ceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck'd me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues; and fo he fell. When he came to himfelf again, he faid, "If he had done or faid any thing amifs, he defired their worthips to think it "was his infirmity." Three or four wenches where I ftood, cried, "Alas good foul !" and forgave him with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæfar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. 66 Bru. And after that, he came thus fad away? Caf. Did Cicero fay any thing? Cafca. Nay, an' I tell you what, I'll ne'er look.. you i' th' face again. But thofe that understood. him smiled at one another, and fhook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæfar's images, are put to filence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Caf. Will you fup with me to-night, Casca? Caf. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Cafca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner be worth the eating. Caf. Good, I will expect you. Cafca. Do fo: farewel both. [Exit. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school. Caf. So is he now, in execution Of any bold or noble enterprize, However he puts on this tardy form: Bru. And fo it is; for this time I will leave you. you will, And, after this, let Cæfar feat him fure; [Exit. Thunder and Lightening. Enter CASCA, his Sword drawn; and CICERO, meeting him. Cic. Good even, Cafca; brought you Cæfar home? Why are you breathlefs, and why stare you fo? Cafea. Are not you moved, when all the fway of Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero! [earth I have feen tempefts, when the fcolding winds Have rived the knotty oaks; and I have feen The ambitious ocean fwell, and rage, and foam, Or else the world, too faucy with the Gods, Cic. Why, faw you any thing more wonderful? Cafca. A common flave, you know him well by fight, Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn, Who glared upon me, and went furly by, And there were drawn Upon a heap a hundred ghaftly women, Transformed with their fear, who fwore they faw Cic. Indeed, it is a strange difpofed time:" Cafea. He doth: for he did bid Antonius Send word to you, he would be there to-morrow. Cic. Good night then, Cafca; this disturbed fky Is not to walk in. [Exit Cicero Cafea. Farewel, Cicero. Enter CASSIUS. Caf. Who's there! Caf. Cafca, by your voice. Cafca. Your ear is good. Caffius, what night is this? Caf. A very pleafing night to honeft men. Cafea. Who ever knew the heavens menace fo? Caf. Thofe that have known the earth fo full of faults. For my part, I have walked about the streets, Cafca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble, Caf. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life, - Unto fome monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars A man no mightier than thyself or me, Cafca. 'Tis Cæfar that you mean; is it not, Caf. Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thewes and limbs like to their ancestors; (6) But wo the while, our fathers minds are dead, And we are governed with our mothers fpirits; Our yoke and fufferance fhews us womanish. Cafca. Indeed they fay the Senators to-morrow Mean to establish Cæfar as a king: And he fhall wear his crown by sea and land, Caf. I know where I will wear this dagger then. (6) Have thewes and limbs] Mr Pope has fubjoined, to both his editions, an explanation of thewes, as if it fignified manners or capacities. "Tis certain it fometimes has thefe figuifications, but he's mistaken frangely to imagine it has any fuch fenfe here; nor, indeed, do I ever remember its being used by our Author in thofe acceptations. With him, I think, it always fignifies, muscles, finews, bodily firength. So in the fecond part of Henry IV. Care I for the limb, the thewes, the ftature, bulk, and big femblance of a man? And in Hamlet; For Nature crefcent does not grow alone In thewes and bulk. VOL. X. L |