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  • Title: Julius Caesar (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: John D. Cox

    • 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 (Folio 1, 1623)

    109
    THE TRAGEDIE OF
    IVLIVS CAESAR.


    1Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.


    Enter Flauius, Murellus, and certaine Commoners
    ouer the Stage.

    Flauius.
    5HEnce: home you idle Creatures, get you home:
    Is this a Holiday? What, know you not
    (Being Mechanicall) you ought not walke
    Vpon a labouring day, without the signe
    Of your Profession? Speake, what Trade art thou?
    10Car. Why Sir, a Carpenter.
    Mur. Where is thy Leather Apron, and thy Rule?
    What dost thou with thy best Apparrell on?
    You sir, what Trade are you?
    Cobl. Truely Sir, in respect of a fine Workman, I am
    15but as you would say, a Cobler.
    Mur. But what Trade art thou? Answer me directly.
    Cob. A Trade Sir, that I hope I may vse, with a safe
    Conscience, which is indeed Sir, a Mender of bad soules.
    Fla. What Trade thou knaue? Thou naughty knaue,
    20what Trade?
    Cobl. Nay I beseech you Sir, be not out with me: yet
    if you be out Sir, I can mend you.
    Mur. What mean st thou by that? Mend mee, thou
    sawcy Fellow?
    25Cob. Why sir, Cobble you.
    Fla. Thou art a Cobler, art thou?
    Cob. Truly sir, all that I liue by, is with the Aule: I
    meddle with no Tradesmans matters, nor womens mat-
    ters; but withal I am indeed Sir, a Surgeon to old shooes:
    30when they are in great danger, I recouer them. As pro-
    per men as euer trod vpon Neats Leather, haue gone vp-
    on my handy-worke.
    Fla. But wherefore art not in thy Shop to day?
    Why do'st thou leade these men about the streets?
    35Cob. Truly sir, to weare out their shooes, to get my
    selfe into more worke. But indeede sir, we make Holy-
    day to see Caesar, and to reioyce in his Triumph.
    Mur. Wherefore reioyce?
    What Conquest brings he home?
    40What Tributaries follow him to Rome,
    To grace in Captiue bonds his Chariot Wheeles?
    You Blockes, you stones, you worse then senslesse things:
    O you hard hearts, you cruell men of Rome,
    Knew you not Pompey many a time and oft?
    45Haue you climb'd vp to Walles and Battlements,
    To Towres and Windowes? Yea, to Chimney tops,
    Your Infants in your Armes, and there haue sate
    The liue-long day, with patient expectation,

    To see great Pompey passe the streets of Rome:
    50And 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?
    55And 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,
    60Runne to your houses, fall vpon your knees,
    Pray to the Gods to intermit the plague
    That needs must light on this Ingratitude.
    Fla. Go, go, good Countrymen, and for this fault
    Assemble all the poore men of your sort;
    65Draw them to Tyber bankes, and weepe your teares
    Into the Channell, till the lowest streame
    Do kisse the most exalted Shores of all.
    Exeunt all the Commoners.
    See where their basest mettle be not mou'd,
    70They 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?
    75You know it is the Feast of Lupercall.
    Fla. It is no matter, let no Images
    Be hung with Caesars Trophees: Ile about,
    And driue away the Vulgar from the streets;
    So do you too, where you perceiue them thicke.
    80These growing Feathers, pluckt 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 Caesar, Antony for the Course, Calphurnia, Portia, De-
    85cius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, a Soothsayer: af-
    ter them Murellus and Flauius.
    Caes. Calphurnia.
    Cask. Peace ho, Caesar speakes.
    Caes. Calphurnia.
    90Calp. Heere my Lord.
    Caes. Stand you directly in Antonio's way,
    When he doth run his course. Antonio.
    Ant. Caesar, my Lord.
    Caes. Forget not in your speed Antonio,
    95To touch Calphurnia: for our Elders say,
    The
    kk
    110The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
    The Barren touched in this holy chace,
    Shake off their sterrile curse.
    Ant. I shall remember,
    When Caesar sayes, Do this; it is perform'd.
    100Caes. Set on, and 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 presse, that calles on me?
    105I heare a Tongue shriller then all the Musicke
    Cry, Caesar: Speake, Caesar 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
    110Caes. Set him before me, let me see his face.
    Cassi. Fellow, come from the throng, look vpon Caesar.
    Caes. What sayst thou to me now? Speak once againe:
    Sooth. Beware the Ides of March.
    Caes. He is a Dreamer, let vs leaue him: Passe.
    115Sennet. 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
    120Of that quicke Spirit that is in Antony:
    Let me not hinder Cassius your desires;
    Ile leaue you.
    Cassi. Brutus, I do obserue you now of late:
    I haue not from your eyes, that gentlenesse
    125And shew of Loue, as I was wont to haue:
    You beare too stubborne, and too strange a hand
    Ouer your Friend, that loues you.
    Bru. Cassius,
    Be not deceiu'd: If I haue veyl'd my looke,
    130I turne the trouble of my Countenance
    Meerely vpon my selfe. Vexed I am
    Of late, with passions of some difference,
    Conceptions onely proper to my selfe,
    Which giue some soyle (perhaps) to my Behauiours:
    135But 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.
    140Cassi. Then Brutus, I haue much mistook your passion,
    By meanes whereof, this Brest of mine hath buried
    Thoughts of great value, worthy Cogitations.
    Tell me good Brutus, Can you see your face?
    Brutus. No Cassius:
    145For 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 Mirrors, as will turne
    150Your 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,
    155And groaning vnderneath this Ages yoake,
    Haue wish'd, that Noble Brutus had his eyes.
    Bru. Into what dangers, would you
    Leade me Cassius?
    That you would haue me seeke into my selfe,
    160For that which is not in me?
    Cas. Therefore good Brutus, be prepar'd to heare:
    And since you know, you cannot see your selfe
    So well as by Reflection; I your Glasse,
    Will modestly discouer to your selfe
    165That of your selfe, which you yet know not of.
    And be not iealous on me, gentle Brutus:
    Were I a common Laughter, or did vse
    To stale with ordinary Oathes my loue
    To euery new Protester: if you know,
    170That I do fawne on men, and hugge them hard,
    And after scandall them: Or if you know,
    That I professe my selfe in Banquetting
    To all the Rout, then hold me dangerous.

