It is a fign your reputation is small and finking, if your own tongues must be your flatterers and commenders; and it is a fulfome and unpleafing thing for others to hear it. 25. Abhor all foul, unclean and obfcene fpeeches; it is a fign that the heart is corrupt; and fuch kind of speeches will make it worfe; it will taint and corrupt yourselves and thofe who hear it, and bring difreputation on those who use it. 26. Never ufe any profane fpeeches, nor make jefts of fcripture expreffions. When you use the names of God or Chrift, or any paffages or words of the holy fcripture, ufe them with reverence and ferioufnefs, and not lightly or fcurriloufly, for it is taking the name of God in vain. 27. If you hear any unfeemly expreffions used in religious exercifes, you must be careful to forget and not to publish them, or if you at all mention them, let it be with pity and forrow, not with derifion or reproach. ON THE PULPIT AND PREACHERS. THE pulpit, therefore (and I name it, fill'd With folemn awe, that bids me well beware Of its legitimate, peculiar powers, Muft ftand acknowledg'd, while the world shall stand, Support and ornament of virtue's caufe. 2. There stands the meffenger of truth. There ftands The legate of the fkies. His theme divine, Its thunders, and by him, in ftrains as sweet 3. He 'ftablishes the strong, reftores the weak, Reclaims the wanderer, binds the broken heart, And, And, arm'd himfelf in panoply complete The facramental hoft of God's elect. 4. I venerate the man, whofe heart is warm, Whofe hands are pure, whofe doctrine and whose life Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honeft in the facred caufe. To fuch I render more than mere respect, card; Extreme, at once rapacious and profufe, 6. From fuch apoftles, O ye mitred heads, Preferve the church! and lay not careless hands On fculls that cannot teach, and will not learn. 7. Would I describe a preacher fuch as Paul, 8. I would exprefs him fimple, grave, fincere ; BRUTUS" BRUTUS' SPEECH ON THE DEATH OF ROMANS, COUNTRYMEN, AND LOVERS, HEAR me, for my caufe; and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me, for mine honor; and Cen have refpect for mine honor, that you may believe. fure me, in your wifdom; and awake your fenfes, that you may the better judge. 2. If there be any in this affembly, any dear friend of Cefar, to him I fay, that Brutus' love to Cefar was no lefs than his. If then, that friend demand, why Brutus. rose against Cefar, this is my anfwer; not that I loved Cefar lefs, but that I loved Rome more. 3. Had you rather Cefar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cefar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cefar 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 flew him. 4. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who's here fo bafe that he would be a bondian? If any, speak; for him have I offended. 5. Who's here fo rude, that he would not be a Roman ? If any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who's here so vile, that he will not love his country? If any, fpeak; for hinr have I offended. I paufe for a reply. 6. None? Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cefar, than you should do to Brutus. And as I flew my beft lover for the good of Rome, I referve the fame dagger for myself, whenever it shall please my country to need my death. JUBA AND SYPHAX. Juba. SYPHAX, I joy to meet thee thus alone. ve obferv'd of late thy looks are fall'n, Then Then tell me, Syphax, I conjure thee, tell me Syphax 'Tis not my talent to conceal my thoughts, Or carry fmiles or funfhine in my face, When discontent fits, heavy at my heart : I have not yet so much of the Roman in me. Jub. Why doft thou caft out fuch ungenerous terms Against the lords and fovereigns of the world?. Doft not thou fee mankind fall down before them, And own the force of their fuperior virtue ? Is there a nation in the wilds of Afric, Amidst our barren rocks and burning fands, That does not tremble at the Roman name? Syph. Where is the worth that fets this people up Above your own Numidia's tawny fons? Do they with tougher finews bend the bow? Jub. Thefe all are virtues of a meaner rank, Syph Patience, just heav'ns !-Excufe an old man's warmth. What are those wondrous civilizing arts, Are they not only to disguise our paffions, To fet our looks at variance with our thoughts, While good, and juft, and anxious for his friends, Renouncing fleep, and reft, and food, and cafe, Syph. Believe me, princé, there's not an African In queft of prey, and lives upon his bow, Bleffes his ftars, and thinks its luxury. Jub. Thy prejudices, Syphax, won't difcern What virtues grow from ignorance and what from choice, But grant that others could with equal glory And thank the gods that threw the weight upon him! Syph. Tis pride, rank pride, and haughtiness of foul: think the Romans call it ftoicifm. Had |