Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
MESSALA. Even so great men great losses should endure. `
` CASSIUS. I have as much of this in art as you, `
` But yet my nature could not bear it so. `
` BRUTUS. Well, to our work alive. What do you think `
` Of marching to Philippi presently? `
` CASSIUS. I do not think it good. `
` BRUTUS. Your reason? `
` CASSIUS. This it is: `
` 'Tis better that the enemy seek us; `
` So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, `
` Doing himself offense, whilst we lying still `
` Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. `
` BRUTUS. Good reasons must of force give place to better. `
` The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground `
` Do stand but in a forced affection, `
` For they have grudged us contribution. `
` The enemy, marching along by them, `
` By them shall make a fuller number up, `
` Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged; `
` From which advantage shall we cut him off `
` If at Philippi we do face him there, `
` These people at our back. `
` CASSIUS. Hear me, good brother. `
` BRUTUS. Under your pardon. You must note beside `
` That we have tried the utmost of our friends, `
` Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: `
` The enemy increaseth every day; `
` We, at the height, are ready to decline. `
` There is a tide in the affairs of men `
` Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; `
` Omitted, all the voyage of their life `
` Is bound in shallows and in miseries. `
` On such a full sea are we now afloat, `
` And we must take the current when it serves, `
` Or lose our ventures. `
` CASSIUS. Then, with your will, go on; `
` We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, `
` And nature must obey necessity, `
` Which we will niggard with a little rest. `
` There is no more to say? `
` CASSIUS. No more. Good night. `
` Early tomorrow will we rise and hence. `
` BRUTUS. Lucius! `
` `
` Re-enter Lucius. `
` `
` My gown. Exit Lucius. `
` Farewell, good Messala; `
` Good night, Titinius; noble, noble Cassius, `
` Good night and good repose. `
` CASSIUS. O my dear brother! `
` This was an ill beginning of the night. `
` Never come such division 'tween our souls! `
` Let it not, Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Everything is well. `
` CASSIUS. Good night, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Good night, good brother. `
` TITINIUS. MESSALA. Good night, Lord Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Farewell, everyone. `
` Exeunt all but Brutus. `
` `
` Re-enter Lucius, with the gown. `
` `
` Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? `
` LUCIUS. Here in the tent. `
` BRUTUS. What, thou speak'st drowsily? `
` Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o'erwatch'd. `
` Call Claudio and some other of my men, `
` I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. `
` LUCIUS. Varro and Claudio! `
` `
` Enter Varro and Claudio. `
` `
` VARRO. Calls my lord? `
` BRUTUS. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; `
` It may be I shall raise you by and by `
` On business to my brother Cassius. `
` VARRO. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. `
` BRUTUS. I would not have it so. Lie down, good sirs. `
` It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. `
` Look Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; `
` I put it in the pocket of my gown. `
` Varro and Claudio lie down. `
` LUCIUS. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. `
` BRUTUS. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. `
` Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, `
` And touch thy instrument a strain or two? `
` LUCIUS. Ay, my lord, an't please you. `
` BRUTUS. It does, my boy. `
` I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. `
` LUCIUS. It is my duty, sir. `
` BRUTUS. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; `
` I know young bloods look for a time of rest. `
` LUCIUS. I have slept, my lord, already. `
` BRUTUS. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again; `
` I will not hold thee long. If I do live, `
` I will be good to thee. Music, and a song. `
` This is a sleepy tune. O murtherous slumber, `
` Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy `
` That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night. `
` I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. `
` If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; `
` I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. `
` Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down `
` Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. Sits down. `
` `
` Enter the Ghost of Caesar. `
` `
` How ill this taper burns! Ha, who comes here? `
` I think it is the weakness of mine eyes `
` That shapes this monstrous apparition. `
` It comes upon me. Art thou anything? `
` Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil `
` That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? `
` Speak to me what thou art. `
` GHOST. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Why comest thou? `
` GHOST. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. Well, then I shall see thee again? `
` GHOST. Ay, at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. Exit Ghost. `
` Now I have taken heart thou vanishest. `
` Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. `
` Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudio! Sirs, awake! `
` Claudio! `
` LUCIUS. The strings, my lord, are false. `
` BRUTUS. He thinks he still is at his instrument. `
` Lucius, awake! `
` LUCIUS. My lord? `
` BRUTUS. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? `
` LUCIUS. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. `
` BRUTUS. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see anything? `
` LUCIUS. Nothing, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio! `
` [To Varro.] Fellow thou, awake! `
` VARRO. My lord? `
` CLAUDIO. My lord? `
` BRUTUS. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? `
` VARRO. CLAUDIO. Did we, my lord? `
` BRUTUS. Ay, saw you anything? `
` VARRO. No, my lord, I saw nothing. `
` CLAUDIO. Nor I, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; `
` Bid him set on his powers betimes before, `
` And we will follow. `
` VARRO. CLAUDIO. It shall be done, my lord. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT V. SCENE I. `
` The plains of Philippi. `
` `
` Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army. `
` `
` OCTAVIUS. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. `
` You said the enemy would not come down, `
` But keep the hills and upper regions. `
` It proves not so. Their battles are at hand; `
` They mean to warn us at Philippi here, `
` Answering before we do demand of them. `
` ANTONY. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know `
` Wherefore they do it. They could be content `
` To visit other places, and come down `
` With fearful bravery, thinking by this face `
` To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; `
` But 'tis not so. `
` `
` 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. `
` ANTONY. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, `
` Upon the left hand of the even field. `
` OCTAVIUS. Upon the right hand I, keep thou the left. `
` ANTONY. Why do you cross me in this exigent? `
` OCTAVIUS. I do not cross you, but I will do so. `
` `
` March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army; `
` Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. They stand, and would have parley. `
` CASSIUS. Stand fast, Titinius; we must out and talk. `
` OCTAVIUS. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? `
` ANTONY. No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. `
` Make forth, the generals would have some words. `
` OCTAVIUS. Stir not until the signal not until the signal. `
`
` CASSIUS. I have as much of this in art as you, `
` But yet my nature could not bear it so. `
` BRUTUS. Well, to our work alive. What do you think `
` Of marching to Philippi presently? `
` CASSIUS. I do not think it good. `
` BRUTUS. Your reason? `
` CASSIUS. This it is: `
` 'Tis better that the enemy seek us; `
` So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, `
` Doing himself offense, whilst we lying still `
` Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. `
` BRUTUS. Good reasons must of force give place to better. `
` The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground `
` Do stand but in a forced affection, `
` For they have grudged us contribution. `
` The enemy, marching along by them, `
` By them shall make a fuller number up, `
` Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged; `
` From which advantage shall we cut him off `
` If at Philippi we do face him there, `
` These people at our back. `
` CASSIUS. Hear me, good brother. `
` BRUTUS. Under your pardon. You must note beside `
` That we have tried the utmost of our friends, `
` Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: `
` The enemy increaseth every day; `
` We, at the height, are ready to decline. `
` There is a tide in the affairs of men `
` Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; `
` Omitted, all the voyage of their life `
` Is bound in shallows and in miseries. `
` On such a full sea are we now afloat, `
` And we must take the current when it serves, `
` Or lose our ventures. `
` CASSIUS. Then, with your will, go on; `
` We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, `
` And nature must obey necessity, `
` Which we will niggard with a little rest. `
` There is no more to say? `
` CASSIUS. No more. Good night. `
` Early tomorrow will we rise and hence. `
` BRUTUS. Lucius! `
` `
` Re-enter Lucius. `
` `
` My gown. Exit Lucius. `
` Farewell, good Messala; `
` Good night, Titinius; noble, noble Cassius, `
` Good night and good repose. `
` CASSIUS. O my dear brother! `
` This was an ill beginning of the night. `
` Never come such division 'tween our souls! `
` Let it not, Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Everything is well. `
` CASSIUS. Good night, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Good night, good brother. `
` TITINIUS. MESSALA. Good night, Lord Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Farewell, everyone. `
` Exeunt all but Brutus. `
` `
` Re-enter Lucius, with the gown. `
` `
` Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? `
` LUCIUS. Here in the tent. `
` BRUTUS. What, thou speak'st drowsily? `
` Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o'erwatch'd. `
` Call Claudio and some other of my men, `
` I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. `
` LUCIUS. Varro and Claudio! `
` `
` Enter Varro and Claudio. `
` `
` VARRO. Calls my lord? `
` BRUTUS. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; `
` It may be I shall raise you by and by `
` On business to my brother Cassius. `
` VARRO. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. `
` BRUTUS. I would not have it so. Lie down, good sirs. `
` It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. `
` Look Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; `
` I put it in the pocket of my gown. `
` Varro and Claudio lie down. `
` LUCIUS. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. `
` BRUTUS. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. `
` Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, `
` And touch thy instrument a strain or two? `
` LUCIUS. Ay, my lord, an't please you. `
` BRUTUS. It does, my boy. `
` I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. `
` LUCIUS. It is my duty, sir. `
` BRUTUS. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; `
` I know young bloods look for a time of rest. `
` LUCIUS. I have slept, my lord, already. `
` BRUTUS. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again; `
` I will not hold thee long. If I do live, `
` I will be good to thee. Music, and a song. `
` This is a sleepy tune. O murtherous slumber, `
` Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy `
` That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night. `
` I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. `
` If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; `
` I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. `
` Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down `
` Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. Sits down. `
` `
` Enter the Ghost of Caesar. `
` `
` How ill this taper burns! Ha, who comes here? `
` I think it is the weakness of mine eyes `
` That shapes this monstrous apparition. `
` It comes upon me. Art thou anything? `
` Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil `
` That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? `
` Speak to me what thou art. `
` GHOST. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. `
` BRUTUS. Why comest thou? `
` GHOST. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. Well, then I shall see thee again? `
` GHOST. Ay, at Philippi. `
` BRUTUS. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. Exit Ghost. `
` Now I have taken heart thou vanishest. `
` Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. `
` Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudio! Sirs, awake! `
` Claudio! `
` LUCIUS. The strings, my lord, are false. `
` BRUTUS. He thinks he still is at his instrument. `
` Lucius, awake! `
` LUCIUS. My lord? `
` BRUTUS. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? `
` LUCIUS. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. `
` BRUTUS. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see anything? `
` LUCIUS. Nothing, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio! `
` [To Varro.] Fellow thou, awake! `
` VARRO. My lord? `
` CLAUDIO. My lord? `
` BRUTUS. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? `
` VARRO. CLAUDIO. Did we, my lord? `
` BRUTUS. Ay, saw you anything? `
` VARRO. No, my lord, I saw nothing. `
` CLAUDIO. Nor I, my lord. `
` BRUTUS. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; `
` Bid him set on his powers betimes before, `
` And we will follow. `
` VARRO. CLAUDIO. It shall be done, my lord. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT V. SCENE I. `
` The plains of Philippi. `
` `
` Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army. `
` `
` OCTAVIUS. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. `
` You said the enemy would not come down, `
` But keep the hills and upper regions. `
` It proves not so. Their battles are at hand; `
` They mean to warn us at Philippi here, `
` Answering before we do demand of them. `
` ANTONY. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know `
` Wherefore they do it. They could be content `
` To visit other places, and come down `
` With fearful bravery, thinking by this face `
` To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; `
` But 'tis not so. `
` `
` 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. `
` ANTONY. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, `
` Upon the left hand of the even field. `
` OCTAVIUS. Upon the right hand I, keep thou the left. `
` ANTONY. Why do you cross me in this exigent? `
` OCTAVIUS. I do not cross you, but I will do so. `
` `
` March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army; `
` Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, and others. `
` `
` BRUTUS. They stand, and would have parley. `
` CASSIUS. Stand fast, Titinius; we must out and talk. `
` OCTAVIUS. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? `
` ANTONY. No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. `
` Make forth, the generals would have some words. `
` OCTAVIUS. Stir not until the signal not until the signal. `
`