The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Act I, Scene 1
Rome. A street.
[Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and certain Commoners]
Flavius: Hence! home, you idle creatures get you home: Is
this a holiday? what! know you not, Being mechanical, you
ought not walk Upon a labouring day without the sign Of
your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?
First Commoner: Why, sir, a carpenter.
Marullus: Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? What
dost thou with thy best apparel on? You, sir, what trade are
you?
Second Commoner: Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman,
I am but, as you would say, a cobbler.
Marullus: But what trade art thou? answer me directly.
Second Commoner: A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with
a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad
soles.
Marullus: What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what
trade?
Second Commoner: Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with
me: yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you.
Marullus: What meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy
fellow!
Second Commoner: Why, sir, cobble you.
Flavius: Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Second Commoner: Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the
awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's
matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old
shoes; when they are in great danger, I recover them. As
proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon
my handiwork.
Flavius: But wherefore art not in thy shop today? Why dost
thou lead these men about the streets?
Second Commoner: 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.
Marullus: Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he
home? What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in
captive bonds his chariot-wheels? You blocks, you stones,
you worse than senseless things! O you hard hearts, you
cruel men of Rome, Knew you not Pompey? Many a time
and oft Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, To
towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, Your infants in
your arms, and there have sat The livelong day, with patient
expectation, To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome:
And when you saw his chariot but appear, Have you not
made an universal shout, That Tiber trembled underneath her
banks, To hear the replication of your sounds Made in her
concave shores? And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew
flowers in his way That comes in triumph over Pompey's
blood? Be gone! Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague That needs must light
on this ingratitude.
Flavius: Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault,
Assemble all the poor men of your sort; Draw them to Tiber
banks, and weep your tears Into the channel, till the lowest
stream Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.
[Exeunt all the Commoners]
See whether their basest metal be not moved; They vanish
tongue-tied in their guiltiness. Go you down that way
towards the Capitol; This way will I disrobe the images, If
you do find them deck'd with ceremonies.
Marullus: May we do so? You know it is the feast of
Lupercal.
Flavius: It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Caesar's
trophies. I'll about, And drive away the vulgar from the
streets: So do you too, where you perceive them thick. These
growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing Will make him
fly an ordinary pitch, Who else would soar above the view of
men And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
[Exeunt]
Act I, Scene 2
A public place.
[Flourish. Enter CAESAR; ANTONY, for the course;
CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS BRUTUS, CICERO,
BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following,
among them a Soothsayer]
Caesar: Calpurnia!
Casca: Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
Caesar: Calpurnia!
Calpurnia: Here, my lord.
Caesar: Stand you directly in Antonius' way, When he doth
run his course. Antonius!
Antony: Caesar, my lord?
Caesar: Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch
Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this
holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.
Antony: I shall remember: When Caesar says 'do this,' it is
perform'd.
Caesar: Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
[Flourish]
Soothsayer: Caesar!
Caesar: Ha! who calls?
Casca: Bid every noise be still: peace yet again!
Caesar: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a
tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Caesar!' Speak;
Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.
Caesar: What man is that?
Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
Caesar: Set him before me; let me see his face.
Cassius: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
Caesar: What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.
Caesar: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.
[Sennet. Exeunt all except BRUTUS and CASSIUS]
Cassius: Will you go see the order of the course?
Brutus: Not I.
Cassius: I pray you, do.
Brutus: I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that
quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius,
your desires; I'll leave you.
Cassius: Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not
from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as I was
wont to have: You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.
Brutus: Cassius, Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, I
turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself.
Vexed I am Of late with passions of some difference,
Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil
perhaps to my behaviors; But let not therefore my good
friends be grieved— Among which number, Cassius, be you
one— Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor
Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to
other men.
Cassius: Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Thoughts
of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can
you see your face?
Brutus: No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, But by
reflection, by some other things.
Cassius: 'Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden
worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I
have heard, Where many of the best respect in Rome, Except
immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus And groaning
underneath this age's yoke, Have wish'd that noble Brutus
had his eyes.
Brutus: Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That
you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in
me?
Cassius: Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear: And
since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by
reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself
That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not
jealous on me, gentle Brutus: Were I a common laugher, or
did use To stale with ordinary oaths my love To every new
protester; if you know That I do fawn on men and hug them
hard And after scandal them, or if you know That I profess
myself in banqueting To all the rout, then hold me
dangerous.
[Flourish, and shout]
Brutus: What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
Cassius: Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not
have it so.
Brutus: I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. But
wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you
would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good,
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other, And I will look
on both indifferently, For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honour more than I fear death.
Cassius: I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I
do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of
my story. I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this
life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Caesar;
so were you: We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter's cold as well as he: For once, upon a raw
and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me 'Darest thou, Cassius, now Leap in with
me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point?' Upon
the word, Accoutred as I was, I plunged in And bade him
follow; so indeed he did. The torrent roar'd, and we did
buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside And stemming
it with hearts of controversy; But ere we could arrive the
point proposed, Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!' I,
as Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy
upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves
of Tiber Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Is now become
a god, and Cassius is A wretched creature and must bend his
body, If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever
when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did
mark How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake; His
coward lips did from their colour fly, And that same eye
whose bend doth awe the world Did lose his lustre: I did
hear him groan: Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the
Romans Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried 'Give me some drink, Tintinius,' As a sick girl.
Ye gods, it doth amaze me A man of such a feeble temper
should So get the start of the majestic world And bear the
palm alone.
[Shout. Flourish]
Brutus: Another general shout! I do believe that these
applauses are For some new honours that are heap'd on
Caesar.
Cassius: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like
a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and
peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at
some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus,
is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'? Why
should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them
together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth become
the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with
'em, Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. Now, in the
names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our
Caesar feed, That he is grown so great? Age, thou art
shamed! Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood, But it was
famed with more than with one man? When could they say
till now, that talk'd of Rome, That her wide walls
encompass'd but one man? Now is it Rome indeed and room
enough, When there is in it but one only man. O, you and I
have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once that
would have brook'd The eternal devil to keep his state in
Rome As easily as a king.
Brutus: That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What
you would work me to, I have some aim: How I have
thought of this and of these times, I shall recount hereafter;
for this present, I would not, so with love I might entreat
you, Be any further moved. What you have said I will
consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear, and
find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather
be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under
these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.
Cassius: I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus
much show of fire from Brutus.
Brutus: The games are done and Caesar is returning.
Cassius: As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; And he
will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded
worthy note to-day.
[Re-enter CAESAR and his Train]
Brutus: I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, The angry spot
doth glow on Caesar's brow, And all the rest look like a
chidden train: Calpurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero Looks
with such ferret and such fiery eyes As we have seen him in
the Capitol, Being cross'd in conference by some senators.
Cassius: Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Caesar: Antonius!
Antony: Caesar?
Caesar: Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed
men and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and
hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Antony: Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous; He is a
noble Roman and well given.
Caesar: Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: Yet if my
name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should
avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; He is a
great observer and he looks Quite through the deeds of men:
he loves no plays, As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort As if he mock'd
himself and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved to smile
at any thing. Such men as he be never at heart's ease Whiles
they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are
they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. Come on my right
hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what thou think'st
of him.
[Sennet. Exeunt CAESAR and all his Train, but CASCA]
Casca: You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with
me?
Brutus: Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanced to-day, That
Caesar looks so sad.
Casca: Why, you were with him, were you not?
Brutus: I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
Casca: Why, there was a crown offered him: and being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and
then the people fell a-shouting.
Brutus: What was the second noise for?
Casca: Why, for that too.
Cassius: They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
Casca: Why, for that too.
Brutus: Was the crown offered him thrice?
Casca: Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time
gentler than other, and at every putting-by mine honest
neighbours shouted.
Cassius: Who offered him the crown?
Casca: Why, Antony.
Brutus: Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Casca: I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was
mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer 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 night-caps and
uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused
the crown that it had almost choked Caesar; for he swounded
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 swound?
Casca: He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at
mouth, and was speechless.
Brutus: 'Tis very like: he hath the failing sickness.
Cassius: No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I, And honest
Casca, we have the falling sickness.
Casca: I know not what you mean by that; but, I am sure,
Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and
hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as
they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.
Brutus: What said he when he came unto himself?
Casca: Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the
common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me
ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An 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 any thing 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?
Casca: Ay.
Cassius: Did Cicero say any thing?
Casca: Ay, he spoke Greek.
Cassius: To what effect?
Casca: Nay, an I tell you that, Ill ne'er look you i' the 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: Marullus and Flavius,
for pulling scarfs 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 to-night, Casca?
Casca: No, I am promised forth.
Cassius: Will you dine with me to-morrow?
Casca: Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner
worth the eating.
Cassius: Good: I will expect you.
