So often shall the knot of us be call’d
The men that gave their country liberty,”
has always impressed me as an anticlimax. This, both in word and in thought, coming so soon after his noble speech, produces the same unpleasant effect as,
“O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee,”
which, intruded into Antony’s lament, has caused many critics to regard these lines as interpolations. Nor does Cassius’ first exalted outburst seem in keeping with his character. Of all the conspirators he is the last whom we would expect to find indulging in raptures at such a critical moment. Far more in keeping are his next words,
“Ay, every man away:
Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.”
This indeed is Cassius; every man on the alert, and every energy bent to insure the successful conclusion of their enterprise.