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Act 1, Scene 2

The same. A public place.

  1. [Enter, in procession, with music, Caesar; Antony, for the course; Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca; a great crowd following, among them a Soothsayer.]
  2. Julius Caesar
  3. 75 Calpurnia,—
  4. Casca
  5. 76 Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
  6. [Music ceases.]
  7. Julius Caesar
  8. 77 Calpurnia,—
  9. Calpurnia
  10. 78 Here, my lord.
  11. Julius Caesar
  12. 79 Stand you directly in Antonius' way,
  13. 80 When he doth run his course.—Antonius,—
  14. Mark Antony
  15. 81 Caesar, my lord?
  16. Julius Caesar
  17. 82 Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
  18. 83 To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say,
  19. 84 The barren, touched in this holy chase,
  20. 85 Shake off their sterile curse.
  21. Mark Antony
  22. 86 I shall remember.
  23. 87 When Caesar says "Do this," it is perform'd.
  24. Julius Caesar
  25. 88 Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
  26. [Music.]
  27. Soothsayer
  28. 89 Caesar!
  29. Julius Caesar
  30. 90 Ha! Who calls?
  31. Casca
  32. 91 Bid every noise be still.—Peace yet again!
  33. [Music ceases.]
  34. Julius Caesar
  35. 92 Who is it in the press that calls on me?
  36. 93 I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
  37. 94 Cry "Caesar"! Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.
  38. Soothsayer
  39. 95 Beware the Ides of March.
  40. Julius Caesar
  41. 96 What man is that?
  42. Marcus Brutus
  43. 97 A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.
  44. Julius Caesar
  45. 98 Set him before me; let me see his face.
  46. Caius Cassius
  47. 99 Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
  48. Julius Caesar
  49. 100 What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again.
  50. Soothsayer
  51. 101 Beware the Ides of March.
  52. Julius Caesar
  53. 102 He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
  54. [Sennet. Exeunt all but BRUTUS and CASSIUS.]
  55. Caius Cassius
  56. 103 Will you go see the order of the course?
  57. Marcus Brutus
  58. 104 Not I.
  59. Caius Cassius
  60. 105 I pray you, do.
  61. Marcus Brutus
  62. 106 I am not gamesome; I do lack some part
  63. 107 Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
  64. 108 Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
  65. 109 I'll leave you.
  66. Caius Cassius
  67. 110 Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
  68. 111 I have not from your eyes that gentleness
  69. 112 And show of love as I was wont to have:
  70. 113 You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
  71. 114 Over your friend that loves you.
  72. Marcus Brutus
  73. 115 Cassius,
  74. 116 Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look,
  75. 117 I turn the trouble of my countenance
  76. 118 Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
  77. 119 Of late with passions of some difference,
  78. 120 Conceptions only proper to myself,
  79. 121 Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors;
  80. 122 But let not therefore my good friends be grieved—
  81. 123 Among which number, Cassius, be you one—
  82. 124 Nor construe any further my neglect,
  83. 125 Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
  84. 126 Forgets the shows of love to other men.
  85. Caius Cassius
  86. 127 Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
  87. 128 By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
  88. 129 Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
  89. 130 Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
  90. Marcus Brutus
  91. 131 No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself
  92. 132 But by reflection, by some other thing.
  93. Caius Cassius
  94. 133 'Tis just:
  95. 134 And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
  96. 135 That you have no such mirrors as will turn
  97. 136 Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
  98. 137 That you might see your shadow. I have heard
  99. 138 Where many of the best respect in Rome,—
  100. 139 Except immortal Caesar!— speaking of Brutus,
  101. 140 And groaning underneath this age's yoke,
  102. 141 Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes.
  103. Marcus Brutus
  104. 142 Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
  105. 143 That you would have me seek into myself
  106. 144 For that which is not in me?
  107. Caius Cassius
  108. 145 Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear;
  109. 146 And since you know you cannot see yourself
  110. 147 So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
  111. 148 Will modestly discover to yourself
  112. 149 That of yourself which you yet know not of.
  113. 150 And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus;
  114. 151 Were I a common laugher, or did use
  115. 152 To stale with ordinary oaths my love
  116. 153 To every new protester; if you know
  117. 154 That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard
  118. 155 And after scandal them; or if you know
  119. 156 That I profess myself, in banqueting,
  120. 157 To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
  121. [Flourish and shout.]
  122. Marcus Brutus
  123. 158 What means this shouting? I do fear the people
  124. 159 Choose Caesar for their king.
  125. Caius Cassius
  126. 160 Ay, do you fear it?
  127. 161 Then must I think you would not have it so.
  128. Marcus Brutus
  129. 162 I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well,
  130. 163 But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
  131. 164 What is it that you would impart to me?
  132. 165 If it be aught toward the general good,
  133. 166 Set honor in one eye and death i' the other
  134. 167 And I will look on both indifferently;
  135. 168 For let the gods so speed me as I love
  136. 169 The name of honor more than I fear death.
  137. Caius Cassius
  138. 170 I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
  139. 171 As well as I do know your outward favor.
  140. 172 Well, honor is the subject of my story.
  141. 173 I cannot tell what you and other men
  142. 174 Think of this life; but, for my single self,
  143. 175 I had as lief not be as live to be
  144. 176 In awe of such a thing as I myself.
  145. 177 I was born free as Caesar; so were you:
  146. 178 We both have fed as well; and we can both
  147. 179 Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
  148. 180 For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
  149. 181 The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
  150. 182 Caesar said to me, "Darest thou, Cassius, now
  151. 183 Leap in with me into this angry flood
  152. 184 And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word,
  153. 185 Accoutred as I was, I plunged in,
  154. 186 And bade him follow: so indeed he did.
  155. 187 The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
  156. 188 With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
  157. 189 And stemming it with hearts of controversy;
  158. 190 But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
  159. 191 Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink!
  160. 192 I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
  161. 193 Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
  162. 194 The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
  163. 195 Did I the tired Caesar: and this man
  164. 196 Is now become a god; and Cassius is
  165. 197 A wretched creature, and must bend his body,
  166. 198 If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
  167. 199 He had a fever when he was in Spain;
  168. 200 And when the fit was on him I did mark
  169. 201 How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake:
  170. 202 His coward lips did from their color fly;
  171. 203 And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
  172. 204 Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan:
  173. 205 Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
  174. 206 Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,
  175. 207 Alas, it cried, "Give me some drink, Titinius,"
  176. 208 As a sick girl.—Ye gods, it doth amaze me,
  177. 209 A man of such a feeble temper should
  178. 210 So get the start of the majestic world,
  179. 211 And bear the palm alone.
  180. [Shout. Flourish.]
  181. Marcus Brutus
  182. 212 Another general shout!
  183. 213 I do believe that these applauses are
  184. 214 For some new honors that are heap'd on Caesar.
  185. Caius Cassius
  186. 215 Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
  187. 216 Like a Colossus; and we petty men
  188. 217 Walk under his huge legs and peep about
  189. 218 To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
  190. 219 Men at some time are masters of their fates:
  191. 220 The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
  192. 221 But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
  193. 222 "Brutus" and "Caesar": what should be in that "Caesar"?
  194. 223 Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
  195. 224 Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
  196. 225 Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
  197. 226 Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with them,
  198. 227 "Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar."
  199. 228 Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
  200. 229 Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
  201. 230 That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
  202. 231 Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
  203. 232 When went there by an age since the great flood,
  204. 233 But it was famed with more than with one man?
  205. 234 When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome,
  206. 235 That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?
  207. 236 Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough,
  208. 237 When there is in it but one only man.
  209. 238 O, you and I have heard our fathers say
  210. 239 There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd
  211. 240 Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome,
  212. 241 As easily as a king!
  213. Marcus Brutus
  214. 242 That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
  215. 243 What you would work me to, I have some aim:
  216. 244 How I have thought of this, and of these times,
  217. 245 I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
  218. 246 I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
  219. 247 Be any further moved. What you have said,
  220. 248 I will consider; what you have to say,
  221. 249 I will with patience hear; and find a time
  222. 250 Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
  223. 251 Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
  224. 252 Brutus had rather be a villager
  225. 253 Than to repute himself a son of Rome
  226. 254 Under these hard conditions as this time
  227. 255 Is like to lay upon us.
  228. Caius Cassius
  229. 256 I am glad that my weak words
  230. 257 Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
  231. Marcus Brutus
  232. 258 The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
  233. Caius Cassius
  234. 259 As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve;
  235. 260 And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
  236. 261 What hath proceeded worthy note today.
  237. [Re-enter Caesar and his Train.]
  238. Marcus Brutus
  239. 262 I will do so.—But, look you, Cassius,
  240. 263 The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow,
  241. 264 And all the rest look like a chidden train:
  242. 265 Calpurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero
  243. 266 Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
  244. 267 As we have seen him in the Capitol,
  245. 268 Being cross'd in conference by some senators.
  246. Caius Cassius
  247. 269 Casca will tell us what the matter is.
  248. Julius Caesar
  249. 270 Antonius,—
  250. Mark Antony
  251. 271 Caesar?
  252. Julius Caesar
  253. 272 Let me have men about me that are fat;
  254. 273 Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights:
  255. 274 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
  256. 275 He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
  257. Mark Antony
  258. 276 Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous;
  259. 277 He is a noble Roman and well given.
  260. Julius Caesar
  261. 278 Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
  262. 279 Yet, if my name were liable to fear,
  263. 280 I do not know the man I should avoid
  264. 281 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much;
  265. 282 He is a great observer, and he looks
  266. 283 Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays,
  267. 284 As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music:
  268. 285 Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort
  269. 286 As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
  270. 287 That could be moved to smile at any thing.
  271. 288 Such men as he be never at heart's ease
  272. 289 Whiles they behold a greater than themselves;
  273. 290 And therefore are they very dangerous.
  274. 291 I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
  275. 292 Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
  276. 293 Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
  277. 294 And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
  278. [Exeunt Caesar and his Train. Casca stays.]
  279. Casca
  280. 295 You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
  281. Marcus Brutus
  282. 296 Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced today,
  283. 297 That Caesar looks so sad.
  284. Casca
  285. 298 Why, you were with him, were you not?
  286. Marcus Brutus
  287. 299 I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
  288. Casca
  289. 300 Why, there was a crown offer'd him; and being offer'd him,
  290. 301 he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the
  291. 302 people fell a-shouting.
  292. Marcus Brutus
  293. 303 What was the second noise for?
  294. Casca
  295. 304 Why, for that too.
  296. Caius Cassius
  297. 305 They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
  298. Casca
  299. 306 Why, for that too.
  300. Marcus Brutus
  301. 307 Was the crown offer'd him thrice?
  302. Casca
  303. 308 Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler
  304. 309 than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbors
  305. 310 shouted.
  306. Caius Cassius
  307. 311 Who offer'd him the crown?
  308. Casca
  309. 312 Why, Antony.
  310. Marcus Brutus
  311. 313 Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
  312. Casca
  313. 314 I can as well be hang'd, as tell the manner of it: it was
  314. 315 mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a
  315. 316 crown;—yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these
  316. 317 coronets;—and, as I told you, he put it by once: but, for all
  317. 318 that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
  318. 319 offered it to him again: then he put it by again: but, to my
  319. 320 thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then
  320. 321 he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by; and
  321. 322 still, as he refused it, the rabblement shouted, and clapp'd
  322. 323 their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and
  323. 324 uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused
  324. 325 the crown, that it had almost choked Caesar, for he swooned and
  325. 326 fell down at it: and for mine own part, I durst not laugh for
  326. 327 fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
  327. Caius Cassius
  328. 328 But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
  329. Casca
  330. 329 He fell down in the market-place, and foam'd at mouth, and was
  331. 330 speechless.
  332. Marcus Brutus
  333. 331 'Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness.
  334. Caius Cassius
  335. 332 No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I,
  336. 333 And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.
  337. Casca
  338. 334 I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Caesar fell
  339. 335 down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him,
  340. 336 according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do
  341. 337 the players in the theatre, I am no true man.
  342. Marcus Brutus
  343. 338 What said he when he came unto himself?
  344. Casca
  345. 339 Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common
  346. 340 herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck'd me ope his
  347. 341 doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an I had been a
  348. 342 man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word,
  349. 343 I would I might go to hell among the rogues:—and so he fell.
  350. 344 When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said
  351. 345 any thing amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his
  352. 346 infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried, "Alas,
  353. 347 good soul!" and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's
  354. 348 no heed to be taken of them: if Caesar had stabb'd their
  355. 349 mothers, they would have done no less.
  356. Marcus Brutus
  357. 350 And, after that he came, thus sad away?
  358. Casca
  359. 351 Ay.
  360. Caius Cassius
  361. 352 Did Cicero say any thing?
  362. Casca
  363. 353 Ay, he spoke Greek.
  364. Caius Cassius
  365. 354 To what effect?
  366. Casca
  367. 355 Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face
  368. 356 again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and
  369. 357 shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I
  370. 358 could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling
  371. 359 scarfs off Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well.
  372. 360 There was more foolery yet, if could remember it.
  373. Caius Cassius
  374. 361 Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
  375. Casca
  376. 362 No, I am promised forth.
  377. Caius Cassius
  378. 363 Will you dine with me tomorrow?
  379. Casca
  380. 364 Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth
  381. 365 the eating.
  382. Caius Cassius
  383. 366 Good; I will expect you.
  384. Casca
  385. 367 Do so; farewell both.
  386. [Exit CASCA.]
  387. Marcus Brutus
  388. 368 What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!
  389. 369 He was quick mettle when he went to school.
  390. Caius Cassius
  391. 370 So is he now in execution
  392. 371 Of any bold or noble enterprise,
  393. 372 However he puts on this tardy form.
  394. 373 This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,
  395. 374 Which gives men stomach to digest his words
  396. 375 With better appetite.
  397. Marcus Brutus
  398. 376 And so it is. For this time I will leave you:
  399. 377 Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
  400. 378 I will come home to you; or, if you will,
  401. 379 Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
  402. Caius Cassius
  403. 380 I will do so: till then, think of the world.—
  404. [Exit Brutus.]
  405. Caius Cassius
  406. 381 Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
  407. 382 Thy honorable metal may be wrought,
  408. 383 From that it is disposed: therefore 'tis meet
  409. 384 That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
  410. 385 For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
  411. 386 Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus;
  412. 387 If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius,
  413. 388 He should not humor me. I will this night,
  414. 389 In several hands, in at his windows throw,
  415. 390 As if they came from several citizens,
  416. 391 Writings all tending to the great opinion
  417. 392 That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely
  418. 393 Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at:
  419. 394 And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
  420. 395 For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
  421. [Exit.]