Ambition fhould be made of fterner fluff. You all did fee, that, on the Lupercal, I thrice presented him a kingly crown ; Which he did thrice refufe. Was this ambition? ; And, fure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, And I must pause till it come back to me. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle; I remember, The first time ever Cæfar put it on, 'Twas on a fummer's evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii Look in this place ran Caffius' dagger through ;- For Brutus, as you know, was Cæfar's angel. For when the noble Cæfar faw him ftab, Ingratitude, Ingratitude, more ftrong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquish'd him; then burft his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's ftatue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæfar fell, They that have done this deed are honourable. What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they are wife and honourable ; I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That loves my friend: and that they know full well CAS. T appear HAT you For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein my letter (praying on his fide, Because I knew the man) was flighted of. BRU. You wrong'd yourself to write in fuch a cafe. CAS. I an itching palm ? You know, that you are Brutus that spake this, CAS. Chaftifement !. BRU. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for juftice? What, fhall one of us, And And fell the mighty meed of our large honours CAS. Brutus, bay not me, I'll not endure it; you forget yourself, BRU. Go to; you are not. Caffius. BRU. I fay, you are not. CAS. Urge me no more, I fhall forget myself Have mind upon your health-tempt me no farther. Muft I give way Shall I be frighted when a madman fi±res ? CAS. O gods! ye gods! must I endure all this ? BRU. All this? ay more. Fret till your proud heart break; Go, tell your flaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Muft I budge? Muft I obferve you ? muft I ftand and crouch Under your tefty humour? By the gods, Tho' it do fplit you: for from this day forth, I'll ufe you for my mirth, yea for my laughter, CAS. Is it come to this? BRU. You fay, you are a better foldier; Let Let it appear fo; make your vaunting true, CAS. You wrong me every wa, Brutus ; I said, an elder foldier, not a better; 1 BRU. If you did, I care not. you wrong me, CAS. When Cæfar liv'd, he durft not thus have mov’d me. BRU. Peace, peace, you durft not so have tempted him. CAS. I durft not! BRU. No. CAS. What? durft not tempt him? BRU. For your life you durft not. CAS. Do not prefume too much upon my love; I may do what I fhall be forry for. BRU. You have done that you should be forry for. That they pafs by me, as the idle wind, Which I refpect not. I did fend to you For certain fums of gold, which you deny'd me; By heav'n, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring By any indirection. I did fend To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me; was that done like Caffius? When Marcus Brutus grows fo covetous, |