_Bru._ It must be by his death: and, for my part, 10 I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question: It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking. Crown him?--that;--[3007] 15 And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Cæsar, I have not known when his affections sway'd 20 More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;[3008] But when he once attains the upmost round,[3009] He then unto the ladder turns his back, 25 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend: so Cæsar may; Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel[3010] Will bear no colour for the thing he is, Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, 30 Would run to these and these extremities: And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which hatch'd would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. _Re-enter_ LUCIUS.[3011] _Luc._ The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 35 Searching the window for a flint I found This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure It did not lie there when I went to bed. [_Gives him the letter._[3012] _Bru._ Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March?[3013] 40 _Luc._ I know not, sir. _Bru._ Look in the calendar and bring me word. _Luc._ I will, sir. [_Exit._ _Bru._ The exhalations whizzing in the air Give so much light that I may read by them. 45 [_Opens the letter and reads._ 'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress.[3014] Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.' Such instigations have been often dropp'd Where I have took them up.[3015] 50 'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out:[3015] Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?[3016] My ancestors did from the streets of Rome[3017] The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 'Speak, strike, redress.' Am I entreated[3018] 55 To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,[3019] If the redress will follow, thou receivest[3020] Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! _Re-enter_ LUCIUS. _Luc._ Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.[3021]