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y discovery of their conspiracy, they were afraid every man of them; and one looking in another's face, it was easy to see that they all were of a mind, that it was no tarrying for them till they were apprehended, but rather that they should kill themselves with their own hands. And when Cassius and certain other clapped their hands on their swords under their gowns, to draw them, Brutus marking the countenance and gesture of Laena, and considering that he did use himself rather like an humble and earnest suitor than like an accuser, he said nothing to his companion (because there were many amongst them that were not of the conspiracy), but with a pleasant countenance encouraged Cassius; and immediately after, Laena went from Caesar, and kissed his hand.... Trebonius on the other side drew Antonius aside, as he came into the house where the Senate sat, and held him with a long talk without." In the _Julius Caesar_ Plutarch makes Decius detain Antony in talk.] [Note A: i.e. whispered.] [Note B: i.e. advise.] [Page 82] DECIUS. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. BRUTUS. He is address'd: press near and second him. CINNA. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 30 CAESAR. Are we all ready? What is now amiss That Caesar and his senate must redress? METELLUS. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart,-- [_Kneeling_] [Note 31: /Are ... ready?/ | Dyce gives to Casca; Ritson (conj.) to Cinna.] [Note 35: [_Kneeling_] Rowe | Ff omit.] [Note 28: /presently:/ immediately, at once. So Shakespeare and other Elizabethan writers always use the word. See l. 143; IV, i, 45.] [Note 29: /address'd:/ prepared. Often so in sixteenth century literature. Cf. _As You Like It_, V, iv, 162; _Henry V_, III, iii, 58; _2 Henry IV_, IV, iv, 5. This old meaning survives in a well-known golf term.] [Page 83] CAESAR. I must prevent thee, Cimber. 35 These couchings and these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men, And turn pre-ordinance and first decree Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood 40 That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that which melteth fools, I mean, sweet words, Low-crooked curtsies, and base spani
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