For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, Cas. Bru. You did. Cas. I did not My answer back. I denied you not. he was but a fool that brought Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. As huge as high Olympus. Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is aweary of the world; Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger, Strike, as thou didst at Cæsar; for, I know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Bru. That carries anger as the flint bears fire; Cas. When grief, and blood ill-tempered, vexeth him? Cas. Bru. O Brutus ! What's the matter? Cas. Have not you love enough to bear with me, When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? Bru. Lucil. [Within] You shall not come to them. Cas. Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, and LUCIUS. Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean? Cas. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme ! Cas. Bear with him, Brutus ; 'tis his fashion. Bru. I'll know his humour, when he knows his time : What should the wars do with these jigging fools? Companion, hence! Cas. Away, away, be gone! [Exit Poet. Bru. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. Cas. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you Immediately to us. [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius. Bru. Lucius, a bowl of wine! [Exit Lucius. Cas. I did not think you could have been so angry. Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils. Bru. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. Cas. Ha! Portia ! Bru. She is dead. Cas. How 'scaped I killing when I crossed you so? O insupportable and touching loss ! Upon what sickness? Bru. Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong :-for with her death And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire. Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper. Bru. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. W. Shakespeare. Cas. CLXXXI. JULIUS CÆSAR. ACT V. SCENE I.-The plains of Philippi. BRUTUS and CASSIUS. OW, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together: What are you then determined to do? Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy For fear of what might fall, so to prevent Cas. Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Through the streets of Rome? Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; He bears too great a mind. But this same day If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. X Bru. Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know The end of this day's business ere it come ! But it sufficeth that the day will end, And then the end is known. W. Shakespeare. CLXXXII. THE REFUSAL OF CHARON.* HY look the distant mountains Are rain-clouds passing o'er them, No shadow of the tempest Is there, nor wind nor rain- The young men march before him, The old men walk behind him, young and old imploring him 'O Charon! halt we pray thee, Or near that sparkling fountain, The young the disc will fling, Pluck flowers beside the spring.' * According to the superstition of the modern Greeks, Charon performs the function which their ancestors assigned to Hermes, of conducting the souls of the dead to the other world. |