Shakespeare Julius Caesar

Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf Editions.
Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare

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William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar.
About the author Shakespearean plays (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Shakespeare),

the titles of works based on Shakespearean phrases, and the many
adaptations of his plays. Other indicators of contemporary
William Shakespeare (born influence are his inclusion in the top 10 of the "100 Greatest
April 1564, baptised April 26, Britons" poll sponsored by the BBC, the frequent productions
1564, died April 23, 1616 based on his work, such as the BBC Television Shakespeare, and
Julian calendar, May 3, 1616 the success of the fictional account of his life in the 1998 film
Gregorian calendar) is widely Shakespeare in Love.
considered to have been the
greatest writer the English
language has ever known. As a
playwright, he wrote not only
some of the most powerful
tragedies, but also many
comedies.
He also wrote 154 sonnets and several major poems, some of
which are considered to be the most brilliant pieces of English
literature ever written, because of Shakespeare's ability to rise
beyond the narrative and describe the innermost and the most
profound aspects of human nature. He is believed to have written
most of his works between 1585 and 1613, although the exact
dates and chronology of the plays attributed to him are not
accurately known. There was no standardized spelling in Elizabe-
than England, and Shakespeare's name is often rendered in
contemporary documents as Shakespear, Shaksper or even
Shaxberd.
Contents
Shakespeare's influence on the English-speaking world is

reflected in the ready recognition afforded many quotations from
Act 1. Scene 1, 2, 3 . . . Act 2. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4. . . Act 3. Scene 1, 2, 3 . . . Act 4. Scene 1, 2, 3. . . Act 5. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Act 1. Scene 1, 2, 3 . . .
Act 2. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4. . .
Act 3. Scene 1, 2, 3 . . .
Act 4. Scene 1, 2, 3. . .
Act 5. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Click on a number in the list to go to

the first page of that Act or Scene.
Julius Caesar.
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Contents
http://collegebookshelf.net 1
A Soothsayer
Persons Represented.
Cinna, a poet. Another Poet.
Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, young Cato, and Volumnius,
Friends to Brutus and Cassius.
Julius Caesar
Octavius Caesar, Triumvir after his death.
Marcus Antonius, Triumvir after his death.
Varro, Clitus, Claudius, Strato, Lucius, Dardanius,
M. Aemil. Lepidus, Triumvir after his death.
Servants to Brutus
Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena, Senators.
Pindarus, Servant to Cassius
Marcus Brutus, Conspirator against Caesar.
The Ghost of Caesar
Cassius, Conspirator against Caesar.
Senators, Citizens, Soldiers, Commoners, Messengers, and
Casca, Conspirator against Caesar.
Servants
Trebonius, Conspirator against Caesar.
Ligarius, Conspirator against Caesar.
Decius Brutus, Conspirator against Caesar.
Calpurnia, wife to Caesar
Metellus Cimber, Conspirator against Caesar.
Portia, wife to Brutus
Cinna, Conspirator against Caesar.
Flavius, tribune
Marullus, tribune
Artemidorus, a Sophist of Cnidos.
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2 http://collegebookshelf.net 3
SCENE: You, sir; what trade are you?

Rome, the conspirators’ camp near Sardis, and the plains Second citizen.
of Philippi. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you
would say, a cobbler.
Marullus.
But what trade art thou? Answer me directly.
Second citizen.
A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe
Act 1. conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles.
SCENE I. Marullus.
Rome. A street. What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what trade?
[Enter Flavius, Marullus, and a Throng of Citizens.] Second citizen.
Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me; yet,
if you be out, sir, I can mend you.
Flavius.
Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home! Marullus.
Is this a holiday? What! know you not, What mean’st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow!
Being mechanical, you ought not walk Second citizen.
Upon a laboring day without the sign Why, sir, cobble you.
Of your profession?—Speak, what trade art thou?
Flavius.
First citizen. Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Why, sir, a carpenter.
Second citizen.
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Marullus. Truly, Sir, all that I live by is with the awl; I meddle with
Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? no tradesman’s matters, nor women’s matters, but with awl.
What dost thou with thy best apparel on?—
I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in Made in her concave shores?
great danger, I re-cover them. As proper men as ever trod And do you now put on your best attire?
upon neat’s-leather have gone upon my handiwork. And do you now cull out a holiday?
Flavius. And do you now strew flowers in his way
But wherefore art not in thy shop today? That comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood?
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? Be gone!
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Second citizen.
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get myself into more
That needs must light on this ingratitude.
work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar and to
rejoice in his triumph. Flavius.
Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault,
Marullus.
Assemble all the poor men of your sort,
Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
Into the channel, till the lowest stream
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, [Exeunt Citizens.]
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climb’d up to walls and battlements, See whether their basest metal be not moved;
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops, They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
The livelong day with patient expectation This way will I. Disrobe the images,
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. If you do find them deck’d with ceremonies.
And when you saw his chariot but appear,
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Marullus.
Have you not made an universal shout
May we do so?
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks
You know it is the feast of Lupercal.
To hear the replication of your sounds
Flavius. Caesar.
It is no matter; let no images Calpurnia,—
Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about Calpurnia.
And drive away the vulgar from the streets; Here, my lord.
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
These growing feathers pluck’d from Caesar’s wing Caesar.
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, Stand you directly in Antonius’ way,
Who else would soar above the view of men, When he doth run his course.—Antonius,—
And keep us all in servile fearfulness. Antony.
[Exeunt.] Caesar, my lord?
Caesar.
Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say,
SCENE II. The barren, touched in this holy chase,
The same. A public place. Shake off their sterile curse.
[Enter, in procession, with music, Caesar; Antony, for the Antony.

course; Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, I shall remember.
and Casca; a great crowd following, among them a Sooth- When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.
sayer.] Caesar.
Caesar. Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
Calpurnia,— [Music.]
Casca. Soothsayer.
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Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. Caesar!

[Music ceases.] Caesar.
Ha! Who calls?
Casca. [Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius.]

Bid every noise be still.—Peace yet again! Cassius.
[Music ceases.] Will you go see the order of the course?
Caesar. Brutus.
Who is it in the press that calls on me? Not I.
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cassius.
Cry “Caesar”! Speak, Caesar is turn’d to hear. I pray you, do.
Soothsayer. Brutus.
Beware the Ides of March. I am not gamesome; I do lack some part
Caesar. Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
What man is that? Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I’ll leave you.
Brutus.
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March. Cassius.
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
Caesar.
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
Set him before me; let me see his face.
And show of love as I was wont to have:
Cassius. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. Over your friend that loves you.
Caesar. Brutus.
What say’st thou to me now? Speak once again. Cassius,
Soothsayer. Be not deceived: if I have veil’d my look,
I turn the trouble of my countenance
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Beware the Ides of March.

Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Caesar.
Of late with passions of some difference,
He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
Conceptions only proper to myself, Brutus.

Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved— That you would have me seek into myself
Among which number, Cassius, be you one— For that which is not in me?
Nor construe any further my neglect, Cassius.
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear;
Forgets the shows of love to other men. And since you know you cannot see yourself
Cassius. So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; Will modestly discover to yourself
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried That of yourself which you yet know not of.
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus;
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Were I a common laugher, or did use
Brutus. To stale with ordinary oaths my love
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself To every new protester; if you know
But by reflection, by some other thing. That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard
And after scandal them; or if you know
Cassius. That I profess myself, in banqueting,
’Tis just: To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
[Flourish and shout.]
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye, Brutus.
That you might see your shadow. I have heard What means this shouting? I do fear the people
Where many of the best respect in Rome,— Choose Caesar for their king.
Except immortal Caesar!— speaking of Brutus,
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Cassius.
And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Ay, do you fear it?
Have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes. Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus. And bade him follow: so indeed he did.

I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well, The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it
But wherefore do you hold me here so long? With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
What is it that you would impart to me? And stemming it with hearts of controversy;
If it be aught toward the general good, But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
Set honor in one eye and death i’ the other Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!
And I will look on both indifferently; I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
For let the gods so speed me as I love Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The name of honor more than I fear death. The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Cassius. Did I the tired Caesar: and this man
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, Is now become a god; and Cassius is
As well as I do know your outward favor. A wretched creature, and must bend his body,
Well, honor is the subject of my story. If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
I cannot tell what you and other men He had a fever when he was in Spain;
Think of this life; but, for my single self, And when the fit was on him I did mark
I had as lief not be as live to be How he did shake: ’tis true, this god did shake:
In awe of such a thing as I myself. His coward lips did from their color fly;
I was born free as Caesar; so were you: And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
We both have fed as well; and we can both Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan:
Endure the winter’s cold as well as he: Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
For once, upon a raw and gusty day, Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Alas, it cried, “Give me some drink, Titinius,”
Caesar said to me, “Darest thou, Cassius, now As a sick girl.—Ye gods, it doth amaze me,
A man of such a feeble temper should
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Leap in with me into this angry flood

And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word, So get the start of the majestic world,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, And bear the palm alone.
[Shout. Flourish.] That her wide walls encompass’d but one man?
Brutus. Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough,
Another general shout! When there is in it but one only man.
I do believe that these applauses are O, you and I have heard our fathers say
For some new honors that are heap’d on Caesar. There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d
Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome,
Cassius. As easily as a king!
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus; and we petty men Brutus.
Walk under his huge legs and peep about That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
To find ourselves dishonorable graves. What you would work me to, I have some aim:
Men at some time are masters of their fates: How I have thought of this, and of these times,
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
But in ourselves,that we are underlings. I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
“Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”? Be any further moved. What you have said,
Why should that name be sounded more than yours? I will consider; what you have to say,
Write them together, yours is as fair a name; I will with patience hear; and find a time
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with them, Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
“Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.” Brutus had rather be a villager
Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed Under these hard conditions as this time
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed! Is like to lay upon us.
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! Cassius.
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When went there by an age since the great flood, I am glad that my weak words
But it was famed with more than with one man? Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
When could they say, till now, that talk’d of Rome,
Brutus. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;

