Julius Caesar Page 8

SERVANT Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.

  ANTONY Where is he?

  SERVANT He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.

  ANTONY And thither will I straight269, to visit him:

  He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry270

  And in this mood will give us anything.

  SERVANT I heard him say Brutus and Cassius

  Are rid273 like madmen through the gates of Rome.

  ANTONY Belike they had some notice of274 the people

  How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.

  Exeunt

  [Act 3 Scene 3]

  running scene 7 continues

  Enter Cinna the poet, and after him the Plebeians

  CINNA I dreamt tonight1 that I did feast with Caesar,

  And things unluckily charge my fantasy2:

  I have no will to wander forth3 of doors,

  Yet something leads me forth.

  FIRST PLEBEIAN What is your name?

  SECOND PLEBEIAN Whither are you going?

  THIRD PLEBEIAN Where do you dwell?

  FOURTH PLEBEIAN Are you a married man or a bachelor?

  SECOND PLEBEIAN Answer every man directly9.

  FIRST PLEBEIAN Ay, and briefly.

  FOURTH PLEBEIAN Ay, and wisely.

  THIRD PLEBEIAN Ay, and truly, you were best.

  CINNA What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I

  dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer

  every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say I

  am a bachelor.

  SECOND PLEBEIAN That’s as much as to say they are fools that

  marry: you’ll bear me a bang18 for that, I fear. Proceed, directly.

  CINNA Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.

  FIRST PLEBEIAN As a friend or an enemy?

  CINNA As a friend.

  SECOND PLEBEIAN That matter is answered directly.

  FOURTH PLEBEIAN For your dwelling, briefly.

  CINNA Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

  THIRD PLEBEIAN Your name, sir, truly.

  CINNA Truly, my name is Cinna.

  FIRST PLEBEIAN Tear him to pieces, he’s a conspirator27.

  CINNA I am Cinna the Poet, I am Cinna the Poet.

  FOURTH PLEBEIAN Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his

  bad verses.

  CINNA I am not Cinna the conspirator.

  FOURTH PLEBEIAN It is no matter, his name’s Cinna. Pluck32 but his

  name out of his heart and turn him going33.

  THIRD PLEBEIAN Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho!

  They attack Cinna

  Fire-brands! To Brutus’, to Cassius’, burn all! Some

  to Decius’ house, and some to Casca’s; some to Ligarius’!

  Away, go!

  Exeunt all the Plebeians [dragging Cinna]

  Act 4 [Scene 1]

  running scene 8

  Enter Antony, Octavius and Lepidus

  ANTONY These many, then, shall die: their names are pricked1.

  Shows a list

  OCTAVIUS Your brother2 too must die: consent you, Lepidus?

  LEPIDUS I do consent.

  OCTAVIUS Prick him down, Antony.

  LEPIDUS Upon condition Publius shall not live,

  Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.

  ANTONY He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn7 him.

  But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house:

  Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine

  How to cut off some charge in legacies10.

  LEPIDUS What, shall I find you here?

  OCTAVIUS Or12 here, or at the Capitol.

  Exit Lepidus

  ANTONY This is a slight13 unmeritable man,

  Meet14 to be sent on errands: is it fit,

  The three-fold world divided15, he should stand

  One of the three to share it?

  OCTAVIUS So you thought him,

  And took his voice18 who should be pricked to die

  In our black sentence and proscription19.

  ANTONY Octavius, I have seen more days20 than you,

  And though we lay these honours on this man

  To ease ourselves of divers sland’rous loads22,

  He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,

  To groan and sweat under the business24,

  Either led or driven, as we point the way:

  And having brought our treasure where we will26,

  Then take we down his load, and turn him off27 —

  Like to the empty28 ass — to shake his ears

  And graze in commons29.

  OCTAVIUS You may do your will:

  But he’s a tried31 and valiant soldier.

  ANTONY So is my horse, Octavius, and for that

  I do appoint him store of provender33.

  It is a creature that I teach to fight,

  To wind35, to stop, to run directly on,

  His corporal36 motion governed by my spirit,

  And, in some taste37, is Lepidus but so:

  He must be taught, and trained, and bid go forth —

  A barren-spirited39 fellow; one that feeds

  On objects, arts and imitations40

  Which, out of use and staled41 by other men,

  Begin his fashion42. Do not talk of him

  But as a property43. And now, Octavius,

  Listen44 great things. Brutus and Cassius

  Are levying powers. We must straight make head45:

  Therefore let our alliance be combined46,

  Our best friends made, our means stretched47,

  And let us presently go sit in counsel48,

  How covert matters may be best disclosed49,

  And open perils surest50 answerèd.

  OCTAVIUS Let us do so, for we are at the stake51

  And bayed about52 with many enemies,

  And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,

  Millions of mischiefs54.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 2]

  running scene 9

  Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them

  BRUTUS Stand ho1.

  LUCILIUS Give the word, ho2, and stand.

  BRUTUS What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?

  LUCILIUS He is at hand, and Pindarus is come

  To do you salutation from his master5.

  BRUTUS He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

  In his own change, or by ill officers7,

  Hath given me some worthy8 cause to wish

  Things done, undone: but if he be at hand

  I shall be satisfied10.

  PINDARUS I do not doubt

  But that my noble master will appear

  Such as he is, full of regard13 and honour.

  BRUTUS He is not doubted.— A word, Lucilius.

  Brutus and Lucilius speak apart

  How he received you: let me be resolved15.

  LUCILIUS With courtesy and with respect enough,

  But not with such familiar instances17,

  Nor with such free and friendly conference18

  As he hath used of old.

  BRUTUS Thou hast described

  A hot friend, cooling: ever21 note, Lucilius,

  When love begins to sicken and decay

  It useth an enforced ceremony23.

  There are no tricks in plain and simple faith:

  But hollow men, like horses hot at hand25,

  Make gallant show, and promise of their mettle26:

  Low march within

  But when they should endure the bloody27 spur,

  They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades28

  Sink in the trial29. Comes his army on?

  LUCILIUS They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered30:

  The greater part, the horse in general31,

  Are come with Cassius.

  Enter Cassius and his powers

  BRUTUS Hark, he is arrived:


  March gently34 on to meet him.

  CASSIUS Stand ho.

  BRUTUS Stand ho. Speak the word along.

  FIRST SOLDIER Stand.

  SECOND SOLDIER Stand.

  THIRD SOLDIER Stand.

  CASSIUS Most noble brother40, you have done me wrong.

  BRUTUS Judge me, you gods; wrong I mine enemies?

  And if not so, how should42 I wrong a brother?

  CASSIUS Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,

  And when you do them—

  BRUTUS Cassius, be content.

  Speak your griefs46 softly. I do know you well:

  Before the eyes of both our armies here —

  Which should perceive nothing but love from us —

  Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away:

  Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge50 your griefs,

  And I will give you audience51.

  CASSIUS Pindarus,

  Bid our commanders lead their charges off53

  A little from this ground.

  BRUTUS Lucilius, do you the like, and let no man

  Come to our tent till we have done our conference.

  Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.

  Exeunt. Brutus and Cassius remain

  CASSIUS That you have wronged me doth appear in this:

  They enter the tent

  You have condemned and noted59 Lucius Pella

  For taking bribes here of the Sardians;

  Wherein my letters, praying61 on his side

  Because I knew the man, was slighted off62.

  BRUTUS You wronged yourself to write in such a case.

  CASSIUS In such a time as this it is not meet64

  That every nice offence should bear his comment65.

  BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself

  Are much condemned to have an itching palm67,

  To sell and mart your offices68 for gold

  To undeservers.

  CASSIUS I, an itching palm?

  You know that you are Brutus that speaks this71,

  Or by the gods, this speech were else your last.

  BRUTUS The name of Cassius honours73 this corruption,

  And chastisement doth therefore hide his head74.

  CASSIUS Chastisement?

  BRUTUS Remember March, the Ides of March remember:

  Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?

  What villain touched his body, that did stab

  And not for justice? What, shall one of us,

  That struck the foremost man of all this world

  But for supporting robbers81: shall we now

  Contaminate our fingers with base bribes?

  And sell the mighty space of our large honours83

  For so much trash84 as may be graspèd thus?

  I had rather be a dog and bay85 the moon,

  Than such a Roman.

  CASSIUS Brutus, bait not me,

  I’ll not endure it: you forget yourself

  To hedge me in89. I am a soldier, I,

  Older in practice, abler than yourself

  To make conditions91.

  BRUTUS Go to92, you are not Cassius.

  CASSIUS I am.

  BRUTUS I say you are not.

  CASSIUS Urge me no more, I shall forget myself95.

  Have mind upon96 your health: tempt me no further.

  BRUTUS Away, slight97 man!

  CASSIUS Is’t possible?

  BRUTUS Hear me, for I will speak.

  Must I give way and room to your rash choler100?

  Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?

  CASSIUS O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?

  BRUTUS All this? Ay, more: fret till your proud heart break.

  Go show your slaves how choleric you are

  And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge105?

  Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch106

  Under your testy humour107? By the gods,

  You shall digest the venom of your spleen108

  Though it do split you. For, from this day forth,

  I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,

  When you are waspish.

  CASSIUS Is it come to this?

  BRUTUS You say you are a better soldier:

  Let it appear so; make your vaunting114 true

  And it shall please me well. For mine own part,

  I shall be glad to learn of116 noble men.

  CASSIUS You wrong me every way: you wrong me, Brutus.

  I said, an elder soldier, not a better.

  Did I say ‘better’?

  BRUTUS If you did, I care not.

  CASSIUS When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have121

  moved me.

  BRUTUS Peace, peace, you durst not so have tempted him.

  CASSIUS I durst not?

  BRUTUS No.

  CASSIUS What? Durst not tempt him?

  BRUTUS For your life you durst not.

  CASSIUS Do not presume127 too much upon my love:

  I may do that I shall be sorry for.

  BRUTUS You have done that you should be sorry for.

  There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,

  For I am armed so strong in honesty

  That they pass by me as the idle132 wind,

  Which I respect not. I did send to you

  For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,

  For I can raise no money by vile means135:

  By heaven, I had rather coin136 my heart

  And drop my blood for drachmas137, than to wring

  From the hard hands of peasants their vile138 trash

  By any indirection139. I did send

  To you for gold to pay my legions,

  Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?

  Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?

  When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

  To lock such rascal counters144 from his friends,

  Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,

  Dash him to pieces!

  CASSIUS I denied you not.

  BRUTUS You did.

  CASSIUS I did not. He was but a fool that brought

  My answer back. Brutus hath rived150 my heart:

  A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities151;

  But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

  BRUTUS I do not, till you practise them on me.

  CASSIUS You love me not.

  BRUTUS I do not like your faults.

  CASSIUS A friendly eye could never see such faults.

  BRUTUS A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear

  As huge as high Olympus.

  CASSIUS Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,

  Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,

  For Cassius is aweary of the world:

  Hated by one he loves, braved162 by his brother,

  Checked163 like a bondman, all his faults observed,

  Set in a notebook, learned and conned by rote164

  To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep

  My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,

  And here my naked breast: within, a heart

  Dearer than Pluto’s mine168, richer than gold.

  If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth169.

  I that denied thee gold will give my heart:

  Strike as thou didst at Caesar, for I know,

  When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov’dst him better

  Than ever thou lov’dst Cassius.

  BRUTUS Sheathe your dagger.

  Be angry when you will, it shall have scope:

  Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour176.

  O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb177

  That carries anger as the flint bears fire,

  Who, much enforcèd, shows a hasty179 spark

  And straight is cold again.

  CASSIUS Hath Cassius lived

  To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,

 
When grief and blood ill-tempered183 vexeth him?

  BRUTUS When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.

  CASSIUS Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.

  BRUTUS And my heart too.

  They embrace

  CASSIUS O Brutus!

  BRUTUS What’s the matter?

  CASSIUS Have not you love enough to bear with me,

  When that rash humour190 which my mother gave me

  Makes me forgetful191?

  BRUTUS Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth

  When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,

  He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so194.

  Enter a Poet [with Lucilius and Titinius]

  POET Let me go in to see the generals.

  There is some grudge between ’em, ’tis not meet

  They be alone.

  LUCILIUS You shall not come to them.

  POET Nothing but death shall stay me.

  CASSIUS How now? What’s the matter?

  POET For shame, you generals; what do you mean201?

  Love and be friends, as two such men should be,

  For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.

  CASSIUS Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic204 rhyme!

  BRUTUS Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy205 fellow, hence.

  CASSIUS Bear with him, Brutus, ’tis his fashion206.

  BRUTUS I’ll know his humour when he knows his time207:

  What should the wars do with these jigging208 fools?

  Companion209, hence.

  CASSIUS Away, away, be gone.

  Exit Poet

  BRUTUS Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders

  Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.

  CASSIUS And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you

  Immediately to us.

  [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius]

  BRUTUS Lucius, a bowl of wine.

  Calls

  CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry.

  BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of217 many griefs.

  CASSIUS Of your philosophy218 you make no use,

  If you give place to accidental evils219.

  BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.

  CASSIUS Ha? Portia?

  BRUTUS She is dead.

  CASSIUS How scaped I killing when I crossed223 you so?

  O, insupportable and touching224 loss!

  Upon225 what sickness?

  BRUTUS Impatient of my absence,

  And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony

  Have made themselves so strong — for with her228 death

  That tidings came — with this she fell distract229,

  And — her attendants absent — swallowed fire230.