Julius Caesar

Enter Brutus in his Orchard.

  Brut. What Lucius, hoe?I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres,Giue guesse how neere to day- Lucius, I say?I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.When Lucius, when? awake, I say: what Lucius?Enter Lucius.  Luc. Call'd you, my Lord?  Brut. Get me a Tapor in my Study, Lucius:When it is lighted, come and call me here   Luc. I will, my Lord.Enter.  Brut. It must be by his death: and for my part,I know no personall cause, to spurne at him,But for the generall. He would be crown'd:How that might change his nature, there's the question?It is the bright day, that brings forth the Adder,And that craues warie walking: Crowne him that,And then I graunt we put a Sting in him,That at his will he may doe danger with.Th' abuse of Greatnesse, is, when it dis-ioynesRemorse from Power: And to speake truth of Caesar,I haue not knowne, when his Affections sway'dMore then his Reason. But 'tis a common proofe,That Lowlynesse is young Ambitions Ladder,Whereto the Climber vpward turnes his Face:But when he once attaines the vpmost Round,He then vnto the Ladder turnes his Backe,Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degreesBy which he did ascend: so Caesar may;Then least he may, preuent. And since the QuarrellWill beare no colour, for the thing he is,Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,Would runne to these, and these extremities:And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge,Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischieuous;And kill him in the shell.Enter Lucius.  Luc. The Taper burneth in your Closet, Sir:Searching the Window for a Flint, I foundThis Paper, thus seal'd vp, and I am sureIt did not lye there when I went to Bed.Giues him the Letter.  Brut. Get you to Bed againe, it is not day:Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?  Luc. I know not, SirBrut. Looke in the Calender, and bring me word   Luc. I will, Sir.Enter.  Brut. The exhalations, whizzing in the ayre,Giue so much light, that I may reade by them.Opens the Letter, and reades.Brutus thou sleep'st; awake, and see thy selfe:Shall Rome, &c. speake, strike, redresse.Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.Such instigations haue beene often dropt,Where I haue tooke them vp:Shall Rome, &c. Thus must I piece it out:Shall Rome stand vnder one mans awe? What Rome?My Ancestors did from the streetes of RomeThe Tarquin driue, when he was call'd a King.Speake, strike, redresse. Am I entreatedTo speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,If the redresse will follow, thou receiuestThy full Petition at the hand of Brutus.Enter Lucius.Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteene dayes.Knocke within.  Brut. 'Tis good. Go to the Gate, some body knocks:Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,I haue not slept.Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing,And the first motion, all the Interim isLike a Phantasma, or a hideous Dreame:The Genius, and the mortall InstrumentsAre then in councell; and the state of a man,Like to a little Kingdome, suffers thenThe nature of an Insurrection.Enter Lucius.  Luc. Sir, 'tis your Brother Cassius at the Doore,Who doth desire to see you   Brut. Is he alone?  Luc. No, Sir, there are moe with him   Brut. Doe you know them?  Luc. No, Sir, their Hats are pluckt about their Eares,And halfe their Faces buried in their Cloakes,That by no meanes I may discouer them,By any marke of fauour   Brut. Let 'em enter:They are the Faction. O Conspiracie,Sham'st thou to shew thy dang'rous Brow by Night,When euills are most free? O then, by dayWhere wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough,To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie,Hide it in Smiles, and Affabilitie:For if thou path thy natiue semblance on,Not Erebus it selfe were dimme enough,To hide thee from preuention.Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Cinna, Metellus,and Trebonius.  Cass. I thinke we are too bold vpon your Rest:Good morrow Brutus, doe we trouble you?  Brut. I haue beene vp this howre, awake all Night:Know I these men, that come along with you?  Cass. Yes, euery man of them; and no man hereBut honors you: and euery one doth wish,You had but that opinion of your selfe,Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.This is TreboniusBrut. He is welcome hitherCass. This, Decius BrutusBrut. He is welcome too   Cass. This, Caska; this, Cinna; and this, MetellusCymber   Brut. They are all welcome.What watchfull Cares doe interpose themseluesBetwixt your Eyes, and Night?  Cass. Shall I entreat a word?They whisper.  Decius. Here lyes the East: doth not the Day breakeheere?  Cask. No   Cin. O pardon, Sir, it doth; and yon grey Lines,That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day   Cask. You shall confesse, that you are both deceiu'd:Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises,Which is a great way growing on the South,Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the NorthHe first presents his fire, and the high EastStands as the Capitoll, directly heereBru. Giue me your hands all ouer, one by oneCas. And let vs sweare our Resolution   Brut. No, not an Oath: if not the Face of men,The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,And euery man hence, to his idle bed:So let high-sighted-Tyranny range on,Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these(As I am sure they do) beare fire enoughTo kindle Cowards, and to steele with valourThe melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,What neede we any spurre, but our owne causeTo pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,And will not palter? And what other Oath,Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,That this shall be, or we will fall for it.Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men CautelousOld feeble Carrions, and such suffering SoulesThat welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweareSuch Creatures as men doubt; but do not staineThe euen vertue of our Enterprize,Nor th' insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,To thinke, that or our Cause, or our PerformanceDid neede an Oath. When euery drop of bloodThat euery Roman beares, and Nobly bearesIs guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,If he do breake the smallest ParticleOf any promise that hath past from him   Cas. But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?I thinke he will stand very strong with vsCask. Let vs not leaue him outCyn. No, by no meanes   Metel. O let vs haue him, for his Siluer hairesWill purchase vs a good opinion:And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,Our youths, and wildenesse, shall no whit appeare,But all be buried in his Grauity   Bru. O name him not; let vs not breake with him,For he will neuer follow any thingThat other men beginCas. Then leaue him outCask. Indeed, he is not fit   Decius. Shall no man else be toucht, but onely Caesar?  Cas. Decius well vrg'd: I thinke it is not meet,Marke Antony, so well belou'd of Caesar,Should out-liue Caesar, we shall finde of himA shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanesIf he improue them, may well stretch so farreAs to annoy vs all: which to preuent,Let Antony and Caesar fall together   Bru. Our course will seeme too bloody, Caius Cassius,To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:For Antony, is but a Limbe of Caesar.Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers Caius:We all stand vp against the spirit of Caesar,And in the Spirit of men, there is no blood:O that we then could come by Caesars Spirit,And not dismember Caesar! But (alas)Caesar must bleed for it. And gentle Friends,Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall makeOur purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.Which so appearing to the common eyes,We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.And for Marke Antony, thinke not of him:For he can do no more then Caesars Arme,When Caesars head is off   Cas. Yet I feare him,For in the ingrafted loue he beares to Caesar   Bru. Alas, good Cassius, do not thinke of him:If he loue Caesar, all that he can doIs to himselfe; take thought, and dye for Caesar,And that were much he should: for he is giuenTo sports, to wildenesse, and much company   Treb. There is no feare in him; let him not dye,For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.Clocke strikes.Bru. Peace, count the ClockeCas. The Clocke hath stricken threeTreb. 'Tis time to part   Cass. But it is doubtfull yet,Whether Caesar will come forth to day, or no:For he is Superstitious growne of late,Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:It may be, these apparant Prodigies,The vnaccustom'd Terror of this night,And the perswasion of his Augurers,May hold him from the Capitoll to day   Decius. Neuer feare that: If he be so resolu'd,I can ore-sway him: For he loues to heare,That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,He sayes, he does; being then most flattered.Let me worke:For I can giue his humour the true bent;And I will bring him to the CapitollCas. Nay, we will all of vs, be there to fetch him   Bru. By the eight houre, is that the vttermost?  Cin. Be that the vttermost, and faile not then   Met. Caius Ligarius doth beare Caesar hard,Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey;I wonder none of you haue thought of him   Bru. Now good Metellus go along by him:He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him   Cas. The morning comes vpon's:Wee'l leaue you Brutus,And Friends disperse your selues; but all rememberWhat you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans   Bru. Good Gentlemen, looke fresh and merrily,Let not our lookes put on our purposes,But beare it as our Roman Actors do,With vntyr'd Spirits, and formall Constancie,And so good morrow to you euery one.Exeunt.Manet Brutus.Boy: Lucius: Fast asleepe? It is no matter,Enioy the hony-heauy-Dew of Slumber:Thou hast no Figures, nor no Fantasies,Which busie care drawes, in the braines of men;Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.Enter Portia.Por. Brutus, my Lord   Bru. Portia: What meane you? wherfore rise you now?It is not for your health, thus to commitYour weake condition, to the raw cold morning   Por. Nor for yours neither. Y'haue vngently BrutusStole from my bed: and yesternight at SupperYou sodainly arose, and walk'd about,Musing, and sighing, with your armes acrosseAnd when I ask'd you what the matter was,You star'd vpon me, with vngentle lookes.I vrg'd you further, then you scratch'd your head,And too impatiently stampt with your foote:Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,But with an angry wafter of your handGaue signe for me to leaue you: So I did,Fearing to strengthen that impatienceWhich seem'd too much inkindled; and withall,Hoping it was but an effect of Humor,Which sometime hath his houre with euery man.It will not let you eate, nor talke, nor sleepe;And could it worke so much vpon your shape,As it hath much preuayl'd on your Condition,I should not know you Brutus. Deare my Lord,Make me acquainted with your cause of greefeBru. I am not well in health, and that is all   Por. Brutus is wise, and were he not in health,He would embrace the meanes to come by itBru. Why so I do: good Portia go to bed   Por. Is Brutus sicke? And is it PhysicallTo walke vnbraced, and sucke vp the humoursOf the danke Morning? What, is Brutus sicke?And will he steale out of his wholsome bedTo dare the vile contagion of the Night?And tempt the Rhewmy, and vnpurged Ayre,To adde vnto his sicknesse? No my Brutus,You haue some sicke Offence within your minde,Which by the Right and Vertue of my placeI ought to know of: And vpon my knees,I charme you, by my once commended Beauty,By all your vowes of Loue, and that great VowWhich did incorporate and make vs one,That you vnfold to me, your selfe; your halfeWhy you are heauy: and what men to nightHaue had resort to you: for heere haue beeneSome sixe or seuen, who did hide their facesEuen from darknesseBru. Kneele not gentle Portia   Por. I should not neede, if you were gentle Brutus.Within the Bond of Marriage, tell me Brutus,Is it excepted, I should know no SecretsThat appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe,But as it were in sort, or limitation?To keepe with you at Meales, comfort your Bed,And talke to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the SuburbsOf your good pleasure? If it be no more,Portia is Brutus Harlot, not his Wife   Bru. You are my true and honourable Wife,As deere to me, as are the ruddy droppesThat visit my sad heart   Por. If this were true, then should I know this secret.I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,A Woman that Lord Brutus tooke to Wife:I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,A Woman well reputed: Cato's Daughter.Thinke you, I am no stronger then my SexBeing so Father'd, and so Husbanded?Tell me your Counsels, I will not disclose 'em:I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie,Giuing my selfe a voluntary woundHeere, in the Thigh: Can I beare that with patience,And not my Husbands Secrets?  