That you would have me seek into myself Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear: That of yourself which you yet know not of. [Flourish and Shout. Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people Choose Cæsar for their king. Cas. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Bru. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well :But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye, and death i' the other, And I will look on both indifferently: For, let the gods so speed me, as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of my story.I cannot tell, what you and other men Think of this life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Cæsar; so were you : 6 Make common. We both have fed as well; and we can both The troubled Tyber chafing with her shores, And swim to yonder point? Upon the word, And bade him follow: so, indeed, he did. I, as Æneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tyber Did I the tired Cæsar: And this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Bru. Another general shout! [Shout. Flourish. I do believe, that these applauses are For some new honours that are heap'd on Cæsar. 7 Temperament, constitution. Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world, Like a Colossus; and we petty men Brutus, and Cæsar: What should be in that Cæsar? When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome, O! you and I have heard our fathers say, Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; I will consider; what you have to say, I will with patience hear: and find a time Both meet to hear, and answer, such high things. 8 Guess. Till then, my noble friend, chew' upon this; Than to repute himself a son of Rome Cas. I am glad, that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. Re-enter CESAR, and his Train. Bru. The games are done, and Cæsar is returning. Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; Bru. I will do so :- But, look you, Cassius, Being cross'd in conference by some senators, Ant. Cæsar. Cæs. Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. Ant. Fear him not, Cæsar, he 's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman, and well given. Cæs. 'Would he were fatter:- - But I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid 9 Ruminate. A ferret has red eyes. Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays, [Exeunt CESAR and his Train. CASCA stays Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; Would you speak with me? Bru. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, That Cæsar looks so sad. Casca. Why you were with him, were you not? Bru. I should not then ask Casca what hath chanc'd. Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him: and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a shouting. Bru. What was the second noise for? Casca. Why, for that too. Cas. They shouted thrice; What was the last cry for? Casca. Why, for that too. Bru. Was the crown offered him thrice? Casca. Ay, marry, was 't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by, mine honest neighbours shouted. Cas. Who offered him the crown? Casca. Why, Antony. Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery. I did not mark |