Cæsar said to me, "Dar'st thou, Cassius, now And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word, And bade him follow; so, indeed, he did. I, as Æneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body 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; And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world Brutus. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are [Shout. Flourish. For some new honors that are heap'd on Cæsar. Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable 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? [Shout. Why should that name be sounded more than yours? O, you and I have heard our fathers say, Brutus. 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 Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us. Cassius. I am glad That my weak words have struck but thus much show Of fire from Brutus. Re-enter CESAR and his train. Brutus. The games are done, and Cæsar is returning. Cassius. 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. Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, Being cross'd in conference by some Senators. Antony. Cæsar? Cæsar. Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much such men are dangerous. Antony. Fear him not, Cæsar; he's not dangerous. He is a noble Roman and well given. Cæsar. 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 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; Quite through the deeds of men he loves no plays, [Sennet. Exeunt CESAR and his train. CASCA remains. Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me? Brutus. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, That Cæsar looks so sad. Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. |