Christopher Honey

Cassius Speaks on Brutus

A lean and hungry look, said Caesar, meaning
Having ambition past my natural worth,

As though I had not saved ten thousand Romans
From Crassus’ Parthian folly, while bald Caesar
Adorned Britannic shores with Latin wrecks.

Because the common touch eludes me still,

You thought a dictator would suit me better?

I did not serve as Tribune of the Plebs
To welcome Tarquin back in a laurel crown.

What I did, I did for Republican

Rome, governed by virtuous men.
He’d never stop, would not be satisfied
With senatorial distinctions and,
When Cicero’s words failed, only one choice
Was given, if a republic I would keep.

One partner, one among so many, called the
Noble conspirator: young Brutus. Orator
Of quality and loved, it seems, by Caesar,
And by history remembered fondly.

High motives assumed of him, but then
Denied me; too lean, too hungry, too short
In speech to be awarded good intent.
 

And you, Brutus? But what of Crassus? What of
The half a dozen men who loved our Rome, too?
Who maybe loved a Julius, as well,
Like Brutus, but, like Brutus, loved the Senate
More. Et tu, Brute? My republic, Brute,

For which I died. Wasn’t Cassius noble, too?

Christopher Honey is completing his MFA thesis at the University of Saint Thomas. His poetry, essays, and book reviews have appeared in numerous publications, including The Rumpus, Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, U.S. Catholic, and Poetry South. He lives and works in Washington, D.C. with his wife and daughter.