Should outlive Cesar: We shall find of him Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius To cut the head off, and then hack the limbs; Let us be sacrificers, but no butchers, Caius. And after seem to chide them. This shall make Cas. Yet I do fear him: For in the ingrafted love he hears to Cesar,—— Is to himself; take thought, and die for Cesar: Bru. Peace, count the clock. Whe'r Cesar will come forth to-day, or no: Dec. Never fear that: if he be so resolv'd, For I can give this humour the true bent; Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to him. Bru. By the eighth hour: Is that the most? Boy Lucius!-Fast asleep? It is no matter; Enter PORTIA. Por. Brutus, my lord! Bru. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise It is not for your health, thus to commit Stole from my bed: And yesternight, at supper, I urg'd you further: then you scratch'd your And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot: Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. Bru. Kneel not, gentle Portia. Por. I should not need, if you were gentle fetch Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, Cin. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him: Bru. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily; [Exeunt all but BRUTUS. Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Bru. You are my true and honourable wie; Por. If this were true, then should I know I grant, I am a woman; but, withal, Ideal shapes. + Temper. * Charge Here, in the thigh: Can I bear that with patience, | l'he noise of battle hurtled in the air, And not my husband's secrets? Bru. O ye gods, Render me worthy of this noble wife! [Knocking within. All my engagements I will construe to thee, [Exit PORTIA. Enter LUCIUS and LIGARIUS. Lucius, who is that, knocks? Luc. Here is a sick man, that would speak with you. Bru. Caius Ligarins, that Metellus spake of. Boy, stand aside.-Caius Ligarius! how? Lig. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. Bru. Oh! what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, 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. Bru. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, I here 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; Yea, get the better of them. What's to do? Bru. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. Lig. But are not some whole that we must make sick? Bru. That must we also. What it is I shall unfold to thee, as we are going, Lig. Set on your foot; And, with a heart new fir'd, I follow you, Bru. Follow me then. my [Exeunt. Cal. What mean you, Cesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house to-day. Ces. Cesar shall forth: The things that threaten'd me, Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Cesar, they are vanished. Cal. Cesar, 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 bath whelped in the streets; And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead: Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds, All that is charactered on. 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, Cal. Alas, my lord, Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. 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. Cesar : 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, faiser; 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. If Cesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, Pardon me, Cesar; for my dear, dear love Ces. How foolish do your fears seem now, 1 am ashamed I did yield to them.Give me my robe, for I will go :— 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 long 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, That your best friends shall wish I had been farther. [Aside. Ces. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go to gether. Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same.-A street near the Capitol. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a Paper. Art. Cesar, beware of Brutus; take head of Cassius; come not neur 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 conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, ý ARTEMIDORUS. | 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; Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone: Why dost thou stay? 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. 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. Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: And take good note, Luc. I hear none, madam. I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, Enter SOOTHSAYER. Por. Come hither, fellow : Which way hast thou been? Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Por. Is Cesar yet gone to the Capitol! 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 To be so good to Cesar, as to hear me, towards him? Sooth. 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 Cesar at the heels, Of senators, of prætors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: I'll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to great Cesar as he comes along. [Exit. Por. I must go in.-Ah 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 Cesar will not grant.-Oh! 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. ACT III. SCENE I.-The same.-The Capitol; the Senate sitting. A Crowd of People in the Street leading to the Capitol; among them ARTEMIDORUS, and the SOOTHSAYER. Flourish. Enter CESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and others. Ces. The ides of March are come. Sooth. Ay, Cesar; but not gone. Art. Hail, Cesar! Read this schedule. Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit. Art. O Cesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit That touches Cesar nearer: Read it, great Cesar. Ces. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd. Art. Delay not, Cesar; read it instantly. Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street! Come to the Capitol, CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. [Advances to CESAR. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cesar: Mark him. Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear preven tion. Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Bru. Cassius, be constant: Popilins Lena speaks not of our purposes; He draws Mark Antony out of the way. CESAR and the SENATORS take their Seats. Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cesar. Bru. He is address'd :* press near and second him. Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. Ces. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cesar and his senate must redress? Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puis saut Cesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart: [Kneeling. Ces. I must prevent thee, Cimber. Low-crook'd curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning. Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Ces. What, Brutus ! Cas. Pardon, Cesar; Cesar, pardon: 45 low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. Ces. I could be well mov'd, 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, • Ready. Aud men are flesh and blood, and apprehen 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? [CASCA stubs CESAR in the neck. CESAR Ces. Et tu, Brute ?-Then, fail, 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 common 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? Cas. Where's Antony? Tre. Fled 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: So are we Cesar's friends, that have abridg'd His time of fearing death.-Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Cesar's blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords : Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er, sport, ་ me Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 1 never thought him worse. Tel: him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honoar, Depart untouch'd. Serv. P'il fetch him presently. [Erit 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. Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Antony. Ant. O mighty Cesar! 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 Cesar'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. 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, Cains Cassius, do I take your handNow, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus : That one of two bad ways you must conceit• me, Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cesar, oh! '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 inoreover 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. Ant. Be it so; I do desire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 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 i Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say? • Grown too powerful for the public safety. Though strong in the deed just performed. Suppose me. Used by old writers for death |