BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 241 Bru. No. Cas. What! durst not tempt him? Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; Bru. You have done that you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; By Jupiter, I'd 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 ? To lock such rascal-counters from his friends, Cas. Bru. You did. I denied you not. I did not; he was but a fool That brought my answer back.—Brutus hath rived my heart; But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come! For Cassius is a-weary of the world: Hated by one he loves-braved by his brother- My spirit from mine eyes!-There is my dagger, I that denied thee gold, will give my heart: Strike as thou didst at Cæsar; for I know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Bru. Sheathe your dagger; Be angry when you will, it shall have scope"; Cas. Cas. Bru. O Brutus ! What's the matter? Bru. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. 1. Noted, put a mark of disgrace upon. 2. Sardians, the inhabitants of Sardis, the capital of Lybia, in Asia Minor. 3. Itching, for money. 4. Corruption, corrupt practice. Shakspeare often uses an abstract noun instead of an adjective and a concrete term. (See 8.) 5. Thus, with a gesture of the hand. 6. Health, your personal security. 7. Noble, with a very ironical emphasis. 8. Indirection, indirect means. 9. Counters, money. He calls them mere counters in comparison with the feelings and relationship that should exist between friends. 10. Practise them, practise his weaknesses or faults. 11. Scope, room to grow and to die away. 12. Dishonour shall be humour, a dishonourable act shall be looked upon as a mere whim. 13. Lamb, he means himself. 14. Enforced, tried, or, with pressure put on him. SCENE FROM THE EARL OF WARWICK. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, commonly called the King-maker, had, after the second battle of St. Albans, placed Edward IV. on the throne of England. Warwick was displeased with the king because of his sudden marriage with Elizabeth Woodville; and the following dialogue is an imaginary account of their quarrel. War. Behold him here; No welcome guest, it seems, unless I ask My Lord of Suffolk's leave: there was a time SCENE FROM THE EARL OF WARWICK. K. Edw. There was a time, perhaps, When Warwick more desired and more deserved it. Who trust in princes should be thus rewarded. Guided in secret every latent wheel Of government, and moved the whole machine : War. Who gave that cipher worth, and seated thee And stamped it with a diadem. Thou knowest This wretched country, doomed, perhaps, like Rome, Bade the rough waves subside in peace, and steered Which you no longer want; but know, proud youth, K. Edw. Know, too, reproach for benefits received, Pays every debt, and cancels obligation. War. Why that, indeed, is frugal honesty, A thrifty saving knowledge, when the debt Grows burthensome, and cannot be discharged, A sponge will wipe out all, and cost you nothing. 243 K. Edw. When you have counted o'er the numerous train Of mighty gifts your bounty lavished on me, You may remember next the injuries Which I have done you, let me know them all,. And I will make you ample satisfaction. War. Thou canst not; thou hast robbed me of a jewel It is not in thy power to restore: I was the first, shall future annals say, That broke the sacred bond of public trust That haunt your court, could none be found but Warwick K. Edw. And wouldst thou turn the vile reproach on me? If I have broke my faith, and stained the name Of England, thank thy own pernicious counsels War. I've been abused, insulted, and betrayed; K. Edw. And therefore do I prize it; I would guard Their boasted zeal, and see if one of them K. Edw. Is it so, my lord? Then mark my words: I've been your slave too long, But henceforth know, proud peer, I am thy master, His power to others' hands but ill deserves The crown he wears. Look well, then, to your own; War. K. Edw. Nor he who threatened Edward: You may repent it, sir. My guards, there; seize If I must yield my sword, I'll give it him I'll wear them. K. Edw. Hence away with him. "Tis well: Exert your power, it may not last you long; 245 CORIOLANUS AND AUFIDIUS. Cauis Marcius was a great Roman general, who received the name (agnomen) of Coriolanus from his bravery in taking the Volscian town of Corioli. His haughtiness and injustice to the commons caused him to be impeached and driven into exile. He retired among his old enemies the Volscians, who gave him the command of their army. The following dialogue gives an account of a quarrel between him and the former Volscian general, Aufidius. Cor. I plainly, Tullus, by your looks, perceive - Auf. I mean not to assail thee with the clamour Cor. It still may be in danger from our arms: Retire; I will take care thou may'st with safety. Cor. With safety!-Heavens !-and think'st thou Coriolanus Will stoop to thee for safety ?-No! my safeguard Is in myself, a bosom void of fear. |