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The Tragedie of Julius Caesar

Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.

Enter FlauiusMurellusand certaine Commoners ouer the Stage.

Flauius. Hence: home you idle Creaturesget you home:
Is this a Holiday? Whatknow you not
(Being Mechanicall) you ought not walke
Vpon a labouring daywithout the signe
Of your Profession? Speakewhat Trade art thou?

Car. Why Sira Carpenter

Mur. Where is thy Leather Apronand thy Rule?
What dost thou with thy best Apparrell on?
You sirwhat Trade are you?

Cobl. Truely Sirin respect of a fine WorkmanI am
but as you would saya Cobler

Mur. But what Trade art thou? Answer me directly

Cob. A Trade Sirthat I hope I may vsewith a safe
Consciencewhich is indeed Sira Mender of bad soules

Fla. What Trade thou knaue? Thou naughty knaue
what Trade?
Cobl. Nay I beseech you Sirbe not out with me: yet
if you be out SirI can mend you

Mur. What mean'st thou by that? Mend meethou
sawcy Fellow?
Cob. Why sirCobble you

Fla. Thou art a Coblerart thou?

Cob. Truly sirall that I liue byis with the Aule: I
meddle with no Tradesmans mattersnor womens matters;
but withal I am indeed Sira Surgeon to old shooes:
when they are in great dangerI recouer them. As proper
men as euer trod vpon Neats Leatherhaue gone vpon
my handy-worke

Fla. But wherefore art not in thy Shop to day?
Why do'st thou leade these men about the streets?

Cob. Truly sirto weare out their shooesto get my
selfe into more worke. But indeede sirwe make Holyday
to see Caesarand to reioyce in his Triumph

Mur. Wherefore reioyce?
What Conquest brings he home?
What Tributaries follow him to Rome
To grace in Captiue bonds his Chariot Wheeles?
You Blockesyou stonesyou worse then senslesse things:
O you hard heartsyou cruell men of Rome
Knew you not Pompey many a time and oft?
Haue you climb'd vp to Walles and Battlements
To Towres and Windowes? Yeato Chimney tops
Your Infants in your Armesand there haue sate
The liue-long daywith patient expectation


To see great Pompey passe the streets of Rome:
And when you saw his Chariot but appeare
Haue you not made an Vniuersall shout
That Tyber trembled vnderneath her bankes
To heare the replication of your sounds
Made in her Concaue Shores?
And do you now put on your best attyre?
And do you now cull out a Holyday?
And do you now strew Flowers in his way
That comes in Triumph ouer Pompeyes blood?
Be gone
Runne to your housesfall vpon your knees
Pray to the Gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this Ingratitude


Fla. Gogogood Countrymenand for this fault
Assemble all the poore men of your sort;
Draw them to Tyber bankesand weepe your teares
Into the Channelltill the lowest streame
Do kisse the most exalted Shores of all.

Exeunt. all the Commoners.


See where their basest mettle be not mou'd
They vanish tongue-tyed in their guiltinesse:
Go you downe that way towards the Capitoll
This way will I: Disrobe the Images
If you do finde them deckt with Ceremonies


Mur. May we do so?
You know it is the Feast of Lupercall

Fla. It is no matterlet no Images
Be hung with Caesars Trophees: Ile about
And driue away the Vulgar from the streets;
So do you toowhere you perceiue them thicke.
These growing Featherspluckt from Caesars wing
Will make him flye an ordinary pitch
Who else would soare aboue the view of men
And keepe vs all in seruile fearefulnesse.

Exeunt.


Enter CaesarAntony for the CourseCalphurniaPortiaDecius
Cicero
BrutusCassiusCaskaa Soothsayer: after them Murellus and
Flauius.


Caes. Calphurnia

Cask. Peace hoCaesar speakes

Caes. Calphurnia

Calp. Heere my Lord

Caes. Stand you directly in Antonio's way
When he doth run his course. Antonio

Ant. Cæsarmy Lord

Caes. Forget not in your speed Antonio
To touch Calphurnia: for our Elders say
The Barren touched in this holy chace


Shake off their sterrile curse

Ant. I shall remember
When Caesar sayesDo this; it is perform'd

Caes. Set onand leaue no Ceremony out

Sooth. Caesar

Caes. Ha? Who calles?
Cask. Bid euery noyse be still: peace yet againe


Caes. Who is it in the pressethat calles on me?
I heare a Tongue shriller then all the Musicke
CryCaesar: SpeakeCaesar is turn'd to heare

Sooth. Beware the Ides of March

Caes. What man is that?
Br. A Sooth-sayer bids you beware the Ides of March
Caes. Set him before melet me see his face

Cassi. Fellowcome from the thronglook vpon Caesar

Caes. What sayst thou to me now? Speak once againe
Sooth. Beware the Ides of March

Caes. He is a Dreamerlet vs leaue him: Passe.

Sennet

Exeunt. Manet Brut. & Cass.

Cassi. Will you go see the order of the course?
Brut. Not I


Cassi. I pray you do

Brut. I am not Gamesom: I do lacke some part
Of that quicke Spirit that is in Antony:
Let me not hinder Cassius your desires;
Ile leaue you

Cassi. BrutusI do obserue you now of late:
I haue not from your eyesthat gentlenesse
And shew of Loueas I was wont to haue:
You beare too stubborneand too strange a hand
Ouer your Friendthat loues you

Bru. Cassius
Be not deceiu'd: If I haue veyl'd my looke
I turne the trouble of my Countenance
Meerely vpon my selfe. Vexed I am
Of latewith passions of some difference
Conceptions onely proper to my selfe
Which giue some soyle (perhaps) to my Behauiours:
But let not therefore my good Friends be greeu'd
(Among which number Cassius be you one)
Nor construe any further my neglect
Then that poore Brutus with himselfe at warre
Forgets the shewes of Loue to other men

Cassi. Then BrutusI haue much mistook your passion
By meanes whereofthis Brest of mine hath buried


Thoughts of great valueworthy Cogitations.

Tell me good BrutusCan you see your face?
Brutus. No Cassius:

For the eye sees not it selfe but by reflection

By some other things

Cassius. 'Tis iust

And it is very much lamented Brutus

That you haue no such Mirrorsas will turne

Your hidden worthinesse into your eye

That you might see your shadow:

I haue heard

Where many of the best respect in Rome

(Except immortall Caesar) speaking of Brutus

And groaning vnderneath this Ages yoake

Haue wish'dthat Noble Brutus had his eyes

Bru. Into what dangerswould you

Leade me Cassius?

That you would haue me seeke into my selfe

For that which is not in me?
Cas. Therefore good Brutusbe prepar'd to heare:

And since you knowyou cannot see your selfe

So well as by Reflection; I your Glasse

Will modestly discouer to your selfe

That of your selfewhich you yet know not of.

And be not iealous on megentle Brutus:

Were I a common Laughteror did vse

To stale with ordinary Oathes my loue

To euery new Protester: if you know

That I do fawne on menand hugge them hard

And after scandall them: Or if you know

That I professe my selfe in Banquetting

To all the Routthen hold me dangerous.

Flourishand Shout.

Bru. What meanes this Showting?

I do fearethe People choose Caesar

For their King

Cassi. Ido you feare it?
Then must I thinke you would not haue it so

Bru. I would not Cassiusyet I loue him well:

But wherefore do you hold me heere so long?

What is itthat you would impart to me?

If it be ought toward the generall good

Set Honor in one eyeand Death i'th other

And I will looke on both indifferently:

For let the Gods so speed meeas I loue

The name of Honormore then I feare death

Cassi. I know that vertue to be in you Brutus

As well as I do know your outward fauour.

WellHonor is the subiect of my Story:

I cannot tellwhat you and other men

Thinke of this life: But for my single selfe

I had as liefe not beas liue to be

In awe of such a Thingas I my selfe.

I was borne free as Caesarso were you

We both haue fed as welland we can both

Endure the Winters coldas well as hee.

For oncevpon a Rawe and Gustie day


The troubled Tyberchafing with her Shores
Caesar saide to meDar'st thou Cassius now
Leape in with me into this angry Flood
And swim to yonder Point? Vpon the word
Accoutred as I wasI plunged in
And bad him follow: so indeed he did.
The Torrent roar'dand we did buffet it
With lusty Sinewesthrowing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of Controuersie.
But ere we could arriue the Point propos'd
Caesar crideHelpe me Cassiusor I sinke.
I (as Aeneasour great Ancestor
Did from the Flames of Troyvpon his shoulder
The old Anchyses beare) sofrom the waues of Tyber
Did I the tyred Caesar: And this Man
Is now become a Godand Cassius is
A wretched Creatureand must bend his body
If Caesar carelesly but nod on him.
He had a Feauer when he was in Spaine
And when the Fit was on himI did marke
How he did shake: Tis truethis God did shake
His Coward lippes did from their colour flye
And that same Eyewhose bend doth awe the World
Did loose his Lustre: I did heare him grone:
Iand that Tongue of histhat bad the Romans
Marke himand write his Speeches in their Bookes
Alasit criedGiue me some drinke Titinius
As a sicke Girle: Ye Godsit doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the Maiesticke world
And beare the Palme alone.


Shout. Flourish.


Bru. Another generall shout?
I do beleeuethat these applauses are
For some new Honorsthat are heap'd on Caesar

Cassi. Why manhe doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossusand we petty men
Walke vnder his huge leggesand peepe about
To finde our selues dishonourable Graues.
Men at sometimeare Masters of their Fates.
The fault (deere Brutus) is not in our Starres
But in our Seluesthat we are vnderlings.
Brutus and Caesar: What should be in that Caesar?
Why should that name be sounded more then yours
Write them together: Yoursis as faire a Name:
Sound themit doth become the mouth aswell:
Weigh themit is as heauy: Coniure with 'em
Brutus will start a Spirit as soone as Caesar.
Now in the names of all the Gods at once
Vpon what meate doth this our Caesar feede
That he is growne so great? Agethou art sham'd.
Romethou hast lost the breed of Noble Bloods.
When went there by an Agesince the great Flood
But it was fam'd with more then with one man?
When could they say (till now) that talk'd of Rome
That her wide Walkes incompast but one man?
Now is it Rome indeedand Roome enough
When there is in it but one onely man.
O! you and Ihaue heard our Fathers say
There was a Brutus oncethat would haue brook'd
Th' eternall Diuell to keepe his State in Rome


As easily as a King

Bru. That you do loue meI am nothing iealous:
What you would worke me tooI haue some ayme:
How I haue thought of thisand of these times
I shall recount heereafter. For this present
I would not so (with loue I might intreat you)
Be any further moou'd: What you haue said
I will consider: what you haue to say
I will with patience heareand finde a time
Both meete to heareand answer such high things.
Till thenmy Noble Friendchew vpon this:
Brutus had rather be a Villager
Then to repute himselfe a Sonne of Rome
Vnder these hard Conditionsas this time
Is like to lay vpon vs

Cassi. I am glad that my weake words
Haue strucke but thus much shew of fire from Brutus
Enter Caesar and his Traine.

Bru. The Games are done
And Caesar is returning

Cassi. As they passe by
Plucke Caska by the Sleeue
And he will (after his sowre fashion) tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to day

Bru. I will do so: but looke you Cassius
The angry spot doth glow on Caesars brow
And all the restlooke like a chidden Traine;
Calphurnia's Cheeke is paleand Cicero
Lookes with such Ferretand such fiery eyes
As we haue seene him in the Capitoll
Being crost in Conferenceby some Senators

Cassi. Caska will tell vs what the matter is

Caes Antonio

Ant. Caesar

Caes Let me haue men about methat are fat
Sleeke-headed menand such as sleepe a-nights:
Yond Cassius has a leane and hungry looke
He thinkes too much: such men are dangerous

Ant. Feare him not Caesarhe's not dangerous
He is a Noble Romanand well giuen

Caes Would he were fatter; But I feare him not:
Yet if my name were lyable to feare
I do not know the man I should auoyd
So soone as that spare Cassius. He reades much
He is a great Obseruerand he lookes
Quite through the Deeds of men. He loues no Playes
As thou dost Antony: he heares no Musicke;
Seldome he smilesand smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himselfeand scorn'd his spirit
That could be mou'd to smile at any thing.
Such men as hebe neuer at hearts ease
Whiles they behold a greater then themselues
And therefore are they very dangerous.


