Julius Caesar Page #4

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We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house.

And he shall say you are not well to-day.

Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.

Mark Antony shall say I am not well,

And, for thy humour, I will stay at home.

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.

I come to fetch you to the senate-house.

And you are come in very happy time, to bear 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, Decius.

Say he is sick.

Shall Caesar send a lie?

Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, to be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?

Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,

Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

The cause is in my will: I will not come;

That is enough to satisfy the senate.

But for your private satisfaction, because I love you,

I will let you know:

Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.

She dreamt to-night she saw my statua,

which, like a fountain with

Many lusty Romans came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.

And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, and evils imminent.

and on her knee hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.

This dream is all amiss interpreted.

It was a vision fair and fortunate.

Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,

in which so many smiling Romans bathed, signifies that from you great Rome shall suck reviving blood,

and that great men shall press for tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.

This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

And this way have you well expounded it.

I have,

when you have heard what I can say.

And know it now:
the senate have concluded to give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.

If you shall send them wordyou will not come, their minds may change.

Besides, it were a mock apt to be render'd, for some one to say

'Break up the senate till another time,

when Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'

If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper:

'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?

How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!

I am ashamed I did yield to them.

Give me my robe, for I will go.

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.

Good morrow, Caesar.

What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?

Good morrow, Casca.

Now, Cinna,

now, Metellus,

what, Trebonius!

See! Antony,

that revels long o' nights,

is notwithstanding up.

- Good morrow, Antony.

- Good morrow, noble Caesar.

Good friends,

go in, and taste some wine with me.

And we, like friends, will straightway go together.

'Caesar, beware of Brutus.

Take heed of Cassius.

come not near Casca.

Have an eye to Cinna.

Trust not Trebonius.

Mark well Metellus Cimber.

Decius Brutus loves thee not.

The ides of March are come.

Ay, Caesar,

but not gone.

Hail, Caesar!

Hail, Caesar!

Read this schedule.

Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread, at your best leisure, this his humble suit.

O Caesar, read mine first, for mine's a suit that touches Caesar nearer.

Read it, great Caesar.

What touches us ourself shall be last served.

Delay not, Caesar! read it instantly!

What, is the fellow mad?

What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol.

I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.

What enterprise, Popilius?

Fare you well.

What said Popilius Lena?

He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.

I fear our purpose is discovered.

Look, how he makes to Caesar Mark him.

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.

Cassius, be constant.

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes. For, look, he smiles,

and Caesar doth not change.

Trebonius knows his time. For, look you, Brutus.

He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, and presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

He is address'd:
press near and second him.

Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

Are we all ready?

What is now amiss that Caesar and his senate must redress?

Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar!

Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat an humble heart,--

I must prevent thee, Cimber.

These couchings and these lowly courtesies might fire the blood of ordinary men,

and turn pre-ordinance 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.

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?

I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,

desiring thee that Publius Cimber

may have an immediate freedom of repeal.

What, Brutus!

Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon!

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall

to beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

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.

- O Caesar,--

- Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?

Great Caesar,--

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

Speak, hands for me!

Et tu, Brute!

Then fall, Caesar.

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!

Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

Some to the common pulpits, and cry out:

'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'

People and senators, be not affrighted!

Fly not! Stand still!

ambition's debt is paid!

- Go to the pulpit, Brutus!

- And Cassius too!

Stand fast together. Lest some friend of Caesar's should chance--

Talk not of standing!

Publius, good cheer!

There is no harm intended to your person, nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.

And leave us, Publius. lest that the people, rushing on us, should do your age some mischief!

Do so! and let no man abide this deed, but we the doers.

- Where is Antony?

- Fled to his house amazed.

Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run as it were doomsday.

Stoop, Romans, stoop,

and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood.

Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,

and, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry 'Peace,

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