Act 1 — I. 2 Scene II. A public place[52]
Reading edition
I. 2 Scene II. A public place[52]
Enter Cæsar; Antony, for the course; Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca; a great crowd following, among them a Soothsayer.
Cæsar. Calpurnia!
Casca. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks.
Cæsar. Calpurnia!
Calpurnia. Here, my lord.
Cæsar. Stand you directly in Antonius'[53][54] way, When he doth run his course. Antonius![55]
5Antony. Cæsar, my lord?
Cæsar. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.[56]
Antony. I shall remember: 10When Cæsar says 'Do this,' it is perform'd.
Cæsar. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. [Flourish][57]
Soothsayer. Cæsar!
Cæsar. Ha! who calls?
Casca. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again!
15Cæsar. Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Cæsar!' Speak; Cæsar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer. Beware the Ides of March.[58]
Cæsar. What man is that?
Brutus. A soothsayer[59] bids you beware the Ides of March. [60]
20Cæsar. Set him before me; let me see his face.
Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Cæsar.
Cæsar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer. Beware the Ides of March.
Cæsar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
[Sennet.[61] Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius][62]
25Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course?
Brutus. Not I.
Cassius. I pray you, do.
Brutus. I am not gamesome:[63] I do lack some part Of that quick spirit[64] that is in Antony. 30Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; I'll leave you.
Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as[65] I was wont to have: 35You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand[66] Over your friend[67] that loves you.[68]
Brutus. Cassius, Be not deceiv'd: if I have veil'd my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely[69] upon myself. Vexed I am 40Of late with passions of some difference,[70] Conceptions only proper to myself,[71] Which give some soil,[72] perhaps, to my behaviours;[73] But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd— Among which number, Cassius, be you one— 45Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men.
Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook[74] your passion; [75] By means whereof[76] this breast of mine hath buried 50Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
Brutus. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself[77] But by reflection, by some[78] other things.[79][80]
Cassius. 'Tis just:[81] 55And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard,[82] Where[83] many of the best respect[84] in Rome, 60Except immortal Cæsar,[85] speaking of Brutus, And groaning underneath this age's yoke, Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes.
Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,[86] That you would have me seek into myself 65For that which is not in me?
Cassius. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear: And, since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself 70That of yourself which you yet[87] know not of. And be not jealous on[88] me, gentle Brutus: Were I a common laughter,[89][90] or did use To stale[91] with ordinary oaths my love To every new protester;[92] if you know 75That I do fawn on men and hug them hard, And after scandal them; or if you know That I profess myself[93] in banqueting To all the rout,[94] then hold me dangerous. [Flourish and shout]
Brutus.[95] What means this shouting? I do fear, the people Choose Cæsar for their king.
80Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? 85If it be aught[96] toward the general good, Set honour in one eye and death i' the other, And I will look on both[97][98] indifferently;[99] For let the gods so speed[100] me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death.
90Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour.[101] Well, honour is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this life; but, for[102] my single self, 95I had as lief[103] not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Cæsar; so were you: We both have fed as well; and we can both Endure the winter's cold as well as he: 100For once, upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing[104][105] with her shores, Cæsar said[106] to me, 'Dar'st thou, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word, 105Accoutred[107] as I was, I plunged in, And bade him follow: so indeed he did. The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside And stemming it with hearts of controversy;[108] 110But ere we could arrive the point[109] propos'd, Cæsar cried, 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!' I, as Æneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 115Did I the tired Cæsar: and this man Is now become a god, and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body If Cæsar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever[110] when he was in Spain; 120And, when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake: 't is true, this god did shake: His coward lips did from their colour fly;[111] And that same eye whose bend[112] doth awe the world Did lose[113] his[114] lustre. I did hear him groan: 125Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade[115] the Romans Mark him and write his speeches in their books, Alas, it cried, 'Give me some drink, Titinius,' As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me A man of such a feeble temper[116] should 130So get the start of the majestic world And bear the palm alone. [Shout. Flourish]
Brutus. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are For some new honours that are heap'd on Cæsar.
135Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world[117] Like a Colossus,[118] and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: 140The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,[119] But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Cæsar: what should be[120] in that 'Cæsar?' Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; 145Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, 'Brutus' will start a spirit[121] as soon as 'Cæsar.' Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Cæsar feed, 150That he is grown so great? Age, thou art sham'd! Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! When went there by an age, since the great flood,[122] But it was fam'd with more than with one man? When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome, 155That her wide walks[123][124] encompass'd but one man? Now is it Rome indeed, and room[125] enough, When there is in it but one only man. O, you and I have heard our fathers say There was a Brutus[126] once that would have brook'd[127] 160Th' eternal[128] devil to keep his state in Rome As easily as a king.
Brutus. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;[129] What you would work me to,[130] I have some aim:[131] How I have thought of this and of these times, 165I shall recount hereafter; for this present, I would not, so with love I might entreat you,[132] Be any further mov'd. What you have said I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear, and find a time 170Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew[133] upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as[134] this time 175Is like to lay upon us.
Cassius. I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire[135] from Brutus.
Enter[136] Cæsar and his train
Brutus. The games are done, and Cæsar is returning.
Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve;[137] 180And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded[138] worthy note[139] to-day.
Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, The angry spot doth glow on Cæsar's brow, And all the rest look like a chidden train: 185Calpurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes[140] As we have seen him in the Capitol, Being cross'd in conference by some senators.
Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is.
190Cæsar. Antonius!
Antony. Cæsar?[141]
Cæsar. Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights:[142] Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; 195He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.[143]
Antony. Fear him not, Cæsar; he's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman, and well given.[144]
Cæsar. Would he were fatter! but I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, 200I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays,[145] As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music:[146] 205Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. Such men as he be never at heart's ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 210And therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd Than what I fear, for always I am Cæsar. Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,[147] And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
[Sennet. Exeunt Cæsar and all his train but Casca][148]
215Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
Brutus. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, That Cæsar looks so sad.[149]
Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not?
Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd.
220Casca. Why, there was a crown offer'd him;[150] and being offer'd him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.[151]
Brutus. What was the second noise for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
225Cassius. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Brutus. Was the crown offer'd him thrice?
Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by mine honest 230neighbours shouted.
Cassius. Who offer'd him the crown?
Casca. Why, Antony.
Brutus. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Casca. I can as well be hang'd as tell the manner of it: 235it was[152] mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown—yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these 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 offer'd it to him again; then he put it by again: 240but, to my thinking, he was very loth to lay his fingers off it. And then he offer'd it the third time; he put it the third time by: and, still, as he refus'd it, the rabblement hooted[153] and clapp'd their chopp'd[154] hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps and utter'd such a deal of stinking breath because 245Cæsar refus'd the crown, that it had almost chok'd Cæsar; for he swounded[155] and fell down at it: and for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
Cassius. But, soft![156] I pray you: what, did Cæsar swound? [157]
250Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foam'd at mouth, and was speechless.
Brutus. 'Tis very like; he[158] hath the falling-sickness.[159]
Cassius. No, Cæsar hath it not; but you, and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.
255Casca. I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people[160] did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleas'd and displeas'd them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true[161] man.
260Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself?
Casca. Marry,[162] before he fell down, when he perceiv'd the common herd was glad he refus'd the crown, he pluck'd me[163] ope his doublet[164] and offer'd them his throat to cut. And[165][166] I had been a man of any occupation,[167] if I would not have 265taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues.[168] And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said any thing amiss, he desir'd their worships to think it was his infirmity.[169] Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, 'Alas, good soul!' and forgave 270him with all their hearts. But there's no[170] heed to be taken of them: if Cæsar had stabb'd their mothers, they would have done no less.
Brutus. And after that, he came, thus sad, away?[171]
Casca. Ay.
275Cassius. Did Cicero say any thing?
Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek.[172]
Cassius. To what effect?
Casca. Nay, and[173] I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again: but those that understood him smil'd at one 280another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. [174] I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.
285Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca?
Casca. No, I am promis'd forth.[175]
Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow?
Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating.
290Cassius. Good; I will expect you.
Casca. Do so: farewell, both.
[Exit]
Brutus. What a blunt[176] fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle[177] when he went to school.
Cassius. So is he now, in execution 295Of any bold or noble enterprise, However[178] he puts on this tardy form.[179] This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest[180] his words With better appetite.[181]
300Brutus.[182] And so it is. For this time I will leave you: To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cassius. I will do so: till then, think of the world. [Exit Brutus] 305Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable metal[183] may be wrought From that it is dispos'd:[184] therefore it is meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd? 310Cæsar doth bear me hard,[185] but he loves Brutus: If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humour[186] me. I will this night, In several hands,[187] in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens, 315Writings, all tending to the great opinion That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely Cæsar's ambition shall be glanced at: And after this let Cæsar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure.[188] [Exit]