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