Julius Caesar

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Edición digital a cargo de:

Soler Sánchez, Victoria

List of Characters

Julius Caesar

Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife

Servant to them

Mark Antony, triumvir after Caesar

Octavius Caesar, triumvir after Caesar

Marcus Brutus

Portia, Brutus’ wife

Lucius, Brutus’ servant

Strato, Brutus’ servant

Caius Cassius, conspirator with Brutus

Casca, conspirator with Brutus

Decius Brutus, conspirator with Brutus

Cinna, conspirator with Brutus

Trebonius, conspirator with Brutus

Caius Ligarius, conspirator with Brutus

Lucilius, soldier in the army of Brutus

Titinius, soldier in the army of Brutus

Messala, soldier in the army of Brutus

Young Cato, soldier in the army of Brutus

Varrus, soldier in the army of Brutus

Claudio, soldier in the army of Brutus

Clitus, soldier in the army of Brutus

Dardanus, soldier in the army of Brutus

Volumnius, soldier in the army of Brutus

Cicero, senator

Publius, senator

Popilius Lena, senator

Flavius, tribune of the people

Murellus, tribune of the people

Soothsayer

Artemidorus, a teacher of rhetoric

Cinna, a poet

Another poet

Pindarus, Cassius’ servant

Antony’s Servant

Octavius’ servant

Carpenter

Cobbler

Five Plebians

Three soldiers in Brutus’ army

Two soldiers in Antony’s army

Messenger

Gosth of Caesar

Senators, Plebians, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants

Metellus Cimber, conspirator with Brutus

LEPIDUS, triumvir after Caesar

Act I

[1.1]

Enter Flavius, Murellus, and certain commoners over the stage.

FLAVIUS

Hence! Home, you idle creatures! Get you home!

Is this a holiday? What, know you not,

Being mechanical, you ought not walk

Upon a laboring day, without the sign

Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?

CARPENTER

Why, sir, a carpenter.

MURELLUS

Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?

What dost thou with thy best apparel on?

You, sir, what trade are you?

COBBLER

Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but as you would say, a cobbler.

MURELLUS

But what trade art thou? Answer me directly.

COBBLER

A trade, sir, that I hope I may use, with a safe conscience, which is indeed sir, a mender of bad soles.

FLAVIUS

What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what trade?

COBBLER

Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me. Yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you.

MURELLUS

What mean'st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow?

COBBLER

Why, sir, cobble you.

FLAVIUS

Thou art a cobbler, art thou?

COBBLER

Truly sir, all that I live by is with the awl. I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters; but withal I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes: when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather, have gone upon my handiwork.

FLAVIUS

But wherefore art not in thy shop today?

Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?

COBBLER

Truly sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar, and to rejoice in his triumph.

MURELLUS

Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?

What tributaries follow him to Rome,

To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?

You blocks! You stones! You worse than senseless things!

O you hard hearts! You cruel men of Rome!

Knew you not Pompey many a time and oft?

Have you climbed up to walls and battlements,

To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops,

Your infants in your arms, and there have sat

The livelong day, with patient expectation,

To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome?

And when you saw his chariot but appear,

Have you not made an universal shout,

That Tiber trembled underneath her banks

To hear the replication of your sounds,

Made in her concave shores?

And do you now put on your best attire?

And do you now cull out a holiday?

And do you now strew flowers in his way

That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?

Begone!

Run to your houses! Fall upon your knees!

Pray to the gods to intermit the plague

That needs must light on this ingratitude!

FLAVIUS

Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault

Assemble all the poor men of your sort;

Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears

Into the channel, till the lowest stream

Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.

Exeunt all the Commoners.

See whe'er their basest mettle be not moved:

They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.

Go you down that way towards the Capitol;

This way will I. Disrobe the images,

If you do find them decked with ceremonies.

MURELLUS

May we do so?

You know it is the Feast of Lupercal.

FLAVIUS

It is no matter. Let no images

Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about,

And drive away the vulgar from the streets;

So do you too, where you perceive them thick.

These growing feathers, plucked from Caesar's wing,

Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,

Who else would soar above the view of men,

And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

Exeunt

[1.2]

Enter Caesar, Antony for the course, Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, a Soothsayer; after them Murellus and Flavius.

CAESAR

Calpurnia.

CASCA

Peace ho! Caesar speaks.

CAESAR

Calpurnia!

CALPURNIA

Here, my Lord.

CAESAR

Stand you directly in Antonio's way

When he doth run his course. Antonio!

ANTONY

Caesar, my Lord?

CAESAR

Forget not in your speed, Antonio,

To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say,

The barren touchèd in this holy chase,

Shake off their sterile curse.

ANTONY

I shall remember.

When Caesar says, "Do this," it is performed.

CAESAR

Set on, and leave no ceremony out.

[Sennet]

SOOTHSAYER

Caesar!

CAESAR

Ha? Who calls?

CASCA

Bid every noise be still! Peace yet again!

CAESAR

Who is it in the press that calls on me?

I hear a tongue shriller than all the music

Cry "Caesar." Speak! Caesar is turned to hear.

SOOTHSAYER

Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

What man is that?

BRUTUS

A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

Set him before me. Let me see his face.

CASSIUS

Fellow, come from the throng! Look upon Caesar.

CAESAR

What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again.

SOOTHSAYER

Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.

Sennet.

Exeunt [all but Brutus and Cassius].

CASSIUS

Will you go see the order of the course?

BRUTUS

Not I.

CASSIUS

I pray you, do.

BRUTUS

I am not gamesome. I do lack some part

Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.

Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires.

I'll leave you.

CASSIUS

Brutus, I do observe you now of late.

I have not from your eyes that gentleness

And show of love as I was wont to have.

You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand

Over your friend that loves you.

BRUTUS

Cassius,

Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look,

I turn the trouble of my countenance

Merely upon myself. Vexed I am

Of late with passions of some difference,

Conceptions only proper to myself,

Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors;

But let not therefore my good friends be grieved,

Among which number, Cassius, be you one,

Nor construe any further my neglect

100

Than that poor Brutus with himself at war,

Forgets the shows of love to other men.

CASSIUS

Then Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,

By means whereof, this breast of mine hath buried

Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.

105

Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS

No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself

But by reflection, by some other things.

CASSIUS

'Tis just.

And it is very much lamented, Brutus,

110

That you have no such mirrors as will turn

Your hidden worthiness into your eye,

That you might see your shadow. I have heard,

Where many of the best respect in Rome,

Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus

115

And groaning underneath this age's yoke,

Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.

BRUTUS

Into what dangers, would you lead me, Cassius,

That you would have me seek into myself

For that which is not in me?

CASSIUS

120

Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear;

And since you know you cannot see yourself

So well as by reflection, I, your glass,

Will modestly discover to yourself

That of yourself which you yet know not of.

125

And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus.

Were I a common laughter, or did use

To stale with ordinary oaths my love

To every new protester; if you know

That I do fawn on men and hug them hard

130

And after scandal them; or if you know

That I profess myself in banqueting

To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.

Flourish, and shout.

BRUTUS

What means this shouting? I do fear the people

Choose Caesar for their king.

CASSIUS

Ay, do you fear it?

135

Then must I think you would not have it so.

BRUTUS

I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.

But wherefore do you hold me here so long?

What is it that you would impart to me?

If it be ought toward the general good,

140

Set honor in one eye and death i'th'other,

And I will look on both indifferently.

For let the gods so speed me, as I love

The name of honor more than I fear death.

CASSIUS

I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,

145

As well as I do know your outward favor.

Well, honor is the subject of my story.

I cannot tell what you and other men

Think of this life, but for my single self,

I had as lief not be, as live to be

150

In awe of such a thing as I myself.

I was born free as Caesar, so were you;

We both have fed as well; and we can both

Endure the winter's cold, as well as he.

For once, upon a raw and gusty day,

155

The troubled Tiber, chafing with her shores,

Caesar said to me, "Dar'st thou, Cassius, now

Leap in with me into this angry flood

And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word,

Accoutred as I was, I plungèd in,

160

And bade him follow. So indeed he did.

The torrent roared, and we did buffet it

With lusty sinews, throwing it aside,

And stemming it with hearts of controversy.

But ere we could arrive the point proposed,

165

Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink."

I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,

Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder

The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tiber

Did I the tirèd Caesar. And this man

170

Is now become a god, and Cassius is

A wretched creature and must bend his body

If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

He had a fever when he was in Spain,

And when the fit was on him, I did mark

175

How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake.

His coward lips did from their color fly,

And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world,

Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan.

Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans

180

Mark him and write his speeches in their books,

"Alas," it cried, "Give me some drink, Titinius,"

As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me

A man of such a feeble temper should

So get the start of the majestic world

185

And bear the palm alone.

Shout. Flourish.

BRUTUS

Another general shout?

I do believe that these applauses are

For some new honors that are heaped on Caesar.

CASSIUS

Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world

190

Like a colossus, and we petty men

Walk under his huge legs, and peep about

To find ourselves dishonorable graves.

Men at some time are masters of their fates.

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

195

But in ourselves that we are underlings.

"Brutus" and "Caesar." What should be in that "Caesar"?

Why should that name be sounded more than yours?

Write them together: yours is as fair a name.

Sound them: it doth become the mouth as well.

200

Weigh them: it is as heavy. Conjure with 'em:

"Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar."

Now in the names of all the gods at once,

Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed

That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!

205

Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!

When went there by an age since the great flood,

But it was famed with more than with one man?

When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,

That her wide walks encompassed but one man?

210

Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough

When there is in it but one only man.

Oh, you and I have heard our fathers say

There was a Brutus once that would have brooked

Th'eternal devil to keep his state in Rome

215

As easily as a king.

BRUTUS

That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.

What you would work me to, I have some aim.

How I have thought of this and of these times

I shall recount hereafter. For this present,

220

I would not, so with love I might entreat you,

Be any further moved. What you have said,

I will consider; what you have to say,

I will with patience hear, and find a time

Both meet to hear and answer such high things.

225

Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:

Brutus had rather be a villager

Than to repute himself a son of Rome

Under these hard conditions as this time

Is like to lay upon us.

CASSIUS

230

I am glad that my weak words

Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.

Enter Caesar and his train.

BRUTUS

The games are done, and Caesar is returning.

CASSIUS

As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,

And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you

235

What hath proceeded worthy note today.

BRUTUS

I will do so. But look you, Cassius,

The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow,

And all the rest look like a chidden train:

Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero

240

Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes

As we have seen him in the Capitol,

Being crossed in conference by some senators.

CASSIUS

Casca will tell us what the matter is.

CAESAR

Antonio!

ANTONY

245

Caesar?

CAESAR

Let me have men about me that are fat,

Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o'nights.

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.

He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.

ANTONY

250

Fear him not Caesar, he's not dangerous,

He is a noble Roman, and well given.

