and that Greek was as much the language of rationalists then, as was French of the eighteenth century _Philosophes_. Nor is it less characteristic that even at the assassination he apparently does not dare to face his victim. Antony describes his procedure Damned Casca, like a cur, behind Struck Caesar on the neck. (V. i. 43.) Yet even Casca is not without redeeming qualities. His humour, in the account he gives of the coronation fiasco, has an undeniable flavour: its very tartness, as Cassius says, is a “sauce to his good wit.” And there is a touch of nobility in his avowal: 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, And I will set this foot of mine as far As who goes farthest. (I. iii. 116.) But among those little vignettes, that of Cicero is decidedly the masterpiece. For this Shakespeare got no assistance from any of the three Lives on which he drew for the rest of the play. Indeed the one little hint they contained he did not see fit to adopt. In the _Marcus Brutus_ Plutarch says of the conspirators: For this cause they durst not acquaint Cicero with their conspiracie, although he was a man whome they loved dearlie and trusted best: for they were affrayed that he being a coward by nature, and age also having increased his feare, he would quite turne and alter all their purpose. In the play their reason for leaving him out is very different: He will never follow anything That other men begin. (II. i. 151.) It seems to me, however, highly probable that Shakespeare had read the _Life of Cicero_ and obtained his general impression from it, though he invents the particular traits. The irritable vanity and self-consciousness of the man, which Brutus’ objection implies, are, for example, prominent features in Plutarch’s portrait. So too is his aversion for Caesar and Caesarism, which makes him view the offer of the crown, abortive though it has been, as a personal offence: Brutus observes that he Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes As we have seen him in the Capitol Being cross’d in conference with some senators. (I. ii. 186.)