Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
CASSIUS. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! `
` Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy. `
` This ensign here of mine was turning back; `
` I slew the coward, and did take it from him. `
` TITINIUS. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, `
` Who, having some advantage on Octavius, `
` Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil, `
` Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. `
` `
` Enter Pindarus. `
` `
` PINDARUS. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; `
` Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord; `
` Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. `
` CASSIUS. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius: `
` Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? `
` TITINIUS. They are, my lord. `
` CASSIUS. Titinius, if thou lovest me, `
` Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, `
` Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops `
` And here again, that I may rest assured `
` Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. `
` TITINIUS. I will be here again, even with a thought. Exit. `
` CASSIUS. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; `
` My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, `
` And tell me what thou notest about the field. `
` Pindarus ascends the hill. `
` This day I breathed first: time is come round, `
` And where I did begin, there shall I end; `
` My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? `
` PINDARUS. [Above.] O my lord! `
` CASSIUS. What news? `
` PINDARUS. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about `
` With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; `
` Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. `
` Now, Titinius! Now some light. O, he lights too. `
` He's ta'en [Shout.] And, hark! They shout for joy. `
` CASSIUS. Come down; behold no more. `
` O, coward that I am, to live so long, `
` To see my best friend ta'en before my face! `
` Pindarus descends. `
` Come hither, sirrah. `
` In Parthia did I take thee prisoner, `
` And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, `
` That whatsoever I did bid thee do, `
` Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath; `
` Now be a freeman, and with this good sword, `
` That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. `
` Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts; `
` And when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now, `
` Guide thou the sword. [Pindarus stabs him.] Caesar, thou art `
` revenged, `
` Even with the sword that kill'd thee. Dies. `
` PINDARUS. So, I am free, yet would not so have been, `
` Durst I have done my will. O Cassius! `
` Far from this country Pindarus shall run, `
` Where never Roman shall take note of him. Exit. `
` `
` Re-enter Titinius with Messala. `
` `
` MESSALA. It is but change, Titinius, for Octavius `
` Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, `
` As Cassius' legions are by Antony. `
` TITINIUS. These tidings would well comfort Cassius. `
` MESSALA. Where did you leave him? `
` TITINIUS. All disconsolate, `
` With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. `
` MESSALA. Is not that he that lies upon the ground? `
` TITINIUS. He lies not like the living. O my heart! `
` MESSALA. Is not that he? `
` TITINIUS. No, this was he, Messala, `
` But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, `
` As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night, `
` So in his red blood Cassius' day is set, `
` The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone; `
` Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done! `
` Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. `
` MESSALA. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. `
` O hateful error, melancholy's child, `
` Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men `
` The things that are not? O error, soon conceived, `
` Thou never comest unto a happy birth, `
` But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee! `
` TITINIUS. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus? `
` MESSALA. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet `
` The noble Brutus, thrusting this report `
` Into his ears. I may say "thrusting" it, `
` For piercing steel and darts envenomed `
` Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus `
` As tidings of this sight. `
` TITINIUS. Hie you, Messala, `
` And I will seek for Pindarus the while. Exit Messala. `
` Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? `
` Did I not meet thy friends? And did not they `
` Put on my brows this wreath of victory, `
` And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? `
` Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything! `
` But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; `
` Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I `
` Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, `
` And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. `
` By your leave, gods, this is a Roman's part. `
` Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. `
` Kills himself. `
` `
` Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, `
` and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? `
` MESSALA. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. `
` BRUTUS. Titinius' face is upward. `
` CATO. He is slain. `
` BRUTUS. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! `
` Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords `
` In our own proper entrails. Low alarums. `
` CATO. Brave Titinius! `
` Look whe'er he have not crown'd dead Cassius! `
` BRUTUS. Are yet two Romans living such as these? `
` The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! `
` It is impossible that ever Rome `
` Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears `
` To this dead man than you shall see me pay. `
` I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. `
` Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body; `
` His funerals shall not be in our camp, `
` Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come, `
` And come, young Cato; let us to the field. `
` Labio and Flavio, set our battles on. `
` 'Tis three o'clock, and Romans, yet ere night `
` We shall try fortune in a second fight. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE IV. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then Brutus, `
` young Cato, `
` Lucilius, and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads! `
` CATO. What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? `
` I will proclaim my name about the field. `
` I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! `
` A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend. `
` I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! `
` BRUTUS. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; `
` Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus! Exit. `
` LUCILIUS. O young and noble Cato, art thou down? `
` Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, `
` And mayst be honor'd, being Cato's son. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. Yield, or thou diest. `
` LUCILIUS. Only I yield to die. `
` [Offers money.] There is so much that thou wilt kill me `
` straight: `
` Kill Brutus, and be honor'd in his death. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. We must not. A noble prisoner! `
` SECOND SOLDIER. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. I'll tell the news. Here comes the general. `
` `
` Enter Antony. `
` `
` Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. `
` ANTONY. Where is he? `
` LUCILIUS. Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough. `
` I dare assure thee that no enemy `
` Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus; `
` The gods defend him from so great a shame! `
` When you do find him, or alive or dead, `
` He will be found like Brutus, like himself. `
` ANTONY. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, `
` A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe, `
` Give him all kindness; I had rather have `
` Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, `
` And see wheer Brutus be alive or dead, `
` And bring us word unto Octavius' tent `
` How everything is chanced. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE V. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. `
` CLITUS. Statilius show'd the torchlight, but, my lord, `
` He came not back. He is or ta'en or slain. `
` BRUTUS. Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word: `
` It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. Whispers. `
` CLITUS. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world. `
` BRUTUS. Peace then, no words. `
` CLITUS. I'll rather kill myself. `
` BRUTUS. Hark thee, Dardanius. Whispers. `
` DARDANIUS. Shall I do such a deed? `
` CLITUS. O Dardanius! `
` DARDANIUS. O Clitus! `
` CLITUS. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? `
` DARDANIUS. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. `
`
` Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy. `
` This ensign here of mine was turning back; `
` I slew the coward, and did take it from him. `
` TITINIUS. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, `
` Who, having some advantage on Octavius, `
` Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil, `
` Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. `
` `
` Enter Pindarus. `
` `
` PINDARUS. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; `
` Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord; `
` Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. `
` CASSIUS. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius: `
` Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? `
` TITINIUS. They are, my lord. `
` CASSIUS. Titinius, if thou lovest me, `
` Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, `
` Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops `
` And here again, that I may rest assured `
` Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. `
` TITINIUS. I will be here again, even with a thought. Exit. `
` CASSIUS. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; `
` My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, `
` And tell me what thou notest about the field. `
` Pindarus ascends the hill. `
` This day I breathed first: time is come round, `
` And where I did begin, there shall I end; `
` My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? `
` PINDARUS. [Above.] O my lord! `
` CASSIUS. What news? `
` PINDARUS. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about `
` With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; `
` Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. `
` Now, Titinius! Now some light. O, he lights too. `
` He's ta'en [Shout.] And, hark! They shout for joy. `
` CASSIUS. Come down; behold no more. `
` O, coward that I am, to live so long, `
` To see my best friend ta'en before my face! `
` Pindarus descends. `
` Come hither, sirrah. `
` In Parthia did I take thee prisoner, `
` And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, `
` That whatsoever I did bid thee do, `
` Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath; `
` Now be a freeman, and with this good sword, `
` That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. `
` Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts; `
` And when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now, `
` Guide thou the sword. [Pindarus stabs him.] Caesar, thou art `
` revenged, `
` Even with the sword that kill'd thee. Dies. `
` PINDARUS. So, I am free, yet would not so have been, `
` Durst I have done my will. O Cassius! `
` Far from this country Pindarus shall run, `
` Where never Roman shall take note of him. Exit. `
` `
` Re-enter Titinius with Messala. `
` `
` MESSALA. It is but change, Titinius, for Octavius `
` Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, `
` As Cassius' legions are by Antony. `
` TITINIUS. These tidings would well comfort Cassius. `
` MESSALA. Where did you leave him? `
` TITINIUS. All disconsolate, `
` With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. `
` MESSALA. Is not that he that lies upon the ground? `
` TITINIUS. He lies not like the living. O my heart! `
` MESSALA. Is not that he? `
` TITINIUS. No, this was he, Messala, `
` But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, `
` As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night, `
` So in his red blood Cassius' day is set, `
` The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone; `
` Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done! `
` Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. `
` MESSALA. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. `
` O hateful error, melancholy's child, `
` Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men `
` The things that are not? O error, soon conceived, `
` Thou never comest unto a happy birth, `
` But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee! `
` TITINIUS. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus? `
` MESSALA. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet `
` The noble Brutus, thrusting this report `
` Into his ears. I may say "thrusting" it, `
` For piercing steel and darts envenomed `
` Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus `
` As tidings of this sight. `
` TITINIUS. Hie you, Messala, `
` And I will seek for Pindarus the while. Exit Messala. `
` Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? `
` Did I not meet thy friends? And did not they `
` Put on my brows this wreath of victory, `
` And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? `
` Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything! `
` But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; `
` Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I `
` Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, `
` And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. `
` By your leave, gods, this is a Roman's part. `
` Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. `
` Kills himself. `
` `
` Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, `
` and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? `
` MESSALA. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. `
` BRUTUS. Titinius' face is upward. `
` CATO. He is slain. `
` BRUTUS. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! `
` Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords `
` In our own proper entrails. Low alarums. `
` CATO. Brave Titinius! `
` Look whe'er he have not crown'd dead Cassius! `
` BRUTUS. Are yet two Romans living such as these? `
` The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! `
` It is impossible that ever Rome `
` Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears `
` To this dead man than you shall see me pay. `
` I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. `
` Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body; `
` His funerals shall not be in our camp, `
` Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come, `
` And come, young Cato; let us to the field. `
` Labio and Flavio, set our battles on. `
` 'Tis three o'clock, and Romans, yet ere night `
` We shall try fortune in a second fight. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE IV. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then Brutus, `
` young Cato, `
` Lucilius, and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads! `
` CATO. What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? `
` I will proclaim my name about the field. `
` I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! `
` A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend. `
` I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! `
` BRUTUS. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; `
` Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus! Exit. `
` LUCILIUS. O young and noble Cato, art thou down? `
` Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, `
` And mayst be honor'd, being Cato's son. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. Yield, or thou diest. `
` LUCILIUS. Only I yield to die. `
` [Offers money.] There is so much that thou wilt kill me `
` straight: `
` Kill Brutus, and be honor'd in his death. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. We must not. A noble prisoner! `
` SECOND SOLDIER. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. `
` FIRST SOLDIER. I'll tell the news. Here comes the general. `
` `
` Enter Antony. `
` `
` Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. `
` ANTONY. Where is he? `
` LUCILIUS. Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough. `
` I dare assure thee that no enemy `
` Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus; `
` The gods defend him from so great a shame! `
` When you do find him, or alive or dead, `
` He will be found like Brutus, like himself. `
` ANTONY. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, `
` A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe, `
` Give him all kindness; I had rather have `
` Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, `
` And see wheer Brutus be alive or dead, `
` And bring us word unto Octavius' tent `
` How everything is chanced. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE V. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. `
` CLITUS. Statilius show'd the torchlight, but, my lord, `
` He came not back. He is or ta'en or slain. `
` BRUTUS. Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word: `
` It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. Whispers. `
` CLITUS. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world. `
` BRUTUS. Peace then, no words. `
` CLITUS. I'll rather kill myself. `
` BRUTUS. Hark thee, Dardanius. Whispers. `
` DARDANIUS. Shall I do such a deed? `
` CLITUS. O Dardanius! `
` DARDANIUS. O Clitus! `
` CLITUS. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? `
` DARDANIUS. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. `
`