Heroic minds! that can even Fate command, — Pharsalia (Nicholas Rowe)

"But Caesars greatness and his strength were more Than past renown and antiquated power; Twas not the fame of what he once had been, Or tales in old records and annals seen; But twas a valour restless, unconfined, Which no success could sate nor limits bind; Twas shame, a soldiers shame untaught to yield, That blushed for nothing but an ill-fought field; Fierce in his hopes he was, nor knew to stay Where vengeance or ambition led the way; Still prodigal of war wheneer withstood, Nor spared to stain the guilty sword with blood; Urging advantage he improved all odds, And made the most of fortune and the gods; Pleased to oerturn whateer withheld his prize, And saw the ruin with rejoicing eyes."

"And emulation fans the rising flame."

"Justly to name the better cause were hard, While greatest names for either side declared; Victorious Caesar by the gods was crowned, The vanquished party was by Cato owned."

"But thus the malice of our fate commands, And nothing great to long duration stands; Aspiring Rome had risen too much in height, And sunk beneath her own unwieldy weight."

"No faith, no trust, no friendship shall be known Among the jealous partners of a throne; But he who reigns shall strive to reign alone."

"Thus power and greatness to destruction haste, Thus bounds to human happiness are placed, And Jove forbids prosperity to last."