LESSON CLV. The Rich Man and the Poor Man.-KHEMNITZER. 1. So goes the world;-if wealthy, you may call This friend, that-brother; friends and brothers all; Though you are worthless-witless-never mind it ; You may have been a stable boy—what then? 'Tis wealth, good Sir, makes honorable men. You seek respect, no doubt, and you will find it. 2. But if you are poor, heaven help you! though your sire Had royal blood within him, and though you Possess the intellect of angels too, 'Tis all in vain ;—the world will ne'er inquire 3. I once saw a poor fellow, keen and clever, Gave him a welcome. Strange," Said by their silence-" Better stay at home." 4. A rich man burst the door, He could not pride himself upon his wit; "Allow me, Sir, the honor ;"-Then a bow *Pronounced Cré-zus, a king of Lydia in Asia Minor 548 B. C. supposed the richest of mankind. Is now become a god; and Cassius is 4. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Aye, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans 5. Ye gods, it doth amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should And bear the palm alone. Brutus and Cesar !-What should be in that Cesar? 6. Now in the name of all the gods at once, LESSON CXLIX. Brutus* Speech on the Death of Cesar.-TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CESAR. 1. ROMANS, Countrymen, and Lovers,-Hear me, for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me, for mine Marcus Brutus, a brave, virtuous and honorable Roman,--but a blind politician. He was the dupe of Cassius' flattery and art,—and was instiga honor; and have respect for mine honor, that you may believe. Censure me, in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 2. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cesar, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cesar was no less than his. If then, that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cesar, this is my answer; not that I loved Cesar less, but that I love Rome more. 3. Had you rather Cesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cesar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. 4. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who's here so base, that he would be a bondman ? If any, speak; for him have Í offended. 5. Who's here so rude, that he would not be a Roman? if any, speak; for him have I offended. Who's here so vile, that he will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. 6. None? Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cesar, than you should do to Brutus. And as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I reserve the same dagger for myself, whenever it shall please my country to need my death. LESSON CL. Antony's Speech over the Body of Cesar.-TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CESAR. 1. FRIENDS, Romans, Countrymen !-Lend me your ears. I come to bury Cesar, not to praise him. ted by him, to join the conspiracy against Cesar, that his virtues and popularity might sanction the atrocious deed. Cesar was Brutus' best and most intimate friend; and some writers affirm that he was the father of Brutus. After the assassination of Cesar, Brutus fled with the other conspirators, collected an army, was defeated at the decisive battle of Phillippi, fell upon his sword, and died B. C. 42. * Marcus Antony, a brave, ambitious, unprincipled, artful, and designing Roman. He was warmly attached to Cesar, and after his assassination he resolved to seize the opportunity for raising himself to power. He artfully procured a public funeral for Cesar, and took this occasion to harangue the soldiers and populace in his favour, and he inflamed them so much against the conspirators, that Brutus and Cassius were obliged to leave the city. He led an army against the conspirators, and defeated them at Philippi. The evil that men do, lives after them: 2. Noble Brutus Hath told you Cesar was ambitious, 3. He was my friend, faithful and just to me.:. But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cesar seem ambitious? 4. When that the poor hath cried, Cesar hath wept ! Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; I thrice presented him a kingly crown; Which he did thrice refuse: Was this ambition? And sure he is an honorable man. 5. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke; 6. But yesterday, the word of Cesar might Have stood against the world! now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! If I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong; Who, you all know, are honorable men. He obtained a share of the Roman empire in the triumvirate which he formed with Augustus Cesar and Marcus Lepidus. But dissentions arising between these three, a civil war commenced, and Antony, defeated at the *tle of Actium, fled to Egypt, and killed himself, B. C. 30 I will not do them wrong-I rather choose 7. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cesar; I found it in his closet: 'tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament, And dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 8. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle : I remember The first time ever Cesar put it on ; 'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii* Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through- 9. This, this was the unkindest cut of all. E'en at the base of Pompey's statue, (Which all the while ran blood) great Cesar fell. 11. Good friends! Sweet friends! Let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny ! They that have done this deed are honorable! What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, * Pronounced Nér-ve-i, |