Bru. O ye Gods!Render me worthy of this Noble Wife.Knocke.Harke, harke, one knockes: Portia go in a while,And by and by thy bosome shall partakeThe secrets of my Heart.All my engagements, I will construe to thee,All the Charractery of my sad browes:Leaue me with hast.Exit Portia.Enter Lucius and Ligarius.Lucius, who's that knockesLuc. Heere is a sicke man that would speak with you   Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?  Cai. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue   Bru. O what a time haue you chose out braue CaiusTo weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke   Cai. I am not sicke, if Brutus haue in handAny exploit worthy the name of Honor   Bru. Such an exploit haue I in hand Ligarius,Had you a healthfull eare to heare of it   Cai. By all the Gods that Romans bow before,I heere discard my sicknesse. Soule of Rome,Braue Sonne, deriu'd from Honourable Loines,Thou like an Exorcist, hast coniur'd vpMy mortified Spirit. Now bid me runne,And I will striue with things impossible,Yea get the better of them. What's to do?  Bru. A peece of worke,That will make sicke men whole   Cai. But are not some whole, that we must make sicke?  Bru. That must we also. What it is my Caius,I shall vnfold to thee, as we are going,To whom it must be done   Cai. Set on your foote,And with a heart new-fir'd, I follow you,To do I know not what: but it sufficethThat Brutus leads me on.ThunderBru. Follow me then.Exeunt.Thunder & LightningEnter Iulius Caesar in his Night-gowne.  Caesar. Nor Heauen, nor Earth,Haue beene at peace to night:Thrice hath Calphurnia, in her sleepe cryed out,Helpe, ho: They murther Caesar. Who's within?Enter a Seruant.Ser. My Lord   Caes Go bid the Priests do present Sacrifice,And bring me their opinions of SuccesseSer. I will my Lord.ExitEnter Calphurnia.  Cal. What mean you Caesar? Think you to walk forth?You shall not stirre out of your house to day   Caes Caesar shall forth; the things that threaten'd me,Ne're look'd but on my backe: When they shall seeThe face of Caesar, they are vanished   Calp. Caesar, I neuer stood on Ceremonies,Yet now they fright me: There is one within,Besides the things that we haue heard and seene,Recounts most horrid sights seene by the Watch.A Lionnesse hath whelped in the streets,And Graues haue yawn'd, and yeelded vp their dead;Fierce fiery Warriours fight vpon the CloudsIn Rankes and Squadrons, and right forme of WarreWhich drizel'd blood vpon the Capitoll:The noise of Battell hurtled in the Ayre:Horsses do neigh, and dying men did grone,And Ghosts did shrieke and squeale about the streets.O Caesar, these things are beyond all vse,And I do feare them   Caes What can be auoydedWhose end is purpos'd by the mighty Gods?Yet Caesar shall go forth: for these PredictionsAre to the world in generall, as to Caesar   Calp. When Beggers dye, there are no Comets seen,The Heauens themselues blaze forth the death of Princes  Caes Cowards dye many times before their deaths,The valiant neuer taste of death but once:Of all the Wonders that I yet haue heard,It seemes to me most strange that men should feare,Seeing that death, a necessary endWill come, when it will come.Enter a Seruant.What say the Augurers?  Ser. They would not haue you to stirre forth to day.Plucking the intrailes of an Offering forth,They could not finde a heart within the beast   Caes The Gods do this in shame of Cowardice:Caesar should be a Beast without a heartIf he should stay at home to day for feare:No Caesar shall not; Danger knowes full wellThat Caesar is more dangerous then he.We heare two Lyons litter'd in one day,And I the elder and more terrible,And Caesar shall go foorth   Calp. Alas my Lord,Your wisedome is consum'd in confidence:Do not go forth to day: Call it my feare,That keepes you in the house, and not your owne.Wee'l send Mark Antony to the Senate house,And he shall say, you are not well to day:Let me vpon my knee, preuaile in this   Caes Mark Antony shall say I am not well,And for thy humor, I will stay at home.Enter Decius.Heere's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so   Deci. Caesar, all haile: Good morrow worthy Caesar,I come to fetch you to the Senate house   Caes And you are come in very happy time,To beare my greeting to the Senators,And tell them that I will not come to day:Cannot, is false: and that I dare not, falser:I will not come to day, tell them so DeciusCalp. Say he is sicke   Caes Shall Caesar send a Lye?Haue I in Conquest stretcht mine Arme so farre,To be afear'd to tell Gray-beards the truth:Decius, go tell them, Caesar will not come   Deci. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,Lest I be laught at when I tell them so   Caes The cause is in my Will, I will not come,That is enough to satisfie the Senate.But for your priuate satisfaction,Because I loue you, I will let you know.Calphurnia heere my wife, stayes me at home:She dreampt to night, she saw my Statue,Which like a Fountaine, with an hundred spoutsDid run pure blood: and many lusty RomansCame smiling, & did bathe their hands in it:And these does she apply, for warnings and portents,And euils imminent; and on her kneeHath begg'd, that I will stay at home to day   Deci. This Dreame is all amisse interpreted,It was a vision, faire and fortunate:Your Statue spouting blood in many pipes,In which so many smiling Romans bath'd,Signifies, that from you great Rome shall suckeReuiuing blood, and that great men shall presseFor Tinctures, Staines, Reliques, and Cognisance.This by Calphurnia's Dreame is signifiedCaes And this way haue you well expounded it   Deci. I haue, when you haue heard what I can say:And know it now, the Senate haue concludedTo giue this day, a Crowne to mighty Caesar.If you shall send them word you will not come,Their mindes may change. Besides, it were a mockeApt to be render'd, for some one to say,Breake vp the Senate, till another time:When Caesars wife shall meete with better Dreames.If Caesar hide himselfe, shall they not whisperLoe Caesar is affraid?Pardon me Caesar, for my deere deere loueTo your proceeding, bids me tell you this:And reason to my loue is liable   Caes How foolish do your fears seeme now Calphurnia?I am ashamed I did yeeld to them.Giue me my Robe, for I will go.Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Caska, Trebonius, Cynna, and Publius.And looke where Publius is come to fetch mePub. Good morrow Caesar   Caes Welcome Publius.What Brutus, are you stirr'd so earely too?Good morrow Caska: Caius Ligarius,Caesar was ne're so much your enemy,As that same Ague which hath made you leane.What is't a Clocke?  Bru. Caesar, 'tis strucken eight   Caes I thanke you for your paines and curtesie.Enter Antony.See, Antony that Reuels long a-nightsIs notwithstanding vp. Good morrow AntonyAnt. So to most Noble Caesar   Caes Bid them prepare within:I am too blame to be thus waited for.Now Cynna, now Metellus: what Trebonius,I haue an houres talke in store for you:Remember that you call on me to day:Be neere me, that I may remember you   Treb. Caesar I will: and so neere will I be,That your best Friends shall wish I had beene further   Caes Good Friends go in, and taste some wine with me.And we (like Friends) will straight way go together   Bru. That euery like is not the same, O Caesar,The heart of Brutus earnes to thinke vpon.Exeunt.Enter Artemidorus.Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heede of Cassius; come not neere Caska, haue an eye to Cynna, trust not Trebonius, marke well Metellus Cymber, Decius Brutus loues thee not: Thou hast wrong'd Caius Ligarius. There is but one minde in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar: If thou beest not Immortall, looke about you: Security giues way to Conspiracie. The mighty Gods defend thee. Thy Louer, Artemidorus. Heere will I stand, till Caesar passe along, And as a Sutor will I giue him this: My heart laments, that Vertue cannot liue Out of the teeth of Emulation. If thou reade this, O Caesar, thou mayest liue; If not, the Fates with Traitors do contriue. Enter.Enter Portia and Lucius.  Por. I prythee Boy, run to the Senate-house,Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.Why doest thou stay?  Luc. To know my errand Madam   Por. I would haue had thee there and heere agenEre I can tell thee what thou should'st do there:O Constancie, be strong vpon my side,Set a huge Mountaine 'tweene my Heart and Tongue:I haue a mans minde, but a womans might:How hard it is for women to keepe counsell.Art thou heere yet?  Luc. Madam, what should I do?Run to the Capitoll, and nothing else?And so returne to you, and nothing else?  Por. Yes, bring me word Boy, if thy Lord look well,For he went sickly forth: and take good noteWhat Caesar doth, what Sutors presse to him.Hearke Boy, what noyse is that?  Luc. I heare none Madam   Por. Prythee listen well:I heard a bussling Rumor like a Fray,And the winde brings it from the Capitoll   Luc. Sooth Madam, I heare nothing.Enter the Soothsayer.  Por. Come hither Fellow, which way hast thou bin?  Sooth. At mine owne house, good Lady   Por. What is't a clocke?  Sooth. About the ninth houre Lady   Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitoll?  Sooth. Madam not yet, I go to take my stand,To see him passe on to the Capitoll   Por. Thou hast some suite to Caesar, hast thou not?  Sooth. That I haue Lady, if it will please CaesarTo be so good to Caesar, as to heare me:I shall beseech him to befriend himselfe   Por. Why know'st thou any harme's intended towardshim?  Sooth. None that I know will be,Much that I feare may chance:Good morrow to you: heere the street is narrow:The throng that followes Caesar at the heeles,Of Senators, of Praetors, common Sutors,Will crowd a feeble man (almost) to death:Ile get me to a place more voyd, and thereSpeake to great Caesar as he comes along.Exit  Por. I must go in:Aye me! How weake a thingThe heart of woman is? O Brutus,The Heauens speede thee in thine enterprize.Sure the Boy heard me: Brutus hath a suiteThat Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint:Run Lucius, and commend me to my Lord,Say I am merry; Come to me againe,And bring me word what he doth say to thee.Exeunt.

Actus Tertius

Flourish

Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cynna, Antony, Lepidus, Artimedorus, Publius, and the Soothsayer.

Caes The Ides of March are come

Sooth. I Caesar, but not goneArt. Haile Caesar: Read this Scedule   Deci. Trebonius doth desire you to ore-read(At your best leysure) this his humble suite   Art. O Caesar, reade mine first: for mine's a suiteThat touches Caesar neerer. Read it great CaesarCaes What touches vs our selfe, shall be last seru'dArt. Delay not Caesar, read it instantly   Caes What, is the fellow mad?  Pub. Sirra, giue place   Cassi. What, vrge you your Petitions in the street?Come to the CapitollPopil. I wish your enterprize to day may thriue   Cassi. What enterprize Popillius?  Popil. Fare you well   Bru. What said Popillius Lena?  Cassi. He wisht to day our enterprize might thriue:I feare our purpose is discoueredBru. Looke how he makes to Caesar: marke him   Cassi. Caska be sodaine, for we feare preuention.Brutus what shall be done? If this be knowne,Cassius or Caesar neuer shall turne backe,For I will slay my selfe   Bru. Cassius be constant:Popillius Lena speakes not of our purposes,For looke he smiles, and Caesar doth not change   Cassi. Trebonius knowes his time: for look you BrutusHe drawes Mark Antony out of the way   Deci. Where is Metellus Cimber, let him go,And presently preferre his suite to CaesarBru. He is addrest: presse neere, and second himCin. Caska, you are the first that reares your hand   Caes Are we all ready? What is now amisse,That Caesar and his Senate must redresse?  