The games are done, and Caesar is returning. He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Cassius. Antony.
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous;
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you He is a noble Roman and well given.
What hath proceeded worthy note today. Caesar.
[Re-enter Caesar and his Train.] Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
Brutus. Yet, if my name were liable to fear,
I will do so.—But, look you, Cassius, I do not know the man I should avoid
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow, So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much;
And all the rest look like a chidden train: He is a great observer, and he looks
Calpurnia’s cheek is pale; and Cicero Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays,
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music:
As we have seen him in the Capitol, Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort
Being cross’d in conference by some senators. As if he mock’d himself and scorn’d his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Cassius.
Such men as he be never at heart’s ease
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves;
Caesar. And therefore are they very dangerous.
Antonius,— I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d
Antony. Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
Caesar? Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.
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Caesar.
Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o’ nights: [Exeunt Caesar and his Train. Casca stays.]
Casca. Casca.
You pull’d me by the cloak; would you speak with me? Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler
Brutus. than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbors
Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced today, shouted.
That Caesar looks so sad. Cassius.
Casca. Who offer’d him the crown?
Why, you were with him, were you not? Casca.
Brutus. Why, Antony.
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced. Brutus.
Casca. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Why, there was a crown offer’d him; and being offer’d him, Casca.
he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the I can as well be hang’d, as tell the manner of it: it was mere
people fell a-shouting. foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a
Brutus. crown;—yet ’twas not a crown neither, ’twas one of these
What was the second noise for? coronets;—and, as I told you, he put it by once: but, for all
that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
Casca. offered it to him again: then he put it by again: but, to my
Why, for that too. thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And
Cassius. then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for? by; and still, as he refused it, the rabblement shouted, and
Casca. clapp’d their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty night-
Why, for that too. caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because
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Caesar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cae-

Brutus. sar, for he swooned and fell down at it: and for mine own
Was the crown offer’d him thrice? part, I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and re-
ceiving the bad air. rogues:—and so he fell. When he came to himself again,
he said, if he had done or said any thing amiss, he desired
Cassius.
their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four
But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
wenches where I stood cried, “Alas, good soul!” and for-
Casca. gave him with all their hearts. But there’s no heed to be
He fell down in the market-place, and foam’d at mouth, taken of them: if Caesar had stabb’d their mothers, they
and was speechless. would have done no less.
Brutus. Brutus.
’Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness. And, after that he came, thus sad away?
Cassius. Casca.
No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I, Ay.
And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness. Cassius.
Casca. Did Cicero say any thing?
I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Caesar Casca.
fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss Ay, he spoke Greek.
him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they
Cassius.
use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.
To what effect?
Brutus.
Casca.
What said he when he came unto himself?
Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again:
Casca. but those that understood him smiled at one another and
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the com- shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to
mon herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck’d me me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius,
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ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an I for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s images, are put to silence.
had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if could remem-
taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the ber it.
Cassius. Brutus.
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca? And so it is. For this time I will leave you:
Casca. Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
No, I am promised forth. I will come home to you; or, if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cassius.
Will you dine with me tomorrow? Cassius.
I will do so: till then, think of the world.—
Casca.
[Exit Brutus.]
Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth
the eating. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honorable metal may be wrought,
Cassius.
From that it is disposed: therefore ’tis meet
Good; I will expect you.
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
Casca. For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Do so; farewell both. Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus;
[Exit Casca.] If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius,
He should not humor me. I will this night,
Brutus.
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!
As if they came from several citizens,
He was quick mettle when he went to school.
Writings all tending to the great opinion
Cassius. That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely
So is he now in execution Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at:
Of any bold or noble enterprise, And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
However he puts on this tardy form. For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
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This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, [Exit.]

Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
Like twenty torches join’d, and yet his hand

SCENE III. Not sensible of fire remain’d unscorch’d.
The same. A street. Besides,—I ha’ not since put up my sword,—
[Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, Casca, Against the Capitol I met a lion,
with his sword drawn, and Cicero.] Who glared upon me, and went surly by,
Without annoying me: and there were drawn
Cicero. Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home? Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw
Why are you breathless, and why stare you so? Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets.
Casca. And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Even at noonday upon the marketplace,
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, Howling and shrieking. When these prodigies
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Do so conjointly meet, let not men say
Have rived the knotty oaks; and I have seen “These are their reasons; they are natural”;
Th’ ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, For I believe they are portentous things
To be exalted with the threatening clouds: Unto the climate that they point upon.
But never till tonight, never till now, Cicero.
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time.
Either there is a civil strife in heaven, But men may construe things after their fashion,
Or else the world too saucy with the gods, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.
Incenses them to send destruction. Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?
Cicero. Casca.
Why, saw you anything more wonderful? He doth, for he did bid Antonius
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Casca. Send word to you he would be there to-morrow.

A common slave—you’d know him well by sight— Cicero.
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Good then, Casca: this disturbed sky
Is not to walk in. And when the cross blue lightning seem’d to open
Casca. The breast of heaven, I did present myself
Farewell, Cicero. Even in the aim and very flash of it.
[Exit Cicero.] Casca.

But wherefore did you so much tempt the Heavens?
[Enter Cassius.]
It is the part of men to fear and tremble,
Cassius. When the most mighty gods by tokens send
Who’s there? Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
Casca. Cassius.
A Roman. You are dull, Casca;and those sparks of life
Cassius. That should be in a Roman you do want,
Casca, by your voice. Or else you use not. You look pale and gaze,
And put on fear and cast yourself in wonder,
Casca.
To see the strange impatience of the Heavens:
Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!
But if you would consider the true cause
Cassius. Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
A very pleasing night to honest men. Why birds and beasts,from quality and kind;
Casca. Why old men, fools, and children calculate;—
Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Why all these things change from their ordinance,
Their natures, and preformed faculties
Cassius.
To monstrous quality;—why, you shall find
Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
That Heaven hath infused them with these spirits,
For my part, I have walk’d about the streets,
To make them instruments of fear and warning
Submitting me unto the perilous night;
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Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca,

And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see,
Name to thee a man most like this dreadful night;
Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone;
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars,
As doth the lion in the Capitol; But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
A man no mightier than thyself or me Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
In personal action; yet prodigious grown, If I know this, know all the world besides,
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. That part of tyranny that I do bear
I can shake off at pleasure.
Casca.
’Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius?
[Thunders still.]
Cassius.
Casca.
Let it be who it is: for Romans now
So can I:
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors;
So every bondman in his own hand bears
But, woe the while! our fathers’ minds are dead,
The power to cancel his captivity.
And we are govern’d with our mothers’ spirits;
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish.
Cassius.
Casca. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Indeed they say the senators to-morrow Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,
Mean to establish Caesar as a king; But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
In every place save here in Italy. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome,
Cassius.
What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves
I know where I will wear this dagger then;
For the base matter to illuminate
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius:
So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
Before a willing bondman: then I know
Contents
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,

My answer must be made; but I am arm’d,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; And dangers are to me indifferent.
Casca. Cinna.
You speak to Casca; and to such a man To find out you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber?
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: Cassius.
Be factious for redress of all these griefs; No, it is Casca, one incorporate
And I will set this foot of mine as far To our attempts. Am I not stay’d for, Cinna?
As who goes farthest.
Cinna.
Cassius. I am glad on’t. What a fearful night is this!
There’s a bargain made. There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights.
Now know you, Casca, I have moved already
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans Cassius.
To undergo with me an enterprise Am I not stay’d for? tell me.
Of honorable-dangerous consequence; Cinna.
And I do know by this, they stay for me Yes,
In Pompey’s Porch: for now, this fearful night, You are. O Cassius, if you could but win
There is no stir or walking in the streets; The noble Brutus to our party,—
And the complexion of the element Cassius.
Is favor’d like the work we have in hand, Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper,
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. And look you lay it in the praetor’s chair,
Casca. Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this
Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. In at his window; set this up with wax
Cassius. Upon old Brutus’ statue: all this done,
’Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; Repair to Pompey’s Porch, where you shall find us.
He is a friend.— Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
Contents
[Enter Cinna.] Cinna.