CAESAR

Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.

Yet if my name were liable to fear,

I do not know the man I should avoid

255

So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,

He is a great observer, and he looks

Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,

As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;

Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort

260

As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit

That could be moved to smile at anything.

Such men as he be never at heart's ease

Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,

And therefore are they very dangerous.

265

I rather tell thee what is to be feared

Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.

Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,

And tell me truly, what thou think'st of him.

Sennet.

Exeunt Caesar and [all] his train [but Casca].

CASCA

You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me?

BRUTUS

Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath chanced today,

270

That Caesar looks so sad.

CASCA

Why, you were with him, were you not?

BRUTUS

I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.

CASCA

Why, there was a crown offered him; and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.

BRUTUS

What was the second noise for?

CASCA

Why, for that too.

CASSIUS

They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?

CASCA

Why, for that too.

BRUTUS

Was the crown offered him thrice?

CASCA

Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by, mine honest neighbors shouted.

CASSIUS

Who offered him the crown?

CASCA

Why, Antony.

BRUTUS

Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.

CASCA

I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It was mere foolery. I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offered him a crown; yet 'twas not a crown, neither; 'twas one of these coronets. And as I told you, he put it by once; but for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again; then he put it by again. But to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by. And still as he refused it, the rabblement hooted, and clapped their chapped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath, because Caesar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Caesar, for he swooned, and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.

CASSIUS

275

But soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar swoon?

CASCA

He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth, and was speechless.

BRUTUS

'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness.

CASSIUS

No, Caesar hath it not, but you and I,

And honest Casca: we have the falling sickness.

CASCA

I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him, and hiss him, according as he pleased, and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theater, I am no true man.

BRUTUS

What said he, when he came unto himself?

CASCA

Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut. And I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues, and so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood, cried, "Alas, good soul," and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them. If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.

BRUTUS

280

And after that, he came thus sad away.

CASCA

Ay.

CASSIUS

Did Cicero say anything?

CASCA

Ay, he spoke Greek.

CASSIUS

To what effect?

CASCA

Nay, and I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i'th'face again. But those that understood him, smiled at one another and shook their heads. But for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Murellus and Flavius, for pulling scarves off Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.

CASSIUS

Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?

CASCA

No, I am promised forth.

CASSIUS

Will you dine with me tomorrow?

CASCA

Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating.

CASSIUS

Good, I will expect you.

CASCA

Do so. Farewell both.

Exit.

BRUTUS

What a blunt fellow is this grown to be?

He was quick mettle when he went to school.

CASSIUS

So is he now, in execution

Of any bold, or noble enterprise,

285

However he puts on this tardy form.

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,

Which gives men stomach to digest his words

With better appetite.

BRUTUS

And so it is.

For this time I will leave you:

290

Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,

I will come home to you, or if you will,

Come home to me, and I will wait for you.

CASSIUS

I will do so. Till then, think of the world.

Exit Brutus.

Well, Brutus, thou art noble, yet I see

295

Thy honorable mettle may be wrought

From that it is disposed. Therefore it is meet

That noble minds keep ever with their likes,

For who so firm that cannot be seduced?

Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.

300

If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,

He should not humor me. I will this night

In several hands in at his windows throw,

As if they came from several citizens,

Writings, all tending to the great opinion

305

That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely

Caesar's ambition shall be glancèd at.

And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,

For we will shake him, or worse days endure.

Exit.

[1.3]

Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca and Cicero.

CICERO

Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home?

310

Why are you breathless, and why stare you so?

CASCA

Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth

Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,

I have seen tempests when the scolding winds

Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen

315

Th'ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam,

To be exalted with the threatening clouds,

But never till tonight, never till now,

Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.

Either there is a civil strife in heaven,

320

Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,

Incenses them to send destruction.

CICERO

Why, saw you any thing more wonderful?

CASCA

A common slave, you know him well by sight,

Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn

325

Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,

Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched.

Besides—I ha'not since put up my sword—

Against the Capitol I met a lion,

Who glazed upon me and went surly by,

330

Without annoying me. And there were drawn

Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,

Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw

Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.

And yesterday, the bird of night did sit

335

Even at noonday upon the marketplace,

Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies

Do so conjointly meet, let not men say,

"These are their reasons, they are natural,"

For I believe they are portentous things

340

Unto the climate that they point upon.

CICERO

Indeed, it is a strange disposèd time.

But men may construe things after their fashion

Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.

Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?

CASCA

345

He doth, for he did bid Antonio

Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.

CICERO

Good night then, Casca. This disturbèd sky

Is not to walk in.

CASCA

Farewell Cicero.

Exit Cicero.

Enter Cassius.

CASSIUS

Who's there?

CASCA

A Roman.

CASSIUS

Casca, by your voice.

CASCA

350

Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this?

CASSIUS

A very pleasing night to honest men.

CASCA

Who ever knew the heavens menace so?

CASSIUS

Those that have known the earth so full of faults.

For my part, I have walked about the streets,

355

Submitting me unto the perilous night,

And thus unbracèd, Casca, as you see,

Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone,

And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open

The breast of heaven, I did present myself

360

Even in the aim and very flash of it.

CASCA

But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?

It is the part of men to fear and tremble,

When the most mighty gods by tokens send

Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.

CASSIUS

365

You are dull, Casca, And those sparks of life

That should be in a Roman you do want,

Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze,

And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder,

To see the strange impatience of the heavens.

370

But if you would consider the true cause

Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,

Why birds and beasts from quality and kind,

Why old men, fools, and children calculate,

Why all these things change from their ordinance,

375

Their natures and preformèd faculties

To monstrous quality—why, you shall find

That heaven hath infused them with these spirits

To make them instruments of fear and warning

Unto some monstrous state.

380

Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man,

Most like this dreadful night,

That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars,

As doth the lion in the Capitol,

A man no mightier than thyself or me

385

In personal action, yet prodigious grown

And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.

CASCA

'Tis Caesar that you mean. Is it not, Cassius?

CASSIUS

Let it be who it is, for Romans now

Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors.

390

But woe the while, our fathers' minds are dead,

And we are governed with our mothers' spirits.

Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish.

CASCA

Indeed, they say, the senators tomorrow

Mean to establish Caesar as a king,

395

And he shall wear his crown by sea and land

In every place, save here in Italy.

CASSIUS

I know where I will wear this dagger then:

Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.

Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong,

400

Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.

Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,

Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron

Can be retentive to the strength of spirit,

But life, being weary of these worldly bars,

405

Never lacks power to dismiss itself.

If I know this, know all the world besides,

That part of tyranny that I do bear

Thunder still. Thunder still.

I can shake off at pleasure.

CASCA

So can I:

Thunder still.

So every bondman in his own hand bears

410

The power to cancel his captivity.

CASSIUS

And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?

Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf,

But that he sees the Romans are but sheep;

He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.

415

Those that with haste will make a mighty fire

Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome,

What rubbish and what offal, when it serves

For the base matter to illuminate

So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,

420

Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this

Before a willing bondman; then I know

My answer must be made. But I am armed,

And dangers are to me indifferent.

CASCA

You speak to Casca, and to such a man

425

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.

CASSIUS

There's a bargain made.

Now know you, Casca, I have moved already

430

Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans

To undergo with me an enterprise

Of honorable dangerous consequence,

And I do know by this, they stay for me

In Pompey's porch. For now, this fearful night,

435

There is no stir or walking in the streets,

And the complexion of the element

In favor's like the work we have in hand:

Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.

Enter Cinna.

CASCA

Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.

CASSIUS

440

'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;

He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so?

CINNA

To find out you. Who's that, Metellus Cimber?

CASSIUS

No, it is Casca, one incorporate

To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna?

CINNA

445

I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this?

There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.

CASSIUS

Am I not stayed for? Tell me.

CINNA

Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could

But win the noble Brutus to our party—

CASSIUS

450

Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper,

And look you lay it in the praetor's chair,

Where Brutus may but find it. And throw this

In at his window. Set this up with wax

Upon old Brutus' statue. All this done,

455

Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us.

Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?

CINNA

All but Metellus Cimber, and he's gone

To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,

And so bestow these papers as you bade me.

CASSIUS

460

That done, repair to Pompey's theater.

Exit Cinna.

Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day,

See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him

Is ours already, and the man entire

Upon the next encounter yields him ours.

CASCA

465

Oh, he sits high in all the people's hearts,

And that which would appear offense in us,

His countenance, like richest alchemy,

Will change to virtue and to worthiness.

CASSIUS

Him and his worth and our great need of him

470

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 II

[2.1]

Enter Brutus in his orchard.

BRUTUS

What, Lucius, ho!

I cannot, by the progress of the stars,

475

Give guess how near to day— Lucius, I say!

I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.

When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS

Called you, my lord?

BRUTUS

Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.

480

When it is lighted, come and call me here.

LUCIUS

I will, my Lord.

Exit.

BRUTUS

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 crowned.

485

How that might change his nature, there's the question.

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,

And then I grant we put a sting in him

That at his will he may do danger with.

490

Th'abuse of greatness is when it disjoins

Remorse from power, and to speak truth of Caesar,

I have not known when his affections swayed

More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof

That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,

495

Whereto the climber upward turns his face,

But when he once attains the upmost round,

He then unto the ladder turns his back,

Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees

By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.

500

Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel

Will bear no color for the thing he is,

Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,

Would run to these and these extremities;

And therefore think him as a serpent's egg,

505

Which hatched would, as his kind, grow mischievous,

And kill him in the shell.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS

The taper burneth in your closet, sir.

Searching the window for a flint, I found

This paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure

510

It did not lie there when I went to bed.

Gives him the letter.

BRUTUS

Get you to bed again; it is not day.

Is not tomorrow, boy, the first of March?

LUCIUS

I know not, sir.

BRUTUS

Look in the calender, and bring me word.

LUCIUS

515

I will, sir.

Exit.

BRUTUS

The exhalations, whizzing in the air,

Give so much light that I may read by them.

Opens the letter and reads.

"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself.

Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!"

520

"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake."

Such instigations have been often dropped

Where I have took them up.

"Shall Rome, etc." Thus must I piece it out:

Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What Rome?

525

My ancestors did from the streets of Rome

The Tarquin drive, when he was called a king.

"Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated

To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,

If the redress will follow, thou receivest

530

Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS

Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.

Knock within.

BRUTUS

'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks:

[Exit Lucius.]

Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,

I have not slept.

535

Between the acting of a dreadful thing

And the first motion, all the interim is

Like a phantasma or a hideous dream:

The genius and the mortal instruments

Are then in council, and the state of man,

540

Like to a little kingdom, suffers then

The nature of an insurrection.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS

Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,

Who doth desire to see you.

BRUTUS

Is he alone?

LUCIUS

No, sir. There are more with him.

BRUTUS

Do you know them?

