Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
OCTAVIUS. Stir not until the signal not until the signal. `
` BRUTUS. Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen? `
` OCTAVIUS. Not that we love words better, as you do. `
` BRUTUS. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. `
` ANTONY. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words. `
` Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, `
` Crying "Long live! Hail, Caesar!" `
` CASSIUS. Antony, `
` The posture of your blows are yet unknown; `
` But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, `
` And leave them honeyless. `
` ANTONY. Not stingless too. `
` BRUTUS. O, yes, and soundless too, `
` For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, `
` And very wisely threat before you sting. `
` ANTONY. Villains! You did not so when your vile daggers `
` Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar. `
` You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, `
` And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; `
` Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind `
` Strooke Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! `
` CASSIUS. Flatterers? Now, Brutus, thank yourself. `
` This tongue had not offended so today, `
` If Cassius might have ruled. `
` OCTAVIUS. Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat, `
` The proof of it will turn to redder drops. `
` Look, `
` I draw a sword against conspirators; `
` When think you that the sword goes up again? `
` Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds `
` Be well avenged, or till another Caesar `
` Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. `
` BRUTUS. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, `
` Unless thou bring'st them with thee. `
` OCTAVIUS. So I hope, `
` I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. `
` BRUTUS. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, `
` Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable. `
` CASSIUS. A peevish school boy, worthless of such honor, `
` Join'd with a masker and a reveler! `
` ANTONY. Old Cassius still! `
` OCTAVIUS. Come, Antony, away! `
` Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. `
` If you dare fight today, come to the field; `
` If not, when you have stomachs. `
` Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their Army. `
` CASSIUS. Why, now, blow and, swell billow, and swim bark! `
` The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. `
` BRUTUS. Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you. `
` LUCILIUS. [Stands forth.] My lord? `
` Brutus and Lucilius converse apart. `
` CASSIUS. Messala! `
` MESSALA. [Stands forth.] What says my general? `
` CASSIUS. Messala, `
` This is my birthday, as this very day `
` Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. `
` Be thou my witness that, against my will, `
` As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set `
` Upon one battle all our liberties. `
` You know that I held Epicurus strong, `
` And his opinion. Now I change my mind, `
` And partly credit things that do presage. `
` Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign `
` Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, `
` Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands, `
` Who to Philippi here consorted us. `
` This morning are they fled away and gone, `
` And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites `
` Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, `
` As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem `
` A canopy most fatal, under which `
` Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. `
` MESSALA. Believe not so. `
` CASSIUS. I but believe it partly, `
` For I am fresh of spirit and resolved `
` To meet all perils very constantly. `
` BRUTUS. Even so, Lucilius. `
` CASSIUS. Now, most noble Brutus, `
` The gods today stand friendly that we may, `
` Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! `
` But, since the affairs of men rest still incertain, `
` Let's reason with the worst that may befall. `
` If we do lose this battle, then is this `
` The very last time we shall speak together. `
` What are you then determined to do? `
` BRUTUS. Even by the rule of that philosophy `
` By which I did blame Cato for the death `
` Which he did give himself- I know not how, `
` But I do find it cowardly and vile, `
` For fear of what might fall, so to prevent `
` The time of life- arming myself with patience `
` To stay the providence of some high powers `
` That govern us below. `
` CASSIUS. Then, if we lose this battle, `
` You are contented to be led in triumph `
` Thorough the streets of Rome? `
` BRUTUS. No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman, `
` That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; `
` He bears too great a mind. But this same day `
` Must end that work the ides of March begun. `
` And whether we shall meet again I know not. `
` Therefore our everlasting farewell take. `
` Forever, and forever, farewell, Cassius! `
` If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; `
` If not, why then this parting was well made. `
` CASSIUS. Forever and forever farewell, Brutus! `
` If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; `
` If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. `
` BRUTUS. Why then, lead on. O, that a man might know `
` The end of this day's business ere it come! `
` But it sufficeth that the day will end, `
` And then the end is known. Come, ho! Away! Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The field of battle. `
` `
` Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills `
` Unto the legions on the other side. Loud alarum. `
` Let them set on at once, for I perceive `
` But cold demeanor in Octavia's wing, `
` And sudden push gives them the overthrow. `
` Ride, ride, Messala. Let them all come down. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE III. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius. `
` `
` 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? `
`
` BRUTUS. Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen? `
` OCTAVIUS. Not that we love words better, as you do. `
` BRUTUS. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. `
` ANTONY. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words. `
` Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, `
` Crying "Long live! Hail, Caesar!" `
` CASSIUS. Antony, `
` The posture of your blows are yet unknown; `
` But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, `
` And leave them honeyless. `
` ANTONY. Not stingless too. `
` BRUTUS. O, yes, and soundless too, `
` For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, `
` And very wisely threat before you sting. `
` ANTONY. Villains! You did not so when your vile daggers `
` Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar. `
` You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, `
` And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; `
` Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind `
` Strooke Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! `
` CASSIUS. Flatterers? Now, Brutus, thank yourself. `
` This tongue had not offended so today, `
` If Cassius might have ruled. `
` OCTAVIUS. Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat, `
` The proof of it will turn to redder drops. `
` Look, `
` I draw a sword against conspirators; `
` When think you that the sword goes up again? `
` Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds `
` Be well avenged, or till another Caesar `
` Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. `
` BRUTUS. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, `
` Unless thou bring'st them with thee. `
` OCTAVIUS. So I hope, `
` I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. `
` BRUTUS. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, `
` Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable. `
` CASSIUS. A peevish school boy, worthless of such honor, `
` Join'd with a masker and a reveler! `
` ANTONY. Old Cassius still! `
` OCTAVIUS. Come, Antony, away! `
` Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. `
` If you dare fight today, come to the field; `
` If not, when you have stomachs. `
` Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their Army. `
` CASSIUS. Why, now, blow and, swell billow, and swim bark! `
` The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. `
` BRUTUS. Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you. `
` LUCILIUS. [Stands forth.] My lord? `
` Brutus and Lucilius converse apart. `
` CASSIUS. Messala! `
` MESSALA. [Stands forth.] What says my general? `
` CASSIUS. Messala, `
` This is my birthday, as this very day `
` Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. `
` Be thou my witness that, against my will, `
` As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set `
` Upon one battle all our liberties. `
` You know that I held Epicurus strong, `
` And his opinion. Now I change my mind, `
` And partly credit things that do presage. `
` Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign `
` Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, `
` Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands, `
` Who to Philippi here consorted us. `
` This morning are they fled away and gone, `
` And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites `
` Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, `
` As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem `
` A canopy most fatal, under which `
` Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. `
` MESSALA. Believe not so. `
` CASSIUS. I but believe it partly, `
` For I am fresh of spirit and resolved `
` To meet all perils very constantly. `
` BRUTUS. Even so, Lucilius. `
` CASSIUS. Now, most noble Brutus, `
` The gods today stand friendly that we may, `
` Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! `
` But, since the affairs of men rest still incertain, `
` Let's reason with the worst that may befall. `
` If we do lose this battle, then is this `
` The very last time we shall speak together. `
` What are you then determined to do? `
` BRUTUS. Even by the rule of that philosophy `
` By which I did blame Cato for the death `
` Which he did give himself- I know not how, `
` But I do find it cowardly and vile, `
` For fear of what might fall, so to prevent `
` The time of life- arming myself with patience `
` To stay the providence of some high powers `
` That govern us below. `
` CASSIUS. Then, if we lose this battle, `
` You are contented to be led in triumph `
` Thorough the streets of Rome? `
` BRUTUS. No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman, `
` That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; `
` He bears too great a mind. But this same day `
` Must end that work the ides of March begun. `
` And whether we shall meet again I know not. `
` Therefore our everlasting farewell take. `
` Forever, and forever, farewell, Cassius! `
` If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; `
` If not, why then this parting was well made. `
` CASSIUS. Forever and forever farewell, Brutus! `
` If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; `
` If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. `
` BRUTUS. Why then, lead on. O, that a man might know `
` The end of this day's business ere it come! `
` But it sufficeth that the day will end, `
` And then the end is known. Come, ho! Away! Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The field of battle. `
` `
` Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills `
` Unto the legions on the other side. Loud alarum. `
` Let them set on at once, for I perceive `
` But cold demeanor in Octavia's wing, `
` And sudden push gives them the overthrow. `
` Ride, ride, Messala. Let them all come down. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE III. `
` Another part of the field. `
` `
` Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius. `
` `
` 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? `
`