Julius Caesar; Act II, Scene i: First Folio

Julius Caesar      Act II, Scene i        Brutus

This speech is used in our interview with Lynn Robert Berg

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745.  No, not an Oath: if not the Face of men,
746.  The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;
747.  If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,
748.  And euery man hence, to his idle bed:
749.  So let high-sighted-Tyranny range on,
750.  Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these
751.  (As I am sure they do) beare fire enough
752.  To kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour
753.  The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,
754.  What neede we any spurre, but our owne cause
755.  To pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,
756.  Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,
757.  And will not palter? And what other Oath,
758.  Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,
759.  That this shall be, or we will fall for it.
760.  Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men Cautelous
761.  Old feeble Carrions, and such suffering Soules
762.  That welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare
763.  Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staine
764.  The euen vertue of our Enterprize,
765.  Nor th'insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,
766.  To thinke, that or our Cause, or our Performance
767.  Did neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
768.  That euery Roman beares, and Nobly beares
769.  Is guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,
770.  If he do breake the smallest Particle
771.  Of any promise that hath past from him.