LUCIUS

545

No, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears,

And half their faces buried in their cloaks,

That by no means I may discover them

By any mark of favor.

BRUTUS

Let 'em enter.

[Exit Lucius.]

They are the faction. O conspiracy,

550

Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,

When evils are most free? O then, by day

Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough

To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy!

Hide it in smiles and affability!

555

For if thou put thy native semblance on,

Not Erebus itself were dim enough

To hide thee from prevention.

Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.

CASSIUS

I think we are too bold upon your rest.

Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you?

BRUTUS

560

I have been up this hour, awake all night.

Know I these men that come along with you?

CASSIUS

Yes, every man of them, and no man here

But honors you, and every one doth wish

You had but that opinion of yourself

565

Which every noble Roman bears of you.

This is Trebonius.

BRUTUS

He is welcome hither.

CASSIUS

This, Decius Brutus.

BRUTUS

He is welcome too.

CASSIUS

This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.

BRUTUS

They are all welcome.

570

What watchful cares do interpose themselves

Betwixt your eyes and night?

CASSIUS

Shall I entreat a word?

They whisper.

DECIUS

Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here?

CASCA

No.

CINNA

575

O pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines

That fret the clouds are messengers of day.

CASCA

You shall confess that you are both deceived.

Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,

Which is a great way growing on the south,

580

Weighing the youthful season of the year.

Some two months hence, up higher toward the north

He first presents his fire, and the high east

Stands as the Capitol, directly here.

BRUTUS

Give me your hands all over, one by one.

CASSIUS

585

And let us swear our resolution.

BRUTUS

No, not an oath. If not the face of men,

The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse—

If these be motives weak, break off betimes,

And every man hence, to his idle bed.

590

So let high-sighted tyranny range on,

Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,

As I am sure they do, bear fire enough

To kindle cowards and to steel with valor

The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,

595

What need we any spur but our own cause

To prick us to redress? What other bond

Than secret Romans that have spoke the word

And will not palter? And what other oath,

Than honesty to honesty engaged,

600

That this shall be, or we will fall for it.

Swear priests and cowards, and men cautelous,

Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls

That welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swear

Such creatures as men doubt, but do not stain

605

The even virtue of our enterprise,

Nor th'insuppressive mettle of our spirits,

To think that or our cause or our performance

Did need an oath, when every drop of blood

That every Roman bears—and nobly bears—

610

Is guilty of a several bastardy,

If he do break the smallest particle

Of any promise that hath passed from him.

CASSIUS

But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?

I think he will stand very strong with us.

CASCA

615

Let us not leave him out.

CINNA

No, by no means.

METELLUS

O let us have him, for his silver hairs

Will purchase us a good opinion

And buy men's voices to commend our deeds.

It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands.

620

Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,

But all be buried in his gravity.

BRUTUS

Oh, name him not; let us not break with him,

For he will never follow anything

That other men begin.

CASSIUS

625

Then leave him out.

CASCA

Indeed, he is not fit.

DECIUS

Shall no man else be touched but only Caesar?

CASSIUS

Decius well urged. I think it is not meet

Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,

Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him

630

A shrewd contriver. And you know, his means,

If he improve them, may well stretch so far

As to annoy us all: which to prevent,

Let Antony and Caesar fall together.

BRUTUS

Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,

635

To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,

Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards;

For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.

Let's be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.

We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,

640

And in the spirit of men there is no blood.

Oh, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,

And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,

Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,

Let's kill him boldly but not wrathfully;

645

Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,

Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.

And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,

Stir up their servants to an act of rage

And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make

650

Our purpose necessary and not envious;

Which so appearing to the common eyes,

We shall be called purgers, not murderers.

And for Mark Antony, think not of him,

For he can do no more than Caesar's arm,

655

When Caesar's head is off.

CASSIUS

Yet I fear him,

For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar—

BRUTUS

Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him.

If he love Caesar, all that he can do

Is to himself: take thought, and die for Caesar.

660

And that were much he should, for he is given

To sports, to wildness, and much company.

TREBONIUS

There is no fear in him. Let him not die,

For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.

Clock strikes.

BRUTUS

Peace! Count the clock.

CASSIUS

The clock hath stricken three.

TREBONIUS

665

'Tis time to part.

CASSIUS

But it is doubtful yet

Whether Caesar will come forth today or no.

For he is superstitious grown of late,

Quite from the main opinion he held once

Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.

670

It may be these apparent prodigies,

The unaccustomed terror of this night,

And the persuasion of his augurers

May hold him from the Capitol today.

DECIUS

Never fear that. If he be so resolved

675

I can o'ersway him. For he loves to hear

That unicorns may be betrayed with trees,

And bears with glasses; elephants, with holes;

Lions, with toils; and men, with flatterers.

But when I tell him he hates flatterers,

680

He says he does, being then most flatterèd.

Let me work.

For I can give his humor the true bent,

And I will bring him to the Capitol.

CASSIUS

Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.

BRUTUS

685

By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost?

CINNA

Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.

METELLUS

Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,

Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey.

I wonder none of you have thought of him.

BRUTUS

690

Now, good Metellus, go along by him.

He loves me well, and I have given him reasons.

Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him.

CASSIUS

The morning comes upon's. We'll leave you, Brutus.

And friends, disperse yourselves, but all remember

695

What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.

BRUTUS

Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.

Let not our looks put on our purposes,

But bear it as our Roman actors do,

With untired spirits and formal constancy.

700

And so good morrow to you every one.

Exeunt [all but] Brutus.

Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter.

Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.

Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,

Which busy care draws in the brains of men.

705

Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.

Enter Portia. Enter Portia.

PORTIA

Brutus, my Lord.

BRUTUS

Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now?

It is not for your health thus to commit

Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.

PORTIA

Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,

710

Stole from my bed, and yesternight at supper

You suddenly arose and walked about,

Musing and sighing, with your arms across,

And when I asked you what the matter was,

You stared upon me, with ungentle looks.

715

I urged you further; then you scratched your head

And too impatiently stamped with your foot.

Yet I insisted; yet you answered not,

But with an angry wafture of your hand

Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,

720

Fearing to strengthen that impatience

Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal

Hoping it was but an effect of humor,

Which sometime hath his hour with every man.

It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep;

725

And could it work so much upon your shape

As it hath much prevailed on your condition,

I should not know you Brutus. Dear my Lord,

Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

BRUTUS

I am not well in health, and that is all.

PORTIA

730

Brutus is wise, and were he not in health,

He would embrace the means to come by it.

BRUTUS

Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.

PORTIA

Is Brutus sick? And is it physical

To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors

735

Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,

And will he steal out of his wholesome bed

To dare the vile contagion of the night,

And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air

To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus.

740

You have some sick offense within your mind,

Which by the right and virtue of my place

I ought to know of. And upon my knees,

I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,

By all your vows of love, and that great vow

745

Which did incorporate and make us one,

That you unfold to me, your self, your half,

Why you are heavy, and what men tonight

Have had resort to you. For here have been

Some six or seven who did hide their faces

750

Even from darkness.

BRUTUS

Kneel not, gentle Portia.

PORTIA

I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.

Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,

Is it excepted, I should know no secrets

That appertain to you? Am I your self,

755

But as it were in sort, or limitation,

To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,

And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs

Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,

Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

BRUTUS

760

You are my true and honorable wife,

As dear to me as are the ruddy drops

That visit my sad heart.

PORTIA

If this were true, then should I know this secret.

I grant I am a woman, but withal

765

A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.

I grant I am a woman, but withal

A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter.

Think you I am no stronger than my sex

Being so fathered, and so husbanded?

770

Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose 'em.

I have made strong proof of my constancy,

Giving myself a voluntary wound

Here, in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience

And not my husband's secrets?

BRUTUS

O ye gods!

775

Render me worthy of this noble wife.

Knock.

Hark, hark, one knocks! Portia go in awhile,

And by and by thy bosom shall partake

The secrets of my heart.

All my engagements I will construe to thee,

780

All the charactery of my sad brows.

Leave me with haste. Ligarius. Ligarius.

Lucius, who's that knocks.

Exit Portia. Enter Lucius and Ligarius.

LUCIUS

Here is a sick man that would speak with you.

BRUTUS

Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.

785

Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?

LIGARIUS

Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.

BRUTUS

O what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,

To wear a kerchief. Would you were not sick!.

LIGARIUS

I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand

790

Any exploit worthy the name of honor.

BRUTUS

Such an exploit have I in hand Ligarius,

Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.

LIGARIUS

By all the gods that Romans bow before,

I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome,

795

Brave son, derived from honorable loins,

Thou like an exorcist hast conjured up

My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,

And I will strive with things impossible,

Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?

BRUTUS

800

A piece of work that will make sick men whole.

LIGARIUS

But are not some whole, that we must make sick?

BRUTUS

That must we also. What it is my Caius,

I shall unfold to thee as we are going

To whom it must be done.

LIGARIUS

Set on your foot,

805

And with a heart new-fired, I follow you

To do I know not what, but it sufficeth

That Brutus leads me on.

Thunder

BRUTUS

Follow me, then.

Exeunt

[2.2]

Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his nightgown.

CAESAR

Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.

810

Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,

"Help, ho, they murder Caesar!" Who's within?

Enter a servant.

SERVANT

My Lord.

CAESAR

Go bid the priests do present sacrifice,

And bring me their opinions of success.

SERVANT

815

I will, my lord.

Exit

Enter Calpurnia.

CALPURNIA

What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?

You shall not stir out of your house today.

CAESAR

Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me

Ne'er looked but on my back. When they shall see

820

The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.

CALPURNIA

Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,

Yet now they fright me. There is one within,

Besides the things that we have heard and seen,

Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.

825

A lionness hath whelpèd in the streets,

And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead;

Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds

In ranks, and squadrons, and right form of war,

Which drizzeled blood upon the Capitol.

830

The noise of battle hurtled in the air:

Horses do neigh, and dying men did groan,

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,

And I do fear them.

CAESAR

What can be avoided

835

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?

Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions

Are to the world in general as to Caesar.

CALPURNIA

When beggars die, there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes

CAESAR

840

Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,

It seems to me most strange that men should fear,

Seeing that death, a necessary end,

845

Will come when it will come.

Enter a servant.

CAESAR

What say the augurers?

SERVANT

They would not have you to stir forth today.

Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,

They could not find a heart within the beast.

CAESAR

The gods do this in shame of cowardice.

850

Caesar should be a beast without a heart,

If he should stay at home today for fear.

No Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well

That Caesar is more dangerous than he.

We are two lions littered in one day,

855

And I the elder and more terrible;

And Caesar shall go forth.

CALPURNIA

Alas, my Lord,

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.

Do not go forth today. Call it my fear

That keeps you in the house, and not your own.

860

We'll send Mark Antony to the Senate House,

And he shall say you are not well today.

Let me upon my knee prevail in this.

CAESAR

Mark Antony shall say I am not well,

And for thy humor, I will stay at home.

Enter Decius.

865

Here's Decius Brutus. He shall tell them so.

DECIUS

Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar,

I come to fetch you to the Senate House.

CAESAR

And you are come in very happy time

To bear my greeting to the senators,

870

And tell them that I will not come today—

Cannot, is false; and that I dare not, falser:

I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius.

CALPURNIA

Say he is sick.

CAESAR

Shall Caesar send a lie?

Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far

875

To be afeard to tell gray-beards the truth?

Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS

Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,

Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.

CAESAR

The cause is in my will; I will not come.

880

That is enough to satisfy the Senate.

But for your private satisfaction,

Because I love you, I will let you know.

Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.

She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,

885

Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts

Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans

Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.

And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,

And evils imminent; and on her knee

890

Hath begged that I will stay at home today.

DECIUS

This dream is all amiss interpreted:

It was a vision fair and fortunate.

Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,

In which so many smiling Romans bathed,

895

Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck

Reviving blood, and that great men shall press

For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.

This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

CAESAR

And this way have you well expounded it.

DECIUS

900

I have, when you have heard what I can say,

And know it now: the Senate have concluded

To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.

If you shall send them word you will not come,

Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock

905

Apt to be rendered for someone to say,

"Break up the Senate till another time,

When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams."

If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper

"Lo, Caesar is afraid"?

910

Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love

To your proceeding bids me tell you this,

And reason to my love is liable.

CAESAR

How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia?

I am ashamèd I did yield to them.

915

Give me my robe, for I will go.

Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, Cinna, and Publius.

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.

PUBLIUS

Good morrow, Caesar.

CAESAR

Welcome, Publius.

What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?

Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,

920

Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy

As that same ague which hath made you lean.

What is't o'clock?

BRUTUS

Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.

CAESAR

I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

Enter Antony.

See, Antony, that revels long o' nights,

925

Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.

ANTONY

So to most noble Caesar.

CAESAR

Bid them prepare within.

I am to blame to be thus waited for.

Now, Cinna. Now, Metellus. What, Trebonius,

I have an hour's talk in store for you.

930

Remember that you call on me today.

Be near me, that I may remember you.

TREBONIUS

Caesar I will,

[aside]

and so near will I be,

That your best friends shall wish I had been further.

CAESAR

935

Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me.

And we, like friends, will straight way go together.

BRUTUS

[aside]

That every like is not the same, O Caesar,

The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon.

Exeunt

[2.3]

Enter Artemidorus [reading a paper].

ARTEMIDORUS

"Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus loves thee not. Thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou be'est not immortal, look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee. Thy lover, Artemidorus."

Here will I stand, till Caesar pass along,

940

And as a suitor will I give him this.

My heart laments that virtue cannot live

Out of the teeth of emulation.

If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;

If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.

Exit.

[2.4]

Enter Portia and Lucius.

PORTIA

945

I prithee, boy, run to the Senate House.

Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.

Why dost thou stay?

LUCIUS

To know my errand, madam.

PORTIA

I would have had thee there and here again

Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.

950

O constancy, be strong upon my side!

Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue.

I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.

How hard it is for women to keep counsel.

Art thou here yet?

LUCIUS

Madam, what should I do?

955

Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?

And so return to you, and nothing else?

PORTIA

Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,

For he went sickly forth, and take good note

What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.

960

Hark, boy, what noise is that?

LUCIUS

I hear none, madam.

PORTIA

Prithee, listen well:

I heard a bustling rumor, like a fray,

And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

LUCIUS

Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

Enter the Soothsayer.

PORTIA

965

Come hither, fellow. Which way hast thou been?

SOOTHSAYER

At mine own house, good lady.

PORTIA

What is't o'clock?

SOOTHSAYER

About the ninth hour, lady.

PORTIA

Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?

SOOTHSAYER

Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand

970

To see him pass on to the Capitol.

PORTIA

Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?

SOOTHSAYER

That I have, lady, if it will please Caesar

To be so good to Caesar as to hear me:

I shall beseech him to befriend himself.

PORTIA

975

Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?

SOOTHSAYER

None that I know will be; much that I fear may chance.

Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow.

The throng that follows Caesar at the heels

Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,

980

Will crowd a feeble man almost to death.

I'll get me to a place more void, and there

Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

Exit

PORTIA

I must go in. Ay me! How weak a thing

The heart of woman is! O Brutus,

985

The Heavens speed thee in thine enterprise.

Sure the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit

That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint!

Run Lucius, and commend me to my lord!

Say I am merry. Come to me again,

990

And bring me word what he doth say to thee.

Exeunt

Act III

[3.1]

Flourish.

Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Artemidorus, Publius, [Popilius Lena,] and the Soothsayer.

CAESAR

The ides of March are come.

SOOTHSAYER

Ay, Caesar, but not gone.

ARTEMIDORUS

Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.

DECIUS

Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread,

995

At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

ARTEMIDORUS

O Caesar, read mine first, for mine's a suit

That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.

CAESAR

What touches us ourself shall be last served.

ARTEMIDORUS

Delay not Caesar, read it instantly!

CAESAR

1000

What, is the fellow mad?

PUBLIUS

Sirrah, give place.

CASSIUS

What, urge you your petitions in the street?

Come to the Capitol.

[Caesar and his train move away.]

POPILIUS

I wish your enterprise today may thrive.

CASSIUS

What enterprise, Popilius?

POPILIUS

Fare you well.

[moves toward Caesar]

BRUTUS

1005

What said Popilius Lena?

CASSIUS

He wished today our enterprise might thrive:

I fear our purpose is discoverèd.

BRUTUS

Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.

CASSIUS

Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.

1010

Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,

Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,

For I will slay myself.

BRUTUS

Cassius, be constant.

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes,

For look he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.

CASSIUS

1015

Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus,

He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.]

DECIUS

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,

And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

BRUTUS

He is addressed. Press near, and second him.

CINNA

1020

Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

CAESAR

Are we all ready? What is now amiss,

That Caesar and his senate must redress?

METELLUS

Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar!

Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat

1025

An humble heart.

CAESAR

I must prevent thee, Cimber.

These couchings and these lowly courtesies

Might fire the blood of ordinary men,

And turn preordinance and first decree

Into the lane of children. Be not fond

1030

To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood

That will be thawed from the true quality

With that which melteth fools—I mean sweet words,

Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning.

Thy brother by decree is banishèd.

1035

If thou doest bend, and pray, and fawn for him,

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way!

Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause

Will he be satisfied.

METELLUS

Is there no voice more worthy than my own

1040

To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear

For the repealing of my banished brother?

BRUTUS

I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,

Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may

Have an immediate freedom of repeal.

CAESAR

1045

What, Brutus?

CASSIUS

Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon!

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall

To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

CAESAR

I could be well moved, if I were as you.

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.

1050

But I am constant as the northern star,

Of whose true fixed and resting quality,

There is no fellow in the firmament.

The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks;

They are all fire, and every one doth shine;

1055

But there's but one in all doth hold his place.

So in the world: 'tis furnished well with men,

And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;

Yet in the number I do know but one

That unassailable holds on his rank

1060

Unshaked of motion, and that I am he,

Let me a little show it, even in this:

That I was constant Cimber should be banished,

And constant do remain to keep him so.

CINNA

O Caesar—

CAESAR

Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

DECIUS

1065

Great Caesar—

CAESAR

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

CASCA

Speak, hands, for me!

They stab Caesar.

CAESAR

Et tu Brutè? —Then fall, Caesar!

Dies

CINNA

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!

Run hence! Proclaim! Cry it about the streets!

CASSIUS

1070

Some to the common pulpits and cry out!

Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!

BRUTUS

People and senators, be not affrighted.

Fly not! Stand still! Ambition's debt is paid.

CASCA

Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

DECIUS

And Cassius too.

BRUTUS

1075

Where's Publius?

CINNA

Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.

METELLUS

Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's

Should chance—

BRUTUS

Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer.

1080

There is no harm intended to your person,

Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.

CASSIUS

And leave us, Publius, lest that the people

Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.

BRUTUS

Do so, and let no man abide this deed

1085

But we the doers.

Enter Trebonius.

CASSIUS

Where is Antony?

TREBONIUS

Fled to his house amazed.

Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run

As it were doomsday.

BRUTUS

Fates, we will know your pleasures.

That we shall die, we know. 'Tis but the time

1090

And drawing days out that men stand upon.

CASCA

Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life

Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

BRUTUS

Grant that, and then is death a benefit.

So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged

1095

His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,

And let us bathe our hands in Caesars blood

Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords.

Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace,

And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,

1100

Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!"

CASSIUS

Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence

Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er,

In states unborn and accents yet unknown!

BRUTUS

How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,

1105

That now on Pompey's basis lies along,

No worthier than the dust!

CASSIUS

So oft as that shall be,

So often shall the knot of us be called

The men that gave their country liberty.

DECIUS

What, shall we forth?

CASSIUS

Ay, every man away.

1110

Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels

With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Enter a servant.

BRUTUS

Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.

SERVANT

Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel.

Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,

1115

And being prostrate, thus he bade me say:

"Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;

Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.

Say I love Brutus, and I honor him;

Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.

1120

If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony

May safely come to him, and be resolved

How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,

Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead

So well as Brutus living, but will follow

1125

The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus

Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,

With all true faith."

So says my master Antony.

BRUTUS

Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;

1130

I never thought him worse.

Tell him, so please him come unto this place,

He shall be satisfied, and by my honor

Depart untouched.

SERVANT

I'll fetch him presently.

Exit servant.

BRUTUS

I know that we shall have him well to friend.

CASSIUS

1135

I wish we may, but yet have I a mind

That fears him much, and my misgiving still

Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

Enter Antony.

BRUTUS

But here comes Antony: Welcome, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?

1140

Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,

Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.

I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,

Who else must be let blood, who else is rank;

If I myself, there is no hour so fit

1145

As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument

Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich

With the most noble blood of all this world.

I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,

Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,

1150

Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,

I shall not find myself so apt to die;

No place will please me so, no mean of death,

As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,

The choice and master spirits of this age.

BRUTUS

1155

O Antony! Beg not your death of us.

Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,

As by our hands and this our present act

You see we do. Yet see you but our hands

And this, the bleeding business they have done.

1160

Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful,

And pity to the general wrong of Rome—

As fire drives out fire, so pity, pity—

Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,

To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.

1165

Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts

Of brothers' temper, do receive you in,

With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.

CASSIUS

Your voice shall be as strong as any man's,

In the disposing of new dignities.

BRUTUS

1170

Only be patient, till we have appeased

The multitude, beside themselves with fear,

And then we will deliver you the cause

Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,

Have thus proceeded.

ANTONY

I doubt not of your wisdom.

1175

Let each man render me his bloody hand.

First, Marcus Brutus. will I shake with you;

Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;

Now, Decius Brutus yours; now yours, Metellus;

Yours, Cinna; and my valiant Casca, yours;

1180

Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.

Gentlemen all. Alas, what shall I say?

My credit now stands on such slippery ground,

That one of two bad ways you must conceit me:

Either a coward, or a flatterer.

1185

That I did love thee, Caesar, oh, 'tis true!

If then thy spirit look upon us now,

Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death

To see thy Antony making his peace,

Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes—

1190

Most noble — in the presence of thy corpse?

Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,

Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,

It would become me better, than to close

In terms of friendship with thine enemies.

1195

Pardon me Julius! Here was't thou bayed, brave hart,

Here did'st thou fall, and here thy hunters stand

Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy Lethe.

O world! Thou wast the forest to this hart,

And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee!

1200

How like a deer, strucken by many princes,

Dost thou here lie!

CASSIUS

Mark Antony—

ANTONY

Pardon me, Caius Cassius.

The enemies of Caesar shall say this;

Then in a friend it is cold modesty.

CASSIUS

1205

I blame you not for praising Caesar so,

But what compact mean you to have with us?

Will you be pricked in number of our friends,

Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

ANTONY

Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed

1210

Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar.

Friends am I with you all, and love you all,

Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons,

Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.

BRUTUS

Or else were this a savage spectacle.

1215

Our reasons are so full of good regard

That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,

You should be satisfied.

ANTONY

That's all I seek,

And am moreover suitor that I may

Produce his body to the marketplace,

1220

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,

Speak in the order of his funeral.

BRUTUS

You shall, Mark Antony.

CASSIUS

Brutus, a word with you:

You know not what you do! Do not consent

That Antony speak in his funeral.

1225

Know you how much the people may be moved

By that which he will utter?

BRUTUS

By your pardon:

I will myself into the pulpit first,

And show the reason of our Caesar's death.

What Antony shall speak, I will protest

1230

He speaks by leave and by permission,

And that we are contented Caesar shall

Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.

It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

CASSIUS

I know not what may fall. I like it not.

BRUTUS

1235

Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.

You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,

But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,

And say you do't by our permission.

Else shall you not have any hand at all

1240

About his funeral. And you shall speak

In the same pulpit whereto I am going,

After my speech is ended.

ANTONY

Be it so.

I do desire no more.

BRUTUS

Prepare the body, then, and follow us.

[Exeunt all but] Antony.

ANTONY

1245

O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!

Thou art the ruins of the noblest man

That ever livèd in the tide of times.

Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!

1250

Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,

Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips,

To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue:

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men,

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife

1255

Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;

Blood and destruction shall be so in use,

And dreadful objects so familiar,

That mothers shall but smile when they behold

Their infants quartered with the hands of war,

1260

All pity choked with custom of fell deeds;

And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge,

With Atè by his side come hot from hell,

Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice,

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,

1265

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth

With carrion men, groaning for burial.

Enter Octavius' servant.

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

SERVANT

I do, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.

SERVANT

1270

He did receive his letters and is coming,

And bid me say to you by word of mouth—

O Caesar!

ANTONY

Thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep.

Passion I see is catching, for mine eyes,

1275

Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,

Begin to water. Is thy master coming?

SERVANT

He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.

ANTONY

Post back with speed, And tell him what hath chanced.

Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,

1280

No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.

Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;

Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse

Into the marketplace. There shall I try

In my oration how the people take

1285

The cruel issue of these bloody men,

According to the which, thou shalt discourse

To young Octavius of the state of things.

Lend me your hand.

Exeunt

[3.2]

Enter Brutus and goes into the pulpit, and Cassius with the plebians.

PLEBIANS

We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!

BRUTUS

1290

Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.

Cassius, go you into the other street,

And part the numbers.

Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;

Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;

1295

And public reasons shall be rendered

Of Caesar's death.

1 PLEBIAN

I will hear Brutus speak.

2 PLEBIAN

I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons,

When severally we hear them renderèd.

[Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebians.]

3 PLEBIAN

The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!

BRUTUS

1300

Be patient till the last.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy, for his fortune; honor, for his valor; and death, for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

ALL

None, Brutus, none.

BRUTUS

Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offenses enforced, for which he suffered death. Enter Mark Antony, with Caesar's body.
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth, as which of you shall not? With this, I depart, that as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.

ALL

Live Brutus! Live! Live!

1 PLEBIAN

Bring him with triumph home unto his house.

2 PLEBIAN

Give him a statue with his ancestors.

3 PLEBIAN

Let him be Caesar.

4 PLEBIAN

Caesar's better parts,

Shall be crowned in Brutus.

1 PLEBIAN

1305

We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors.

BRUTUS

My countrymen!

2 PLEBIAN

Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks.

1 PLEBIAN

Peace, ho!

BRUTUS

Good countrymen, let me depart alone,

1310

And for my sake, stay here with Antony.

Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech

Tending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony

By our permission is allowed to make.

I do entreat you, not a man depart,

1315

Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

Exit

1 PLEBIAN

Stay, ho! And let us hear Mark Antony.

3 PLEBIAN

Let him go up into the public chair.

We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

ANTONY

For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.

4 PLEBIAN

1320

What does he say of Brutus?

3 PLEBIAN

He says, for Brutus' sake

He finds himself beholding to us all.

4 PLEBIAN

'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here!

1 PLEBIAN

This Caesar was a tyrant.

3 PLEBIAN

Nay, that's certain:

1325

We are blest that Rome is rid of him.

2 PLEBIAN

Peace! Let us hear what Antony can say.

ANTONY

You gentle Romans—

ALL

Peace, ho! Let us hear him.

ANTONY

Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me your ears.

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

1330

The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interrèd with their bones:

So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious.

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

1335

And grievously hath Caesar answered it.

Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—

For Brutus is an honorable man,

So are they all, all honorable men—

Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.

1340

He was my friend: faithful and just to me.

But Brutus says he was ambitious,

And Brutus is an honorable man.

He hath brought many captives home to Rome,

Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.

1345

Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?

When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,

And Brutus is an honorable man.

1350

You all did see that on the Lupercal

I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,

And sure he is an honorable man.

1355

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,

But here I am, to speak what I do know.

You all did love him once, not without cause.

What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?

O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,

1360

And men have lost their reason! Bear with me;

My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,

And I must pause till it come back to me.

1 PLEBIAN

Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

2 PLEBIAN

If thou consider rightly of the matter,

1365

Caesar has had great wrong.

3 PLEBIAN

Has he, masters?

I fear there will a worse come in his place.

4 PLEBIAN

Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown;

Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.

1 PLEBIAN

If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

2 PLEBIAN

1370

Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.

3 PLEBIAN

There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

4 PLEBIAN

Now mark him, he begins again to speak.

ANTONY

But yesterday, the word of Caesar might

Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,

1375

And none so poor to do him reverence.

O masters! If I were disposed to stir

Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,

I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,

Who you all know are honorable men.

1380

I will not do them wrong; I rather choose

To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,

Than I will wrong such honorable men.

But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;

I found it in his closet. 'Tis his will.

1385

Let but the commons hear this testament,

Which pardon me, I do not mean to read,

And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds,

And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,

1390

And dying, mention it within their wills,

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy

Unto their issue.

4 PLEBIAN

We'll hear the will! Read it, Mark Antony!

ALL

The will! The will! We will hear Caesar's will!

ANTONY

1395

Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it.

It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.

You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;

And being men, hearing the will of Caesar,

It will inflame you; it will make you mad.

1400

'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,

For if you should, oh, what would come of it?

4 PLEBIAN

Read the will! We'll hear it, Antony!

You shall read us the will! Caesar's will!

ANTONY

Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?

1405

I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it,

I fear I wrong the honorable men

Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it.

4 PLEBIAN

They were traitors! "Honorable men"?

ALL

The will! The testament!

2 PLEBIAN

1410

They were villains, murderers! The will! Read the will!

ANTONY

You will compel me then to read the will?

Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,

And let me show you him that made the will.

Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?

ALL

1415

Come down!

2 PLEBIAN

Descend!

4 PLEBIAN

A ring!

Stand round!

1 PLEBIAN

Stand from the hearse! Stand from the body!

2 PLEBIAN

Room for Antony! Most noble Antony!

ANTONY

Nay, press not so upon me! Stand far'er off.

ALL

1420

Stand back! Room! Bear back!

ANTONY

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

You all do know this mantle; I remember

The first time ever Caesar put it on.

'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent,

1425

That day he overcame the Nervii.

Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through.

See what a rent the envious Casca made.

Through this, the well-belovèd Brutus stabbed,

And as he plucked his cursèd steel away,

1430

Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,

As rushing out of doors to be resolved

If Brutus so unkindly knocked or no;

For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.

Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.

1435

This was the most unkindest cut of all,

For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,

Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,

Quite vanquished him; then burst his mighty heart,

And in his mantle muffling up his face,

1440

Even at the base of Pompey's statue,

Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.

Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen!

Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,

Whilst bloody treason flourished over us.

1445

Oh, now you weep, and I perceive you feel

The dint of pity. These are gracious drops.

Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold

Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here!

Here is himself, marred as you see with traitors.

1 PLEBIAN

1450

Oh, piteous spectacle!

2 PLEBIAN

O noble Caesar!

3 PLEBIAN

Oh, woeful day!

4 PLEBIAN

Oh, traitors! Villains!

1 PLEBIAN

Oh, most bloody sight!

2 PLEBIAN

We will be revenged!

ALL

Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!

Let not a traitor live!

ANTONY

Stay, countrymen!

1 PLEBIAN

1455

Peace there! Hear the noble Antony!

2 PLEBIAN

We'll hear him! We'll follow him! We'll die with him.

ANTONY

Good friends! Sweet friends! Let me not stir you up

To such a sudden flood of mutiny.

They that have done this deed are honorable.

1460

What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,

That made them do it. They are wise and honorable,

And will no doubt with reasons answer you.

I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.

I am no orator, as Brutus is,

1465

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man

That love my friend, and that they know full well

That gave me public leave to speak of him:

For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,

Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech

1470

To stir men's blood. I only speak right on.

I tell you that which you yourselves do know;

Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,

And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,

And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony

1475

Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue

In every wound of Caesar that should move

The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.

ALL

We'll mutiny!

1 PLEBIAN

We'll burn the house of Brutus!

3 PLEBIAN

Away then! Come, seek the conspirators!

ANTONY

1480

Yet hear me countrymen! Yet hear me speak!

ALL

Peace, ho! Hear Antony! Most noble Antony!

ANTONY

Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.

Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?

Alas you know not. I must tell you then:

1485

You have forgot the will I told you of.

ALL

Most true! The will! Let's stay and hear the will!

ANTONY

Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.

To every Roman citizen he gives,

To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

2 PLEBIAN

1490

Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death!

3 PLEBIAN

O royal Caesar!

ANTONY

Hear me with patience.

ALL

Peace ho!

ANTONY

Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,

His private arbors, and new-planted orchards

On this side Tiber. He hath left them you

1495

And to your heirs forever—common pleasures

To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.

Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?

1 PLEBIAN

Never, never! Come! Away! Away!

We'll burn his body in the holy place,

1500

And with the brands fire the traitors' houses!

Take up the body!

2 PLEBIAN

Go! Fetch fire!

3 PLEBIAN

Pluck down benches!

4 PLEBIAN

Pluck down forms, windows, anything!

Exit Plebians [with the body].

ANTONY

1505

Now let it work! Mischief, thou art a-foot:

Take thou what course thou wilt.

Enter servant.

SERVANT

Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.

ANTONY

Where is he?

SERVANT

He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.

ANTONY

1510

And thither will I straight to visit him.

He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,

And in this mood will give us anything.

SERVANT

I heard him say Brutus and Cassius

Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

ANTONY

1515

Belike they had some notice of the people

How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.

Exeunt

[3.3]

Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebians.

CINNA

I dreamt tonight, that I did feast with Caesar,

And things unluckily charge my fantasy.

I have no will to wander forth of doors,

1520

Yet something leads me forth.

1 PLEBIAN

What is your name?

2 PLEBIAN

Whither are you going?

3 PLEBIAN

Where do you dwell?

4 PLEBIAN

Are you a married man or a bachelor?

2 PLEBIAN

Answer every man directly.

1 PLEBIAN

Ay, and briefly.

4 PLEBIAN

Ay, and wisely.

3 PLEBIAN

Ay, and truly, you were best.

CINNA

What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then to answer every man, directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

2 PLEBIAN

That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry. You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed directly!

CINNA

Directly I am going to Caesar's funeral.

1 PLEBIAN

As a friend or an enemy?

CINNA

As a friend.

2 PLEBIAN

That matter is answered directly.

4 PLEBIAN

For your dwelling—briefly.

CINNA

Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

3 PLEBIAN

Your name sir, truly.

CINNA

Truly, my name is Cinna.

1 PLEBIAN

Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator!

CINNA

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

4 PLEBIAN

Tear him for his bad verses! Tear him for his bad verses!

CINNA

I am not Cinna the conspirator.

4 PLEBIAN

It is no matter; his name's Cinna. Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

3 PLEBIAN

Tear him! Tear him! Come! Brands ho! Firebrands to Brutus! To Cassius! Burn all! Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's! Some to Ligarius'! Away, go!

Exeunt all the plebians.

Act IV

[4.1]

Enter Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.

ANTONY

These many then shall die; their names are pricked.

OCTAVIUS

Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus?

LEPIDUS

I do consent.

OCTAVIUS

Prick him down, Antony.

LEPIDUS

Upon condition Publius shall not live,

1525

Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

He shall not live. Look, with a spot I damn him.

But Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house,

Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine

How to cut off some charge in legacies.

LEPIDUS

1530

What, shall I find you here?

OCTAVIUS

Or here, or at the Capitol.

Exit Lepidus

ANTONY

This is a slight, unmeritable man,

Meet to be sent on errands. Is it fit,

The three-fold world divided, he should stand

1535

One of the three to share it?

OCTAVIUS

So you thought him,

And took his voice who should be pricked to die

In our black sentence and proscription.

ANTONY

Octavius, I have seen more days than you,

And though we lay these honors on this man

1540

To ease ourselves of divers sland'rous loads,

He shall but bear them, as the ass bears gold,

To groan and sweat under the business,

Either led or driven, as we point the way;

And having brought our treasure where we will,

1545

Then take we down his load and turn him off,

Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears

And graze in commons.

OCTAVIUS

You may do your will,

But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

ANTONY

So is my horse, Octavius, and for that

1550

I do appoint him store of provender.

It is a creature that I teach to fight,

To wind, to stop, to run directly on,

His corporal motion governed by my spirit.

And in some taste is Lepidus but so:

1555

He must be taught, and trained, and bid go forth—

A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds

On objects, arts, and imitations,

Which out of use, and staled by other men,

Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him

1560

But as a property. And now, Octavius,

Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius

Are levying powers; we must straight make head.

Therefore let our alliance be combined,

Our best friends made, our means stretched,

1565

And let us presently go sit in council

How covert matters may be best disclosed,

And open perils surest answerèd.

OCTAVIUS

Let us do so, for we are at the stake

And bayed about with many enemies,

1570

And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,

Millions of mischiefs.

Exeunt

[4.2]

Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.

BRUTUS

Stand, ho!

LUCILIUS

Give the word, ho, and stand!

BRUTUS

What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?

LUCILIUS

1575

He is at hand, and Pindarus is come

To do you salutation from his master.

BRUTUS

He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

In his own change or by ill officers,

Hath given me some worthy cause to wish

1580

Things done, undone; but if he be at hand

I shall be satisfied.

PINDARUS

I do not doubt

But that my noble master will appear

Such as he is, full of regard and honor.

BRUTUS

He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius,

1585

How he received you. Let me be resolved.

LUCILIUS

With courtesy and with respect enough,

But not with such familiar instances,

Nor with such free and friendly conference

As he hath used of old.

BRUTUS

Thou hast described

1590

A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,

When love begins to sicken and decay,

It useth an enforcèd ceremony.

There are no tricks in plain and simple faith,

But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,

1595

Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

Low march within.

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 mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.

1600

The greater part, the horse in general,

Enter Cassius and his powers.

Are come with Cassius. his powers.

BRUTUS

Hark! he is arrived.

March gently on to meet him.

CASSIUS

Stand, ho!

BRUTUS

Stand, ho! Speak the word along!

1 SOLDIER

1605

Stand!

2 SOLDIER

Stand!

3 SOLDIER

Stand!

CASSIUS

Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.

BRUTUS

Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies?

1610

And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?

CASSIUS

Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,

And when you do them—

BRUTUS

Cassius, be content.

Speak your griefs softly. I do know you well.

Before the eyes of both our armies here,

1615

Which should perceive nothing but love from us,

Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away;

Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,

And I will give you audience.

CASSIUS

Pindarus,

Bid our commanders lead their charges off

1620

A little from this ground.

BRUTUS

Lucilius, do you the like, and let no man

Come to our tent, till we have done our conference.

Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.

Exeunt [all but] Brutus and Cassius.

[4.3]

CASSIUS

That you have wronged me doth appear in this:

1625

You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella

For taking bribes here of the Sardians,

Wherein my letters, praying on his side,

Because I knew the man, was slighted off

BRUTUS

You wronged yourself to write in such a case.

CASSIUS

1630

In such a time as this, it is not meet

That every nice offense should bear his comment.

BRUTUS

Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself

Are much condemned to have an itching palm,

To sell and mart your offices for gold

1635

To undeservers.

CASSIUS

I, an itching palm?

You know that you are Brutus that speaks this,

Or by the gods, this speech were else your last!

BRUTUS

The name of Cassius honors this corruption,

And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.

CASSIUS

1640

Chastisement!

BRUTUS

Remember March, the ides of March remember.

Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?

What villain touched his body that did stab

And not for justice? What, shall one of us

1645

That struck the foremost man of all this world

But for supporting robbers, shall we now

Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,

And sell the mighty space of our large honors

For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?

1650

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon

Than such a Roman.

CASSIUS

Brutus, bait not me!

I'll not endure it. You forget yourself

To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,

Older in practice, abler than yourself

1655

To make conditions.

BRUTUS

Go to. You are not Cassius.

CASSIUS

I am.

BRUTUS

I say, you are not.

CASSIUS

Urge me no more! I shall forget myself.

1660

Have mind upon your health. Tempt me no farther.

BRUTUS

Away, slight man.

CASSIUS

Is't possible?

BRUTUS

Hear me, for I will speak.

Must I give way and room to your rash choler?

Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?

CASSIUS

1665

O ye gods! Ye gods! Must I endure all this?

BRUTUS

All this? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.

Go show your slaves how choleric you are,

And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?

Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch

1670

Under your testy humor? By the gods,

You shall digest the venom of your spleen,

Though it do split you. For from this day forth,

I'll use you for my mirth, yea for my laughter,

When you are waspish.

CASSIUS

Is it come to this?

BRUTUS

1675

You say you are a better soldier.

Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,

And it shall please me well. For mine own part,

I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

CASSIUS

You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.

1680

I said an elder soldier, not a better.

Did I say "better"?

BRUTUS

If you did, I care not.

CASSIUS

When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.

BRUTUS

Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.

CASSIUS

I durst not?

BRUTUS

1685

No.

CASSIUS

What? durst not tempt him?

BRUTUS

For your life you durst not.

CASSIUS

Do not presume too much upon my love;

I may do that I shall be sorry for.

BRUTUS

You have done that you should be sorry for.

1690

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,

For I am armed so strong in honesty

That they pass by me as the idle wind,

Which I respect not. I did send to you

For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,

1695

For I can raise no money by vile means.

By heaven, I had rather coin my heart

And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring

From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash

By any indirection. I did send

1700

To you for gold to pay my legions,

Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?

Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?

When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

To lock such rascal counters from his friends,

1705

Be ready, gods: with all your thunderbolts

Dash him to pieces.

CASSIUS

I denied you not.

BRUTUS

You did.

CASSIUS

That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my hart.

A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

BRUTUS

1710

I do not, till you practice them on me.

CASSIUS

You love me not.

BRUTUS

I do not like your faults.

CASSIUS

A friendly eye could never see such faults.

BRUTUS

A flatterer's would not, though they do appear

As huge as high Olympus.

CASSIUS

1715

Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,

Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,

For Cassius is aweary of the world,

Hated by one he loves, braved by his brother,

Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,

1720

Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote

To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep

My spirit from mine eyes. There is my dagger,

And here my naked breast; within, a heart

Dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold.

1725

If that thou be'est a Roman, take it forth.

I that denied the gold will give my heart.

Strike as thou did'st at Caesar, for I know,

When thou did'st hate him worst, thou loved'st him better

Than ever thou loved'st Cassius.

BRUTUS

Sheath your dagger.

1730

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;

Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.

O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb

That carries anger as the flint bears fire,

Who much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark,

1735

And straight is cold again.

CASSIUS

Hath Cassius lived

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,

When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?

BRUTUS

When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.

CASSIUS

Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.

BRUTUS

1740

And my heart too.

CASSIUS

O Brutus!

BRUTUS

What's the matter?

CASSIUS

Have not you love enough to bear with me,

When that rash humor which my mother gave me

Makes me forgetful?

BRUTUS

Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth,

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,

1745

He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.

Enter a Poet, [Lucilius, and Titinius].

POET

Let me go in to see the generals!

There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet

They be alone.

LUCILIUS

You shall not come to them!

POET

Nothing but death shall stay me.

CASSIUS

1750

How now? What's the matter?

POET

For shame, you generals! What do you mean?