    Flourish, and Shout.

    175Bru. What meanes this Showting?
    I do feare, the People choose Caesar
    For their King.
    Cassi. I, do you feare it?
    Then must I thinke you would not haue it so.
    180Bru. I would not Cassius, yet I loue him well:
    But wherefore do you hold me heere so long?
    What is it, that you would impart to me?
    If it be ought toward the generall good,
    Set Honor in one eye, and Death i'th other,
    185And I will looke on both indifferently:
    For let the Gods so speed mee, as I loue
    The name of Honor, more then I feare death.
    Cassi. I know that vertue to be in you Brutus,
    As well as I do know your outward fauour.
    190Well, Honor is the subiect of my Story:
    I cannot tell, what you and other men
    Thinke of this life: But for my single selfe,
    I had as liefe not be, as liue to be
    In awe of such a Thing, as I my selfe.
    195I was borne free as Caesar, so were you,
    We both haue fed as well, and we can both
    Endure the Winters cold, as well as hee.
    For once, vpon a Rawe and Gustie day,
    The troubled Tyber, chafing with her Shores,
    200Caesar saide to me, Dar'st thou Cassius now
    Leape in with me into this angry Flood,
    And swim to yonder Point? Vpon the word,
    Accoutred as I was, I plunged in,
    And bad him follow: so indeed he did.
    205The Torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
    With lusty Sinewes, throwing it aside,
    And stemming it with hearts of Controuersie.
    But ere we could arriue the Point propos'd,
    Caesar cride, Helpe me Cassius, or I sinke.
    210I (as AEneas, our great Ancestor,
    Did from the Flames of Troy, vpon his shoulder
    The old Anchyses beare) so, from the waues of Tyber
    Did I the tyred Caesar: And this Man,
    Is now become a God, and Cassius is
    215A wretched Creature, and 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 him, I did marke
    How he did shake: Tis true, this God did shake,
    220His Coward lippes did from their colour flye,
    And that same Eye, whose bend doth awe the World,
    Did loose his Lustre: I did heare him grone:
    I, and that Tongue of his, that bad the Romans
    Marke him, and write his Speeches in their Bookes,
    225Alas, it cried, Giue me some drinke Titinius,
    As
    The Tragedie of Julius Caesar 111
    As a sicke Girle: Ye Gods, it doth amaze me,
    A man of such a feeble temper should
    So get the start of the Maiesticke world,
    And beare the Palme alone.
    230Shout. Flourish.
    Bru. Another generall shout?
    I do beleeue, that these applauses are
    For some new Honors, that are heap'd on Caesar.
    Cassi. Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
    235Like a Colossus, and we petty men
    Walke vnder his huge legges, and peepe about
    To finde our selues dishonourable Graues.
    Men at sometime, are Masters of their Fates.
    The fault (deere Brutus) is not in our Starres,
    240But in our Selues, that we are vnderlings.
    Brutus and Caesar: What should be in that Caesar?
    Why should that name be sounded more then yours .
    Write them together: Yours, is as faire a Name:
    Sound them, it doth become the mouth aswell:
    245Weigh them, it 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? Age, thou art sham'd.
    250Rome, thou hast lost the breed of Noble Bloods.
    When went there by an Age, since 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?
    255Now is it Rome indeed, and Roome enough
    When there is in it but one onely man.
    O! you and I, haue heard our Fathers say,
    There was a Brutus once, that would haue brook'd
    Th'eternall Diuell to keepe his State in Rome,
    260As easily as a King.
    Bru. That you do loue me, I am nothing iealous:
    What you would worke me too, I haue some ayme:
    How I haue thought of this, and of these times
    I shall recount heereafter. For this present,
    265I 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 heare, and finde a time
    Both meete to heare, and answer such high things.
    270Till then, my Noble Friend, chew vpon this:
    Brutus had rather be a Villager,
    Then to repute himselfe a Sonne of Rome
    Vnder these hard Conditions, as this time
    Is like to lay vpon vs.
    275Cassi. 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.
    280Cassi. 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,
    285The angry spot doth glow on Caesars brow,
    And all the rest, looke like a chidden Traine;
    Calphurnia's Cheeke is pale, and Cicero
    Lookes with such Ferret, and such fiery eyes
    As we haue seene him in the Capitoll
    290Being crost in Conference, by some Senators.
    Cassi. Caska will tell vs what the matter is.
    Caes. Antonio.
    Ant. Caesar.
    Caes. Let me haue men about me, that are fat,
    295Sleeke-headed men, and 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 Caesar, he's not dangerous,
    He is a Noble Roman, and well giuen.
    300Caes. 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 Obseruer, and he lookes
    305Quite through the Deeds of men. He loues no Playes,
    As thou dost Antony: he heares no Musicke;
    Seldome he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
    As if he mock'd himselfe, and scorn'd his spirit
    That could be mou'd to smile at any thing.
    310Such men as he, be 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.
    315Come on my right hand, for this eare is deafe,
    And tell me truely, what thou think'st of him.
    Sennit.
    Exeunt Caesar and his Traine.

