LEPIDUS. No storm of fate shall bring my sorrows down;
But if that fortune list, why, let her frown.
ANTHONY. Where states oppress'd by cruel tyrants be,
Old Anthony, there is no place for thee.
[Drum strikes within.
Hark, by this thundering noise of threatening drums,
Marius with all his faction hither comes.
OCTAVIUS. Then like a traitor he shall know, ere long,
In levying arms he doth his country wrong.
Enter MARIUS, his Son, CINNA, CETHEGUS, LECTORIUS, with
Soldiers: upon sight of whom MARK ANTHONY presently flies.
MARIUS. And have we got the goal of honour now,
And in despite of consuls enter'd Rome?
Then rouse thee, Marius. leave thy ruthful thoughts;
And for thy many cares and toils sustain'd,
Afflict thy foes with quite as many pains.
Go, soldiers, seek out Bebius and his friends,
Attilius, Munitorius, with the rest;
Cut off their heads, for they did cross me once;
And if your care can compass my decree,
Remember that same fugitive Mark Anthony,
Whose fatal end shall be my fruitful peace.
I tell thee, Cinna, nature armeth beasts
With just revenge, and lendeth in their kinds
Sufficient warlike weapons of defence;
If then by nature beasts revenge their wrong,
Both heavens and nature grant me vengeance now.
Yet whilst I live and suck this subtle air,
That lendeth breathing coolness to my lights,
The register of all thy righteous acts,
Thy pains, thy toils, thy travails for my sake,
Shall dwell by kind impressions in my heart,
And I with links of true, unfeigned love
Will lock these Roman favourites in my breast,
And live to hazard life for their relief.
CINNA. My lord, your safe and swift return to Rome
Makes Cinna fortunate and well a-paid;
Who, through the false suggestions of my foes,
Was made a cypher[134] of a consul here:
Lo, where he sits commanding in his throne,
That wronged Marius, me, and all these lords.
YOUNG MARIUS. To 'quite his love, Cinna, let me alone.
How fare these lords that, lumping, pouting, proud,
Imagine now to quell me with their looks?
Now welcome, sirs, is Marius thought so base?
Why stand you looking babies in my face?
Who welcomes me, him Marius makes his friend;
Who lowers on me, him Marius means to end.
FLACCUS. Happy and fortunate thy return to Rome.
LEPIDUS. And long live Marius[135] with fame in Rome.
MARIUS. I thank you, courteous lords, that are so kind.