n these
and some other cases the words have some epithet or context
that determines their meaning, but not so with 'Genius' in the
text. But, in all such cases, the words indicate the directive
power of the mind. And so we often speak of a man's 'better
self,' or a man's 'worser self,' according as one is in fact
directed or drawn to good or to evil.--The sense of 'mortal'
here is also somewhat in question. Shakespeare sometimes uses
it for 'perishable,' or that which dies; but oftener for
'deadly,' or that which kills. 'Mortal instruments' may well
be held to mean what Macbeth refers to when he says, "I'm
settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible
feat."--As Brutus is speaking with reference to his own case,
he probably intends 'Genius' in a good sense, for the
spiritual or immortal part of himself. If so, then he would
naturally mean by 'mortal' his perishable part, or his
ministerial faculties, which shrink from executing what the
directing power is urging them to. The late Professor Ferrier
of St. Andrews seems to take a somewhat different view of the
passage. He says, "In this speech of Brutus, Shakespeare gives
a fine description of the unsettled state of the mind when the
will is hesitating about the perpetration of a great crime,
and when the passions are threatening to overpower, and
eventually do overpower, the reason and the conscience."]

[Note 67-69: Cf. I, ii, 39-47; _Macbeth_, I, iii, 137-142.]

[Page 48]

_Re-enter_ LUCIUS

LUCIUS. Sir, 't is your brother Cassius at the door, 70
Who doth desire to see you.

BRUTUS. Is he alone?

LUCIUS. No, sir, there are moe with him.

BRUTUS. Do you know them?

LUCIUS. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears,
And half their faces buried in their cloaks,
That by no means I may discover them 75
By any mark of favour.

BRUTUS. Let 'em enter. [_Exit_ LUCIUS]
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
When evils are most free? O, then, by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability:
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention. 85