Casca: Do so. Farewell, both.
[Exit]
Brutus: What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was
quick mettle when he went to school.
Cassius: So is he now in execution Of any bold or noble
enterprise, However he puts on this tardy form. This
rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men
stomach to digest his words With better appetite.
Brutus: And so it is. For this time I will leave you: To-
morrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to
you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for
you.
Cassius: I will do so: till then, think of the world.
[Exit BRUTUS]
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable
metal may be wrought From that it is disposed: therefore it is
meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who
so firm that cannot be seduced? Caesar doth bear me hard;
but he loves Brutus: If I were Brutus now and he were
Cassius, He should not humour me. I will this night, In
several hands, in at his windows throw, As if they came from
several citizens, Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely Caesar's
ambition shall be glanced at: And after this let Caesar seat
him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
[Exit]
Act I, Scene 3
The same. A street.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter from opposite sides, CASCA,
with his sword drawn, and CICERO]
Cicero: Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home? Why
are you breathless? and why stare you so?
Casca: Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests,
when the scolding winds Have rived the knotty oaks, and I
have seen The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, To
be exalted with the threatening clouds: But never till to-
night, never till now, Did I go through a tempest dropping
fire. Either there is a civil strife in heaven, Or else the world,
too saucy with the gods, Incenses them to send destruction.
Cicero: Why, saw you any thing more wonderful?
Casca: A common slave—you know him well by sight—
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Like twenty
torches join'd, and yet his hand, Not sensible of fire,
remain'd unscorch'd. Besides—I ha' not since put up my
sword— Against the Capitol I met a lion, Who glared upon
me, and went surly by, Without annoying me: and there were
drawn Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, Transformed
with their fear; who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up
and down the streets. And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Even at noon-day upon the market-place, Hooting and
shrieking. When these prodigies Do so conjointly meet, let
not men say 'These are their reasons; they are natural;' For, I
believe, they are portentous things Unto the climate that they
point upon.
Cicero: Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: But men may
construe things after their fashion, Clean from the purpose of
the things themselves. Come Caesar to the Capitol to-
morrow?
Casca: He doth; for he did bid Antonius Send word to you he
would be there to-morrow.
Cicero: Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky Is not to
walk in.
Casca: Farewell, Cicero.
[Exit CICERO]
[Enter CASSIUS]
Cassius: Who's there?
Casca: A Roman.
Cassius: Casca, by your voice.
Casca: Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!
Cassius: A very pleasing night to honest men.
Casca: Who ever knew the heavens menace so?
Cassius: Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, Submitting me
unto the perilous night, And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you
see, Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; And when
the cross blue lightning seem'd to open The breast of heaven,
I did present myself Even in the aim and very flash of it.
Casca: But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It
is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty
gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
Cassius: You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life That
should be in a Roman you do want, Or else you use not. You
look pale and gaze And put on fear and cast yourself in
wonder, To see the strange impatience of the heavens: But if
you would consider the true cause Why all these fires, why
all these gliding ghosts, Why birds and beasts from quality
and kind, Why old men fool and children calculate, Why all
these things change from their ordinance Their natures and
preformed faculties To monstrous quality,—why, you shall
find That heaven hath infused them with these spirits, To
make them instruments of fear and warning Unto some
monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man
Most like this dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens
graves, and roars As doth the lion in the Capitol, A man no
mightier than thyself or me In personal action, yet
prodigious grown And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.
Casca: 'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius?
Cassius: Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thews and
limbs like to their ancestors; But, woe the while! our fathers'
minds are dead, And we are govern'd with our mothers'
spirits; Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish.
Casca: Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow Mean to
establish Caesar as a king; And he shall wear his crown by
sea and land, In every place, save here in Italy.
Cassius: I know where I will wear this dagger then; Cassius
from bondage will deliver Cassius: Therein, ye gods, you
make the weak most strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do
defeat: Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor
airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to
the strength of spirit; But life, being weary of these worldly
bars, Never lacks power to dismiss itself. If I know this,
know all the world besides, That part of tyranny that I do
bear I can shake off at pleasure.
[Thunder still]
Casca: So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity.
Cassius: And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? Poor man!
I know he would not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans
are but sheep: He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with
weak straws: what trash is Rome, What rubbish and what
offal, when it serves For the base matter to illuminate So vile
a thing as Caesar! But, O grief, Where hast thou led me? I
perhaps speak this Before a willing bondman; then I know
My answer must be made. But I am arm'd, And dangers are
to me indifferent.
Casca: You speak to Casca, and to such a man That is no
fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: Be factious for redress of
all these griefs, And I will set this foot of mine as far As who
goes farthest.
Cassius: There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I
have moved already Some certain of the noblest-minded
Romans To undergo with me an enterprise Of honourable-
dangerous consequence; And I do know, by this, they stay
for me In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, There
is no stir or walking in the streets; And the complexion of
the element In favour's like the work we have in hand, Most
bloody, fiery, and most terrible.
Casca: Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.
Cassius: 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; He is a
friend.
[Enter CINNA]
Cinna, where haste you so?
Cinna: To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber?
Cassius: No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts.
Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?
Cinna: I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this! There's
two or three of us have seen strange sights.
Cassius: Am I not stay'd for? tell me.
Cinna: Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could But win the
noble Brutus to our party—
Cassius: Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper, And
look you lay it in the praetor's chair, Where Brutus may but
find it; and throw this In at his window; set this up with wax
Upon old Brutus' statue: all this done, Repair to Pompey's
porch, where you shall find us. Is Decius Brutus and
Trebonius there?
Cinna: All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone To seek you
at your house. Well, I will hie, And so bestow these papers
as you bade me.
Cassius: That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
[Exit CINNA]
Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day See Brutus at his
house: three parts of him Is ours already, and the man entire
Upon the next encounter yields him ours.
Casca: O, he sits high in all the people's hearts: And that
which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like
richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
Cassius: Him and his worth and our great need of him You
have right well conceited. Let us go, For it is after midnight;
and ere day We will awake him and be sure of him.
[Exeunt]
Act II, Scene 1
Rome. BRUTUS’s orchard.
[Enter BRUTUS]
Brutus: What, Lucius, ho! I cannot, by the progress of the
stars, Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say! I would it
were my fault to sleep so soundly. When, Lucius, when?
awake, I say! what, Lucius!
[Enter LUCIUS]
Lucius: Call'd you, my lord?
Brutus: Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is
lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius: I will, my lord.
[Exit]
Brutus: It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no
personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He
would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's
the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that;— And
then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may
do danger with. The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have
not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason.
But 'tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's
ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when
he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder
turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base
degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then, lest
he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Will bear no colour
for the thing he is, Fashion it thus; that what he is,
augmented, Would run to these and these extremities: And
therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which, hatch'd, would,
as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell.
[Re-enter LUCIUS]
Lucius: The taper burneth in your closet, sir. Searching the
window for a flint, I found This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I
am sure, It did not lie there when I went to bed.
[Gives him the letter]
Brutus: Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not to-morrow,
boy, the ides of March?
Lucius: I know not, sir.
Brutus: Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
Lucius: I will, sir.
[Exit]
Brutus: The exhalations whizzing in the air Give so much
light that I may read by them.
[Opens the letter and reads]
'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome,
&c. Speak, strike, redress! Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!'
Such instigations have been often dropp'd Where I have took
them up. 'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out: Shall
Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? My
ancestors did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive,
when he was call'd a king. 'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I
entreated To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee
promise: If the redress will follow, thou receivest Thy full
petition at the hand of Brutus!
[Re-enter LUCIUS]
Lucius: Sir, March is wasted fourteen days.
[Knocking within]
Brutus: 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not
slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first
motion, all the interim is Like a phantasma, or a hideous
dream: The Genius and the mortal instruments Are then in
council; and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom,
suffers then The nature of an insurrection.
[Re-enter LUCIUS]
Lucius: Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth
desire to see you.
Brutus: Is he alone?
Lucius: No, sir, there are moe with him.
Brutus: Do you know them?
Lucius: No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, And
half their faces buried in their cloaks, That by no means I
may discover them By any mark of favour.
Brutus: Let 'em enter.
[Exit LUCIUS]
They are the faction. O conspiracy, Shamest thou to show
thy dangerous brow by night, When evils are most free? O,
then by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough To
mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy; Hide it
in smiles and affability: For if thou path, thy native
semblance on, Not Erebus itself were dim enough To hide
thee from prevention.
[Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS
BRUTUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMBER, and
TREBONIUS]
Cassius: I think we are too bold upon your rest: Good
morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?
Brutus: I have been up this hour, awake all night. Know I
these men that come along with you?
