CLASS X: ENGLISH LITERATURE

JULIUS CAESAR
ACT ONE: SCENE 2

A trumpet sounds. CAESAR enters, along with ANTONY who is dressed for
a traditional foot race, as well as CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO,
BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA, followed by great crowd of commoners,
including a SOOTHSAYER. MURELLUS and FLAVIUS follow after.

A trumpet sounds. CAESAR, ANTONY (who is dressed for a traditional foot

race), CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and
CASCA enter, followed by great crowd of commoners, including a
SOOTHSAYER. MURELLUS and FLAVIUS follow after them.

CAESAR
Calphurnia!
CAESAR
Calphurnia!
CASCA
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
CASCA
Hey, quiet down! Caesar speaks.
CAESAR
Calphurnia!
CAESAR
Calphurnia!
CALPHURNIA
Here, my lord.
CALPHURNIA
Here I am, my lord.
CAESAR
Stand you directly in Antonius' way
When he doth run his course. —Antonius!
CAESAR
Stand directly in Antonius’ path as he runs the race.

[To ANTONY] Antonius!

ANTONY
Caesar, my lord.
ANTONY
Yes, my lord Caesar?
CAESAR
Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calphurnia, for our elders say
The barren, touchèd in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.

CAESAR
Antonius, while you’re running don’t forget to touch Calphurnia.
As our elders say, if an infertile woman is touched during this holy race,
she’ll escape the curse of sterility.

ANTONY
I shall remember.
When Caesar says, “do this,” it is performed.
ANTONY
I will remember. When Caesar says “do this,” it is done.

CAESAR
Set on, and leave no ceremony out.
CAESAR
Go on, then, and don’t leave out any of the proper rituals.
Music plays.
Music plays.
SOOTHSAYER
Caesar!
SOOTHSAYER
Caesar!
CAESAR
Ha! Who calls?
CAESAR
Hey! Who’s calling me?
CASCA
Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again.
CASCA
Everyone, be quiet! Again, quiet!
The music stops.
The music stops.
CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry “Caesar!” —Speak. Caesar is turned to hear.
CAESAR
Who is it in the crowd that’s calling me?
I hear a voice that's shriller than any of this music, calling out
“Caesar!” Speak. Caesar is listening.
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March.
SOOTHSAYER
Beware March 15th.
CAESAR
What man is that?
CAESAR
Who is saying that?
BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
BRUTUS
A soothsayer tells you to beware March 15th.
CAESAR
Set him before me. Let me see his face.
CAESAR
Bring him to me. Let me see his face.
CASSIUS
Fellow, come from the throng. Look upon Caesar.
CASSIUS
Man, step out of the crowd. Stand before Caesar.
The SOOTHSAYER approaches.
The SOOTHSAYER approaches.
CAESAR
What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again.
CAESAR
What are you saying to me now? Say it again.
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March.
SOOTHSAYER
Beware March 15th.
CAESAR
He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass!
CAESAR
He’s crazy. Let’s leave him. Continue on!
Trumpets play. Everyone exits, except BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
Trumpets play. Everyone except BRUTUS and CASSIUS exits.
CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course?
CASSIUS
Are you going to come watch the race?
BRUTUS
30Not I.
BRUTUS
Not me.
CASSIUS
I pray you, do.
CASSIUS
Please, come and watch it.
BRUTUS
I am not gamesome. I do lack some partOf that quick spirit that is in
[Link] me not hinder, Cassius, your desires.35I’ll leave you.
BRUTUS
I’m not feeling festive. I lack some of Antony’s lively, competitive
spirit. But don’t let me stop you from doing what you want, Cassius. I’ll
leave you alone.
CASSIUS
Brutus, I do observe you now of lateI have not from your eyes that
gentlenessAnd show of love as I was wont to [Link] bear too stubborn
and too strange a hand40Over your friend that loves you.
CASSIUS
Brutus, I’ve been watching you recently. I’ve noticed that you seem less
friendly toward me than I’m used to. You’ve been rough and unfriendly to
me, your friend who loves you.
BRUTUS
Cassius,Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look,I turn the trouble of my
countenanceMerely upon myself. Vexèd I am45Of late with passions of
some difference,Conceptions only proper to myself,Which give some soil
perhaps to my [Link] let not therefore, my good friends, be
grieved—Among which number, Cassius, be you one—50Nor construe any
further my neglectThan that poor Brutus, with himself at war,Forgets the
shows of love to other men.
