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. 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 A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic 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? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Upon what meat doth this our Cæsar feed, That he is grown so great? Age, thou art sham'd! O, you and I have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 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. |