Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had chanced. Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him: and, being offered him, he put it by* with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. Bru. What was the second noise for? Casca. Why, for that too. Cas. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for? Casca. Why, for that too. Bru. Was the crown offered him thrice? 171 Casca. Ay, marry,* was 't; and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted. Cas. Who offered him the crown? Casca. Why, Antony. Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. 180 Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown ;-yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets; -and, as I told you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain* have had it. Then he offered it to him again; then he put it by again; but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by: and still as he refused it, the rabblement* hooted and clapped their chapped hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Cæsar refused the crown that it had almost choked Cæsar; for he swounded* and fell down at it: and for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. 195 Cas. But, soft, I pray you: what, did Cæsar swound?* Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. Bru. 'Tis very like: he hath the falling sickness. 200 Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, I am sure, Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man. Bru. What said he when he came unto himself? Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope* his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An* I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, If he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, "Alas, good soul!" and forgave him with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæsar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. Bru. And after that, he came thus sad away? 217 Casca. Ay. Cas. Did Cicero say anything? Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Cas. To what effect? 220 Casca. Nay, an* I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow? 230 Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Cas. Good: I will expect you. Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle* when he went to school. Of any bold or noble enterprise, However he puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite. Bru. And so it is.-For this time I will leave you : To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, 240 Cas. I will do so: till then, think of the world.-—[Exit Brutus. I will come home to you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for you. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable metal may be wrought From that it is disposed: therefore it is meet Cæsar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus:- 250 As if they came from several citizens, That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely 260 For we will shake him, or worse days endure. [Exit. SCENE CESAR'S HOUSE. Thunder and lightning. Enter CESAR in his night-gown. Caes. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night: Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 66 Help, ho! they murder Cæsar!" Who's within? Serv. My lord? Enter a Servant. Caes. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, And bring me their opinions of success. Serv. I will, my lord. Enter CALPURNIA. [Exit. 270 Cal. What mean you, Cæsar? think you to walk forth? Cos. Cæsar shall forth: the things that threatened me Cal. Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, And graves have yawned, and yielded up their dead; In ranks, and squadrons, and right form of war, And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. And I do fear them. Cœs. Are to the world in general as to Cæsar. Cal. When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Will come when it will come. Re-enter Servant. 280 290 300 What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Caes. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: Cal. Alas, my lord, That keeps you in the house, and not your own. Caes. Mark Antony shall say I am not well; Enter DECIUS. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. Dec. Cæsar, all hail! good-morrow, worthy Cæsar: I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Caes. And you are come in very happy time, To bear my greeting* to the senators, Cœs. Dec. Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause, Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so. Caes. The cause is in my will: I will not come ; That is enough to satisfy the senate. But for your private satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know. Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, Hath begged that I will stay at home to-day. 310 320 330 340 Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; Caes. And this way have you well expounded it. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock 350 360 66 Break up the senate till another time, When Cæsar's wife shall meet with better dreams." If Cæsar hide himself, shall they not whisper "Lo, Cæsar is afraid"? Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love To your proceeding bids me tell you this; And reason to my love is liable. Cæs. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go.— 370 Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA. And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Cœs. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus! are you stirred so early too ?— Cæsar was ne'er so much your enemy As that same ague which hath made you lean.—-- Bru. Cæsar, 'tis strucken* eight. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Antony. Bid them prepare within:— I am to blame to be thus waited for.- 380 390 |