SOLDIERS. Content to pledge our lives for Marius.
LECTORIUS. My lord, here, in the next adjoining port, Our ships are rigg'd, and ready for to sail.
MARIUS. Then let us sail unto Etruria, And cause our friends, the Germans, to revolt, And get some Tuscans to increase our power. Deserts, farewell! Come, Romans, let us go-- A scourge for Rome, that hath depress'd us so.
_Enter_ MARK ANTHONY, LEPIDUS, OCTAVIUS, FLACCUS, _Senators_.
OCTAVIUS. What helps, my lords, to overhale these cares? What means or motions may these mischiefs end? You see how Cinna, that should succour Rome Hath levied arms to bring a traitor in. O worthless traitor, woe to thine and thee, That thus disquieteth both Rome and us?
ANTHONY. Octavius, these are scourges for our sins; These are but ministers to heap our plague. These mutinies are gentle means and ways, Whereby the heavens our heavy errors charm. Then with content and humbled eyes behold The crystal shining globe of glorious Jove; And, since we perish through our own misdeeds, Go let us flourish in our fruitful prayers.
LEPIDUS. 'Midst these confusions, mighty men of Rome, Why waste we out these troubles all in words? Weep not your harms, but wend we straight to arms, Lo, Ostia[132] spoil'd, see Marius at our gate! And shall we die like milksops, dreaming thus?
OCTAVIUS. A bootless war to see our country spoil'd.
LEPIDUS. Fruitless is dalliance, whereas dangers be.
ANTHONY. My lord, may courage wait on conquer'd men?
LEPIDUS. Ay, even in death most courage doth appear.
OCTAVIUS. Then, waiting death, I mean to seat me here; Hoping that consuls' name and fear of laws Shall justify my conscience and my cause.
Now, sirrah, what confused looks are these? What tidings bringest thou of dreariment?[133]
MESSENGER. My lords, the Consul Cinna, with his friends, Have let in Marius by _Via Appia_, Whose soldiers waste and murder all they meet; Who, with the consul and his other friends, With expedition hasteth to this place.
ANTHONY. Then to the downfal of my happiness, Then to the ruin of this city Rome. But if mine inward ruth were laid in sight, My streams of tears should drown my foes' despite.
OCTAVIUS. Courage, Lord Anthony: if fortune please, She will and can these troubles soon appease; But if her backward frowns approach us nigh, Resolve with us with honour for to die.