    Cask. You pul'd me by the cloake, would you speake
    with me?
    320Bru. I Caska, tell vs what hath chanc'd to day
    That Caesar lookes so sad.

    Cask. Why you were with him, were you not?
    Bru. I should not then aske Caska what had chanc'd.
    Cask. Why there was a Crowne offer'd him; & being
    325offer'd him, he 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?
    330Cask. Why for that too.
    Bru. Was the Crowne offer'd him thrice?
    Cask. I marry was't, and hee put it by thrice, euerie
    time gentler then other; and at euery putting by, mine
    honest Neighbors showted.
    335Cassi. Who offer'd him the Crowne?
    Cask. Why Antony.
    Bru. Tell vs the manner of it, gentle Caska.
    Caska. I can as well bee hang'd as tell the manner of
    it: It was meere Foolerie, I did not marke it. I sawe
    340Marke Antony offer him a Crowne, yet 'twas not a
    Crowne neyther, 'twas one of these Coronets: and as I
    told you, hee put it by once: but for all that, to my thin-
    king, he would faine haue had it. Then hee offered it to
    him againe: then hee put it by againe: but to my think-
    345ing, 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 it, the rabblement howted, and
    clapp'd their chopt hands, and threw vppe their sweatie
    Night-cappes, and vttered such a deale of stinking
    350breath, because Caesar refus'd the Crowne, that it had
    (almost) choaked Caesar: for hee swoonded, and fell
    downe at it: And for mine owne part, I durst not laugh,
    for feare of opening my Lippes, and receyuing the bad
    Ayre.
    kk2 Cassi.
    112The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
    355Cassi. But soft I pray you: what, did Caesar swound?
    Cask. He fell downe in the Market-place, and foam'd
    at mouth, and was speechlesse.
    Brut. 'Tis very like he hath the Falling sicknesse.
    Cassi. No, Caesar hath it not: but you, and I,
    360And honest Caska, we haue the Falling sicknesse.
    Cask. I know not what you meane by that, but I am
    sure Caesar fell downe. If the tag-ragge people did not
    clap him, and hisse him, according as he pleas'd, and dis-
    pleas'd them, as they vse to doe the Players in the Thea-
    365tre, I am no true man.
    Brut. What said he, when he came vnto himselfe?
    Cask. Marry, before he fell downe, when he perceiu'd
    the common Heard was glad he refus'd the Crowne, he
    pluckt me ope his Doublet, and offer'd them his Throat
    370to cut: and I had beene a man of any Occupation, if I
    would not haue taken him at a word, I would I might
    goe to Hell among the Rogues, and so hee fell. When
    he came to himselfe againe, hee said, If hee had done, or
    said any thing amisse, he desir'd their Worships to thinke
    375it was his infirmitie. Three or foure Wenches where I
    stood, cryed, Alasse good Soule, and forgaue him with
    all their hearts: But there's no heed to be taken of them;
    if Caesar had stab'd their Mothers, they would haue done
    no lesse.
    380Brut. And after that, he came thus sad away.
    Cask. I.
    Cassi. Did Cicero say any thing?
    Cask. I, he spoke Greeke.
    Cassi. To what effect?
    385Cask. Nay, and I tell you that, Ile ne're looke you
    i'th'face againe. But those that vnderstood him, smil'd
    at one another, and shooke their heads: but for mine
    owne part, it was Greeke to me. I could tell you more
    newes too: Murrellus and Flauius, for pulling Scarffes
    390off Caesars Images, are put to silence. Fare you well.
    There was more Foolerie yet, if I could remem-
    ber it.
    Cassi. Will you suppe with me to Night, Caska?
    Cask. No, I am promis'd forth.
    395Cassi. Will you Dine with me to morrow?
    Cask. I, if I be aliue, and your minde hold, and your
    Dinner worth the eating.
    Cassi. Good, I will expect you.
    Cask. Doe so: farewell both. Exit.
    400Brut. What a blunt fellow is this growne to be?
    He was quick Mettle, when he went to Schoole.
    Cassi. So is he now, in execution
    Of any bold, or Noble Enterprize,
    How-euer he puts on this tardie forme:
    405This 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:
    410To morrow, if you please to speake with me,
    I will come home to you: or if you will,
    Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
    Cassi. I will doe so: till then, thinke of the World.
    Exit Brutus.
    415Well Brutus, thou 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 firme, that cannot be seduc'd?
    420Caesar doth beare me hard, but he loues Brutus.
    If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
    He should not humor me. I will this Night,
    In seuerall Hands, in at his Windowes throw,
    As if they came from seuerall Citizens,
    425Writings, all tending to the great opinion
    That Rome holds of his Name: wherein obscurely
    Caesars Ambition shall be glanced at.
    And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,
    For wee will shake him, or worse dayes endure.
    430 Exit.

    Thunder, and Lightning. Enter Caska,
    and Cicero.

    Cic. Good euen, Caska: brought you Caesar home?
    Why are you breathlesse, and why stare you so?
    435Cask. Are not you mou'd, when all the sway of Earth
    Shakes, like a thing vnfirme? O Cicero,
    I haue seene Tempests, when the scolding Winds
    Haue riu'd the knottie Oakes, and I haue seene
    Th'ambitious Ocean swell, and rage, and foame,
    440To be exalted with the threatning Clouds:
    But neuer till to Night, neuer till now,
    Did I goe through a Tempest-dropping-fire.
    Eyther there is a Ciuill strife in Heauen,
    Or else the World, too sawcie with the Gods,
    445Incenses them to send destruction.
    Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderfull?
    Cask. A common slaue, you know him well by sight,
    Held vp his left Hand, which did flame and burne
    Like twentie Torches ioyn'd; and yet his Hand,
    450Not sensible of fire, remain'd vnscorch'd.
    Besides, I ha'not since put vp my Sword,
    Against the Capitoll I met a Lyon,
    Who glaz'd vpon me, and went surly by,
    Without annoying me. And there were drawne
    455Vpon a heape, a hundred gastly Women,
    Transformed with their feare, who swore, they saw
    Men, all in fire, walke vp and downe the streetes.
    And yesterday, the Bird of Night did sit,
    Euen at Noone-day, vpon the Market place,
    460Howting, and shreeking. When these Prodigies
    Doe so conioyntly meet, let not men say,
    These are their Reasons, they are Naturall:
    For I beleeue, they are portentous things
    Vnto the Clymate, that they point vpon.
    465Cic. Indeed, it 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
    470Send word to you, he would be there to morrow.
    Cic. Good-night then, Caska:
    This disturbed Skie is not to walke in.
    Cask. Farewell Cicero. Exit Cicero.

    Enter Cassius.
    475Cassi. Who's there?
    Cask. A Romane.
    Cassi. Caska, by your Voyce.
    Cask. Your Eare is good.
    Cassius, what Night is this?
    480Cassi. 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
    The Tragedie of Julius Caesar 113
    For my part, I haue walk'd about the streets,
    485Submitting me vnto the perillous Night;
    And thus vnbraced, Caska, as you see,
    Haue bar'd my Bosome to the Thunder-stone:
    And when the crosse blew Lightning seem'd to open
    The Brest of Heauen, I did present my selfe
    490Euen in the ayme, and very flash of it.
    Cask. But wherefore did you so much tempt the Hea- (uens?
    It is the part of men, to feare and tremble,
    When the most mightie Gods, by tokens send
    Such dreadfull Heraulds, to astonish vs.
    495Cassi. You are dull, Caska:
    And those sparkes of Life, that should be in a Roman,
    You doe want, or else you vse not.
    You looke pale, and gaze, and put on feare,
    And cast your selfe in wonder,
    500To see the strange impatience of the Heauens:
    But if you would consider the true cause,
    Why all these Fires, why all these gliding Ghosts,
    Why Birds and Beasts, from qualitie and kinde,
    Why Old men, Fooles, and Children calculate,
    505Why all these things change from their Ordinance,
    Their Natures, and pre-formed Faculties,
    To monstrous qualitie; why you shall finde,
    That Heauen hath infus'd them with these Spirits,
    To make them Instruments of feare, and warning,
    510Vnto some monstrous State.
    Now could I (Caska) name to thee a man,
    Most like this dreadfull Night,
    That Thunders, Lightens, opens Graues, and roares,
    As doth the Lyon in the Capitoll:
    515A man no mightier then thy selfe, or me,
    In personall action; yet prodigious growne,
    And fearefull, as these strange eruptions are.
    Cask. 'Tis Caesar that you meane:
    Is it not, Cassius?
    520Cassi. Let it be who it is: for Romans now
    Haue Thewes, and Limbes, like to their Ancestors;
    But woe the while, our Fathers mindes are dead,
    And we are gouern'd with our Mothers spirits,
    Our yoake, and sufferance, shew vs Womanish.
    525Cask. Indeed, they say, the Senators to morrow
    Meane to establish Caesar as a King:
    And he shall weare his Crowne by Sea, and Land,
    In euery place, saue here in Italy.
    Cassi. I know where I will weare this Dagger then;
    530Cassius from Bondage will deliuer Cassius:
    Therein, yee Gods, you make the weake most strong;
    Therein, yee Gods, you Tyrants doe defeat.
    Nor Stonie Tower, nor Walls of beaten Brasse,
    Nor ayre-lesse Dungeon, nor strong Linkes of Iron,
    535Can 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 this, know all the World besides,
    That part of Tyrannie that I doe beare,
    540I 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 Caesar be a Tyrant then?
    545Poore man, I know he would not be a Wolfe,
    But that he sees the Romans are but Sheepe:
    He were no Lyon, were not Romans Hindes.
    Those that with haste will make a mightie fire,
    Begin it with weake Strawes. What trash is Rome?
    550What Rubbish, and what Offall? when it serues
    For the base matter, to 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
    555My answere must be made. But I am arm'd,
    And dangers are to me indifferent.
    Cask. You speake to Caska, and to such a man,
    That is no flearing Tell-tale. Hold, my Hand:
    Be factious for redresse of all these Griefes,
    560And I will set this foot of mine as farre,
    As who goes farthest.
    Cassi. There's a Bargaine made.
    Now know you, Caska, I haue mou'd already
    Some certaine of the Noblest minded Romans
    565To vnder-goe, with me, an Enterprize,
    Of Honorable dangerous consequence;
    And I doe know by this, they stay for me
    In Pompeyes Porch: for now this fearefull Night,
    There is no stirre, or walking in the streetes;
    570And the Complexion of the Element
    Is Fauors, like the Worke we haue in hand,
    Most bloodie, fierie, and most terrible.