Cassius: Yes, every man of them, and no man here But
honours you; and every one doth wish You had but that
opinion of yourself Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
Brutus: He is welcome hither.
Cassius: This, Decius Brutus.
Brutus: He is welcome too.
Cassius: This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
Brutus: They are all welcome. What watchful cares do
interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night?
Cassius: Shall I entreat a word?
[BRUTUS and CASSIUS whisper]
Decius Brutus: Here lies the east: doth not the day break
here?
Casca: No.
Cinna: O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines That fret
the clouds are messengers of day.
Casca: You shall confess that you are both deceived. Here,
as I point my sword, the sun arises, Which is a great way
growing on the south, Weighing the youthful season of the
year. Some two months hence up higher toward the north He
first presents his fire; and the high east Stands, as the
Capitol, directly here.
Brutus: Give me your hands all over, one by one.
Cassius: And let us swear our resolution.
Brutus: No, not an oath: if not the face of men, The
sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,— If these be
motives weak, break off betimes, And every man hence to
his idle bed; So let high-sighted tyranny range on, Till each
man drop by lottery. But if these, As I am sure they do, bear
fire enough To kindle cowards and to steel with valour The
melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, What need we
any spur but our own cause, To prick us to redress? what
other bond Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
And will not palter? and what other oath Than honesty to
honesty engaged, That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, Old feeble
carrions and such suffering souls That welcome wrongs;
unto bad causes swear Such creatures as men doubt; but do
not stain The even virtue of our enterprise, Nor the
insuppressive mettle of our spirits, To think that or our cause
or our performance Did need an oath; when every drop of
blood That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, Is guilty of
a several bastardy, If he do break the smallest particle Of any
promise that hath pass'd from him.
Cassius: But what of Cicero? shall we sound him? I think he
will stand very strong with us.
Casca: Let us not leave him out.
Cinna: No, by no means.
Metellus Cimber: O, let us have him, for his silver hairs Will
purchase us a good opinion And buy men's voices to
commend our deeds: It shall be said, his judgment ruled our
hands; Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, But all
be buried in his gravity.
Brutus: O, name him not: let us not break with him; For he
will never follow any thing That other men begin.
Cassius: Then leave him out.
Casca: Indeed he is not fit.
Decius Brutus: Shall no man else be touch'd but only
Caesar?
Cassius: Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet, Mark
Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, Should outlive Caesar:
we shall find of him A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his
means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to
annoy us all: which to prevent, Let Antony and Caesar fall
together.
Brutus: Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To
cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death
and envy afterwards; For Antony is but a limb of Caesar: Let
us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. We all stand up
against the spirit of Caesar; And in the spirit of men there is
no blood: O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, And
not dismember Caesar! But, alas, Caesar must bleed for it!
And, gentle friends, Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a
carcass fit for hounds: And let our hearts, as subtle masters
do, Stir up their servants to an act of rage, And after seem to
chide 'em. This shall make Our purpose necessary and not
envious: Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall
be call'd purgers, not murderers. And for Mark Antony, think
not of him; For he can do no more than Caesar's arm When
Caesar's head is off.
Cassius: Yet I fear him; For in the ingrafted love he bears to
Caesar—
Brutus: Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him: If he love
Caesar, all that he can do Is to himself, take thought and die
for Caesar: And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company.
Trebonius: There is no fear in him; let him not die; For he
will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
[Clock strikes]
Brutus: Peace! count the clock.
Cassius: The clock hath stricken three.
Trebonius: 'Tis time to part.
Cassius: But it is doubtful yet, Whether Caesar will come
forth to-day, or no; For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite from the main opinion he held once Of fantasy, of
dreams and ceremonies: It may be, these apparent prodigies,
The unaccustom'd terror of this night, And the persuasion of
his augurers, May hold him from the Capitol to-day.
Decius Brutus: Never fear that: if he be so resolved, I can
o'ersway him; for he loves to hear That unicorns may be
betray'd with trees, And bears with glasses, elephants with
holes, Lions with toils and men with flatterers; But when I
tell him he hates flatterers, He says he does, being then most
flattered. Let me work; For I can give his humour the true
bent, And I will bring him to the Capitol.
Cassius: Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
Brutus: By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?
Cinna: Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
Metellus Cimber: Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey: I wonder none
of you have thought of him.
Brutus: Now, good Metellus, go along by him: He loves me
well, and I have given him reasons; Send him but hither, and
I'll fashion him.
Cassius: The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you,
Brutus. And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
Brutus: Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily; Let not our
looks put on our purposes, But bear it as our Roman actors
do, With untired spirits and formal constancy: And so good
morrow to you every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS]
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter; Enjoy the honey-
heavy dew of slumber: Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou
sleep'st so sound.
[Enter PORTIA]
Portia: Brutus, my lord!
Brutus: Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now? It
is not for your health thus to commit Your weak condition to
the raw cold morning.
Portia: Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus, Stole
from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, You suddenly
arose, and walk'd about, Musing and sighing, with your arms
across, And when I ask'd you what the matter was, You
stared upon me with ungentle looks; I urged you further;
then you scratch'd your head, And too impatiently stamp'd
with your foot; Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, But,
with an angry wafture of your hand, Gave sign for me to
leave you: so I did; Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal Hoping it was
but an effect of humour, Which sometime hath his hour with
every man. It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, And
could it work so much upon your shape As it hath much
prevail'd on your condition, I should not know you, Brutus.
Dear my lord, Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
Brutus: I am not well in health, and that is all.
Portia: Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, He would
embrace the means to come by it.
Brutus: Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Portia: Is Brutus sick? and is it physical To walk unbraced
and suck up the humours Of the dank morning? What, is
Brutus sick, And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, To
dare the vile contagion of the night And tempt the rheumy
and unpurged air To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;
You have some sick offence within your mind, Which, by
the right and virtue of my place, I ought to know of: and,
upon my knees, I charm you, by my once-commended
beauty, By all your vows of love and that great vow Which
did incorporate and make us one, That you unfold to me,
yourself, your half, Why you are heavy, and what men to-
night Have had to resort to you: for here have been Some six
or seven, who did hide their faces Even from darkness.
Brutus: Kneel not, gentle Portia.
Portia: I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. Within
the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, Is it excepted I should
know no secrets That appertain to you? Am I yourself But,
as it were, in sort or limitation, To keep with you at meals,
comfort your bed, And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in
the suburbs Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is
Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
Brutus: You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me
as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart
Portia: If this were true, then should I know this secret. I
grant I am a woman; but withal A woman that Lord Brutus
took to wife: I grant I am a woman; but withal A woman
well-reputed, Cato's daughter. Think you I am no stronger
than my sex, Being so father'd and so husbanded? Tell me
your counsels, I will not disclose 'em: I have made strong
proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience. And not my
husband's secrets?
Brutus: O ye gods, Render me worthy of this noble wife!
[Knocking within]
Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile; And by and by
thy bosom shall partake The secrets of my heart. All my
engagements I will construe to thee, All the charactery of my
sad brows: Leave me with haste.
[Exit PORTIA]
Lucius, who's that knocks?
[Re-enter LUCIUS with LIGARIUS]
Lucius: He is a sick man that would speak with you.
Brutus: Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. Boy, stand
aside. Caius Ligarius! how?
Ligarius: Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
Brutus: O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, To
wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
Ligarius: I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand Any exploit
worthy the name of honour.
Brutus: Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Had you a
healthful ear to hear of it.
Ligarius: By all the gods that Romans bow before, I here
discard my sickness! Soul of Rome! Brave son, derived from
honourable loins! Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run, And I will strive with
things impossible; Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?
Brutus: A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
Ligarius: But are not some whole that we must make sick?
Brutus: That must we also. What it is, my Caius, I shall
unfold to thee, as we are going To whom it must be done.
Ligarius: Set on your foot, And with a heart new-fired I
follow you, To do I know not what: but it sufficeth That
Brutus leads me on.
Brutus: Follow me, then.
[Exeunt]
Act II, Scene 2
CAESAR’s house.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter CAESAR, in his night-gown]
Caesar: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 'Help, ho! they
murder Caesar!' Who's within?
[Enter a Servant]
Servant: My lord?
Caesar: Go bid the priests do present sacrifice And bring me
their opinions of success.
Servant: I will, my lord.
[Exit]
[Enter CALPURNIA]
Calpurnia: What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.
Caesar: Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me Ne'er
look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of
Caesar, they are vanished.
Calpurnia: Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet now
they fright me. There is one within, Besides the things that
we have heard and seen, Recounts most horrid sights seen by
the watch. A lioness hath whelped in the streets; And graves
have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead; Fierce fiery warriors
fought upon the clouds, In ranks and squadrons and right
form of war, Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol; The
noise of battle hurtled in the air, Horses did neigh, and dying
men did groan, And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the
streets. O Caesar! these things are beyond all use, And I do
fear them.
