That her wide walks encompass'd but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man.156
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd
Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.160
Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
What you would work me to, I have some aim:
How I have thought of this and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter; for this present,164
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further mov'd. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time168
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome172
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
Cas. I am glad
That my weak words have struck but thus much show
Of fire from Brutus.176
Bru. The games are done and Cæsar is returning.
Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day.180
Enter Cæsar and his Train.
154 walks; cf. n.
155 Rome: then often pronounced 'Room'
158 Brutus: Lucius Junius, who expelled the Tarquins, ca. 510 B. C.
brook'd: tolerated
159 state: throne, rulership
161 nothing: not at all
jealous: doubtful
162 work: induce
aim: inkling
165 so: if; cf. n.
166 mov'd: persuaded, urged
169 meet: fit
170 chew: ponder
173 as: such as
