Then you stand thus as scarce could Caesar’s self When Brutus’ hand had dealt the dagger-thrust. For he, too proud to bare his pain of heart And yet not strong enough to choke it under, In falling covered up his countenance. But you can hold it back within your breast. MAR. No more, no more! It is not as you think. I feel no longer pain of heart, for pain Demands the nerve of life, and life in me Is a quenched fire. I long have been no more Than middle thing between the Man and Shadow And scarcely grasp the thought I still can die. Hear now a thing I will confide in you, But first give oath to me as man and Roman That you’ll be dumb till I am under earth, And that you bear me escort when I go. You hesitate? I ask too much of you? My slip to sin is not the cause, and if You later speak or if you hold your peace Decide yourself; I’ll bind you not in aught, And more, I hold that wish of mine in check Since you have ever, like a bronzen god Above a brawl of fire, self-mastered, cold, Cast the strong fretless eye upon our hell. You may command belief in giving witness. We are for you a race of other breed No bond can knit to you; you speak of us As we would speak of foreign plants and stones, Impartial, void of love and void of hate. TITUS. You go too far. MAR. If you refuse me now Your overstubborn word, I take my secret With me into the grave; my latest solace I then must lack this--that one human breast Will keep mine image pure and undefiled, Which then when Fate has dared its ugliest Can lift the veil that shrouds it from the feel Of duty and of reverence for the truth. TITUS. Good. I will swear the oath to you. MAR. Then know I put deceit on Herod, but ’twas other, Far other than he weens; nay, I was true As he to self. Why shame me thus--much truer, For he has long been other than he was. What, am I to protest it? Sooner far I were resolved to swear an oath I have My eyes and hands and feet. Them I would lose And I would still remain that which I am; But not my heart and soul. TITUS. I do believe you And I will---- MAR.