Hor. Arm'd, my lord. anger. you. Ham. Very like. Staid it long? Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred. Ham. His beard was grislid ? Hør. It was, as I have seen it in his life, A sable silver'd. Ham. I'll watch to night; perchance 'twill walk again. my. person, love : so fare you well. Upon the platform 'twixt eleven and twelve SHAKESPEARE. no I'ù visit you. CH A P. X I V. Brutus and Cassius. Cas. W 1il you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not I. l'll leave you. veild Bru. I am not gamesome; I do lack some part Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late : Brú. Cassius, my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I am Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself; Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviour? But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd, Among which number, Cassius, be you one; Nor construe any farther my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shew of love to other men. Cas. Then , Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof, this breast of mine hath buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus can you see your face? Bru. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, But by reflection from some other thing. Caš. 'Tis just. have no such mirror as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Where many of the best respect in Rome, (Except immortal Cæsar) speaking of Brutus, And groaning underneath this age's yoke, Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me? Cas. Cas. Therefore , good Brutus, be prepard to hear; And since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which yet you know not of. And be not jealous of me gentle Brutus: Were I a common laugher, or did use To stale with ordinary oaths my lovo To every new protestor ; if you know, That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, And after scandal them; or if you know, That I profess myself in banqueting To all the rout; then holi me dangerous. Bru. What means this shouting; I do fear the people Chuse Cæsar for their king. Cas. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Bru. I would not Cassius; yet I love him well, But wherefore do you hold me here so long? Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, you and other men lood K And swim to yonder point?-Upon the word, Bru. Another general shout! he doth bestride the narrow world about what should be in that Cæsar ? Why should that name be sounded more than yours ; till that talk'd of Rome That her wide walls encompass'd but one man? Oh! you and I have heard our fathers say There was a Brutus, one that would have brook'd Th'eternal devil to keep his state in Rome As easily as a king. 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 intreat 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 tine, Both moet 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 Under such hard conditions as this time I s like to lay upon us. Cas. I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Bru. tus, SHAKESPEARR. Ka |