Cas. In such a time as this, it is not meet Cas. I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus that speak this, your last! Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March, remember! Cas. Brutus, bay not me! I'll not endure it; you forget yourself Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Bru. I say, you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself— Have mind upon your health-tempt me no farther! Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. Is't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? Cas. O gods! ye gods! must I endure all this? Bru. All this? ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break; Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say you are a better soldier; Brutus and Cassius. Let it appear so: make your vaunting true, For mine own part, Cas. You wrong me every way-you wrong me, Brutus; I said, an elder soldier, not a better; Did I say better? Bru. If you did, I care not. 325 Cas. When Cæsar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What! durst not tempt him? Bru. For your life you durst not. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; I do that I shall be sorry for. may Bru. You have done that you I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring Το you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal-counters from his friends, Dash him to pieces! Cas. I denied you not. Bru. You did. Cas. I did not ;-he was but a fool That brought my answer back.-Brutus hath rived my heart. A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Bru. I do not, till you practise them on me. Cas. You love me not! Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Bru. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come ! Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is a-weary of the world : Hated by one he loves-braved by his brother— Checked like a bondman-all his faults observed. Set in a note-book-learned and conned by rote, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Bru. Sheathe your dagger; Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Cas. Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, Cas. O Brutus ! Bru. What's the matter ? Cas. Have you not love enough to bear with me, Bru. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, 5.-PRINCE ARTHUR AND HUBERT. SHAKSPEARE. [See page 314.] Hubert. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou, stand Within the arras; when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth And bind the boy, which you shall find with me, Fast to the chair. Be heedful. Hence, and watch. First Attendant. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Hub. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you; look to't. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Prince Arthur and Hubert. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince) as may be. You are sad. Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Mercy on me! Arth. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ? [Aside. Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale to-day : In sooth, I would you were a little sick, How now, foolish rheum! [Showing a Paper. Out at mine eyes, in tender womanish tears.- Arth. Hub. Arth. Have you the heart? I knit my handkerchief about And will you? And I will. 327 When your head did but ache, your brows (The best I had, a princess wrought it me), And I did never ask it you again; And with my hand at midnight held your head; Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time, P Saying, What lack you ? and, Where lies your grief? you If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, Hub. I have sworn to do it, And with hot irons must I burn them out. Arth. Ah! none but in this iron age would do it. Even in the matter of mine innocence, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron ? And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, Re-enter ATTENDANTS, with cords, irons, etc. Do as I bid you. Arth. Oh! save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. I will not struggle, I will stand stone still. For heaven's sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you Whatever torment you do put me to. Hub. Go, stand within: let me alone with him. [Stamps. First Attendant. I am best pleased to be from such a deed. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Arth. Alas! I then have chid away my friend? He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart. Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours. Hub. Arth. Is there no remedy? Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. None but to lose your eyes. Arth. Oh! heaven! that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair— Any annoyance in that precious sense; Then, feeling what small things are boist'rous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible. Hub. Is this your promise? Go to! hold your tongue. |