Page:Julius Caesar (1919) Yale.djvu/40

28  Of any promise that hath pass'd from him.

Cas. But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him? I think he will stand very strong with us.

Casca. Let us not leave him out.

Cin. No, by no means.

Met. O let us have him; for his silver hairs Will purchase us a good opinion And buy men's voices to commend our deeds: It shall be said his judgment rul'd our hands; Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, But all be buried in his gravity.

Bru. O name him not: let us not break with him; For he will never follow anything That other men begin.

Cas. Then leave him out.

Casca. Indeed he is not fit.

Dec. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Cæsar?

Cas. Decius, well urg'd. I think it is not meet, Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Cæsar, Should outlive Cæsar: we shall find of him A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to annoy us all; which to prevent, Let Antony and Cæsar fall together.

Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; For Antony is but a limb of Cæsar. Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. We all stand up against the spirit of Cæsar;  150 break with: broach our plan to 157 of: in 158 shrewd contriver: malevolent plotter 159 improve: make the most of 160 annoy: seriously injure 164 envy: vindictiveness 