ARGUMENT OF THE PLAY. JULIUS CESAR was a great Roman general, and was exceedingly popular in Rome, not only because of his victories, but also because of his generosity, the nobleness of his character, and the sweetness of his manners. He was, however, suspected of a design to make himself King, or Emperor, of the Romans. To frustrate this design a plot was formed by several Roman citizens of noble birth to kill him. Of these citizens the most worthy was Brutus. Brutus was deeply attached to Cæsar, and only consented to join in killing him because he saw no other means of delivering his country from the danger to its liberties which he conceived existed in Cæsar's ambition. Of the remaining conspirators Cassius was the chief. He hated Cæsar on private grounds, and was no doubt the soul of the plot. The place chosen for the murder of Cæsar was the Capitol; the date was the Ides of March, when Cæsar would be there present. The evening before the murder was very stormy; the conspirators took advantage of this to meet together secretly at the house of Brutus and make final arrangements for the murder. On the morrow Cæsar, having seated himself in the Capitol, and the senate being assembled, one of the conspirators, Metellus Cimber, presented a petition for the recall of his brother, whom Cæsar had banished. Taking advantage of the momentary excitement caused by Cæsar's refusal, the conspirators, who had purposely placed themselves round Cæsar's chair, struck him down and murdered him. When the confusion occasioned by their deed had somewhat subsided, the conspirators deputed Brutus to explain to the people why Cæsar had been killed. He did so, and had just finished his speech when Antony, a friend of Cæsar's, arrived with his body, and in a very clever speech contrived to win back the sympathies of the people to Cæsar. The selection here given closes with the mob running to and fro to execute vengeance on the murderers of Cæsar. SCENE II. Rome. A public place. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late : Brutus. Cassius, Be not deceiv'd: if I have veiled my look, 3 Show. Appearance, manifestation. See 1. 17. As. Relative pronoun; equals that. Wont. Accustomed. From A.-S. wunian, to dwell, abide, continue. Cf. Chaucer's 'His wunning,' i.e. 'his dwelling.' 4 Stubborn, &c. You treat me too unfriendly, as though I were your horse, to be governed by the rein. 5 10 turb my mind and render it uneasy. Some, i.e. a certain amount of. Some is used in other different constructions: e.g. I would detain you here some month or two.' - M. of Venice. Cf. also, Some sixteen months.' 11 Conceptions. Thoughts. Proper, i.e. peculiar. From Lat. proprius, from prope, near. L. 11 thus means, Thoughts which spring up in my own mind,' Which gives some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours; Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, 15 Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 20 25 That you have no such mirrors as will turn That you might see your shadow. I have heard, 30 Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 12 Gives some soil; somewhat tarnishes. 18 Mistook, i.. mistaken. Your passion. The feeling which was influencing your conduct. Passion is always opposed to action. Cf. By Thy Cross and passion,' i.e. Thy suffering. 19 By means whereof and the consequence is. Whereof = of which. Cf. whereby, i.e. by which; wherein, i.e. in which. 20 Worthy cogitations; careful considerings of important matters. 23 By some other things, i.e. reflection by some other things. Cf. Troilus and Cressida :— |