O apogeu da crítica literária

CINNA
(...) I am going to Caesar's funeral.

FIRST PLEBEIAN
As a friend or an enemy?

CINNA
As a friend.

SECOND PLEBEIAN
That matter is answered directly.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN
For your dwelling -briefly.

CINNA
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

THIRD PLEBEIAN
Your name, sir, truly.

CINNA
Truly, my name is Cinna-

FIRST PLEBEIAN
Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator.

CINNA
I am Cinna the poet! I am Cinna the poet!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

(Do Júlio César de Balançalança, ato III, cena 3. Como a literatura seria melhor se a crítica tivesse mantido esse nível de exigência.)