Page:Works of Heinrich Heine 01.djvu/315

Rh sketched Cassius in his dialogue with Brutus, when he hears how the people have greeted with hurrahs Cæsar, whom they wish to raise to kingship:—
 * "Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
 * As well as I do know your outward favour.
 * Well, honour is the subject of my story.—
 * I cannot tell, what you and other men
 * Think of this life ; but, for my single self,
 * I had as lief not be, as live to be
 * In awe of such a thing as I myself.
 * I was born free as Cæsar; so were you:
 * We both have fed as well; and we can both
 * Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
 * For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
 * The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
 * Cæsar said to me, Dar'st thou, Cassius, now
 * Leap in with me into this angry flood,
 * And swim to yonder point?—Upon the word,
 * Accouter'd as I was, I plunged in,
 * And bade him follow; so, indeed, he did.
 * The torrent roar'd ; and we did buffet it
 * With lusty sinews; throwing it aside,
 * And stemming it, with hearts of controversy.
 * But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
 * Cæsar cried, Help me, Cassias, or I sink.
 * I, as Æneas, our great ancestor,
 * Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
 * The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tiber
 * Did I the tired Caesar: And this man
 * Is now become a god; and Cassius is
 * A wretched creature, and must bend his body,
 * If Cæsar carelessly but nod on him.