senators; It was not for causing put citizens to death: It was onlie for revenging Cassius. But if Cesar was to die, for preferring Brutus to Cassius, it should not have been Brutus, who was to stabb Cesar for revenging Cassius, whom Cesar did not abuse but by oblidgeing Brutus. No, Lepidus, if Cesar had been what he was not, I would say the cruellest Tirran that ever was, the sword of Brutus ought not to have been tainted with his blood: And he should have been the last of all the Romans, in abandoning him, after what he had done for him. Ah let none say to me, that the more ungrate he appeared to Cesar the more thankfull did he seem to his countrey: No, Lepidus [Page 171]Generositie is not compatible with ungratitude, Vice and Vertue cannot be together: And none can be ungrate and thankfull equallie. Whosoever receives an obligation engadges themselves to the person oblidging: Therefore they who have a high spirit do never receive benefits but from their friends: and in the choice of the two, they love better to oblidge their adversaries, then not to be oblidging. If Brutus could not have lived happie, while Cesar was alive, he should have alwaies appeared under his enemies coulors; He should have refused all the honors which Cesar gave him; He should not have rendered himself to him; And rather then to have received that life which Cesar gave him, he should with his own hand have killed himself, as the generous Cato did. But having received his life from Cesar; Having accepted the first offices of the Republick; After that by a kindlie resentment, Cesar had preferred him to Cassius; That he should have let him self been perswaded by Cassius, to stab Cesar; Is that which cannot comprehend; Is that which cannot be approved off by anie rationall person; And is that which could not have been glorious to Brutus although Cesar had been a Tirran. Nevertheless Lepidus, that was the ungrate, this is that Traitor, who was chief of the conspiration, who gave him his deaths wound. Why Brutus! Why cruell! Could thou strick him who saved thy life? Why Barbarian, why did not the sword drop from thy hands, when the Illustrious and Great Cesar, seeing you come to him like the rest, did forebear to defend himself, and also said to you with more affection then splen,
And thou also my Son! Why Tyger, these words touched not thy heart, and thou could strick Cesar? Ah no Brutus! It thou hadest had anie reason thou shouldest have changed such a wicked design; Thou shouldest have fought for Cesar, rendered to him that life which he gave thee, or if thou could not, thou should have deleated thy ungratitude with thy blood, and killed thy self upon the dead bodie of Cesar. But what do I Lepidus? My grief transports me: That dolefull image of Cesars death, irritates my displeasure and anger, everie time that it comes in my mind; And without having any dessign to it, I change both discourse and subject Let us return then to my first [Page 172]intention: And say that if Cesars innocence, could be questioned, by the actions he did dureing his life, it hall be fullie justified by what is come to pass at his death, and after his death. The extraordinare care that the Gods took to advertise him of the misfortune that was to befall him, lets the puritie of his Soul be sufficentlie seen: All those signs which appeared in Heaven; Those defective Victimes, those dreams which frighted me; The hands of these Souldiers which appeared in fire; He who Prognosticated to him that the ides of March would be fatall to him; And all these other things which thought to impede the effects of the conspiration: makes it abundantlie known that Cesar was not an ordinaric man. If Cesars death could have been for the good of the Republick, the Gods would not have given so manic presages of it. They foretell misfortunes, thereby to make men shun them; But of the felicitie that they send them, they never give so manic signs. Perhaps it may be said to me, that Brutus was sufficientlie forewarned of his death? But that horrid Phantasmc which a p [...]eared twice to him, was rather sent for his chastisement, then to give him means of escaping the misfortune that was prepared for him. Further who did ever see dead Tirrans venerated? When they are alive they are feared, but when they are dead, their bodies are dragged through the publick places; they are torn in pieces: The laws which they have made are changed; Their statues are demolished; Their memories are in execration; And they who killed them, live insastie and with honour. But for Cesar, all dead as he was, he hath been respected: The places which were marked with his blood, were worshiped by the Romans, and seemed to be sacred Nis bloodie Gown all peirced with the wounds he received, excitted sorrowin the Souls of all the Citizens: His Testament which enriched them all, was given carto as that of the Father of the countrey: The People made him a pile, more Glorious for his memorie, then if they had given him the noblest funerall, that Kings are honored with: Because this was an effect of his affection; And that because the same fire that did consume my dear Cesar, desired to embrace the houses of his murtherers. The Senate changed none of the ordinances [Page 173]which he made; They gave him new honours; All his assasinates took the flight, and by an universall consent, he was ranked among the Gods. Who ever faw a Tirran deified after his death? Alexander himself, who was the greatest Prince of all Antiquitie, did not pass for Jupiters son, but dureing his life: But Cesar hath that advantage above this Illustrious Heres that what Alexander; freinds did while he was alive, the witnesses of Cesars merit have done to him, after he ceased to live. The Gods also, after they had given sinister presages of his death, desired likewaies to testifie; That it had infinitlie offended them. That terrifying Comet which appeared seven whole days after his death, was alreadie a sign of the vengeance they would take: The Sun also that was a whole year, without giving his accustomed hear and brightness, has made it known to all the earth that by Cesars death, the Republick had lost its greatest ornament and best lustre: And also to testifie his innocence better, the vengeance of Heaven hath pertinaciouslie pursued even to death, all them who onlie by their Counsells, had contributted anie thing to that unjust conspiration. They all died violent deaths, without so much as one escaping; They found to Element, where they could live quietlie; The Sea was fatal to them as well as the land, they who escaped the furie of their enemies, killed themselves with their own hand; Cassius peirced his own heart, with that same sword, wherewith he struck Cesar; And in that manner, he is punished with these same armes with which he committed the crime. Brutus you know ended his dayes that same way: And in fine I know that none of Cesars murtherers, remains anie more in the World. Judge from that Lepidus, if he is not fullie justified. If his death be not as Glorious to him as his life, because it hath shown to us that all nature was interessed in it! And to speak rationallie, if Cesar was not [...], the [...], and Father of his countrey, then the Romans Tyrran.