Caesar: What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the
mighty gods? Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
Calpurnia: When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The
heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Caesar: Cowards die many times before their deaths; The
valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that
I yet have heard. It seems to me most strange that men
should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come
when it will come.
[Re-enter Servant]
What say the augurers?
Servant: They would not have you to stir forth to-day.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, They could not
find a heart within the beast.
Caesar: The gods do this in shame of cowardice: Caesar
should be a beast without a heart, If he should stay at home
to-day for fear. No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he: We are two lions
litter'd in one day, And I the elder and more terrible: And
Caesar shall go forth.
Calpurnia: Alas, my lord, Your wisdom is consumed in
confidence. Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear That
keeps you in the house, and not your own. We'll send Mark
Antony to the senate-house: And he shall say you are not
well to-day: Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
Caesar: Mark Antony shall say I am not well, And, for thy
humour, I will stay at home.
[Enter DECIUS BRUTUS]
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
Decius Brutus: Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy
Caesar: I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
Caesar: And you are come in very happy time, To bear my
greeting to the senators And tell them that I will not come to-
day: Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser: I will not
come to-day: tell them so, Decius.
Calpurnia: Say he is sick.
Caesar: Shall Caesar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd
mine arm so far, To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Decius Brutus: Most mighty Caesar, let me know some
cause, Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Caesar: The cause is in my will: I will not come; That is
enough to satisfy the senate. But for your private
satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: She dreamt to-
night she saw my statua, Which, like a fountain with an
hundred spouts, Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: And these
does she apply for warnings, and portents, And evils
imminent; and on her knee Hath begg'd that I will stay at
home to-day.
Decius Brutus: This dream is all amiss interpreted; It was a
vision fair and fortunate: Your statue spouting blood in many
pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies
that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and
that great men shall press For tinctures, stains, relics and
cognizance. This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Caesar: And this way have you well expounded it.
Decius Brutus: I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded To give this
day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word
you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were
a mock Apt to be render'd, for some one to say 'Break up the
senate till another time, When Caesar's wife shall meet with
better dreams.' If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'? Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear
love To our proceeding bids me tell you this; And reason to
my love is liable.
Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I
am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will
go.
[Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS,
CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA]
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
Publius: Good morrow, Caesar.
Caesar: Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so
early too? Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, Caesar was
ne'er so much your enemy As that same ague which hath
made you lean. What is 't o'clock?
Brutus: Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
Caesar: I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
[Enter ANTONY]
See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Is notwithstanding
up. Good morrow, Antony.
Antony: So to most noble Caesar.
Caesar: Bid them prepare within: I am to blame to be thus
waited for. Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius! I
have an hour's talk in store for you; Remember that you call
on me to-day: Be near me, that I may remember you.
Trebonius: Caesar, I will:
[Aside]
and so near will I be, That your best friends shall wish I had
been further.
Caesar: Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Brutus: [Aside]
That every like is not the same, O Caesar, The heart of
Brutus yearns to think upon!
[Exeunt]
Act II, Scene 3
A street near the Capitol.
[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 beest 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,
And as a suitor will I give him this. My heart laments that
virtue cannot live Out of the teeth of emulation. If thou read
this, O Caesar, thou mayst live; If not, the Fates with traitors
do contrive.
[Exit]
Act II, Scene 4
Another part of the same street, before the house of
BRUTUS.
[Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS]
Portia: I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; Stay not to
answer me, but get thee gone: Why dost thou stay?
Lucius: To know my errand, madam.
Portia: I would have had thee there, and here again, Ere I can
tell thee what thou shouldst do there. O constancy, be strong
upon my side, Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and
tongue! I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. How
hard it is for women to keep counsel! Art thou here yet?
Lucius: Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and
nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else?
Portia: Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he
went sickly forth: and take good note What Caesar doth,
what suitors press to him. Hark, boy! what noise is that?
Lucius: I hear none, madam.
Portia: Prithee, listen well; I heard a bustling rumour, like a
fray, And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
Lucius: Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.
[Enter the Soothsayer]
Portia: Come hither, fellow: which way hast thou been?
Soothsayer: At mine own house, good lady.
Portia: What is't o'clock?
Soothsayer: About the ninth hour, lady.
Portia: Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
Soothsayer: Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand, To see
him pass on to the Capitol.
Portia: Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
Soothsayer: That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar To be
so good to Caesar as to hear me, I shall beseech him to
befriend himself.
Portia: Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
Soothsayer: None that I know will be, much that I fear may
chance. Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: The
throng that follows Caesar at the heels, Of senators, of
praetors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to
death: I'll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to
great Caesar as he comes along.
[Exit]
Portia: I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing The heart of
woman is! O Brutus, The heavens speed thee in thine
enterprise! Sure, the boy heard me: Brutus hath a suit That
Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint. Run, Lucius, and
commend me to my lord; Say I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
[Exeunt severally]
Act III, Scene 1
Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.
[A crowd of people; among them ARTEMIDORUS and the
Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter CAESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS,
CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS, METELLUS CIMBER,
TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS,
PUBLIUS, and others.]
Caesar: [To the Soothsayer]
The ides of March are come.
Soothsayer: Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Artemidorus: Hail, Caesar! read this schedule.
Decius Brutus: Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread, At
your best leisure, this his humble suit.
Artemidorus: O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
Caesar: What touches us ourself shall be last served.
Artemidorus: Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
Caesar: What, is the fellow mad?
Publius: Sirrah, give place.
Cassius: What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come
to the Capitol.
[CAESAR goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following]
Popilius: I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Cassius: What enterprise, Popilius?
Popilius: Fare you well.
[Advances to CAESAR]
Brutus: What said Popilius Lena?
Cassius: He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. I fear
our purpose is discovered.
Brutus: Look, how he makes to Caesar; mark him.
Cassius: Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. Brutus,
what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Caesar
never shall turn back, For I will slay myself.
Brutus: Cassius, be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our
purposes; For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
Cassius: Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus. He
draws Mark Antony out of the way.
[Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS]
Decius Brutus: Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And
presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
Brutus: He is address'd: press near and second him.
Cinna: Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Caesar: Are we all ready? What is now amiss That Caesar
and his senate must redress?
Metellus Cimber: Most high, most mighty, and most
puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An
humble heart,—
[Kneeling]
Caesar: I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings and
these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree Into the law of
children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel
blood That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that
which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words, Low-crooked
court'sies and base spaniel-fawning. Thy brother by decree is
banished: If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I
spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar doth not
wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied.
Metellus Cimber: Is there no voice more worthy than my
own To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear For the
repealing of my banish'd brother?
Brutus: I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; Desiring
thee that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom
of repeal.
Caesar: What, Brutus!
Cassius: Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: As low as to thy
foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius
Cimber.
Cassius: I could be well moved, if I were as you: If I could
pray to move, prayers would move me: But I am constant as
the northern star, Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted
with unnumber'd sparks, They are all fire and every one doth
shine, But there's but one in all doth hold his place: So in the
world; 'tis furnish'd well with men, And men are flesh and
blood, and apprehensive; Yet in the number I do know but
one That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshaked of
motion: and that I am he, Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, And constant
do remain to keep him so.
Cinna: O Caesar,—
Caesar: Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Decius Brutus: Great Caesar,—
Caesar: Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Casca: Speak, hands for me!
[CASCA first, then the other Conspirators and BRUTUS
stab CAESAR]
Caesar: Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.
[Dies]
Cinna: Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence,
proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Cassius: Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 'Liberty,
freedom, and enfranchisement!'
Brutus: People and senators, be not affrighted; Fly not; stand
stiff: ambition's debt is paid.
Casca: Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Decius Brutus: And Cassius too.
Brutus: Where's Publius?
Cinna: Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Metellus Cimber: Stand fast together, lest some friend of
Caesar's Should chance—
Brutus: Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; There is
no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else: so
tell them, Publius.
Cassius: And leave us, Publius; lest that the people, Rushing
on us, should do your age some mischief.
Brutus: Do so: and let no man abide this deed, But we the
doers.
[Re-enter TREBONIUS]
Cassius: Where is Antony?
Trebonius: Fled to his house amazed: Men, wives and
children stare, cry out and run As it were doomsday.
Brutus: Fates, we will know your pleasures: That we shall
die, we know; 'tis but the time And drawing days out, that
men stand upon.
Cassius: Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off
so many years of fearing death.
Brutus: Grant that, and then is death a benefit: So are we
Caesar's friends, that have abridged His time of fearing
death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in
Caesar's blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And, waving
our red weapons o'er our heads, Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom
and liberty!'
Cassius: Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall
this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and
accents yet unknown!
Brutus: How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That
now on Pompey's basis lies along No worthier than the dust!
