So vile a thing as Cæsar? But, O, grief! My answer must be made: But I am arm'd, Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs; And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who goes farthest. Cas. There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already Is favour'd, like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? -- Cin. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate Cin. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this? There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cin. Yes, 7 Appears. The noble Brutus to our party. Cas. Be you content: Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Come, Casca, you and I will, yet, ere day, Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. Casca. O, he sits high, in all the people's hearts: And that, which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchymy, Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, For it is after midnight; and, ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him. [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. Brutus's Orchard. Enter BRUTUS. Bru. What, Lucius! ho! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, Enter LUCIUS. Luc. Call'd you, my lord? Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. Bru. It must be by his death: and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question. It is the bright day, that brings forth the adder; That; And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 8 Cæsar, I have not known when his affections sway'd 8 Pity, tenderness. 9 Experience. That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, And kill him in the shell. Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, Give so much light, that I may read by them. [Exit. [Opens the Letter, and reads. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress! Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake Such instigations have been often dropp'd 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? I Low steps. My ancestors did from the streets of Rome If the redress will follow, thou receivest Re-enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. [Knock within. [Exit LUCIUS. Bru. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, Between the acting of a dreadful thing Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Brut. Is he alone? Luc. No, sir, there are more with him. Bru. Do you know them? Luc. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, And half their faces buried in their cloaks, That by no means I may discover them By any mark of favour3. Bru. Let them enter. [Exit LUCIUS. 2 Vision. 3 Countenance. |