I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Then what I feare: for alwayes I am Caesar.
Come on my right handfor this eare is deafe
And tell me truelywhat thou think'st of him.


Sennit.


Exeunt. Caesar and his Traine.


Cask. You pul'd me by the cloakewould you speake
with me?
Bru. I Caskatell vs what hath chanc'd to day
That Caesar lookes so sad

Cask. Why you were with himwere you not?
Bru. I should not then aske Caska what had chanc'd


Cask. Why there was a Crowne offer'd him; & being
offer'd himhe put it by with the backe of his hand thus
and then the people fell a shouting

Bru. What was the second noyse for?
Cask. Why for that too


Cassi. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
Cask. Why for that too


Bru. Was the Crowne offer'd him thrice?

Cask. I marry was'tand hee put it by thriceeuerie
time gentler then other; and at euery putting bymine
honest Neighbors showted

Cassi. Who offer'd him the Crowne?
Cask. Why Antony


Bru. Tell vs the manner of itgentle Caska

Caska. I can as well bee hang'd as tell the manner of
it: It was meere FoolerieI did not marke it. I sawe
Marke Antony offer him a Crowneyet 'twas not a
Crowne neyther'twas one of these Coronets: and as I
told youhee put it by once: but for all thatto my thinking
he would faine haue had it. Then hee offered it to
him againe: then hee put it by againe: but to my thinking
he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then
he offered it the third time; hee put it the third time by
and still as hee refus'd itthe rabblement howtedand
clapp'd their chopt handsand threw vppe their sweatie
Night-cappesand vttered such a deale of stinking
breathbecause Caesar refus'd the Crownethat it had
(almost) choaked Caesar: for hee swoondedand fell
downe at it: And for mine owne partI durst not laugh
for feare of opening my Lippesand receyuing the bad
Ayre

Cassi. But soft I pray you: whatdid Caesar swound?
Cask. He fell downe in the Market-placeand foam'd
at mouthand was speechlesse

Brut. 'Tis very like he hath the Falling sicknesse

Cassi. NoCaesar hath it not: but youand I
And honest Caskawe haue the Falling sicknesse


Cask. I know not what you meane by thatbut I am
sure Caesar fell downe. If the tag-ragge people did not
clap himand hisse himaccording as he pleas'dand displeas'd
themas they vse to doe the Players in the Theatre
I am no true man

Brut. What said hewhen he came vnto himselfe?

Cask. Marrybefore he fell downewhen he perceiu'd
the common Heard was glad he refus'd the Crownehe
pluckt me ope his Doubletand offer'd them his Throat
to cut: and I had beene a man of any Occupationif I
would not haue taken him at a wordI would I might
goe to Hell among the Roguesand so hee fell. When
he came to himselfe againehee saidIf hee had doneor
said any thing amissehe desir'd their Worships to thinke
it was his infirmitie. Three or foure Wenches where I
stoodcryedAlasse good Souleand forgaue him with
all their hearts: But there's no heed to be taken of them;
if Caesar had stab'd their Mothersthey would haue done
no lesse

Brut. And after thathe came thus sad away

Cask. I

Cassi. Did Cicero say any thing?
Cask. Ihe spoke Greeke


Cassi. To what effect?

Cask. Nayand I tell you thatIle ne're looke you
i'th' face againe. But those that vnderstood himsmil'd
at one anotherand shooke their heads: but for mine
owne partit was Greeke to me. I could tell you more
newes too: Murrellus and Flauiusfor pulling Scarffes
off Caesars Imagesare put to silence. Fare you well.
There was more Foolerie yetif I could remember
it

Cassi. Will you suppe with me to NightCaska?
Cask. NoI am promis'd forth


Cassi. Will you Dine with me to morrow?
Cask. Iif I be aliueand your minde holdand your
Dinner worth the eating

Cassi. GoodI will expect you

Cask. Doe so: farewell both.
Enter.

Brut. What a blunt fellow is this growne to be?
He was quick Mettlewhen he went to Schoole

Cassi. So is he nowin execution
Of any boldor Noble Enterprize
How-euer he puts on this tardie forme:
This Rudenesse is a Sawce to his good Wit
Which giues men stomacke to disgest his words
With better Appetite

Brut. And so it is:
For this time I will leaue you:
To morrowif you please to speake with me
I will come home to you: or if you will


Come home to meand I will wait for you

Cassi. I will doe so: till thenthinke of the World.
Exit Brutus.

Well Brutusthou art Noble: yet I see
Thy Honorable Mettle may be wrought
From that it is dispos'd: therefore it is meet
That Noble mindes keepe euer with their likes:
For who so firmethat cannot be seduc'd?
Caesar doth beare me hardbut he loues Brutus.
If I were Brutus nowand he were Cassius
He should not humor me. I will this Night
In seuerall Handsin at his Windowes throw
As if they came from seuerall Citizens
Writingsall tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his Name: wherein obscurely
Caesars Ambition shall be glanced at.
And after thislet Caesar seat him sure
For wee will shake himor worse dayes endure.
Enter.


Thunderand Lightning. Enter Caskaand Cicero.


Cic. Good euenCaska: brought you Caesar home?
Why are you breathlesseand why stare you so?

Cask. Are not you mou'dwhen all the sway of Earth
Shakeslike a thing vnfirme? O Cicero
I haue seene Tempestswhen the scolding Winds
Haue riu'd the knottie Oakesand I haue seene
Th' ambitious Ocean swelland rageand foame
To be exalted with the threatning Clouds:
But neuer till to Nightneuer till now
Did I goe through a Tempest-dropping-fire.
Eyther there is a Ciuill strife in Heauen
Or else the Worldtoo sawcie with the Gods
Incenses them to send destruction

Cic. Whysaw you any thing more wonderfull?

Cask. A common slaueyou know him well by sight
Held vp his left Handwhich did flame and burne
Like twentie Torches ioyn'd; and yet his Hand
Not sensible of fireremain'd vnscorch'd.
BesidesI ha' not since put vp my Sword
Against the Capitoll I met a Lyon
Who glaz'd vpon meand went surly by
Without annoying me. And there were drawne
Vpon a heapea hundred gastly Women
Transformed with their fearewho sworethey saw
Menall in firewalke vp and downe the streetes.
And yesterdaythe Bird of Night did sit
Euen at Noone-dayvpon the Market place
Howtingand shreeking. When these Prodigies
Doe so conioyntly meetlet not men say
These are their Reasonsthey are Naturall:
For I beleeuethey are portentous things
Vnto the Clymatethat they point vpon

Cic. Indeedit is a strange disposed time:
But men may construe things after their fashion
Cleane from the purpose of the things themselues.
Comes Caesar to the Capitoll to morrow?

Cask. He doth: for he did bid Antonio
Send word to youhe would be there to morrow


Cic. Good-night thenCaska:
This disturbed Skie is not to walke in

Cask. Farewell Cicero.

Exit Cicero.

Enter Cassius.

Cassi. Who's there?
Cask. A Romane


Cassi. Caskaby your Voyce

Cask. Your Eare is good.
Cassiuswhat Night is this?
Cassi. A very pleasing Night to honest men

Cask. Who euer knew the Heauens menace so?

Cassi. Those that haue knowne the Earth so full of
faults.
For my partI haue walk'd about the streets
Submitting me vnto the perillous Night;
And thus vnbracedCaskaas you see
Haue bar'd my Bosome to the Thunder-stone:
And when the crosse blew Lightning seem'd to open
The Brest of HeauenI did present my selfe
Euen in the aymeand very flash of it

Cask. But wherefore did you so much tempt the Heauens?
It is the part of mento feare and tremble
When the most mightie Godsby tokens send
Such dreadfull Herauldsto astonish vs

Cassi. You are dullCaska:
And those sparkes of Lifethat should be in a Roman
You doe wantor else you vse not.
You looke paleand gazeand put on feare
And cast your selfe in wonder
To see the strange impatience of the Heauens:
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these Fireswhy all these gliding Ghosts
Why Birds and Beastsfrom qualitie and kinde
Why Old menFoolesand Children calculate
Why all these things change from their Ordinance
Their Naturesand pre-formed Faculties
To monstrous qualitie; why you shall finde
That Heauen hath infus'd them with these Spirits
To make them Instruments of feareand warning
Vnto some monstrous State.
Now could I (Caska) name to thee a man
Most like this dreadfull Night
That ThundersLightensopens Grauesand roares
As doth the Lyon in the Capitoll:
A man no mightier then thy selfeor me
In personall action; yet prodigious growne
And fearefullas these strange eruptions are

Cask. 'Tis Caesar that you meane:
Is it notCassius?

Cassi. Let it be who it is: for Romans now
Haue Thewesand Limbeslike to their Ancestors;
But woe the whileour Fathers mindes are dead


And we are gouern'd with our Mothers spirits
Our yoakeand sufferanceshew vs Womanish

Cask. Indeedthey saythe Senators to morrow
Meane to establish Caesar as a King:
And he shall weare his Crowne by Seaand Land
In euery placesaue here in Italy

Cassi. I know where I will weare this Dagger then;
Cassius from Bondage will deliuer Cassius:
Thereinyee Godsyou make the weake most strong;
Thereinyee Godsyou Tyrants doe defeat.
Nor Stonie Towernor Walls of beaten Brasse
Nor ayre-lesse Dungeonnor strong Linkes of Iron
Can be retentiue to the strength of spirit:
But Life being wearie of these worldly Barres
Neuer lacks power to dismisse it selfe.
If I know thisknow all the World besides
That part of Tyrannie that I doe beare
I can shake off at pleasure.

Thunder still.

Cask. So can I:
So euery Bond-man in his owne hand beares
The power to cancell his Captiuitie

Cassi. And why should Cæsar be a Tyrant then?
Poore manI know he would not be a Wolfe
But that he sees the Romans are but Sheepe:
He were no Lyonwere not Romans Hindes.
Those that with haste will make a mightie fire
Begin it with weake Strawes. What trash is Rome?
What Rubbishand what Offall? when it serues
For the base matterto illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar. But oh Griefe
Where hast thou led me? I (perhaps) speake this
Before a willing Bond-man: then I know
My answere must be made. But I am arm'd
And dangers are to me indifferent

Cask. You speake to Caskaand to such a man
That is no flearing Tell-tale. Holdmy Hand:
Be factious for redresse of all these Griefes
And I will set this foot of mine as farre
As who goes farthest

Cassi. There's a Bargaine made.
Now know youCaskaI haue mou'd already
Some certaine of the Noblest minded Romans
To vnder-goewith mean Enterprize
Of Honorable dangerous consequence;
And I doe know by thisthey stay for me
In Pompeyes Porch: for now this fearefull Night
There is no stirreor walking in the streetes;
And the Complexion of the Element
Is Fauorslike the Worke we haue in hand
Most bloodiefierieand most terrible.
Enter Cinna.

Caska. Stand close a whilefor heere comes one in
haste

Cassi. 'Tis CinnaI doe know him by his Gate


He is a friend. Cinnawhere haste you so?
Cinna. To finde out you: Who's thatMetellus
Cymber?
Cassi. Noit is Caskaone incorporate
To our Attempts. Am I not stay'd forCinna?

Cinna. I am glad on't.
What a fearefull Night is this?
There's two or three of vs haue seene strange sights

Cassi. Am I not stay'd for? tell me

Cinna. Yesyou are. O Cassius
If you could but winne the Noble Brutus
To our party


Cassi. Be you content. Good Cinnatake this Paper
And looke you lay it in the Pretors Chayre
Where Brutus may but finde it: and throw this
In at his Window; set this vp with Waxe
Vpon old Brutus Statue: all this done
Repaire to Pompeyes Porchwhere you shall finde vs.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?

Cinna. Allbut Metellus Cymberand hee's gone
To seeke you at your house. WellI will hie
And so bestow these Papers as you bad me

Cassi. That donerepayre to Pompeyes Theater.

