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  • Title: Julius Caesar (Modern)
  • Editor: John D. Cox
  • General textual editor: Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-366-3

    Copyright John D. Cox. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: John D. Cox
    Peer Reviewed

    Julius Caesar (Modern)

    1970[4.3]
    Cassius
    That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
    You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
    For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
    Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
    Because I knew the man, was slighted off
    1975Brutus
    You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
    Cassius
    In such a time as this, it is not meet
    That every nice offense should bear his comment.
    Brutus
    Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
    Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
    1980To sell and mart your offices for gold
    To undeservers.
    Cassius
    I, an itching palm?
    You know that you are Brutus that speaks this,
    Or by the gods, this speech were else your last!
    1985Brutus
    The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
    And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
    Cassius
    Chastisement!
    Brutus
    Remember March, the ides of March remember.
    Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
    1990What villain touched his body that did stab
    And not for justice? What, shall one of us
    That struck the foremost man of all this world
    But for supporting robbers, shall we now
    Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
    1995And sell the mighty space of our large honors
    For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
    I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
    Than such a Roman.
    Cassius
    Brutus, bait not me!
    2000I'll not endure it. You forget yourself
    To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
    Older in practice, abler than yourself
    To make conditions.
    Brutus
    Go to. You are not Cassius.
    2005Cassius
    I am.
    Brutus
    I say, you are not.
    Cassius
    Urge me no more! I shall forget myself.
    Have mind upon your health. Tempt me no farther.
    Brutus
    Away, slight man.
    2010Cassius
    Is't possible?
    Brutus
    Hear me, for I will speak.
    Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
    Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
    Cassius
    O ye gods! Ye gods! Must I endure all this?
    2015Brutus
    All this? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
    Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
    And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
    Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
    Under your testy humor? By the gods,
    2020You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
    Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
    I'll use you for my mirth, yea for my laughter,
    When you are waspish.
    Cassius
    Is it come to this?
    2025Brutus
    You say you are a better soldier.
    Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,
    And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
    I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
    Cassius
    You wrong me every way. 2030You wrong me, Brutus.
    I said an elder soldier, not a better.
    Did I say "better"?
    Brutus
    If you did, I care not.
    Cassius
    When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
    2035Brutus
    Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
    Cassius
    I durst not?
    Brutus
    No.
    Cassius
    What? durst not tempt him?
    Brutus
    For your life you durst not.
    2040Cassius
    Do not presume too much upon my love;
    I may do that I shall be sorry for.
    Brutus
    You have done that you should be sorry for.
    There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
    For I am armed so strong in honesty
    2045That they pass by me as the idle wind,
    Which I respect not. I did send to you
    For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
    For I can raise no money by vile means.
    By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
    2050And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
    From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
    By any indirection. I did send
    To you for gold to pay my legions,
    Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
    2055Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
    When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,
    To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
    Be ready, gods: with all your thunderbolts
    Dash him to pieces.
    2060Cassius
    I denied you not.
    Brutus
    You did.
    Cassius
    I did not. He was but a fool
    That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my hart.
    A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,
    2065But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
    Brutus
    I do not, till you practice them on me.
    Cassius
    You love me not.
    Brutus
    I do not like your faults.
    Cassius
    A friendly eye could never see such faults.
    2070Brutus
    A flatterer's would not, though they do appear
    As huge as high Olympus.
    Cassius
    Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
    Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
    For Cassius is aweary of the world,
    2075Hated by one he loves, braved by his brother,
    Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
    Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
    To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
    My spirit from mine eyes. There is my dagger,
    2080And here my naked breast; within, a heart
    Dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold.
    If that thou be'est a Roman, take it forth.
    I that denied the gold will give my heart.
    Strike as thou did'st at Caesar, for I know,
    2085When thou did'st hate him worst, thou loved'st him better
    Than ever thou loved'st Cassius.
    Brutus
    Sheath your dagger.
    Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
    Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
    2090O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
    That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
    Who much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark,
    And straight is cold again.
