Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Hub. Young boy, I must. Arth. And will you? Hub. And I will. Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkerchief about your brows, (The best I had, a princess wrought it me,) And with my hand at midnight held your Hub. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out. Arth. Ah, none, but in this iron age, would do it! Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence: Nay, after that, consume away in rust, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? And told me, Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believ'd him. No tongue, but Hubert'sHub. Come forth. Enter ATTENDANTS, with Cords, Irons, etc. [Stamps. bid you, do. Arth. O save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out, Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. For heaven's sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. 1 Attend. I am best pleased to be from such a deed. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Arth. Alas! I then have chid away my friend; He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart : Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours. Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. Arth. Is there no remedy? Hub. None, but to lose your eyes. Arth. O heaven!-that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wand'ring hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then, feeling what small things are boist'rous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible. Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be us'd In undeserved extremes: See else yourself; There is no malice in this burning coal; The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out, Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. That mercy, which fierce fire and iron extends, Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes For all the treasure that thine uncle owns : Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out. Arth. O now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised. Hub. Peace: no more. Adieu ; Your uncle must not know but you are dead: Arth. O heaven!-I thank you, Hubert. Hub. Silence; no more: Go closely in with me; Much danger do I undergo for thee. SHAKESPERE. BRUTUS AND CASSIUS.-JULIUS CÆSAR. First Selection. Cas. Will you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not I. Cas. I pray you, do. Bru. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Anthony. I'll leave you. Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness, And show of love, as I was wont to have: You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Bru. Cassius, Be not deceived if I have veiled my I turn the trouble of my countenance look, Of late, with passions of some difference, Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours: you one); Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men. Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Cas. 'Tis just : And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will turn That you might see your shadow.-I have heard, Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me? Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear: And, since you know you cannot see yourself, So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. To stale with ordinary oaths my love you know That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Cæsar for their king. Cas. Ay, do you fear it? Then I must 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? Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 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 Tiber 1 |