triumph over him. He therefore ordered Pindarus to quit his station on the hill, and receive the last commands of his master. Pindarus was his bondman, taken prisoner in Parthia, and was bound by oath to perform his master's bidding, be it what it might when commanded therefore by him to plunge the sword into his heart, he dared not disobey; and Cassius perished even by the very weapon with which he had stabbed the noble Cæsar !

Scarce was the last breath fled, ere Titinius returned in triumph. The troops by which he had been surrounded were those of Brutus; the shouts were of joy at hearing the news of Cassius's safety; and Titinius returned with the happy tidings that the troops of Brutus had gained as much advantage over Octavius's powers, as Antony had over Cassius. The news, however, was breathed in a senseless ear; and Titinius, who tenderly loved Cassius, plunged the sword yet reeking with the blood of his friend, into his own breast, and fell dying by his side.

When the intelligence reached the ears of Brutus, it pierced him to the heart. He shed tears on the inanimate form of him who once was Cassius; and having given orders that his body should be conveyed from the camp, lest it should dispirit the soldiers, he rallied his drooping spirits, and rushed into the battle's heat, where he fought valiantly, but vainly. Antony was victorious; and Brutus, after much entreaty, at length prevailed on one of his attendants to hold his sword whilst he ran upon it. The stroke was sure; and Brutus fell, never to rise again!

Octavius and Mark Antony found him stretched on the ground, and bestowed the tribute of praise to his memory. Antony's resentment ended with the life of Brutus; and thus to all around he declared him :

This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did, in envy of grea' Cesar;

He only, in a general honest thought,
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle; and the elements

So mixed in him, that nature might stand up,

And say to all the world, "This was a man.” ***

By the order of Octavius Cæsar, the corse of Brutus was conveyed to his own tent, there to remain till due preparations were made for his funeral; and, on the following day the obsequies were performed with all solemnity and respect, befitting a Roman and a warrior.

Conspiracy doth seldom prosper long-
The seal of Providence sits not thereon
To mark the road of safety and of power.
Pride is the surest prelude to defeat-

That dangerous pride which soars beyond itself
Presuming to o'erthrow what heaven permits.
The wise Omnipotent did ne'er decree

:

That man of man should be both judge and umpire.
Judge not, or lest ye likewise shall be judged."
So speaks, (recounting the commands of God!)
That sacred page, which never yet spake wrong.
More strongly yet our bless'd Redeemer speaks:
"Remove the mote from thine own jaundic❜d eye,
Ere in thy brother's thou shalt trace the beam."
Doctrines unknown, indeed, when Brutus liv'd;
So e'en Religion's self might find excuse
For Brutus' deed, had Brutus not been wise,
And noble, honourable, just, and brave;
But being thus! that he could stain his soul,
His glories taint-with foul ingratitude!
Casts on his name and memory a shade
Which dims the lustre of his better deeds.
Nor can the pompous praise of patriotism
Blot out, in Virtue's eye, the tinge of blood. !
Vain sophistry! to think high sounding phrase
Or vain parade of lofty blandishment,
Or all the powers of winning eloquence,
Or e'en th' ameliorating hand of time,
Can sanctify what judgment must condemn,
Or give to vice the colouring of virtue!

C

1

CONCLUSION

ΤΟ

TALES OF THE DRAMA.

Now Rumour, with her many hundred tongues,
Floats on the passing breeze.

So farewell-Brutus-Cassius-Antony,
Kings, queens, and princes-train imperial-
Heroes and common men, knights and fair dames,
Lovers, coquettes and prudes, husbands and wives,
And all those groupes of varied characters

Who have my numerous pages graced-Perchance
By me ungraced-For a brief space-farewell!