Metel. Most high, most mighty, and most puisant CaesarMetellus Cymber throwes before thy SeateAn humble heart   Caes I must preuent thee Cymber:These couchings, and these lowly courtesiesMight fire the blood of ordinary men,And turne pre-Ordinance, and first DecreeInto the lane of Children. Be not fond,To thinke that Caesar beares such Rebell bloodThat will be thaw'd from the true qualityWith that which melteth Fooles, I meane sweet words,Low-crooked-curtsies, and base Spaniell fawning:Thy Brother by decree is banished:If thou doest bend, and pray, and fawne for him,I spurne thee like a Curre out of my way:Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without causeWill he be satisfied   Metel. Is there no voyce more worthy then my owne,To sound more sweetly in great Caesars eare,For the repealing of my banish'd Brother?  Bru. I kisse thy hand, but not in flattery Caesar:Desiring thee, that Publius Cymber mayHaue an immediate freedome of repeale   Caes What Brutus?  Cassi. Pardon Caesar: Caesar pardon:As lowe as to thy foote doth Cassius fall,To begge infranchisement for Publius Cymber   Caes I could be well mou'd, if I were as you,If I could pray to mooue, Prayers would mooue me:But I am constant as the Northerne Starre,Of whose true fixt, and resting quality,There is no fellow in the Firmament.The Skies are painted with vnnumbred sparkes,They are all Fire, and euery 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 apprehensiue;Yet in the number, I do know but OneThat vnassayleable holds on his Ranke,Vnshak'd of Motion: and that I am he,Let me a little shew it, euen in this:That I was constant Cymber should be banish'd,And constant do remaine to keepe him soCinna. O Caesar   Caes Hence: Wilt thou lift vp Olympus?  Decius. Great Caesar   Caes Doth not Brutus bootlesse kneele?  Cask. Speake hands for me.They stab Caesar.Caes Et Tu Brute? – Then fall Caesar.Dyes  Cin. Liberty, Freedome; Tyranny is dead,Run hence, proclaime, cry it about the Streets   Cassi. Some to the common Pulpits, and cry outLiberty, Freedome, and Enfranchisement   Bru. People and Senators, be not affrighted:Fly not, stand still: Ambitions debt is paidCask. Go to the Pulpit BrutusDec. And Cassius too   Bru. Where's Publius?  Cin. Heere, quite confounded with this mutiny   Met. Stand fast together, least some Friend of CaesarsShould chance-  Bru. Talke not of standing. Publius good cheere,There is no harme intended to your person,Nor to no Roman else: so tell them Publius   Cassi. And leaue vs Publius, least that the peopleRushing on vs, should do your Age some mischiefe   Bru. Do so, and let no man abide this deede,But we the Doers.Enter Trebonius   Cassi. Where is Antony?  Treb. Fled to his House amaz'd:Men, Wiues, and Children, stare, cry out, and run,As it were Doomesday   Bru. Fates, we will know your pleasures:That we shall dye we know, 'tis but the timeAnd drawing dayes out, that men stand vpon   Cask. Why he that cuts off twenty yeares of life,Cuts off so many yeares of fearing death   Bru. Grant that, and then is Death a Benefit:So are we Caesars Friends, that haue abridg'dHis time of fearing death. Stoope Romans, stoope,And let vs bathe our hands in Caesars bloodVp to the Elbowes, and besmeare our Swords:Then walke we forth, euen to the Market place,And wauing our red Weapons o're our heads,Let's all cry Peace, Freedome, and Liberty   Cassi. Stoop then, and wash. How many Ages henceShall this our lofty Scene be acted ouer,In State vnborne, and Accents yet vnknowne?  Bru. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,That now on Pompeyes Basis lye along,No worthier then the dust?  Cassi. So oft as that shall be,So often shall the knot of vs be call'd,The Men that gaue their Country liberty   Dec. What, shall we forth?  Cassi. I, euery man away.Brutus shall leade, and we will grace his heelesWith the most boldest, and best hearts of Rome.Enter a Seruant.Bru. Soft, who comes heere? A friend of Antonies   Ser. Thus Brutus did my Master bid me kneele;Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall downe,And being prostrate, thus he bad me say:Brutus is Noble, Wise, Valiant, and Honest;Caesar was Mighty, Bold, Royall, and Louing:Say, I loue Brutus, and I honour him;Say, I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and lou'd him.If Brutus will vouchsafe, that AntonyMay safely come to him, and be resolu'dHow Caesar hath deseru'd to lye in death,Mark Antony, shall not loue Caesar deadSo well as Brutus liuing; but will followThe Fortunes and Affayres of Noble Brutus,Thorough the hazards of this vntrod State,With all true Faith. So sayes my Master Antony   Bru. Thy Master is a Wise and Valiant Romane,I neuer thought him worse:Tell him, so please him come vnto this placeHe shall be satisfied: and by my HonorDepart vntouch'dSer. Ile fetch him presently.Exit Seruant.Bru. I know that we shall haue him well to Friend   Cassi. I wish we may: But yet haue I a mindeThat feares him much: and my misgiuing stillFalles shrewdly to the purpose.Enter Antony.  Bru. But heere comes Antony:Welcome Mark Antony   Ant. O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lye so lowe?Are all thy Conquests, Glories, Triumphes, Spoiles,Shrunke to this little Measure? Fare thee well.I know not Gentlemen what you intend,Who else must be let blood, who else is ranke:If I my selfe, there is no houre so fitAs Caesars deaths houre; nor no InstrumentOf halfe that worth, as those your Swords; made richWith the most Noble blood of all this World.I do beseech yee, if you beare me hard,Now, whil'st your purpled hands do reeke and smoake,Fulfill your pleasure. Liue a thousand yeeres,I shall not finde my selfe so apt to dye.No place will please me so, no meane of death,As heere by Caesar, and by you cut off,The Choice and Master Spirits of this Age   Bru. O Antony! Begge not your death of vs:Though now we must appeare bloody and cruell,As by our hands, and this our present ActeYou see we do: Yet see you but our hands,And this, the bleeding businesse they haue done:Our hearts you see not, they are pittifull:And pitty to the generall wrong of Rome,As fire driues out fire, so pitty, pittyHath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,To you, our Swords haue leaden points Marke Antony:Our Armes in strength of malice, and our HeartsOf Brothers temper, do receiue you in,With all kinde loue, good thoughts, and reuerence   Cassi. Your voyce shall be as strong as any mans,In the disposing of new Dignities   Bru. Onely be patient, till we haue appeas'dThe Multitude, beside themselues with feare,And then, we will deliuer you the cause,Why I, that did loue Caesar when I strooke him,Haue thus proceeded   Ant. I doubt not of your Wisedome: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 Caska, yours;Though last, not least in loue, yours good Trebonius.Gentlemen all: Alas, what shall I say,My credit now stands on such slippery ground,That one of two bad wayes you must conceit me,Either a Coward, or a Flatterer.That I did loue thee Caesar, O 'tis true:If then thy Spirit looke vpon vs now,Shall it not greeue thee deerer then thy death,To see thy Antony making his peace,Shaking the bloody fingers of thy Foes?Most Noble, in the presence of thy Coarse,Had I as many eyes, as thou hast wounds,Weeping as fast as they streame forth thy blood,It would become me better, then to closeIn tearmes of Friendship with thine enemies.Pardon me Iulius, heere was't thou bay'd braue Hart,Heere did'st thou fall, and heere thy Hunters standSign'd in thy Spoyle, and Crimson'd in thy Lethee.O World! thou wast the Forrest to this Hart,And this indeed, O World, the Hart of thee.How like a Deere, stroken by many Princes,Dost thou heere lye?  Cassi. Mark Antony   Ant. Pardon me Caius Cassius:The Enemies of Caesar, shall say this:Then, in a Friend, it is cold Modestie   Cassi. I blame you not for praising Caesar so.But what compact meane you to haue with vs?Will you be prick'd in number of our Friends,Or shall we on, and not depend on you?  Ant. Therefore I tooke your hands, but was indeedSway'd from the point, by looking downe on Caesar.Friends am I with you all, and loue you all,Vpon this hope, that you shall giue me Reasons,Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous   Bru. Or else were this a sauage Spectacle:Our Reasons are so full of good regard,That were you Antony, the Sonne of Caesar,You should be satisfied   Ant. That's all I seeke,And am moreouer sutor, that I mayProduce his body to the Market-place,And in the Pulpit as becomes a Friend,Speake in the Order of his FunerallBru. You shall Marke Antony   Cassi. Brutus, a word with you:You know not what you do; Do not consentThat Antony speake in his Funerall:Know you how much the people may be mou'dBy that which he will vtter   Bru. By your pardon:I will my selfe into the Pulpit first,And shew the reason of our Caesars death.What Antony shall speake, I will protestHe speakes by leaue, and by permission:And that we are contented Caesar shallHaue all true Rites, and lawfull Ceremonies,It shall aduantage more, then do vs wrongCassi. I know not what may fall, I like it not   Bru. Mark Antony, heere take you Caesars body:You shall not in your Funerall speech blame vs,But speake all good you can deuise of Caesar,And say you doo't by our permission:Else shall you not haue any hand at allAbout his Funerall. And you shall speakeIn the same Pulpit whereto I am going,After my speech is ended   Ant. Be it so:I do desire no moreBru. Prepare the body then, and follow vs.Exeunt.Manet Antony.O pardon me, thou bleeding peece of Earth:That I am meeke and gentle with these Butchers.Thou art the Ruines of the Noblest manThat euer liued in the Tide of Times.Woe to the hand that shed this costly Blood.Ouer thy wounds, now do I Prophesie,(Which like dumbe mouthes do ope their Ruby lips,To begge the voyce and vtterance of my Tongue)A Curse shall light vpon the limbes of men;Domesticke Fury, and fierce Ciuill strife,Shall cumber all the parts of Italy:Blood and destruction shall be so in vse,And dreadfull Obiects so familiar,That Mothers shall but smile, when they beholdTheir Infants quartered with the hands of Warre:All pitty choak'd with custome of fell deeds,And Caesars Spirit ranging for Reuenge,With Ate by his side, come hot from Hell,Shall in these Confines, with a Monarkes voyce,Cry hauocke, and let slip the Dogges of Warre,That this foule deede, shall smell aboue the earthWith Carrion men, groaning for Buriall.Enter Octauio's Seruant.You serue Octauius Caesar, do you not?  Ser. I do Marke AntonyAnt. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome   Ser. He did receiue his Letters, and is comming,And bid me say to you by word of mouth-O Caesar!  Ant. Thy heart is bigge: get thee a-part and weepe:Passion I see is catching from mine eyes,Seeing those Beads of sorrow stand in thine,Began to water. Is thy Master comming?  Ser. He lies to night within seuen Leagues of Rome   Ant. Post backe with speede,And tell him what hath chanc'd:Heere is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,No Rome of safety for Octauius yet,Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay a-while,Thou shalt not backe, till I haue borne this courseInto the Market place: There shall I tryIn my Oration, how the People takeThe cruell issue of these bloody men,According to the which, thou shalt discourseTo yong Octauius, of the state of things.Lend me your hand.Exeunt.Enter Brutus and goes into the Pulpit, and Cassius, with the Plebeians.Ple. We will be satisfied: let vs be satisfied   Bru. Then follow me, and giue me Audience friends.Cassius go you into the other streete,And part the Numbers:Those that will heare me speake, let 'em stay heere;Those that will follow Cassius, go with him,And publike Reasons shall be rendredOf Caesars death1. Ple. I will heare Brutus speake2. I will heare Cassius, and compare their Reasons, When seuerally we heare them rendred3. The Noble Brutus is ascended: SilenceBru. Be patient till the last. Romans, Countrey-men, and Louers, heare mee for my cause, and be silent, that you may heare. Beleeue me for mine Honor, and haue respect to mine Honor, that you may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedom, and awake your Senses, that you may the better Iudge. If there bee any in this Assembly, any deere Friend of Caesars, to him I say, that Brutus loue to Caesar, was no lesse then his. If then, that Friend demand, why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I lou'd Caesar lesse, but that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were liuing, and dye all Slaues; then that Caesar were dead, to liue all Free-men? As Caesar lou'd mee, I weepe for him; as he was Fortunate, I reioyce at it; as he was Valiant, I honour him: But, as he was Ambitious, I slew him. There is Teares, for his Loue: Ioy, for his Fortune: Honor, for his Valour: and Death, for his Ambition. Who is heere so base, that would be a Bondman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so rude, that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so vile, that will not loue his Countrey? If any, speake, for him haue I offended. I pause for a ReplyAll. None Brutus, noneBrutus. Then none haue I offended. I haue done no more to Caesar, then you shall do to Brutus. The Question of his death, is inroll'd in the Capitoll: his Glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death. Enter Mark Antony, with Caesars body.Heere comes his Body, mourn'd by Marke Antony, who though he had no hand in his death, shall receiue the benefit of his dying, a place in the Co[m]monwealth, as which of you shall not. With this I depart, that as I slewe my best Louer for the good of Rome, I haue the same Dagger for my selfe, when it shall please my Country to need my deathAll. Liue Brutus, liue, liue1. Bring him with Triumph home vnto his house2. Giue him a Statue with his Ancestors3. Let him be Caesar   4. Caesars better parts,Shall be Crown'd in Brutus   1. Wee'l bring him to his House,With Showts and ClamorsBru. My Country-men2. Peace, silence, Brutus speakes1. Peace ho   Bru. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone,And (for my sake) stay heere with Antony:Do grace to Caesars Corpes, and grace his SpeechTending to Caesars Glories, which Marke Antony(By our permission) is allow'd to make.I do intreat you, not a man depart,Saue I alone, till Antony haue spoke.Exit1 Stay ho, and let vs heare Mark Antony3 Let him go vp into the publike Chaire, Wee'l heare him: Noble Antony go vpAnt. For Brutus sake, I am beholding to you   4 What does he say of Brutus?  3 He sayes, for Brutus sakeHe findes himselfe beholding to vs all   4 'Twere best he speake no harme of Brutus heere?  1 This Caesar was a Tyrant   3 Nay that's certaine:We are blest that Rome is rid of him2 Peace, let vs heare what Antony can sayAnt. You gentle RomansAll. Peace hoe, let vs heare him   An. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears:I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him:The euill that men do, liues after them,The good is oft enterred with their bones,So let it be with Caesar. The Noble Brutus,Hath told you Caesar was Ambitious:If it were so, it was a greeuous Fault,And greeuously hath Caesar answer'd it.Heere, vnder leaue of Brutus, and the rest(For Brutus is an Honourable man,So are they all; all Honourable men)Come I to speake in Caesars Funerall.He was my Friend, faithfull, and iust to me;But Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious,And Brutus is an Honourable man.He hath brought many Captiues home to Rome,Whose Ransomes, did the generall Coffers fill:Did this in Caesar seeme Ambitious?When that the poore haue cry'de, Caesar hath wept:Ambition should be made of sterner stuffe,Yet Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious:And Brutus is an Honourable man.You all did see, that on the Lupercall,I thrice presented him a Kingly Crowne,Which he did thrice refuse. Was this Ambition?Yet Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious:And sure he is an Honourable man.I speake not to disprooue what Brutus spoke,But heere I am, to speake what I do know;You all did loue him once, not without cause,What cause with-holds you then, to mourne for him?O Iudgement! thou are fled to brutish Beasts,And Men haue lost their Reason. Beare with me,My heart is in the Coffin there with Caesar,And I must pawse, till it come backe to me1 Me thinkes there is much reason in his sayings2 If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar ha's had great wrong3 Ha's hee Masters? I feare there will a worse come in his place4. Mark'd ye his words? he would not take y Crown, Therefore 'tis certaine, he was not Ambitious1. If it be found so, some will deere abide it2. Poore soule, his eyes are red as fire with weeping3. There's not a Nobler man in Rome then Antony4. Now marke him, he begins againe to speake   Ant. But yesterday, the word of Caesar mightHaue stood against the World: Now lies he there,And none so poore to do him reuerence.O Maisters! If I were dispos'd to stirreYour hearts and mindes to Mutiny and Rage,I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong:Who (you all know) are Honourable men.I will not do them wrong: I rather chooseTo wrong the dead, to wrong my selfe and you,Then I will wrong such Honourable men.But heere's a Parchment, with the Seale of Caesar,I found it in his Closset, 'tis his Will:Let but the Commons heare this Testament:(Which pardon me) I do not meane to reade,And they would go and kisse dead Caesars wounds,And dip their Napkins in his Sacred Blood;Yea, begge a haire of him for Memory,And dying, mention it within their Willes,Bequeathing it as a rich LegacieVnto their issue4 Wee'l heare the Will, reade it Marke AntonyAll. The Will, the Will; we will heare Caesars Will   Ant. Haue patience gentle Friends, I must not read it.It is not meete you know how Caesar lou'd you:You are not Wood, you are not Stones, but men:And being men, hearing the Will of Caesar,It will inflame you, it will make you mad:'Tis good you know not that you are his Heires,For if you should, O what would come of it?  4 Read the Will, wee'l heare it Antony:You shall reade vs the Will, Caesars Will   Ant. Will you be Patient? Will you stay a-while?I haue o're-shot my selfe to tell you of it,I feare I wrong the Honourable men,Whose Daggers haue stabb'd Caesar: I do feare it   4 They were Traitors: Honourable men?  All. The Will, the Testament   2 They were Villaines, Murderers: the Will, read theWill   Ant. You will compell me then to read the Will:Then make a Ring about the Corpes of Caesar,And let me shew you him that made the Will:Shall I descend? And will you giue me leaue?  All. Come downe2 Descend3 You shall haue leaue4 A Ring, stand round1 Stand from the Hearse, stand from the Body2 Roome for Antony, most Noble AntonyAnt. Nay presse not so vpon me, stand farre offAll. Stand backe: roome, beare backe   Ant. If you haue teares, prepare to shed them now.You all do know this Mantle, I rememberThe first time euer Caesar put it on,'Twas on a Summers Euening in his Tent,That day he ouercame the Neruij.Looke, in this place ran Cassius Dagger through:See what a rent the enuious Caska made:Through this, the wel-beloued Brutus stabb'd,And as he pluck'd his cursed Steele away:Marke how the blood of Caesar followed it,As rushing out of doores, to be resolu'dIf Brutus so vnkindely knock'd, or no:For Brutus, as you know, was Caesars Angel.Iudge, O you Gods, how deerely Caesar lou'd him:This was the most vnkindest cut of all.For when the Noble Caesar saw him stab,Ingratitude, more strong then Traitors armes,Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his Mighty heart,And in his Mantle, muffling vp his face,Euen at the Base of Pompeyes Statue(Which all the while ran blood) great Caesar fell.O what a fall was there, my Countrymen?Then I, and you, and all of vs fell downe,Whil'st bloody Treason flourish'd ouer vs.O now you weepe, and I perceiue you feeleThe dint of pitty: These are gracious droppes.Kinde Soules, what weepe you, when you but beholdOur Caesars Vesture wounded? Looke you heere,Heere is Himselfe, marr'd as you see with Traitors   1. O pitteous spectacle!  2. O Noble Caesar!  3. O wofull day!  4. O Traitors, Villaines!  1. O most bloody sight!  2. We will be reueng'd: ReuengeAbout, seeke, burne, fire, kill, slay,Let not a Traitor liueAnt. Stay Country-men1. Peace there, heare the Noble Antony2. Wee'l heare him, wee'l follow him, wee'l dy with him   Ant. Good Friends, sweet Friends, let me not stirre you vpTo such a sodaine Flood of Mutiny:They that haue done this Deede, are honourable.What priuate greefes they haue, alas I know not,That made them do it: They are Wise, and Honourable,And will no doubt with Reasons answer you.I come not (Friends) to steale away your hearts,I am no Orator, as Brutus is:But (as you know me all) a plaine blunt manThat loue my Friend, and that they know full well,That gaue me publike leaue to speake of him:For I haue neyther writ nor words, nor worth,Action, nor Vtterance, nor the power of Speech,To stirre mens Blood. I onely speake right on:I tell you that, which you your selues do know,Shew you sweet Caesars wounds, poor poor dum mouthsAnd bid them speake for me: But were I Brutus,And Brutus Antony, there were an AntonyWould ruffle vp your Spirits, and put a TongueIn euery Wound of Caesar, that should moueThe stones of Rome, to rise and MutinyAll. Wee'l Mutiny1 Wee'l burne the house of Brutus3 Away then, come, seeke the Conspirators   Ant. Yet heare me Countrymen, yet heare me speake  All. Peace hoe, heare Antony, most Noble Antony   Ant. Why Friends, you go to do you know not what:Wherein hath Caesar thus deseru'd your loues?Alas you know not, I must tell you then:You haue forgot the Will I told you ofAll. Most true, the Will, let's stay and heare the Wil   Ant. Heere is the Will, and vnder Caesars Seale:To euery Roman Citizen he giues,To euery seuerall man, seuenty fiue Drachmaes2 Ple. Most Noble Caesar, wee'l reuenge his death3 Ple. O Royall CaesarAnt. Heare me with patience   All. Peace hoe  Ant. Moreouer, he hath left you all his Walkes,His priuate Arbors, and new-planted Orchards,On this side Tyber, he hath left them you,And to your heyres for euer: common pleasuresTo walke abroad, and recreate your selues.Heere was a Caesar: when comes such another?  1.Ple. Neuer, neuer: come, away, away:Wee'l burne his body in the holy place,And with the Brands fire the Traitors houses.Take vp the body2. Ple. Go fetch fire3. Ple. Plucke downe Benches4. Ple. Plucke downe Formes, Windowes, any thing.Exit Plebeians.  Ant. Now let it worke: Mischeefe thou art a-foot,Take thou what course thou wilt.How now Fellow?Enter Seruant.Ser. Sir, Octauius is already come to Rome   Ant. Where is hee?  Ser. He and Lepidus are at Caesars house   Ant. And thither will I straight, to visit him:He comes vpon a wish. Fortune is merry,And in this mood will giue vs any thing   Ser. I heard him say, Brutus and CassiusAre rid like Madmen through the Gates of Rome   Ant. Belike they had some notice of the peopleHow I had moued them. Bring me to Octauius.Exeunt.Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians.  Cinna. I dreamt to night, that I did feast with Caesar,And things vnluckily charge my Fantasie:I haue no will to wander foorth of doores,Yet something leads me foorth1. What is your name? 2. Whether are you going? 3. Where do you dwell? 4. Are you a married man, or a Batchellor? 2. Answer euery man directly1. I, and breefely4. I, and wisely3. I, and truly, you were bestCin. What is my name? Whether am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a Batchellour? Then to answer euery man, directly and breefely, wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a Batchellor2 That's as much as to say, they are fooles that marrie: you'l beare me a bang for that I feare: proceede directlyCinna. Directly I am going to Caesars Funerall1. As a Friend, or an Enemy? Cinna. As a friend2. That matter is answered directly4. For your dwelling: breefelyCinna. Breefely, I dwell by the Capitoll3. Your name sir, trulyCinna. Truly, my name is Cinna1. Teare him to peeces, hee's a ConspiratorCinna. I am Cinna the Poet, I am Cinna the Poet4. Teare him for his bad verses, teare him for his bad VersesCin. I am not Cinna the Conspirator4. It is no matter, his name's Cinna, plucke but his name out of his heart, and turne him going3. Teare him, tear him; Come Brands hoe, Firebrands: to Brutus, to Cassius, burne all. Some to Decius House, and some to Caska's; some to Ligarius: Away, go.Exeunt. all the Plebeians.