    Cassius
    Hath Cassius lived
    2095To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
    When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
    Brutus
    When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
    Cassius
    Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
    Brutus
    And my heart too.
    2100Cassius
    O Brutus!
    Brutus
    What's the matter?
    Cassius
    Have not you love enough to bear with me,
    When that rash humor which my mother gave me
    Makes me forgetful?
    2105Brutus
    Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth,
    When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
    He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.
    Enter a Poet, [Lucilius, and Titinius].
    Poet
    Let me go in to see the generals!
    2110There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
    They be alone.
    Lucilius
    You shall not come to them!
    Poet
    Nothing but death shall stay me.
    Cassius
    How now? What's the matter?
    2115Poet
    For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
    Love, and be friends, as two such men should be,
    For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.
    Cassius
    Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
    Brutus
    Get you hence, sirrah! Saucy fellow, hence!
    2120Cassius
    Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
    Brutus
    I'll know his humor, when he knows his time.
    What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
    Companion, hence.
    Cassius
    Away, away be gone.
    Exit Poet
    2125Brutus
    Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders
    Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
    Cassius
    And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you
    Immediately to us.
    [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius]
    Brutus
    Lucius, a bowl of wine.
    2130Cassius
    I did not think you could have been so angry.
    Brutus
    O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
    Cassius
    Of your philosophy you make no use,
    If you give place to accidental evils.
    Brutus
    No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
    2135Cassius
    Ha? Portia?
    Brutus
    She is dead.
    Cassius
    How scaped I killing, when I crossed you so?
    O insupportable and touching loss!
    Upon what sickness?
    2140Brutus
    Impatient of my absence,
    And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
    Have made themselves so strong--for with her death
    That tidings came--with this she fell distract,
    And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
    2145Cassius
    And died so?
    Brutus
    Even so.
    Cassius
    O ye immortal gods!
    Enter Boy with wine and tapers.
    Brutus
    Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.
    2150In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
    Drinks
    Cassius
    My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
    Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
    I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
    [Drinks. Exit Lucius.]
    Enter Titinius and Messala.
    2155Brutus
    Come in, Titinius. Welcome, good Messala.
    Now sit we close about this taper here,
    And call in question our necessities.
    Cassius
    Portia, art thou gone?
    2160Brutus
    No more I pray you.
    Messala, I have here received letters
    That young Octavius and Mark Antony
    Come down upon us with a mighty power,
    Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
    2165Messala
    Myself have letters of the self-same tenor.
    Brutus
    With what addition?
    Messala
    That by proscription and bills of outlawry
    Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
    Have put to death an hundred senators.
    2170Brutus
    Therein our letters do not well agree:
    Mine speak of seventy senators that died
    By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
    Cassius
    Cicero one?
    Messala
    Cicero is dead,
    And by that order of proscription.
    2175Had you your letters from your wife, my Lord?
    Brutus
    No, Messala.
    Messala
    Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
    Brutus
    Nothing, Messala.
    Messala
    That methinks is strange.
    2180Brutus
    Why ask you? Hear you ought of her in yours?
    Messala
    No, my lord.
    Brutus
    Now as you are a Roman, tell me true.
    Messala
    Then like a Roman, bear the truth I tell.
    2185For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
    Brutus
    Why farewell Portia. We must die, Messala.
    With meditating that she must die once,
    I have the patience to endure it now.
    Messala
    Even so great men great losses should endure.
    2190Cassius
    I have as much of this in art as you,
    But yet my nature could not bear it so.
    Brutus
    Well, to our work alive. What do you think
    Of marching to Philippi presently?
    Cassius
    I do not think it good.
    2195Brutus
    Your reason?
    Cassius
    This it is:
    'Tis better that the enemy seek us,
    So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
    Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
    2200Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
    Brutus
    Good reasons must of force give place to better.
    The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
    Do stand but in a forced affection,
    For they have grudged us contribution.
    2205The enemy, marching along by them,
    By them shall make a fuller number up,
    Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
    From which advantage shall we cut him off,
    If at Philippi we do face him there,
    2210These people at our back.
    Cassius
    Hear me, good brother--
    Brutus
    Under your pardon. You must note, beside,
    That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
    Our legions are brim full, our cause is ripe.
    2215The enemy increaseth every day;
    We, at the height, are ready to decline.
    There is a tide in the affairs of men,
    Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune;
    Omitted, all the voyage of their life
    2220Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
    On such a full sea are we now afloat,
    And we must take the current when it serves,
    Or lose our ventures.
    Cassius
    Then with your will go on.
    We'll along 2225ourselves and meet them at Philippi.
    Brutus
    The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
    And nature must obey necessity,
    Which we will niggard with a little rest.
    There is no more to say.
    2230Cassius
    No more, good night,
    Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.
    Brutus
    Lucius!
    Enter Lucius.
    My gown.
    [Exit Lucius.]
    Farewell, good Messala.
    Good night Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
    2235Good night, and good repose.
    Cassius
    O my dear brother!
    This was an ill beginning of the night.
    Never come such division 'tween our souls;
    Let it not, Brutus.
    2240Enter Lucius with the gown.
    Brutus
    Everything is well.
    Cassius
    Good night, my lord.
    Brutus
    Good night, good brother.
    Titinius, Messala
    Good night, Lord Brutus.
    2245Brutus
    Farewell, everyone.
    Exeunt [Cassius, Titinius, Messala].
    Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
    Lucius
    Here in the tent.
    Brutus
    What? Thou speak'st drowsily!
    Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watched.
    2250Call Claudio and some other of my men.
    I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
    Lucius
    Varrus and Claudio!
    Enter Varrus and Claudio.
    Varrus
    Calls my Lord?
    2255Brutus
    I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
    It may be I shall raise you by and by
    On business to my brother Cassius.
    Varrus
    So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
    2260Brutus
    I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
    It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
    Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so:
    I put it in the pocket of my gown.
    Lucius
    I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
    2265Brutus
    Bear with me, good boy. I am much forgetful.
    Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
    And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
    Lucius
    Ay, my lord, an't please you.
    Brutus
    It does, my boy:
    2270I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
    Lucius
    It is my duty, sir.
    Brutus
    I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
    I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
    Lucius
    I have slept, my lord, already.
    2275Brutus
    It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
    I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
    I will be good to thee.
    Music and a song.
    This is a sleepy tune. O murd'rous slumber,
    2280Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
    That plays the music? Gentle knave, good night.
    I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
    If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument.
    I'll take it from thee, and, good boy, good night.
    2285Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
    Where I left reading? Here it is I think.
    Enter the Ghost of Caesar.
    How ill this taper burns. Ha! Who comes here?
    I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
    2290That shapes this monstrous apparition.
    It comes upon me! Art thou anything?
    Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
    That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare?
    Speak to me what thou art!
    2295Ghost
    Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
    Brutus
    Why com'st thou?
    Ghost
    To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
    Brutus
    Well; then I shall see thee again?
    Ghost
    Ay, at Philippi.
    2300Brutus
    Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
    Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest.
    [Exit Ghost.]
    Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
    Boy! Lucius! Varrus! Claudio! Sirs! Awake!
    Claudio!
    2305Lucius
    The strings, my lord, are false.
    Brutus
    He thinks he still is at his instrument.
    Lucius, awake!
    Lucius
    My lord?
    Brutus
    Did'st thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst 2310out?
    Lucius
    My Lord, I do not know that I did cry.
    Brutus
    Yes that thou did'st. Did'st thou see anything?
    Lucius
    Nothing my Lord.
    Brutus
    Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio!
    Fellow! 2315Thou! Awake!
    Varrus
    My lord?
    Claudio
    My lord?
    Brutus
    Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
    Varrus; Claudio
    Did we my Lord?
    2320Brutus
    Ay. Saw you anything?
    Varrus
    No, my lord. I saw nothing.
    Claudio
    Nor I my Lord.
    Brutus
    Go, and commend me to my brother Cassius.
    Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
    2325And we will follow.
    Varrus; Claudio
    It shall be done, my lord.
    Exeunt
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