That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. 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 :— What is it that you would impart to me? The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, And bade him follow: so, indeed, he did,- Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tiber 1 Did I the tired Cæsar: and this man How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake; And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans Bru. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are For some new honours that are heaped on Cæsar. Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus, and Cæsar: What should be in that Cæsar? Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough, Oh you and I have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once that would have brooked As easily as a king. Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; I will with patience hear; and find a time Than to repute himself a son of Rome Is like to lay upon us. Cas. I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. SHAKESPERE. BRUTUS AND CASSIUS.-JULIUS CESAR. Second Selection. Cas. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this : Wherein my letters, praying on his side, Bru. You wronged yourself to write in such a case. That every nice offence should bear his comment. To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touched his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world, But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus ? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Cas. Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Bru. I say you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. Is't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares ? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! must I endure all this? break; Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say, you are a better soldier : And it shall please me well: For mine own part, Cas. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus; I said an elder soldier, not a better : Did I say better? Bru. If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cæsar lived he durst not thus have moved me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What! durst not tempt him? Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. For I am armed so strong in honesty, you For certain sums of gold, which denied me ;- By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: Was that done like Cassius ? Should I have answered Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Dash him to pieces! Cas. I denied you not. Bru. You did. Cas. I did not:-he was but a fool That brought my answer back.-Brutus hath rived my heart: A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, |