VII. 27.] THE FIRST BOOK. 65 



27. The second speech was thus: Caesar 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 ; Non Rex sum, sed Ccesar ; 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 Caesar 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 : when Csesar, 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 Caesar 

 said, That if he did not desist, he would lay him dead in 

 the place. And presently taking himself up, he added, 

 Young man, it is harder for me to speak it than to do it ; 

 Adolescent, durius est mi hi hoc dicer e quam facere. A 

 speech compounded of the greatest terror and greatest 

 clemency that could proceed out of the moutty 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 



K 



