“ There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; but hollow men, like horses hot at hand, make gallant show and promise of their mettle; but when they should endure the bloody spur, they fall their crests and like deceitful jades sink in the trial. ”
William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Julius Caesar |
| Topic | deceit ceremony tricks |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written in 1599 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1120/pg1120-images.html |
Context
“Nor with such free and friendly conference, As he hath used of old. BRUTUS. Thou hast described
A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay It useth an enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, Make gallant show and promise of their mettle; But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests and like deceitful jades Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
LUCILIUS. They meant his night in Sard is to be quarter'd;
The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius.” source
A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay It useth an enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, Make gallant show and promise of their mettle; But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests and like deceitful jades Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
LUCILIUS. They meant his night in Sard is to be quarter'd;
The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius.” source
Meaning and analysis