Exit Cinna.

Come Caskayou and I will yetere day
See Brutus at his house: three parts of him
Is ours alreadieand the man entire
Vpon the next encounteryeelds him ours

Cask. Ohe sits high in all the Peoples hearts:
And that which would appeare Offence in vs
His Countenancelike richest Alchymie
Will change to Vertueand to Worthinesse

Cassi. Himand his worthand our great need of him
You haue right well conceited: let vs goe
For it is after Mid-nightand ere day
We will awake himand be sure of him.

Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.

Enter Brutus in his Orchard.

Brut. What Luciushoe?
I cannotby the progresse of the Starres
Giue guesse how neere to day- LuciusI say?
I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.
When Luciuswhen? awakeI say: what Lucius?
Enter Lucius.

Luc. Call'd youmy Lord?
Brut. Get me a Tapor in my StudyLucius:
When it is lightedcome and call me here

Luc. I willmy Lord.
Enter.


Brut. It must be by his death: and for my part
I know no personall causeto spurne at him
But for the generall. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his naturethere's the question?
It is the bright daythat 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 Greatnesseiswhen it dis-ioynes
Remorse from Power: And to speake truth of Caesar
I haue not knownewhen his Affections sway'd
More 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 Cloudsscorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend: so Caesar may;
Then least he maypreuent. And since the Quarrell
Will beare no colourfor the thing he is
Fashion it thus; that what he isaugmented
Would runne to theseand these extremities:
And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge
Which hatch'dwould as his kinde grow mischieuous;
And kill him in the shell.
Enter Lucius.

Luc. The Taper burneth in your ClosetSir:
Searching the Window for a FlintI found
This Paperthus seal'd vpand I am sure
It did not lye there when I went to Bed.

Giues him the Letter.

Brut. Get you to Bed againeit is not day:
Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?
Luc. I know notSir

Brut. Looke in the Calenderand bring me word

Luc. I willSir.
Enter.

Brut. The exhalationswhizzing in the ayre
Giue so much lightthat I may reade by them.

Opens the Letterand reades.


Brutus thou sleep'st; awakeand see thy selfe:
Shall Rome&c. speakestrikeredresse.
Brutusthou 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 Rome
The Tarquin driuewhen he was call'd a King.
Speakestrikeredresse. Am I entreated
To speakeand strike? O RomeI make thee promise
If the redresse will followthou receiuest
Thy full Petition at the hand of Brutus.
Enter Lucius.



Luc. SirMarch is wasted fifteene dayes.

Knocke within.

Brut. 'Tis good. Go to the Gatesome body knocks:
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar
I haue not slept.
Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing
And the first motionall the Interim is
Like a Phantasmaor a hideous Dreame:
The Geniusand the mortall Instruments
Are then in councell; and the state of a man
Like to a little Kingdomesuffers then
The 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. NoSirthere are moe with him


Brut. Doe you know them?

Luc. NoSirtheir 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 thenby day
Where wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough
To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie
Hide it in Smilesand Affabilitie:
For if thou path thy natiue semblance on
Not Erebus it selfe were dimme enough
To hide thee from preuention.
Enter the ConspiratorsCassiusCaskaDeciusCinnaMetellus
and
Trebonius.

Cass. I thinke we are too bold vpon your Rest:
Good morrow Brutusdoe we trouble you?
Brut. I haue beene vp this howreawake all Night:
Know I these menthat come along with you?

Cass. Yeseuery man of them; and no man here
But honors you: and euery one doth wish
You had but that opinion of your selfe
Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.
This is Trebonius

Brut. He is welcome hither

Cass. ThisDecius Brutus

Brut. He is welcome too

Cass. ThisCaska; thisCinna; and thisMetellus
Cymber

Brut. They are all welcome.
What watchfull Cares doe interpose themselues
Betwixt your Eyesand Night?


Cass. Shall I entreat a word?

They whisper.

Decius. Here lyes the East: doth not the Day breake
heere?
Cask. No

Cin. O pardonSirit doth; and yon grey Lines
That fret the Cloudsare Messengers of Day

Cask. You shall confessethat you are both deceiu'd:
Heereas I point my Swordthe Sunne arises
Which is a great way growing on the South
Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.
Some two moneths hencevp higher toward the North
He first presents his fireand the high East
Stands as the Capitolldirectly heere

Bru. Giue me your hands all ouerone by one

Cas. And let vs sweare our Resolution

Brut. Nonot an Oath: if not the Face of men
The sufferance of our Soulesthe times Abuse;
If these be Motiues weakebreake off betimes
And euery man henceto 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 enough
To kindle Cowardsand to steele with valour
The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen
What neede we any spurrebut our owne cause
To pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond
Then secret Romansthat haue spoke the word
And will not palter? And what other Oath
Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd
That this shall beor we will fall for it.
Sweare Priests and Cowardsand men Cautelous
Old feeble Carrionsand such suffering Soules
That welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causessweare
Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staine
The euen vertue of our Enterprize
Nor th' insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits
To thinkethat or our Causeor our Performance
Did neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
That euery Roman bearesand Nobly beares
Is guilty of a seuerall Bastardie
If he do breake the smallest Particle
Of any promise that hath past from him

Cas. But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?
I thinke he will stand very strong with vs

Cask. Let vs not leaue him out

Cyn. Noby no meanes

Metel. O let vs haue himfor his Siluer haires
Will purchase vs a good opinion:
And buy mens voycesto commend our deeds:
It shall be saydhis iudgement rul'd our hands
Our youthsand wildenesseshall 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 thing

That other men begin

Cas. Then leaue him out

Cask. Indeedhe is not fit

Decius. Shall no man else be touchtbut onely Caesar?

Cas. Decius well vrg'd: I thinke it is not meet

Marke Antonyso well belou'd of Caesar

Should out-liue Caesarwe shall finde of him

A shrew'd Contriuer. And you knowhis meanes

If he improue themmay well stretch so farre

As to annoy vs all: which to preuent

Let Antony and Caesar fall together

Bru. Our course will seeme too bloodyCaius Cassius

To cut the Head offand then hacke the Limbes:

Like Wrath in deathand Enuy afterwards:

For Antonyis but a Limbe of Caesar.

Let's be Sacrificersbut not Butchers Caius:

We all stand vp against the spirit of Caesar

And in the Spirit of menthere 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 Boldlybut not Wrathfully:

Let's carue himas a Dish fit for the Gods

Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:

And let our Heartsas subtle Masters do

Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage

And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall make

Our purpose Necessaryand not Enuious.

Which so appearing to the common eyes

We shall be call'd Purgersnot Murderers.

And for Marke Antonythinke 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. Alasgood Cassiusdo not thinke of him:

If he loue Caesarall that he can do

Is to himselfe; take thoughtand dye for Caesar

And that were much he should: for he is giuen

To sportsto wildenesseand much company

Treb. There is no feare in him; let him not dye
For he will liueand laugh at this heereafter.

Clocke strikes.

Bru. Peacecount the Clocke

Cas. The Clocke hath stricken three

Treb. 'Tis time to part

Cass. But it is doubtfull yet

Whether Caesar will come forth to dayor no:

For he is Superstitious growne of late


Quite from the maine Opinion he held once
Of Fantasieof Dreamesand Ceremonies:
It may bethese 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 GlassesElephants with Holes
Lyons with Toylesand men with Flatterers.
Butwhen I tell himhe hates Flatterers
He sayeshe does; being then most flattered.
Let me worke:
For I can giue his humour the true bent;
And I will bring him to the Capitoll

Cas. Naywe will all of vsbe there to fetch him

Bru. By the eight houreis that the vttermost?
Cin. Be that the vttermostand 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 welland I haue giuen him Reasons
Send him but hitherand Ile fashion him

Cas. The morning comes vpon's:
Wee'l leaue you Brutus
And Friends disperse your selues; but all remember
What you haue saidand shew your selues true Romans

Bru. Good Gentlemenlooke fresh and merrily
Let not our lookes put on our purposes
But beare it as our Roman Actors do
With vntyr'd Spiritsand 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 Figuresnor no Fantasies
Which busie care drawesin the braines of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
Enter Portia.


Por. Brutusmy Lord

Bru. Portia: What meane you? wherfore rise you now?
It is not for your healththus to commit
Your weake conditionto the raw cold morning

Por. Nor for yours neither. Y'haue vngently Brutus
Stole from my bed: and yesternight at Supper
You sodainly aroseand walk'd about
Musingand sighingwith your armes acrosse
And when I ask'd you what the matter was


You star'd vpon mewith vngentle lookes.
I vrg'd you furtherthen you scratch'd your head
And too impatiently stampt with your foote:
Yet I insistedyet you answer'd not
But with an angry wafter of your hand
Gaue signe for me to leaue you: So I did
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which 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 eatenor talkenor 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 greefe


Bru. I am not well in healthand that is all

Por. Brutus is wiseand were he not in health
He would embrace the meanes to come by it

Bru. Why so I do: good Portia go to bed

Por. Is Brutus sicke? And is it Physicall
To walke vnbracedand sucke vp the humours
Of the danke Morning? Whatis Brutus sicke?
And will he steale out of his wholsome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the Night?
And tempt the Rhewmyand 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 place
I ought to know of: And vpon my knees
I charme youby my once commended Beauty
By all your vowes of Loueand that great Vow
Which did incorporate and make vs one
That you vnfold to meyour selfe; your halfe
Why you are heauy: and what men to night
Haue had resort to you: for heere haue beene
Some sixe or seuenwho did hide their faces
Euen from darknesse

Bru. Kneele not gentle Portia

Por. I should not needeif you were gentle Brutus.
Within the Bond of Marriagetell me Brutus
Is it exceptedI should know no Secrets
That appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe
But as it were in sortor limitation?
To keepe with you at Mealescomfort your Bed
And talke to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the Suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more
Portia is Brutus Harlotnot his Wife

Bru. You are my true and honourable Wife
As deere to meas are the ruddy droppes
That visit my sad heart

Por. If this were truethen 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 youI am no stronger then my Sex


Being so Father'dand so Husbanded?
Tell me your CounselsI will not disclose 'em:
I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie
Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound
Heerein 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.


Harkeharkeone knockes: Portia go in a while
And by and by thy bosome shall partake
The secrets of my Heart.
All my engagementsI will construe to thee
All the Charractery of my sad browes:
Leaue me with hast.


Exit Portia.


Enter Lucius and Ligarius.


Luciuswho's that knockes


Luc. Heere is a sicke man that would speak with you

Bru. Caius Ligariusthat Metellus spake of.
Boystand aside. Caius Ligariushow?
Cai. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue

Bru. O what a time haue you chose out braue Caius
To weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke

Cai. I am not sickeif Brutus haue in hand
Any 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 Sonnederiu'd from Honourable Loines
Thou like an Exorcisthast coniur'd vp
My 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 wholethat we must make sicke?

Bru. That must we also. What it is my Caius
I shall vnfold to theeas we are going
To whom it must be done

Cai. Set on your foote
And with a heart new-fir'dI follow you
To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on.

Thunder

Bru. Follow me then.

Exeunt.


Thunder & Lightning

Enter Iulius Caesar in his Night-gowne.

Caesar. Nor Heauennor Earth
Haue beene at peace to night:
Thrice hath Calphurniain her sleepe cryed out
Helpeho: 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 Successe

Ser. I will my Lord.

Exit

Enter 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 see
The face of Caesarthey are vanished

Calp. CaesarI 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'dand yeelded vp their dead;
Fierce fiery Warriours fight vpon the Clouds
In Rankes and Squadronsand right forme of Warre
Which drizel'd blood vpon the Capitoll:
The noise of Battell hurtled in the Ayre:
Horsses do neighand dying men did grone
And Ghosts did shrieke and squeale about the streets.
O Caesarthese things are beyond all vse
And I do feare them

Caes What can be auoyded
Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty Gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth: for these Predictions
Are to the world in generallas to Caesar

Calp. When Beggers dyethere 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 deatha necessary end
Will comewhen 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 heart
If he should stay at home to day for feare:
No Caesar shall not; Danger knowes full well
That 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 houseand not your owne.
Wee'l send Mark Antony to the Senate house
And he shall sayyou are not well to day:
Let me vpon my kneepreuaile in this

Caes Mark Antony shall say I am not well
And for thy humorI will stay at home.
Enter Decius.

