OCTAVIUS. Nay, Marius shall not tyrannise in Rome,
Old citizens; as Sylla late ordain'd,
King Tullius' laws shall take their full effect:
The best and aged men shall in their choice,
Both bear the day, and firm [th'] election.
CINNA. O brave! Octavius, you will beard me then,
The elder consul and old Marius' friend;
And these Italian freemen must be wrong'd.
First shall the fruit of all thine honours fail,
And this my poniard shall despatch thy life.
LEPIDUS. Such insolence was never seen in Rome:
Nought wanteth here but name to make a king.
OCTAVIUS. Strike, villain, if thou list, for I am prest
To make as deep a furrow in thy breast!
YOUNG CITIZEN. The young men's voices shall prevail, my lords.
OLD CITIZEN. And we will firm our honours by our bloods.
[Thunder.
ANTHONY. O false ambitious pride in young and old!
Hark, how the heavens our follies hath controll'd.
OLD CITIZEN. What, shall we yield for this religious fear?
ANTHONY. If not religious fear, what may repress
These wicked passions, wretched citizens?
O Rome, poor Rome, unmeet for these misdeeds,
I see contempt of heaven will breed a cross.
Sweet Cinna, govern rage with reverence. [Thunder.
O fellow-citizens, be more advis'd!