And see the tyrant live to tyrannise? Or shall their ghosts, that died to do us good, 'Plain in their tombs of our base cowardice? Shall lamed soldiers and grave grey-hair'd men Point at us in their bitter tears, and say: See where they go that have their race forgot! And rather choose (unarm'd) to serve with shame, Than (arm'd) to save their freedom and their fame? BRUTUS. I swear by heaven, the Immortals' highest throne, Their temples, altars, and their images, To see (for one) that Brutus suffer not His ancient liberty to be repress'd. I freely march'd with Cæsar in his wars, Not to be subject, but to aid his right. But if (envenom'd with ambitious thoughts) He lift his hand imperiously o'er us; If he determine but to reign in Rome, Or follow'd Pompey but to this effect; Or if (these civil discords now dissolv'd) He render not the empire back to Rome; Then shall he see, that Brutus this day bears The selfsame arms to be aveng'd on him; And that this hand (though Cæsar blood abhor) Shall toil in his, which I am sorry for. I love, I love him dearly. "But the love, That men their country and their birthright bear, Exceeds all loves; and dearer is by far Our country's love, than friends or children are." CASSIUS. If this brave care be nourish'd in your blood, Or if so frank a will your soul possess, Why haste we not, even while these words are utter'd, To sheathe our new-ground swords in Cæsar's throat? Why spend we daylight, and why dies he not, That by his death we wretches may revive? We stay too long: I burn, till I be there To see this massacre, and send his ghost To theirs, whom (subtly) he for monarchy Made fight to death with show of liberty. BRUTUS. Yet haply he (as Sylla whilom did) When he hath rooted civil war from Rome, Will therewithal discharge the power he hath. CASSIUS. Cæsar and Sylla, Brutus, be not like. Sylla (assaulted by the enemy) Did arm himself (but in his own defence) Against both Cinna's host and Marius; Whom when he had discomfited and chas'd, And of his safety throughly was assur'd, He laid apart the power that he had got, And gave up rule, for he desired it not. Where Cæsar, that in silence might have slept, Nor urg'd by aught but his ambition, Did break into the heart of Italy; And like rude Brennus brought his men to field: Travers'd the seas, and shortly after (back'd With winter'd soldiers us'd to conquering), He aim'd at us, bent to exterminate Whoever sought to intercept his state: Now, having got what he hath gaped for, (Dear Brutus) think you Cæsar such a child, Slightly to part with so great signiory? Believe it not, he bought it dear, you know, And travelled too far to leave it so. BRUTUS. But, Cassius, Cæsar is not yet a king.