All but Metellus Cimber, and he’s gone
Cinna, where haste you so?
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie

And so bestow these papers as you bade me.
Cassius.
That done, repair to Pompey’s theatre.—
[Exit Cinna.]
Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day,
See Brutus at his house: three parts of him
Is ours already; and the man entire,
Upon the next encounter, yields him ours.
Act 2.
SCENE I. Rome.
Casca.
Brutus’ orchard.
O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts!
And that which would appear offense in us, [Enter Brutus.]
His countenance, like richest alchemy, Brutus.
Will change to virtue and to worthiness. What, Lucius, ho!—
Cassius. I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, Give guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!—
You have right well conceited. Let us go, I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.—
For it is after midnight; and, ere day, When, Lucius, when! Awake, I say! What, Lucius!
We will awake him, and be sure of him. [Enter Lucius.]
[Exeunt.] Lucius.
Call’d you, my lord?
Brutus.
Contents
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:

When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius. And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg

I will, my lord. Which hatch’d, would, as his kind grow mischievous;
[Exit.] And kill him in the shell.
Brutus. [Re-enter Lucius.]
It must be by his death: and, for my part, Lucius.
I know no personal cause to spurn at him, The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
But for the general. He would be crown’d: Searching the window for a flint I found
How that might change his nature, there’s the question: This paper thus seal’d up, and I am sure
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; It did not lie there when I went to bed.
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that:
Brutus.
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,
Get you to bed again; it is not day.
That at his will he may do danger with.
Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March?
Th’ abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar, Lucius.
I have not known when his affections sway’d I know not, sir.
More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof, Brutus.
That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
Lucius.
But, when he once attains the upmost round,
I will, sir.
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees [Exit.]
By which he did ascend: so Caesar may; Brutus.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel The exhalations, whizzing in the air
Contents
Will bear no color for the thing he is, Give so much light that I may read by them.—
Fashion it thus,—that what he is, augmented, [Opens the letter and reads.]
Would run to these and these extremities: “Brutus, thou sleep’st: awake and see thyself.
Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress—! Are then in council; and the state of man,
Brutus, thou sleep’st: awake!—” Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
Such instigations have been often dropp’d The nature of an insurrection.
Where I have took them up. [Re-enter Lucius].
“Shall Rome, & c.” Thus must I piece it out: Lucius.
Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What, Rome? Sir, ’tis your brother Cassius at the door,
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome Who doth desire to see you.
The Tarquin drive, when he was call’d a king.—
“Speak, strike, redress!”—Am I entreated, then, Brutus.
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, Is he alone?
If the redress will follow, thou receivest Lucius.
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! No, sir, there are more with him.
[Re-enter Lucius.] Brutus.
Lucius. Do you know them?
Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. Lucius.
[Knocking within.] No, sir, their hats are pluck’d about their ears,
And half their faces buried in their cloaks,
Brutus.
That by no means I may discover them
’Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks.—
By any mark of favor.
[Exit Lucius.]
Brutus.
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar
Let ‘em enter.—
I have not slept.
Between the acting of a dreadful thing [Exit Lucius.]
Contents
And the first motion, all the interim is They are the faction.—O conspiracy,
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream: Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
The genius and the mortal instruments When evils are most free? O, then, by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough Brutus.

To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy; He is welcome too.
Hide it in smiles and affability: Cassius.
For if thou pass, thy native semblance on, This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention. Brutus.
They are all welcome.—
[Enter Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber,
What watchful cares do interpose themselves
andTrebonius.]
Betwixt your eyes and night?
Cassius.
Cassius.
I think we are too bold upon your rest:
Shall I entreat a word?
Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?
[Brutus and Cassius whisper apart.]
Brutus.
I have been up this hour, awake all night. Decius.
Know I these men that come along with you? Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
Cassius. Casca.
Yes, every man of them; and no man here No.
But honors you; and every one doth wish Cinna.
You had but that opinion of yourself O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon grey lines
Which every noble Roman bears of you. That fret the clouds are messengers of day.
This is Trebonius. Casca.
Brutus. You shall confess that you are both deceived.
He is welcome hither. Here, as I point my sword, the Sun arises;
Contents
Cassius. Which is a great way growing on the South,

This Decius Brutus. Weighing the youthful season of the year.
Some two months hence, up higher toward the North
He first presents his fire; and the high East Such creatures as men doubt: but do not stain
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. The even virtue of our enterprise,
Brutus. Nor th’ insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
Give me your hands all over, one by one. To think that or our cause or our performance
Did need an oath; when every drop of blood
Cassius. That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,
And let us swear our resolution. Is guilty of a several bastardy,
Brutus. If he do break the smallest particle
No, not an oath: if not the face of men, Of any promise that hath pass’d from him.
The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse— Cassius.
If these be motives weak, break off betimes, But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?
And every man hence to his idle bed; I think he will stand very strong with us.
So let high-sighted tyranny range on,
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, Casca.
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough Let us not leave him out.
To kindle cowards, and to steel with valour Cinna.
The melting spirits of women; then, countrymen, No, by no means.
What need we any spur but our own cause Metellus.
To prick us to redress? what other bond O, let us have him! for his silver hairs
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word, Will purchase us a good opinion,
And will not palter? and what other oath And buy men’s voices to commend our deeds:
Than honesty to honesty engaged, It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands;
That this shall be, or we will fall for it? Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
Swear priests, and cowards, and men cautelous,
Contents
But all be buried in his gravity.

Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls
That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear Brutus.
O, name him not! let us not break with him;
For he will never follow any thing And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
That other men begin. Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Cassius. Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Then leave him out. Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds;
Casca. And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
Indeed, he is not fit. Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
Decius. And after seem to chide ‘em. This shall mark
Shall no man else be touch’d but only Caesar? Our purpose necessary, and not envious;
Cassius. Which so appearing to the common eyes,
Decius, well urged.—I think it is not meet, We shall be call’d purgers, not murderers.
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm
A shrewd contriver; and you know his means, When Caesar’s head is off.
If he improve them, may well stretch so far Cassius.
As to annoy us all: which to prevent, Yet I do fear him;
Let Antony and Caesar fall together. For in th’ ingrafted love he bears to Caesar—
Brutus. Brutus.
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
To cut the head off, and then hack the limbs, If he love Caesar, all that he can do
Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards; Is to himself,—take thought and die for Caesar.
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. And that were much he should; for he is given
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. To sports, to wildness, and much company.
Contents
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar; Trebonius.

And in the spirit of men there is no blood: There is no fear in him; let him not die;
O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit,
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. He says he does, being then most flattered.
[Clock strikes.] Let me work;
For I can give his humor the true bent,
Brutus.
And I will bring him to the Capitol.
Peace! count the clock.
Cassius.
Cassius.
Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
The clock hath stricken three.
Brutus.
Trebonius.
By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?
’Tis time to part.
Cinna.
Cassius.
Be that the uttermost; and fail not then.
But it is doubtful yet
Whether Caesar will come forth today or no; Metellus.
For he is superstitious grown of late, Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
Quite from the main opinion he held once Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey:
Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies. I wonder none of you have thought of him.
It may be these apparent prodigies, Brutus.
The unaccustom’d terror of this night, Now, good Metellus, go along by him:
And the persuasion of his augurers He loves me well, and I have given him reason;
May hold him from the Capitol to-day. Send him but hither, and I’ll fashion him.
Decius. Cassius.
Never fear that: if he be so resolved, The morning comes upon ‘s. We’ll leave you, Brutus;—
I can o’ersway him, for he loves to hear And, friends, disperse yourselves, but all remember
That unicorns may be betray’d with trees, What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
Contents
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,

Brutus.
Lions with toils, and men with flatterers:
Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
Let not our looks put on our purposes, And too impatiently stamp’d with your foot:
But bear it as our Roman actors do, Yet I insisted, yet you answer’d not;
With untired spirits and formal constancy: But, with an angry wafture of your hand,
And so, good morrow to you every one.— Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did;
[Exeunt all but Brutus.] Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem’d too much enkindled; and withal
Boy! Lucius!—Fast asleep? It is no matter;
Hoping it was but an effect of humour,
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber:
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep;
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
And, could it work so much upon your shape
Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.
As it hath much prevail’d on your condition,
[Enter Portia.]
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,
Portia. Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
Brutus, my lord!
Brutus.
Brutus. I am not well in health, and that is all.
Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
Portia.
It is not for your health thus to commit
Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health,
Your weak condition to the raw-cold morning.
He would embrace the means to come by it.
Portia.
Brutus.
Nor for yours neither. You’ve ungently, Brutus,
Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper,
You suddenly arose, and walk’d about, Portia.
Musing and sighing, with your arms across; Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
Contents
And, when I ask’d you what the matter was, To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
You stared upon me with ungentle looks: Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
I urged you further; then you scratch’d your head, And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the night, Brutus.

And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air You are my true and honorable wife;
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
You have some sick offense within your mind, That visit my sad heart.
Which, by the right and virtue of my place, Portia.
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees, If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I charge you, by my once commended beauty, I grant I am a woman; but withal
By all your vows of love, and that great vow A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:
Which did incorporate and make us one, I grant I am a woman; but withal
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, A woman well reputed, Cato’s daughter.
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Have had resort to you; for here have been Being so father’d and so husbanded?
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose ‘em.
Even from darkness. I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Brutus. Giving myself a voluntary wound
Kneel not, gentle Portia. Here in the thigh: can I bear that with patience
Portia. And not my husband’s secrets?
I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, O ye gods,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets Render me worthy of this noble wife!
That appertain to you? Am I yourself [Knocking within.]
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,—
Hark, hark, one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
Contents
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs

The secrets of my heart:
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife.
All the charactery of my sad brows. Brave son, derived from honorable loins!
Leave me with haste. Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
[Exit Portia.] My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
And I will strive with things impossible;
—Lucius, who’s that knocks?
Yea, get the better of them. What’s to do?
[Re-enter Lucius with Ligarius.]
Brutus.
Lucius.
A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
Here is a sick man that would speak with you.
Ligarius.
Brutus.
But are not some whole that we must make sick?
Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.—
Boy, stand aside.—Caius Ligarius,—how? Brutus.
That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
Ligarius.
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going,
Vouchsafe good-morrow from a feeble tongue.
To whom it must be done.
Brutus.
Ligarius.
O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
Set on your foot;
To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
And with a heart new-fired I follow you,
Ligarius. To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand That Brutus leads me on.
Any exploit worthy the name of honour.
Brutus.
Brutus. Follow me then.
Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, [Exeunt.]
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.
Contents
Ligarius.
By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome!
Ne’er look but on my back; when they shall see

The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
SCENE II. Calpurnia.
A room in Caesar’s palace. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
[Thunder and lightning. Enter Caesar, in his nightgown.] Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Caesar. Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight: Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
“Help, ho! They murder Caesar!”—Who’s within? And graves have yawn’d, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds,
[Enter a Servant.]
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
Servant. Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
My lord? The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Caesar. Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan;
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
And bring me their opinions of success. O Caesar,these things are beyond all use,
And I do fear them!
Servant.
I will, my lord. Caesar.
[Exit.] What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
[Enter Calpurnia.]
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Calpurnia. Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
Calpurnia.
Contents
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.

When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
Caesar. The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten me
Caesar. Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear

Cowards die many times before their deaths; That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
The valiant never taste of death but once. We’ll send Mark Antony to the Senate-house,
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, And he shall say you are not well to-day:
It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
Seeing that death, a necessary end, Caesar.
Will come when it will come.— Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
[Re-enter Servant.] And, for thy humor, I will stay at home.
What say the augurers? [Enter Decius.]
Servant. Here’s Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Decius.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar:
They could not find a heart within the beast. I come to fetch you to the Senate-house.
Caesar. Caesar.
The gods do this in shame of cowardice: And you are come in very happy time
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, To bear my greeting to the Senators,
If he should stay at home today for fear. And tell them that I will not come to-day.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well Cannot, is false; and that I dare not, falser:
That Caesar is more dangerous than he: I will not come to-day. Tell them so, Decius.
We are two lions litter’d in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible; Calpurnia.
And Caesar shall go forth. Say he is sick.
Caesar.
Contents
Calpurnia.
Alas, my lord, Shall Caesar send a lie?
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence! Have I in conquest stretch’d mine arm so far,
To be afeard to tell grey-beards the truth?— For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. This by Calpurnia’s dream is signified.
Decius. Caesar.
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, And this way have you well expounded it.
Lest I be laugh’d at when I tell them so. Decius.
Caesar. I have, when you have heard what I can say;
The cause is in my will; I will not come: And know it now: The Senate have concluded
That is enough to satisfy the Senate. To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
But, for your private satisfaction, If you shall send them word you will not come,
Because I love you, I will let you know: Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: Apt to be render’d, for someone to say
She dreamt to-night she saw my statua, “Break up the Senate till another time,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.”
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it: “Lo, Caesar is afraid”?
And these does she apply for warnings and portents Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
And evils imminent; and on her knee To your proceeding bids me tell you this;
Hath begg’d that I will stay at home to-day. And reason to my love is liable.
Decius. Caesar.
This dream is all amiss interpreted: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
It was a vision fair and fortunate. I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Give me my robe, for I will go.
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Contents
[Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca,

Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Trebonius, and Cinna.]
Reviving blood; and that great men shall press
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
Publius. Be near me, that I may remember you.

Good morrow, Caesar. Trebonius.
Caesar. Caesar, I will. [Aside.] and so near will I be,
Welcome, Publius.— That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
What, Brutus, are you stirr’d so early too?— Caesar.
Good morrow, Casca.—Caius Ligarius, Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
Caesar was ne’er so much your enemy And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
As that same ague which hath made you lean.—
What is’t o’clock? Brutus.
[Aside.] That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
Brutus. The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
Caesar, ’tis strucken eight.
[Exeunt.]
Caesar.
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
SCENE III.
[Enter Antony.]
A street near the Capitol.
See! Antony, that revels long o’nights,
[Enter Artemidorus, reading paper.]
Is notwithstanding up.—Good morrow, Antony.
Artemidorus.
Antony.
“Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not
So to most noble Caesar.
near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark
Caesar. well Metellus Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou
Bid them prepare within: hast wrong’d Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all
I am to blame to be thus waited for.— these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou be’st not
Now, Cinna;—now, Metellus;—what, Trebonius! immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
Contents
I have an hour’s talk in store for you: The mighty gods defend thee!
Remember that you call on me to-day; Thy lover, Artemidorus.”
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, Art thou here yet?
And as a suitor will I give him this. Lucius.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live Madam, what should I do?
Out of the teeth of emulation.— Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live; And so return to you, and nothing else?
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
Portia.
[Exit.]
Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
SCENE IV. What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Another part of the same street, Hark, boy! what noise is that?
before the house of Brutus.
Lucius.
[Enter Portia and Lucius.] I hear none, madam.
Portia. Portia.
I pr’ythee, boy, run to the Senate-house; Pr’ythee, listen well:
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
Why dost thou stay? And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
Lucius. Lucius.
To know my errand, madam. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.
Portia. [Enter Artemidorus.]
I would have had thee there, and here again,
Portia.
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.—
Come hither, fellow:
[Aside.] O constancy, be strong upon my side!
Contents
Which way hast thou been?

Set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might. Artemidorus.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!— At mine own house, good lady.
Portia. Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

What is’t o’clock? [Exit.]
Artemidorus. Portia.
About the ninth hour, lady. I must go in.—[Aside.] Ah me, how weak a thing
Portia. The heart of woman is!—O Brutus,
Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!—
Sure, the boy heard me.—Brutus hath a suit
Artemidorus.
That Caesar will not grant.—O, I grow faint.—
Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
Say I am merry: come to me again,
Portia. And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
[Exeunt.]
Artemidorus.
That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
Portia.
Why, know’st thou any harm’s intended towards him?
Artemidorus.
None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance.
Good morrow to you.—Here the street is narrow:
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
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Of Senators, of Praetors, common suitors,

Will crowd a feeble man almost to death:
I’ll get me to a place more void, and there
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

Artemidorus.
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
Caesar.
What touches us ourself shall be last served.
Artemidorus.
Act 3. Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
Caesar.
SCENE I.
What, is the fellow mad?
Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting.
Publius.
[A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol,
Sirrah, give place.
among them Artemidorus and the Soothsayer. Flourish.
Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Cassius.
Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, Publius, and What, urge you your petitions in the street?
others.] Come to the Capitol.
Caesar. [Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Sena-
The Ides of March are come. tors rise.]
Soothsayer. Popilius.
Ay, Caesar; but not gone. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Artemidorus. Cassius.
Hail, Caesar! read this schedule. What enterprise, Popilius?
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Decius. Popilius.
Trebonius doth desire you to o’er-read, Fare you well.
Advances to Caesar. And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

Brutus. Brutus.
What said Popilius Lena? He is address’d; press near and second him.
Cassius. Cinna.
He wish’d to-day our enterprise might thrive. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
I fear our purpose is discovered. Casca.
Brutus. Are we all ready?
Look, how he makes to Caesar: mark him. Caesar.
Cassius. What is now amiss
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.— That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Metellus.
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
For I will slay myself. Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
Brutus. An humble heart.
Cassius, be constant: [Kneeling.]
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
Caesar.
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
Cassius. These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Trebonius knows his time, for, look you, Brutus, Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
He draws Mark Antony out of the way. And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. Caesar and the Senators Into the law of children. Be not fond,
Contents
take their seats.] To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
Decius. That will be thaw’d from the true quality
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words,
Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel-fawning. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
Thy brother by decree is banished: But I am constant as the northern star,
If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. There is no fellow in the firmament.
Metellus. The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks,
Caesar, thou dost me wrong. They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there’s but one in all doth hold his place:
Caesar.
So in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men,
Caesar did never wrong but with just cause,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Nor without cause will he be satisfied.
Yet in the number I do know but one
Metellus. That unassailable holds on his rank,
Is there no voice more worthy than my own, Unshaked of motion: and that I am he,
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear Let me a little show it, even in this,—
For the repealing of my banish’d brother? That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d,
Brutus. And constant do remain to keep him so.
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; Cinna.
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may O Caesar,—
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Caesar.
Caesar. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
What, Brutus?
Decius.
Cassius. Great Caesar,—
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, Caesar.
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To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Caesar. Casca.
I could be well moved, if I were as you; Speak, hands, for me!
[Casca stabs Caesar in the neck. Caesar catches hold of his Metellus.
arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s
at last by Marcus Brutus.] Should chance—
Caesar. Brutus.
Et tu, Brute?— Then fall, Caesar! Talk not of standing.—Publius, good cheer!
[Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion.] There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius.
Cinna.
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!— Cassius.
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Cassius.
Some to the common pulpits and cry out, Brutus.
“Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!” Do so;—and let no man abide this deed
But we the doers.
Brutus.
People and Senators, be not affrighted; [Re-enter Trebonius.]
Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid. Cassius.
Casca. Where’s Antony?
Go to the pulpit, Brutus. Trebonius.
Decius. Fled to his house amazed.
And Cassius too. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.
Brutus.
Where’s Publius? Brutus.
Contents
Fates, we will know your pleasures:

Cinna. That we shall die, we know; ’tis but the time
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Casca. Decius.
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life What, shall we forth?
Cuts off so many years of fearing death. Cassius.
Brutus. Ay, every man away:
Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridged With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
His time of fearing death.—Stoop, Romans, stoop, Brutus.
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Soft, who comes here?
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
[Enter a Servant.]
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, A friend of Antony’s.
Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!” Servant.
Cassius. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
Shall this our lofty scene be acted o’er And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
In States unborn and accents yet unknown! Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving;
Brutus.
Say I love Brutus and I honor him;
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
Say I fear’d Caesar, honour’d him, and loved him.
That now on Pompey’s basis lies along
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
No worthier than the dust!
May safely come to him, and be resolved
Cassius. How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
So oft as that shall be, Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
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So often shall the knot of us be call’d So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The men that gave their country liberty. The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith. So says my master Antony. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Brutus. Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; If I myself, there is no hour so fit
I never thought him worse. As Caesar’s death-hour, nor no instrument
Tell him, so please him come unto this place, Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
He shall be satisfied and, by my honour, With the most noble blood of all this world.
Depart untouch’d. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Servant. Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I’ll fetch him presently. I shall not find myself so apt to die:
[Exit.] No place will please me so, no means of death,
Brutus. As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
I know that we shall have him well to friend. The choice and master spirits of this age.
Cassius. Brutus.
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind O Antony, beg not your death of us!
That fears him much; and my misgiving still Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. As, by our hands and this our present act
You see we do; yet see you but our hands
Brutus.
And this the bleeding business they have done:
But here comes Antony.—
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;
[Re-enter Antony.] And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
Welcome, Mark Antony. As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Antony. Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
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O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony;
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Our arms in strength of amity, and our hearts
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.— Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. To see thy Antony making his peace,
Cassius. Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,—
Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s Most noble!—in the presence of thy corse?
In the disposing of new dignities. Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
Brutus. It would become me better than to close
Only be patient till we have appeased In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
The multitude, beside themselves with fear, Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay’d, brave hart;
And then we will deliver you the cause Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, Sign’d in thy spoil, and crimson’d in thy death.—
Have thus proceeded. O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
Antony. And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.—
I doubt not of your wisdom. How like a deer strucken by many princes,
Let each man render me his bloody hand: Dost thou here lie!
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;— Cassius.
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;— Mark Antony,—
Now, Decius Brutus, yours;—now yours, Metellus;—
Yours, Cinna;—and, my valiant Casca, yours;— Antony.
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say? The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
My credit now stands on such slippery ground, Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Cassius.
Either a coward or a flatterer.— I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true: But what compact mean you to have with us?
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If then thy spirit look upon us now, Will you be prick’d in number of our friends,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
Antony. By that which he will utter?

Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed Brutus.
Sway’d from the point, by looking down on Caesar. [Aside to Cassius.] By your pardon:
Friends am I with you all, and love you all, I will myself into the pulpit first,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons And show the reason of our Caesar’s death:
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. What Antony shall speak, I will protest
Brutus. He speaks by leave and by permission;
Or else were this a savage spectacle: And that we are contented Caesar shall
Our reasons are so full of good regard Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies.
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
You should be satisfied. Cassius.
Antony. [Aside to Brutus.]
That’s all I seek: I know not what may fall; I like it not.
And am moreover suitor that I may Brutus.
Produce his body to the market-place; Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body.
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
Speak in the order of his funeral. But speak all good you can devise of Caesar;
Brutus. And say you do’t by our permission;
You shall, Mark Antony. Else shall you not have any hand at all
Cassius. About his funeral: and you shall speak
Brutus, a word with you. In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
[Aside to Brutus.] After my speech is ended.
Contents
You know not what you do; do not consent Antony.

That Antony speak in his funeral: Be it so;
Know you how much the people may be moved I do desire no more.
Brutus. [Enter a Servant].

Prepare the body, then, and follow us. You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
[Exeunt all but Antony.] Servant.
Antony. I do, Mark Antony.
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, Antony.
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times. Servant.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! He did receive his letters, and is coming;
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,— And bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
Which, like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips [Seeing the body.] O Caesar!—
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,— Antony.
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Blood and destruction shall be so in use, Began to water. Is thy master coming?
And dreadful objects so familiar, Servant.
That mothers shall but smile when they behold He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
Their infants quarter’d with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds: Antony.
And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced.
With Ate’ by his side come hot from Hell, Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;
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Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
With carrion men, groaning for burial.— Into the market-place: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take When severally we hear them rendered.
The cruel issue of these bloody men; [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into
According to the which thou shalt discourse the rostrum.]
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Third Citizen.
Lend me your hand.
The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
[Exeunt with Caesar’s body.]
Brutus.
Be patient till the last.
SCENE II. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause;
The same. The Forum. and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour,
[Enter Brutus and Cassius, with a throng of Citizens.] and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe: cen-
Citizens. sure me in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you
We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s,
Brutus.
to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than
Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.—
his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against
Cassius, go you into the other street
Caesar, this is my answer,—Not that I loved Caesar less,
And part the numbers.—
but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were
Those that will hear me speak, let ‘em stay here;
living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
all freemen? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was
And public reasons shall be rendered
fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him;
Of Caesar’s death.
but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.
First Citizen. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for
I will hear Brutus speak. his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base
Contents
Second citizen. that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I
I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Ro-
man? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here Third Citizen.
so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him Let him be Caesar.
have I offended. I pause for a reply. Fourth Citizen.
Citizens. Caesar’s better parts
None, Brutus, none. Shall be crown’d in Brutus.
Brutus. First Citizen.
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar We’ll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours.
than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is Brutus.
enroll’d in the Capitol, his glory not extenuated, wherein My countrymen,—
he was worthy;, nor his offenses enforced, for which he
suffered death. Second citizen.
Peace! silence! Brutus speaks.
[Enter Antony and others, with Caesar’s body.]
First Citizen.
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who,
Peace, ho!
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the ben-
efit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of Brutus.
you shall not? With this I depart— that, as I slew my best Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:
myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar’s glory; which Mark Antony,
Citizens.
By our permission, is allow’d to make.
Live, Brutus! live, live!
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
First Citizen. Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Contents
[Exit.]
Second citizen.
First Citizen.
Give him a statue with his ancestors.
Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
Third Citizen. Citizens.

Let him go up into the public chair; Peace, ho! let us hear him.
We’ll hear him.—Noble Antony, go up. Antony.
Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
For Brutus’ sake, I am beholding to you. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
[Goes up.] The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones:
Fourth Citizen.
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
What does he say of Brutus?
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
Third Citizen. If it were so, it was a grievous fault;
He says, for Brutus’ sake, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.
He finds himself beholding to us all. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest,—
Fourth Citizen. For Brutus is an honourable man;
‘Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. So are they all, all honorable men,—
Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.
First Citizen.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
This Caesar was a tyrant.
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
Third Citizen. And Brutus is an honourable man.
Nay, that’s certain: He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
We are blest that Rome is rid of him. Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Second citizen. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Antony.
Contents
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

You gentle Romans,—
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Second citizen.

Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; Third Citizen.
And, sure, he is an honourable man. There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know. Fourth Citizen.
You all did love him once,—not without cause: Now mark him; he begins again to speak.
What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?— Antony.
O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, But yesterday the word of Caesar might
And men have lost their reason!—Bear with me; Have stood against the world: now lies he there,
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And none so poor to do him reverence.
And I must pause till it come back to me. O masters, if I were disposed to stir
First Citizen. Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
Second citizen. I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
If thou consider rightly of the matter, To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you,
Caesar has had great wrong. Than I will wrong such honourable men.
Third Citizen. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar,—
Has he not, masters? I found it in his closet,—’tis his will:
I fear there will a worse come in his place. Let but the commons hear this testament,—
Fourth Citizen. Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,—
Mark’d ye his words? He would not take the crown; And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds,
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood;
Contents
Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
First Citizen. And, dying, mention it within their wills,
If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Citizens.

Unto their issue. The will! The testament!
Fourth Citizen. Second citizen.
We’ll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will!
Citizens. Antony.
The will, the will! We will hear Caesar’s will. You will compel me, then, to read the will?
Antony. Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; And let me show you him that made the will.
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; Citizens.
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, Come down.
It will inflame you, it will make you mad. Second citizen.
’Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; Descend.
For if you should, O, what would come of it!
[He comes down.]
Fourth Citizen.
Third Citizen.
Read the will! we’ll hear it, Antony;
You shall have leave.
You shall read us the will,—Caesar’s will!
Fourth Citizen.
Antony.
A ring! stand round.
Will you be patient? will you stay awhile?
I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it: First Citizen.
I fear I wrong the honorable men Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
Whose daggers have stabb’d Caesar; I do fear it. Second citizen.
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Fourth Citizen. Room for Antony!—most noble Antony!

They were traitors: honourable men!
Antony. Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
Nay, press not so upon me; stand far’ off. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Citizens. Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Stand back; room! bear back. Whilst bloody treason flourish’d over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
Antony. The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold
You all do know this mantle: I remember Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here,
The first time ever Caesar put it on; Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors.
’Twas on a Summer’s evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii. First Citizen.
Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through: O piteous spectacle!
See what a rent the envious Casca made: Second citizen.
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; O noble Caesar!
And as he pluck’d his cursed steel away, Third Citizen.
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it,— O woeful day!
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no; Fourth Citizen.
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel: O traitors, villains!
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! First Citizen.
This was the most unkindest cut of all; O most bloody sight!
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Second citizen.
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, We will be revenged.
Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart;
Contents
And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Citizens.

Even at the base of Pompey’s statua, Revenge,—about,—seek,—burn,—fire,—kill,—slay,—let
not a traitor live!
Antony. Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue

Stay, countrymen. In every wound of Caesar, that should move
First Citizen. The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
Peace there! hear the noble Antony. Citizens.
Second citizen. We’ll mutiny.
We’ll hear him, we’ll follow him, we’ll die with him. First Citizen.
Antony. We’ll burn the house of Brutus.
Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up Third Citizen.
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
They that have done this deed are honourable: Antony.
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
That made them do it; they’re wise and honourable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. Citizens.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: Peace, ho! hear Antony; most noble Antony!
I am no orator, as Brutus is; Antony.
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.
That love my friend; and that they know full well Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
That gave me public leave to speak of him: Alas, you know not; I must tell you then:
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, You have forgot the will I told you of.
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, Citizens.
To stir men’s blood: I only speak right on; Most true; the will!—let’s stay, and hear the will.
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor dumb mouths, Antony.
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And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal.
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Second citizen. Fourth Citizen.

Most noble Caesar!—we’ll revenge his death. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
Third Citizen. [Exeunt Citizens, with the body.]
O, royal Caesar! Antony.
Antony. Now let it work.—Mischief, thou art afoot,
Hear me with patience. Take thou what course thou wilt!—
Citizens. [Enter a Servant.]

Peace, ho! How now, fellow?
Antony. Servant.
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
His private arbors, and new-planted orchards, Antony.
On this side Tiber: he hath left them you, Where is he?
And to your heirs forever; common pleasures,
Servant.
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
Antony.
First Citizen.
And thither will I straight to visit him:
Never, never.—Come, away, away!
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
We’ll burn his body in the holy place,
And in this mood will give us any thing.
And with the brands fire the traitors’ houses.
Take up the body. Servant.
I heard ‘em say Brutus and Cassius
Second citizen.
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Go, fetch fire.
Contents
Antony.
Third Citizen.
Belike they had some notice of the people,
Pluck down benches.
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
[Exeunt.] Fourth Citizen.

Ay, and wisely.
SCENE III. Third Citizen.

The same. A street. Ay, and truly; you were best.
[Enter Cinna, the poet.] Cinna.

What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell?
Cinna.
Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every
I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
man directly and briefly, wisely and truly. Wisely I say I am
And things unluckily charge my fantasy:
a bachelor.
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth. Second citizen.
[Enter Citizens.] That’s as much as to say they are fools that marry; you’ll
bear
First Citizen.
me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.
What is your name?
Cinna.
Second citizen.
Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.
Whither are you going?
First Citizen.
Third Citizen.
As a friend, or an enemy?
Where do you dwell?
Cinna.
Fourth Citizen.
As a friend.
Are you a married man or a bachelor?
Second citizen.
Second citizen.
That matter is answered directly.
Answer every man directly.
Contents
Fourth Citizen.
First Citizen.
For your dwelling,—briefly.
Ay, and briefly.
Cinna.
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Citizen.
Your name, sir, truly.
Cinna.
Truly, my name is Cinna.
First Citizen.
Tear him to pieces! he’s a conspirator.
Act 4.
SCENE I.
Cinna. Rome. A room in Antony’s house.
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
[Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, seated at a table.]
Fourth Citizen.
Antony.
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
These many then shall die; their names are prick’d.
Cinna.
Octavius.
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Your brother too must die: consent you, Lepidus?
Fourth Citizen.
Lepidus.
It is no matter, his name’s Cinna; pluck but his
I do consent,—
name out of his heart, and turn him going.
Octavius.
Third Citizen.
Prick him down, Antony.
Tear him, tear him! Come; brands, ho! firebrands. To
Brutus’, to Cassius’; burn all. Some to Decius’ house, and Lepidus.
some to Casca’s, some to Ligarius’: away, go! —Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Contents
Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.

[Exeunt.]
Antony.
He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house; Then take we down his load and turn him off,
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears
How to cut off some charge in legacies. And graze in commons.
Lepidus. Octavius.
What, shall I find you here? You may do your will;
Octavius. But he’s a tried and valiant soldier.
Or here, or at the Capitol. Antony.
[Exit Lepidus.] So is my horse, Octavius;and for that
I do appoint him store of provender:
Antony.
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
This is a slight unmeritable man,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,
Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,
His corporal motion govern’d by my spirit.
The three-fold world divided, he should stand
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;
One of the three to share it?
He must be taught, and train’d, and bid go forth:
Octavius. A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds
So you thought him; On objects, arts, and imitations,
And took his voice who should be prick’d to die, Which, out of use and staled by other men,
In our black sentence and proscription. Begin his fashion: do not talk of him
Antony. But as a property. And now, Octavius,
Octavius, I have seen more days than you: Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
And, though we lay these honors on this man, Are levying powers: we must straight make head;
To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, Therefore let our alliance be combined,
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, Our best friends made, our means stretch’d;
Contents
To groan and sweat under the business, And let us presently go sit in council,
Either led or driven, as we point the way; How covert matters may be best disclosed,
And having brought our treasure where we will, And open perils surest answered.
Octavius. Hath given me some worthy cause to wish

Let us do so: for we are at the stake, Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,
And bay’d about with many enemies; I shall be satisfied.
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Pindarus.
Millions of mischiefs. I do not doubt
[Exeunt.] But that my noble master will appear
Such as he is, full of regard and honour.
SCENE II. Brutus.
Before Brutus’ tent, in the camp near Sardis. He is not doubted.—A word, Lucilius:
[Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Titinius, and Soldiers; How he received you, let me be resolved.
Pindarus meeting them; Lucius at some distance.] Lucilius.
Brutus. With courtesy and with respect enough;
Stand, ho! But not with such familiar instances,
Nor with such free and friendly conference,
Lucilius.
As he hath used of old.
Give the word, ho! and stand.
Brutus.
Brutus.
Thou hast described
What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?
A hot friend cooling: ever note, Lucilius,
Lucilius. When love begins to sicken and decay,
He is at hand; and Pindarus is come It useth an enforced ceremony.
To do you salutation from his master. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;
[Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus.] But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
Contents
Brutus. Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

He greets me well.—Your master, Pindarus, But, when they should endure the bloody spur,
In his own change, or by ill officers, They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on? Brutus.

Lucilius. Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies?
They meant his night in Sard is to be quarter’d: And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
The greater part, the Horse in general, Cassius.
Are come with Cassius. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs;
[March within.] And when you do them—
Brutus. Brutus.
Hark! he is arrived. Cassius, be content;
March gently on to meet him. Speak your griefs softly, I do know you well.
Before the eyes of both our armies here,
[Enter Cassius and Soldiers.]
Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
Cassius. Let us not wrangle; bid them move away;
Stand, ho! Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
Brutus. And I will give you audience.
Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Cassius.
First soldier. Pindarus,
Stand! Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground.
Second soldier.
Stand! Brutus.
Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man
Third soldier.
Come to our tent till we have done our conference.—
Stand!
Lucius and Titinius, guard our door.
Cassius.
Contents
[Exeunt.]
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Brutus.
SCENE III. The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
Within the tent of Brutus. And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
[Enter Brutus and Cassius.] Cassius.
Cassius. Chastisement!
That you have wrong’d me doth appear in this: Brutus.
You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella Remember March, the Ides of March remember:
For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?
Whereas my letters, praying on his side What villain touch’d his body, that did stab,
Because I knew the man, were slighted off. And not for justice? What! shall one of us,
Brutus. That struck the foremost man of all this world
You wrong’d yourself to write in such a case. But for supporting robbers,—shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes
Cassius.
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
In such a time as this it is not meet
For so much trash as may be grasped thus?
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,
Brutus. Than such a Roman.
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Cassius.
Are much condemn’d to have an itching palm,
Brutus, bay not me,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
I’ll not endure it: you forget yourself,
To undeservers.
To hedge me in; I am a soldier, ay,
Cassius. Older in practice, abler than yourself
I an itching palm! To make conditions.
Contents
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,

Brutus.
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
Go to; you are not, Cassius.
Cassius. Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,

I am. I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
Brutus. When you are waspish.
I say you are not. Cassius.
Cassius. Is it come to this?
Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Brutus.
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther. You say you are a better soldier:
Brutus. Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,
Away, slight man! And it shall please me well: for mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of abler men.
Cassius.
Is’t possible? Cassius.
You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus.
Brutus. I said, an elder soldier, not a better:
Hear me, for I will speak. Did I say “better”?
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? Brutus.
If you did, I care not.
Cassius.
O gods, ye gods! must I endure all this? Cassius.
When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
Brutus.
All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Brutus.
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Cassius.
Contents
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch I durst not?

Under your testy humour? By the gods, Brutus.
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, No.
Cassius. Dash him to pieces!

What, durst not tempt him? Cassius.
Brutus. I denied you not.
For your life you durst not. Brutus.
Cassius. You did.
Do not presume too much upon my love; Cassius.
I may do that I shall be sorry for. I did not. He was but a fool
Brutus. That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart:
You have done that you should be sorry for. A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
For I am arm’d so strong in honesty, Brutus.
That they pass by me as the idle wind I do not, till you practise them on me.
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;— Cassius.
For I can raise no money by vile means: You love me not.
By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart, Brutus.
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring I do not like your faults.
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash Cassius.
By any indirection:—I did send A friendly eye could never see such faults.
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Brutus.
Should I have answer’d Caius Cassius so? A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous As huge as high Olympus.
Contents
To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Cassius.

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Come, Antony and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, When grief, and blood ill-temper’d, vexeth him?
For Cassius is a-weary of the world; Brutus.
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; When I spoke that, I was ill-temper’d too.
Check’d like a bondman; all his faults observed,
Set in a note-book, learn’d and conn’d by rote, Cassius.
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
My spirit from mine eyes!—There is my dagger, Brutus.
And here my naked breast; within, a heart And my heart too.
Dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold: Cassius.
If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth; O Brutus,—
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike as thou didst at Caesar; for I know, Brutus.
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better What’s the matter?
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. Cassius.
Brutus. —Have not you love enough to bear with me,
Sheathe your dagger: When that rash humor which my mother gave me
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Makes me forgetful?
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humour. Brutus.
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth,
That carries anger as the flint bears fire; When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.
And straight is cold again. [Noise within.]
Cassius. Poet.
Contents
Hath Cassius lived [Within.] Let me go in to see the generals:

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, There is some grudge between ‘em; ’tis not meet
They be alone. Cassius.

Lucilius. Away, away, be gone!
[Within.] You shall not come to them. [Exit Poet.]
Poet. Brutus.
[Within.] Nothing but death shall stay me. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders
[Enter Poet, followed by Lucilius, and Titinius.] Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
Cassius. Cassius.
How now! What’s the matter? And come yourselves and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us.
Poet.
[Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius.]
For shame, you generals! what do you mean?
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; Brutus.
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye. Lucius, a bowl of wine!
Cassius. [Exit Lucius.]

Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme! Cassius.
Brutus. I did not think you could have been so angry.
Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence! Brutus.
Cassius. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
Bear with him, Brutus; ’tis his fashion. Cassius.
Brutus. Of your philosophy you make no use,
I’ll know his humor when he knows his time: If you give place to accidental evils.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?— Brutus.
Contents
Companion, hence! No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
Cassius. [Drinks.]
Ha! Portia! Cassius.
Brutus. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
She is dead. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup;
Cassius. I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.
How ‘scaped I killing, when I cross’d you so?— [Drinks.]
O insupportable and touching loss!— Brutus.
Upon what sickness? Come in, Titinius!—
Brutus. [Exit Lucius.]
Impatient of my absence, [Re-enter Titinius, with Messala.]
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Welcome, good Messala.—
Have made themselves so strong;—for with her death
Now sit we close about this taper here,
That tidings came;—with this she fell distract,
And call in question our necessities.
And, her attendants absent, swallow’d fire.
Cassius.
Cassius.
Portia, art thou gone?
And died so?
Brutus.
Brutus.
No more, I pray you.—
Even so.
Messala, I have here received letters,
Cassius. That young Octavius and Mark Antony
O ye immortal gods! Come down upon us with a mighty power,
[Re-enter Lucius, with wine and a taper.] Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
Contents
Brutus. Messala.
Speak no more of her.—Give me a bowl of wine.— Myself have letters of the selfsame tenour.
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
Brutus. Brutus.
With what addition? Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours?
Messala. Messala.
That by proscription and bills of outlawry No, my lord.
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus Brutus.
Have put to death an hundred Senators. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
Brutus. Messala.
There in our letters do not well agree: Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell:
Mine speak of seventy Senators that died For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
Brutus.
Cassius. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala:
Cicero one! With meditating that she must die once,
Messala. I have the patience to endure it now.
Cicero is dead, Messala.
And by that order of proscription.— Even so great men great losses should endure.
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Cassius.
Brutus. I have as much of this in art as you,
No, Messala. But yet my nature could not bear it so.
Messala. Brutus.
Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Brutus. Of marching to Philippi presently?
Contents
Nothing, Messala. Cassius.

Messala. I do not think it good.
That, methinks, is strange.
Brutus. The enemy increaseth every day;

Your reason? We, at the height, are ready to decline.
Cassius. There is a tide in the affairs of men
This it is: Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
’Tis better that the enemy seek us;: Omitted, all the voyage of their life
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
Doing himself offense; whilst we, lying still, On such a full sea are we now afloat;
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
Brutus.
Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. Cassius.
The people ‘twixt Philippi and this ground Then, with your will, go on:
Do stand but in a forced affection; We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
For they have grudged us contribution: Brutus.
The enemy, marching along by them, The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
By them shall make a fuller number up, And nature must obey necessity;
Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encouraged; Which we will niggard with a little rest.
From which advantage shall we cut him off, There is no more to say?
If at Philippi we do face him there, Cassius.
These people at our back. No more. Good night:
Cassius. Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence.
Hear me, good brother. Brutus.
Brutus. Lucius!—My gown.—Farewell now, good Messala:—
Contents
Under your pardon. You must note besides, Good night, Titinius:—noble, noble Cassius,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Good night, and good repose.
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe:
Cassius. I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

O my dear brother! Lucius.
This was an ill beginning of the night. Varro and Claudius!
Never come such division ‘tween our souls!
[Enter Varro and Claudius.]
Let it not, Brutus.
Varro.
Brutus.
Calls my lord?
Every thing is well.
Brutus.
Cassius.
I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;
Good night, my lord.
It may be I shall raise you by-and-by
Brutus. On business to my brother Cassius.
Good night, good brother.
Varro.
Titinius, Messala. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
Good night, Lord Brutus.
Brutus.
Brutus. I would not have it so; lie down, good sirs:
Farewell, everyone.— It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.—
[Exeunt Cassius, Titinius, and Messala.] Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so;
[Re-enter Lucius, with the gown.] I put it in the pocket of my gown.
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? [Servants lie down.]
Lucius. Lucius.
Here in the tent. I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
Brutus. Brutus.
Contents
What, thou speak’st drowsily: Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o’er-watch’d. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
Call Claudius and some other of my men; And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
Lucius. Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.

Ay, my lord, an’t please you. [Enter the Ghost of Caesar.]
Brutus. How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?
It does, my boy: I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. That shapes this monstrous apparition.
Lucius. It comes upon me.—Art thou any thing?
It is my duty, sir. Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Brutus.
Speak to me what thou art.
I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
I know young bloods look for a time of rest. Ghost.
Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
Lucius.
I have slept, my lord, already. Brutus.
Why comest thou?
Brutus.
It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; Ghost.
I will not hold thee long: if I do live, To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
I will be good to thee.— Brutus.
[Lucius plays and sings till he falls asleep.] Well; then I shall see thee again?
Ghost.
This is a sleepy tune.—O murderous Slumber, Ay, at Philippi.
Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,
Brutus.
That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night;
Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee:
Contents
If thou dost nod, thou breakst thy instrument; [Ghost vanishes.]

I’ll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night.— Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest:
Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn’d down Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.—
Boy! Lucius!—Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake!—Claudius! Brutus.

Lucius. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
The strings, my lord, are false. Varro, Claudius.
Brutus. Did we, my lord?
He thinks he still is at his instrument.— Brutus.
Lucius, awake! Ay: saw you any thing?
Lucius. Varro.
My lord? No, my lord, I saw nothing.
Brutus. Claudius.
Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? Nor I, my lord.
Lucius. Brutus.
My lord, I do not know that I did cry. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius;
Brutus. Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing? And we will follow.
Lucius. Varro. Claudius.

Nothing, my lord. It shall be done, my lord.
[Exeunt.]
Brutus.
Sleep again, Lucius.—Sirrah Claudius!—
[To Varro.] Fellow thou, awake!
Varro.
My lord?
Contents
Claudius.
My lord?
[Enter a Messenger.]
Messenger.
Prepare you, generals:
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,
And something to be done immediately.
Act 5. Antony.
Octavius, lead your battle softly on,
SCENE I.
Upon the left hand of the even field.
The plains of Philippi.
Octavius.
[Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army.]
Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
Octavius.
Antony.
Now, Antony, our hopes are answered.
Why do you cross me in this exigent?
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions: Octavius.
It proves not so; their battles are at hand: I do not cross you; but I will do so.
They mean to warn us at Philippi here, [March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army;
Answering before we do demand of them. Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, and Others.]
Antony. Brutus.
Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know They stand, and would have parley.
Wherefore they do it: they could be content
Cassius.
To visit other places; and come down
Stand fast, Titinius: we must out and talk.
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face
Contents
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; Octavius.

But ’tis not so. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
Antony. For you have stol’n their buzzing, Antony,

No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. And very wisely threat before you sting.
Make forth; the generals would have some words. Antony.
Octavius. Villains, you did not so when your vile daggers
Stir not until the signal. Hack’d one another in the sides of Caesar:
Brutus. You show’d your teeth like apes, and fawn’d like hounds,
Words before blows: is it so, countrymen? And bow’d like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind
Octavius. Struck Caesar on the neck. O flatterers!
Not that we love words better, as you do.
Cassius.
Brutus. Flatterers!—Now, Brutus, thank yourself:
Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. This tongue had not offended so to-day,
Antony. If Cassius might have ruled.
In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Octavius.
Witness the hole you made in Caesar’s heart, Come, come, the cause: if arguing makes us sweat,
Crying, “Long live! Hail, Caesar!” The proof of it will turn to redder drops.
Cassius. Look,—
Antony, I draw a sword against conspirators:
The posture of your blows are yet unknown; When think you that the sword goes up again?
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, Never, till Caesar’s three and thirty wounds
And leave them honeyless. Be well avenged; or till another Caesar
Antony. Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.
Contents
Not stingless too. Brutus.

Brutus. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors’ hands,
O, yes, and soundless too, Unless thou bring’st them with thee.
Octavius. [Brutus and Lucilius talk apart.]

So I hope; Cassius.
I was not born to die on Brutus’ sword. Messala,—
Brutus. Messala.
O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, What says my General?
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourably.
Cassius.
Cassius. Messala,
A peevish school boy, worthless of such honour, This is my birth-day; as this very day
Join’d with a masker and a reveller! Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala:
Antony. Be thou my witness that against my will,
Old Cassius still! As Pompey was, am I compell’d to set
Octavius. Upon one battle all our liberties.
Come, Antony; away!— You know that I held Epicurus strong,
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: And his opinion: now I change my mind,
If you dare fight today, come to the field; And partly credit things that do presage.
If not, when you have stomachs. Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
Two mighty eagles fell; and there they perch’d,
[Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their Army.]
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers’ hands;
Cassius. Who to Philippi here consorted us:
Why, now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! This morning are they fled away and gone;
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites
Brutus. Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us,
As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem
Contents
Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you.

A canopy most fatal, under which
Lucilius.
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost.
My lord?
Messala. That govern us below.

Believe not so. Cassius.
Cassius. Then, if we lose this battle,
I but believe it partly; You are contented to be led in triumph
For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved Thorough the streets of Rome?
To meet all perils very constantly. Brutus.
Brutus. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman,
Even so, Lucilius. That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
Cassius. He bears too great a mind. But this same day
Now, most noble Brutus, Must end that work the Ides of March begun;
The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! Therefore our everlasting farewell take:
But, since th’ affairs of men rest still incertain, For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius!
Let’s reason with the worst that may befall. If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If we do lose this battle, then is this If not, why, then this parting was well made.
The very last time we shall speak together: Cassius.
What are you then determined to do? For ever and for ever farewell, Brutus!
Brutus. If we do meet again, we’ll smile indeed;
Even by the rule of that philosophy If not, ’tis true this parting was well made.
By which I did blame Cato for the death Brutus.
Which he did give himself;—I know not how, Why then, lead on. O, that a man might know
But I do find it cowardly and vile, The end of this day’s business ere it come!
Contents
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent But it sufficeth that the day will end,
The time of life;—arming myself with patience And then the end is known.—Come, ho! away!
To stay the providence of some high powers [Exeunt.]
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,

SCENE II. Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
The same. The field of battle. [Enter Pindarus.]
[Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.] Pindarus.
Brutus. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord:
Unto the legions on the other side: Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far’ off.
Let them set on at once; for I perceive Cassius.
But cold demeanor in Octavius’ wing, This hill is far enough.—Look, look, Titinius;
And sudden push gives them the overthrow. Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
Titinius.
[Exeunt.] They are, my lord.
Cassius.
SCENE III. Titinius, if thou lovest me,
Another part of the field. Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him,
[Alarum. Enter Cassius and Titinius.] Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
Cassius. And here again; that I may rest assured
O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Myself have to mine own turn’d enemy: Titinius.
This ensign here of mine was turning back; I will be here again, even with a thought.
I slew the coward, and did take it from him. [Exit.]
Contents
Titinius. Cassius.
O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill:
Who, having some advantage on Octavius, My sight was ever thick: regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou notest about the field.— Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;
[Pindarus goes up.] Now be a freeman; and with this good sword,
That ran through Caesar’s bowels, search this bosom.
This day I breathed first: time is come round,
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;
And where I did begin, there shall I end;
And when my face is cover’d, as ’tis now,
My life is run his compass.—Sirrah, what news?
Guide thou the sword.—Caesar, thou art revenged,
Pindarus. Even with the sword that kill’d thee.
[Above.] O my lord!
[Dies.]
Cassius.
Pindarus.
What news?
So, I am free, yet would not so have been,
Pindarus. Durst I have done my will.—O Cassius!
[Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur: Where never Roman shall take note of him.
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him.— [Exit.]
Now, Titinius!—Now some ‘light. O, he ‘lights too:
He’s ta’en; [Shout.] and, hark! they shout for joy.
[Re-enter Titinius with Messala.]
Cassius.
Messala.
Come down; behold no more.—
It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius
O, coward that I am, to live so long,
Is overthrown by noble Brutus’ power,
To see my best friend ta’en before my face!
As Cassius’ legions are by Antony.
[Pindarus descends.]
Titinius.
Come hither, sirrah:
These tidings would well comfort Cassius.
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner;
Contents
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, Messala.

That whatsoever I did bid thee do, Where did you leave him?
Titinius. Titinius.
All disconsolate, What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. Messala.
Messala. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet
Is not that he that lies upon the ground? The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Titinius. Into his ears: I may say, thrusting it;
He lies not like the living. O my heart! For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
Messala. As tidings of this sight.
Is not that he?
Titinius.
Titinius. Hie you, Messala,
No, this was he, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the while.—
But Cassius is no more.—O setting Sun,
[Exit Messala.]
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?
So in his red blood Cassius’ day is set,
Did I not meet thy friends? And did not they
The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!
Messala. But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
O hateful Error, Melancholy’s child! Will do his bidding.—Brutus, come apace,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.—
The things that are not? O Error, soon conceived, By your leave, gods: this is a Roman’s part:
Contents
Thou never comest unto a happy birth, Come, Cassius’ sword, and find Titinius’ heart.
But kill’st the mother that engender’d thee!
[Dies.]
[Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.—
Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.] Come therefore, and to Thassos send his body:
Brutus. His funerals shall not be in our camp,
Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? Lest it discomfort us.—Lucilius, come;—
And come, young Cato;—let us to the field.—
Messala. Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on:—
Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. ’Tis three o’clock; and Romans, yet ere night
Brutus. We shall try fortune in a second fight.
Titinius’ face is upward. [Exeunt.]
Cato.
He is slain.
Brutus. SCENE IV.
O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! Another part of the field.
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords [Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then
In our own proper entrails. Brutus, young Cato, Lucilius, and Others.]
[Low alarums.] Brutus.
Cato. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Brave Titinius! Cato.
Look whether he have not crown’d dead Cassius! What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
Brutus. I will proclaim my name about the field:—
Are yet two Romans living such as these?— I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend;
Contents
It is impossible that ever Rome I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

Should breed thy fellow.—Friends, I owe more tears [Charges the enemy.]
To this dead man than you shall see me pay.—
Brutus. Antony.
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Where is he?
Brutus, my country’s friend; know me for Brutus! Lucilius.
[Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and falls.] Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:
Lucilius. I dare assure thee that no enemy
O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius; The gods defend him from so great a shame!
And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son. When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
First soldier.
Yield, or thou diest. Antony.
This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you,
Lucilius.
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe,
Only I yield to die:
Give him all kindness; I had rather have
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
[Offering money.]
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead;
Kill Brutus, and be honour’d in his death.
And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent
First soldier. How everything is chanced.
We must not. A noble prisoner! [Exeunt.]
Second soldier.
Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.
First soldier.
I’ll tell the news. Here comes the General.—
Contents
[Enter Antony.]
Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.
Dardanius.
SCENE V. Shall I do such a deed?
Another part of the field. Clitus.
[Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.] O Dardanius!
Dardanius.
Brutus. O Clitus!
Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Clitus.
Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
Statilius show’d the torch-light; but, my lord,
He came not back: he is or ta’en or slain. Dardanius.
To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
Brutus.
Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word; Clitus.
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.
[Whispering.]
Brutus.
Clitus.
Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
Volumnius.
Brutus.
What says my lord?
Peace then! no words.
Brutus.
Clitus.
Why, this, Volumnius:
I’ll rather kill myself.
The ghost of Caesar hath appear’d to me
Brutus. Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
Contents
Hark thee, Dardanius. And this last night here in Philippi fields:
[Whispers him.] I know my hour is come.
Volumnius. More than Octavius and Mark Antony

Not so, my lord. By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
Brutus. So, fare you well at once; for Brutus’ tongue
Nay I am sure it is, Volumnius. Hath almost ended his life’s history:
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes; Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest
Our enemies have beat us to the pit: That have but labour’d to attain this hour.
[Low alarums.] [Alarums. Cry within, “Fly, fly, fly!”]
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Clitus.

Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Fly, my lord, fly!
Thou know’st that we two went to school together; Brutus.
Even for that our love of old, I pr’ythee, Hence! I will follow.—
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. [Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.]
Volumnius. I pr’ythee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:
That’s not an office for a friend, my lord. Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
[Alarums still.] Thy life hath had some smack of honor in it:
Clitus. Hold, then, my sword, and turn away thy face,
Fly, fly, my lord! there is no tarrying here. While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Brutus. Strato.
Farewell to you;—and you;—and you, Volumnius.— Give me your hand first: fare you well, my lord.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; Brutus.
Farewell to thee too, Strato.—Countrymen, Farewell, good Strato.—Caesar, now be still:
My heart doth joy, that yet in all my life I kill’d not thee with half so good a will.
Contents
I found no man but he was true to me. [He runs on his sword, and dies.]
I shall have glory by this losing day,
[Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony, Messala,
Lucilius, and Army.] Strato.

Octavius. I held the sword, and he did run on it.
What man is that? Messala.
Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
My master’s man.—Strato, where is thy master? That did the latest service to my master.
Strato. Antony.
Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: This was the noblest Roman of them all:
The conquerors can but make a fire of him; All the conspirators, save only he,
For Brutus only overcame himself, Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
And no man else hath honour by his death. He only, in a general-honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
Lucilius. His life was gentle; and the elements
So Brutus should be found.—I thank thee, Brutus, So mix’d in him that Nature might stand up
That thou hast proved Lucilius’ saying true. And say to all the world, “This was a man!”
Octavius. Octavius.
All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.— According to his virtue let us use him
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me? With all respect and rites of burial.
Strato. Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. Most like a soldier, order’d honorably.—
Octavius. So, call the field to rest; and let’s away,
Do so, good Messala. To part the glories of this happy day.
Messala.
Contents
[Exeunt.]
How died my master, Strato?
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Shakespeare Julius Caesar

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Shakespeare Julius Caesar

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SCENE: You, sir; what trade are you?

[Enter, in procession, with music, Caesar; Antony, for the Antony.

Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. Caesar!

Casca. [Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius.]

Beware the Ides of March.

Conceptions only proper to myself, Brutus.

Brutus. And bade him follow: so indeed he did.

Leap in with me into this angry flood

Brutus. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;

Caesar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cae-

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, [Exit.]

Like twenty torches join’d, and yet his hand

Casca. Send word to you he would be there to-morrow.

[Exit Cicero.] Casca.

Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca,

Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,

[Enter Cinna.] Cinna.

To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie

Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:

Lucius. And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg

Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough Brutus.

Cassius. Which is a great way growing on the South,

But all be buried in his gravity.

We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar; Trebonius.

And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,

To dare the vile contagion of the night, Brutus.

And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs

Ne’er look but on my back; when they shall see

You shall not stir out of your house to-day.

Caesar. Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear

[Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca,

Publius. Be near me, that I may remember you.

Which way hast thou been?

Portia. Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

Of Senators, of Praetors, common suitors,

At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

Advances to Caesar. And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

Fates, we will know your pleasures:

Antony. By that which he will utter?

You know not what you do; do not consent Antony.

Brutus. [Enter a Servant].

Third Citizen. Citizens.

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Second citizen.

Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Citizens.

Fourth Citizen. Room for Antony!—most noble Antony!

And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Citizens.

Antony. Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue

Second citizen. Fourth Citizen.

Citizens. [Enter a Servant.]

[Exeunt.] Fourth Citizen.

SCENE III. Third Citizen.

[Enter Cinna, the poet.] Cinna.

Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.

Octavius. Hath given me some worthy cause to wish

Brutus. Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

Sink in the trial. Comes his army on? Brutus.