    Enter Cinna.

    Caska. Stand close a while, for heere comes one in
    575haste.
    Cassi. 'Tis Cinna, I doe know him by his Gate,
    He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so?
    Cinna. To finde out you: Who's that, Metellus
    Cymber?
    580Cassi. No, it is Caska, one incorporate
    To our Attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?
    Cinna. I am glad on't.
    What a fearefull Night is this?
    There's two or three of vs haue seene strange sights.
    585Cassi. Am I not stay'd for? tell me.
    Cinna. Yes, you are. O Cassius,
    If you could but winne the Noble Brutus
    To our party---
    Cassi. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this Paper,
    590And 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 Porch, where you shall finde vs.
    595Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
    Cinna. All, but Metellus Cymber, and hee's gone
    To seeke you at your house. Well, I will hie,
    And so bestow these Papers as you bad me.
    Cassi. That done, repayre to Pompeyes Theater.
    600 Exit Cinna.
    Come Caska, you and I will yet, ere day,
    See Brutus at his house: three parts of him
    Is ours alreadie, and the man entire
    Vpon the next encounter, yeelds him ours.
    605Cask. O, he sits high in all the Peoples hearts:
    And that which would appeare Offence in vs,
    His Countenance, like richest Alchymie,
    Will change to Vertue, and to Worthinesse.
    Cassi. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him,
    610You haue right well conceited: let vs goe,
    For it is after Mid-night, and ere day,
    We will awake him, and be sure of him.
    Exeunt.
    kk3 Actus
    114The Tragedie of Julius Caesar

    Actus Secundus.


    615Enter Brutus in his Orchard.

    Brut. What Lucius, hoe?
    I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres,
    Giue guesse how neere to day--- Lucius, I say?
    I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.
    620When Lucius, when? awake, I say: what Lucius?
    Enter Lucius.
    Luc. Call'd you, my Lord?
    Brut. Get me a Tapor in my Study, Lucius:
    When it is lighted, come and call me here.
    625Luc. I will, my Lord. Exit.
    Brut. It must be by his death: and for my part,
    I know no personall cause, to spurne at him,
    But for the generall. He would be crown'd:
    How that might change his nature, there's the question?
    630It is the bright day, that 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 Greatnesse, is, when it dis-ioynes
    635Remorse from Power: And to speake truth of Caesar,
    I haue not knowne, when 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:
    640But when he once attaines the vpmost Round,
    He then vnto the Ladder turnes his Backe,
    Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degrees
    By which he did ascend: so Caesar may;
    Then least he may, preuent. And since the Quarrell
    645Will beare no colour, for the thing he is,
    Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
    Would runne to these, and these extremities:
    And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge,
    Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischieuous;
    650And kill him in the shell.
    Enter Lucius.
    Luc. The Taper burneth in your Closet, Sir:
    Searching the Window for a Flint, I found
    This Paper, thus seal'd vp, and I am sure
    655It did not lye there when I went to Bed.
    Giues him the Letter.
    Brut. Get you to Bed againe, it is not day:
    Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?
    Luc. I know not, Sir.
    660Brut. Looke in the Calender, and bring me word.
    Luc. I will, Sir. Exit.
    Brut. The exhalations, whizzing in the ayre,
    Giue so much light, that I may reade by them.
    Opens the Letter, and reades.
    665Brutus thou sleep'st; awake, and see thy selfe:
    Shall Rome, &c. speake, strike, redresse.
    Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.
    Such instigations haue beene often dropt,
    Where I haue tooke them vp:
    670Shall 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 driue, when he was call'd a King.
    Speake, strike, redresse. Am I entreated
    675To speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
    If the redresse will follow, thou receiuest
    Thy full Petition at the hand of Brutus.
    Enter Lucius.
    Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteene dayes.
    680 Knocke within.
    Brut. 'Tis good. Go to the Gate, some body knocks:
    Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
    I haue not slept.
    Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing,
    685And the first motion, all the Interim is
    Like a Phantasma, or a hideous Dreame:
    The Genius, and the mortall Instruments
    Are then in councell; and the state of a man,
    Like to a little Kingdome, suffers then
    690The 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?
    695Luc. No, Sir, there are moe with him.
    Brut. Doe you know them?
    Luc. No, Sir, their Hats are pluckt about their Eares,
    And halfe their Faces buried in their Cloakes,
    That by no meanes I may discouer them,
    700By 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 then, by day
    705Where wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough,
    To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie,
    Hide it in Smiles, and Affabilitie:
    For if thou path thy natiue semblance on,
    Not Erebus it selfe were dimme enough,
    710To hide thee from preuention.

    Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Caska, Decius,
    Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.

    Cass. I thinke we are too bold vpon your Rest:
    Good morrow Brutus, doe we trouble you?
    715Brut. I haue beene vp this howre, awake all Night:
    Know I these men, that come along with you?
    Cass. Yes, euery man of them; and no man here
    But honors you: and euery one doth wish,
    You had but that opinion of your selfe,
    720Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.
    This is Trebonius.
    Brut. He is welcome hither.
    Cass. This, Decius Brutus.
    Brut. He is welcome too.
    725Cass. This, Caska; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus
    Cymber.
    Brut. They are all welcome.
    What watchfull Cares doe interpose themselues
    Betwixt your Eyes, and Night?
    730Cass. Shall I entreat a word? They whisper.
    Decius. Here lyes the East: doth not the Day breake
    heere?
    Cask. No.
    Cin. O pardon, Sir, it doth; and yon grey Lines,
    735That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.
    Cask. You shall confesse, that you are both deceiu'd:
    Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises,
    Which is a great way growing on the South,
    Weigh-
    The Tragedie of Julius Caesar 115
    Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.
    740Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the North
    He first presents his fire, and the high East
    Stands as the Capitoll, directly heere.
    Bru. Giue me your hands all ouer, one by one.
    Cas. And let vs sweare our Resolution.
    745Brut. No, not an Oath: if not the Face of men,
    The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;
    If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,
    And euery man hence, to his idle bed:
    So let high-sighted-Tyranny range on,
    750Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these
    (As I am sure they do) beare fire enough
    To kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour
    The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,
    What neede we any spurre, but our owne cause
    755To pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,
    Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,
    And will not palter? And what other Oath,
    Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,
    That this shall be, or we will fall for it.
    760Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men Cautelous
    Old feeble Carrions, and such suffering Soules
    That welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare
    Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staine
    The euen vertue of our Enterprize,
    765Nor th'insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,
    To thinke, that or our Cause, or our Performance
    Did neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
    That euery Roman beares, and Nobly beares
    Is guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,
    770If 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.
    775Cyn. No, by no meanes.
    Metel. O let vs haue him, for his Siluer haires
    Will purchase vs a good opinion:
    And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:
    It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,
    780Our youths, and wildenesse, shall 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.
    785Cas. Then leaue him out.
    Cask. Indeed, he is not fit.
    Decius. Shall no man else be toucht, but onely Caesar?
    Cas. Decius well vrg'd: I thinke it is not meet,
    Marke Antony, so well belou'd of Caesar,
    790Should out-liue Caesar, we shall finde of him
    A shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanes
    If he improue them, may well stretch so farre
    As to annoy vs all: which to preuent,
    Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
    795Bru. Our course will seeme too bloody, Caius Cassius,
    To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:
    Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:
    For Antony, is but a Limbe of Caesar.
    Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers Caius:
    800We all stand vp against the spirit of Caesar,
    And in the Spirit of men, there 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,
    805Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:
    Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,
    Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:
    And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,
    Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,
    810And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall make
    Our purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.
    Which so appearing to the common eyes,
    We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.
    And for Marke Antony, thinke not of him:
    815For 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. Alas, good Cassius, do not thinke of him:
    820If he loue Caesar, all that he can do
    Is to himselfe; take thought, and dye for Caesar,
    And that were much he should: for he is giuen
    To sports, to wildenesse, and much company.
    Treb. There is no feare in him; let him not dye,
    825For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.
    Clocke strikes.
    Bru. Peace, count the Clocke.
    Cas. The Clocke hath stricken three.
    Treb. 'Tis time to part.
    830Cass But it is doubtfull yet,
    Whether Caesar will come forth to day, or no:
    For he is Superstitious growne of late,
    Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,
    Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:
    835It may be, these 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,
    840I can ore-sway him: For he loues to heare,
    That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,
    And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,
    Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.
    But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,
    845He sayes, he 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. Nay, we will all of vs, be there to fetch him.
    850Bru. By the eight houre, is that the vttermost?
    Cin. Be that the vttermost, and 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.
    855Bru. Now good Metellus go along by him:
    He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,
    Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him.
    Cas. The morning comes vpon's:
    Wee'l leaue you Brutus,
    860And Friends disperse your selues; but all remember
    What you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans.
    Bru. Good Gentlemen, looke fresh and merrily,
    Let not our lookes put on our purposes,
    But beare it as our Roman Actors do,
    865With vntyr'd Spirits, and 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:
    870Thou hast no Figures, nor no Fantasies,
    Which
    116The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
    Which busie care drawes, in the braines of men;
    Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
    Enter Portia.
    Por. Brutus, my Lord.
    875Bru.Portia: What meane you? wherfore rise you now?
    It is not for your health, thus to commit
    Your weake condition, to the raw cold morning.
    Por. Nor for yours neither. Y'haue vngently Brutus
    Stole from my bed: and yesternight at Supper
    880You sodainly arose, and walk'd about,
    Musing, and sighing, with your armes a-crosse:
    And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
    You star'd vpon me, with vngentle lookes.
    I vrg'd you further, then you scratch'd your head,
    885And too impatiently stampt with your foote:
    Yet I insisted, yet 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
    890Which 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 eate, nor talke, nor sleepe;
    And could it worke so much vpon your shape,
    895As it hath much preuayl'd on your Condltion,
    I should not know you Brutus. Deare my Lord,
    Make me acquainted with your cause of greefe.
    Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all.
    Por. Brutus is wise, and were he not in health,
    900He 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 vnbraced, and sucke vp the humours
    Of the danke Morning? What, is Brutus sicke?
    905And will he steale out of his wholsome bed
    To dare the vile contagion of the Night?
    And tempt the Rhewmy, and vnpurged Ayre,
    To adde vnto hit sicknesse? No my Brutus,
    You haue some sicke Offence within your minde,
    910Which by the Right and Vertue of my place
    I ought to know of: And vpon my knees,
    I charme you, by my once commended Beauty,
    By all your vowes of Loue, and that great Vow
    Which did incorporate and make vs one,
    915That you vnfold to me, your selfe; your halfe
    Why you are heauy: and what men to night
    Haue had resort to you: for heere haue beene
    Some sixe or seuen, who did hide their faces
    Euen from darknesse.
    920Bru. Kneele not gentle Portia.
    Por. I should not neede, if you were gentle Brutus.
    Within the Bond of Marriage, tell me Brutus,
    Is it excepted, I should know no Secrets
    That appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe,
    925But as it were in sort, or limitation?
    To keepe with you at Meales, comfort 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 Harlot, not his Wife.
    930Bru. You are my true and honourable Wife,
    As deere to me, as are the ruddy droppes
    That visit my sad heart.
    Por. If this were true, then should I know this secret.
    I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,
    935A Woman that Lord Brutus tooke to Wife:
    I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,
    A Woman well reputed: Cato's Daughter.
    Thinke you, I am no stronger then my Sex
    Being so Father'd, and so Husbanded?
    940Tell me your Counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
    I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie,
    Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound
    Heere, in the Thigh: Can I beare that with patience,
    And not my Husbands Secrets?
    945Bru. O ye Gods!
    Render me worthy of this Noble Wife. Knocke.
    Harke, harke, one knockes: Portia go in a while,
    And by and by thy bosome shall partake
    The secrets of my Heart.
    950All my engagements, I will construe to thee,
    All the Charractery of my sad browes:
    Leaue me with hast. Exit Portia.

    Enter Lucius and Ligarius.
    Lucius, who's that knockes.
    955Luc. Heere is a sicke man that would speak with you.
    Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.
    Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?
    Cai. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
    Bru. O what a time haue you chose out braue Caius
    960To weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke.
    Cai. I am not sicke, if 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.
    965Cai. By all the Gods that Romans bow before,
    I heere discard my sicknesse. Soule of Rome,
    Braue Sonne, deriu'd from Honourable Loines,
    Thou like an Exorcist, hast coniur'd vp
    My mortified Spirit. Now bid me runne,
    970And 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 whole, that we must make sicke?
    975Bru. That must we also. What it is my Caius,
    I shall vnfold to thee, as we are going,
    To whom it must be done.
    Cai. Set on your foote,
    And with a heart new-fir'd, I follow you,
    980To 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.

    985Caesar. Nor Heauen, nor Earth,
    Haue beene at peace to night:
    Thrice hath Calphurnia, in her sleepe cryed out,
    Helpe, ho: They murther Caesar. Who's within?
    Enter a Seruant.
    990Ser. 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.
    995Cal. 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 Caesar, they are vanished.
    Calp.
    The Tragedie of Julius Caesar 117
    1000Calp. Caesar, I 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,
    1005And Graues haue yawn'd, and yeelded vp their dead;
    Fierce fiery Warriours fight vpon the Clouds
    In Rankes and Squadrons, and right forme of Warre
    Which drizel'd blood vpon the Capitoll:
    The noise of Battell hurtled in the Ayre:
    1010Horsses do neigh, and dying men did grone,
    And Ghosts did shrieke and squeale about the streets.
    O Caesar, these things are beyond all vse,
    And I do feare them.
    Caes. What can be auoyded
    1015Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty Gods?
    Yet Caesar shall go forth: for these Predictions
    Are to the world in generall, as to Caesar.
    Calp. When Beggers dye, there are no Comets seen,
    The Heauens themselues blaze forth the death of Princes
    1020Caes. 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 death, a necessary end
    1025Will come, when 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,
    1030They 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
    1035That 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,
    1040Your wisedome is consum'd in confidence:
    Do not go forth to day: Call it my feare,
    That keepes you in the house, and not your owne.
    Wee'l send Mark Antony to the Senate house,
    And he shall say, you are not well to day:
    1045Let me vpon my knee, preuaile in this.
    Caes. Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
    And for thy humor, I will stay at home.
    Enter Decius.
    Heere's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
    1050Deci. Caesar, all 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:
    1055Cannot, is false: and that I dare not, falser:
    I will not come to day, tell them so Decius.
    Calp. Say he is sicke.
    Caes. Shall Caesar send a Lye?
    Haue I in Conquest stretcht mine Arme so farre,
    1060To be afear'd to tell Gray-beards the truth:
    Decius, go tell them, Caesar will not come.
    Deci. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
    Lest I be laught at when I tell them so.
    Caes. The cause is in my Will, I will not come,
    1065That is enough to satisfie the Senate.
    But for your priuate satisfaction,
    Because I loue you, I will let you know.
    Calphurnia heere my wife, stayes me at home:
    She dreampt to night, she saw my Statue,
    1070Which like a Fountaine, with an hundred spouts
    Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
    Came smiling, & did bathe their hands in it:
    And these does she apply, for warnings and portents,
    And euils imminent; and on her knee
    1075Hath begg'd, that I will stay at home to day.
    Deci. This Dreame is all amisse interpreted,
    It was a vision, faire and fortunate:
    Your Statue spouting blood in many pipes,
    In which so many smiling Romans bath'd,
    1080Signifies, that from you great Rome shall sucke
    Reuiuing blood, and that great men shall presse
    For Tinctures, Staines, Reliques, and Cognisance.
    This by Calphurnia's Dreame is signified.
    Caes. And this way haue you well expounded it.
    1085Deci. I haue, when you haue heard what I can say:
    And know it now, the Senate haue concluded
    To giue this day, a Crowne to mighty Caesar.
    If you shall send them word you will not come,
    Their mindes may change. Besides, it were a mocke
    1090Apt to be render'd, for some one to say,
    Breake vp the Senate, till another time:
    When Caesars wife shall meete with better Dreames.
    If Caesar hide himselfe, shall they not whisper
    Loe Caesar is affraid?
    1095Pardon me Caesar, for my deere deere loue
    To your proceeding, bids 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.
    1100Giue me my Robe, for I will go.

    Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Caska, Trebo-
    nius, Cynna, and Publius.
    And looke where Publius is come to fetch me.
    Pub. Good morrow Caesar.
    1105Caes. Welcome Publius.
    What Brutus, are 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.
    1110What is't a Clocke?
    Bru. Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
    Caes. I thanke you for your paines and curtesie.
    Enter Antony.
    See, Antony that Reuels long a-nights
    1115Is 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 Cynna, now Metellus: what Trebonius,
    1120I haue an houres talke in store for you:
    Remember that you call on me to day:
    Be neere me, that I may remember you.
    Treb. Caesar I will: and so neere will I be,
    That your best Friends shall wish I had beene further.
    1125Caes. Good Friends go in, and taste some wine with me.
    And we (like Friends) will straight way go together.
    Bru. That euery like is not the same, O Caesar,
    The heart of Brutus earnes to thinke vpon. Exeunt
    Enter Artemidorus.
    1130
    Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heede of Cassius; come not
    kk5 neere
    118The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
    neere Caska, haue an eye to Cynna, trust not Trebonius, marke
    well Metellus Cymber, Decius Brutus loues thee not: Thou
    hast wrong'd Caius Ligarius. There is but one minde in all
    these men, and it is bent against Caesar: If thou beest not Im-
    1135mortall, looke about you: Security giues way to Conspiracie.
    The mighty Gods defend thee.
    Thy Louer, Artemidorus.
    Heere will I stand, till Caesar passe along,
    And as a Sutor will I giue him this:
    1140My heart laments, that Vertue cannot liue
    Out of the teeth of Emulation.
    If thou reade this, O Caesar, thou mayest liue;
    If not, the Fates with Traitors do contriue. Exit.
    Enter Portia and Lucius.
    1145Por. I prythee Boy, run to the Senate-house,
    Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
    Why doest thou stay?
    Luc. To know my errand Madam.
    Por. I would haue had thee there and heere agen
    1150Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there:
    O Constancie, be strong vpon my side,
    Set a huge Mountaine 'tweene my Heart and Tongue:
    I haue a mans minde, but a womans might:
    How hard it is for women to keepe counsell.
    1155Art thou heere yet?
    Luc. Madam, what should I do?
    Run to the Capitoll, and nothing else?
    And so returne to you, and nothing else?
    Por. Yes, bring me word Boy, if thy Lord look well,
    1160For he went sickly forth: and take good note
    What Caesar doth, what Sutors presse to him.
    Hearke Boy, what noyse is that?
    Luc. I heare none Madam.
    Por. Prythee listen well:
    1165I heard a bussling Rumor like a Fray,
    And the winde brings it from the Capitoll.
    Luc. Sooth Madam, I heare nothing.
    Enter the Soothsayer.
    Por. Come hither Fellow, which way hast thou bin?
    1170Sooth. At mine owne house, good Lady.
    Por. What is't a clocke?
    Sooth. About the ninth houre Lady.
    Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitoll?
    Sooth. Madam not yet, I go to take my stand,
    1175To see him passe on to the Capitoll.
    Por. Thou hast some suite to Caesar, hast thou not?
    Sooth. That I haue Lady, if it will please Caesar
    To be so good to Caesar, as to heare me:
    I shall beseech him to befriend himselfe.
    1180Por. Why know'st thou any harme's intended to-
    wards him?
    Sooth. None that I know will be,
    Much that I feare may chance:
    Good morrow to you: heere the street is narrow:
    1185The throng that followes Caesar at the heeles,
    Of Senators, of Praetors, common Sutors,
    Will crowd a feeble man (almost) to death:
    Ile get me to a place more voyd, and there
    Speake to great Caesar as he comes along. Exit
    1190Por. 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
    1195That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint:
    Run Lucius, and 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.


    1200Flourish.
    Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Metellus, Tre-
    bonius, Cynna, Antony, Lepidus, Artimedorus, Pub-
    lius, and the Soothsayer.

    Caes. The Ides of March are come.
    1205Sooth. I Caesar, but 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 Caesar, reade mine first: for mine's a suite
    1210That touches Caesar neerer. Read it great Caesar.
    Caes. What touches vs our selfe, shall be last seru'd.
    Art. Delay not Caesar, read it instantly.
    Caes. What, is the fellow mad?
    Pub. Sirra, giue place.
    1215Cassi. What, vrge 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.
    1220Bru. 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 sodaine, for we feare preuention.
    1225Brutus 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,
    1230For looke he smiles, and 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 Cimber, let him go,
    And presently preferre his suite to Caesar.
    1235Bru. He is addrest: presse neere, and second him.
    Cin. Caska, you 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 high, most mighty, and most puisant Caesar
    1240Metellus Cymber throwes before thy Seate
    An humble heart.
    Caes. I must preuent thee Cymber:
    These couchings, and these lowly courtesies
    Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
    1245And turne pre-Ordinance, and 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 Fooles, I meane sweet words,
    1250Low-crooked-curtsies, and base Spaniell fawning:
    Thy Brother by decree is banished:
    If thou doest bend, and pray, and fawne for him,
    I spurne thee like a Curre out of my way:
    Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
    1255Will he be satisfied.
    Metel. Is there no voyce more worthy then my owne,
    To
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