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: And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word, 96 100 104 108 112 Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Cæsar. And this man Is now become a god, and Cassius is 116 A wretched creature and must bend his body If Cæsar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did mark 101 with: against 105 Accoutred: clad 109 hearts of controversy: contesting courage 120 124 122 his lips forsook their normal redness as cowardly soldiers forsake their flag 123 bend: glance 124 his: its Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans Bru. Shout. 128 Flourish. Another general shout! 132 I do believe that these applauses are Walk under his huge legs, and peep about 136 Men at some time are masters of their fates: 140 The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Cæsar'. Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Cæsar feed, 130 get the start of: outstrip (in the race of life) 148 152 135 Colossus: gigantic statue astride the mouth of the harbor of Rhodes 150 lost... bloods: lost the art of breeding noble persons 151 the great flood: Deucalion's, not Noah's 152 fam'd with: famous for That her wide walks encompass'd but one man? When there is in it but one only man. O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 156 There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome 160 164 Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim: How I have thought of this and of these times, I shall recount hereafter; for this present, I would not, so with love I might entreat you, Be any further mov'd. What you have said 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. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome 168 172 Under these hard conditions as this time That my weak words have struck but thus much show Of fire from Brutus. 176 Bru. The games are done and Cæsar is returning. Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Enter Cæsar and his Train. 154 walks; cf. n. 180 155 Rome: then often pronounced 'Room' 158 Brutus: Lucius Junius, who expelled the Tarquins, ca. 510 B. C. brook'd: tolerated 161 nothing: not at all 162 work: induce jealous: doubtful aim: inkling 170 chew: ponder 159 state: throne, rulership 166 mov'd: persuaded, urged 173 as: such as Bru. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 184 188 Ant. Cæsar. Cæs. Let me have men about me that are fat; 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 192 196 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; 200 Quite through the deeds of men; he loves no plays, As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 185 ferret: ferret-like, i.e., small and red 187 conference: debate 192 Sleek-headed: unruffled by deep plotting 196 well given: well disposed 203 he... music; cf. n. 204 208 198 my name; cf. n. 208 Whiles: whilst, while 212 Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, Bru. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, That Cæsar looks so sad. 216 Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being offered him, he put it by with the 220 back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. Bru. What was the second noise for? Casca. Why, for that too. 224 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? 227 Casca. Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets; and, as I told you, he put it by once; 238 but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain 216 sad: grave, serious 228 marry: properly an invocation of the Virgin 238 coronets: laurel garland of a Lupercal runner |