cry for? yet 'twas Casca Why, there was a crown offer'd him: and Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I being offer'd him, he put it by with the back of his could remember it. hand, thus; and then the people fell a shouting. Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca ? Bru. What was the second noise for? Casca. No, I am promised forth. Casca. Why, for that too. Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Cas. They shouted thrice; What was the last Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Casca. Why, for that too. Cas. Good; I will expect you. Bru. Was the crown offered him thrice? Casca. Do so: Farewell, both. [Exil Casca. Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, Bru. What a blunt fellow this is grown to be; every time gentler than other; and at every putting Ile was quick mettle, when he went to school. by, mine honest neighbours shouted. Cas. So is he now, in execution Cas. Who offer'd him the crown? Of any bold or noble enterprize, Casca. Why, Antony. However he puts on this tardy form, Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the man- Which gives men stomach to digest his words ner of it: it was mere foolery. I did not mark it. With better appetite. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave you: not a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets; To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, — and, as I told you, he put it by once; but, for all I will come home to you; or, if you will, that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Come home to me, and I will wait for you. Then he offered it to him again ; then he put it by Cas. I will do so : — till then, think of the world. again : but, to my thinking, he was very loath to [Erit BRUTUS. lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, third time; he put it the third time by: and still as Thy honourable metal may be wrought he refused it, the rabblement hooted, and clapped From that it is dispos’d?: Therefore 'tis meet their chopped hands, and threw up their night-caps, That noble minds keep ever with their likes : and uttered such a deal of foul breath because For who so firm, that cannot be seduc'd ? Cæsar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cæsar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus: Cæsar; for he swooned, and fell down at it: And If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of He should not humour 3 me. I will this night, opening my lips, and receiving the bad air. In several hands, in at his windows throw, Cas. But soft, I pray you: What? did Cæsar As if they came from several citizens, swoon? Writings all tending to the great opinion Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely foamed at mouth, and was speechless. Cæsar's ambition shall be glanced at : Bru. 'Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness. And, after this, let Cæsar seat him sure ; Cas. No, Cæsar hath it not; but you, and I, For we will shake him, or worse days endure. And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness. [Erit. Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, SCENE III. – A Street. I am sure, Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him, and hiss him, according as he Thunder and Lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, pleased, and displeased them, as they used to do the Casca, with his Sword drawn, and Cicero. players in the theatre, I am no true man. Cic. Good even, Casca: Brought you Cæsar home? Bru. What said he, when he came unto himself? Why are you breathless ? and why stare you so ? Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he per- Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of ceived the common herd was glad he refused the earth crown, he plucked me ope his doublet, and offered Shakes, like a thing unfirm ? O Cicero, them his throat to cut. An I had been a man of I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a Have riv'd the knotty oaks; and I have seen word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues: The ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam, - and so he fell. When he came to himself again, To be exalted with the threat'ning clouds : he said, If he had done, or said any thing amiss, he But never till to-night, never till now, desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, Alas, Either there is a civil strife in heaven; good soul ! - and forgave him with all their hearts: Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, But there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæsar Incenses them to send destruction. had stabbed their mothers, they would have done Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful ? no less. Casca. A cominon slave (you know him well by Bru. And after that, he came, thus sad, away? sight) Casca. Ay. Held up his left hand, which did flame, and burn Cas. Did Cicero say any thing? Like twenty torches join'd; and yet his hand, Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch d. Cas. To what effect? Besides (I have not since put up my sword), Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you Against the Capitol I met a lion, i’ the face again : But those that understood him, who glar'd upon me, and went surly by, smiled at one another, and shook their heads ; but, Without annoying me: And there were drawn for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, you more news too; Marullus and Flavius, for Transformed with their fear; who swore, they saw pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. 2 Disposed to. 3 Cajole. Men, all on fire, walk up and down the streets. Mean to establish Cæsar as a king: And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius : These are their reasons, They are natural ; Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; For, I believe they are portentous things Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat : Unto the climate that they point upon. Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Never lacks power to dismiss itself. Cic. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I : So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant then : Cas. Who's there? Poor man! I know, he would not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans are but sheep : Casca, by your voice. He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. 6 Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is Those that with haste will make a mighty fire, this? Begin it with weak straws: What trash is Rome, Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so ? For the base matter to illumimte Cas. Those, that have known the earth so full of So vile a thing as Cæsar ? But, O grief! faults. Where hast thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, Before a willing bondman : then I know Submitting me unto the perilous night; My answer must be made: But I am armd, And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, And dangers are to me indifferent. Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-storm : Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, And, when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open | That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand : The breast heaven, I did present myself Be factious for redress of all these griefs ; Even in the aim and very flash of it. And I will set this foot of mine as far, Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the As who goes farthest. heavens? Cas. There's a bargain made. It is the part of men to fear and tremble, Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already To undergo, with me, an enterprize And I do know, by this, they stay for me Is favour'd 7, like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in Why all these things change, from their ordinance, haste. Their natures and pre-formed faculties, Cas. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him hy his gait; Cimber? Am I not staid for, Cinna? That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this? As doth the lion in the Capitol : There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. A man no mightier than thyself, or me, (as. Am I not staid four, Cinna? Tell me. In personal action; yet prodigious grown, Cin. And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. 0, Cassius, if you could but win Casca. 'Tis Cæsar that you mean : Is it not, | The noble Brutus to our party Cassius? Cas. Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper, Cas. Let it be who it is : for Romans now And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Have thewes 5 and limbs like to their ancestors ; Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this But woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead, In at his window : set this up with wax And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits ; Upon old Brutus' statue : all this done, Our yoke and sufferings show us womanish. Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow Is Decius Brutus, and Trebonius, there? * Why they deviate from quality and nature, 5 Muscles. 6 Deer. * Appears Yes You are. : Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Casca. 0, he sits high, in all the people's hearts : To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, And that, which would appear offence in us, And so bestow these papers as you bade me. His countenance, like richest alchymy, Cas. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. [Erit CixNA. Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, him, See Brutus at his house: three parts of him You have right well conceited. Let us go, Is ours already; and the man entire, For it is after midnight; and ere day, Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. We will awake him, and be sure of him. (Exeunt. ACT II. : SCENE I. - Brutus's Orchard. Luc. I will, sir. Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, Enter BRUTUS. Give so much light, that I may read by them. Bru. What, Lucius! ho! (Opens the Letter, and reads. I cannot, by the progress of the stars, Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself. Give guess how near to-day. — Lucius, I say ! Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress / Brutus, thou sleep'st ; awake Where I have took them up. Shall Rome, &c. Thus, must I piece it out ; Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What ! Rome? My ancestors did from the streets of Rome [Erit. The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. Bru. It must be by his death : and, for my part, Speak, strike, redress! - Am I entreated then I know no personal cause to spurn at him, To speak, and strike ? O Rome! I make thee But for the general. He would be crown'd: promise, How that might change his nature, there's the If the redress will follow, thou receivest question. Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, March has wasted fourteen days. (Knock within. That at his will he may do danger with. Bru. 'Tis good. Go to the gate ; somebody knocks. The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins [Exit Lucius. Remorse 8 from power : And, to speak truth of Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all the interim is The genius, and the mortal instruments, Are then in council; and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection. Re-enter Lucius. Who doth desire to see you. Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, Bru. Is he alone? Would run to these, and these extremities : Luc. No, sir, there are more with him. And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, Bru. Do you know them? Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mis- Luc. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their chievous; ears, And kill him in the shell. And half their faces buried in their cloaks, That by no means I may discover them By any mark of favour.'s Bru. Let them enter. Searching the window for a Aint, I found [Exit Lucius. This paper, thus seald up; and, I am sure, They are the faction. O conspiracy? It did not lie there when I went to bed. Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, Bru. Get you to bed again, it is not day. When evils are most free? O, then, by day, Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March 2 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough Luc. I know not, sir. To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conBru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. spiracy; 8 Pity, tenderness 9 Experience. • Vision. 1 Low steps, 3 Countenance, 1 Hide it in smiles, and affability : Casca. Let us not leave him out. For if thou path, thy native semblance on 4, Cin. No, by no means. Not Erebus 5 itself were dim enough Met. 0, let us have him; for his silver hairs To hide thee from prevention. Will purchase us a good opinion, Enter Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus And buy men's voices to commend our deeds; Cimber, and TREBONIUS. It shall be said, his judgment ruld our hands : Cas. I think we are too bold upon your rest : Our youths, and wildness, shall no whit appear, But all be buried in his gravity. Bru. O, name him not; let us not break with himo; Know I these men, that come along with you? That other men begin. Cas. Yes, every man of them; and no man here, Cas. Then leave himn out. Casca. Indeed, he is not fit. Dec. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Cæsar? Cas. Decius, well urg'd; - I think it is not meet, Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Cæsar, He is welcome too. Should outlive Cæsar. We shall find of him Cas. This, Casca; this, Cinna; A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means, And this Metellus Cimber. If he improves them, may well stretch so far, As to annoy us all: which to prevent, Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, , and then hack the limbs ; here? Like wrath in death, and envy' afterwards : For Antony is but a limb of Cæsar. Let us be sacrificers, but no butchers, Caius. O, that we then could come by Cæsar's spirit, Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises ; And not dismember Cæsar! But, alas, Which is a great way growing on the south, Cæsar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends, Weighing the youthful season of the year. Some two months hence, up higher toward the north Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; He first presents his fire ; and the high east Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcase fit for hounds: And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, Stir up their servants to an act of rage, Bru. No, not an oath : If not the face of men, Our purpose necessary, and not envious : And after seem to chide them. This shall make The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse, If these be motives weak, break off betimes, Which so appearing to the common eyes, And every man hence to his idle bed ; We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. So let high-sighted tyranny range on, And for Mark Antony, think not of him; For he can do no more than Cæsar's arm, Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, When Cæsar's head is off. As I am sure they do, bear fire enough Cas. Yet I do fear him: To kindle cowards, and to steel with valour The melting spirits of women; then, countrymen, For in the ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar : What need we any spur, but our own cause, Bru. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him : If he love Cæsar, all that he can do Is to himself; take thought, and die for Cæsar: And will not palter ? 7 and what other oath, And that were much he should; for he is given Than honesty to honesty engag'd, To sports, to wildness, and much company. Treb. There is no fear in him, let him not die; That this shall be, or we will fall for it? Swear priests, and cowards, and men cautelous 8, For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls Bru. Peace, count the clock. That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear Cas. The clock hath stricken three. Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain Treb. 'Tis time to part. The even virtue of our enterprize, Cus. But it is doubtful yet, Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits, Whe'r Cæsar will come forth to-day, or no; For he is superstitious grown of late; Quite from the main opinion he held once Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies; It may be, these apparent prodigies, The unaccustom'd terror of this night, Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. Cas. But what of Cicero? Shall we sound bim? And the persuasion of his augurers, I think, he will stand very strong with us. May hold him from the Capitul to-day. Dec. Never fear that : If he be so resolvid, 4 Walk in thy true form. 5 Hell, 6 Perhaps Shakspeare wrote faith. I can o'ersway him ; for he loves to bear, 1 Prevaricate. 8 Cautious. 9 Let us not break the matter to him Malice ; (Clock strikes. a : secret. That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, To dare the vile contagion of the night? Lions with toils, and men with flatterers. And tempt the rheumy 6 and unpurged air But, when I tell him, he hates flatterers, To add unto his sickness ? No, my Brutus; He says, he does; being then most flattered. You have some sick offence within your mind, Let me work : Which, by the right and virtue of my place, For I can give his humour the true bent; I ought to know of : And, upon my knees, And I will bring him to the Capitol. I charm you, by my once commended beauty, Met. Caius Ligarius doth bear Cæsar hard, Why you are heavy; and what men to-night Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him 2: Even from darkness. Bru. Kneel not, gentle Portia. Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. Por. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. Cas. The morning comes upon us: We'll leave Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, you, Brutus: Is it excepted, I should know no secrets And, friends, disperse yourselves: but all remember That appertain to you? Am I yourself, What you have said, and show yourselves true But, as it were, in sort, or limitation; Romans. To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, Bru. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily; And talk to you sometimes ? Dwell I but in the Let not our looks put on our purposes ; suburbs But bear it as our Roman actors do, Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, With untir'd spirits, and formal constancy: Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. And so, good morrow to you every one. Bru. You are my true and honourable wife; [Ereune all but Brutus. As dear to me, as are the ruddy drops Boy! Lucius! - Fast asleep? It is no matter ; That visit my sad heart. Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : Por. If this were true, then should I know this Thou hast no figures 3, nor no fantasies, Which busy care draws in the brains of men ; I grant, I am a woman, but, withal, Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. A woman that lord Brutus took to wife : I grant, I am a woman; but, withal, A woman well reputed; Cato's daughter. Brutus, my lord ? | Think you, I am no stronger than my sex, Bru. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise Being so father'd, and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose them: It is not for your health thus to commit I have made strong proof of my constancy, Your weak condition to the raw-cold morning. Giving myself a voluntary wound Por. Nor for yours neither. You have urgently, Here, in the thigh: Can I bear that with patience, Brutus, And not my husband's secrets ? Stole from my bed : And yesternight, at supper, Bru. O ye gods, You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, Render me worthy of this noble wife! Musing, and sighing, with your arms across : [Knocking within. And when I ask'd you what the matter was, Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in a while; You star'd upon me with ungentle looks : And by and by thy bosoin shall partake All the charactery of my sad brows: Leave me with haste. [Exit PORTIA. Gave sign for me to leave you: So I did; Fearing to strengthen that impatience, Enter Lucius and LIGARIUS. Luc. Here is a sick man, that would speak with you. Boy, stand aside. — Caius Ligarius! how? And, could it work so much upon your shape Lig. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. As it hath much prevailid on your condition “, Bru. O, what a time have you chose out, brave I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, Caius, Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. To wear a kerchief ? 'Would you were not sick! Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. Lig. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand Por. Brutus is wise, and were he not in health, Any exploit worthy the name of honour. He would embrace the means to come by it. Bru. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Bru. Why, so I do: - good Portia, go to bed. Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. Por. Is Brutus sick ? and is it physical Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome ! Of the dank 5 morning? What, is Brutus sick; Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins ! 3 By his house. ; Shapes created by imagination. Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjur'd up 4 Temper. you now? 6 Moist. 5 Damp. |