An Upright and Gentle Man

School report on Brutus, no date. Note the teacher's corrections in pencil.
I'll type it up as I see it, spelling errors and all:

Edith Yerdon

Brutus

Brutus was an upright and gentle man. He was a great patriot. He had a good character. He was influenced by Cassius to join in a conspiracy which ended in the murder of Ceasar. The killing of Ceaser who was his intimate friend showed his bravery. This also showed his love for his country. This made his own life dangerous. In his oration showing the reasons for Ceaser's death, he spoke in a very calm manner. He was sensible and far-sighted. He did not believe in extremes. He also had a great deal of common sense.

After being defeated in battle by Actavius and Antony, he took his own life. This showed his sense of honor. After his death, Antony said,

This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Ceasar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'

Edith Yerdon
Ethel Lovejoy

Found in "The Best Loved Home Ballads of James Whitcomb Riley." Published by Blue Ribbon Books, 1931.


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