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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Paraphrase by Kathy Livingston http://lklivingston.tripod.com/caesar/ Kathy Livingston’s Paraphrase was used by permission of the author. http://lklivingst...

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Paraphrase by Kathy Livingston http://lklivingston.tripod.com/caesar/ Kathy Livingston’s Paraphrase was used by permission of the author. http://lklivingston.tripod.com/caesar/ Formatted for Printing by Rodney Nelson Shakespeare’s original work is from Gutenberg Etext #1120 and is used under the following licence: This Etext file is presented by Project Gutenberg, in cooperation with World Library, Inc., from their Library of the Future and Shakespeare CDROMS. Project Gutenberg often releases Etexts that are NOT placed in the Public Domain!! *This Etext has certain copyright implications you should read!* *Project Gutenberg is proud to cooperate with The World Library* in the presentation of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare for your reading for education and entertainment. 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Kramer, Attorney Internet ([email protected]); TEL: (212-254-5093) **** SMALL PRINT! FOR __ COMPLETE SHAKESPEARE **** ["Small Print" V.12.08.93] i Dramatis Personae Julius Caesar................................................................................................. Roman statesman and general Octavius...................................Triumvir after Caesar's death, later Augustus Caesar, first emperor of Rome Mark Antony........................................................... general and friend of Caesar, a Triumvir after his death Lepidus..................................................................................................... third member of the Triumvirate Marcus Brutus................................................................................. leader of the conspiracy against Caesar Cassius.............................................................................................................. instigator of the conspiracy Casca................................................................................................................. conspirator against Caesar Trebonius........................................................................................................... conspirator against Caesar Caius Ligarius.................................................................................................... conspirator against Caesar Decius Brutus..................................................................................................... conspirator against Caesar Metellus Cimber................................................................................................. conspirator against Caesar Cinna................................................................................................................. conspirator against Caesar Calpurnia............................................................................................................................. wife of Caesar Portia....................................................................................................................................wife of Brutus Cicero..............................................................................................................................................senator Popilius............................................................................................................................................senator Popilius lena.....................................................................................................................................senator Flavius.............................................................................................................................................tribune Marullus...........................................................................................................................................tribune Cato.............................................................................................................................. supporter of Brutus Lucilius......................................................................................................................... supporter of Brutus Titinius......................................................................................................................... supporter of Brutus Messala......................................................................................................................... supporter of Brutus Volumnius.................................................................................................................... supporter of Brutus Artemidorus................................................................................................................. a teacher of rhetoric Cinna................................................................................................................................................ a poet Varro................................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Clitus................................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Claudio.............................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Strato................................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Lucius...............................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Dardanius..........................................................................................................................servant to Brutus Pindarus.......................................................................................................................... servant to Cassius The Ghost of Caesar A Soothsayer A Poet Senators, Citizens, Soldiers, Commoners, Messengers, and Servants ii SCENE: Rome, the conspirators' camp near Sardis, and the plains of Philippi. ACT I. SCENE I. Act I, Scene 1 Rome. A street. Enter Flavius, Marullus, and certain A street in Rome Commoners. Flavius. Flavius. Hence, home, you idle creatures, get you home. Get away from here! home, you lazy creatures, go home! Is this a holiday? What, know you not, Is this a holiday? What, don't you know, Being mechanical, you ought not walk Since you are workers, you should not walk around Upon a laboring day without the sign On a workday without carrying the tools Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? Of your trade? Speak, what is your trade? First Commoner. First Commoner. Why, sir, a carpenter. Why, sir, a carpenter. Marullus. Marullus. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? Where is your leather apron and your ruler? What dost thou with thy best apparel on? Why do you have your best clothes on? You, You, sir, what trade are you? Sir, what trade are you? Second Commoner. Second Commoner. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am Truly sir, in respect of a fine workman I am only, as you but, as you would say, a cobbler. would say, a cobbler. Marullus. Marullus. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. But what trade are you? Give me a straight answer. Second Commoner. Second Commoner. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe A trade, sir, that I hope I may do with a safe conscience, conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. Marullus. Marullus. What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what What trade, wise guy? You dirty trickster, what trade? trade? Second Commoner. Second Commoner. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me; yet, No, I beg you, sir, don't be out with me. But if you are out, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. sir, I can fix you. Marullus. Marullus. What mean'st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy What do you mean by that? Fix me, you disrespectful fellow! fellow? Second Commoner. Second Commoner. Why, sir, cobble you. Why, sir, cobble you. Flavius. Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? You are a cobbler, are you? Second Commoner. Second Commoner. Truly, Sir, all that I live by is with the awl; I meddle Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl. I don't fool with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters, with any worker's matters or women's matters, but with but with awl. I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old all. I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes. When they shoes; when they are in great danger, I recover are in great danger, I heal them. The most proper men them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's that ever walked on calfskin have walked on my leather have gone upon my handiwork. handiwork. Flavius. Flavius. But wherefore art not in thy shop today? But why are you not in your shop today? Why do you lead Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? these people through the streets? Second Commoner. Second Commoner. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get myself into Really, sir, to wear out their shoes, so I will have more more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see work. But actually, sir, we are taking the day off to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph. Caesar and to celebrate his victory. Marullus. Marullus. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? Why rejoice? What conquest does he bring home? What tributaries follow him to Rome What captured prisoners follow him to Rome 1 To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? Chained to the wheels of his chariot? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! things! O you hard hearts, you cruel people of Rome! O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Didn't you know Pompey? Many times Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft You climbed up to walls and battlements, Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, To towers and windows, yes, to chimney tops, To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops, Your babies in your arms, and there you sat Your infants in your arms, and there have sat All day, patiently waiting, The livelong day with patient expectation To see great Pompey pass through the streets of Rome. To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. And when you barely saw his chariot appear, And when you saw his chariot but appear, Didn't everyone shout, Have you not made an universal shout So that the Tiber shook under her banks That Tiber trembled underneath her banks To hear the echo of your sounds To hear the replication of your sounds Made in her concave shores? Made in her concave shores? And do you now put on your best clothes? And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now choose a holiday? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now throw flowers in the path And do you now strew flowers in his way Of the man who comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone! Be gone! Run to your houses, fall on your knees, Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Pray to the gods to hold back the deadly disease Pray to the gods to intermit the plague That would be a fair punishment for your ingratitude. That needs must light on this ingratitude. Flavius. Flavius. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, Go, go, good countrymen, and for this weakness Assemble all the poor men of your sort, Gather all the poor men like you; Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears Bring them to the banks of the Tiber, and weep your tears Into the channel, till the lowest stream Into the river, until the water overflows. Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. Exeunt all Commoners. [Exit all the commoners] See whether their basest metal be not moved; We'll see if their poor characters are affected. They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. They feel so guilty that they leave without speaking. Go you down that way towards the Capitol; You go down that way towards the Capitol; This way will I. Disrobe the images I'll go this way. Strip the statues If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. Of any decorations you find on them. Marullus. Marullus. May we do so? Can we do that? You know it is the feast of Lupercal. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Flavius. Flavius. It is no matter; let no images It doesn't matter. Let no statues Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about Be decorated with Caesar's trophies. And drive away the vulgar from the streets; I'll go around So do you too, where you perceive them thick. And scatter the rest of the commoners. These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing Do the same yourself wherever they are forming a crowd. Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, These growing feathers that we pull from Caesar's wing Who else would soar above the view of men Will make him fly at an ordinary height, And keep us all in servile fearfulness. When otherwise he would soar too high to be seen and keep us all under him and afraid. Exeunt. 2 SCENE II. Act I, Scene 2 A public place. [A public place in Rome] Flourish. Enter Caesar; Antony, for the course; [A flourish of trumpets announces the approach of Caesar. Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, A large crowd of Commoners has assembled; a and Casca; a great crowd follows, among them a Soothsayer is among them. Enter Caesar; his wife, Soothsayer. Calpurnia; Portia; Decius; Cicero; Brutus; Cassius; Casca; and Antony, who is stripped down in preparation for running in the games.] Caesar. Caesar. Calpurnia! Calpurnia. Casca. Casca. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. Be quiet! Caesar speaks. Music ceases. Caesar. Caesar. Calpurnia! Calpurnia Calpurnia. Calpurnia. Here, my lord. Here, my lord. Caesar. Caesar. Stand you directly in Antonio's way, Stand in Antony's path When he doth run his course. Antonio! When he runs the race. Antonius. Antony. Antonius. Caesar, my lord? Caesar, my lord? Caesar. Caesar. Forget not in your speed, Antonio, In your hurry, don't forget, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say To touch Calpurnia; for the old people say The barren, touched in this holy chase, That barren women, touched by someone running in this Shake off their sterile curse. holy race, Lose the curse of sterility. Antony. Antonius. I shall remember. I shall remember. When Caesar says "Do this," it is perform'd. When Caesar says "Do this," it is done. Caesar. Caesar. Set on, and leave no ceremony out. Do what you need to do, and don't leave out any part of the ritual. Flourish. [Flourish of trumpets. Caesar starts to leave.] Soothsayer. Soothsayer. Caesar! Caesar! Caesar. Caesar. Ha! Who calls? Ha! Who calls me? Casca. Casca. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again! Tell everyone to be quiet. Silence again! Caesar. Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me? Who is in the crowd that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, I hear a voice shriller than all the music Cry "Caesar." Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear. Cry "Caesar!" Speak. Caesar is turned to hear. Soothsayer. Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. Beware the ides of March. Caesar. Caesar. What man is that? Who is that? Brutus. Brutus. A soothsayer you beware the ides of March. A soothsayer tells you to beware the ides of March. Caesar. Caesar. Set him before me let me see his face. Put him in front of me; let me see his face. Cassius. Cassius. 3 Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. Fellow, come out of the crowd; look at Caesar. Caesar. Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. What do you say to me now? Say it one more time. Soothsayer. Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. Beware the ides of March. Caesar. Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass. Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. [Trumpets sound. Exit all but Brutus and Cassius.] Cassius. Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course? Are you going to watch the race? Brutus. Brutus. Not I. Not I. Cassius. Cassius. I pray you, do. I wish you would. Brutus. Brutus. I am not gamesome; I do lack some part I do not like sports. I am not Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Athletic like Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; Don't let me spoil, Cassius, what you want to do. I'll leave you. I'll leave you. Cassius. Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late; Brutus, I have watched you lately; I have not from your eyes that gentleness I have not seen in your eyes the kindness And show of love as I was wont to have; And friendliness I used to see. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand You are being too stubborn and too distant Over your friend that loves you. From your friend who cares about you. Brutus. Brutus. Cassius, Cassius, Be not deceived; if I have veil'd my look, Don't be deceived. If I have hidden my true feelings, I turn the trouble of my countenance I have been frowning Merely upon myself. Vexed I am Only at myself. I have been troubled Of late with passions of some difference, Lately by mixed emotions, Conceptions only proper to myself, Personal matters that concern no one else, Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; Which are, perhaps, affecting the way I act. But let not therefore my good friends be grieved- But don't let my good friends be upset Among which number, Cassius, be you one- (And you, Cassius, are counted as one of them) Nor construe any further my neglect Or interpret my neglect of them as anything more serious Than that poor Brutus with himself at war Than that poor Brutus, at war with himself, Forgets the shows of love to other men. Forgets to be friendly to other men. Cassius. Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion, In that case, Brutus, I have misunderstood your feelings, By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Because of which I have kept to myself Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Certain important thoughts, worthy ideas. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Brutus. Brutus. No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself No, Cassius, for the eye cannot see itself But by reflection, by some other things. Except when it is reflected by something else. Cassius. Cassius. 'Tis just, That's true. And it is very much lamented, Brutus, And it is too bad, Brutus, That you don't have any mirrors That you have no such mirrors as will turn that would show Your hidden worthiness into your eye Your inner qualities to you, That you might see your shadow. I have heard So that you could see their reflection. I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome, That many of the most respected people in Rome Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus (Except immortal Caesar), speaking about Brutus And groaning underneath this age's yoke, And suffering under the troubles of this time, Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. Have wished that noble Brutus could see himself the way 4  they see him. Brutus. Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, What danger are you leading me into, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself That you want me to search inside myself For that which is not in me? For something that is not there? Cassius. Cassius. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear, In that case, good Brutus, listen; And since you know you cannot see yourself Since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I your glass Without being reflected, I, your mirror, Will modestly discover to yourself Will without exaggerating show you That of yourself which you yet know not of. Things about yourself which you don't yet realize. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus; And don't be suspicious of me, gentle Brutus, Were I a common laugher, or did use If you think I'm a fool, or someone To stale with ordinary oaths my love Who pretends to be the friend To every new protester, if you know Of everyone who promises friendship to me; if you believe That I do fawn on men and hug them hard That I show friendship And after scandal them, or if you know And then gossip about my friends; or if you know That I profess myself in banqueting That I try to win the affections To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. Of the common people, then consider me dangerous. Flourish and shout. [Flourish and shout.] Brutus. Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear the people What does this shouting mean? I am afraid the people Choose Caesar for their king. Choose Caesar to be their king. Cassius. Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? Ay, are you afraid of it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Then I must believe that you don't want it to happen. Brutus. Brutus. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. I don't want it, Cassius, but Caesar is my good friend. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? But why do you keep me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? What is it that you want to tell me? If it be aught toward the general good, If it is anything concerning the good of Rome, Set honor in one eye and death i' the other Put honor on one side and death on the other, And I will look on both indifferently. And I will face either one; For let the gods so speed me as I love For let the gods give me good fortune only if I love The name of honor more than I fear death. The name of honor more than I fear death. Cassius. Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, I know that what you have just said is true about you, As well as I do know your outward favor. Brutus, Well, honor is the subject of my story. Just as well as I know your outward appearance. I cannot tell what you and other men Well, honor is what I want to talk about. Think of this life, but, for my single self, I don't know what you and other people I had as lief not be as live to be Think about life, but just for myself, In awe of such a thing as I myself. I would rather die than live to be I was born free as Caesar, so were you; In awe of someone no better than I am. We both have fed as well, and we can both I was born as free as Caesar, so were you; Endure the winter's cold as well as he. We eat the same foods, and we can both For once, upon a raw and gusty day, Stand the winter's cold just as well as Caesar. The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, One time, on a cold and windy day, Caesar said to me, "Darest thou, Cassius, now When the Tiber River was rising in the storm, Leap in with me into this angry flood Caesar said to me, "Cassius, I dare you And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word, To leap with me into this angry flood Accoutred as I was, I plunged in And swim to that spot way over there." As soon as he said And bade him follow. So indeed he did. it, The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it Dressed like I was, I plunged in With lusty sinews, throwing it aside And dared him to follow. That's exactly what he did. And stemming it with hearts of controversy. The torrent roared, and we fought it 5 But ere we could arrive the point proposed, With strong muscles, throwing it aside Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink! And conquering it with our spirit of competition. I, as Aeneas our great ancestor But before we could arrive at the designated spot, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I will sink!" The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Just like Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Carried the old Anchises from the flames of Troy Is now become a god, and Cassius is On his shoulder, I from the waves of Tiber A wretched creature and must bend his body Carried the tired Caesar. And this man If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. Is now considered a god, and Cassius is He had a fever when he was in Spain, A wretched creature and must bow down And when the fit was on him I did mark If Caesar even carelessly nods at him. How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake; He had a fever when he was in Spain, His coward lips did from their color fly, And when he was having fits, I saw clearly And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world How he shook. It is true, this god shook. Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan. His lips turned pale, Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans And that same eye whose glance awes the world Mark him and write his speeches in their books, Lost his shine. I heard him groan. Alas, it cried, "Give me some drink, Titinius," Yes, and that tongue of his that persuaded the Romans As a sick girl. Ye gods! It doth amaze me To watch him closely and write his speeches in their books, A man of such a feeble temper should Alas, it cried, "Give me something to drink, Titinius," So get the start of the majestic world Just like a sick girl! You gods! It amazes me And bear the palm alone.. That such a weak man should Get ahead of the rest of the world And appear as the victor all by himself. Shout. Flourish [Shout. Flourish.] Brutus. Brutus. Another general shout! The crowd shouts again? I do believe that these applauses are I think that all this applause is For some new honors that are heap'd on Caesar. For some new honors that are given to Caesar. Cassius. Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Why, man, he stands with the puny world between his legs Like a Colossus, and we petty men Like a Colossus, and we insignificant men Walk under his huge legs and peep about Walk under his huge legs and look around To find ourselves dishonorable graves. To find ourselves dishonorable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: Men at some point in time are in charge of their own The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, destinies. But in ourselves that we are underlings. It is not the fault, dear Brutus, of our stars Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that "Caesar"? That we are inferiors, but it is our own fault. Why should that name be sounded more than yours? "Brutus" and "Caesar." What is so special about the name Write them together, yours is as fair a name; "Caesar"? Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Why should that name be spoken more than yours? Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, Write them together: your name looks just as good. "Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar." Say them, yours sounds as good. Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Weigh them, it is as heavy. Call up spirits with them: Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed "Brutus" will call up a spirit as soon as "Caesar." That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed! Now in the names of all the gods at once, Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! What does our Caesar eat When went there by an age since the great flood To make him grow so large? It is a shameful time to be But it was famed with more than with one man? living! When could they say till now that talk'd of Rome Rome, you have lost all your noble people! That her wide walls encompass'd but one man? Since the great Flood, when was there a time Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough, That wasn't made famous by more than one man? When there is in it but one only man. When could people talking of Rome say (till now) O, you and I have heard our fathers say That her wide walls contained only one man? There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd Now it is Rome indeed, and plenty of room, The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome When there is only one man in it! O, you and I have heard 6 As easily as a king. our fathers say That there was once a man named Brutus who would have tolerated The eternal devil ruling Rome As easily as he would a king. Brutus. Brutus. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; I am sure that you are my friend. What you would work me to, I have some aim. What you are trying to persuade me of, I can guess. How I have thought of this and of these times, What I think about this, and about these times, I shall recount hereafter; for this present, I will tell you later. For right now, I would not, so with love I might entreat you, I ask you as a friend not Be any further moved. What you have said To try to convince me further. What you have said I will consider; what you have to say I will think about; what you have to say I will with patience hear, and find a time I will patiently hear, and I will find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Appropriate both to hear and to answer such important Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: things. Brutus had rather be a villager Until then, my noble friend, chew on this: Than to repute himself a son of Rome Brutus would rather be a villager Under these hard conditions as this time Than to represent himself as a son of Rome Is like to lay upon us. Under the difficult conditions that this time in history Is likely to put on us. Cassius. Cassius. I am glad that my weak words I am glad Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. That my weak words have provoked this much strong Reaction from Brutus. Re-enter Caesar and his Train. [Voices and music are heard approaching.] Brutus. Brutus. The games are done, and Caesar is returning. The games are over, and Caesar is returning. Cassius. Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, As they pass by, pull Casca's sleeve, And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you And he will (in his sour way) tell you What hath proceeded worthy note today. What of importance has happened today. [Reenter Caesar and his train of followers.] Brutus. Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, I'll do it. But look, Cassius! The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, There is an angry spot glowing on Caesar's face, And all the rest look like a chidden train: And everyone else looks like a group of followers who Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero have been scolded. Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes Calpurnia's cheeks are pale, and Cicero As we have seen him in the Capitol, Has fiery eyes like an angry ferret, Being cross'd in conference by some senators. The look he gets in the Capitol, When other senators disagree with him. Cassius. Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is. Casca will tell us what the matter is. [Caesar looks at Cassius and turns to Antony.] Caesar. Caesar. Antonio! Antonius. Antony. Antonius. Caesar? Caesar? Caesar. Caesar. Let me have men about me that are fat, Let me have men around me who are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Sleek-headed men, and men that sleep at night. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; Cassius, over there, has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much; such men are dangerous. He thinks too much; such men are dangerous. Antony. Antonius. Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous; Don't be afraid of him, Caesar; he's not dangerous. 7 He is a noble Roman and well given. He is a noble Roman, and your supporter. Caesar. Caesar. Would he were fatter! But I fear him not, I wish he were fatter! But I am not afraid of him. Yet if my name were liable to fear, Still, if I were the sort of person who became afraid, I do not know the man I should avoid I do not know the man I would avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much, As soon as that spare Cassius. He reads too much, He is a great observer, and he looks He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, Quite through men's actions into their hearts. He does not As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music; enjoy plays Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort Like you do, Antony; he does not listen to music. As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit He seldom smiles, and when he does, he smiles in such a That could be moved to smile at anything. way Such men as he be never at heart's ease That it's like he made fun of himself and looked down on Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, his spirit And therefore are they very dangerous. Because something could make it smile. I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd Men like him are never able to enjoy life Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar. While they see someone greater than themselves, Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And for that reason they are very dangerous. And tell me truly what thou think'st of him. I am telling you what there is to be afraid of, Not what I fear, for always I am Caesar. Come to my right side, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truthfully what you think of him. Sennet. Exeunt Caesar and all his Train but Casca. [Trumpets sound. Exit Caesar and all his train except Casca, who stays behind.] Casca. Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me? You pulled me by the cloak. Do you wish to speak with me? Brutus. Brutus. Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced today Yes, Casca. Tell us what has happened today That Caesar looks so sad. To make Caesar look so sad. Casca. Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? Why, you were with him, weren't you? Brutus. Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanced. If I were, I wouldn't ask Casca what had happened. Casca. Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him, and being offered Why, there was a crown offered to him; and when it was him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and offered to him, he pushed it aside with the back of his then the people fell ashouting. hand, like this. And then the people started shouting. Brutus. Brutus. What was the second noise for? What was the second noise for? Casca. Casca. Why, for that too. Why, for the same reason. Cassius. They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for? Casca. Why, for that too. Brutus. Brutus. Was the crown offered him thrice? Was the crown offered to him three times? Casca. Casca. Ay, marry, wast, and he put it by thrice, every time Yes, indeed, it was! and he pushed it away three times, gentler than other, and at every putting by mine each time more gently than the others; and every time he honest neighbors shouted. pushed it away my honest neighbors shouted. Cassius. Cassius. Who offered him the crown? Who offered him the crown? Casca. Casca. Why, Antony. Why, Antony. 8 Brutus. Brutus. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. Tell us how it happened, gentle Casca. Casca. Casca. I can as well be hang'd as tell the manner of it. It was I could as easily be hanged as tell how it happened. It was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony mere foolery; I did not pay attention to it. I saw Mark offer him a crown (yet 'twas not a crown neither, Antony offer him a crown--but it was not a crown either, 'twas one of these coronets) and, as I told you, he put it was one of these coronets--and, as I told you, he it by once. But for all that, to my thinking, he would pushed it away once. But for all that, to my thinking, he fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again; then would gladly have taken it. Then he offered it to him he put it by again. But, to my thinking, he was very again; then he pushed it away again; but to my thinking, loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it he was very reluctant to take his fingers off of it. And the third time; he put it the third time by; and still as then he offered it the third time. He pushed it away the he refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their third time; and still while he refused it, the unruly crowd chopped hands and threw up their sweaty nightcaps hooted, and clapped their chapped hands, and threw up and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because their sweaty nightcaps, and let out so much stinking Caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked breath because Caesar refused the crown that it, almost, Caesar, for he swounded and fell down at it. And for choked Caesar; for he fainted and fell down because of mine own part, I durst not laugh for fear of opening it. And for my own part, I didn't dare laugh, for fear of my lips and receiving the bad air. opening my lips and breathing the bad air. Cassius. Cassius. But, soft, I pray you, what, did Caesars wound? But wait a minute, I beg you. What, did Caesar faint? Casca. Casca. He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at the mouth and was speechless. and was speechless. Brutus. Brutus. 'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness. That sounds like him. He has the falling sickness. Cassius. Cassius. No, Caesar hath it not, but you, and I, No, Caesar doesn't have it; but you, and I, and honest And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. Casca, we have the falling sickness. Casca. Casca. I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar I don't know what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tagrag people did not clap him and fell down. If the rag-tag people did not clap at him and hiss him according as he pleased and displeased hiss at him, according to how he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I them, like they are used to doing with the actors in the am no true man. theater, I am no true man. Brutus. Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself? What did he say when he came to himself? Casca. Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the Indeed, before he fell down, when he saw that the crowd common herd was glad he refused the crown, he was glad that he refused the crown, he pulled open his plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his jacket and offered them his throat to cut. If I had been a throat to cut. An had been a man of any occupation, worker with a proper tool, may I go to hell with the if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I sinners if I would not have done as he asked. And so he might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything wrong, he desired their worships done or said anything amiss, he desired their to think that it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four where I stood cried, "Alas, good soul!" and forgave him wenches where I stood cried, "Alas, good soul!" and with all their hearts. But you can't pay any attention to forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed them. If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would to be taken of them; if Caesar had stabbed their have done the same thing. mothers, they would have done no less. Brutus. Brutus. And after that he came, thus sad, away? And after that, he came away upset? Casca. Casca. Ay. Yes. 9 Cassius. Cassius. Did Cicero say anything? Did Cicero say anything? Casca. Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Yes, he spoke Greek. Cassius. Cassius. To what effect? What did he say? Casca. Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face No, if I tell you that, I'll never look you in the face again. again; but those that understood him smiled at one But those who understood him smiled at each other and another and shook their heads; but for mine own part, shook their heads; but as far as I was concerned, it was it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Greek to me. I could tell you more news, too. Marullus Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's and Flavius, for pulling decorations off Caesar's statues, images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was are put to silence. Good day to you. There was even more foolery yet, if could remember it. more foolishness, if I could remember it. Cassius. Cassius. Will you sup with me tonight, Casca? Will you have dinner with me tonight, Casca? Casca. Casca. No, I am promised forth. No, I have made other plans. Cassius. Cassius. Will you dine with me tomorrow? Will you dine with me tomorrow? Casca. Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner Yes, if I am alive, and your mind does not change, and your worth the eating. dinner is worth eating. Cassius. Cassius. Good, I will expect you. Good, I will expect you. Casca. Casca. Do so, farewell, both. Do so. Farewell to both of you. Exit [Exit.] Brutus. Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! What a dull fellow he has grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school. He was clever when he went to school. Cassius. Cassius. So is he now in execution He still is now when he's carrying out Of any bold or noble enterprise, Any daring or important project, However he puts on this tardy form. Even though he pretends to be slow. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, This rudeness of his is a sauce to his intelligence, Which gives men stomach to digest his words Which makes people more willing With better appetite. To accept the things he says. Brutus. Brutus. And so it is. For this time I will leave you. And so it is. For now I will leave you. Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me, Tomorrow, if you want to speak with me, I will come home to you, or, if you will, I will come to your house; or if you want, Come home to me and I will wait for you. Come to mine, and I will wait for you. Cassius. Cassius. I will do so. Till then, think of the world. I will do so. Until then, think of the world. Exit Brutus. [Exit Brutus.] Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see Well, Brutus, you are noble; but I see Thy honorable mettle may be wrought Your honorable nature can be manipulated From that it is disposed; therefore it is meet Into something not quite so honorable. That's why it is That noble minds keep ever with their likes; proper For who so firm that cannot be seduced? That noble people associate with others like them; Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus. For who is so firm that cannot be seduced? If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, Caesar holds a grudge against me, but he is a friend to He should not humor me. I will this night, Brutus. In several hands, in at his windows throw, If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, As if they came from several citizens, He would not fool me. I will tonight 10 Writings, all tending to the great opinion Throw through his window notes That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely In different handwriting, as if they came from several Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at. people, And after this let Caesar seat him sure; All pointing out the great respect For we will shake him, or worse days endure. That Rome has for him; in these Caesar's ambition will be hinted at. And after this let Caesar establish himself securely, For we will shake him down from his position or suffer the consequences. Exit. 11 SCENE III.. Act I, Scene 3 A street. Thunder and lightning Enter, from opposite sides, [Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero. Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero.] Cicero. Cicero. Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home? Good evening, Casca. Did you take Caesar home? Why are you breathless, and why stare you so? Why are you out of breath? And why are you staring like that? Casca. Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Doesn't it disturb you when the natural order of things Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, Shakes like something that is unstable? O, Cicero, I have seen tempests when the scolding winds I have seen storms when the scolding winds Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen Have torn the knotty oaks, and I have seen The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam To be exalted with the threatening clouds, To raise itself to the level of the threatening clouds; But never till tonight, never till now, But never till tonight, never till now, Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. Did I go through a storm dropping fire. Either there is a civil strife in heaven, Either there is a civil war in heaven, Or else the world too saucy with the gods Or else the world, too disrespectful of the gods, Incenses them to send destruction. Makes them angry enough to destroy it. Cicero. Cicero. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Why, did you see anything that was strange? Casca. Casca. A common slave- you know him well by sight- A common slave--you know him well by sight-- Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Held up his left hand, which gave off flames and burned Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand Like twenty torches put together; but his hand, Not sensible of fire remain'd unscorch'd. Not feeling the fire, remained unscorched. Besides- I ha' not since put up my sword- Also--I haven't put my sword away since this happened-- Against the Capitol I met a lion, At the Capitol I met a lion, Who glaz'd upon me and went surly by Who glared at me, and walked by in a bad temper Without annoying me. And there were drawn Without bothering me. And there were huddled together Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women In a heap a hundred pale women, Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw Changed by their fear, who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. Men, covered with fire, walk up and down the streets. And yesterday the bird of night did sit And yesterday the owl, a night bird, sat Even at noonday upon the marketplace, At noon in the marketplace, Howling and shrieking. When these prodigies Hooting and shrieking. When strange events like these Do so conjointly meet, let not men say Happen at the same time, no one should say, "These are their reasons; they are natural": "There are explanations, these are natural events," For I believe they are portentous things For I believe they are bad omens Unto the climate that they point upon. For the place where they happen. Cicero. Cicero. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time. Indeed, the times are strange. But men may construe things after their fashion, But people can interpret events the way they want to, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. No matter what actually causes the events. Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow? Is Caesar coming to the Capitol tomorrow? Casca. Casca. He doth, for he did bid Antonio He is, because he asked Antonius Send word to you he would be there tomorrow. To give you the message that he would be there tomorrow. Cicero. Cicero. Good then, Casca. This disturbed sky Goodnight then, Casca. It is not a good idea to walk Is not to walk in. Under this disturbed sky. Casca. Casca. Farewell, Cicero. Farewell, Cicero. 12 Exit Cicero. [Exit Cicero.] Enter Cassius. [Enter Cassius.] Cassius. Cassius. Who's there? Who's there? Casca. Casca. A Roman. A Roman. Cassius. Cassius. Casca, by your voice. You must be Casca, by your voice. Casca. Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! Your ear is good. Cassius, what kind of a night is this! Cassius. Cassius. A very pleasing night to honest men. A very pleasant night for honest men. Casca. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Who has ever seen the heavens threaten like this? Cassius. Cassius. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. Those who have known that the earth is full of faults. For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, As far as I'm concerned, I have walked around the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night, Offering myself to the dangerous night, And thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, And, with my coat open, Casca, as you see, Have bared my bosom to the thunderstone; Have exposed my chest to the thunder and lightning; And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open And when the zigzag blue lightning seemed to open The breast of heaven, I did present myself The breast of heaven, I presented myself Even in the aim and very flash of it. Right where it aimed and flashed. Casca. Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? But why did you tempt the heavens so much? It is the part of men to fear and tremble Men are supposed to fear and tremble When the most mighty gods by tokens send When the most mighty gods use signs to send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. Such frightening messengers to scare us. Cassius. Cassius. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life That should be in a Roman you do want, That every Roman should have you either lack, Or else you use not. You look pale and gaze Or else you don't use. You look pale, and stare, And put on fear and cast yourself in wonder And show fear, and are amazed, To see the strange impatience of the heavens. To see the strange impatience of the heavens. But if you would consider the true cause But if you would consider the true cause Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, Of all these fires, of all these gliding ghosts, Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, Of birds and animals that change their natures; Why old men, fools, and children calculate, Of foolish old men and children who can predict the Why all these things change from their ordinance, future; Their natures, and preformed faculties Of all these things that change from their regular behavior, To monstrous quality, why, you shall find Their natures, and established function, That heaven hath infused them with these spirits To unnatural behavior, why, you will discover To make them instruments of fear and warning That heaven has given them these supernatural powers Unto some monstrous state. To make them bring fear and a warning Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man Of some evil condition. Most like this dreadful night, Now I could, Casca, give you the name of one man That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars Who is very much like this dreadful night As doth the lion in the Capitol, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars A man no mightier than thyself or me Like the lion in the Capitol; In personal action, yet prodigious grown A man no mightier than you or I And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. In his personal actions, but who has become enormous And threatening, just like these strange happenings are. Casca. Casca. 'Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius? It is Caesar that you mean. Isn't it, Cassius? Cassius. Cassius. Let it be who it is, for Romans now Let it be whoever it is. Modern Romans 13 Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors. Have muscles and limbs like our ancestors. But, woe the while! Our fathers' minds are dead, But alas for the times! we have the minds of our mothers, And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits; Not of our fathers; Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. Our acceptance of a dictator shows us to be like women, not men. Casca. Casca. Indeed they say the senators tomorrow Indeed, they say that the senators Mean to establish Caesar as a king, Plan to make Caesar king tomorrow, And he shall wear his crown by sea and land And he will rule over sea and land In every place save here in Italy. Everywhere except here in Italy. Cassius. Cassius. I know where I will wear this dagger then: I know where I will wear this dagger then; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. I will free myself from slavery. Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; In this way, you gods, you make the weak strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat. In this way, you gods, you defeat tyrants. Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Neither a stone tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron Nor an airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; Can imprison a strong spirit; But life, being weary of these worldly bars, Life, when it is tired of these worldly bars, Never lacks power to dismiss itself. Always has the power to allow itself to leave. If I know this, know all the world besides, If I know this, the rest of the world knows, That part of tyranny that I do bear The part of tyranny that I endure I can shake off at pleasure. I can shake off when I choose to. Thunder still. [Thunder still.] Casca. Casca. So can I. So can I. So every bondman in his own hand bears So every slave in his own hand holds The power to cancel his captivity. The power to end his captivity. Cassius. Cassius. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? So why is Caesar a tyrant then? Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf But that he sees the Romans are but sheep. If he didn't see that the Romans are only sheep; He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. He would not be a lion if the Romans were not hinds. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire People who want to quickly build a huge fire Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome, Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome, What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves What rubbish and what garbage, when it acts For the base matter to illuminate As the kindling to light up So vile a thing as Caesar? But, O grief, Such a disgusting thing as Caesar! But, O grief, Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this Where have you led me? I, perhaps, am saying this Before a willing bondman; then I know In front of a willing slave. In that case I know My answer must be made. But I am arm'd, I will have to answer for my words. But I am armed, And dangers are to me indifferent. And dangers don't matter to me. Casca. Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man You are speaking to Casca, and to the sort of man That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand. Who is not a tattle-tale. Stop, my hand. Be factious for redress of all these griefs, Form a group to correct all these wrongs, And I will set this foot of mine as far And I will go as far As who goes farthest. As anyone else. Cassius. Cassius. There's a bargain made. You have a deal. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Now you should know, Casca, that I have already Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans persuaded To undergo with me an enterprise A certain few of the noblest-minded Romans Of honorable-dangerous consequence; To attempt with me an enterprise And I do know by this, they stay for me Of honorable-dangerous importance; In Pompey's Porch. For now, this fearful night, And I know, right now they are waiting for me 14 There is no stir or walking in the streets, At the entrance to Pompey's Theater; because now, on this And the complexion of the element frightening night, In favor's like the work we have in hand, No one is stirring or walking in the streets, Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. And the condition of the sky Looks like the work we have ahead of us, Bloody, full of fire, and terrible. Enter Cinna [Enter Cinna.] Casca. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Stand hidden for awhile, for here comes someone in a hurry. Cassius. Cassius. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait; It's Cinna. I know the way he walks. He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? He is a friend. Cinna, where are you going in such a hurry? Cinna. Cinna. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? To find you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cassius. Cassius. No, it is Casca, one incorporate No, it is Casca, who is now part To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? Of our plan. Are they waiting for me? Cinna. Cinna. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! I am glad of it. What a frightening night this is! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cassius. Cassius. Am I not stay'd for? Tell me. Are they waiting for me? Tell me. Cinna. Cinna. Yes, you are. Yes, they are. O Cassius, if you could O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party- Only persuade the noble Brutus to join us-- Cassius. Cassius. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, Be satisfied. Good Cinna, take this note And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, And put it in the judge's seat, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this Where Brutus will find it, and throw this one In at his window; set this up with wax Through his window. Stick this one with wax Upon old Brutus' statue. All this done, On old Brutus' statue. When you've done all of that, Repair to Pompey's Porch, where you shall find us. Go to Pompey's Porch, where you will find us. Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? Are Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? Cinna. Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber, and he's gone Everyone except Metellus Cimber, and he went To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie To look for you at your house. Well, I'll hurry And so bestow these papers as you bade me. To place these papers where you told me. Cassius. Cassius. That done, repair to Pompey's Theatre. When you finish, go to Pompey's Theater. Exit Cinna. [Exit Cinna.] Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day Come, Casca, you and I will still before morning See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him See Brutus at his house. Three-fourths of him Is ours already, and the man entire Belongs to us already, and the whole man Upon the next encounter yields him ours. Will be ours after we next meet him. Casca. Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts, O, the people love him, And that which would appear offense in us, And something which would seem offensive if we did it, His countenance, like richest alchemy, His face like magic, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. Will change so it becomes good and worthy. Cassius. Cassius. Him and his worth and our great need of him Him and his importance and the reason we need him You have right well conceited. Let us go, You have figured out. Let's go, For it is after midnight, and ere day For it is past midnight, and before day comes 15 We will awake him and be sure of him. We will wake him up and make sure he is ours. Exeunt. 16 ACT II. SCENE I. Act II, Scene 1 Enter Brutus in his orchard. Brutus' orchard in Rome Brutus. Brutus. What, Lucius, ho! Lucius! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, There are no stars in the sky Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say! To tell me how close it is to morning. Lucius, I say! I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. I wish I could sleep that soundly. When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius! When are you coming, Lucius, when? Wake up, I say! Lucius! Enter Lucius [Enter Lucius from the house.] Lucius. Lucius. Call'd you, my lord? Did you call, my lord? Brutus. Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. Get a candle and put it in my study, Lucius. When it is lighted, come and call me here. When it is lit, come and find me here. Lucius. Lucius. I will, my lord. I will, my lord. Exit. [Exit.] [Brutus returns to his brooding.] Brutus. Brutus. It must be by his death, and, for my part, It can only be solved by Caesar's death; for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, I have no personal grudge against him; But for the general. He would be crown'd: I'm thinking only of the general welfare. He wants to be How that might change his nature, there's the question. crowned. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder The question is, how would that change his personality? And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, It is the sunshine that brings out the snake, And then, I grant, we put a sting in him So walk carefully. Give him a crown, That at his will he may do danger with. And then we have put a poisonous bite in him The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins That he can cause trouble with whenever he wants. Remorse from power, and, to speak truth of Caesar, Greatness is abused when it separates I have not known when his affections sway'd Pity from power. And to tell the truth about Caesar, More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof I have never known him to be controlled by his heart That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Instead of his head. But people often say Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; That humility is a ladder for young ambition, But when he once attains the upmost round, Which the person climbing up looks toward; He then unto the ladder turns his back, But once he reaches the top rung, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees He then turns his back to the ladder, By which he did ascend. So Caesar may; And looks into the clouds, scorning the lower levels Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Which he climbed upon to reach this high position. This is Will bear no color for the thing he is, what Caesar may do. Fashion it thus, that what he is, augmented, Then rather than let him do that, we must prevent it. And Would run to these and these extremities; since the case against Caesar And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Can't be proved from what he is like now, Which hatch'd would as his kind grow mischievous, We must shape our argument in this way: That Caesar's And kill him in the shell. true nature, if allowed to develop Would reach terrible extremes; So we must think of him as a serpent's egg, Which, if it hatched, would like all serpents grow dangerous, And kill him before he hatches. Re-enter Lucius. [Reenter Lucius with a letter.] Lucius. Lucius. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. The candle is burning in your private room, sir. Searching the window for a flint I found While I was searching the window for a match, I found 17 This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure This paper, sealed up, and I am sure It did not lie there when I went to bed. It wasn't there when I went to bed. Gives him the letter. [Gives him the letter.] Brutus. Brutus. Get you to bed again, it is not day. Go back to bed; the sun isn't even up. Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March? Isn't tomorrow, boy, the ides of March? Lucius. Lucius. I know not, sir. I don't know, sir. Brutus. Brutus. Look in the calendar and bring me word. Look in the calendar and come tell me. Lucius. Lucius. I will, sir. I will, sir. Exit. [Exit.] Brutus. Brutus. The exhalations whizzing in the air The meteors, falling through the air, Give so much light that I may read by them. Give off so much light that I can read by them. Opens the letter and reads. [Opens the letter and reads.] "Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake and see thyself! "Brutus, you are asleep. Wake up, and see yourself! Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!" Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, right a wrong! "Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!" Brutus, you are asleep. Wake up!" Such instigations have been often dropp'd Suggestions like this have often been dropped Where I have took them up. Where I have picked them up. "Shall Rome, etc." Thus must I piece it out. "Shall Rome, etc." I must guess the rest of the sentence: Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? Should Rome have such fear and respect for just one man? My ancestors did from the streets of Rome What, Rome? The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. My ancestors drove the Tarquin "Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated From the streets of Rome when he was called a king. To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, "Speak, strike, right a wrong!" Am I encouraged If the redress will follow, thou receivest To speak and strike? O Rome, I promise you, Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! If a solution for our troubles will come from my action, you will get Everything you ask for from Brutus! Re-enter Lucius. [Reenter Lucius.] Lucius. Lucius. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. Sir, we are fifteen days into March. Knocking within. [Knocking within.] Brutus. Brutus. 'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks. That's good. Go to the door; somebody is knocking. Exit Lucius. [Exit Lucius.] Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar Since Cassius first aroused my suspicions concerning I have not slept. Caesar, Between the acting of a dreadful thing I have not slept. And the first motion, all the interim is The time between the earliest thought of a terrible act Like a phantasma or a hideous dream; And the actual performance of it is The genius and the mortal instruments Like a nightmare or a hideous dream. Are then in council, and the state of man, The heart and mind Like to a little kingdom, suffers then Debate the subject, while the man himself, The nature of an insurrection. Like a small country, undergoes A civil war. Re-enter Lucius. [Reenter Lucius.] Lucius. Lucius. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Sir, it's your friend Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Who wants to see you. Brutus. Brutus. Is he alone? Is he alone? Lucius. Lucius. 18 No, sir, there are more with him. No, sir, there are more people with him. Brutus. Brutus. Do you know them? Do you know them? Lucius. Lucius. No, sir, their hats are pluck'd about their ears, No, sir. Their hats are pulled down around their ears And half their faces buried in their cloaks, And half their faces are buried in their cloaks, That by no means I may discover them So that there is no way I can tell who they are. By any mark of favor. Brutus. Brutus. Let 'em enter. Let them in. conspiracy Exit Lucius. [Exit Lucius.] They are the faction. O Conspiracy, They are the faction. O consiracy, Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, Are you afraid to show your dangerous face at night, When evils are most free? O, then, by day When evil things are mostly left alone? O, then during the Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough day, To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, Where will you find a cave dark enough Conspiracy; To hide your horrible face? Don't look for one, Hide it in smiles and affability; conspiracy; For if thou path, thy native semblance on, Hide your plans in smiles and friendliness! Not Erebus itself were dim enough If you go out showing your true natures, To hide thee from prevention. Even the gateway to hell is not dark enough To hide you and keep your plans from being discovered. Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, [Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius. Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius.] Cassius. Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest. I think we may have come too early. Good morrow, Brutus, do we trouble you? Good morning, Brutus. Are we disturbing you? Brutus. Brutus. I have been up this hour, awake all night. I was already up, awake all night. Know I these men that come along with you? Do I know these men who have come with you? Cassius. Cassius. Yes, every man of them, and no man here Yes, every one of them; and there is no man here But honors you, and every one doth wish Who doesn't honor you; and every one wishes You had but that opinion of yourself You had the same opinion of yourself Which every noble Roman bears of you. Which every noble Roman has of you. This is Trebonius. This is Trebonius. Brutus. Brutus. He is welcome hither. He is welcome here. Cassius. Cassius. This, Decius Brutus. This, Decius Brutus. Brutus. Brutus. He is welcome too. He is welcome too. Cassius. Cassius. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. Brutus. Brutus. They are all welcome. They are all welcome. What watchful cares do interpose themselves What trouble keep you Betwixt your eyes and night? Awake at night? Cassius. Cassius. Shall I entreat a word?