CASSIUS. No, but dictator; in effect as much. He doth what pleaseth him--a princely thing. And wherein differ they, whose power is such? BRUTUS. He is not bloody. CASSIUS. But by bloody jars He hath unpeopl'd most part of the earth. Both Gaul and Afric perish'd by his wars; Egypt, Emathia, Italy, and Spain, Are full of dead men's bones by Cæsar slain. Th' infectious plague and famine's bitterness, Or th' ocean (whom no pity can assuage), Though they contain dead bodies numberless, Are yet inferior to Cæsar's rage; Who (monster-like) with his ambition Hath left more tombs than ground to lay them on. BRUTUS. Soldiers with such reproach should not be blam'd. CASSIUS. He with his soldiers hath himself defam'd. BRUTUS. Why, then, you think there is no praise in war. CASSIUS. Yes, where the causes reasonable are. BRUTUS. He hath enrich'd the empire with new states. CASSIUS. Which with ambition now he ruinates. BRUTUS. He hath reveng'd the Gauls' old injury, And made them subject to our Roman laws. CASSIUS. The restful Almains with his cruelty He rashly stirr'd against us without cause; And hazarded our city and ourselves Against a harmless nation, kindly given; To whom we should do well (for some amends) To render him, and reconcile old friends. These nations did he purposely provoke, To make an army for his after-aid Against the Romans, whom in policy He train'd in war to steal their signiory. "Like them that (striving at th' Olympian sports, To grace themselves with honour of the game) Anoint their sinews fit for wrestling, And (ere they enter) use some exercise." The Gauls were but a fore-game fetch'd about For civil discord, wrought by Cæsar's sleights; Whom (to be king himself) he soon remov'd; Teaching a people hating servitude To fight for that, that did their deaths conclude. BRUTUS. The wars once ended, we shall quickly know, Whether he will restore the state or no. CASSIUS. No, Brutus, never look to see that day, For Cæsar holdeth signiory too dear. But know, while Cassius hath one drop of blood To feed this worthless body that you see, What reck I death to do so many good? In spite of Cæsar, Cassius will be free. BRUTUS. A generous or true ennobled spirit Detests to learn what tastes of servitude.