Here we have “the marriage of true souls”; and though the prelude to this nuptial hymn, a prelude that heralds and enhances its sweetness, is veriest Shakespeare, when the main theme begins and the climax is reached, he is content to resign himself to the ancient melody, and re-echo, even while he varies, the notes.
North’s actual slips or blunders are received into the play. Thus the account of the assassination runs: “Caesar was driven ... against the base whereupon Pompey’s image stood, which ranne all of a goare blood.” The last clause, probably by accident, adds picturesqueness to Amyot’s simple description, “qui en fust toute ensanglantee,” and is immortalised in Antony’s bravura:
Even at the base of Pompey’s statua
Which all the while ran blood.
(III. ii. 192.)
More noticeable is the instance of Brutus’ reply to Cassius’ question, what he will do if he lose the battle at Philippi. Amyot’s translation is straightforward enough.
Brutus luy respondit: “Estant encore jeune et non assez experimenté es affaires de ce monde, je feis ne sçay comment un discours de philosophie, par lequel je reprenois et blasmois fort Caton d’estre desfait soymesme” etc.
That is:
Brutus answered him: “When I was yet young and not much experienced in the affairs of this world, I composed, somehow or other, a philosophic discourse in which I greatly rebuked and censured Cato for having made away with himself!”
North did not notice where the quotation began; connected feis with fier in place of faire, probably taking it as present not as past; and interpreted discours as principle, which it never meant and never can mean, instead of dissertation. So he translates: