1
Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare — EMOTHE0240_JuliusCaesar
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
ALL
VARRUS; CLAUDIO
TITITNUS, MESSALA
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!
1
Is this a holiday? What, know you not,
2
Being mechanical, you ought not walk
3
Upon a laboring day, without the sign
4
Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?
5
CARPENTER
Why, sir, a carpenter.
MURELLUS
Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?
6
What dost thou with thy best apparel on?
7
You, sir, what trade are you?
8
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?
9
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?
10
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?
11
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
12
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?
13
You blocks! You stones! You worse than senseless things!
14
O you hard hearts! You cruel men of Rome!
15
Knew you not Pompey many a time and oft?
16
Have you climbed up to walls and battlements,
17
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops,
18
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
19
The livelong day, with patient expectation,
20
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome?
21
And when you saw his chariot but appear,
22
Have you not made an universal shout,
23
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks
24
To hear the replication of your sounds,
25
Made in her concave shores?
26
And do you now put on your best attire?
27
And do you now cull out a holiday?
28
And do you now strew flowers in his way
29
That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?
30
Begone!
31
Run to your houses! Fall upon your knees!
32
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
33
That needs must light on this ingratitude!
34
FLAVIUS
Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault
35
Assemble all the poor men of your sort;
36
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
37
Into the channel, till the lowest stream
38
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.
39
(Exeunt all the Commoners.)
See whe'er their basest mettle be not moved:
40
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
41
Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
42
This way will I. Disrobe the images,
43
If you do find them decked with ceremonies.
44
MURELLUS
May we do so?
45
You know it is the Feast of Lupercal.
46
FLAVIUS
It is no matter. Let no images
47
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about,
48
And drive away the vulgar from the streets;
49
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
50
These growing feathers, plucked from Caesar's wing,
51
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
52
Who else would soar above the view of men,
53
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
54
(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.
55
CASCA
Peace ho! Caesar speaks.
CAESAR
Calpurnia!
CALPURNIA
Here, my Lord.
56
CAESAR
Stand you directly in Antonio's way
57
When he doth run his course. Antonio!
58
ANTONY
Caesar, my Lord?
59
CAESAR
Forget not in your speed, Antonio,
60
To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say,
61
The barren touchèd in this holy chase,
62
Shake off their sterile curse.
63
ANTONY
I shall remember.
When Caesar says, "Do this," it is performed.
64
CAESAR
Set on, and leave no ceremony out.
65
([Sennet])
SOOTHSAYER
Caesar!
66
CAESAR
Ha? Who calls?
67
CASCA
Bid every noise be still! Peace yet again!
68
CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
69
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
70
Cry "Caesar." Speak! Caesar is turned to hear.
71
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March.
72
CAESAR
What man is that?
BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
73
CAESAR
Set him before me. Let me see his face.
74
CASSIUS
Fellow, come from the throng! Look upon Caesar.
75
CAESAR
What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again.
76
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March.
77
CAESAR
He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.
78
(Sennet.)
(Exeunt [all but Brutus and Cassius].)
CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course?
79
BRUTUS
Not I.
80
CASSIUS
I pray you, do.
81
BRUTUS
I am not gamesome. I do lack some part
82
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
83
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires.
84
I'll leave you.
85
CASSIUS
Brutus, I do observe you now of late.
86
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
87
And show of love as I was wont to have.
88
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
89
Over your friend that loves you.
90
BRUTUS
Cassius,
Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look,
91
I turn the trouble of my countenance
92
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
93
Of late with passions of some difference,
94
Conceptions only proper to myself,
95
Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors;
96
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved,
97
Among which number, Cassius, be you one,
98
Nor construe any further my neglect
99
Than that poor Brutus with himself at war,
100
Forgets the shows of love to other men.
101
CASSIUS
Then Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,
102
By means whereof, this breast of mine hath buried
103
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
104
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
105
BRUTUS
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself
106
But by reflection, by some other things.
107
CASSIUS
'Tis just.
108
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
109
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
110
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
111
That you might see your shadow. I have heard,
112
Where many of the best respect in Rome,
113
Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus
114
And groaning underneath this age's yoke,
115
Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
116
BRUTUS
Into what dangers, would you lead me, Cassius,
117
That you would have me seek into myself
118
For that which is not in me?
119
CASSIUS
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear;
120
And since you know you cannot see yourself
121
So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
122
Will modestly discover to yourself
123
That of yourself which you yet know not of.
124
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus.
125
Were I a common laughter, or did use
126
To stale with ordinary oaths my love
127
To every new protester; if you know
128
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
129
And after scandal them; or if you know
130
That I profess myself in banqueting
131
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
132
(Flourish, and shout.)
BRUTUS
What means this shouting? I do fear the people
133
Choose Caesar for their king.
134
CASSIUS
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.
135
BRUTUS
I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.
136
But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
137
What is it that you would impart to me?
138
If it be ought toward the general good,
139
Set honor in one eye and death i'th'other,
140
And I will look on both indifferently.
141
For let the gods so speed me, as I love
142
The name of honor more than I fear death.
143
CASSIUS
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
144
As well as I do know your outward favor.
145
Well, honor is the subject of my story.
146
I cannot tell what you and other men
147
Think of this life, but for my single self,
148
I had as lief not be, as live to be
149
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
150
I was born free as Caesar, so were you;
151
We both have fed as well; and we can both
152
Endure the winter's cold, as well as he.
153
For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
154
The troubled Tiber, chafing with her shores,
155
Caesar said to me, "Dar'st thou, Cassius, now
156
Leap in with me into this angry flood
157
And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word,
158
Accoutred as I was, I plungèd in,
159
And bade him follow. So indeed he did.
160
The torrent roared, and we did buffet it
161
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside,
162
And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
163
But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
164
Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink."
165
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
166
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
167
The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tiber
168
Did I the tirèd Caesar. And this man
169
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
170
A wretched creature and must bend his body
171
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
172
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
173
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
174
How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake.
175
His coward lips did from their color fly,
176
And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world,
177
Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan.
178
Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans
179
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
180
"Alas," it cried, "Give me some drink, Titinius,"
181
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
182
A man of such a feeble temper should
183
So get the start of the majestic world
184
And bear the palm alone.
185
(Shout. Flourish.)
BRUTUS
Another general shout?
186
I do believe that these applauses are
187
For some new honors that are heaped on Caesar.
188
CASSIUS
Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
189
Like a colossus, and we petty men
190
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
191
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
192
Men at some time are masters of their fates.
193
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
194
But in ourselves that we are underlings.
195
"Brutus" and "Caesar." What should be in that "Caesar"?
196
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
197
Write them together: yours is as fair a name.
198
Sound them: it doth become the mouth as well.
199
Weigh them: it is as heavy. Conjure with 'em:
200
"Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar."
201
Now in the names of all the gods at once,
202
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
203
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
204
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
205
When went there by an age since the great flood,
206
But it was famed with more than with one man?
207
When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,
208
That her wide walks encompassed but one man?
209
Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough
210
When there is in it but one only man.
211
Oh, you and I have heard our fathers say
212
There was a Brutus once that would have brooked
213
Th'eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
214
As easily as a king.
215
BRUTUS
That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.
216
What you would work me to, I have some aim.
217
How I have thought of this and of these times
218
I shall recount hereafter. For this present,
219
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
220
Be any further moved. What you have said,
221
I will consider; what you have to say,
222
I will with patience hear, and find a time
223
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
224
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
225
Brutus had rather be a villager
226
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
227
Under these hard conditions as this time
228
Is like to lay upon us.
229
CASSIUS
I am glad that my weak words
230
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
231
(Enter Caesar and his train.)
BRUTUS
The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
232
CASSIUS
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
233
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
234
What hath proceeded worthy note today.
235
BRUTUS
I will do so. But look you, Cassius,
236
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow,
237
And all the rest look like a chidden train:
238
Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero
239
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
240
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
241
Being crossed in conference by some senators.
242
CASSIUS
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
243
CAESAR
Antonio!
244
ANTONY
Caesar?
245
CAESAR
Let me have men about me that are fat,
246
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o'nights.
247
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.
248
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
249
ANTONY
Fear him not Caesar, he's not dangerous,
250
He is a noble Roman, and well given.
251
CAESAR
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.
252
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
253
I do not know the man I should avoid
254
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,
255
He is a great observer, and he looks
256
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
257
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
258
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
259
As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit
260
That could be moved to smile at anything.
261
Such men as he be never at heart's ease
262
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
263
And therefore are they very dangerous.
264
I rather tell thee what is to be feared
265
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
266
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
267
And tell me truly, what thou think'st of him.
268
(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,
269
That Caesar looks so sad.
270
CASCA
Why, you were with him, were you not?
BRUTUS
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
271
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?
272
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?
273
CASCA
Why, Antony.
BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
274
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
But soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar swoon?
275
CASCA
He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth, and was speechless.
BRUTUS
'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness.
276
CASSIUS
No, Caesar hath it not, but you and I,
277
And honest Casca: we have the falling sickness.
278
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?
279
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
And after that, he came thus sad away.
280
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?
281
He was quick mettle when he went to school.
282
CASSIUS
So is he now, in execution
283
Of any bold, or noble enterprise,
284
However he puts on this tardy form.
285
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,
286
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
287
With better appetite.
288
BRUTUS
And so it is.
For this time I will leave you:
289
Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
290
I will come home to you, or if you will,
291
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
292
CASSIUS
I will do so. Till then, think of the world.
293
(Exit Brutus.)
Well, Brutus, thou art noble, yet I see
294
Thy honorable mettle may be wrought
295
From that it is disposed. Therefore it is meet
296
That noble minds keep ever with their likes,
297
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
298
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.
299
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
300
He should not humor me. I will this night
301
In several hands in at his windows throw,
302
As if they came from several citizens,
303
Writings, all tending to the great opinion
304
That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely
305
Caesar's ambition shall be glancèd at.
306
And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,
307
For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
308
(Exit.)
[1.3]
(Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca and Cicero.)
CICERO
Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home?
309
Why are you breathless, and why stare you so?
310
CASCA
Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
311
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,
312
I have seen tempests when the scolding winds
313
Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen
314
Th'ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam,
315
To be exalted with the threatening clouds,
316
But never till tonight, never till now,
317
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.
318
Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
319
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,
320
Incenses them to send destruction.
321
CICERO
Why, saw you any thing more wonderful?
322
CASCA
A common slave, you know him well by sight,
323
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn
324
Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,
325
Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched.
326
Besides—I ha'not since put up my sword—
327
Against the Capitol I met a lion,
328
Who glazed upon me and went surly by,
329
Without annoying me. And there were drawn
330
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
331
Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw
332
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.
333
And yesterday, the bird of night did sit
334
Even at noonday upon the marketplace,
335
Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies
336
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say,
337
"These are their reasons, they are natural,"
338
For I believe they are portentous things
339
Unto the climate that they point upon.
340
CICERO
Indeed, it is a strange disposèd time.
341
But men may construe things after their fashion
342
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.
343
Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?
344
CASCA
He doth, for he did bid Antonio
345
Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.
346
CICERO
Good night then, Casca. This disturbèd sky
347
Is not to walk in.
348
CASCA
Farewell Cicero.
(Exit Cicero.)
(Enter Cassius.)
CASSIUS
Who's there?
349
CASCA
A Roman.
CASSIUS
Casca, by your voice.
CASCA
Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this?
350
CASSIUS
A very pleasing night to honest men.
351
CASCA
Who ever knew the heavens menace so?
352
CASSIUS
Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
353
For my part, I have walked about the streets,
354
Submitting me unto the perilous night,
355
And thus unbracèd, Casca, as you see,
356
Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone,
357
And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open
358
The breast of heaven, I did present myself
359
Even in the aim and very flash of it.
360
CASCA
But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?
361
It is the part of men to fear and tremble,
362
When the most mighty gods by tokens send
363
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
364
CASSIUS
You are dull, Casca, And those sparks of life
365
That should be in a Roman you do want,
366
Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze,
367
And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder,
368
To see the strange impatience of the heavens.
369
But if you would consider the true cause
370
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
371
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind,
372
Why old men, fools, and children calculate,
373
Why all these things change from their ordinance,
374
Their natures and preformèd faculties
375
To monstrous quality—why, you shall find
376
That heaven hath infused them with these spirits
377
To make them instruments of fear and warning
378
Unto some monstrous state.
379
Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man,
380
Most like this dreadful night,
381
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars,
382
As doth the lion in the Capitol,
383
A man no mightier than thyself or me
384
In personal action, yet prodigious grown
385
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.
386
CASCA
'Tis Caesar that you mean. Is it not, Cassius?
387
CASSIUS
Let it be who it is, for Romans now
388
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors.
389
But woe the while, our fathers' minds are dead,
390
And we are governed with our mothers' spirits.
391
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish.
392
CASCA
Indeed, they say, the senators tomorrow
393
Mean to establish Caesar as a king,
394
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land
395
In every place, save here in Italy.
396
CASSIUS
I know where I will wear this dagger then:
397
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
398
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong,
399
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.
400
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
401
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron
402
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit,
403
But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
404
Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
405
If I know this, know all the world besides,
406
That part of tyranny that I do bear
407
Thunder still. Thunder still. I can shake off at pleasure.
408
CASCA
So can I:
(Thunder still.)
So every bondman in his own hand bears
409
The power to cancel his captivity.
410
CASSIUS
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
411
Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf,
412
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep;
413
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
414
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
415
Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome,
416
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves
417
For the base matter to illuminate
418
So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
419
Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this
420
Before a willing bondman; then I know
421
My answer must be made. But I am armed,
422
And dangers are to me indifferent.
423
CASCA
You speak to Casca, and to such a man
424
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand.
425
Be factious for redress of all these griefs,
426
And I will set this foot of mine as far
427
As who goes farthest.
428
CASSIUS
There's a bargain made.
Now know you, Casca, I have moved already
429
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
430
To undergo with me an enterprise
431
Of honorable dangerous consequence,
432
And I do know by this, they stay for me
433
In Pompey's porch. For now, this fearful night,
434
There is no stir or walking in the streets,
435
And the complexion of the element
436
In favor's like the work we have in hand:
437
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.
438
(Enter Cinna.)
CASCA
Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.
439
CASSIUS
'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;
440
He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so?
441
CINNA
To find out you. Who's that, Metellus Cimber?
442
CASSIUS
No, it is Casca, one incorporate
443
To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna?
444
CINNA
I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this?
445
There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
446
CASSIUS
Am I not stayed for? Tell me.
447
CINNA
Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could
448
But win the noble Brutus to our party—
449
CASSIUS
Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper,
450
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair,
451
Where Brutus may but find it. And throw this
452
In at his window. Set this up with wax
453
Upon old Brutus' statue. All this done,
454
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us.
455
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
456
CINNA
All but Metellus Cimber, and he's gone
457
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,
458
And so bestow these papers as you bade me.
459
CASSIUS
That done, repair to Pompey's theater.
460
(Exit Cinna.)
Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day,
461
See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him
462
Is ours already, and the man entire
463
Upon the next encounter yields him ours.
464
CASCA
Oh, he sits high in all the people's hearts,
465
And that which would appear offense in us,
466
His countenance, like richest alchemy,
467
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
468
CASSIUS
Him and his worth and our great need of him
469
You have right well conceited. Let us go,
470
For it is after midnight, and ere day,
471
We will awake him and be sure of him.
472
(Exeunt.)
Act II
[2.1]
(Enter Brutus in his orchard.)
BRUTUS
What, Lucius, ho!
473
I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
474
Give guess how near to day— Lucius, I say!
475
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
476
When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!
477
(Enter Lucius.)
LUCIUS
Called you, my lord?
478
BRUTUS
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
479
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
480
LUCIUS
I will, my Lord.
481
(Exit.)
BRUTUS
It must be by his death, and for my part,
482
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
483
But for the general. He would be crowned.
484
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
485
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
486
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
487
And then I grant we put a sting in him
488
That at his will he may do danger with.
489
Th'abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
490
Remorse from power, and to speak truth of Caesar,
491
I have not known when his affections swayed
492
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof
493
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
494
Whereto the climber upward turns his face,
495
But when he once attains the upmost round,
496
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
497
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
498
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
499
Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel
500
Will bear no color for the thing he is,
501
Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,
502
Would run to these and these extremities;
503
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg,
504
Which hatched would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
505
And kill him in the shell.
506
(Enter Lucius.)
LUCIUS
The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
507
Searching the window for a flint, I found
508
This paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure
509
It did not lie there when I went to bed.
510
(Gives him the letter.)
BRUTUS
Get you to bed again; it is not day.
511
Is not tomorrow, boy, the first of March?
512
LUCIUS
I know not, sir.
513
BRUTUS
Look in the calender, and bring me word.
514
LUCIUS
I will, sir.
515
(Exit.)
BRUTUS
The exhalations, whizzing in the air,
516
Give so much light that I may read by them.
517
(Opens the letter and reads.)
"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself.
518
Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!"
519
"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake."
520
Such instigations have been often dropped
521
Where I have took them up.
522
"Shall Rome, etc." Thus must I piece it out:
523
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What Rome?
524
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
525
The Tarquin drive, when he was called a king.
526
"Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated
527
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
528
If the redress will follow, thou receivest
529
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus.
530
(Enter Lucius.)
LUCIUS
Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.
531
(Knock within.)
BRUTUS
'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks:
532
([Exit Lucius.])
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
533
I have not slept.
534
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
535
And the first motion, all the interim is
536
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream:
537
The genius and the mortal instruments
538
Are then in council, and the state of man,
539
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
540
The nature of an insurrection.
541
(Enter Lucius.)
LUCIUS
Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,
542
Who doth desire to see you.
543
BRUTUS
Is he alone?
LUCIUS
No, sir. There are more with him.
544
BRUTUS
Do you know them?
LUCIUS
No, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears,
545
And half their faces buried in their cloaks,
546
That by no means I may discover them
547
By any mark of favor.
548
BRUTUS
Let 'em enter.
([Exit Lucius.])
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
549
Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
550
When evils are most free? O then, by day
551
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
552
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy!
553
Hide it in smiles and affability!
554
For if thou put thy native semblance on,
555
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
556
To hide thee from prevention.
557
(Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.)
CASSIUS
I think we are too bold upon your rest.
558
Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you?
559
BRUTUS
I have been up this hour, awake all night.
560
Know I these men that come along with you?
561
CASSIUS
Yes, every man of them, and no man here
562
But honors you, and every one doth wish
563
You had but that opinion of yourself
564
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
565
This is Trebonius.
566
BRUTUS
He is welcome hither.
CASSIUS
This, Decius Brutus.
567
BRUTUS
He is welcome too.
CASSIUS
This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
568
BRUTUS
They are all welcome.
569
What watchful cares do interpose themselves
570
Betwixt your eyes and night?
571
CASSIUS
Shall I entreat a word?
572
(They whisper.)
DECIUS
Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here?
573
CASCA
No.
574
CINNA
O pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines
575
That fret the clouds are messengers of day.
576
CASCA
You shall confess that you are both deceived.
577
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,
578
Which is a great way growing on the south,
579
Weighing the youthful season of the year.
580
Some two months hence, up higher toward the north
581
He first presents his fire, and the high east
582
Stands as the Capitol, directly here.
583
BRUTUS
Give me your hands all over, one by one.
584
CASSIUS
And let us swear our resolution.
585
BRUTUS
No, not an oath. If not the face of men,
586
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse—
587
If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
588
And every man hence, to his idle bed.
589
So let high-sighted tyranny range on,
590
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,
591
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough
592
To kindle cowards and to steel with valor
593
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,
594
What need we any spur but our own cause
595
To prick us to redress? What other bond
596
Than secret Romans that have spoke the word
597
And will not palter? And what other oath,
598
Than honesty to honesty engaged,
599
That this shall be, or we will fall for it.
600
Swear priests and cowards, and men cautelous,
601
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
602
That welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swear
603
Such creatures as men doubt, but do not stain
604
The even virtue of our enterprise,
605
Nor th'insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
606
To think that or our cause or our performance
607
Did need an oath, when every drop of blood
608
That every Roman bears—and nobly bears—
609
Is guilty of a several bastardy,
610
If he do break the smallest particle
611
Of any promise that hath passed from him.
612
CASSIUS
But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?
613
I think he will stand very strong with us.
614
CASCA
Let us not leave him out.
615
CINNA
No, by no means.
METELLUS
O let us have him, for his silver hairs
616
Will purchase us a good opinion
617
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds.
618
It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands.
619
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
620
But all be buried in his gravity.
621
BRUTUS
Oh, name him not; let us not break with him,
622
For he will never follow anything
623
That other men begin.
624
CASSIUS
Then leave him out.
625
CASCA
Indeed, he is not fit.
DECIUS
Shall no man else be touched but only Caesar?
626
CASSIUS
Decius well urged. I think it is not meet
627
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
628
Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him
629
A shrewd contriver. And you know, his means,
630
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
631
As to annoy us all: which to prevent,
632
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
633
BRUTUS
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
634
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
635
Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards;
636
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.
637
Let's be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
638
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,
639
And in the spirit of men there is no blood.
640
Oh, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
641
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
642
Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,
643
Let's kill him boldly but not wrathfully;
644
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
645
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.
646
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
647
Stir up their servants to an act of rage
648
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make
649
Our purpose necessary and not envious;
650
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
651
We shall be called purgers, not murderers.
652
And for Mark Antony, think not of him,
653
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm,
654
When Caesar's head is off.
655
CASSIUS
Yet I fear him,
For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar—
656
BRUTUS
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him.
657
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
658
Is to himself: take thought, and die for Caesar.
659
And that were much he should, for he is given
660
To sports, to wildness, and much company.
661
TREBONIUS
There is no fear in him. Let him not die,
662
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
663
(Clock strikes.)
BRUTUS
Peace! Count the clock.
664
CASSIUS
The clock hath stricken three.
TREBONIUS
'Tis time to part.
665
CASSIUS
But it is doubtful yet
Whether Caesar will come forth today or no.
666
For he is superstitious grown of late,
667
Quite from the main opinion he held once
668
Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.
669
It may be these apparent prodigies,
670
The unaccustomed terror of this night,
671
And the persuasion of his augurers
672
May hold him from the Capitol today.
673
DECIUS
Never fear that. If he be so resolved
674
I can o'ersway him. For he loves to hear
675
That unicorns may be betrayed with trees,
676
And bears with glasses; elephants, with holes;
677
Lions, with toils; and men, with flatterers.
678
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
679
He says he does, being then most flatterèd.
680
Let me work.
681
For I can give his humor the true bent,
682
And I will bring him to the Capitol.
683
CASSIUS
Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
684
BRUTUS
By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost?
685
CINNA
Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
686
METELLUS
Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
687
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey.
688
I wonder none of you have thought of him.
689
BRUTUS
Now, good Metellus, go along by him.
690
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons.
691
Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him.
692
CASSIUS
The morning comes upon's. We'll leave you, Brutus.
693
And friends, disperse yourselves, but all remember
694
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
695
BRUTUS
Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.
696
Let not our looks put on our purposes,
697
But bear it as our Roman actors do,
698
With untired spirits and formal constancy.
699
And so good morrow to you every one.
700
(Exeunt [all but] Brutus.)
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter.
701
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.
702
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
703
Which busy care draws in the brains of men.
704
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
705
(Enter Portia. Enter Portia.)
PORTIA
Brutus, my Lord.
BRUTUS
Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now?
706
It is not for your health thus to commit
707
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
708
PORTIA
Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
709
Stole from my bed, and yesternight at supper
710
You suddenly arose and walked about,
711
Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
712
And when I asked you what the matter was,
713
You stared upon me, with ungentle looks.
714
I urged you further; then you scratched your head
715
And too impatiently stamped with your foot.
716
Yet I insisted; yet you answered not,
717
But with an angry wafture of your hand
718
Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,
719
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
720
Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal
721
Hoping it was but an effect of humor,
722
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
723
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep;
724
And could it work so much upon your shape
725
As it hath much prevailed on your condition,
726
I should not know you Brutus. Dear my Lord,
727
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
728
BRUTUS
I am not well in health, and that is all.
729
PORTIA
Brutus is wise, and were he not in health,
730
He would embrace the means to come by it.
731
BRUTUS
Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
732
PORTIA
Is Brutus sick? And is it physical
733
To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors
734
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
735
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
736
To dare the vile contagion of the night,
737
And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air
738
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus.
739
You have some sick offense within your mind,
740
Which by the right and virtue of my place
741
I ought to know of. And upon my knees,
742
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,
743
By all your vows of love, and that great vow
744
Which did incorporate and make us one,
745
That you unfold to me, your self, your half,
746
Why you are heavy, and what men tonight
747
Have had resort to you. For here have been
748
Some six or seven who did hide their faces
749
Even from darkness.
750
BRUTUS
Kneel not, gentle Portia.
PORTIA
I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
751
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
752
Is it excepted, I should know no secrets
753
That appertain to you? Am I your self,
754
But as it were in sort, or limitation,
755
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
756
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
757
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
758
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
759
BRUTUS
You are my true and honorable wife,
760
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
761
That visit my sad heart.
762
PORTIA
If this were true, then should I know this secret.
763
I grant I am a woman, but withal
764
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.
765
I grant I am a woman, but withal
766
A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter.
767
Think you I am no stronger than my sex
768
Being so fathered, and so husbanded?
769
Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose 'em.
770
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
771
Giving myself a voluntary wound
772
Here, in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience
773
And not my husband's secrets?
774
BRUTUS
O ye gods!
Render me worthy of this noble wife.
775
(Knock.)
Hark, hark, one knocks! Portia go in awhile,
776
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
777
The secrets of my heart.
778
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
779
All the charactery of my sad brows.
780
Leave me with haste. Ligarius. Ligarius.
781
Lucius, who's that knocks.
782
(Exit Portia. Enter Lucius and Ligarius.)
LUCIUS
Here is a sick man that would speak with you.
783
BRUTUS
Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.
784
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?
785
LIGARIUS
Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
786
BRUTUS
O what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
787
To wear a kerchief. Would you were not sick!.
788
LIGARIUS
I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
789
Any exploit worthy the name of honor.
790
BRUTUS
Such an exploit have I in hand Ligarius,
791
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.
792
LIGARIUS
By all the gods that Romans bow before,
793
I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome,
794
Brave son, derived from honorable loins,
795
Thou like an exorcist hast conjured up
796
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
797
And I will strive with things impossible,
798
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?
799
BRUTUS
A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
800
LIGARIUS
But are not some whole, that we must make sick?
801
BRUTUS
That must we also. What it is my Caius,
802
I shall unfold to thee as we are going
803
To whom it must be done.
804
LIGARIUS
Set on your foot,
And with a heart new-fired, I follow you
805
To do I know not what, but it sufficeth
806
That Brutus leads me on.
807
(Thunder)
BRUTUS
Follow me, then.
808
(Exeunt)
[2.2]
(Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his nightgown.)
CAESAR
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
809
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
810
"Help, ho, they murder Caesar!" Who's within?
811
(Enter a servant.)
SERVANT
My Lord.
812
CAESAR
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice,
813
And bring me their opinions of success.
814
SERVANT
I will, my lord.
815
(Exit)
(Enter Calpurnia.)
CALPURNIA
What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
816
You shall not stir out of your house today.
817
CAESAR
Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me
818
Ne'er looked but on my back. When they shall see
819
The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.
820
CALPURNIA
Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
821
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
822
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
823
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
824
A lionness hath whelpèd in the streets,
825
And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead;
826
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds
827
In ranks, and squadrons, and right form of war,
828
Which drizzeled blood upon the Capitol.
829
The noise of battle hurtled in the air:
830
Horses do neigh, and dying men did groan,
831
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
832
O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,
833
And I do fear them.
834
CAESAR
What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
835
Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions
836
Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
837
CALPURNIA
When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
838
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes
839
CAESAR
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
840
The valiant never taste of death but once.
841
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
842
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
843
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
844
Will come when it will come.
845
(Enter a servant.)
CAESAR
What say the augurers?
SERVANT
They would not have you to stir forth today.
846
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
847
They could not find a heart within the beast.
848
CAESAR
The gods do this in shame of cowardice.
849
Caesar should be a beast without a heart,
850
If he should stay at home today for fear.
851
No Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well
852
That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
853
We are two lions littered in one day,
854
And I the elder and more terrible;
855
And Caesar shall go forth.
856
CALPURNIA
Alas, my Lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
857
Do not go forth today. Call it my fear
858
That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
859
We'll send Mark Antony to the Senate House,
860
And he shall say you are not well today.
861
Let me upon my knee prevail in this.
862
CAESAR
Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
863
And for thy humor, I will stay at home.
864
(Enter Decius.)
Here's Decius Brutus. He shall tell them so.
865
DECIUS
Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar,
866
I come to fetch you to the Senate House.
867
CAESAR
And you are come in very happy time
868
To bear my greeting to the senators,
869
And tell them that I will not come today—
870
Cannot, is false; and that I dare not, falser:
871
I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius.
872
CALPURNIA
Say he is sick.
873
CAESAR
Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far
874
To be afeard to tell gray-beards the truth?
875
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
876
DECIUS
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
877
Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.
878
CAESAR
The cause is in my will; I will not come.
879
That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
880
But for your private satisfaction,
881
Because I love you, I will let you know.
882
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.
883
She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
884
Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts
885
Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans
886
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.
887
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
888
And evils imminent; and on her knee
889
Hath begged that I will stay at home today.
890
DECIUS
This dream is all amiss interpreted:
891
It was a vision fair and fortunate.
892
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
893
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
894
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
895
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
896
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
897
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
898
CAESAR
And this way have you well expounded it.
899
DECIUS
I have, when you have heard what I can say,
900
And know it now: the Senate have concluded
901
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
902
If you shall send them word you will not come,
903
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
904
Apt to be rendered for someone to say,
905
"Break up the Senate till another time,
906
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams."
907
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
908
"Lo, Caesar is afraid"?
909
Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love
910
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
911
And reason to my love is liable.
912
CAESAR
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia?
913
I am ashamèd I did yield to them.
914
Give me my robe, for I will go.
915
(Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, Cinna, and Publius.)
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
916
PUBLIUS
Good morrow, Caesar.
917
CAESAR
Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?
918
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
919
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
920
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
921
What is't o'clock?
922
BRUTUS
Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
CAESAR
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
923
(Enter Antony.)
See, Antony, that revels long o' nights,
924
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.
925
ANTONY
So to most noble Caesar.
926
CAESAR
Bid them prepare within.
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
927
Now, Cinna. Now, Metellus. What, Trebonius,
928
I have an hour's talk in store for you.
929
Remember that you call on me today.
930
Be near me, that I may remember you.
931
TREBONIUS
Caesar I will,
932
and so near will I be,
933
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
934
CAESAR
Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me.
935
And we, like friends, will straight way go together.
936
BRUTUS
That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
937
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon.
938
(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,
939
And as a suitor will I give him this.
940
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
941
Out of the teeth of emulation.
942
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;
943
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
944
(Exit.)
[2.4]
(Enter Portia and Lucius.)
PORTIA
I prithee, boy, run to the Senate House.
945
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
946
Why dost thou stay?
947
LUCIUS
To know my errand, madam.
PORTIA
I would have had thee there and here again
948
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
949
O constancy, be strong upon my side!
950
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue.
951
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
952
How hard it is for women to keep counsel.
953
Art thou here yet?
954
LUCIUS
Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
955
And so return to you, and nothing else?
956
PORTIA
Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
957
For he went sickly forth, and take good note
958
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
959
Hark, boy, what noise is that?
960
LUCIUS
I hear none, madam.
961
PORTIA
Prithee, listen well:
I heard a bustling rumor, like a fray,
962
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
963
LUCIUS
Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.
964
(Enter the Soothsayer.)
PORTIA
Come hither, fellow. Which way hast thou been?
965
SOOTHSAYER
At mine own house, good lady.
966
PORTIA
What is't o'clock?
967
SOOTHSAYER
About the ninth hour, lady.
PORTIA
Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
968
SOOTHSAYER
Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand
969
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
970
PORTIA
Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
971
SOOTHSAYER
That I have, lady, if it will please Caesar
972
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me:
973
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
974
PORTIA
Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
975
SOOTHSAYER
None that I know will be; much that I fear may chance.
976
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow.
977
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels
978
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
979
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death.
980
I'll get me to a place more void, and there
981
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.
982
(Exit)
PORTIA
I must go in. Ay me! How weak a thing
983
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
984
The Heavens speed thee in thine enterprise.
985
Sure the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit
986
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint!
987
Run Lucius, and commend me to my lord!
988
Say I am merry. Come to me again,
989
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
990
(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.
991
SOOTHSAYER
Ay, Caesar, but not gone.
992
ARTEMIDORUS
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
993
DECIUS
Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread,
994
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
995
ARTEMIDORUS
O Caesar, read mine first, for mine's a suit
996
That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
997
CAESAR
What touches us ourself shall be last served.
998
ARTEMIDORUS
Delay not Caesar, read it instantly!
999
CAESAR
What, is the fellow mad?
1000
PUBLIUS
Sirrah, give place.
CASSIUS
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
1001
Come to the Capitol.
1002
([Caesar and his train move away.])
POPILIUS
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
1003
CASSIUS
What enterprise, Popilius?
1004
POPILIUS
Fare you well.
([moves toward Caesar])
BRUTUS
What said Popilius Lena?
1005
CASSIUS
He wished today our enterprise might thrive:
1006
I fear our purpose is discoverèd.
1007
BRUTUS
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
1008
CASSIUS
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
1009
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
1010
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
1011
For I will slay myself.
1012
BRUTUS
Cassius, be constant.
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes,
1013
For look he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
1014
CASSIUS
Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus,
1015
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
1016
([Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.])
DECIUS
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
1017
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
1018
BRUTUS
He is addressed. Press near, and second him.
1019
CINNA
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
1020
CAESAR
Are we all ready? What is now amiss,
1021
That Caesar and his senate must redress?
1022
METELLUS
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar!
1023
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
1024
An humble heart.
1025
CAESAR
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
1026
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
1027
And turn preordinance and first decree
1028
Into the lane of children. Be not fond
1029
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
1030
That will be thawed from the true quality
1031
With that which melteth fools—I mean sweet words,
1032
Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning.
1033
Thy brother by decree is banishèd.
1034
If thou doest bend, and pray, and fawn for him,
1035
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way!
1036
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
1037
Will he be satisfied.
1038
METELLUS
Is there no voice more worthy than my own
1039
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear
1040
For the repealing of my banished brother?
1041
BRUTUS
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,
1042
Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may
1043
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
1044
CAESAR
What, Brutus?
1045
CASSIUS
Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon!
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall
1046
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
1047
CAESAR
I could be well moved, if I were as you.
1048
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
1049
But I am constant as the northern star,
1050
Of whose true fixed and resting quality,
1051
There is no fellow in the firmament.
1052
The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks;
1053
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
1054
But there's but one in all doth hold his place.
1055
So in the world: 'tis furnished well with men,
1056
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
1057
Yet in the number I do know but one
1058
That unassailable holds on his rank
1059
Unshaked of motion, and that I am he,
1060
Let me a little show it, even in this:
1061
That I was constant Cimber should be banished,
1062
And constant do remain to keep him so.
1063
CINNA
O Caesar—
1064
CAESAR
Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?
DECIUS
Great Caesar—
1065
CAESAR
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
CASCA
Speak, hands, for me!
1066
(They stab Caesar.)
CAESAR
Et tu Brutè? —Then fall, Caesar!
1067
(Dies)
CINNA
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
1068
Run hence! Proclaim! Cry it about the streets!
1069
CASSIUS
Some to the common pulpits and cry out!
1070
Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!
1071
BRUTUS
People and senators, be not affrighted.
1072
Fly not! Stand still! Ambition's debt is paid.
1073
CASCA
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
1074
DECIUS
And Cassius too.
BRUTUS
Where's Publius?
1075
CINNA
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
1076
METELLUS
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's
1077
Should chance—
1078
BRUTUS
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer.
1079
There is no harm intended to your person,
1080
Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
1081
CASSIUS
And leave us, Publius, lest that the people
1082
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
1083
BRUTUS
Do so, and let no man abide this deed
1084
But we the doers.
1085
(Enter Trebonius.)
CASSIUS
Where is Antony?
1086
TREBONIUS
Fled to his house amazed.
Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run
1087
As it were doomsday.
1088
BRUTUS
Fates, we will know your pleasures.
That we shall die, we know. 'Tis but the time
1089
And drawing days out that men stand upon.
1090
CASCA
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
1091
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
1092
BRUTUS
Grant that, and then is death a benefit.
1093
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
1094
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
1095
And let us bathe our hands in Caesars blood
1096
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords.
1097
Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace,
1098
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
1099
Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!"
1100
CASSIUS
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence
1101
Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er,
1102
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
1103
BRUTUS
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
1104
That now on Pompey's basis lies along,
1105
No worthier than the dust!
1106
CASSIUS
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be called
1107
The men that gave their country liberty.
1108
DECIUS
What, shall we forth?
1109
CASSIUS
Ay, every man away.
Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels
1110
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
1111
(Enter a servant.)
BRUTUS
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
1112
SERVANT
Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel.
1113
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,
1114
And being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
1115
"Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
1116
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.
1117
Say I love Brutus, and I honor him;
1118
Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
1119
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
1120
May safely come to him, and be resolved
1121
How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
1122
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
1123
So well as Brutus living, but will follow
1124
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
1125
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,
1126
With all true faith."
1127
So says my master Antony.
1128
BRUTUS
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
1129
I never thought him worse.
1130
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
1131
He shall be satisfied, and by my honor
1132
Depart untouched.
1133
SERVANT
I'll fetch him presently.
(Exit servant.)
BRUTUS
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
1134
CASSIUS
I wish we may, but yet have I a mind
1135
That fears him much, and my misgiving still
1136
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
1137
(Enter Antony.)
BRUTUS
But here comes Antony: Welcome, Mark Antony.
1138
ANTONY
O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
1139
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
1140
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
1141
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
1142
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank;
1143
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
1144
As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument
1145
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
1146
With the most noble blood of all this world.
1147
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
1148
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
1149
Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
1150
I shall not find myself so apt to die;
1151
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
1152
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
1153
The choice and master spirits of this age.
1154
BRUTUS
O Antony! Beg not your death of us.
1155
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
1156
As by our hands and this our present act
1157
You see we do. Yet see you but our hands
1158
And this, the bleeding business they have done.
1159
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful,
1160
And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
1161
As fire drives out fire, so pity, pity—
1162
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
1163
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.
1164
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts
1165
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in,
1166
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
1167
CASSIUS
Your voice shall be as strong as any man's,
1168
In the disposing of new dignities.
1169
BRUTUS
Only be patient, till we have appeased
1170
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
1171
And then we will deliver you the cause
1172
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
1173
Have thus proceeded.
1174
ANTONY
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand.
1175
First, Marcus Brutus. will I shake with you;
1176
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
1177
Now, Decius Brutus yours; now yours, Metellus;
1178
Yours, Cinna; and my valiant Casca, yours;
1179
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.
1180
Gentlemen all. Alas, what shall I say?
1181
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
1182
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me:
1183
Either a coward, or a flatterer.
1184
That I did love thee, Caesar, oh, 'tis true!
1185
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
1186
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death
1187
To see thy Antony making his peace,
1188
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes—
1189
Most noble — in the presence of thy corpse?
1190
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
1191
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
1192
It would become me better, than to close
1193
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
1194
Pardon me Julius! Here was't thou bayed, brave hart,
1195
Here did'st thou fall, and here thy hunters stand
1196
Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy Lethe.
1197
O world! Thou wast the forest to this hart,
1198
And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee!
1199
How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
1200
Dost thou here lie!
1201
CASSIUS
Mark Antony—
1202
ANTONY
Pardon me, Caius Cassius.
The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
1203
Then in a friend it is cold modesty.
1204
CASSIUS
I blame you not for praising Caesar so,
1205
But what compact mean you to have with us?
1206
Will you be pricked in number of our friends,
1207
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
1208
ANTONY
Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
1209
Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar.
1210
Friends am I with you all, and love you all,
1211
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons,
1212
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
1213
BRUTUS
Or else were this a savage spectacle.
1214
Our reasons are so full of good regard
1215
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
1216
You should be satisfied.
1217
ANTONY
That's all I seek,
And am moreover suitor that I may
1218
Produce his body to the marketplace,
1219
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
1220
Speak in the order of his funeral.
1221
BRUTUS
You shall, Mark Antony.
1222
CASSIUS
Brutus, a word with you:
You know not what you do! Do not consent
1223
That Antony speak in his funeral.
1224
Know you how much the people may be moved
1225
By that which he will utter?
1226
BRUTUS
By your pardon:
I will myself into the pulpit first,
1227
And show the reason of our Caesar's death.
1228
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
1229
He speaks by leave and by permission,
1230
And that we are contented Caesar shall
1231
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
1232
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
1233
CASSIUS
I know not what may fall. I like it not.
1234
BRUTUS
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
1235
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
1236
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
1237
And say you do't by our permission.
1238
Else shall you not have any hand at all
1239
About his funeral. And you shall speak
1240
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
1241
After my speech is ended.
1242
ANTONY
Be it so.
I do desire no more.
1243
BRUTUS
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
1244
([Exeunt all but] Antony.)
ANTONY
O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
1245
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
1246
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
1247
That ever livèd in the tide of times.
1248
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
1249
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,
1250
Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips,
1251
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue:
1252
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men,
1253
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
1254
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
1255
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
1256
And dreadful objects so familiar,
1257
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
1258
Their infants quartered with the hands of war,
1259
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds;
1260
And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge,
1261
With Atè by his side come hot from hell,
1262
Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice,
1263
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
1264
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
1265
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
1266
(Enter Octavius' servant.)
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
1267
SERVANT
I do, Mark Antony.
1268
ANTONY
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
1269
SERVANT
He did receive his letters and is coming,
1270
And bid me say to you by word of mouth—
1271
O Caesar!
1272
ANTONY
Thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep.
1273
Passion I see is catching, for mine eyes,
1274
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
1275
Begin to water. Is thy master coming?
1276
SERVANT
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
1277
ANTONY
Post back with speed, And tell him what hath chanced.
1278
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
1279
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.
1280
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;
1281
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse
1282
Into the marketplace. There shall I try
1283
In my oration how the people take
1284
The cruel issue of these bloody men,
1285
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
1286
To young Octavius of the state of things.
1287
Lend me your hand.
1288
(Exeunt)
[3.2]
(Enter Brutus and goes into the pulpit, and Cassius with the plebians.)
PLEBIANS
We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!
1289
BRUTUS
Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.
1290
Cassius, go you into the other street,
1291
And part the numbers.
1292
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;
1293
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
1294
And public reasons shall be rendered
1295
Of Caesar's death.
1296
1 PLEBIAN
I will hear Brutus speak.
2 PLEBIAN
I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons,
1297
When severally we hear them renderèd.
1298
([Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebians.])
3 PLEBIAN
The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!
1299
BRUTUS
Be patient till the last.
1300
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.
1301
2 PLEBIAN
Give him a statue with his ancestors.
1302
3 PLEBIAN
Let him be Caesar.
1303
4 PLEBIAN
Caesar's better parts,
Shall be crowned in Brutus.
1304
1 PLEBIAN
We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors.
1305
BRUTUS
My countrymen!
1306
2 PLEBIAN
Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks.
1307
1 PLEBIAN
Peace, ho!
1308
BRUTUS
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
1309
And for my sake, stay here with Antony.
1310
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech
1311
Tending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony
1312
By our permission is allowed to make.
1313
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
1314
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
1315
(Exit)
1 PLEBIAN
Stay, ho! And let us hear Mark Antony.
1316
3 PLEBIAN
Let him go up into the public chair.
1317
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
1318
ANTONY
For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.
1319
4 PLEBIAN
What does he say of Brutus?
1320
3 PLEBIAN
He says, for Brutus' sake
1321
He finds himself beholding to us all.
1322
4 PLEBIAN
'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here!
1323
1 PLEBIAN
This Caesar was a tyrant.
1324
3 PLEBIAN
Nay, that's certain:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
1325
2 PLEBIAN
Peace! Let us hear what Antony can say.
1326
ANTONY
You gentle Romans—
1327
ALL
Peace, ho! Let us hear him.
ANTONY
Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me your ears.
1328
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
1329
The evil that men do lives after them;
1330
The good is oft interrèd with their bones:
1331
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
1332
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious.
1333
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
1334
And grievously hath Caesar answered it.
1335
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—
1336
For Brutus is an honorable man,
1337
So are they all, all honorable men—
1338
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
1339
He was my friend: faithful and just to me.
1340
But Brutus says he was ambitious,
1341
And Brutus is an honorable man.
1342
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
1343
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
1344
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
1345
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
1346
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
1347
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
1348
And Brutus is an honorable man.
1349
You all did see that on the Lupercal
1350
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
1351
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
1352
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
1353
And sure he is an honorable man.
1354
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
1355
But here I am, to speak what I do know.
1356
You all did love him once, not without cause.
1357
What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?
1358
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
1359
And men have lost their reason! Bear with me;
1360
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
1361
And I must pause till it come back to me.
1362
1 PLEBIAN
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
1363
2 PLEBIAN
If thou consider rightly of the matter,
1364
Caesar has had great wrong.
1365
3 PLEBIAN
Has he, masters?
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
1366
4 PLEBIAN
Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown;
1367
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
1368
1 PLEBIAN
If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
1369
2 PLEBIAN
Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
1370
3 PLEBIAN
There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
1371
4 PLEBIAN
Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
1372
ANTONY
But yesterday, the word of Caesar might
1373
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
1374
And none so poor to do him reverence.
1375
O masters! If I were disposed to stir
1376
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
1377
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
1378
Who you all know are honorable men.
1379
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
1380
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
1381
Than I will wrong such honorable men.
1382
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
1383
I found it in his closet. 'Tis his will.
1384
Let but the commons hear this testament,
1385
Which pardon me, I do not mean to read,
1386
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds,
1387
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
1388
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
1389
And dying, mention it within their wills,
1390
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
1391
Unto their issue.
1392
4 PLEBIAN
We'll hear the will! Read it, Mark Antony!
1393
ALL
The will! The will! We will hear Caesar's will!
1394
ANTONY
Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it.
1395
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
1396
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
1397
And being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
1398
It will inflame you; it will make you mad.
1399
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,
1400
For if you should, oh, what would come of it?
1401
4 PLEBIAN
Read the will! We'll hear it, Antony!
1402
You shall read us the will! Caesar's will!
1403
ANTONY
Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?
1404
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it,
1405
I fear I wrong the honorable men
1406
Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it.
1407
4 PLEBIAN
They were traitors! "Honorable men"?
1408
ALL
The will! The testament!
1409
2 PLEBIAN
They were villains, murderers! The will! Read the will!
1410
ANTONY
You will compel me then to read the will?
1411
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
1412
And let me show you him that made the will.
1413
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
1414
ALL
Come down!
1415
2 PLEBIAN
Descend!
4 PLEBIAN
A ring!
1416
Stand round!
1 PLEBIAN
Stand from the hearse! Stand from the body!
1417
2 PLEBIAN
Room for Antony! Most noble Antony!
1418
ANTONY
Nay, press not so upon me! Stand far'er off.
1419
ALL
Stand back! Room! Bear back!
1420
ANTONY
If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
1421
You all do know this mantle; I remember
1422
The first time ever Caesar put it on.
1423
'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent,
1424
That day he overcame the Nervii.
1425
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through.
1426
See what a rent the envious Casca made.
1427
Through this, the well-belovèd Brutus stabbed,
1428
And as he plucked his cursèd steel away,
1429
Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,
1430
As rushing out of doors to be resolved
1431
If Brutus so unkindly knocked or no;
1432
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
1433
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.
1434
This was the most unkindest cut of all,
1435
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
1436
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
1437
Quite vanquished him; then burst his mighty heart,
1438
And in his mantle muffling up his face,
1439
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,
1440
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
1441
Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
1442
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
1443
Whilst bloody treason flourished over us.
1444
Oh, now you weep, and I perceive you feel
1445
The dint of pity. These are gracious drops.
1446
Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold
1447
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here!
1448
Here is himself, marred as you see with traitors.
1449
1 PLEBIAN
Oh, piteous spectacle!
1450
2 PLEBIAN
O noble Caesar!
3 PLEBIAN
Oh, woeful day!
1451
4 PLEBIAN
Oh, traitors! Villains!
1 PLEBIAN
Oh, most bloody sight!
1452
2 PLEBIAN
We will be revenged!
ALL
Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
1453
Let not a traitor live!
1454
ANTONY
Stay, countrymen!
1 PLEBIAN
Peace there! Hear the noble Antony!
1455
2 PLEBIAN
We'll hear him! We'll follow him! We'll die with him.
1456
ANTONY
Good friends! Sweet friends! Let me not stir you up
1457
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
1458
They that have done this deed are honorable.
1459
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
1460
That made them do it. They are wise and honorable,
1461
And will no doubt with reasons answer you.
1462
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
1463
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
1464
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man
1465
That love my friend, and that they know full well
1466
That gave me public leave to speak of him:
1467
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
1468
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech
1469
To stir men's blood. I only speak right on.
1470
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
1471
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
1472
And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,
1473
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
1474
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
1475
In every wound of Caesar that should move
1476
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
1477
ALL
We'll mutiny!
1478
1 PLEBIAN
We'll burn the house of Brutus!
3 PLEBIAN
Away then! Come, seek the conspirators!
1479
ANTONY
Yet hear me countrymen! Yet hear me speak!
1480
ALL
Peace, ho! Hear Antony! Most noble Antony!
1481
ANTONY
Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.
1482
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
1483
Alas you know not. I must tell you then:
1484
You have forgot the will I told you of.
1485
ALL
Most true! The will! Let's stay and hear the will!
1486
ANTONY
Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
1487
To every Roman citizen he gives,
1488
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
1489
2 PLEBIAN
Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death!
1490
3 PLEBIAN
O royal Caesar!
1491
ANTONY
Hear me with patience.
ALL
Peace ho!
ANTONY
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
1492
His private arbors, and new-planted orchards
1493
On this side Tiber. He hath left them you
1494
And to your heirs forever—common pleasures
1495
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.
1496
Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
1497
1 PLEBIAN
Never, never! Come! Away! Away!
1498
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
1499
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses!
1500
Take up the body!
1501
2 PLEBIAN
Go! Fetch fire!
1502
3 PLEBIAN
Pluck down benches!
1503
4 PLEBIAN
Pluck down forms, windows, anything!
1504
(Exit Plebians [with the body].)
ANTONY
Now let it work! Mischief, thou art a-foot:
1505
Take thou what course thou wilt.
1506
(Enter servant.)
SERVANT
Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
1507
ANTONY
Where is he?
1508
SERVANT
He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.
1509
ANTONY
And thither will I straight to visit him.
1510
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
1511
And in this mood will give us anything.
1512
SERVANT
I heard him say Brutus and Cassius
1513
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
1514
ANTONY
Belike they had some notice of the people
1515
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
1516
(Exeunt)
[3.3]
(Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebians.)
CINNA
I dreamt tonight, that I did feast with Caesar,
1517
And things unluckily charge my fantasy.
1518
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
1519
Yet something leads me forth.
1520
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.
1521
OCTAVIUS
Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus?
1522
LEPIDUS
I do consent.
1523
OCTAVIUS
Prick him down, Antony.
LEPIDUS
Upon condition Publius shall not live,
1524
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
1525
ANTONY
He shall not live. Look, with a spot I damn him.
1526
But Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house,
1527
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
1528
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
1529
LEPIDUS
What, shall I find you here?
1530
OCTAVIUS
Or here, or at the Capitol.
1531
(Exit Lepidus)
ANTONY
This is a slight, unmeritable man,
1532
Meet to be sent on errands. Is it fit,
1533
The three-fold world divided, he should stand
1534
One of the three to share it?
1535
OCTAVIUS
So you thought him,
And took his voice who should be pricked to die
1536
In our black sentence and proscription.
1537
ANTONY
Octavius, I have seen more days than you,
1538
And though we lay these honors on this man
1539
To ease ourselves of divers sland'rous loads,
1540
He shall but bear them, as the ass bears gold,
1541
To groan and sweat under the business,
1542
Either led or driven, as we point the way;
1543
And having brought our treasure where we will,
1544
Then take we down his load and turn him off,
1545
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears
1546
And graze in commons.
1547
OCTAVIUS
You may do your will,
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
1548
ANTONY
So is my horse, Octavius, and for that
1549
I do appoint him store of provender.
1550
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
1551
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,
1552
His corporal motion governed by my spirit.
1553
And in some taste is Lepidus but so:
1554
He must be taught, and trained, and bid go forth—
1555
A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds
1556
On objects, arts, and imitations,
1557
Which out of use, and staled by other men,
1558
Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him
1559
But as a property. And now, Octavius,
1560
Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
1561
Are levying powers; we must straight make head.
1562
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
1563
Our best friends made, our means stretched,
1564
And let us presently go sit in council
1565
How covert matters may be best disclosed,
1566
And open perils surest answerèd.
1567
OCTAVIUS
Let us do so, for we are at the stake
1568
And bayed about with many enemies,
1569
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
1570
Millions of mischiefs.
1571
(Exeunt)
[4.2]
(Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.)
BRUTUS
Stand, ho!
1572
LUCILIUS
Give the word, ho, and stand!
1573
BRUTUS
What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?
1574
LUCILIUS
He is at hand, and Pindarus is come
1575
To do you salutation from his master.
1576
BRUTUS
He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,
1577
In his own change or by ill officers,
1578
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
1579
Things done, undone; but if he be at hand
1580
I shall be satisfied.
1581
PINDARUS
I do not doubt
But that my noble master will appear
1582
Such as he is, full of regard and honor.
1583
BRUTUS
He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius,
1584
How he received you. Let me be resolved.
1585
LUCILIUS
With courtesy and with respect enough,
1586
But not with such familiar instances,
1587
Nor with such free and friendly conference
1588
As he hath used of old.
1589
BRUTUS
Thou hast described
A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,
1590
When love begins to sicken and decay,
1591
It useth an enforcèd ceremony.
1592
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith,
1593
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
1594
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;
1595
(Low march within.)
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
1596
They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades
1597
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
1598
LUCILIUS
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
1599
The greater part, the horse in general,
1600
Enter Cassius and his powers. Are come with Cassius. his powers.
1601
BRUTUS
Hark! he is arrived.
March gently on to meet him.
1602
CASSIUS
Stand, ho!
1603
BRUTUS
Stand, ho! Speak the word along!
1604
1 SOLDIER
Stand!
1605
2 SOLDIER
Stand!
1606
3 SOLDIER
Stand!
1607
CASSIUS
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
1608
BRUTUS
Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies?
1609
And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
1610
CASSIUS
Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,
1611
And when you do them—
1612
BRUTUS
Cassius, be content.
Speak your griefs softly. I do know you well.
1613
Before the eyes of both our armies here,
1614
Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
1615
Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away;
1616
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
1617
And I will give you audience.
1618
CASSIUS
Pindarus,
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
1619
A little from this ground.
1620
BRUTUS
Lucilius, do you the like, and let no man
1621
Come to our tent, till we have done our conference.
1622
Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.
1623
(Exeunt [all but] Brutus and Cassius.)
[4.3]
(Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS)
CASSIUS
That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
1624
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
1625
For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
1626
Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
1627
Because I knew the man, was slighted off
1628
BRUTUS
You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
1629
CASSIUS
In such a time as this, it is not meet
1630
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
1631
BRUTUS
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
1632
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
1633
To sell and mart your offices for gold
1634
To undeservers.
1635
CASSIUS
I, an itching palm?
You know that you are Brutus that speaks this,
1636
Or by the gods, this speech were else your last!
1637
BRUTUS
The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
1638
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
1639
CASSIUS
Chastisement!
1640
BRUTUS
Remember March, the ides of March remember.
1641
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
1642
What villain touched his body that did stab
1643
And not for justice? What, shall one of us
1644
That struck the foremost man of all this world
1645
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
1646
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
1647
And sell the mighty space of our large honors
1648
For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
1649
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
1650
Than such a Roman.
1651
CASSIUS
Brutus, bait not me!
I'll not endure it. You forget yourself
1652
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
1653
Older in practice, abler than yourself
1654
To make conditions.
1655
BRUTUS
Go to. You are not Cassius.
1656
CASSIUS
I am.
1657
BRUTUS
I say, you are not.
1658
CASSIUS
Urge me no more! I shall forget myself.
1659
Have mind upon your health. Tempt me no farther.
1660
BRUTUS
Away, slight man.
1661
CASSIUS
Is't possible?
1662
BRUTUS
Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
1663
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
1664
CASSIUS
O ye gods! Ye gods! Must I endure all this?
1665
BRUTUS
All this? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
1666
Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
1667
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
1668
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
1669
Under your testy humor? By the gods,
1670
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
1671
Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
1672
I'll use you for my mirth, yea for my laughter,
1673
When you are waspish.
1674
CASSIUS
Is it come to this?
BRUTUS
You say you are a better soldier.
1675
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,
1676
And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
1677
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
1678
CASSIUS
You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.
1679
I said an elder soldier, not a better.
1680
Did I say "better"?
1681
BRUTUS
If you did, I care not.
CASSIUS
When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
1682
BRUTUS
Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
1683
CASSIUS
I durst not?
1684
BRUTUS
No.
1685
CASSIUS
What? durst not tempt him?
1686
BRUTUS
For your life you durst not.
CASSIUS
Do not presume too much upon my love;
1687
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
1688
BRUTUS
You have done that you should be sorry for.
1689
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
1690
For I am armed so strong in honesty
1691
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
1692
Which I respect not. I did send to you
1693
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
1694
For I can raise no money by vile means.
1695
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
1696
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
1697
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
1698
By any indirection. I did send
1699
To you for gold to pay my legions,
1700
Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
1701
Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
1702
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,
1703
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
1704
Be ready, gods: with all your thunderbolts
1705
Dash him to pieces.
1706
CASSIUS
I denied you not.
BRUTUS
You did.
CASSIUS
That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my hart.
1707
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,
1708
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
1709
BRUTUS
I do not, till you practice them on me.
1710
CASSIUS
You love me not.
1711
BRUTUS
I do not like your faults.
CASSIUS
A friendly eye could never see such faults.
1712
BRUTUS
A flatterer's would not, though they do appear
1713
As huge as high Olympus.
1714
CASSIUS
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
1715
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
1716
For Cassius is aweary of the world,
1717
Hated by one he loves, braved by his brother,
1718
Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
1719
Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
1720
To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
1721
My spirit from mine eyes. There is my dagger,
1722
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
1723
Dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold.
1724
If that thou be'est a Roman, take it forth.
1725
I that denied the gold will give my heart.
1726
Strike as thou did'st at Caesar, for I know,
1727
When thou did'st hate him worst, thou loved'st him better
1728
Than ever thou loved'st Cassius.
1729
BRUTUS
Sheath your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
1730
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
1731
O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
1732
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
1733
Who much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark,
1734
And straight is cold again.
1735
CASSIUS
Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
1736
When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
1737
BRUTUS
When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
1738
CASSIUS
Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
1739
BRUTUS
And my heart too.
1740
CASSIUS
O Brutus!
BRUTUS
What's the matter?
CASSIUS
Have not you love enough to bear with me,
1741
When that rash humor which my mother gave me
1742
Makes me forgetful?
1743
BRUTUS
Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth,
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
1744
He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.
1745
(Enter a Poet, [Lucilius, and Titinius].)
POET
Let me go in to see the generals!
1746
There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
1747
They be alone.
1748
LUCILIUS
You shall not come to them!
POET
Nothing but death shall stay me.
1749
CASSIUS
How now? What's the matter?
1750
POET
For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
1751
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be,
1752
For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.
1753
CASSIUS
Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
1754
BRUTUS
Get you hence, sirrah! Saucy fellow, hence!
1755
CASSIUS
Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
1756
BRUTUS
I'll know his humor, when he knows his time.
1757
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
1758
Companion, hence.
1759
CASSIUS
Away, away be gone.
(Exit Poet)
BRUTUS
Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders
1760
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
1761
CASSIUS
And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you
1762
Immediately to us.
1763
([Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius] [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius])
BRUTUS
Lucius, a bowl of wine.
CASSIUS
I did not think you could have been so angry.
1764
BRUTUS
O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
1765
CASSIUS
Of your philosophy you make no use,
1766
If you give place to accidental evils.
1767
BRUTUS
No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
1768
CASSIUS
Ha? Portia?
1769
BRUTUS
She is dead.
1770
CASSIUS
How scaped I killing, when I crossed you so?
1771
O insupportable and touching loss!
1772
Upon what sickness?
1773
BRUTUS
Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
1774
Have made themselves so strong—for with her death
1775
That tidings came—with this she fell distract,
1776
And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
1777
CASSIUS
And died so?
1778
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.
1779
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
1780
(Drinks)
CASSIUS
My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
1781
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
1782
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
1783
([Drinks. Exit Lucius.])
(Enter Titinius and Messala.)
BRUTUS
Come in, Titinius. Welcome, good Messala.
1784
Now sit we close about this taper here,
1785
And call in question our necessities.
1786
CASSIUS
Portia, art thou gone?
1787
BRUTUS
No more I pray you.
Messala, I have here received letters
1788
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
1789
Come down upon us with a mighty power,
1790
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
1791
MESSALA
Myself have letters of the self-same tenor.
1792
BRUTUS
With what addition?
1793
MESSALA
That by proscription and bills of outlawry
1794
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
1795
Have put to death an hundred senators.
1796
BRUTUS
Therein our letters do not well agree:
1797
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
1798
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
1799
CASSIUS
Cicero one?
1800
MESSALA
Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
1801
Had you your letters from your wife, my Lord?
1802
BRUTUS
No, Messala.
1803
MESSALA
Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
1804
BRUTUS
Nothing, Messala.
1805
MESSALA
That methinks is strange.
BRUTUS
Why ask you? Hear you ought of her in yours?
1806
MESSALA
No, my lord.
1807
BRUTUS
Now as you are a Roman, tell me true.
1808
MESSALA
Then like a Roman, bear the truth I tell.
1809
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
1810
BRUTUS
Why farewell Portia. We must die, Messala.
1811
With meditating that she must die once,
1812
I have the patience to endure it now.
1813
MESSALA
Even so great men great losses should endure.
1814
CASSIUS
I have as much of this in art as you,
1815
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
1816
BRUTUS
Well, to our work alive. What do you think
1817
Of marching to Philippi presently?
1818
CASSIUS
I do not think it good.
1819
BRUTUS
Your reason?
CASSIUS
This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us,
1820
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
1821
Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
1822
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
1823
BRUTUS
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
1824
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
1825
Do stand but in a forced affection,
1826
For they have grudged us contribution.
1827
The enemy, marching along by them,
1828
By them shall make a fuller number up,
1829
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
1830
From which advantage shall we cut him off,
1831
If at Philippi we do face him there,
1832
These people at our back.
1833
CASSIUS
Hear me, good brother—
BRUTUS
Under your pardon. You must note, beside,
1834
That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
1835
Our legions are brim full, our cause is ripe.
1836
The enemy increaseth every day;
1837
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
1838
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
1839
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune;
1840
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
1841
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
1842
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
1843
And we must take the current when it serves,
1844
Or lose our ventures.
1845
CASSIUS
Then with your will go on.
We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi.
1846
BRUTUS
The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
1847
And nature must obey necessity,
1848
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
1849
There is no more to say.
1850
CASSIUS
No more, good night,
Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.
1851
BRUTUS
Lucius!
1852
[Enter Lucius.] My gown.
[Exit Lucius.] Farewell, good Messala.
Good night Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
1853
Good night, and good repose.
1854
CASSIUS
O my dear brother!
1855
This was an ill beginning of the night.
1856
Never come such division 'tween our souls;
1857
Let it not, Brutus.
1858
BRUTUS
Every thing is well.
CASSIUS
Good night, my lord.
1859
BRUTUS
Good night, good brother.
TITINIUS, MESSALA
Good night, Lord Brutus.
1860
BRUTUS
Farewell, everyone.
(Exeunt [Cassius, Titinius, Messala].)
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
1861
LUCIUS
Here in the tent.
1862
BRUTUS
What? Thou speak'st drowsily!
Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watched.
1863
Call Claudio and some other of my men.
1864
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
1865
LUCIUS
Varrus and Claudio!
1866
(Enter Varrus and Claudio.)
VARRUS
Calls my Lord?
BRUTUS
I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
1867
It may be I shall raise you by and by
1868
On business to my brother Cassius.
1869
VARRUS
So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
1870
BRUTUS
I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
1871
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
1872
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so:
1873
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
1874
LUCIUS
I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
1875
BRUTUS
Bear with me, good boy. I am much forgetful.
1876
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
1877
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
1878
LUCIUS
Ay, my lord, an't please you.
1879
BRUTUS
It does, my boy:
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
1880
LUCIUS
It is my duty, sir.
1881
BRUTUS
I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
1882
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
1883
LUCIUS
I have slept, my lord, already.
1884
BRUTUS
It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
1885
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
1886
I will be good to thee.
1887
(Music and a song.)
This is a sleepy tune. O murd'rous slumber,
1888
Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
1889
That plays the music? Gentle knave, good night.
1890
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
1891
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument.
1892
I'll take it from thee, and, good boy, good night.
1893
Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
1894
Where I left reading? Here it is I think.
1895
(Enter the Ghost of Caesar.)
How ill this taper burns. Ha! Who comes here?
1896
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
1897
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
1898
It comes upon me! Art thou anything?
1899
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
1900
That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare?
1901
Speak to me what thou art!
1902
GHOST
Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
1903
BRUTUS
Why com'st thou?
GHOST
To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
1904
BRUTUS
Well; then I shall see thee again?
1905
GHOST
Ay, at Philippi.
1906
BRUTUS
Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
1907
Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest.
1908
([Exit Ghost.])
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
1909
Boy! Lucius! Varrus! Claudio! Sirs! Awake!
1910
Claudio!
1911
LUCIUS
The strings, my lord, are false.
1912
BRUTUS
He thinks he still is at his instrument.
1913
Lucius, awake!
1914
LUCIUS
My lord?
1915
BRUTUS
Did'st thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
1916
LUCIUS
My Lord, I do not know that I did cry.
1917
BRUTUS
Yes that thou did'st. Did'st thou see anything?
1918
LUCIUS
Nothing my Lord.
1919
BRUTUS
Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio!
1920
Fellow! Thou! Awake!
1921
VARRUS
My lord?
CLAUDIO
My lord?
BRUTUS
Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
1922
VARRUS; CLAUDIO
Did we my Lord?
1923
BRUTUS
Ay. Saw you anything?
VARRUS
No, my lord. I saw nothing.
1924
CLAUDIO
Nor I my Lord.
BRUTUS
Go, and commend me to my brother Cassius.
1925
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
1926
And we will follow.
1927
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.
1928
You said the enemy would not come down
1929
But keep the hills and upper regions.
1930
It proves not so: their battles are at hand.
1931
They mean to warn us at Philippi here,
1932
Answering before we do demand of them.
1933
ANTONY
Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know
1934
Wherefore they do it. They could be content
1935
To visit other places, and come down
1936
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face
1937
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage.
1938
But 'tis not so. enger.
1939
(Enter a Messenger.)
MESSALA
Prepare you, generals!
The enemy comes on in gallant show.
1940
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,
1941
And something to be done immediately.
1942
ANTONY
Octavius, lead your battle softly on
1943
Upon the left hand of the even field.
1944
OCTAVIUS
Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left.
1945
ANTONY
Why do you cross me in this exigent?
1946
OCTAVIUS
I do not cross you, but I will do so.
1947
(March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their army[: Lucilius, Titinnius, Messala, and others].)
BRUTUS
They stand and would have parley.
1948
CASSIUS
Stand fast, Titinius, we must out and talk.
1949
OCTAVIUS
Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
1950
ANTONY
No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.
1951
Make forth! The generals would have some words.
1952
OCTAVIUS
Stir not until the signal.
1953
BRUTUS
Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen?
1954
OCTAVIUS
Not that we love words better, as you do.
1955
BRUTUS
Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
1956
ANTONY
In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words.
1957
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart,
1958
Crying,
1959
CASSIUS
Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;
1960
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
1961
And leave them honeyless.
1962
ANTONY
Not stingless too?
BRUTUS
Oh yes, and soundless too.
1963
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,
1964
And very wisely threat before you sting.
1965
ANTONY
Villains! You did not so, when your vile daggers
1966
Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar.
1967
You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds,
1968
And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet,
1969
Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind
1970
Struck Caesar on the neck. Oh, you flatterers!
1971
CASSIUS
Flatterers? Now, Brutus, thank yourself!
1972
This tongue had not offended so today,
1973
If Cassius might have ruled.
1974
OCTAVIUS
Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat,
1975
The proof of it will turn to redder drops.
1976
Look, I draw a sword against conspirators!
1977
When think you that the sword goes up again?
1978
Never till Caesar's three-and-thirty wounds
1979
Be well avenged, or till another Caesar
1980
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.
1981
BRUTUS
Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,
1982
Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
1983
OCTAVIUS
So I hope.
I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
1984
BRUTUS
Oh, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain,
1985
Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable.
1986
CASSIUS
A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honor,
1987
Joined with a masker and a reveler.
1988
ANTONY
Old Cassius still.
1989
OCTAVIUS
Come, Antony! Away!
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth!
1990
If you dare fight today, come to the field;
1991
If not, when you have stomachs!
1992
(Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and army.)
CASSIUS
Why, now blow wind! Swell billow! And swim bark!
1993
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard!
1994
BRUTUS
Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you.
1995
(Lucilius stands forth.)
LUCILIUS
My lord?
1996
([Brutus speaks apart with Lucilius.])
CASSIUS
[Messala stands forth.] Messala.
1997
MESSALA
What says my general?
CASSIUS
Messala,
This is my birthday, as this very day
1998
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala,
1999
Be thou my witness, that against my will,
2000
As Pompey was, am I compelled to set
2001
Upon one battle all our liberties.
2002
You know that I held Epicurus strong
2003
And his opinion; now I change my mind,
2004
And partly credit things that do presage.
2005
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
2006
Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched,
2007
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands,
2008
Who to Philippi here consorted us.
2009
This morning are they fled away and gone,
2010
And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites
2011
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us
2012
As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem
2013
A canopy most fatal, under which
2014
Our army lies ready to give up the ghost.
2015
MESSALA
Believe not so.
2016
CASSIUS
I but believe it partly,
For I am fresh of spirit and resolved
2017
To meet all perils very constantly.
2018
BRUTUS
Even so, Lucilius.
2019
CASSIUS
Now, most noble Brutus,
The gods today stand friendly, that we may,
2020
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age.
2021
But since the affairs of men rest still uncertain,
2022
Let's reason with the worst that may befall.
2023
If we do lose this battle, then is this
2024
The very last time we shall speak together.
2025
What are you then determinèd to do?
2026
BRUTUS
Even by the rule of that philosophy
2027
By which I did blame Cato for the death
2028
Which he did give himself, I know not how,
2029
But I do find it cowardly and vile,
2030
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent
2031
The time of life, arming myself with patience
2032
To stay the providence of some high powers
2033
That govern us below.
2034
CASSIUS
Then, if we lose this battle,
You are contented to be led in triumph
2035
Thorough the streets of Rome?
2036
BRUTUS
No Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman,
2037
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
2038
He bears too great a mind. But this same day
2039
Must end that work the ides of March begun,
2040
And whether we shall meet again I know not.
2041
Therefore our everlasting farewell take.
2042
Forever and forever, farewell Cassius!
2043
If we do meet again, why we shall smile;
2044
If not, why then this parting was well made.
2045
CASSIUS
Forever and forever, farewell Brutus!
2046
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed;
2047
If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made.
2048
BRUTUS
Why then, lead on. Oh, that a man might know
2049
The end of this day's business ere it come!
2050
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
2051
And then the end is known. Come ho, away!
2052
(Exeunt.)
[5.2]
(Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.)
BRUTUS
Ride, ride, Messala! Ride, and give these bills
2053
Unto the legions, on the other side.
2054
(Loud alarum.)
Let them set on at once, for I perceive
2055
But cold demeanor in Octavio's wing,
2056
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
2057
Ride, ride, Messala! Let them all come down.
2058
(Exeunt.)
[5.3]
(Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.)
CASSIUS
O look, Titinius! Look! The villains fly!
2059
Myself have to mine own turned enemy!
2060
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
2061
I slew the coward and did take it from him.
2062
TITINIUS
O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,
2063
Who having some advantage on Octavius,
2064
Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil,
2065
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
2066
(Enter Pindarus.)
PINDARUS
Fly further off, my Lord! Fly further off!
2067
Mark Antony is in your tents, my Lord!
2068
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius! Fly far off!
2069
CASSIUS
This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius!
2070
Are those my tents, where I perceive the fire?
2071
TITINIUS
They are, my Lord.
2072
CASSIUS
Titinius, if thou lovest me,
Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him
2073
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
2074
And here again, that I may rest assured
2075
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
2076
TITINIUS
I will be here again even with a thought.
2077
(Exit.)
CASSIUS
Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill!
2078
My sight was ever thick. Regard Titinius,
2079
And tell me what thou not'st about the field.
2080
([Pindarus goes up.])
This day I breathèd first. Time is come round,
2081
And where I did begin, there shall I end.
2082
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news?
2083
PINDARUS
(Above.) O my Lord!
2084
CASSIUS
What news?
2085
PINDARUS
Titinius is enclosèd round about
2086
With horsemen that make to him on the spur,
2087
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him!
2088
Now, Titinius! Now some light. Oh, he lights too.
2089
He's ta'en!
2090
(Shout.)
CASSIUS
Come down. Behold no more.
Oh, coward that I am to live so long,
2091
To see my best friend ta'en before my face.
2092
(Enter Pindarus [from above].)
Come hither, sirrah.
2093
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner,
2094
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
2095
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
2096
Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath,
2097
Now be a free man, and with this good sword
2098
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom.
2099
Stand not to answer. Here, take thou the hilts,
2100
And when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
2101
Guide thou the sword—
2102
[Pindarus kills him.] Caesar, thou art revenged,
Even with the sword that killed thee.
2103
PINDARUS
So, I am free, yet would not so have been
2104
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius,
2105
Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
2106
Where never Roman shall take note of him.
2107
([Exit.])
(Enter Titinius and Messala.)
MESSALA
It is but change, Titinius, for Octavius
2108
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,
2109
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
2110
TITINIUS
These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
2111
MESSALA
Where did you leave him?
2112
TITINIUS
All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
2113
MESSALA
Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
2114
TITINIUS
He lies not like the living. Oh, my heart!
2115
MESSALA
Is not that he?
2116
TITINIUS
No, this was he, Messala,
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun,
2117
As in thy red rays thou doest sink tonight,
2118
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set.
2119
The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone;
2120
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done.
2121
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.
2122
MESSALA
Mistrust of good success hath done this deed.
2123
O hateful Error, Melancholy's child,
2124
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
2125
The things that are not? O Error, soon conceived,
2126
Thou never comst unto a happy birth,
2127
But kill'st the mother that engendered thee.
2128
TITINIUS
What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus?
2129
MESSALA
Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet
2130
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
2131
Into his ears. I may say "thrusting" it,
2132
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
2133
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
2134
As tidings of this sight.
2135
TITINIUS
Hie you, Messala,
And I will seek for Pindarus the while.
2136
([Exit Messala.])
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?
2137
Did I not meet thy friends, and did not they
2138
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
2139
And bid me give it thee? Did'st thou not hear their shouts?
2140
Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything.
2141
But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow.
2142
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
2143
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,
2144
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.
2145
By your leave, gods. This is a Roman's part.
2146
Come Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.
2147
(Dies.)
(Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.)
BRUTUS
Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
2148
MESSALA
Lo yonder, and Titinius mourning it.
2149
BRUTUS
Titinius' face is upward.
2150
CATO
He is slain.
BRUTUS
O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!
2151
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
2152
Low Alarums. In our own proper entrails.
2153
CATO
Brave Titinius!
(Low Alarums.)
Look, whe'er he have not crowned dead Cassius.
2154
BRUTUS
Are yet two Romans living such as these?
2155
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
2156
It is impossible that ever Rome
2157
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears
2158
To this dead man than you shall see me pay.
2159
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
2160
Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body.
2161
His funerals shall not be in our camp,
2162
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come,
2163
And come young Cato. Let us to the field.
2164
Labio and Flavio set our battles on.
2165
'Tis three o'clock, and Romans, yet ere night,
2166
We shall try fortune in a second fight.
2167
(Exeunt.)
[5.4]
(Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius.)
BRUTUS
Yet, countrymen, oh yet, hold up your heads!
2168
([Exit fighting, followed by Messala and Flavius.])
CATO
What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
2169
I will proclaim my name about the field.
2170
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
2171
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend.
2172
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
2173
(Enter soldiers and fight.)
LUCILIUS
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I!
2174
Brutus, my country's friend! Know me for Brutus!
2175
([Young Cato is killed.])
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
2176
Why now thou diest as bravely as Titinius
2177
And mayst be honor'd, being Cato's son.
2178
1 SOLDIER
Yield, or thou diest!
2179
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.
2181
1 SOLDIER
We must not. A noble prisoner!
2182
(Enter Antony.)
2 SOLDIER
Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
2183
1 SOLDIER
I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
2184
Brutus is ta'en! Brutus is ta'en, my lord!
2185
ANTONY
Where is he?
2186
LUCILIUS
Safe, Antony. Brutus is safe enough.
2187
I dare assure thee that no enemy
2188
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus.
2189
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
2190
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
2191
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
2192
ANTONY
This is not Brutus, friend, but I assure you,
2193
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe;
2194
Give him all kindness. I had rather have
2195
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
2196
And see whe'er Brutus be alive or dead,
2197
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent
2198
How everything is chanced.
2199
(Exeunt.)
[5.5]
(Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.)
BRUTUS
Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
2200
CLITUS
Statilius showed the torchlight, but, my lord,
2201
He came not back. He is or ta'en or slain.
2202
BRUTUS
Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word;
2203
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.
2204
CLITUS
What I, my Lord? No, not for all the world!
2205
BRUTUS
Peace then, no words.
2206
CLITUS
I’ll rather kill myself.
BRUTUS
Hark thee, Dardanius.
2207
DARDANIUS
Shall I do such a deed?
CLITUS
O Dardanius!
2208
DARDANIUS
O Clitus!
2209
CLITUS
What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
2210
DARDANIUS
To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
2211
CLITUS
Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
2212
That it runs over even at his eyes.
2213
BRUTUS
Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word.
2214
VOLUMNIUS
What says my lord?
2215
BRUTUS
Why this, Volumnius.
The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me
2216
Two several times by night: at Sardis once,
2217
And this last night here in Philippi fields.
2218
I know my hour is come.
2219
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.
2221
(Low alarums.)
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
2222
Then tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
2223
Thou know'st that we two went to school together.
2224
Even for that, our love of old, I prithee,
2225
Hold thou my sword hilts whilst I run on it.
2226
VOLUMNIUS
That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
2227
(Alarum still.)
CLITUS
Fly! Fly, my Lord! There is no tarrying here!
2228
BRUTUS
Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius.
2229
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep.
2230
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
2231
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
2232
I found no man but he was true to me.
2233
I shall have glory by this losing day
2234
More then Octavius and Mark Antony
2235
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
2236
So fare you well at once, for Brutus' tongue
2237
Hath almost ended his life's history.
2238
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
2239
That have but laboured to attain this hour.
2240
(Alarum. Cry within, "Fly! Fly! Fly!")
CLITUS
Fly, my Lord! Fly!.
2241
([Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.])
BRUTUS
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.
2242
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
2243
Thy life hath had some smatch of honor in it.
2244
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
2245
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
2246
STRATO
Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.
2247
BRUTUS
Farewell, good Strato.
2248
[Runs on his sword.] —Caesar, now be still.
I killed not thee with half so good a will.
2249
(Dies.)
(Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, Lucilius, and the army.)
OCTAVIUS
What man is that?
2250
MESSALA
My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
2251
STRATO
Free from the bondage you are in, Messala.
2252
The conquerors can but make a fire of him,
2253
For Brutus only overcame himself,
2254
And no man else hath honor by his death.
2255
LUCILIUS
So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,
2256
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
2257
OCTAVIUS
All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
2258
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
2259
STRATO
Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
2260
OCTAVIUS
Do so, good Messala.
2261
MESSALA
How died my master, Strato?
STRATO
I held the sword, and he did run on it.
2262
MESSALA
Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
2263
That did the latest service to my master.
2264
ANTONY
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
2265
All the conspirators save only he
2266
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
2267
He only in a general honest thought
2268
And common good to all made one of them.
2269
His life was gentle, and the elements
2270
So mixed in him that nature might stand up,
2271
And say to all the world, "This was a man!"
2272
OCTAVIUS
According to his virtue, let us use him,
2273
With all respect and rites of burial.
2274
Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,
2275
Most like a soldier, ordered honorably:
2276
So call the field to rest, and let's away,
2277
To part the glories of this happy day.
2278
(Exeunt omnes.)