SCENE II.

JULIUS CÆSAR, COMIUS VOLUSENUS, LABERIUS; _Soldiers, with ensign, a two-necked eagle displayed_ _sable, drum, ancient, trumpet. A flourish._

CÆS. Welcome thus far, partners of weal and woe, Welcome, brave bloods! Now may our weapons sleep, Since Ariovist in cock-boat basely flies;[265] Vast Germany stands trembling at our bridge,[266] And Gaul lies bleeding in her mother's lap. Once the Pellæan duke did eastward march,[267] To rouse the drowsy sun, before he rose, Adorn'd with Indian rubies: but the main Bade him retire. He was my type. This day We stand on Nature's western brink; beyond, Nothing but sea and sky. Here is _nil ultra_. Democritus, make good thy fancy; give me More worlds to conquer, which may be both seen And won together. But methinks I ken A whitish cloud kissing the waves, or else Some chalky rocks surmount the barking flood. Comius, your knowledge can correct our eyes.

COM. It is the Britain shore, which ten leagues hence Displays her shining cliffs unto your sight.

CÆS. I'll hit the white.[268] That sea-mark for our ships Invites destruction, and gives to our eye A treacherous beck. Dare but resist, your shore Shall paint her pale face with red crimson gore.

COM. Thus much I know, great Cæsar--that they lent Their secret aid unto the neighbour Gauls; Fostering their fugitives with friendly care: Which made your victory fly with slower wing.

CÆS. That's cause enough. They shall not henceforth range Abroad for war; we'll bring him to their doors. His ugly idol shall displace their gods, Their dear Penates, and in desolate streets Raise trophies high of barbarous bones, whose stench May poison all the rest. I long to stride This Hellespont, or bridge it with a navy, Disclosing to our empire unknown lands, Until the arctic star for zenith stands.

LAB. Then raise the camp, and strike a dreadful march, And unawares pour vengeance on their heads. Be like the winged bolt of angry Jove, Or chiding torrent, whose late-risen stream From mountains' bended top runs raging down, Deflow'ring all the virgin dales.

CÆS. First, let's advise; for soon to ruin come Rash weapons, which lack counsel grave at home.

LAB. What need consulting where the cause is plain?

CÆS. The likeliest cause without regard proves vain.

LAB. Provide for battle, but of truce no word.

CÆS. Where peace is first refus'd, should come the sword.

LAB. But 'tis unlike their self-presuming might Will curbed be with terms of civil right.

CÆS. 'Tis true: yet so we stop the people's cry, When we propose, and they do peace deny. We'll therefore wise embassadors despatch, Parents of love, the harbingers of leagues; Men that may speak with mildness mix'd with courage, Having quick feet, broad eyes, short tongues, long ears, To warn the British court. And further view the ports, fathom the seas, Learn their complotments, where invasion may Be soonest entertain'd. All this shall lie On Volusene, a legate and a spy.

VOL. My care and quickness shall deserve this kindness. Meantime unite, and range your scatter'd troops: Embark your legions at the Iccian shore, And teach Erynnis[269] swim, which crawl'd before. [_Exeunt._