Page:The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (The Warwick Shakespeare).djvu/44

  Casca.Indeed, they say the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Caesar as a king; And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, In every place, save here in Italy.

Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger, then; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat: Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; But life, being weary of these worldly bars, Never lacks power to dismiss itself. If I know this, know all the world besides, That part of tyranny that I do bear I can shake off at pleasure.

Casca.So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity.

Cas. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans are but sheep: He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome, What rubbish and what offal, when it serves For the base matter to illuminate So vile a thing as Caesar!But, O grief, Where hast thou led me?I perhaps speak this Before a willing bondman; then I know My answer must be made.But I am arm'd, And dangers are to me indifferent.

Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man That is no fleering tell-tale.Hold, my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs,