Non paventi però, nè del mio petto
In parte alcuna la quiete turbi;
Ma tu và trova Marcantonio, e dilli
Da parte mia, che vada a dar licenza
Al Senato, e li dica, che per oggi
In Senato non posso ritrovarmi.”—P. 97.
And note the solicitude of this Colossus, for the opinion of Caesar’s Senate:
“E mi scusi con lui sì, che non nasca
Sospetto in lui d’esser da me sprezzato.”—P. 97.
This Caesar, in spite of his words, fears. He fears the omens, but he will not betray his feelings. It might be claimed that his message to the Senate is a natural result of an innate courtesy typical of true greatness. But coming where it does and as it does, it seems more an exhibition of that pride which a man consciously great takes in the good opinions of his underlings. Surely Caesar had nothing to fear from his puppet Senators. He could just as curtly have disregarded them; but demigods must display some good attributes, some care for their worshippers, if only to feed the sense of their superiority on the admiration of inferior beings.