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SULPICIUS (leading her gently away, while she still clings to him).

Forbear, my child, thy tears are all in vain.

Enter a Lictor.

LICTOR.

Cæsar forbids all further interruption

To his imperial sentence. Let Cordenius
Forthwith prepare him for the fatal fight.
This is mine office, and I must perform it.

(Begins to disrobe Cordenius, while Portia shrieks aloud, and is carried off in the arms of her Father.)

Disrobe thee, Maro, of those martial weeds.

CORDENIUS.

Gladly; for Him I serve,—my glorious Master,

Hath braced me with an armour that defies
All hostile things; in which I'll strive more proudly
Than I have ever fought in field or breach
With Rome's or Nero's foes.

LICTOR.

Cæsar desires thee also to remember,

That no ignoble audience, e'en thy Emperor,
And all the states of Rome, behold thy deeds.

CORDENIUS.

Tell him my deeds shall witness'd be by those

Compared to whom the Emperor of Rome,