This was the noblest Roman of them all.
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mix’d in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This was a man!
—Julius Caesar, Act v., Sc. 5.
For even then, Sir, even before this splendid orb was entirely set, and while the western horizon was in a blaze with his descending glory, on the opposite quarter of the heavens arose another luminary, and, for his hour, became lord of the ascendant.... And I did see in that noble person such sound principles, such an enlargement of mind, such clear and sagacious sense, and such unshaken fortitude, as have bound me, as well as others much better than me, by an inviolable attachment to him from that time forward.... I stood near him; and his face, to use the expression of the Scripture of the first martyr—his face was as if it had been the face of an angel. I do not know how others feel; but if I had stood in that situation, I never would have exchanged it for all that kings in their profusion could bestow. I did hope that that day’s danger and honor would have been a bond to hold us all together forever.—Burke.
O, sing unto the Lord a new song: