Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
BRUTUS. Look, how he makes to Caesar. Mark him. `
` CASSIUS. Casca, `
` Be sudden, for we fear prevention. `
` Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, `
` Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, `
` For I will slay myself. `
` BRUTUS. Cassius, be constant. `
` Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; `
` For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. `
` CASSIUS. Trebonius knows his time, for, look you, Brutus, `
` He draws Mark Antony out of the way. `
` Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. `
` DECIUS. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him `
` And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. `
` BRUTUS. He is address'd; press near and second him. `
` CINNA. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. `
` CAESAR. Are we all ready? What is now amiss `
` That Caesar and his Senate must redress? `
` METELLUS. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, `
` Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat `
` An humble heart. Kneels. `
` CAESAR. I must prevent thee, Cimber. `
` These couchings and these lowly courtesies `
` Might fire the blood of ordinary men `
` And turn preordinance and first decree `
` Into the law of children. Be not fond `
` To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood `
` That will be thaw'd from the true quality `
` With that which melteth fools- I mean sweet words, `
` Low-crooked court'sies, and base spaniel-fawning. `
` Thy brother by decree is banished. `
` If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, `
` I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. `
` Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause `
` Will he be satisfied. `
` METELLUS. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, `
` To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear `
` For the repealing of my banish'd brother? `
` BRUTUS. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, `
` Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may `
` Have an immediate freedom of repeal. `
` CAESAR. What, Brutus? `
` CASSIUS. Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon! `
` As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall `
` To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. `
` CAESAR. I could be well moved, if I were as you; `
` If I could pray to move, prayers would move me; `
` But I am constant as the northern star, `
` Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality `
` There is no fellow in the firmament. `
` The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks; `
` They are all fire and every one doth shine; `
` But there's but one in all doth hold his place. `
` So in the world, 'tis furnish'd well with men, `
` And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; `
` Yet in the number I do know but one `
` That unassailable holds on his rank, `
` Unshaked of motion; and that I am he, `
` Let me a little show it, even in this; `
` That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, `
` And constant do remain to keep him so. `
` CINNA. O Caesar- `
` CAESAR. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus? `
` DECIUS. Great Caesar- `
` CAESAR. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? `
` CASCA. Speak, hands, for me! `
` Casca first, then the other Conspirators `
` and Marcus Brutus stab Caesar. `
` CAESAR. Et tu, Brute?- Then fall, Caesar! Dies. `
` CINNA. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! `
` Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. `
` CASSIUS. Some to the common pulpits and cry out `
` "Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!" `
` BRUTUS. People and senators, be not affrighted, `
` Fly not, stand still; ambition's debt is paid. `
` CASCA. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. `
` DECIUS. And Cassius too. `
` BRUTUS. Where's Publius? `
` CINNA. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. `
` METELLUS. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's `
` Should chance- `
` BRUTUS. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer, `
` There is no harm intended to your person, `
` Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius. `
` CASSIUS. And leave us, Publius, lest that the people `
` Rushing on us should do your age some mischief. `
` BRUTUS. Do so, and let no man abide this deed `
` But we the doers. `
` `
` Re-enter Trebonius. `
` `
` CASSIUS. Where is Antony? `
` TREBONIUS. Fled to his house amazed. `
` Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run `
` As it were doomsday. `
` BRUTUS. Fates, we will know your pleasures. `
` That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time `
` And drawing days out that men stand upon. `
` CASSIUS. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life `
` Cuts off so many years of fearing death. `
` BRUTUS. Grant that, and then is death a benefit; `
` So are we Caesar's friends that have abridged `
` His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, `
` And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood `
` Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; `
` Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, `
` And waving our red weapons o'er our heads, `
` Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!" `
` CASSIUS. Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence `
` Shall this our lofty scene be acted over `
` In states unborn and accents yet unknown! `
` BRUTUS. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, `
` That now on Pompey's basis lies along `
` No worthier than the dust! `
` CASSIUS. So oft as that shall be, `
` So often shall the knot of us be call'd `
` The men that gave their country liberty. `
` DECIUS. What, shall we forth? `
` CASSIUS. Ay, every man away. `
` Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels `
` With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. `
` `
` Enter a Servant. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. `
` SERVANT. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel, `
` Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down, `
` And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: `
` Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; `
` Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. `
` Say I love Brutus and I honor him; `
` Say I fear'd Caesar, honor'd him, and loved him. `
` If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony `
` May safely come to him and be resolved `
` How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death, `
` Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead `
` So well as Brutus living, but will follow `
` The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus `
` Thorough the hazards of this untrod state `
` With all true faith. So says my master Antony. `
` BRUTUS. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; `
` I never thought him worse. `
` Tell him, so please him come unto this place, `
` He shall be satisfied and, by my honor, `
` Depart untouch'd. `
` SERVANT. I'll fetch him presently. Exit. `
` BRUTUS. I know that we shall have him well to friend. `
` CASSIUS. I wish we may, but yet have I a mind `
` That fears him much, and my misgiving still `
` Falls shrewdly to the purpose. `
` `
` Re-enter Antony. `
` `
` BRUTUS. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony. `
` ANTONY. O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? `
` Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, `
` Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. `
` I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, `
` Who else must be let blood, who else is rank. `
` If I myself, there is no hour so fit `
` As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument `
` Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich `
` With the most noble blood of all this world. `
` I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, `
` Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, `
` Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, `
` I shall not find myself so apt to die; `
` No place will please me so, no means of death, `
` As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, `
` The choice and master spirits of this age. `
` BRUTUS. O Antony, beg not your death of us! `
` Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, `
` As, by our hands and this our present act `
` You see we do, yet see you but our hands `
` And this the bleeding business they have done. `
` Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; `
` And pity to the general wrong of Rome- `
` As fire drives out fire, so pity pity- `
` Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, `
` To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; `
` Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts `
` Of brothers' temper, do receive you in `
` With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. `
` CASSIUS. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's `
` In the disposing of new dignities. `
` BRUTUS. Only be patient till we have appeased `
` The multitude, beside themselves with fear, `
` And then we will deliver you the cause `
` Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, `
` Have thus proceeded. `
` ANTONY. I doubt not of your wisdom. `
` Let each man render me his bloody hand. `
` First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; `
` Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand; `
` Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; `
` Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; `
` Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. `
` Gentlemen all- alas, what shall I say? `
` My credit now stands on such slippery ground, `
` That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, `
` Either a coward or a flatterer. `
`
` CASSIUS. Casca, `
` Be sudden, for we fear prevention. `
` Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, `
` Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, `
` For I will slay myself. `
` BRUTUS. Cassius, be constant. `
` Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; `
` For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. `
` CASSIUS. Trebonius knows his time, for, look you, Brutus, `
` He draws Mark Antony out of the way. `
` Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. `
` DECIUS. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him `
` And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. `
` BRUTUS. He is address'd; press near and second him. `
` CINNA. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. `
` CAESAR. Are we all ready? What is now amiss `
` That Caesar and his Senate must redress? `
` METELLUS. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, `
` Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat `
` An humble heart. Kneels. `
` CAESAR. I must prevent thee, Cimber. `
` These couchings and these lowly courtesies `
` Might fire the blood of ordinary men `
` And turn preordinance and first decree `
` Into the law of children. Be not fond `
` To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood `
` That will be thaw'd from the true quality `
` With that which melteth fools- I mean sweet words, `
` Low-crooked court'sies, and base spaniel-fawning. `
` Thy brother by decree is banished. `
` If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, `
` I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. `
` Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause `
` Will he be satisfied. `
` METELLUS. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, `
` To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear `
` For the repealing of my banish'd brother? `
` BRUTUS. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, `
` Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may `
` Have an immediate freedom of repeal. `
` CAESAR. What, Brutus? `
` CASSIUS. Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon! `
` As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall `
` To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. `
` CAESAR. I could be well moved, if I were as you; `
` If I could pray to move, prayers would move me; `
` But I am constant as the northern star, `
` Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality `
` There is no fellow in the firmament. `
` The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks; `
` They are all fire and every one doth shine; `
` But there's but one in all doth hold his place. `
` So in the world, 'tis furnish'd well with men, `
` And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; `
` Yet in the number I do know but one `
` That unassailable holds on his rank, `
` Unshaked of motion; and that I am he, `
` Let me a little show it, even in this; `
` That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, `
` And constant do remain to keep him so. `
` CINNA. O Caesar- `
` CAESAR. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus? `
` DECIUS. Great Caesar- `
` CAESAR. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? `
` CASCA. Speak, hands, for me! `
` Casca first, then the other Conspirators `
` and Marcus Brutus stab Caesar. `
` CAESAR. Et tu, Brute?- Then fall, Caesar! Dies. `
` CINNA. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! `
` Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. `
` CASSIUS. Some to the common pulpits and cry out `
` "Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!" `
` BRUTUS. People and senators, be not affrighted, `
` Fly not, stand still; ambition's debt is paid. `
` CASCA. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. `
` DECIUS. And Cassius too. `
` BRUTUS. Where's Publius? `
` CINNA. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. `
` METELLUS. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's `
` Should chance- `
` BRUTUS. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer, `
` There is no harm intended to your person, `
` Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius. `
` CASSIUS. And leave us, Publius, lest that the people `
` Rushing on us should do your age some mischief. `
` BRUTUS. Do so, and let no man abide this deed `
` But we the doers. `
` `
` Re-enter Trebonius. `
` `
` CASSIUS. Where is Antony? `
` TREBONIUS. Fled to his house amazed. `
` Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run `
` As it were doomsday. `
` BRUTUS. Fates, we will know your pleasures. `
` That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time `
` And drawing days out that men stand upon. `
` CASSIUS. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life `
` Cuts off so many years of fearing death. `
` BRUTUS. Grant that, and then is death a benefit; `
` So are we Caesar's friends that have abridged `
` His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, `
` And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood `
` Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; `
` Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, `
` And waving our red weapons o'er our heads, `
` Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!" `
` CASSIUS. Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence `
` Shall this our lofty scene be acted over `
` In states unborn and accents yet unknown! `
` BRUTUS. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, `
` That now on Pompey's basis lies along `
` No worthier than the dust! `
` CASSIUS. So oft as that shall be, `
` So often shall the knot of us be call'd `
` The men that gave their country liberty. `
` DECIUS. What, shall we forth? `
` CASSIUS. Ay, every man away. `
` Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels `
` With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. `
` `
` Enter a Servant. `
` `
` BRUTUS. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. `
` SERVANT. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel, `
` Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down, `
` And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: `
` Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; `
` Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. `
` Say I love Brutus and I honor him; `
` Say I fear'd Caesar, honor'd him, and loved him. `
` If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony `
` May safely come to him and be resolved `
` How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death, `
` Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead `
` So well as Brutus living, but will follow `
` The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus `
` Thorough the hazards of this untrod state `
` With all true faith. So says my master Antony. `
` BRUTUS. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; `
` I never thought him worse. `
` Tell him, so please him come unto this place, `
` He shall be satisfied and, by my honor, `
` Depart untouch'd. `
` SERVANT. I'll fetch him presently. Exit. `
` BRUTUS. I know that we shall have him well to friend. `
` CASSIUS. I wish we may, but yet have I a mind `
` That fears him much, and my misgiving still `
` Falls shrewdly to the purpose. `
` `
` Re-enter Antony. `
` `
` BRUTUS. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony. `
` ANTONY. O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? `
` Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, `
` Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. `
` I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, `
` Who else must be let blood, who else is rank. `
` If I myself, there is no hour so fit `
` As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument `
` Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich `
` With the most noble blood of all this world. `
` I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, `
` Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, `
` Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, `
` I shall not find myself so apt to die; `
` No place will please me so, no means of death, `
` As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, `
` The choice and master spirits of this age. `
` BRUTUS. O Antony, beg not your death of us! `
` Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, `
` As, by our hands and this our present act `
` You see we do, yet see you but our hands `
` And this the bleeding business they have done. `
` Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; `
` And pity to the general wrong of Rome- `
` As fire drives out fire, so pity pity- `
` Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, `
` To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; `
` Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts `
` Of brothers' temper, do receive you in `
` With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. `
` CASSIUS. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's `
` In the disposing of new dignities. `
` BRUTUS. Only be patient till we have appeased `
` The multitude, beside themselves with fear, `
` And then we will deliver you the cause `
` Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, `
` Have thus proceeded. `
` ANTONY. I doubt not of your wisdom. `
` Let each man render me his bloody hand. `
` First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; `
` Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand; `
` Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; `
` Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; `
` Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. `
` Gentlemen all- alas, what shall I say? `
` My credit now stands on such slippery ground, `
` That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, `
` Either a coward or a flatterer. `
`