‘ wed 
Vil.27.] | «=—-s THE FIRST BOOK. = 65 
24. The second speech was thus: Cesar did extremely 
affect the name of king; and some were set on as he 
passed by, in popular acclamation to salute him king. 
Whereupon, finding the cry weak and poor, he put it off 
thus, in a kind of jest, as if they had mistaken his sur- 
name; Von Rex.sum, sed Cesar; a speech, that if it be 
searched, the life and fulness of it can scarce be ex- 
pressed. For, first, it was a refusal of the name, but yet 
not serious: again, it did signify an infinite confidence 
and magnanimity, as if he presumed Cesar was the 
greater title; as by his worthiness it is come to pass 
till this day. But chiefly it was a speech of great allure- 
ment toward his own purpose; as if the state did strive 
with him but for a name, whereof mean families were 
vested; for Rex was a surname with the Romans, as well 
as King is with us. 
28. The last speech which I will mention was used to 
Metellus: pwhen Czesar, after war declared, did possess 
himself of the city of Rome; at which time entering into 
the inner treasury to take the money there accumulate, 
Metellus being tribune forbade him. Whereto Czsar 
said, That if he did not desist, he would lay him dead in 
the place. And presently taking himself up, he added, 
Young man, tt ts harder for me to speak tt than-to do it ; 
Adolescens, durius est mtht hoe dicere quam facere. A 
speech compounded of the greatest terror and greatest 
clemency that could proceed out of the mouth of 
man. 
29. But to return and conclude with him, it is evident 
himself knew well his own perfection in learning, and 
took it upon him; as appeared when, upon occasion that 
some spake what a strange resolution it was in Lucius 
Sylla to resign his dictature; he scoffing at him, to his 
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