I was born free as Cæsar, so were you; The troubled Tiber1 chafing with her shores, The torrent roared, and we did buffet it But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 4 The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Is now become a god, and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body 5 He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake 'tis true, this god did shake. His coward lips did from their color fly, And that same eye whose bend' doth awe the world Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 1 Tiber (ti'běr): the Tiber River. 2 bade (bad): commanded; invited. 3 Eneas (e-ne'as): the mythological founder of Rome. 4 Anchises (ăn-ki'sēz). 5 bend his body: bow. The color fled from his lips; cf. a coward flying from his colors. 7 bend: glance when it is turned toward them. Mark him and write his speeches in their books, [Loud and prolonged shouting R.] Brutus. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are For some new honors that are heaped on Cæsar. Cassius listens a moment, until he can bear it no longer. Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! O, you There was a Brutus once that would have brooked 3 The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome As easily as a king. Brutus. [Quietly.] What you would work me to, I have some aim 5 How I have thought of this and of these times, I shall recount hereafter; Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: 2 palm: the emblem of glory and superiority. 3 brooked: put up with, endured. 4 state: dignity or position; or perhaps his household - his little court. 5 aim: guess. 6 chew. Chew is the literal meaning of ruminate, which means to think over or consider. Under such hard conditions as this time [Even greater shouting off R.] I cannot, by the progress of the stars1 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. Enter Lucius [R.]. Lucius. Called you, my lord? Brutus. Get me a taper2 in my study, Lucius. [Exit R.] Brutus. It must be by his death; and for my part, But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there's the question. That at his will he may do danger with. 1 The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins progress of the stars. No doubt he refers to telling the time of night from the position of the dippers. 2 taper (tā'per): candle. 3 craves (crāvz): requires. 4 that: do that. Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Cæsar, Then, lest he may, prevent; think of him as a serpent's egg Which hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, [Reënter Lucius R.] Lucius. The taper burneth in your study, sir. Searching the window for a flint, I found It did not lie there when I went to bed. [Gives him a scroll.] Brutus. Get you to bed again; it is not day. [Exit Lucius R.] The meteors whizzing in the air Give so much light that I may read by them. [Unrolls the scroll and reads.] "Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself! Shall Rome," and so on. "Speak, strike, redress!" 3 "Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake!" Such instigations have been often dropped Where I have picked them up. "Shall Rome " and so forth. Thus must I piece it out: Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? 1 affections: feelings, inclinations. 2 proof: experience. 3 redress (re-drěs'): set right. My ancestors did from the streets of Rome If redress will follow, thou receivést Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! Between the doing of a dreadful thing And the first motion,3 all the interim is The spirit and the body Are then in council; and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection. [Reënter Lucius L.]. Lucius. Sir, 'tis Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Brutus. Is he alone? Lucius. No, sir, there are more with him. Lucius. No, sir; Do you know them? They have their faces buried in their cloaks. Brutus. Let 'em enter. They are the conspirators. [Exit Lucius L.] [Enter Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius, L.] Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest. Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you? 1 Tarquin (tär'kwin): the last king of ancient Rome. 2 I make thee promise: I make thee a promise. 3 motion: impulse. |