Julius Caesar: Act II, Scene i

Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1. Brutus

(This text is featured in our interview with Lynn Robert Berg)

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125.  No, not an oath: if not the face of men,
126.  The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,—
127.  If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
128.  And every man hence to his idle bed;
129.  So let high-sighted tyranny range on,
130.  Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,  
131.  As I am sure they do, bear fire enough
132.  To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
133.  The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,
134.  What need we any spur but our own cause,
135.  To prick us to redress? what other bond
136.  Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
137.  And will not palter? and what other oath
138.  Than honesty to honesty engaged,
139.  That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
140.  Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
141.  Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
142.  That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
143.  Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain
144.  The even virtue of our enterprise,
145.  Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
146.  To think that or our cause or our performance
147.  Did need an oath; when every drop of blood
148.  That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,
149.  Is guilty of a several bastardy,
150.  If he do break the smallest particle
151.  Of any promise that hath pass'd from him.

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