BRUTUS
Cassius, don’t be fooled. If I seem unfriendly, it’s because my troubled
looks are actually directed at myself. Lately I’ve been overwhelmed with
private thoughts and conflicting emotions, which must have affected my
behavior. But my good friends should not be troubled—and I count you as
a good friend, Cassius. And they should not see anything more in my
distant behavior than that poor Brutus—who is at war with himself—has
forgotten to show affection to others.
CASSIUS
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,By means whereof this
breast of mine hath buried55Thoughts of great value, worthy
[Link] me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
CASSIUS
Brutus, I misunderstood your feelings. And for that reason, I kept to
myself a number of important thoughts. Good Brutus, tell me, can you see
your face?
BRUTUS
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itselfBut by reflection, by some other
things.
BRUTUS
No, Cassius, because the eye can’t see itself, except in reflections on
other surfaces.
CASSIUS
'Tis just.60And it is very much lamented, Brutus,That you have no such
mirrors as will turnYour hidden worthiness into your eyeThat you might
see your shadow . I have heardWhere many of the best respect in
Rome,65Except immortal Caesar, speaking of BrutusAnd groaning
underneath this age’s yoke,Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
CASSIUS
That’s a fact. But it’s a shame that you don’t have any mirrors in which to
view your own worthiness, Brutus. I’ve heard many of the most respected
Romans—with the exception of immortal Caesar—mention you while
complaining of the burden of our current government, and wish that your
eyes were working better.
BRUTUS
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,That you would have me
seek into myself70For that which is not in me?
BRUTUS
Cassius, what dangers do you want to lead me into, by asking me to look
inside myself for something that isn't in me?
CASSIUS
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to [Link] since you know you
cannot see yourselfSo well as by reflection, I, your glass,Will modestly
discover to yourself75That of yourself which you yet know not [Link] be
not jealous on me, gentle [Link] I a common laugher, or did useTo
stale with ordinary oaths my loveTo every new protester, if you
know80That I do fawn on men and hug them hardAnd, after, scandal
them, or if you knowThat I profess myself in banquetingTo all the rout,
then hold me dangerous.
CASSIUS
Be prepared to listen, good Brutus. And since you know the best way to
see yourself is by reflection, I'll act as your mirror and show to you the
parts of yourself of which you are unaware, without exaggerating. Don’t
be suspicious of what I say, noble Brutus. If I were some frivolous fool; or
made the same stale vows of friendship to every new friend I met; or if
you knew that I flatter men to their faces only to slander them once
they're gone; or if you learn that I make declarations of friendship to all
the mobs of people while at a feast, then, of course, don't believe me.
Trumpets play, and then a shout sounds.
Trumpets play, and then a shout sounds.
BRUTUS
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people85Choose Caesar for their
king.
BRUTUS
What is the meaning of this shouting? I fear the people have made Caesar
their king.
CASSIUS
Ay, do you fear it?Then must I think you would not have it so.
CASSIUS
Really, do you fear that? Then I must guess that you don’t want that to
happen.
BRUTUS
I would not, Cassius. Yet I love him [Link] wherefore do you hold me
here so long?90What is it that you would impart to me?If it be aught
toward the general good,Set honor in one eye and death i' th' other,And I
will look on both indifferently,For let the gods so speed me as I love95The
name of honor more than I fear death.
BRUTUS
I don’t, Cassius, even though I love Caesar dearly. But why do you keep
me here so long? What is it that you want to tell me? If it’s for the general
good of Rome, I’d do anything, even if it meant my death. May the gods
grant me good favor only so long as I love honor more than I fear death.
CASSIUS
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,As well as I do know your outward
[Link], honor is the subject of my story.I cannot tell what you and
other men100Think of this life, but, for my single self,I had as lief not be
as live to beIn awe of such a thing as I myself.I was born free as Caesar.
So were [Link] both have fed as well, and we can both105Endure the
winter’s cold as well as [Link] once upon a raw and gusty day,The
troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,Caesar said to me, “Darest thou,
Cassius, nowLeap in with me into this angry flood110And swim to yonder
point?” Upon the word,Accoutred as I was, I plungèd inAnd bade him
follow. So indeed he [Link] torrent roared, and we did buffet itWith lusty
sinews, throwing it aside115And stemming it with hearts of
[Link] ere we could arrive the point proposed,Caesar cried,
“Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,Did from the
flames of Troy upon his shoulder120The old Anchises bear, so from the
waves of TiberDid I the tired Caesar. And this manIs now become a god,
and Cassius isA wretched creature and must bend his bodyIf Caesar
carelessly but nod on him.125He had a fever when he was in Spain,And
when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake. 'Tis true, this god
did shake!His coward lips did from their color fly,And that same eye whose
bend doth awe the world130Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan,Ay,
and that tongue of his that bade the RomansMark him and write his
speeches in their books—“Alas,” it cried, “give me some drink, Titinius,”As
a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me135A man of such a feeble temper
shouldSo get the start of the majestic worldAnd bear the palm alone.
CASSIUS
I see that good quality in you, Brutus. It’s as familiar to me as your
appearance. In fact, honor is what I want to discuss with you. I don’t know
what you and other men think of this life. But, as for me, I’d rather not live
at all than stand in awe of a man no better than myself. I was born as free
as Caesar. So were you. We both have eaten as well, and we can both
endure the winter's cold as well as he. Once, on a harsh and windy day, as
the Tiber River swelled against its banks, Caesar said to me, “Cassius,
would you dare to jump with me into this rough water and swim to that
distant point?” The moment he said that—though I was still in my clothes
—I jumped in and told him to follow. He did. The water roared, and we
fought against it with all our strength, inspired to overcome it by our
competitive natures. But before we could reach our destination, Caesar
cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I'll sink!” Just like Aeneas carried on his
shoulders his elderly father Anchises from the fires of Troy, I carry the
tired Caesar from the waves of the Tiber. And this man has now become a
god, while I am a wretched creature who must bow down if Caesar
carelessly nods my way. When he was in Spain, Caesar had a fever. And
when he was in its grip, I noticed how he shook. It’s true, this “god” was
shaking! His cowardly lips lost their color, and that same eye whose gaze
now terrifies the world lost its gleam. Yes, I heard him groan. And that
tongue of his that ordered the Romans to listen to him and transcribe his
speeches in their books cried like a sick girl, “Oh, get me a drink,
Titinius.” Oh, by the gods, it amazes me that a man of such weak
constitution could get an advantage over the entire world and carry the
prize of victory alone.
A shout offstage. Trumpets play.
A shout offstage. Trumpets play.
BRUTUS
Another general shout!I do believe that these applauses are140For some
new honors that are heaped on Caesar.
BRUTUS
More shouting from the crowd! I think this applause is for some new honor
given to Caesar.
CASSIUS
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow worldLike a Colossus, and we
petty menWalk under his huge legs and peep aboutTo find ourselves
dishonorable graves.145Men at some time are masters of their [Link]
fault, dear Brutus, is not in our starsBut in ourselves, that we are
[Link] and Caesar—what should be in that “Caesar?”Why
should that name be sounded more than yours?150Write them together,
yours is as fair a [Link] them, it doth become the mouth as
[Link] them, it is as heavy. Conjure with 'em,“Brutus” will start a
spirit as soon as “Caesar.”Now in the names of all the gods at
once,155Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feedThat he is grown so
great? Age, thou art shamed!Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble
bloods!When went there by an age, since the great flood,But it was famed
with more than with one man?160When could they say till now, that
talked of Rome,That her wide walks encompassed but one man?Now is it
Rome indeed, and room enough,When there is in it but one only [Link],
you and I have heard our fathers say,165There was a Brutus once that
would have brookedTh' eternal devil to keep his state in RomeAs easily as
a king.
CASSIUS
Why, sir, he straddles the narrow world like a giant, and we petty men
walk under his huge legs and peek out just to find our graves, as if we
were slaves. Men can be masters of their fate. Brutus, our problem is not
destiny, but ourselves. “Brutus” and “Caesar"—what's special about
“Caesar?” Why should that name be shouted more than yours? Write
them together—yours looks just as good. Say them—yours is just as
pleasant to say. Weigh them—it’s just as heavy. Do magic with them, and
“Brutus” will call up a spirit just as well as “Caesar.” Now, in the name of
all the gods, I ask you what meat Caesar has eaten that has made him
grow to be so great? The people of our time should be ashamed! Rome
has lost the ability to raise noble men! When was there an age, since
the great flood, that didn’t contain more than one famous man? When
could anyone speaking of Rome say, before now, that just one man ruled
the entire city? Indeed, now Rome only has room for one man. Oh, you
and I have heard our fathers say that once there was a Brutus—your
ancestor—who would have let the devil reign in the Roman Republic
before he would allow a king.
BRUTUS
That you do love me, I am nothing [Link] you would work me to, I
have some aim.170How I have thought of this and of these timesI shall
recount hereafter. For this present,I would not, so with love I might
entreat you,Be any further moved. What you have saidI will consider, what
you have to say175I will with patience hear, and find a timeBoth meet to
hear and answer such high [Link] then, my noble friend, chew upon
this:Brutus had rather be a villagerThan to repute himself a son of
Rome180Under these hard conditions as this timeIs like to lay upon us.
BRUTUS
I do not doubt that you love me. I’m starting to understand what you
would like me to do. I'll tell you what I think about this and about what’s
happening in Rome later. For the moment—in the name of our friendship
—I would prefer that you not try to do any more persuading. I’ll think over
what you’ve said; I’ll listen patiently to whatever else you have to say;
and I’ll find an appropriate time for us to consider and make a decision
about such weighty matters. Until then, my noble friend, think about this: I
would rather be some villager than call myself a citizen of Rome during
the difficult situation these times are likely to put us through.
CASSIUS
I am glad that my weak wordsHave struck but thus much show of fire from
Brutus.
CASSIUS
I’m glad that my weak words have forced even this small show of passion
from you.
CAESAR enters with his followers, including CASCA.
CAESAR enters with his followers, including CASCA.
BRUTUS
The games are done and Caesar is returning.
BRUTUS
The games are finished, and Caesar is returning.
CASSIUS
185As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,And he will, after his sour
fashion, tell youWhat hath proceeded worthy note today.
CASSIUS
As they pass by, grab Casca by the sleeve. In his sour way, he'll tell you if
anything important happened today.
BRUTUS
I will do so. But, look you, Cassius,The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s
brow,190And all the rest look like a chidden [Link]’s cheek is
pale, and CiceroLooks with such ferret and such fiery eyesAs we have
seen him in the CapitolBeing crossed in conference by some senators.
BRUTUS
I’ll do so. But look there, Cassius. Caesar's face is full of anger while
everyone with him look like they’ve been scolded. Calphurnia’s face is
pale, and Cicero’s eyes are darting and angry, just as they get when
senators argue with him during sessions at the Capitol.
CASSIUS
195Casca will tell us what the matter is.
CASSIUS
Casca will tell us what's happened.
As CAESAR and ANTONY talk, BRUTUS pulls CASCA by the sleeve.
As CAESAR and ANTONY talk, BRUTUS pulls CASCA by the sleeve.
CAESAR
Antonio.
CAESAR
Antonio.
ANTONY
Caesar.
ANTONY
Caesar.
CAESAR
[aside to ANTONY] Let me have men about me that arefat,200Sleek-
headed men and such as sleep [Link] Cassius has a lean and
hungry [Link] thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
CAESAR
[To ANTONY so that only he can hear] I want the men around me to be fat,
well-groomed men who sleep soundly through the night. Cassius over
there has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Men like that are
dangerous.
ANTONY
[aside to CAESAR] Fear him not, Caesar. He’s notdangerous.205He is a
noble Roman and well given.
ANTONY
[To CAESAR so that only he can hear] Don’t be afraid of him, Caesar. He's
not dangerous. He’s a noble Roman with an honorable character.
CAESAR
[aside to ANTONY] Would he were fatter! But I fear [Link] if my name
were liable to fear,I do not know the man I should avoid210So soon as
that spare Cassius. He reads [Link] is a great observer, and he
looksQuite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,As thou dost,
Antony . He hears no [Link] he smiles, and smiles in such a
sort215As if he mocked himself and scorned his spiritThat could be moved
to smile at [Link] men as he be never at heart’s easeWhiles they
behold a greater than themselves,And therefore are they very
dangerous.220I rather tell thee what is to be fearedThan what I fear, for
always I am [Link] on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,And tell
me truly what thou think’st of him.
CAESAR
[To ANTONY so that only he can hear] If only he were fatter! But I’m not
afraid of him. Yet, if I myself were capable of fear, I don’t know of any man
I would avoid more than skinny Cassius. He reads a lot. He’s a skilled
observer, and he sees the hidden motives behind men’s actions. He
doesn’t enjoy plays like you do, Antony. He never listens to music. He
almost never smiles. Though when he does smile, he does it as if he’s
mocking the part of himself that could be inspired to smile by
anything. Men like him can never be content as long as they know that
there is someone better and more powerful than they are. And therefore
they’re very dangerous. I’m telling you what should be feared rather than
what I fear, because, after all, I am Caesar. Step over to my right side,
because my left ear is deaf, and tell me honestly what you think of
Cassius.
Trumpets play. CAESAR exits with all his followers except CASCA.
Trumpets play. CAESAR and all his followers except CASCA exit.
CASCA
[to BRUTUS]225You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me?
CASCA
[To BRUTUS] You pulled on my cloak. Do you want to speak with me?
BRUTUS
Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath chanced todayThat Caesar looks so sad.
BRUTUS
Yes, Casca. Tell us what happened today that made Caesar seem so
unhappy.
CASCA
Why, you were with him, were you not?
CASCA
Well, weren’t you with him?
BRUTUS
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
BRUTUS
If I were with him, I wouldn’t be asking what happened.
CASCA
230Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being offeredhim, he put it
by with the back of his hand, thus; andthen the people fell a-shouting.
CASCA
Well, a crown was offered to him, and, when it was offered, he pushed it
away with the back of his hand, like this—and then the people started
shouting.
BRUTUS
What was the second noise for?
BRUTUS
What was the second noise for?
CASCA
Why, for that too.
CASCA
For that same thing.
CASSIUS
235They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?
CASSIUS
They shouted three times. What was the last cry for?
CASCA
Why, for that too.
CASCA
For the same thing.
BRUTUS
Was the crown offered him thrice?
BRUTUS
The crown was offered to him three times?
CASCA
Ay, marry, was ’t, and he put it by thrice, every timegentler than other,
and at every putting-by mine honest240neighbors shouted.
CASCA
Yes, that's right, it was. And he pushed it away three times, but each time
more gently than the last. And each time he pushed it away, my noble
countrymen cheered.
CASSIUS
Who offered him the crown?
CASSIUS
Who offered him the crown?
CASCA
Why, Antony.
CASCA
Antony.
BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
BRUTUS
Tell us what it was like, noble Casca.
CASCA
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It245was mere foolery. I
did not mark it. I saw Mark Antonyoffer him a crown (yet ’twas not a crown
neither, ’twasone of these coronets) and, as I told you, he put it byonce—
but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fainhave had it . Then he offered
it to him again, then he250put it by again—but, to my thinking, he was
very loathto lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it thethird time. He
put it the third time by. And still, ashe refused it, the rabblement hooted
and clapped theirchopp'd hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps
and255uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesarrefused the
crown that it had almost choked Caesar—forhe swooned and fell down at
it. And for mine own part, Idurst not laugh for fear of opening my lips
andreceiving the bad air.
CASCA
I'd just as soon be hanged than describe it! It was all foolishness. I paid no
attention. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown—though it wasn’t a real
crown, it was more like a wreath—and, as I told you, Caesar refused it
once. Although, in my opinion, he would’ve gladly taken it. Then Antony
offered it to him again, and Caesar refused it again—though, in my
opinion, he didn't want to take his hand off it. Then Antony offered it the
third time, and Caesar refused it the third time. Yet even as he refused it,
the masses hooted and clapped their chapped hands, and threw up their
sweaty hats, and roared out such a load of stinking breath because
Caesar refused the crown that it nearly choked Caesar, who fainted and
fell down. As for me, I didn’t dare laugh because I feared opening my lips
and inhaling the stinking air.
CASSIUS
260But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
CASSIUS
Stop for a moment, please. What, did Caesar faint?
CASCA
He fell down in the marketplace, and foamed at mouth,and was
speechless.
CASCA
He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at the mouth and couldn't
speak.
BRUTUS
'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness.
BRUTUS
That’s very likely. He has epilepsy, the falling sickness.
CASSIUS
No, Caesar hath it not. But you and I265And honest Casca, we have the
falling sickness.
CASSIUS
No, Caesar doesn’t have it. But you and I, and honest Casca, we have the
falling sickness.
CASCA
I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesarfell down. If the
tag-rag people did not clap him andhiss him according as he pleased and
displeased them, asthey use to do the players in the theatre, I am no
true270man.
CASCA
I don’t know what you mean by that. But I’m sure Caesar fell down. If the
masses didn’t clap for him or hiss at him based on whether he pleased or
displeased them—just as they do for actors in the theater—then I’m a liar.
BRUTUS
What said he when he came unto himself?
BRUTUS
What did he say when he woke up?