Love, and be friends, as two such men should be,

For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.

CASSIUS

Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme!

BRUTUS

1755

Get you hence, sirrah! Saucy fellow, hence!

CASSIUS

Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.

BRUTUS

I'll know his humor, when he knows his time.

What should the wars do with these jigging fools?

Companion, hence.

CASSIUS

Away, away be gone.

Exit Poet

BRUTUS

1760

Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders

Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.

CASSIUS

And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you

[Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius] [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius]

Immediately to us.

BRUTUS

Lucius, a bowl of wine.

CASSIUS

I did not think you could have been so angry.

BRUTUS

1765

O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.

CASSIUS

Of your philosophy you make no use,

If you give place to accidental evils.

BRUTUS

No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.

CASSIUS

Ha? Portia?

BRUTUS

1770

She is dead.

CASSIUS

How scaped I killing, when I crossed you so?

O insupportable and touching loss!

Upon what sickness?

BRUTUS

Impatient of my absence,

And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony

1775

Have made themselves so strong—for with her death

That tidings came—with this she fell distract,

And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.

CASSIUS

And died so?

BRUTUS

Even so.

CASSIUS

O ye immortal gods!

Enter Boy with wine and tapers.

BRUTUS

Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.

1780

In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.

Drinks

CASSIUS

My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.

Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.

I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.

[Drinks. Exit Lucius.]

Enter Titinius and Messala.

BRUTUS

Come in, Titinius. Welcome, good Messala.

1785

Now sit we close about this taper here,

And call in question our necessities.

CASSIUS

Portia, art thou gone?

BRUTUS

No more I pray you.

Messala, I have here received letters

That young Octavius and Mark Antony

1790

Come down upon us with a mighty power,

Bending their expedition toward Philippi.

MESSALA

Myself have letters of the self-same tenor.

BRUTUS

With what addition?

MESSALA

That by proscription and bills of outlawry

1795

Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus

Have put to death an hundred senators.

BRUTUS

Therein our letters do not well agree:

Mine speak of seventy senators that died

By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.

CASSIUS

1800

Cicero one?

MESSALA

Cicero is dead,

And by that order of proscription.

Had you your letters from your wife, my Lord?

BRUTUS

No, Messala.

MESSALA

Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?

BRUTUS

1805

Nothing, Messala.

MESSALA

That methinks is strange.

BRUTUS

Why ask you? Hear you ought of her in yours?

MESSALA

No, my lord.

BRUTUS

Now as you are a Roman, tell me true.

MESSALA

Then like a Roman, bear the truth I tell.

1810

For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.

BRUTUS

Why farewell Portia. We must die, Messala.

With meditating that she must die once,

I have the patience to endure it now.

MESSALA

Even so great men great losses should endure.

CASSIUS

1815

I have as much of this in art as you,

But yet my nature could not bear it so.

BRUTUS

Well, to our work alive. What do you think

Of marching to Philippi presently?

CASSIUS

I do not think it good.

BRUTUS

Your reason?

CASSIUS

This it is:

1820

'Tis better that the enemy seek us,

So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,

Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,

Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.

BRUTUS

Good reasons must of force give place to better.

1825

The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground

Do stand but in a forced affection,

For they have grudged us contribution.

The enemy, marching along by them,

By them shall make a fuller number up,

1830

Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,

From which advantage shall we cut him off,

If at Philippi we do face him there,

These people at our back.

CASSIUS

Hear me, good brother—

BRUTUS

Under your pardon. You must note, beside,

1835

That we have tried the utmost of our friends,

Our legions are brim full, our cause is ripe.

The enemy increaseth every day;

We, at the height, are ready to decline.

There is a tide in the affairs of men,

1840

Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

On such a full sea are we now afloat,

And we must take the current when it serves,

1845

Or lose our ventures.

CASSIUS

Then with your will go on.

We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi.

BRUTUS

The deep of night is crept upon our talk,

And nature must obey necessity,

Which we will niggard with a little rest.

1850

There is no more to say.

CASSIUS

No more, good night,

Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.

BRUTUS

Lucius!

[Enter Lucius.]

My gown.

[Exit Lucius.]

Farewell, good Messala.

Good night Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,

Good night, and good repose.

CASSIUS

1855

O my dear brother!

This was an ill beginning of the night.

Never come such division 'tween our souls;

Let it not, Brutus.

CASSIUS

Good night, my lord.

BRUTUS

Good night, good brother.

TITINIUS, MESSALA

Good night, Lord Brutus.

BRUTUS

Farewell, everyone.

Exeunt [Cassius, Titinius, Messala].

1860

Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?

LUCIUS

Here in the tent.

BRUTUS

What? Thou speak'st drowsily!

Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watched.

Call Claudio and some other of my men.

I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

LUCIUS

1865

Enter Varrus and Claudio. Enter Varrus an

Varrus and Claudio! d Claudio.

VARRUS

Calls my Lord?

BRUTUS

I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.

It may be I shall raise you by and by

On business to my brother Cassius.

VARRUS

So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.

BRUTUS

1870

I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.

It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.

Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so:

I put it in the pocket of my gown.

LUCIUS

I was sure your lordship did not give it me.

BRUTUS

1875

Bear with me, good boy. I am much forgetful.

Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,

And touch thy instrument a strain or two?

LUCIUS

Ay, my lord, an't please you.

BRUTUS

It does, my boy:

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.

LUCIUS

1880

It is my duty, sir.

BRUTUS

I should not urge thy duty past thy might;

I know young bloods look for a time of rest.

LUCIUS

I have slept, my lord, already.

BRUTUS

It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.

1885

I will not hold thee long. If I do live,

I will be good to thee.

Music and a song.

This is a sleepy tune. O murd'rous slumber,

Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy

That plays the music? Gentle knave, good night.

1890

I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.

If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument.

I'll take it from thee, and, good boy, good night.

Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down

Where I left reading? Here it is I think.

Enter the Ghost of Caesar.

1895

How ill this taper burns. Ha! Who comes here?

I think it is the weakness of mine eyes

That shapes this monstrous apparition.

It comes upon me! Art thou anything?

Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil

1900

That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare?

Speak to me what thou art!

GHOST

Thy evil spirit, Brutus.

BRUTUS

Why com'st thou?

GHOST

To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.

BRUTUS

Well; then I shall see thee again?

GHOST

1905

Ay, at Philippi.

BRUTUS

Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.

Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest.

[Exit Ghost.]

Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.

Boy! Lucius! Varrus! Claudio! Sirs! Awake!

1910

Claudio!

LUCIUS

The strings, my lord, are false.

BRUTUS

He thinks he still is at his instrument.

Lucius, awake!

LUCIUS

My lord?

BRUTUS

1915

Did'st thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?

LUCIUS

My Lord, I do not know that I did cry.

BRUTUS

Yes that thou did'st. Did'st thou see anything?

LUCIUS

Nothing my Lord.

BRUTUS

Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio!

1920

Fellow! Thou! Awake!

VARRUS

My lord?

CLAUDIO

My lord?

BRUTUS

Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?

VARRUS; CLAUDIO

Did we my Lord?

BRUTUS

Ay. Saw you anything?

VARRUS

No, my lord. I saw nothing.

CLAUDIO

Nor I my Lord.

BRUTUS

Go, and commend me to my brother Cassius.

1925

Bid him set on his powers betimes before,

And we will follow.

VARRUS; CLAUDIO

It shall be done, my lord.

Exeunt

Act V

[5.1]

Enter Octavius, Antony, and their army.

OCTAVIUS

Now, Antony, our hopes are answerèd.

You said the enemy would not come down

But keep the hills and upper regions.

1930

It proves not so: their battles are at hand.

They mean to warn us at Philippi here,

Answering before we do demand of them.

ANTONY

Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know

Wherefore they do it. They could be content

1935

To visit other places, and come down

With fearful bravery, thinking by this face

To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage.

But 'tis not so. enger.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSALA

Prepare you, generals!

The enemy comes on in gallant show.

1940

Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,

And something to be done immediately.

ANTONY

Octavius, lead your battle softly on

Upon the left hand of the even field.

OCTAVIUS

Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left.

ANTONY

1945

Why do you cross me in this exigent?

OCTAVIUS

I do not cross you, but I will do so.

March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their army[: Lucilius, Titinnius, Messala, and others].

BRUTUS

They stand and would have parley.

CASSIUS

Stand fast, Titinius, we must out and talk.

OCTAVIUS

Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?

ANTONY

1950

No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.

Make forth! The generals would have some words.

OCTAVIUS

Stir not until the signal.

BRUTUS

Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen?

OCTAVIUS

Not that we love words better, as you do.

BRUTUS

1955

Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.

ANTONY

In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words.

Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart,

Crying,

CASSIUS

Antony,

The posture of your blows are yet unknown;

1960

But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,

And leave them honeyless.

ANTONY

Not stingless too?

BRUTUS

Oh yes, and soundless too.

For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,

And very wisely threat before you sting.

ANTONY

1965

Villains! You did not so, when your vile daggers

Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar.

You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds,

And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet,

Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind

1970

Struck Caesar on the neck. Oh, you flatterers!

CASSIUS

Flatterers? Now, Brutus, thank yourself!

This tongue had not offended so today,

If Cassius might have ruled.

OCTAVIUS

Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat,

1975

The proof of it will turn to redder drops.

Look, I draw a sword against conspirators!

When think you that the sword goes up again?

Never till Caesar's three-and-thirty wounds

Be well avenged, or till another Caesar

1980

Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.

BRUTUS

Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,

Unless thou bring'st them with thee.

OCTAVIUS

So I hope.

I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.

BRUTUS

Oh, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain,

1985

Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable.

CASSIUS

A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honor,

Joined with a masker and a reveler.

ANTONY

Old Cassius still.

OCTAVIUS

Come, Antony! Away!

Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth!

1990

If you dare fight today, come to the field;

If not, when you have stomachs!

Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and army.

CASSIUS

Why, now blow wind! Swell billow! And swim bark!

The storm is up, and all is on the hazard!

BRUTUS

Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you.

Lucilius stands forth.

LUCILIUS

1995

My lord?

[Brutus speaks apart with Lucilius.]

CASSIUS

[Messala stands forth.]

Messala.

MESSALA

What says my general?

CASSIUS

Messala,

This is my birthday, as this very day

Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala,

Be thou my witness, that against my will,

2000

As Pompey was, am I compelled to set

Upon one battle all our liberties.

You know that I held Epicurus strong

And his opinion; now I change my mind,

And partly credit things that do presage.

2005

Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign

Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched,

Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands,

Who to Philippi here consorted us.

This morning are they fled away and gone,

2010

And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites

Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us

As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem

A canopy most fatal, under which

Our army lies ready to give up the ghost.

MESSALA

2015

Believe not so.

CASSIUS

I but believe it partly,

For I am fresh of spirit and resolved

To meet all perils very constantly.