Cassius: So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us
be call'd The men that gave their country liberty.
Decius Brutus: What, shall we forth?
Cassius: Ay, every man away: Brutus shall lead; and we will
grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of
Rome.
[Enter a Servant]
Brutus: Soft! who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Servant: Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel: Thus did
Mark Antony bid me fall down; And, being prostrate, thus
he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Say I love
Brutus, and I honour him; Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him
and loved him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May
safely come to him, and be resolved How Caesar hath
deserved to lie in death, Mark Antony shall not love Caesar
dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes
and affairs of noble Brutus Thorough the hazards of this
untrod state With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Brutus: Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never
thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this
place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, Depart
untouch'd.
Servant: I'll fetch him presently.
[Exit]
Brutus: I know that we shall have him well to friend.
Cassius: I wish we may: but yet have I a mind That fears him
much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
Brutus: But here comes Antony.
[Re-enter ANTONY]
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Antony: O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low? Are all thy
conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little
measure? Fare thee well. I know not, gentlemen, what you
intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: If I
myself, there is no hour so fit As Caesar's death hour, nor no
instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made
rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do
beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled
hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live a
thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place
will please me so, no mean of death, As here by Caesar, and
by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age.
Brutus: O Antony, beg not your death of us. Though now we
must appear bloody and cruel, As, by our hands and this our
present act, You see we do, yet see you but our hands And
this the bleeding business they have done: Our hearts you
see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of
Rome— As fire drives out fire, so pity pity— Hath done this
deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have
leaden points, Mark Antony: Our arms, in strength of malice,
and our hearts Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With
all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Cassius: Your voice shall be as strong as any man's In the
disposing of new dignities.
Brutus: Only be patient till we have appeased The multitude,
beside themselves with fear, And then we will deliver you
the cause, Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Antony: I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render
me his bloody hand: First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with
you; Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand; Now, Decius
Brutus, yours: now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna; and, my
valiant Casca, yours; Though last, not last in love, yours,
good Trebonius. Gentlemen all,—alas, what shall I say? My
credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two
bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a
flatterer. That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true: If then thy
spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than
thy death, To see thy thy Anthony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Most noble! in the
presence of thy corse? Had I as many eyes as thou hast
wounds, Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, It
would become me better than to close In terms of friendship
with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd,
brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. O world, thou
wast the forest to this hart; And this, indeed, O world, the
heart of thee. How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
Cassius: Mark Antony,—
Antony: Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Caesar
shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Cassius: I blame you not for praising Caesar so; But what
compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in
number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on
you?
Antony: Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed,
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar. Friends
am I with you all and love you all, Upon this hope, that you
shall give me reasons Why and wherein Caesar was
dangerous.
Brutus: Or else were this a savage spectacle: Our reasons are
so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of
Caesar, You should be satisfied.
Antony: That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as
becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral.
Brutus: You shall, Mark Antony.
Cassius: Brutus, a word with you.
[Aside to BRUTUS]
You know not what you do: do not consent That Antony
speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be
moved By that which he will utter?
Brutus: By your pardon; I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar's death: What Antony
shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by
permission, And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all
true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more
than do us wrong.
Cassius: I know not what may fall; I like it not.
Brutus: Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. You
shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good
you can devise of Caesar, And say you do't by our
permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his
funeral: and you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am
going, After my speech is ended.
Antony: Be it so. I do desire no more.
Brutus: Prepare the body then, and follow us.
[Exeunt all but ANTONY]
Antony: O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I
am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins
of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe
to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds
now do I prophesy,— Which, like dumb mouths, do ope
their ruby lips, To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue
— A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury
and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use And dreadful
objects so familiar That mothers shall but smile when they
behold Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war; All pity
choked with custom of fell deeds: And Caesar's spirit,
ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from
hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice Cry
'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war; That this foul deed shall
smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.
[Enter a Servant]
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
Servant: I do, Mark Antony.
Antony: Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Servant: He did receive his letters, and is coming; And bid
me say to you by word of mouth— O Caesar!—
[Seeing the body]
Antony: Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. Passion, I
see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow
stand in thine, Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Servant: He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.
Antony: Post back with speed, and tell him what hath
chanced: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No
Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him so.
Yet, stay awhile; Thou shalt not back till I have borne this
corse Into the market-place: there shall I try In my oration,
how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men;
According to the which, thou shalt discourse To young
Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand.
[Exeunt with CAESAR's body]
Act III, Scene 2
The Forum.
[Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens]
Citizens: We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.
Brutus: Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.
Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers.
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; Those that
will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall
be rendered Of Caesar's death.
First Citizen: I will hear Brutus speak.
Second Citizen: I will hear Cassius; and compare their
reasons, When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes
into the pulpit]
Third Citizen: The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Brutus: Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and
lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may
hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine
honour, 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 honour him: but, as he was
ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; 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 offences enforced, for which he
suffered death.
[Enter ANTONY and others, 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!
First Citizen: Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Second Citizen: Give him a statue with his ancestors.
Third Citizen: Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Citizen: Caesar's better parts Shall be crown'd in
Brutus.
First Citizen: We'll bring him to his house With shouts and
clamours.
Brutus: My countrymen,—
Second Citizen: Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.
First Citizen: Peace, ho!
Brutus: Good countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my
sake, stay here with Antony: Do grace to Caesar's corpse,
and grace his speech Tending to Caesar's glories; which
Mark Antony, By our permission, is allow'd to make. I do
entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have
spoke.
[Exit]
First Citizen: Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
Third Citizen: Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear
him. Noble Antony, go up.
Antony: For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.
[Goes into the pulpit]
Fourth Citizen: What does he say of Brutus?
Third Citizen: He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself
beholding to us all.
Fourth Citizen: 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.
First Citizen: This Caesar was a tyrant.
Third Citizen: Nay, that's certain: We are blest that Rome is
rid of him.
Second Citizen: Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
Antony: You gentle Romans,—
Citizens: Peace, ho! let us hear him.
Antony: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I
come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do
lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So
let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar
was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And
grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. Here, under leave of
Brutus and the rest— For Brutus is an honourable man; So
are they all, all honourable men— Come I to speak in
Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an
honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to
Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in
Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried,
Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an
honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice
presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse:
was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And,
sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what
Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You
all did love him once, not without cause: What cause
withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art
fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear
with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I
must pause till it come back to me.
First Citizen: Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
Second Citizen: If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar
has had great wrong.
Third Citizen: Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse
come in his place.
Fourth Citizen: Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the
crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
First Citizen: If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
Second Citizen: Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with
weeping.
Third Citizen: There's not a nobler man in Rome than
Antony.
Fourth Citizen: Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
Antony: But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood
against the world; now lies he there. And none so poor to do
him reverence. O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your
hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus
wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are
honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will
wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment with the
seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, 'tis his will: Let but
the commons hear this testament— Which, pardon me, I do
not mean to read— And they would go and kiss dead
Caesar's wounds And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it
within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their
issue.
Fourth Citizen: We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
All: The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will.
Antony: Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It
is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not
wood, you are not stones, but men; And, being men, bearing
the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For, if you
should, O, what would come of it!
Fourth Citizen: Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony; You
shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
Antony: Will you be patient? will you stay awhile? I have
o'ershot myself to tell you of it: I fear I wrong the
honourable men Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do
fear it.
Fourth Citizen: They were traitors: honourable men!
All: The will! the testament!
Second Citizen: They were villains, murderers: the will! read
the will.
Antony: You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then
make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, And let me show
you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you
give me leave?
Several Citizens: Come down.
Second Citizen: Descend.
Third Citizen: You shall have leave.
[ANTONY comes down]
Fourth Citizen: A ring; stand round.
First Citizen: Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
Second Citizen: Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
Antony: Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.
Several Citizens: Stand back; room; bear back.
Antony: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all
do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Caesar
put it on; 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, That day
he overcame the Nervii: Look, in this place ran Cassius'
dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; And as he
pluck'd his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar
follow'd it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus
so unkindly knock'd, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was
Caesar's angel: Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved
him! This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the
noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than
traitors' arms, Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty
heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the
base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great
Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then
I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason
flourish'd over us. O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you
feel The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Kind souls,
what, weep you when you but behold Our Caesar's vesture
wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr'd, as you
see, with traitors.
First Citizen: O piteous spectacle!
Second Citizen: O noble Caesar!
Third Citizen: O woful day!
Fourth Citizen: O traitors, villains!
First Citizen: O most bloody sight!
Second Citizen: We will be revenged.
All: Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a
traitor live!
Antony: Stay, countrymen.
First Citizen: Peace there! hear the noble Antony.
Second Citizen: We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die
with him.
Antony: Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this
deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I
know not, That made them do it: they are wise and
honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I
come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator,
as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend; and that they know full well That gave
me public leave to speak of him: For I have neither wit, nor
words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of
speech, To stir men's blood: I only speak right on; I tell you
that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet
Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, And bid them
speak for me: but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there
were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits and put a
tongue In every wound of Caesar that should move The
stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All: We'll mutiny.
First Citizen: We'll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Citizen: Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
Antony: Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
All: Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!
Antony: Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you
know not: I must tell you then: You have forgot the will I
told you of.
All: Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.
Antony: Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. To every
Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five
drachmas.
Second Citizen: Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
Third Citizen: O royal Caesar!
Antony: Hear me with patience.
All: Peace, ho!
Antony: Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private
arbours and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he
hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever, common
pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here
was a Caesar! when comes such another?
First Citizen: Never, never. Come, away, away! We'll burn
his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the
traitors' houses. Take up the body.
Second Citizen: Go fetch fire.
Third Citizen: Pluck down benches.
Fourth Citizen: Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
[Exeunt Citizens with the body]
Antony: Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou
what course thou wilt!
[Enter a Servant]
How now, fellow!
Servant: Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Antony: Where is he?
Servant: He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.
Antony: And thither will I straight to visit him: He comes
upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us
any thing.
Servant: I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like
madmen through the gates of Rome.
Antony: Belike they had some notice of the people, How I
had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
[Exeunt]
Act III, Scene 3
A street.
[Enter CINNA the poet]
Cinna the Poet: I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy: I have no will to
wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth.
[Enter Citizens]
First Citizen: What is your name?
Second Citizen: Whither are you going?
Third Citizen: Where do you dwell?
Fourth Citizen: Are you a married man or a bachelor?
Second Citizen: Answer every man directly.
First Citizen: Ay, and briefly.
Fourth Citizen: Ay, and wisely.
Third Citizen: Ay, and truly, you were best.
Cinna the Poet: 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.
Second Citizen: 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 the Poet: Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
First Citizen: As a friend or an enemy?
Cinna the Poet: As a friend.
Second Citizen: That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Citizen: For your dwelling,—briefly.
Cinna the Poet: Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Citizen: Your name, sir, truly.
Cinna the Poet: Truly, my name is Cinna.
First Citizen: Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Cinna the Poet: I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
Fourth Citizen: Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his
bad verses.
Cinna the Poet: I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Citizen: It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but
his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
Third Citizen: Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! fire-
brands: to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius'
house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go!
[Exeunt]
Act IV, Scene 1
A house in Rome.
[ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table]
Antony: These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.
Octavius: Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus: I do consent—
Octavius: Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus: Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your
sister's son, Mark Antony.
Antony: He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But,
Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house; Fetch the will hither, and
we shall determine How to cut off some charge in legacies.
Lepidus: What, shall I find you here?
Octavius: Or here, or at the Capitol.
[Exit LEPIDUS]
Antony: This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on
errands: is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should
stand One of the three to share it?
Octavius: So you thought him; And took his voice who
should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and
proscription.
Antony: Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And
though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves
of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass
bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either
led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our
treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and
turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And
graze in commons.
Octavius: You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant
soldier.
Antony: So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I do appoint
him store of provender: It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion
govern'd by my spirit. And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;
He must be taught and train'd and bid go forth; A barren-
spirited fellow; one that feeds On abjects, orts and
imitations, Which, out of use and staled by other men, Begin
his fashion: do not talk of him, But as a property. And now,
Octavius, Listen great things:—Brutus and Cassius Are
levying powers: we must straight make head: Therefore let
our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, our means
stretch'd And let us presently go sit in council, How covert
matters may be best disclosed, And open perils surest
answered.
Octavius: Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bay'd
about with many enemies; And some that smile have in their
hearts, I fear, Millions of mischiefs.
[Exeunt]
Act IV, Scene 2
Camp near Sardis. Before BRUTUS’s tent.
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers;
Tintinius and PINDARUS meeting them]
Brutus: Stand, ho!
Lucilius: Give the word, ho! and stand.
Brutus: What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?
Lucilius: He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you
salutation from his master.
Brutus: He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus, In his
own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy
cause to wish Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand, I
shall be satisfied.
Pindarus: I do not doubt But that my noble master will
appear Such as he is, full of regard and honour.
Brutus: He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; How he
received you, let me be resolved.
Lucilius: With courtesy and with respect enough; But not
with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly
conference, As he hath used of old.
Brutus: Thou hast described A hot friend cooling: ever note,
Lucilius, When love begins to sicken and decay, It useth an
enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple
faith; But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, Make gallant
show and promise of their mettle; But when they should
endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests, and, like
deceitful jades, Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lucilius: They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd; The
greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius.
Brutus: Hark! he is arrived.
[Low march within]
March gently on to meet him.
[Enter CASSIUS and his powers]
Cassius: Stand, ho!
Brutus: Stand, ho! Speak the word along.
First Soldier: Stand!
Second Soldier: Stand!
Third Soldier: Stand!
Cassius: Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Brutus: Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies? And, if
not so, how should I wrong a brother?
Cassius: Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And
when you do them—
Brutus: Cassius, be content. Speak your griefs softly: I do
know you well. Before the eyes of both our armies here,
Which should perceive nothing but love from us, Let us not
wrangle: bid them move away; Then in my tent, Cassius,
enlarge your griefs, And I will give you audience.
Cassius: Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges
off A little from this ground.
Brutus: Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man Come to
our tent till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and
Tintinius guard our door.
[Exeunt]
Act IV, Scene 3
Brutus’s tent.
[Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS]
Cassius: That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this: You
have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella For taking bribes
here of the Sardians; Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
Brutus: You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
Cassius: In such a time as this it is not meet That every nice
offence should bear his comment.
Brutus: Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much
condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your
offices for gold To undeservers.
Cassius: I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus
that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your
last.
Brutus: The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And
chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
Cassius: Chastisement!
Brutus: Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did
not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd
his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one
of us That struck the foremost man of all this world But for
supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers
with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large
honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had
rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.
Cassius: Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: you forget
yourself, To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, Older in practise,
abler than yourself To make conditions.
Brutus: Go to; you are not, Cassius.
Cassius: I am.
Brutus: I say you are not.
Cassius: Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind
upon your health, tempt me no further.
Brutus: Away, slight man!
Cassius: Is't possible?
Brutus: Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room
to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman
stares?
Cassius: O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this?
Brutus: All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your
bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? must I
stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do
split you; for, from this day forth, I'll use you for my mirth,
yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish.
Cassius: Is it come to this?
Brutus: You say you are a better soldier: Let it appear so;
make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well: for
mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
Cassius: You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus; I
said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say 'better'?
Brutus: If you did, I care not.
Cassius: When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved
me.
Brutus: Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
Cassius: I durst not!
Brutus: No.
Cassius: What, durst not tempt him!
Brutus: For your life you durst not!
Cassius: Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do
that I shall be sorry for.
Brutus: You have done that you should be sorry for. There is
no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I am arm'd so strong
in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I
respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold,
which you denied me: For I can raise no money by vile
means: By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my
blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of
peasants their vile trash By any indirection: I did send To
you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was
that done like Cassius? Should I have answer'd Caius
Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To
lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, gods,
with all your thunderbolts; Dash him to pieces!
Cassius: I denied you not.
Brutus: You did.
Cassius: I did not: he was but a fool that brought My answer
back. Brutus hath rived my heart: A friend should bear his
friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they
are.
Brutus: I do not, till you practise them on me.
Cassius: You love me not.
Brutus: I do not like your faults.
Cassius: A friendly eye could never see such faults.
Brutus: A flatterer's would not, though they do appear As
huge as high Olympus.
Cassius: Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is aweary
of the world; Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
Cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed, Set in a
note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, To cast into my teeth.
O, I could weep My spirit from mine eyes! There is my
dagger, And here my naked breast; within, a heart Dearer
than Plutus' mine, richer than gold: If that thou be'st a
Roman, take it forth; I, that denied thee gold, will give my
heart: Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know, When thou
didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Than ever thou
lovedst Cassius.
Brutus: Sheathe your dagger: Be angry when you will, it
shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be
humour. O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb That carries
anger as the flint bears fire; Who, much enforced, shows a
hasty spark, And straight is cold again.
Cassius: Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to
his Brutus, When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him?
Brutus: When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too.
Cassius: Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
Brutus: And my heart too.
Cassius: O Brutus!
Brutus: What's the matter?
Cassius: Have not you love enough to bear with me, When
that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me
forgetful?
Brutus: Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, When you are
over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother
chides, and leave you so.
Poet: [Within]
Let me go in to see the generals; There is some grudge
between 'em, 'tis not meet They be alone.
Lucilius: [Within]
You shall not come to them.
Poet: [Within]
Nothing but death shall stay me.
[Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, Tintinius, and
LUCIUS]
Cassius: How now! what's the matter?
Poet: For shame, you generals! what do you mean? Love,
and be friends, as two such men should be; For I have seen
more years, I'm sure, than ye.
Cassius: Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
Brutus: Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence!
Cassius: Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
Brutus: I'll know his humour, when he knows his time: What
should the wars do with these jigging fools? Companion,
hence!
Cassius: Away, away, be gone.
[Exit Poet]
Brutus: Lucilius and Tintinius, bid the commanders Prepare
to lodge their companies to-night.
Cassius: And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us.
[Exeunt LUCILIUS and Tintinius]
Brutus: Lucius, a bowl of wine!
[Exit LUCIUS]
Cassius: I did not think you could have been so angry.
Brutus: O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
Cassius: Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give
place to accidental evils.
Brutus: No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
Cassius: Ha! Portia!
Brutus: She is dead.
Cassius: How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so? O
insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness?
Brutus: Impatient of my absence, And grief that young
Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so
strong:—for with her death That tidings came;—with this
she fell distract, And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire.
Cassius: And died so?
Brutus: Even so.
Cassius: O ye immortal gods!
[Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper]
Brutus: Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In
this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
Cassius: My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill,
Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too
much of Brutus' love.
Brutus: Come in, Tintinius!
[Exit LUCIUS]
[Re-enter Tintinius, with MESSALA]
Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper
here, And call in question our necessities.
Cassius: Portia, art thou gone?
Brutus: No more, I pray you. Messala, I have here received
letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down
upon us with a mighty power, Bending their expedition
toward Philippi.
Messala: Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
Brutus: With what addition?
Messala: That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, Have put to death an
hundred senators.
Brutus: Therein our letters do not well agree; Mine speak of
seventy senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero
being one.
Cassius: Cicero one!
Messala: Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription.
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Brutus: No, Messala.
Messala: Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
Brutus: Nothing, Messala.
Messala: That, methinks, is strange.
Brutus: Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours?
Messala: No, my lord.
Brutus: Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
Messala: Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: For certain
she is dead, and by strange manner.
Brutus: Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: With
meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to
endure it now.
Messala: Even so great men great losses should endure.
Cassius: I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my
nature could not bear it so.
Brutus: Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of
marching to Philippi presently?
Cassius: I do not think it good.
Brutus: Your reason?
Cassius: This it is: 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So
shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Doing himself
offence; whilst we, lying still, Are full of rest, defense, and
nimbleness.
Brutus: Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a
forced affection; For they have grudged us contribution: The
enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller
number up, Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged;
From which advantage shall we cut him off, If at Philippi we
do face him there, These people at our back.
Cassius: Hear me, good brother.
Brutus: Under your pardon. You must note beside, That we
have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-
full, our cause is ripe: The enemy increaseth every day; We,
at the height, are ready to decline. There is a tide in the
affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and
in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we
must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.
Cassius: Then, with your will, go on; We'll along ourselves,
and meet them at Philippi.
Brutus: The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature
must obey necessity; Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?
Cassius: No more. Good night: Early to-morrow will we rise,
and hence.
Brutus: Lucius!
[Enter LUCIUS]
My gown.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Farewell, good Messala: Good night, Tintinius. Noble, noble
Cassius, Good night, and good repose.
Cassius: O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the
night: Never come such division 'tween our souls! Let it not,
Brutus.
Brutus: Every thing is well.
Cassius: Good night, my lord.
Brutus: Good night, good brother.
Tintinius: [with MESSALA]
Good night, Lord Brutus.
Brutus: Farewell, every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS]
[Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown]
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Lucius: Here in the tent.
Brutus: What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame
thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. Call Claudius and some other
of my men: I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
Lucius: Varro and Claudius!
[Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS]
Varro: Calls my lord?
Brutus: I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I
shall raise you by and by On business to my brother Cassius.
Varro: So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
Brutus: I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; It may be I
shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here's the book I
sought for so; I put it in the pocket of my gown.
[VARRO and CLAUDIUS lie down]
Lucius: I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
Brutus: Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst
thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy
instrument a strain or two?
Lucius: Ay, my lord, an't please you.
Brutus: It does, my boy: I trouble thee too much, but thou art
willing.
Lucius: It is my duty, sir.
Brutus: I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know
young bloods look for a time of rest.
Lucius: I have slept, my lord, already.
Brutus: It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will
not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee.
[Music, and a song]
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, Lay'st thou thy
leaden mace upon my boy, That plays thee music? Gentle
knave, good night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake
thee: If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; I'll take it
from thee; and, good boy, good night. Let me see, let me see;
is not the leaf turn'd down Where I left reading? Here it is, I
think.
[Enter the Ghost of CAESAR]
How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is
the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous
apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou
some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood
cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.
Caesar: Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
Brutus: Why comest thou?
Caesar: To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
Brutus: Well; then I shall see thee again?
Caesar: Ay, at Philippi.
Brutus: Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
[Exit Ghost]
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest: Ill spirit, I would
hold more talk with thee. Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius!
Sirs, awake! Claudius!
Lucius: The strings, my lord, are false.
Brutus: He thinks he still is at his instrument. Lucius, awake!
Lucius: My lord?
Brutus: Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
Lucius: My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
Brutus: Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing?
Lucius: Nothing, my lord.
Brutus: Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius!
[To VARRO]
Fellow thou, awake!
Varro: My lord?
Claudius: My lord?
Brutus: Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
Varro: [with Claudius]
Did we, my lord?
Brutus: Ay: saw you any thing?
Varro: No, my lord, I saw nothing.
Claudius: Nor I, my lord.
Brutus: Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; Bid
him set on his powers betimes before, And we will follow.
Varro: [with Claudius]
It shall be done, my lord.
[Exeunt]
Act V, Scene 1
The plains of Philippi.
[Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
Octavius: Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: You said
the enemy would not come down, But keep the hills and
upper regions; It proves not so: their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we
do demand of them.
Antony: Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore
they do it: they could be content To visit other places; and
come down With fearful bravery, thinking by this face To
fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; But 'tis not so.
[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger: Prepare you, generals: The enemy comes on in
gallant show; Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, And
something to be done immediately.
Antony: Octavius, lead your battle softly on, Upon the left
hand of the even field.
Octavius: Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
Antony: Why do you cross me in this exigent?
Octavius: I do not cross you; but I will do so.
[March]
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army;
LUCILIUS, Tintinius, MESSALA, and others]
Brutus: They stand, and would have parley.
Cassius: Stand fast, Tintinius: we must out and talk.
Octavius: Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
Antony: No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. Make
forth; the generals would have some words.
Octavius: Stir not until the signal.
Brutus: Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
Octavius: Not that we love words better, as you do.
Brutus: Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
Antony: In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words:
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying 'Long
live! hail, Caesar!'
Cassius: Antony, The posture of your blows are yet
unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, And
leave them honeyless.
Antony: Not stingless too.
Brutus: O, yes, and soundless too; For you have stol'n their
buzzing, Antony, And very wisely threat before you sting.
Antony: Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar: You show'd your
teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, And bow'd like
bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; Whilst damned Casca, like a
cur, behind Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!
Cassius: Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This
tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have
ruled.
Octavius: Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; I draw a
sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword
goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds
Be well avenged; or till another Caesar Have added slaughter
to the sword of traitors.
Brutus: Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, Unless
thou bring'st them with thee.
Octavius: So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
Brutus: O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man,
thou couldst not die more honourable.
Cassius: A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour,
Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
Antony: Old Cassius still!
Octavius: Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we
in your teeth: If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; If
not, when you have stomachs.
[Exeunt OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
Cassius: Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark!
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
Brutus: Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you.
Lucilius: [Standing forth.]
My lord?
[BRUTUS and LUCILIUS converse apart]
Cassius: Messala!
Messala: [Standing forth.]
What says my general?
Cassius: Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day Was
Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala: Be thou my
witness that against my will, As Pompey was, am I
compell'd to set Upon one battle all our liberties. You know
that I held Epicurus strong And his opinion: now I change
my mind, And partly credit things that do presage. Coming
from Sardis, on our former ensign Two mighty eagles fell,
and there they perch'd, Gorging and feeding from our
soldiers' hands; Who to Philippi here consorted us: This
morning are they fled away and gone; And in their steads do
ravens, crows and kites, Fly o'er our heads and downward
look on us, As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem A
canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies, ready to give
up the ghost.
Messala: Believe not so.
Cassius: I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit and
resolved To meet all perils very constantly.
Brutus: Even so, Lucilius.
Cassius: Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand
friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to
age! But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, Let's
reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this
battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together:
What are you then determined to do?
Brutus: Even by the rule of that philosophy By which I did
blame Cato for the death Which he did give himself, I know
not how, But I do find it cowardly and vile, For fear of what
might fall, so to prevent The time of life: arming myself with
patience To stay the providence of some high powers That
govern us below.
Cassius: Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be
led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome?
Brutus: No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, That
ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; He bears too great a
mind. But this same day Must end that work the ides of
March begun; And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take: For ever, and for
ever, farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall
smile; If not, why then, this parting was well made.
Cassius: For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus! If we do
meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting
was well made.
Brutus: Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know The
end of this day's business ere it come! But it sufficeth that
the day will end, And then the end is known. Come, ho!
away!
[Exeunt]
Act V, Scene 2
The same. The field of battle.
[Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA]
Brutus: Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Unto
the legions on the other side.
[Loud alarum]
Let them set on at once; for I perceive But cold demeanor in
Octavius' wing, And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
[Exeunt]
Act V, Scene 3
Another part of the field.
[Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and Tintinius]
Cassius: O, look, Tintinius, look, the villains fly! Myself
have to mine own turn'd enemy: This ensign here of mine
was turning back; I slew the coward, and did take it from
him.
Tintinius: O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; Who,
having some advantage on Octavius, Took it too eagerly: his
soldiers fell to spoil, Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
[Enter PINDARUS]
Pindarus: Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; Mark
Antony is in your tents, my lord Fly, therefore, noble
Cassius, fly far off.
Cassius: This hill is far enough. Look, look, Tintinius; Are
those my tents where I perceive the fire?
Tintinius: They are, my lord.
Cassius: Tintinius, if thou lovest me, Mount thou my horse,
and hide thy spurs in him, Till he have brought thee up to
yonder troops, And here again; that I may rest assured
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Tintinius: I will be here again, even with a thought.
[Exit]
Cassius: Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; My sight was
ever thick; regard Tintinius, And tell me what thou notest
about the field.
[PINDARUS ascends the hill]
This day I breathed first: time is come round, And where I
did begin, there shall I end; My life is run his compass.
Sirrah, what news?
Pindarus: [Above]
O my lord!
Cassius: What news?
Pindarus: [Above]
Tintinius is enclosed round about With horsemen, that make
to him on the spur; Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on
him. Now, Tintinius! Now some light. O, he lights too. He's
ta'en.
[Shout]
And, hark! they shout for joy.
Cassius: Come down, behold no more. O, coward that I am,
to live so long, To see my best friend ta'en before my face!
[PINDARUS descends]
Come hither, sirrah: In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; And
then I swore thee, saving of thy life, That whatsoever I did
bid thee do, Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine
oath; Now be a freeman: and with this good sword, That ran
through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. Stand not to
answer: here, take thou the hilts; And, when my face is
cover'd, as 'tis now, Guide thou the sword.
[PINDARUS stabs him]
Caesar, thou art revenged, Even with the sword that kill'd
thee.
[Dies]
Pindarus: So, I am free; yet would not so have been, Durst I
have done my will. O Cassius, Far from this country
Pindarus shall run, Where never Roman shall take note of
him.
[Exit]
[Re-enter Tintinius with MESSALA]
Messala: It is but change, Tintinius; for Octavius Is
overthrown by noble Brutus' power, As Cassius' legions are
by Antony.
Tintinius: These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Messala: Where did you leave him?
Tintinius: All disconsolate, With Pindarus his bondman, on
this hill.
Messala: Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
Tintinius: He lies not like the living. O my heart!
Messala: Is not that he?
Tintinius: No, this was he, Messala, But Cassius is no more.
O setting sun, As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night, So
in his red blood Cassius' day is set; The sun of Rome is set!
Our day is gone; Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds
are done! Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.
Messala: Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. O
hateful error, melancholy's child, Why dost thou show to the
apt thoughts of men The things that are not? O error, soon
conceived, Thou never comest unto a happy birth, But kill'st
the mother that engender'd thee!
Tintinius: What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
Messala: Seek him, Tintinius, whilst I go to meet The noble
Brutus, thrusting this report Into his ears; I may say,
thrusting it; For piercing steel and darts envenomed Shall be
as welcome to the ears of Brutus As tidings of this sight.
Tintinius: Hie you, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the
while.
[Exit MESSALA]
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? Did I not meet
thy friends? and did not they Put on my brows this wreath of
victory, And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their
shouts? Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing! But, hold
thee, take this garland on thy brow; Thy Brutus bid me give
it thee, and I Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, And
see how I regarded Caius Cassius. By your leave, gods:—
this is a Roman's part Come, Cassius' sword, and find
Tintinius' heart.
[Kills himself]
[Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO,
STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS]
Brutus: Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
Messala: Lo, yonder, and Tintinius mourning it.
Brutus: Tintinius' face is upward.
Young Cato: He is slain.
Brutus: O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! Thy spirit
walks abroad and turns our swords In our own proper
entrails.
[Low alarums]
Young Cato: Brave Tintinius! Look, whether he have not
crown'd dead Cassius!
Brutus: Are yet two Romans living such as these? The last of
all the Romans, fare thee well! It is impossible that ever
Rome Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears To
this dead man than you shall see me pay. I shall find time,
Cassius, I shall find time. Come, therefore, and to Thasos
send his body: His funerals shall not be in our camp, Lest it
discomfort us. Lucilius, come; And come, young Cato; let us
to the field. Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on: 'Tis three
o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night We shall try fortune in a
second fight.
[Exeunt]
Act V, Scene 4
Another part of the field.
[Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then
BRUTUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others]
Brutus: Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Young Cato: What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I
will proclaim my name about the field: I am the son of
Marcus Cato, ho! A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; I
am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
Brutus: And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my
country's friend; know me for Brutus!
[Exit]
Lucilius: O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now
thou diest as bravely as Tintinius; And mayst be honour'd,
being Cato's son.
First Soldier: Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius: Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt
kill me straight;
[Offering money]
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Soldier: We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier: Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
First Soldier: I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
[Enter ANTONY]
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
Antony: Where is he?
Lucilius: Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: I dare assure
thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do
find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like
himself.
Antony: This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you, A prize
no less in worth: keep this man safe; Give him all kindness: I
had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; And bring us word
unto Octavius' tent How every thing is chanced.
[Exeunt]
Act V, Scene 5
Another part of the field.
[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and
VOLUMNIUS]
Brutus: Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Clitus: Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, He
came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
Brutus: Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word; It is a
deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.
[Whispers]
Clitus: What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
Brutus: Peace then! no words.
Clitus: I'll rather kill myself.
Brutus: Hark thee, Dardanius.
[Whispers]
Dardanius: Shall I do such a deed?
Clitus: O Dardanius!
Dardanius: O Clitus!
Clitus: What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
Dardanius: To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
Clitus: Now is that noble vessel full of grief, That it runs
over even at his eyes.
Brutus: Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
Volumnius: What says my lord?
Brutus: Why, this, Volumnius: The ghost of Caesar hath
appear'd to me Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
And, this last night, here in Philippi fields: I know my hour
is come.
Volumnius: Not so, my lord.
Brutus: Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the
world, Volumnius, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to
the pit:
[Low alarums]
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, Than tarry till they
push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st that we two went to
school together: Even for that our love of old, I prithee, Hold
thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.
Volumnius: That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
[Alarum still]
Clitus: Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
Brutus: Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; Farewell to thee
too, Strato. Countrymen, My heart doth joy that yet in all my
life I found no man but he was true to me. I shall have glory
by this losing day More than Octavius and Mark Antony By
this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once;
for Brutus' tongue Hath almost ended his life's history: Night
hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but
labour'd to attain this hour.
[Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!']
Clitus: Fly, my lord, fly.
Brutus: Hence! I will follow.
[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: Thou art a fellow of a
good respect; Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, While I do run
upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Strato: Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.
Brutus: Farewell, good Strato.
[Runs on his sword]
Caesar, now be still: I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
[Dies]
[Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA,
LUCILIUS, and the army]
Octavius: What man is that?
Messala: My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
Strato: Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: The
conquerors can but make a fire of him; For Brutus only
overcame himself, And no man else hath honour by his
death.
Lucilius: So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
Octavius: All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Strato: Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Octavius: Do so, good Messala.
Messala: How died my master, Strato?
Strato: I held the sword, and he did run on it.
Messala: Octavius, then take him to follow thee, That did the
latest service to my master.
Antony: This was the noblest Roman of them all: All the
conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great
Caesar; He only, in a general honest thought And common
good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the
elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And
say to all the world 'This was a man!'
Octavius: According to his virtue let us use him, With all
respect and rites of burial. Within my tent his bones to-night
shall lie, Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. So call the
field to rest; and let's away, To part the glories of this happy
day.