TW11 The Cleopatra Crisis NEW Read Free Page A

corrupt intriguer. I cannot understand why you defend him, Brutus."
    "It is not my intention to defend Caesar," Brutus replied. "Nor does he require my defense. Can you deny the good he did for Rome? In Gaul, he expanded his army with legions raised at his own expense. He even went so far as to recruit and train an entire legion from the province. In the nine years of his military governorship, he subjugated all of Gaul to Roman authority. His legions took over eight hundred towns, conquered three hundred states, and killed over a million enemy barbarians, taking as many prisoner. If you are going to point out the man's faults, then do not neglect his virtues."
    "Virtues!
What
virtues?" Casca asked, raising his voice. "You speak as if Caesar gained nothing for himself! Gaul has made him rich! And he was lavish in his gifts of slaves to anyone who could be of benefit to him. Any man who looks at Caesar's history with a clear eye can come away with but one conclusion! All Caesar ever wanted was
power
! His ambition simply knows no bounds. I tell you, he intends to seize Rome itself! He plans to depose Pompey and make himself dictator!"
    "I have seen no proof of that," said Brutus.
    "No? Then why did he refuse to be relieved?" countered Casca. "The Gallic Wars are over! The province has been pacified. Why does he refuse to disband his legions? I'll tell you why! Because he still faces charges of malfeasance during his term as consul! Because he still has debts that he does not wish to pay! Because he had made wild promises that he knows he cannot keep! And most of all, because he has acquired a taste for power and he does not wish to give it up. Even his old friend, Pompey, considers him a threat!"
    "Perhaps," Brutus replied, "but there are those, present company included, who have gone to great lengths to make a breach between Pompey and Caesar. And frankly, while Pompey may be a great general, as a statesman he leaves much to be desired."
    “Your feelings about Pompey are well known," said Casca, dismissing his comment with a wave of his hand. "He did execute your father, after all. Or was it
really
your father that he killed? Perhaps there is another reason for your reluctance to condemn Caesar. It is well known that your mother was once his mistress."
    Brutus gave Casca a long, hard look. "Caesar is
not my
father," he said stiffly.
    “Then why does he bear so much affection for you?" Casca asked.
    “Was I invited here to be called a bastard and insulted?" Brutus shouted, throwing his wine cup to the floor. The slaves hastened to mop up the spill. Brutus started to rise, but Cassius took him by the arm.
    ”No, no, Brutus, stay, please! It was merely the wine speaking, wasn't it, Casca? It is just that we are all inflamed with passion and concern about our future. We meant to share our feelings with you. We had believed that you were with us, but it seems that you cannot forget your father's fate at Pompey's hands and therefore lean toward Caesar. Well, that is regrettable, but we love you none the less for it."
    “You judge me wrongly," Brutus said. "I despise Pompey, that is true, but neither do I favor Caesar. Politics must be dispassionate. A lesson some of us have yet to learn," he added with a pointed glance at Casca. "I may not share the vehemence of your feelings against Caesar but I do not believe that he is the man to govern Rome."
    "Then you are with us'?" asked Cassius.
    “If it must come to a choice between Pompey and Caesar, then for the good of the republic, I must put aside my own feelings and stand for Pompey,"
    Brutus replied, "Caesar has accomplished great things, but I believe that Cicero is right. His chief concern is for himself, not Rome."
    "Cicero is wise," said Ligarius, nodding. He belched loudly.
    "The gods have spoken," Cimber said, raising his cup and draining it.
    "Then why have you not invited him tonight, so that you could partake of his wisdom?" Brutus asked.
    "Cicero is wise, but he is