BRUTUS

Even so, Lucilius.

CASSIUS

Now, most noble Brutus,

The gods today stand friendly, that we may,

2020

Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age.

But since the affairs of men rest still uncertain,

Let's reason with the worst that may befall.

If we do lose this battle, then is this

The very last time we shall speak together.

2025

What are you then determinèd to do?

BRUTUS

Even by the rule of that philosophy

By which I did blame Cato for the death

Which he did give himself, I know not how,

But I do find it cowardly and vile,

2030

For fear of what might fall, so to prevent

The time of life, arming myself with patience

To stay the providence of some high powers

That govern us below.

CASSIUS

Then, if we lose this battle,

You are contented to be led in triumph

2035

Thorough the streets of Rome?

BRUTUS

No Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman,

That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;

He bears too great a mind. But this same day

Must end that work the ides of March begun,

2040

And whether we shall meet again I know not.

Therefore our everlasting farewell take.

Forever and forever, farewell Cassius!

If we do meet again, why we shall smile;

If not, why then this parting was well made.

CASSIUS

2045

Forever and forever, farewell Brutus!

If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed;

If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made.

BRUTUS

Why then, lead on. Oh, that a man might know

The end of this day's business ere it come!

2050

But it sufficeth that the day will end,

And then the end is known. Come ho, away!

Exeunt.

[5.2]

Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.

BRUTUS

Ride, ride, Messala! Ride, and give these bills

Unto the legions, on the other side.

Loud alarum.

Let them set on at once, for I perceive

2055

But cold demeanor in Octavio's wing,

And sudden push gives them the overthrow.

Ride, ride, Messala! Let them all come down.

Exeunt.

[5.3]

Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.

CASSIUS

O look, Titinius! Look! The villains fly!

Myself have to mine own turned enemy!

2060

This ensign here of mine was turning back;

I slew the coward and did take it from him.

TITINIUS

O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,

Who having some advantage on Octavius,

Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil,

2065

Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.

Enter Pindarus.

PINDARUS

Fly further off, my Lord! Fly further off!

Mark Antony is in your tents, my Lord!

Fly, therefore, noble Cassius! Fly far off!

CASSIUS

This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius!

2070

Are those my tents, where I perceive the fire?

TITINIUS

They are, my Lord.

CASSIUS

Titinius, if thou lovest me,

Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him

Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops

And here again, that I may rest assured

2075

Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.

TITINIUS

I will be here again even with a thought.

Exit.

CASSIUS

Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill!

My sight was ever thick. Regard Titinius,

And tell me what thou not'st about the field.

[Pindarus goes up.]

2080

This day I breathèd first. Time is come round,

And where I did begin, there shall I end.

My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news?

PINDARUS

(Above.)

O my Lord!

CASSIUS

What news?

PINDARUS

2085

Titinius is enclosèd round about

With horsemen that make to him on the spur,

Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him!

Now, Titinius! Now some light. Oh, he lights too.

He's ta'en!

Shout.

CASSIUS

Come down. Behold no more.

2090

Oh, coward that I am to live so long,

To see my best friend ta'en before my face.

Enter Pindarus [from above].

Come hither, sirrah.

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner,

And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,

2095

That whatsoever I did bid thee do,

Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath,

Now be a free man, and with this good sword

That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom.

Stand not to answer. Here, take thou the hilts,

2100

And when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,

Guide thou the sword—

[Pindarus kills him.]

Caesar, thou art revenged,

Even with the sword that killed thee.

PINDARUS

So, I am free, yet would not so have been

Durst I have done my will. O Cassius,

2105

Far from this country Pindarus shall run,

Where never Roman shall take note of him.

[Exit.]

Enter Titinius and Messala.

MESSALA

It is but change, Titinius, for Octavius

Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,

As Cassius' legions are by Antony.

TITINIUS

2110

These tidings will well comfort Cassius.

MESSALA

Where did you leave him?

TITINIUS

All disconsolate,

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.

MESSALA

Is not that he that lies upon the ground?

TITINIUS

He lies not like the living. Oh, my heart!

MESSALA

2115

Is not that he?

TITINIUS

No, this was he, Messala,

But Cassius is no more. O setting sun,

As in thy red rays thou doest sink tonight,

So in his red blood Cassius' day is set.

The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone;

2120

Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done.

Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.

MESSALA

Mistrust of good success hath done this deed.

O hateful Error, Melancholy's child,

Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men

2125

The things that are not? O Error, soon conceived,

Thou never comst unto a happy birth,

But kill'st the mother that engendered thee.

TITINIUS

What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus?

MESSALA

Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet

2130

The noble Brutus, thrusting this report

Into his ears. I may say "thrusting" it,

For piercing steel and darts envenomed

Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus

As tidings of this sight.

TITINIUS

Hie you, Messala,

2135

And I will seek for Pindarus the while.

[Exit Messala.]

Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?

Did I not meet thy friends, and did not they

Put on my brows this wreath of victory,

And bid me give it thee? Did'st thou not hear their shouts?

2140

Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything.

But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow.

Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I

Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,

And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.

2145

By your leave, gods. This is a Roman's part.

Come Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.

Dies.

Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.

BRUTUS

Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?

MESSALA

Lo yonder, and Titinius mourning it.

BRUTUS

Titinius' face is upward.

CATO

He is slain.

BRUTUS

2150

O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!

Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords

Low Alarums.

In our own proper entrails.

CATO

Brave Titinius!

Low Alarums.

Look, whe'er he have not crowned dead Cassius.

BRUTUS

Are yet two Romans living such as these?

2155

The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!

It is impossible that ever Rome

Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears

To this dead man than you shall see me pay.

I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.

2160

Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body.

His funerals shall not be in our camp,

Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come,

And come young Cato. Let us to the field.

Labio and Flavio set our battles on.

2165

'Tis three o'clock, and Romans, yet ere night,

We shall try fortune in a second fight.

Exeunt.

[5.4]

Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius.

BRUTUS

Yet, countrymen, oh yet, hold up your heads!

[Exit fighting, followed by Messala and Flavius.]

CATO

What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?

I will proclaim my name about the field.

2170

I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend.

I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

Enter soldiers and fight.

LUCILIUS

And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I!

Brutus, my country's friend! Know me for Brutus!

[Young Cato is killed.]

2175

O young and noble Cato, art thou down?

Why now thou diest as bravely as Titinius

And mayst be honor'd, being Cato's son.

1 SOLDIER

Yield, or thou diest!

LUCILIUS

Only I yield to die.

There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight.

2180

Kill Brutus, and be honored in his death.

1 SOLDIER

We must not. A noble prisoner!

Enter Antony.

2 SOLDIER

Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.

1 SOLDIER

I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.

Brutus is ta'en! Brutus is ta'en, my lord!

ANTONY

2185

Where is he?

LUCILIUS

Safe, Antony. Brutus is safe enough.

I dare assure thee that no enemy

Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus.

The gods defend him from so great a shame!

2190

When you do find him, or alive or dead,

He will be found like Brutus, like himself.

ANTONY

This is not Brutus, friend, but I assure you,

A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe;

Give him all kindness. I had rather have

2195

Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,

And see whe'er Brutus be alive or dead,

And bring us word unto Octavius' tent

How everything is chanced.

Exeunt.

[5.5]

Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.

BRUTUS

Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.

CLITUS

2200

Statilius showed the torchlight, but, my lord,

He came not back. He is or ta'en or slain.

BRUTUS

Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word;

It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.

CLITUS

What I, my Lord? No, not for all the world!

BRUTUS

2205

Peace then, no words.

CLITUS

I’ll rather kill myself.

BRUTUS

Hark thee, Dardanius.

DARDANIUS

Shall I do such a deed?

CLITUS

O Dardanius!

DARDANIUS

O Clitus!

CLITUS

What ill request did Brutus make to thee?

DARDANIUS

2210

To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.

CLITUS

Now is that noble vessel full of grief,

That it runs over even at his eyes.

BRUTUS

Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word.

VOLUMNIUS

What says my lord?

BRUTUS

Why this, Volumnius.

2215

The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me

Two several times by night: at Sardis once,

And this last night here in Philippi fields.

I know my hour is come.

VOLUMNIUS

Not so, my lord.

BRUTUS

Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.

2220

Thou see'st the World, Volumnius, how it goes. Our enemies have beat us to the pit.

Low alarums.

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves

Then tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,

Thou know'st that we two went to school together.

Even for that, our love of old, I prithee,

2225

Hold thou my sword hilts whilst I run on it.

VOLUMNIUS

That's not an office for a friend, my lord.

Alarum still.

CLITUS

Fly! Fly, my Lord! There is no tarrying here!

BRUTUS

Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius.

Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep.

2230

Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,

My heart doth joy that yet in all my life

I found no man but he was true to me.

I shall have glory by this losing day

More then Octavius and Mark Antony

2235

By this vile conquest shall attain unto.

So fare you well at once, for Brutus' tongue

Hath almost ended his life's history.

Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,

That have but laboured to attain this hour.

Alarum. Cry within, "Fly! Fly! Fly!"

CLITUS

2240

Fly, my Lord! Fly!.

[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.]

BRUTUS

I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.

Thou art a fellow of a good respect;

Thy life hath had some smatch of honor in it.

Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,

2245

While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?

STRATO

Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.

BRUTUS

Farewell, good Strato.

[Runs on his sword.]

—Caesar, now be still.

I killed not thee with half so good a will.

Dies.

Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, Lucilius, and the army.

OCTAVIUS

What man is that?

MESSALA

2250

My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?

STRATO

Free from the bondage you are in, Messala.

The conquerors can but make a fire of him,

For Brutus only overcame himself,

And no man else hath honor by his death.

LUCILIUS

2255

So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,

That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.

OCTAVIUS

All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.

Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?

STRATO

Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.

OCTAVIUS

2260

Do so, good Messala.

MESSALA

How died my master, Strato?

STRATO

I held the sword, and he did run on it.

MESSALA

Octavius, then take him to follow thee,

That did the latest service to my master.

ANTONY

This was the noblest Roman of them all.

2265

All the conspirators save only he

Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;

He only in a general honest thought

And common good to all made one of them.

His life was gentle, and the elements

2270

So mixed in him that nature might stand up,

And say to all the world, "This was a man!"

OCTAVIUS

According to his virtue, let us use him,

With all respect and rites of burial.

Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,

2275

Most like a soldier, ordered honorably:

So call the field to rest, and let's away,

To part the glories of this happy day.

Exeunt omnes.

William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar

Act I

[1.1]

[1.2]

[1.3]

Act II

[2.1]

[2.2]

[2.3]

[2.4]

Act III

[3.1]

[3.2]

[3.3]

Act IV

[4.1]

[4.2]

[4.3]

Act V

[5.1]

[5.2]

[5.3]

[5.4]

[5.5]