Here, in the thigh: Can I bear that with patience, | The noise of battle hurtled in the air, And not my husband's secrets? Bru. O ye gods, tongue. Bru. Oh what a time have you chose out, brave Cains, To wear a 'kerchief? 'Would you were not sick! Lig. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand Any exploit worthy the name of honour. Bra. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarins, Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, I bere discard my sickness. Soul of Rome! Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins! Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjur❜d up My mortified spirit. Now bid me run, And I will strive with things impossible; Ya, get the better of them. What's to do? Bra. A piece of work that will make men whole. Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan; And ghosts did shriek, and squeal about the streets, O Cesar! these things are beyond all use, Ces. What can be avoided, Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods ? Yet Cesar shall go forth: for these predictions Are to the world in general, as to Cesar. Cal. When beggars die, there are no comets seen: The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Ces. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Seeing that death, a necessary end, Re-enter a SERVANT. What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, Ces. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: sick Lig. But are not some whole that we must And Cesar shall go forth. make sick? Cal. Alas, my lord, Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. Do not go forth to-day: Call it my fear I shall anfold to thee, as we are going, Lag. Set on your foot; And, with a heart new fir'd, I follow you, To do I know not what: but it sufficeth, That Brutus leads me on. Bru. Fodow me then. [Exeunt. Cal. What mean you, Cesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house to-day. CLs. Cesar shall forth: The things that threaten'd me, Seter look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Cesar, they are vanished. Cal. Cesar, I never stood on ceremonies,+ Ye now they fright me. There is one within, Redes the things that we have heard and seen, Rewats most horrid sights seen by the watch. ▲ess hath whelped in the streets; And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead: Fierce Bery warriors fight upon the clouds, is ranks and squadrons, and right form of war, * drizzled blood upon the Capitol : All that is charactered on. † On prodigies or omens. That keeps you in the house, and not your own. Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Ces. 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. Cal. Say, he is sick. Ces. Shall Cesar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, cause, Lest I be laugh'd at, when I tell them so. Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; If Cesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, Pardon me, Cesar; for my dear, dear love SCENE IV.-The same.-Another part of the same Street before the House of BRUTUS. Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS. Por. I pr'ythee, boy, run to the senate-house; Luc. To know my errand, madam. Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there.— constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? Ces. How foolish do your fears seem now, And so return to you, and nothing else? Calphurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them.- Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS,LIGARIUS, METELLUS, And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Ces. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? As that same ague which hath made you lean.- Bru. Cesar, 'tis strucken eight. Ces. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels loug o'nights, Is notwithstanding up : Good morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cesar. Ces. Bid them prepare within :— I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna :-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! Treb. Cesar, I will :-and so near will I be, And we, like friends, will straightway go to Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cesar, Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord For he went sickly forth: And take good note, Luc. I hear none, madam. I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, Enter SOOTHSAYER. Per. Come hither, fellow : Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Sooth. Madam, not yet; I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol. Por. Thou hast some suit to Cesar, hast thou not? Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cesar To be so good to Cesar, as to hear me, towards him? Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a Paper. Art. Cesar, beware of Brutus; take head of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye on 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 Cesar. If thou be'st not immortal, look about you: Security gives way to conspi- SCENE I-The same.-The Capitol; the racy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy Lover, § ARTEMIDORUS. ACT III. Senate sitting. A Crowd of People in the Street leading to 4rt. O Cesar, read mine first; for mine's a | And men are flesh and blood, and apprehen [Kneeling. Ces. I must prevent thee, Cimber. And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree, In the law of children. Be not fond Low-cook'd curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning. If the dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, Het. Is there no voice more worthy than my ( What, Brutus ! C. Pardon, Cesar; Cesar, pardon: 41 low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, I beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. Cka. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you; I ceaid pray to move, prayers would move me: But I am constant as the northern star, Gr bose true fix'd and resting quality" There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, Tary 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, • Ready. sive ;* Yet, in the number, I do know but one That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, Ces. Hence! Wilt thou lift Olympus ? Ces. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel CESAR [CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck. catches hold of his arm. He is then stubbed by several other Conspirators, and at last by MARCUS BRUTUS. Ces. Et tu, Brute?-Then, fall, Cesar. [Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion. Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. Cas. Some to the cominon pulpits, and cry out, Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement! Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still:-ambition's debt is paid. Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. Dec. And Cassius too. Bru. Where's Publius? Tre. Fied to his house amaz'd: Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday. Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures :That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon. Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life, Cuts off so many years of fearing death. Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er, sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd Dec. What, shall we forth? Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels me That one of two bad ways you must conceit® me, Either a coward or a flatterer. Serv. Thus, Bratus, did my master bid kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; ⚫Cesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Say, I love Brutus, and I honour him; 'Say, I fear'd Cesar, honour'd him, and lov'd 'If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony [him. • May safely come to him, and be resolv'd How Cesar hath deserv'd to lie in death, Mark Antony shall not love Cesar 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. Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tel: him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, Depart untouch'd. Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit SERV. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend. Cas. I wish we may: but yet have I a mind, That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts, Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd Ant. 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 1 take your hand;Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus : That I did love thee, Cesar, ob! 'tis true : If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cas. I blame you not for praising Cesar 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? Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cesar. Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle : Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. You know not what you do; Do not consent, Bru. By your pardon ; I will myself into the pulpit first, Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Yours, Cinna;-and, my valiant Casca, yours ;-(Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say? To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue- And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a SERVANT. You serve Octavius Cesar, do you not? Ant. Cesar did write for him to come to Rome ing: And bid he say to you by word of mouth. Sert. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, He bence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while ; offended. Who is here so vile that would not [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cesar, than you should 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 CESAR'S Body, who, though he had no hand in his death, shall Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not ? With the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for this I depart; That, as I slew my best lover for myself, when it shall please my country to need iny death. Cit. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Cit. Let him be Cesar. 4 Cit. Cesar's better parts Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, [Exeunt with CESAR's Body. By our permission, is allow'd to make. SCENE II.-The same.-The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of CITIZENS. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Cassins, go you into the other street, [here; Those that will hear me speak, let then stay Of Cesar's death. 1. I will hear Brutus speak. ↑ Cd. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, Then severally we hear them rendered. I do entreat you, not a man depart, [Erit. 1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him :-Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus ? 3 Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Cit. "Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Cit. This Cesar was a tyrant. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. your ears; Ez CASSIUS, with some of the CITIZENS. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 1. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! The evil that men do lives after them; I come to bury Cesar, not to praise him. Bra. Be patient till the last. The good is oft interred with their bones. Bass, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for So let it be with Cesar. The noble Brutus car, and be silent, that you may hear: be-Hath told you Cesar was ambitious: lave me for mine honour, and have respect to If it were so, it was a grievous fault, ma bonour, that you may believe: censure me And grievously bath Cesar answer'd it. Is your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, may the better judge. If there be any in this (For Brutus is an honourable man; amby, any dear friend of Cesar's, to him I So are they all, all honourable men ;) , That Brutas' love to Cesar was no less than Come I to speak in Cesar's funeral. If then that friend demand, why Brutus He was my friend, faithful and just to me: Fe agaust Cesar, this is my answer :-Not that But Brutus says he was ambitious; I woed Cesar less, but that I loved Rome more. And Brutus is an honourable man. kad rather Cesar were living, and die all He hath brought many captives home to Rome, shes, than that Cesar were dead, to live all free-Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: As Cesar loved me, I weep for him; As Did this in Cesar seem ambitious? be was fortumate, I rejoice at it; as he was va- When that the poor have cried, Cesar hath wept : kant, I buzour him; but, as he was ambitious, Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: bun: There are tears for his love; joy Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; sertane; honour for his valour; and death And Brutus is an honourable man. for Les ambition. Who is here so base, that You all did see that, on the Lupercal, d be a bondman? If any, speak; for him I thrice presented him a kingly crown, have i offended. Who is here so rude, that would Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition But be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have 1 Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; The signal for giving no quarter. ↑ Fire, sword, and famine. • Friend. |