But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes?
(IV. iii. 21.)
But this, one feels, is merely an argumentum ad hominem, brought forward very much in afterthought for a particular purpose. At the time, neither in Brutus’ speeches to himself or others, nor in the discussions of the conspirators, is Caesar accused of countenancing peculation, or is this made a handle against him. And if it were, it would not be incompatible with acquiescence in a royal government.[160]
The other is the exclamation with which he “pieces out” the anonymous letter that Cassius had left unfinished:
Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What, Rome?
(II. i. 52.)
This certainly has somewhat of the republican ring. It breathes the same spirit as Cassius’ own avowal:
I had as lief not be, as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself;