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.
Enter a MESSENGER.
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.