Heere's Decius Brutushe shall tell them so

Deci. Caesarall 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:
Cannotis false: and that I dare notfalser:
I will not come to daytell them so Decius

Calp. 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:
Deciusgo tell themCaesar will not come

Deci. Most mighty Caesarlet me know some cause
Lest I be laught at when I tell them so

Caes The cause is in my WillI will not come
That is enough to satisfie the Senate.
But for your priuate satisfaction
Because I loue youI will let you know.
Calphurnia heere my wifestayes me at home:
She dreampt to nightshe saw my Statue
Which like a Fountainewith an hundred spouts
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling& did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she applyfor warnings and portents
And euils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'dthat I will stay at home to day

Deci. This Dreame is all amisse interpreted
It was a visionfaire and fortunate:
Your Statue spouting blood in many pipes
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd
Signifiesthat from you great Rome shall sucke
Reuiuing bloodand that great men shall presse
For TincturesStainesReliquesand Cognisance.
This by Calphurnia's Dreame is signified


Caes And this way haue you well expounded it

Deci. I hauewhen you haue heard what I can say:
And know it nowthe Senate haue concluded
To giue this daya Crowne to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come
Their mindes may change. Besidesit were a mocke
Apt to be render'dfor some one to say
Breake vp the Senatetill another time:
When Caesars wife shall meete with better Dreames.
If Caesar hide himselfeshall they not whisper
Loe Caesar is affraid?
Pardon me Caesarfor my deere deere loue
To your proceedingbids 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 Robefor I will go.
Enter BrutusLigariusMetellusCaskaTreboniusCynnaand
Publius.

And looke where Publius is come to fetch me

Pub. Good morrow Caesar

Caes Welcome Publius.
What Brutusare 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.

SeeAntony that Reuels long a-nights
Is notwithstanding vp. Good morrow Antony

Ant. So to most Noble Caesar

Caes Bid them prepare within:
I am too blame to be thus waited for.
Now Cynnanow Metellus: what Trebonius
I haue an houres talke in store for you:
Remember that you call on me to day:
Be neere methat 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 inand taste some wine with me.
And we (like Friends) will straight way go together

Bru. That euery like is not the sameO Caesar
The heart of Brutus earnes to thinke vpon.

Exeunt.

Enter Artemidorus.

Caesarbeware of Brutustake heede of Cassius; come not
neere Caskahaue an eye to Cynnatrust not Treboniusmarke


well Metellus CymberDecius Brutus loues thee not: Thou
hast wrong'd Caius Ligarius. There is but one minde in all
these menand it is bent against Caesar: If thou beest not
Immortall
looke about you: Security giues way to Conspiracie.
The mighty Gods defend thee.
Thy LouerArtemidorus.
Heere will I standtill Caesar passe along
And as a Sutor will I giue him this:
My heart lamentsthat Vertue cannot liue
Out of the teeth of Emulation.
If thou reade thisO Caesarthou mayest liue;
If notthe Fates with Traitors do contriue.
Enter.


Enter Portia and Lucius.


Por. I prythee Boyrun to the Senate-house
Stay not to answer mebut get thee gone.
Why doest thou stay?

Luc. To know my errand Madam

Por. I would haue had thee there and heere agen
Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there:
O Constanciebe strong vpon my side
Set a huge Mountaine 'tweene my Heart and Tongue:
I haue a mans mindebut a womans might:
How hard it is for women to keepe counsell.
Art thou heere yet?

Luc. Madamwhat should I do?
Run to the Capitolland nothing else?
And so returne to youand nothing else?

Por. Yesbring me word Boyif thy Lord look well
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar dothwhat Sutors presse to him.
Hearke Boywhat 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 MadamI heare nothing.
Enter the Soothsayer.

Por. Come hither Fellowwhich way hast thou bin?
Sooth. At mine owne housegood Lady


Por. What is't a clocke?
Sooth. About the ninth houre Lady


Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitoll?
Sooth. Madam not yetI go to take my stand
To see him passe on to the Capitoll

Por. Thou hast some suite to Caesarhast thou not?

Sooth. That I haue Ladyif it will please Caesar
To be so good to Caesaras to heare me:
I shall beseech him to befriend himselfe

Por. Why know'st thou any harme's intended towards
him?
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 Senatorsof Praetorscommon Sutors
Will crowd a feeble man (almost) to death:
Ile get me to a place more voydand there
Speake to great Caesar as he comes along.


Exit


Por. I must go in:
Aye me! How weake a thing
The heart of woman is? O Brutus
The Heauens speede thee in thine enterprize.
Sure the Boy heard me: Brutus hath a suite
That Caesar will not grant. OI grow faint:
Run Luciusand 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 CaesarBrutusCassiusCaskaDeciusMetellusTrebonius
Cynna
AntonyLepidusArtimedorusPubliusand the Soothsayer.


Caes The Ides of March are come

Sooth. I Caesarbut not gone

Art. Haile Caesar: Read this Scedule

Deci. Trebonius doth desire you to ore-read
(At your best leysure) this his humble suite

Art. O Caesarreade mine first: for mine's a suite
That touches Caesar neerer. Read it great Caesar

Caes What touches vs our selfeshall be last seru'd

Art. Delay not Caesarread it instantly

Caes Whatis the fellow mad?
Pub. Sirragiue place


Cassi. Whatvrge you your Petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitoll

Popil. 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 discouered

Bru. Looke how he makes to Caesar: marke him

Cassi. Caska be sodainefor 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 smilesand Caesar doth not change

Cassi. Trebonius knowes his time: for look you Brutus
He drawes Mark Antony out of the way

Deci. Where is Metellus Cimberlet him go
And presently preferre his suite to Caesar

Bru. He is addrest: presse neereand second him

Cin. Caskayou 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 highmost mightyand most puisant Caesar
Metellus Cymber throwes before thy Seate
An humble heart

Caes I must preuent thee Cymber:
These couchingsand these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men
And turne pre-Ordinanceand first Decree
Into the lane of Children. Be not fond
To thinke that Caesar beares such Rebell blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth FoolesI meane sweet words
Low-crooked-curtsiesand base Spaniell fawning:
Thy Brother by decree is banished:
If thou doest bendand prayand fawne for him
I spurne thee like a Curre out of my way:
KnowCaesar doth not wrongnor without cause
Will 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 handbut not in flattery Caesar:
Desiring theethat Publius Cymber may
Haue 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'dif I were as you
If I could pray to moouePrayers would mooue me:
But I am constant as the Northerne Starre
Of whose true fixtand resting quality
There is no fellow in the Firmament.
The Skies are painted with vnnumbred sparkes
They are all Fireand euery one doth shine:
Butthere's but one in all doth hold his place.
Soin the World; 'Tis furnish'd well with Men
And Men are Flesh and Bloodand apprehensiue;
Yet in the numberI do know but One
That vnassayleable holds on his Ranke
Vnshak'd of Motion: and that I am he
Let me a little shew iteuen in this:


That I was constant Cymber should be banish'd
And constant do remaine to keepe him so

Cinna. 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. LibertyFreedome; Tyranny is dead
Run henceproclaimecry it about the Streets

Cassi. Some to the common Pulpitsand cry out
LibertyFreedomeand Enfranchisement

Bru. People and Senatorsbe not affrighted:
Fly notstand still: Ambitions debt is paid

Cask. Go to the Pulpit Brutus

Dec. And Cassius too

Bru. Where's Publius?
Cin. Heerequite confounded with this mutiny


Met. Stand fast togetherleast some Friend of Caesars
Should 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 Publiusleast that the people
Rushing on vsshould do your Age some mischiefe

Bru. Do soand let no man abide this deede
But we the Doers.
Enter Trebonius

Cassi. Where is Antony?

Treb. Fled to his House amaz'd:
MenWiuesand Childrenstarecry outand run
As it were Doomesday

Bru. Fateswe will know your pleasures:
That we shall dye we know'tis but the time
And drawing dayes outthat men stand vpon

Cask. Why he that cuts off twenty yeares of life
Cuts off so many yeares of fearing death

Bru. Grant thatand then is Death a Benefit:
So are we Caesars Friendsthat haue abridg'd
His time of fearing death. Stoope Romansstoope
And let vs bathe our hands in Caesars blood
Vp to the Elbowesand besmeare our Swords:
Then walke we fortheuen to the Market place


And wauing our red Weapons o're our heads
Let's all cry PeaceFreedomeand Liberty

Cassi. Stoop thenand wash. How many Ages hence
Shall this our lofty Scene be acted ouer
In State vnborneand 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. Whatshall we forth?

Cassi. Ieuery man away.
Brutus shall leadeand we will grace his heeles
With the most boldestand best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Seruant.

Bru. Softwho 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 prostratethus he bad me say:
Brutus is NobleWiseValiantand Honest;
Caesar was MightyBoldRoyalland Louing:
SayI loue Brutusand I honour him;
SayI fear'd Caesarhonour'd himand lou'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafethat Antony
May safely come to himand be resolu'd
How Caesar hath deseru'd to lye in death
Mark Antonyshall not loue Caesar dead
So well as Brutus liuing; but will follow
The 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 himso please him come vnto this place
He shall be satisfied: and by my Honor
Depart vntouch'd

Ser. 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 minde
That feares him much: and my misgiuing still
Falles 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 ConquestsGloriesTriumphesSpoiles
Shrunke to this little Measure? Fare thee well.
I know not Gentlemen what you intend
Who else must be let bloodwho else is ranke:
If I my selfethere is no houre so fit
As Caesars deaths houre; nor no Instrument


Of halfe that worthas those your Swords; made rich
With the most Noble blood of all this World.
I do beseech yeeif you beare me hard
Nowwhil'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 sono meane of death
As heere by Caesarand 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 handsand this our present Acte
You see we do: Yet see you but our hands
And thisthe bleeding businesse they haue done:
Our hearts you see notthey are pittifull:
And pitty to the generall wrong of Rome
As fire driues out fireso pittypitty
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part
To youour Swords haue leaden points Marke Antony:
Our Armes in strength of maliceand our Hearts
Of Brothers temperdo receiue you in
With all kinde louegood thoughtsand reuerence

Cassi. Your voyce shall be as strong as any mans
In the disposing of new Dignities

Bru. Onely be patienttill we haue appeas'd
The Multitudebeside themselues with feare
And thenwe will deliuer you the cause
Why Ithat 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 Caskayours;
Though lastnot least in loueyours good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all: Alaswhat shall I say
My credit now stands on such slippery ground
That one of two bad wayes you must conceit me
Either a Cowardor a Flatterer.
That I did loue thee CaesarO '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 Noblein the presence of thy Coarse
Had I as many eyesas thou hast wounds
Weeping as fast as they streame forth thy blood
It would become me betterthen to close
In tearmes of Friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me Iuliusheere was't thou bay'd braue Hart
Heere did'st thou falland heere thy Hunters stand
Sign'd in thy Spoyleand Crimson'd in thy Lethee.
O World! thou wast the Forrest to this Hart
And this indeedO Worldthe Hart of thee.
How like a Deerestroken by many Princes
Dost thou heere lye?

Cassi. Mark Antony

Ant. Pardon me Caius Cassius:


The Enemies of Caesarshall say this:
Thenin a Friendit 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 onand not depend on you?

Ant. Therefore I tooke your handsbut was indeed
Sway'd from the pointby looking downe on Caesar.
Friends am I with you alland loue you all
Vpon this hopethat you shall giue me Reasons
Whyand whereinCaesar was dangerous

Bru. Or else were this a sauage Spectacle:
Our Reasons are so full of good regard
That were you Antonythe Sonne of Caesar
You should be satisfied

Ant. That's all I seeke
And am moreouer sutorthat I may
Produce his body to the Market-place
And in the Pulpit as becomes a Friend
Speake in the Order of his Funerall

Bru. You shall Marke Antony

Cassi. Brutusa word with you:
You know not what you do; Do not consent
That Antony speake in his Funerall:
Know you how much the people may be mou'd
By 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 speakeI will protest
He speakes by leaueand by permission:
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Haue all true Ritesand lawfull Ceremonies
It shall aduantage morethen do vs wrong

Cassi. I know not what may fallI like it not

Bru. Mark Antonyheere 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 all
About his Funerall. And you shall speake
In the same Pulpit whereto I am going
After my speech is ended

Ant. Be it so:
I do desire no more

Bru. Prepare the body thenand follow vs.

Exeunt.

Manet Antony.

O pardon methou bleeding peece of Earth:
That I am meeke and gentle with these Butchers.
Thou art the Ruines of the Noblest man


That euer liued in the Tide of Times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly Blood.
Ouer thy woundsnow 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 Furyand 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 smilewhen they behold
Their 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 sidecome hot from Hell
Shall in these Confineswith a Monarkes voyce
Cry hauockeand let slip the Dogges of Warre
That this foule deedeshall smell aboue the earth
With Carrion mengroaning for Buriall.
Enter Octauio's Seruant.


You serue Octauius Caesardo you not?
Ser. I do Marke Antony

Ant. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome

Ser. He did receiue his Lettersand 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 Romea dangerous Rome
No Rome of safety for Octauius yet
Hie henceand tell him so. Yet stay a-while
Thou shalt not backetill I haue borne this course
Into the Market place: There shall I try
In my Orationhow the People take
The cruell issue of these bloody men
According to the whichthou shalt discourse
To yong Octauiusof the state of things.
Lend me your hand.

Exeunt.

Enter Brutus and goes into the Pulpitand Cassiuswith the
Plebeians.

Ple. We will be satisfied: let vs be satisfied

Bru. Then follow meand giue me Audience friends.
Cassius go you into the other streete
And part the Numbers:
Those that will heare me speakelet 'em stay heere;
Those that will follow Cassiusgo with him
And publike Reasons shall be rendred
Of Caesars death

1.Ple. I will heare Brutus speake


2. I will heare Cassiusand compare their Reasons
When seuerally we heare them rendred
3. The Noble Brutus is ascended: Silence
Bru. Be patient till the last.
RomansCountrey-menand Louersheare mee for my
causeand be silentthat you may heare. Beleeue me for
mine Honorand haue respect to mine Honorthat you
may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedomand awake
your Sensesthat you may the better Iudge. If there bee
any in this Assemblyany deere Friend of Caesarsto him
I saythat Brutus loue to Caesarwas no lesse then his. If
thenthat Friend demandwhy Brutus rose against Caesar
this is my answer: Not that I lou'd Caesar lessebut
that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were liuing
and dye all Slaues; then that Caesar were deadto
liue all Free-men? As Caesar lou'd meeI weepe for him;
as he was FortunateI reioyce at it; as he was ValiantI
honour him: Butas he was AmbitiousI slew him. There
is Tearesfor his Loue: Ioyfor his Fortune: Honorfor
his Valour: and Deathfor his Ambition. Who is heere
so basethat would be a Bondman? If anyspeakfor him
haue I offended. Who is heere so rudethat would not
be a Roman? If anyspeakfor him haue I offended. Who
is heere so vilethat will not loue his Countrey? If any
speakefor him haue I offended. I pause for a Reply

All. None Brutusnone

Brutus. Then none haue I offended. I haue done no
more to Caesarthen you shall do to Brutus. The Question
of his deathis inroll'd in the Capitoll: his Glory not
extenuatedwherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd
for which he suffered death.
Enter Mark Antonywith Caesars body.

Heere comes his Bodymourn'd by Marke Antonywho
though he had no hand in his deathshall receiue the benefit
of his dyinga place in the Co[m]monwealthas which
of you shall not. With this I departthat as I slewe my
best Louer for the good of RomeI haue the same Dagger
for my selfewhen it shall please my Country to need
my death

All. Liue Brutusliueliue

1. Bring him with Triumph home vnto his house
2. Giue him a Statue with his Ancestors
3. 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 Clamors
Bru. My Country-men

2. PeacesilenceBrutus speakes

1. Peace ho
Bru. Good Countrymenlet me depart alone

And (for my sake) stay heere with Antony:

Do grace to Caesars Corpesand grace his Speech

Tending to Caesars Glorieswhich Marke Antony

(By our permission) is allow'd to make.

I do intreat younot a man depart

Saue I alonetill Antony haue spoke.

Exit

1 Stay hoand let vs heare Mark Antony

3 Let him go vp into the publike Chaire
Wee'l heare him: Noble Antony go vp

Ant. For Brutus sakeI am beholding to you

4 What does he say of Brutus?
3 He sayesfor Brutus sake
He 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 him

2 Peacelet vs heare what Antony can say

Ant. You gentle Romans

All. Peace hoelet vs heare him

An. FriendsRomansCountrymenlend me your ears:

I come to bury Caesarnot to praise him:

The euill that men doliues 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 soit was a greeuous Fault

And greeuously hath Caesar answer'd it.

Heerevnder leaue of Brutusand 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 Friendfaithfulland iust to me;

But Brutus sayeshe was Ambitious

And Brutus is an Honourable man.

He hath brought many Captiues home to Rome

Whose Ransomesdid the generall Coffers fill:

Did this in Caesar seeme Ambitious?

When that the poore haue cry'deCaesar hath wept:

Ambition should be made of sterner stuffe

Yet Brutus sayeshe was Ambitious:

And Brutus is an Honourable man.

You all did seethat on the Lupercall

I thrice presented him a Kingly Crowne

Which he did thrice refuse. Was this Ambition?

Yet Brutus sayeshe was Ambitious:

And sure he is an Honourable man.

I speake not to disprooue what Brutus spoke

But heere I amto speake what I do know;


You all did loue him oncenot without cause
What cause with-holds you thento 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 pawsetill it come backe to me


1 Me thinkes there is much reason in his sayings

2 If thou consider rightly of the matter
Caesar ha's had great wrong

3 Ha's hee Masters? I feare there will a worse come in his place

4. Mark'd ye his words? he would not take y Crown
Therefore 'tis certainehe was not Ambitious
1. If it be found sosome will deere abide it
2. Poore soulehis eyes are red as fire with weeping
3. There's not a Nobler man in Rome then Antony
4. Now marke himhe begins againe to speake
Ant. But yesterdaythe word of Caesar might
Haue stood against the World: Now lies he there
And none so poore to do him reuerence.
O Maisters! If I were dispos'd to stirre
Your hearts and mindes to Mutiny and Rage
I should do Brutus wrongand Cassius wrong:
Who (you all know) are Honourable men.
I will not do them wrong: I rather choose
To wrong the deadto wrong my selfe and you
Then I will wrong such Honourable men.
But heere's a Parchmentwith 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;
Yeabegge a haire of him for Memory
And dyingmention it within their Willes
Bequeathing it as a rich Legacie
Vnto their issue

4 Wee'l heare the Willreade it Marke Antony

All. The Willthe Will; we will heare Caesars Will

Ant. Haue patience gentle FriendsI must not read it.
It is not meete you know how Caesar lou'd you:
You are not Woodyou are not Stonesbut men:
And being menhearing the Will of Caesar
It will inflame youit will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his Heires
For if you shouldO what would come of it?

4 Read the Willwee'l heare it Antony:
You shall reade vs the WillCaesars 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 Willthe Testament


2 They were VillainesMurderers: the Willread the
Will

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 downe

2 Descend

3 You shall haue leaue

4 A Ringstand round

1 Stand from the Hearsestand from the Body

2 Roome for Antonymost Noble Antony

Ant. Nay presse not so vpon mestand farre off

All. Stand backe: roomebeare backe

Ant. If you haue tearesprepare to shed them now.

You all do know this MantleI remember

The first time euer Caesar put it on

'Twas on a Summers Euening in his Tent

That day he ouercame the Neruij.

Lookein this place ran Cassius Dagger through:

See what a rent the enuious Caska made:

Through thisthe 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 dooresto be resolu'd

If Brutus so vnkindely knock'dor no:

For Brutusas you knowwas Caesars Angel.

IudgeO you Godshow deerely Caesar lou'd him:

This was the most vnkindest cut of all.

For when the Noble Caesar saw him stab

Ingratitudemore strong then Traitors armes

Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his Mighty heart

And in his Mantlemuffling vp his face

Euen at the Base of Pompeyes Statue

(Which all the while ran blood) great Caesar fell.

O what a fall was theremy Countrymen?

Then Iand youand all of vs fell downe

Whil'st bloody Treason flourish'd ouer vs.

O now you weepeand I perceiue you feele

The dint of pitty: These are gracious droppes.

Kinde Souleswhat weepe youwhen you but behold

Our Caesars Vesture wounded? Looke you heere

Heere is Himselfemarr'd as you see with Traitors

1. O pitteous spectacle!
2. O Noble Caesar!
3. O wofull day!
4. O TraitorsVillaines!
1. O most bloody sight!
2. We will be reueng'd: Reuenge
Aboutseekeburnefirekillslay

Let not a Traitor liue

Ant. Stay Country-men

1. Peace thereheare the Noble Antony
2. Wee'l heare himwee'l follow himwee'l dy with
him
Ant. Good Friendssweet Friendslet me not stirre you vp

To such a sodaine Flood of Mutiny:

They that haue done this Deedeare honourable.

What priuate greefes they hauealas I know not

That made them do it: They are Wiseand Honourable

And will no doubt with Reasons answer you.

I come not (Friends) to steale away your hearts

I am no Oratoras Brutus is:

But (as you know me all) a plaine blunt man

That loue my Friendand that they know full well

That gaue me publike leaue to speake of him:

For I haue neyther writ nor wordsnor worth

Actionnor Vtterancenor the power of Speech

To stirre mens Blood. I onely speake right on:

I tell you thatwhich you your selues do know

Shew you sweet Caesars woundspoor poor dum mouths

And bid them speake for me: But were I Brutus

And Brutus Antonythere were an Antony

Would ruffle vp your Spiritsand put a Tongue

In euery Wound of Caesarthat should moue

The stones of Rometo rise and Mutiny

All. Wee'l Mutiny

1 Wee'l burne the house of Brutus

3 Away thencomeseeke the Conspirators

Ant. Yet heare me Countrymenyet heare me speake
All. Peace hoeheare Antonymost Noble Antony


Ant. Why Friendsyou go to do you know not what:

Wherein hath Caesar thus deseru'd your loues?

Alas you know notI must tell you then:

You haue forgot the Will I told you of

All. Most truethe Willlet's stay and heare the Wil

Ant. Heere is the Willand vnder Caesars Seale:

To euery Roman Citizen he giues

To euery seuerall manseuenty fiue Drachmaes

2 Ple. Most Noble Caesarwee'l reuenge his death

3 Ple. O Royall Caesar

Ant. Heare me with patience

All. Peace hoe

Ant. Moreouerhe hath left you all his Walkes

His priuate Arborsand new-planted Orchards

On this side Tyberhe hath left them you

And to your heyres for euer: common pleasures

To walke abroadand recreate your selues.

Heere was a Caesar: when comes such another?


1.Ple. Neuerneuer: comeawayaway:
Wee'l burne his body in the holy place
And with the Brands fire the Traitors houses.
Take vp the body

2.Ple. Go fetch fire

3.Ple. Plucke downe Benches

4.Ple. Plucke downe FormesWindowesany 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. SirOctauius is already come to Rome

Ant. Where is hee?
Ser. He and Lepidus are at Caesars house


Ant. And thither will I straightto visit him:
He comes vpon a wish. Fortune is merry
And in this mood will giue vs any thing

Ser. I heard him sayBrutus and Cassius
Are rid like Madmen through the Gates of Rome

Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people
How I had moued them. Bring me to Octauius.

Exeunt.

Enter Cinna the Poetand after him the Plebeians.

Cinna. I dreamt to nightthat I did feast with Caesar
And things vnluckily charge my Fantasie:
I haue no will to wander foorth of doores
Yet something leads me foorth

1. What is your name?
2. Whether are you going?
3. Where do you dwell?
4. Are you a married manor a Batchellor?
2. Answer euery man directly
1. Iand breefely
4. Iand wisely
3. Iand trulyyou were best
Cin. What is my name? Whether am I going? Where
do I dwell? Am I a married manor a Batchellour? Then
to answer euery mandirectly and breefelywisely and
truly: wisely I sayI am a Batchellor

2 That's as much as to saythey are fooles that marrie:
you'l beare me a bang for that I feare: proceede directly

Cinna. Directly I am going to Caesars Funerall


1. As a Friendor an Enemy?
Cinna. As a friend
2. That matter is answered directly
4. For your dwelling: breefely
Cinna. BreefelyI dwell by the Capitoll

3. Your name sirtruly
Cinna. Trulymy name is Cinna

1. Teare him to peeceshee's a Conspirator
Cinna. I am Cinna the PoetI am Cinna the Poet

4. Teare him for his bad versesteare him for his bad
Verses
Cin. I am not Cinna the Conspirator

4. It is no matterhis name's Cinnaplucke but his
name out of his heartand turne him going
3. Teare himtear him; Come Brands hoeFirebrands:
to Brutusto Cassiusburne all. Some to Decius House
and some to Caska's; some to Ligarius: Awaygo.
Exeunt. all the Plebeians.

Actus Quartus.

Enter AntonyOctauiusand Lepidus.

Ant. These many then shall dietheir names are prickt
Octa. Your Brother too must dye: consent you Lepidus?
Lep. I do consent

Octa. Pricke him downe Antony

Lep. Vpon condition Publius shall not liue
Who is your Sisters sonneMarke Antony

Ant. He shall not liue; lookewith a spot I dam him.
But Lepidusgo you to Caesars house:
Fetch the Will hitherand we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in Legacies

Lep. What? shall I finde you heere?
Octa. Or heereor at the Capitoll.


Exit Lepidus

Ant. This is a slight vnmeritable man
Meet to be sent on Errands: is it fit
The three-fold World diuidedhe should stand
One of the three to share it?

Octa. So you thought him
And tooke his voyce who should be prickt to dye
In our blacke Sentence and Proscription

Ant. OctauiusI haue seene more dayes then you


And though we lay these Honours on this man
To ease our selues of diuers sland'rous loads
He shall but beare themas the Asse beares Gold
To groane and swet vnder the Businesse
Either led or driuenas we point the way:
And hauing brought our Treasurewhere we will
Then take we downe his Loadand turne him off
(Like to the empty Asse) to shake his eares
And graze in Commons


Octa. You may do your will:
But hee's a triedand valiant Souldier

Ant. So is my Horse Octauiusand for that
I do appoint him store of Prouender.
It is a Creature that I teach to fight
To windeto stopto run directly on:
His corporall Motiongouern'd by my Spirit
And in some tasteis Lepidus but so:
He must be taughtand train'dand bid go forth:
A barren spirited Fellow; one that feeds
On ObiectsArtsand Imitations.
Which out of vseand stal'de by other men
Begin his fashion. Do not talke of him
But as a property: and now Octauius
Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
Are leuying Powers; We must straight make head:
Therefore let our Alliance be combin'd
Our best Friends madeour meanes stretcht
And let vs presently go sit in Councell
How couert matters may be best disclos'd
And open Perils surest answered

Octa. Let vs do so: for we are at the stake
And bayed about with many Enemies
And some that smile haue in their hearts I feare
Millions of Mischeefes.

Exeunt.

Drum. Enter BrutusLucilliusand the Army. Titinius and
Pindarus meete
them.

Bru. Stand ho

Lucil. Giue the word hoand Stand

Bru. What now Lucilliusis Cassius neere?
Lucil. He is at handand Pindarus is come
To do you salutation from his Master

Bru. He greets me well. Your Master Pindarus
In his owne changeor by ill Officers
Hath giuen me some worthy cause to wish
Things donevndone: But if he be at hand
I shall be satisfied

Pin. I do not doubt
But that my Noble Master will appeare
Such as he isfull of regardand Honour

Bru. He is not doubted. A word Lucillius
How he receiu'd you: let me be resolu'd


Lucil. With courtesieand with respect enough
But not with such familiar instances
Nor with such free and friendly Conference
As he hath vs'd of old

Bru. Thou hast describ'd
A hot Friendcooling: Euer note Lucillius
When Loue begins to sicken and decay
It vseth an enforced Ceremony.
There are no trickesin plaine and simple Faith:
But hollow menlike Horses hot at hand
Make gallant shewand promise of their Mettle:

Low March within.

But when they should endure the bloody Spurre
They fall their Crestsand like deceitfull Iades
Sinke in the Triall. Comes his Army on?

Lucil. They meane this night in Sardis to be quarter'd:
The greater partthe Horse in generall
Are come with Cassius.
Enter Cassius and his Powers.

Bru. Hearkehe is arriu'd:
March gently on to meete him

Cassi. Stand ho

Bru. Stand hospeake the word along.
Stand.
Stand.
Stand

Cassi. Most Noble Brotheryou haue done me wrong

Bru. Iudge me you Gods; wrong I mine Enemies?
And if not sohow should I wrong a Brother

Cassi. Brutusthis sober forme of yourshides wrongs
And when you do them


Brut. Cassiusbe content
Speake your greefes softlyI do know you well.
Before the eyes of both our Armies heere
(Which should perceiue nothing but Loue from vs)
Let vs not wrangle. Bid them moue away:
Then in my Tent Cassius enlarge your Greefes
And I will giue you Audience

Cassi. Pindarus
Bid our Commanders leade their Charges off
A little from this ground

Bru. Lucilliusdo you the likeand let no man
Come to our Tenttill we haue done our Conference.
Let Lucius and Titinius guard our doore.

Exeunt.

Manet Brutus and Cassius.

Cassi. That you haue wrong'd medoth appear in this:
You haue condemn'dand noted Lucius Pella
For taking Bribes heere of the Sardians;


Wherein my Letterspraying on his side
Because I knew the man was slighted off

Bru. You wrong'd your selfe to write in such a case

Cassi. In such a time as thisit is not meet
That euery nice offence should beare his Comment

Bru. Let me tell you Cassiusyou your selfe
Are much condemn'd to haue an itching Palme
To selland Mart your Offices for Gold
To Vndeseruers

Cassi. Ian itching Palme?
You know that you are Brutus that speakes this
Or by the Godsthis speech were else your last

Bru. The name of Cassius Honors this corruption
And Chasticement doth therefore hide his head

Cassi. Chasticement?

Bru. Remember Marchthe Ides of March reme[m]ber:
Did not great Iulius bleede for Iustice sake?
What Villaine touch'd his bodythat did stab
And not for Iustice? What? Shall one of Vs
That strucke the Formost man of all this World
But for supporting Robbers: shall we now
Contaminate our fingerswith base Bribes?
And sell the mighty space of our large Honors
For so much trashas may be grasped thus?
I had rather be a Doggeand bay the Moone
Then such a Roman

Cassi. Brutusbaite not me
Ile not indure it: you forget your selfe
To hedge me in. I am a SouldierI
Older in practiceAbler then your selfe
To make Conditions

Bru. Go too: you are not Cassius

Cassi. I am

Bru. I sayyou are not

Cassi. Vrge me no moreI shall forget my selfe:
Haue minde vpon your health: Tempt me no farther

Bru. Away slight man

Cassi. Is't possible?

Bru. Heare mefor I will speake.
Must I giue wayand roome to your rash Choller?
Shall I be frightedwhen a Madman stares?

Cassi. O ye Godsye GodsMust I endure all this?

Bru. All this? I more: Fret till your proud hart break.
Go shew your Slaues how Chollericke you are
And make your Bondmen tremble. Must I bouge?
Must I obserue you? Must I stand and crouch
Vnder your Testie Humour? By the Gods
You shall digest the Venom of your Spleene
Though it do Split you. Forfrom this day forth
Ile vse you for my Mirthyea for my Laughter
When you are Waspish


Cassi. Is it come to this?

Bru. You sayyou are a better Souldier:
Let it appeare so; make your vaunting true
And it shall please me well. For mine owne part
I shall be glad to learne of Noble men

Cass. You wrong me euery way:
You wrong me Brutus:
I saidean Elder Souldiernot a Better.
Did I say Better?

Bru. If you didI care not

Cass. When Caesar liu'dhe durst not thus haue mou'd me

Brut. Peacepeaceyou durst not so haue tempted him

Cassi. I durst not

Bru. No

Cassi. What? durst not tempt him?
Bru. For your life you durst not


Cassi. Do not presume too much vpon my Loue
I may do that I shall be sorry for

Bru. You haue done that you should be sorry for.
There is no terror Cassius in your threats:
For I am Arm'd so strong in Honesty
That they passe by meas the idle winde
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certaine summes of Goldwhich you deny'd me
For I can raise no money by vile meanes:
By HeauenI had rather Coine my Heart
And drop my blood for Drachmaesthen to wring
From the hard hands of Peazantstheir vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
To you for Gold to pay my Legions
Which you deny'd me: was that done like Cassius?
Should I haue answer'd Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus growes so Couetous
To locke such Rascall Counters from his Friends
Be ready Gods with all your Thunder-bolts
Dash him to peeces

Cassi. I deny'd you not

Bru. You did

Cassi. I did not. He was but a Foole
That brought my answer back. Brutus hath riu'd my hart:
A Friend should beare his Friends infirmities;
But Brutus makes mine greater then they are

Bru. I do nottill you practice them on me

Cassi. You loue me not

Bru. I do not like your faults

Cassi. A friendly eye could neuer see such faults

Bru. A Flatterers would notthough they do appeare


As huge as high Olympus

Cassi. Come Antonyand yong Octauius come
Reuenge your selues alone on Cassius
For Cassius is a-weary of the World:
Hated by one he louesbrau'd by his Brother
Check'd like a bondmanall his faults obseru'd
Set in a Note-bookelearn'dand con'd by roate
To cast into my Teeth. O I could weepe
My Spirit from mine eyes. There is my Dagger
And heere my naked Breast: Withina Heart
Deerer then Pluto's MineRicher then Gold:
If that thou bee'st a Romantake it foorth.
I that deny'd thee Goldwill giue my Heart:
Strike as thou did'st at Caesar: For I know
When thou did'st hate him worsty loued'st him better
Then euer thou loued'st Cassius

Bru. Sheath your Dagger:
Be angry when you willit shall haue scope:
Do what you willDishonorshall be Humour.
O Cassiusyou are yoaked with a Lambe
That carries Angeras the Flint beares fire
Who much inforcedshewes a hastie Sparke
And straite is cold agen

Cassi. Hath Cassius liu'd
To be but Mirth and Laughter to his Brutus
When greefe and blood ill temper'dvexeth him?

Bru. When I spoke thatI was ill temper'd too

Cassi. Do you confesse so much? Giue me your hand

Bru. And my heart too

Cassi. O Brutus!
Bru. What's the matter?
Cassi. Haue not you loue enough to beare with me

When that rash humour which my Mother gaue me
Makes me forgetfull

Bru. Yes Cassiusand from henceforth
When you are ouer-earnest with your Brutus
Hee'l thinke your Mother chidesand leaue you so.
Enter a Poet.

Poet. Let me go in to see the Generals
There is some grudge betweene 'em'tis not meete
They be alone

Lucil. You shall not come to them

Poet. Nothing but death shall stay me

Cas. How now? What's the matter?

Poet. For shame you Generals; what do you meane?
Loueand be Friendsas two such men should bee
For I haue seene more yeeres I'me sure then yee

Cas. Hahahow vildely doth this Cynicke rime?
Bru. Get you hence sirra: Sawcy Fellowhence

Cas. Beare with him Brutus'tis his fashion


Brut. Ile know his humorwhen he knowes his time:
What should the Warres do with these Iigging Fooles?
Companionhence

Cas. Awayaway be gone.

Exit Poet

Bru. Lucillius and Titinius bid the Commanders
Prepare to lodge their Companies to night

Cas. And come your selues& bring Messala with you
Immediately to vs

Bru. Luciusa bowle of Wine

Cas. I did not thinke you could haue bin so angry

Bru. O CassiusI am sicke of many greefes

Cas. Of your Philosophy you make no vse
If you giue place to accidentall euils

Bru. No man beares sorrow better. Portia is dead

Cas. Ha? Portia?
Bru. She is dead


Cas. How scap'd I killingwhen I crost you so?
O insupportableand touching losse!
Vpon what sicknesse?

Bru. Impatient of my absence
And greefethat yong Octauius with Mark Antony
Haue made themselues so strong: For with her death
That tydings came. With this she fell distract
And (her Attendants absent) swallow'd fire

Cas. And dy'd so?
Bru. Euen so


Cas. O ye immortall Gods!
Enter Boy with Wineand Tapers.

Bru. Speak no more of her: Giue me a bowl of wine
In this I bury all vnkindnesse Cassius.

Drinkes

Cas. My heart is thirsty for that Noble pledge.
Fill Luciustill the Wine ore-swell the Cup:
I cannot drinke too much of Brutus loue.
Enter Titinius and Messala.

Brutus. Come in Titinius:
Welcome good Messala:
Now sit we close about this Taper heere
And call in question our necessities

Cass. Portiaart thou gone?

Bru. No more I pray you.
MessalaI haue heere receiued Letters
That yong Octauiusand Marke Antony
Come downe vpon vs with a mighty power
Bending their Expedition toward Philippi


Mess. My selfe haue Letters of the selfe-same Tenure

Bru. With what Addition

Mess. That by proscriptionand billes of Outlarie
OctauiusAntonyand Lepidus
Haue put to deathan hundred Senators

Bru. Therein our Letters do not well agree:
Mine speake of seuenty Senatorsthat dy'de
By their proscriptionsCicero being one

Cassi. Cicero one?
Messa. Cicero is deadand by that order of proscription
Had you your Letters from your wifemy Lord?
Bru. No Messala

Messa. Nor nothing in your Letters writ of her?
Bru. Nothing Messala


Messa. That me thinkes is strange

Bru. Why aske you?
Heare you ought of herin yours?
Messa. No my Lord

Bru. Now as you are a Roman tell me true

Messa. Then like a Romanbeare the truth I tell
For certaine she is deadand by strange manner

Bru. Why farewell Portia: We must die Messala:
With meditating that she must dye once
I haue the patience to endure it now

Messa. Euen so great mengreat losses shold indure

Cassi. I haue as much of this in Art as you
But yet my Nature could not beare it so

Bru. Wellto our worke aliue. What do you thinke
Of marching to Philippi presently

Cassi. I do not thinke it good

Bru. Your reason?

Cassi. This it is:
'Tis better that the Enemie seeke vs
So shall he waste his meanesweary his Souldiers
Doing himselfe offencewhil'st we lying still
Are full of restdefenceand nimblenesse

Bru. Good reasons must of force giue place to better:
The people 'twixt Philippiand this ground
Do stand but in a forc'd affection:
For they haue grug'd vs Contribution.
The Enemymarching along by them
By them shall make a fuller number vp
Come on refreshtnew addedand encourag'd:
From which aduantage shall we cut him off.
If at Philippi we do face him there
These people at our backe


Cassi. Heare me good Brother

Bru. Vnder your pardon. You must note beside
That we haue tride the vtmost of our Friends:
Our Legions are brim fullour cause is ripe
The Enemy encreaseth euery day
We at the heightare readie to decline.
There is a Tide in the affayres of men
Which taken at the Floodleades on to Fortune:
Omittedall the voyage of their life
Is bound in Shallowesand in Miseries.
On such a full Sea are we now a-float
And we must take the current when it serues
Or loose our Ventures

Cassi. Then with your will go on: wee'l along
Our seluesand meet them at Philippi

Bru. The deepe of night is crept vpon our talke
And Nature must obey Necessitie
Which we will niggard with a little rest:
There is no more to say

Cassi. No moregood night
Early to morrow will we riseand hence.
Enter Lucius.

Bru. Lucius my Gowne: farewell good Messala
Good night Titinius: NobleNoble Cassius
Good nightand good repose

Cassi. O my deere Brother:
This was an ill beginning of the night:
Neuer come such diuision 'tweene our soules:
Let it not Brutus.
Enter Lucius with the Gowne.

Bru. Euery thing is well

Cassi. Good night my Lord

Bru. Good night good Brother

Tit. Messa. Good night Lord Brutus

Bru. Farwell euery one.

Exeunt.

Giue me the Gowne. Where is thy Instrument?
Luc. Heere in the Tent

Bru. Whatthou speak'st drowsily?
Poore knaue I blame thee notthou art ore-watch'd.
Call Claudioand some other of my men
Ile haue them sleepe on Cushions in my Tent

Luc. Varrusand Claudio.
Enter Varrus and Claudio.

Var. Cals my Lord?

Bru. I pray you sirslye in my Tent and sleepe
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On businesse to my Brother Cassius


Var. So please youwe will stand
And watch your pleasure

Bru. I will it not haue it so: Lye downe good sirs
It may be I shall otherwise bethinke me.
Looke Luciusheere's the booke I sought for so:
I put it in the pocket of my Gowne

Luc. I was sure your Lordship did not giue it me

Bru. Beare with me good BoyI am much forgetfull.
Canst thou hold vp thy heauie eyes a-while
And touch thy Instrument a straine or two

Luc. I my Lordan't please you

Bru. It does my Boy:
I trouble thee too muchbut thou art willing

Luc. It is my duty Sir

Brut. I should not vrge thy duty past thy might
I know yong bloods looke for a time of rest

Luc. I haue slept my Lord already

Bru. It was well doneand thou shalt sleepe againe:
I will not hold thee long. If I do liue
I will be good to thee.

Musickeand a Song.


This is a sleepy Tune: O Murd'rous slumber!
Layest thou thy Leaden Mace vpon my Boy
That playes thee Musicke? Gentle knaue good night:
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee:
If thou do'st nodthou break'st thy Instrument
Ile take it from theeand (good Boy) good night.
Let me seelet me see; is not the Leafe turn'd downe
Where I left reading? Heere it is I thinke.
Enter the Ghost of Caesar.


How ill this Taper burnes. Ha! Who comes heere?
I thinke it is the weakenesse of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous Apparition.
It comes vpon me: Art thou any thing?
Art thou some Godsome Angellor some Diuell
That mak'st my blood coldand my haire to stare?
Speake to mewhat thou art


Ghost. Thy euill Spirit Brutus?
Bru. Why com'st thou?
Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi


Brut. Well: then I shall see thee againe?
Ghost. Iat Philippi


Brut. Why I will see thee at Philippi then:
Now I haue taken heartthou vanishest.
Ill SpiritI would hold more talke with thee.
BoyLuciusVarrusClaudioSirs: Awake:
Claudio


Luc. The strings my Lordare false

Bru. He thinkes he still is at his Instrument.
Luciusawake

Luc. My Lord

Bru. Did'st thou dreame Luciusthat thou so cryedst
out?
Luc. My LordI do not know that I did cry

Bru. Yes that thou did'st: Did'st thou see any thing?
Luc. Nothing my Lord

Bru. Sleepe againe Lucius: Sirra ClaudioFellow
Thou: Awake

Var. My Lord

Clau. My Lord

Bru. Why did you so cry out sirsin your sleepe?
Both. Did we my Lord?
Bru. I: saw you any thing?
Var. No my LordI saw nothing


Clau. Nor I my Lord

Bru. Goand commend me to my Brother Cassius:
Bid him set on his Powres betimes before
And we will follow

Both. It shall be done my Lord.

Exeunt.

Actus Quintus.

Enter OctauiusAntonyand their Army.

Octa. Now Antonyour hopes are answered
You said the Enemy would not come downe
But keepe the Hilles and vpper Regions:
It proues not so: their battailes are at hand
They meane to warne vs at Philippi heere:
Answering before we do demand of them

Ant. Tut I am in their bosomesand I know
Wherefore they do it: They could be content
To visit other placesand come downe
With fearefull brauery: thinking by this face
To fasten in our thoughts that they haue Courage;
But 'tis not so.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes. Prepare you Generals
The Enemy comes on in gallant shew:
Their bloody signe of Battell is hung out
And something to be done immediately

Ant. Octauiusleade your Battaile softly on
Vpon the left hand of the euen Field

Octa. Vpon the right hand Ikeepe thou the left


Ant. Why do you crosse me in this exigent

Octa. I do not crosse you: but I will do so.

March.

Drum. Enter BrutusCassius& their Army.

Bru. They standand would haue parley

Cassi. Stand fast Titiniuswe must out and talke

Octa. Mark Antonyshall we giue signe of Battaile?
Ant. No Caesarwe will answer on their Charge.
Make forththe Generals would haue some words

Oct. Stirre not vntill the Signall

Bru. Words before blowes: is it so Countrymen?
Octa. Not that we loue words betteras you do


Bru. Good words are better then bad strokes Octauius

An. In your bad strokes Brutusyou giue good words
Witnesse the hole you made in Caesars heart
Crying long liueHaile Caesar

Cassi. Antony
The posture of your blowes are yet vnknowne;
But for your wordsthey rob the Hibla Bees
And leaue them Hony-lesse

Ant. Not stinglesse too

Bru. O yesand soundlesse too:
For you haue stolne their buzzing Antony
And very wisely threat before you sting

Ant. Villains: you did not sowhen your vile daggers
Hackt one another in the sides of Caesar:
You shew'd your teethes like Apes
And fawn'd like Hounds
And bow'd like Bondmenkissing Caesars feete;
Whil'st damned Caskalike a Currebehinde
Strooke Caesar on the necke. O you Flatterers

Cassi. Flatterers? Now Brutus thanke your selfe
This tongue had not offended so to day.
If Cassius might haue rul'd

Octa. Comecomethe cause. If arguing make vs swet
The proofe of it will turne to redder drops:
LookeI draw a Sword against Conspirators
When thinke you that the Sword goes vp againe?
Neuer till Caesars three and thirtie wounds
Be well aueng'd; or till another Caesar
Haue added slaughter to the Sword of Traitors

Brut. Caesarthou canst not dye by Traitors hands.
Vnlesse thou bring'st them with thee

Octa. So I hope:
I was not borne to dye on Brutus Sword


Bru. O if thou wer't the Noblest of thy Straine
Yong-manthou could'st not dye more honourable

Cassi. A peeuish School-boyworthles of such Honor
Ioyn'd with a Maskerand a Reueller

Ant. Old Cassius still

Octa. Come Antony: away:
Defiance Traitorshurle we in your teeth.
If you dare fight to daycome to the Field;
If notwhen you haue stomackes.

Exit OctauiusAntonyand Army

Cassi. Why now blow windeswell Billow
And swimme Barke:
The Storme is vpand all is on the hazard

Bru. Ho Lucilliushearkea word with you.

Lucillius and Messala stand forth.

Luc. My Lord

Cassi. Messala

Messa. What sayes my Generall?

Cassi. Messalathis is my Birth-day: at this very day
Was Cassius borne. Giue me thy hand Messala:
Be thou my witnessethat against my will
(As Pompey was) am I compell'd to set
Vpon one Battell all our Liberties.
You knowthat I held Epicurus strong
And his Opinion: Now I change my minde
And partly credit things that do presage.
Comming from Sardison our former Ensigne
Two mighty Eagles felland there they pearch'd
Gorging and feeding from our Soldiers hands
Who to Philippi heere consorted vs:
This Morning are they fled awayand gone
And in their steedsdo RauensCrowesand Kites
Fly ore our headsand downward looke on vs
As we were sickely prey; their shadowes seeme
A Canopy most fatallvnder which
Our Army liesready to giue vp the Ghost

Messa. Beleeue not so

Cassi. I but beleeue it partly
For I am fresh of spiritand resolu'd
To meete all perilsvery constantly

Bru. Euen so Lucillius

Cassi. Now most Noble Brutus
The Gods to day stand friendlythat we may
Louers in peaceleade on our dayes to age.
But since the affayres of men rests still incertaine
Let's reason with the worst that may befall.
If we do lose this Battailethen is this
The very last time we shall speake together:
What are you then determined to do?


Bru. Euen by the rule of that Philosophy
By which I did blame Catofor the death
Which he did giue himselfeI know not how:
But I do finde it Cowardlyand vile
For feare of what might fallso to preuent
The time of lifearming my selfe with patience
To stay the prouidence of some high Powers
That gouerne vs below

Cassi. Thenif we loose this Battaile
You are contented to be led in Triumph
Thorow the streets of Rome

Bru. No Cassiusno:
Thinke not thou Noble Romane
That euer Brutus will go bound to Rome
He beares too great a minde. But this same day
Must end that workethe Ides of March begun.
And whether we shall meete againeI know not:
Therefore our euerlasting farewell take:
For euerand for euerfarewell Cassius
If we do meete againewhy we shall smile;
If notwhy then this parting was well made

Cassi. For euerand for euerfarewell Brutus:
If we do meete againewee'l smile indeede;
If not'tis truethis parting was well made

Bru. Why then leade on. O that a man might know
The end of this dayes businesseere it come:
But it sufficeththat the day will end
And then the end is knowne. Come hoaway.

Exeunt.

Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.

Bru. Rideride Messalaride and giue these Billes
Vnto the Legionson the other side.

Lowd Alarum.


Let them set on at once: for I perceiue
But cold demeanor in Octauio's wing:
And sodaine push giues them the ouerthrow:
Rideride Messalalet them all come downe.


Exeunt.


Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.


Cassi. O looke Titiniuslookethe Villaines flye:
My selfe haue to mine owne turn'd Enemy:
This Ensigne heere of mine was turning backe
I slew the Cowardand did take it from him

Titin. O CassiusBrutus gaue the word too early
Who hauing some aduantage on Octauius
Tooke it too eagerly: his Soldiers fell to spoyle
Whilst we by Antony are all inclos'd.
Enter Pindarus.

Pind. Fly further off my Lord: flye further off
Mark Antony is in your Tents my Lord:


Flye therefore Noble Cassiusflye farre off

Cassi. This Hill is farre enough. Lookelook Titinius
Are those my Tents where I perceiue the fire?
Tit. They aremy Lord

Cassi. Titiniusif thou louest me
Mount thou my horseand hide thy spurres in him
Till he haue brought thee vp to yonder Troopes
And heere againethat I may rest assur'd
Whether yond Troopesare Friend or Enemy

Tit. I will be heere againeeuen with a thought.
Enter.

Cassi. Go Pindarusget higher on that hill
My sight was euer thicke: regard Titinius
And tell me what thou not'st about the Field.
This day I breathed firstTime is come round
And where I did beginthere shall I end
My life is run his compasse. Sirrawhat newes?

Pind. Aboue. O my Lord

Cassi. What newes?

Pind. Titinius is enclosed round about
With Horsementhat make to him on the Spurre
Yet he spurres on. Now they are almost on him:
Now Titinius. Now some light: O he lights too.
Hee's tane.

Showt.

And hearkethey shout for ioy

Cassi. Come downebehold no more:
O Coward that I amto liue so long
To see my best Friend tane before my face
Enter Pindarus.

Come hither sirrah: In Parthia did I take thee Prisoner
And then I swore theesauing of thy life
That whatsoeuer I did bid thee do
Thou should'st attempt it. Come nowkeepe thine oath
Now be a Free-manand with this good Sword
That ran through Caesars bowelssearch this bosome.
Stand not to answer: Heeretake thou the Hilts
And when my face is couer'das 'tis now
Guide thou the Sword- Caesarthou art reueng'd
Euen with the Sword that kill'd thee


Pin. SoI am free
Yet would not so haue beene
Durst I haue done my will. O Cassius
Farre from this Country Pindarus shall run
Where neuer Roman shall take note of him.
Enter Titinius and Messala.

Messa. It is but changeTitinius: for Octauius
Is ouerthrowne by Noble Brutus power
As Cassius Legions are by Antony

Titin. These tydings will well comfort Cassius

Messa. Where did you leaue him


Titin. All disconsolate
With Pindarus his Bondmanon this Hill

Messa. Is not that he that lyes vpon the ground?
Titin. He lies not like the Liuing. O my heart!
Messa. Is not that hee?
Titin. Nothis was he Messala


But Cassius is no more. O setting Sunne:

As in thy red Rayes thou doest sinke to night;

So in his red blood Cassius day is set.

The Sunne of Rome is set. Our day is gone

ClowdsDewesand Dangers come; our deeds are done:

Mistrust of my successe hath done this deed

Messa. Mistrust of good successe hath done this deed.

O hatefull ErrorMelancholies Childe:

Why do'st thou shew to the apt thoughts of men

The things that are not? O Error soone conceyu'd

Thou neuer com'st vnto a happy byrth

But kil'st the Mother that engendred thee

Tit. What Pindarus? Where art thou Pindarus?

Messa. Seeke him Titiniuswhilst I go to meet

The Noble Brutusthrusting this report

Into his eares; I may say thrusting it:

For piercing Steeleand Darts inuenomed

Shall be as welcome to the eares of Brutus

As tydings of this sight

Tit. Hye you Messala

And I will seeke for Pindarus the while:

Why did'st thou send me forth braue Cassius?

Did I not meet thy Friendsand did not they

Put on my Browes this wreath of Victorie

And bid me giue it thee? Did'st thou not heare their showts?

Alasthou hast misconstrued euery thing.

But hold theetake this Garland on thy Brow

Thy Brutus bid me giue it theeand I

Will do his bidding. Brutuscome apace

And see how I regarded Caius Cassius:

By your leaue Gods: This is a Romans part

Come Cassius Swordand finde Titinius hart.

Dies

Alarum. Enter BrutusMessalayong CatoStratoVolumniusand
Lucillius.

Bru. Wherewhere Messaladoth his body lye?
Messa. Loe yonderand Titinius mourning it


Bru. Titinius face is vpward

Cato. He is slaine

Bru. O Iulius Caesarthou art mighty yet

Thy Spirit walkes abroadand turnes our Swords

In our owne proper Entrailes. Low Alarums

Cato. Braue Titinius
Looke where he haue not crown'd dead Cassius

Bru. Are yet two Romans liuing such as these?


The last of all the Romansfar thee well:
It is impossiblethat euer Rome
Should breed thy fellow. Friends I owe mo teares
To this dead manthen you shall see me pay.
I shall finde timeCassius: I shall finde time.
Come thereforeand to Tharsus send his body
His Funerals shall not be in our Campe
Least it discomfort vs. Lucillius come
And come yong Catolet vs to the Field
Labio and Flauio set our Battailes on:
'Tis three a clockeand Romans yet ere night
We shall try Fortune in a second fight.


Exeunt.


Alarum. Enter BrutusMessalaCatoLucilliusand Flauius.


Bru. Yet Country-men: O yethold vp your heads

Cato. What Bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
I will proclaime my name about the Field.
I am the Sonne of Marcus Catohoe.
A Foe to Tyrantsand my Countries Friend.
I am the Sonne of Marcus Catohoe.
Enter Souldiersand fight.

And I am BrutusMarcus BrutusI
Brutus my Countries Friend: Know me for Brutus


Luc. O yong and Noble Catoart thou downe?
Why now thou dyestas brauely as Titinius
And may'st be honour'dbeing Cato's Sonne

Sold. Yeeldor thou dyest

Luc. Onely I yeeld to dye:
There is so muchthat thou wilt kill me straight:
Kill Brutusand be honour'd in his death

Sold. We must not: a Noble Prisoner.
Enter Antony.

2.Sold. Roome hoe: tell AntonyBrutus is tane

1.Sold. Ile tell thee newes. Heere comes the Generall
Brutus is taneBrutus is tane my Lord

Ant. Where is hee?

Luc. Safe AntonyBrutus is safe enough:
I dare assure theethat no Enemy
Shall euer take aliue the Noble Brutus:
The Gods defend him from so great a shame
When you do finde himor aliueor dead
He will be found like Brutuslike himselfe

Ant. This is not Brutus friendbut I assure you
A prize no lesse in worth; keepe this man safe
Giue him all kindnesse. I had rather haue
Such men my Friendsthen Enemies. Go on
And see where Brutus be aliue or dead
And bring vs wordvnto Octauius Tent:
How euery thing is chanc'd.

Exeunt.


Enter BrutusDardaniusClitusStratoand Volumnius.

Brut. Come poore remaines of friendsrest on this
Rocke

Clit. Statillius shew'd the Torch-lightbut my Lord
He came not backe: he is or taneor slaine

Brut. Sit thee downeClitus: slaying is the word
It is a deed in fashion. Hearke theeClitus

Clit. What Imy Lord? Nonot for all the World

Brut. Peace thenno words

Clit. Ile rather kill my selfe

Brut. Hearke theeDardanius

Dard. Shall I doe such a deed?
Clit. O Dardanius


Dard. O Clitus

Clit. What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
Dard. To kill himClitus: looke he meditates


Clit. Now is that Noble Vessell full of griefe
That it runnes ouer euen at his eyes

Brut. Come hithergood Volumniuslist a word

Volum. What sayes my Lord?

Brut. Why thisVolumnius:
The Ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
Two seuerall times by Night: at Sardisonce;
And this last Nighthere in Philippi fields:
I know my houre is come

Volum. Not somy Lord

Brut. NayI am sure it isVolumnius.
Thou seest the WorldVolumniushow it goes
Our Enemies haue beat vs to the Pit:

Low Alarums.


It is more worthyto leape in our selues
Then tarry till they push vs. Good Volumnius
Thou know'stthat we two went to Schoole together:
Euen for that our loue of oldI prethee
Hold thou my Sword Hiltswhilest I runne on it


Vol. That's not an Office for a friendmy Lord.

Alarum still.

Cly. Flyflye my Lordthere is no tarrying heere

Bru. Farewell to youand youand Volumnius.
Stratothou hast bin all this while asleepe:
Farewell to theeto StratoCountrymen:
My heart doth ioythat yet in all my life


I found no manbut he was true to me.
I shall haue glory by this loosing day
More then Octauiusand Marke Antony
By this vile Conquest shall attaine vnto.
So fare you well at oncefor Brutus tongue
Hath almost ended his liues History:
Night hangs vpon mine eyesmy Bones would rest
That haue but labour'dto attaine this houre.


Alarum. Cry withinFlyeflyeflye.


Cly. Fly my Lordflye

Bru. Hence: I will follow:
I prythee Stratostay thou by thy Lord
Thou art a Fellow of a good respect:
Thy life hath had some smatch of Honor in it
Hold then my Swordand turne away thy face
While I do run vpon it. Wilt thou Strato?

Stra. Giue me your hand first. Fare you wel my Lord

Bru. Farewell good Strato. - Caesarnow be still
I kill'd not thee with halfe so good a will.
Dyes.

Alarum. Retreat. Enter AntonyOctauiusMessalaLucilliusand
the
Army.

Octa. What man is that?
Messa. My Masters man. Stratowhere is thy Master?
Stra. Free from the Bondage you are in Messala


The Conquerors can but make a fire of him:
For Brutus onely ouercame himselfe
And no man else hath Honor by his death


Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee Brutus
That thou hast prou'd Lucillius saying true
Octa. All that seru'd BrutusI will entertaine them.
Fellowwilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Stra. Iif Messala will preferre me to you

Octa. Do sogood Messala

Messa. How dyed my Master Strato?
Stra. I held the Swordand he did run on it


Messa. Octauiusthen take him to follow thee
That did the latest seruice to my Master

Ant. This was the Noblest Roman of them all:
All the Conspirators saue onely hee
Did that they didin enuy of great Caesar:
Heonely in a generall honest thought
And common good to allmade one of them.
His life was gentleand the Elements
So mixt in himthat Nature might stand vp
And say to all the world; This was a man

Octa. According to his Vertuelet vs vse him
Withall Respectand Rites of Buriall.
Within my Tent his bones to night shall ly
Most like a Souldier ordered Honourably:
So call the Field to restand let's away


To part the glories of this happy day.
Exeunt. omnes.

FINIS. THE TRAGEDIE OF IVLIVS CaeSAR.