CASCA
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived thecommon herd was glad
he refused the crown, he plucked meope his doublet and offered them his
throat to cut. An275I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not
havetaken him at a word, I would I might go to hell amongthe rogues. And
so he fell. When he came to himselfagain, he said, if he had done or said
anything amiss,he desired their worships to think it was his
infirmity.280Three or four wenches where I stood cried, “Alas, goodsoul!”
and forgave him with all their hearts. Butthere’s no heed to be taken of
them. If Caesar hadstabbed their mothers they would have done no less.
CASCA
Well, before he fell down—when he realized the commoners were glad he
refused the crown—he pulled open his jacket and offered them his throat
to cut. If I were a common laborer and didn't take him at his word and cut
his throat, then to hell with me. Then he fainted. When he came to, he
said to the crowd that if he’d done or said anything wrong, he wanted
them to know that it was caused by his sickness. Three or four women
standing near me cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave him with all their
hearts. But don't pay any attention to them—if Caesar had stabbed their
mothers, they would have said the same thing.
BRUTUS
And after that he came thus sad away?
BRUTUS
And after all that he came this way looking so serious?
CASCA
285Ay.
CASCA
Yes.
CASSIUS
Did Cicero say anything?
CASSIUS
Did Cicero say anything?
CASCA
Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASCA
Yes, he said something in Greek.
CASSIUS
To what effect?
CASSIUS
What did he say?
CASCA
Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne'er look you i' th'290face again. But those that
understood him smiled at oneanother and shook their heads. But, for mine
own part,it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news [Link] and
Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’simages, are put to silence. Fare you
well. There was295more foolery yet, if I could remember it.
CASCA
No, if I told you I understood what he was saying, I wouldn’t be able to
look you in the eye. But those who did understand him smiled at one
another and shook their heads. But, speaking for myself, it was Greek to
me. But I have more news to tell you. Murellus and Flavius have been
punished for pulling scarves off of statues of Caesar. Goodbye. There was
more foolishness, too, but I can’t remember it.
CASSIUS
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
CASSIUS
Will you have dinner with me tonight, Casca?
CASCA
No, I am promised forth.
CASCA
No, I have another commitment.
CASSIUS
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
CASSIUS
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
CASCA
Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner300worth the eating.
CASCA
Yes, if I’m still alive, and you’re still sane, and your dinner is worth eating.
CASSIUS
Good. I will expect you.
CASSIUS
Good. I’ll expect you.
CASCA
Do so. Farewell both.
CASCA
Do that. Farewell to both of you.
CASCA exits.
CASCA exits.
BRUTUS
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!He was quick mettle when he went
to school.
BRUTUS
What a dull man he’s become! He was so quick-witted when he was in
school.
CASSIUS
305So is he now in executionOf any bold or noble enterprise,However he
puts on this tardy [Link] rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,Which
gives men stomach to digest his words310With better appetite.
CASSIUS
And he’s quick-witted now when it comes to carrying out any bold or
noble enterprise, despite this show of being dull. The crudeness of his
words is a kind of tasty sauce for the wisdom of what he says, which
makes other people more likely to listen to him.
BRUTUS
And so it is. For this time I will leave [Link], if you please to speak
with me,I will come home to you. Or, if you will,Come home to me, and I
will wait for you.
BRUTUS
That’s it exactly. For now, I’ll leave you. Tomorrow, if you’d like to speak
with me, I’ll come to your house. Or, if you want, come to my house, and
I’ll wait for you.
CASSIUS
315I will do so. Till then, think of the world.
CASSIUS
I’ll do that. Until then, think of what’s best for the world.
BRUTUS exits.
BRUTUS exits.
CASSIUS
Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I seeThy honorable mettle may be
wroughtFrom that it is disposed. Therefore it is meetThat noble minds
keep ever with their likes,320For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves [Link] I were Brutus now and
he were Cassius,He should not humor me. I will this night,In several
hands, in at his windows throw,325As if they came from several
citizens,Writings all tending to the great opinionThat Rome holds of his
name, wherein obscurelyCaesar’s ambition shall be glancèd [Link] after
this let Caesar seat him sure,330For we will shake him, or worse days
endure.
CASSIUS
Well, Brutus, you’re noble. Yet I see that your honorable nature can be
turned from its usual inclination. Therefore, it's better for noble men to
spend time only with other noble men, because who is so firm that he
can’t be seduced? Caesar doesn't like me, but he loves Brutus. If I were
Brutus now and he were Cassius, I wouldn’t have let him persuade
me. Tonight I’ll throw a few letters through his window—each written with
different handwriting, as if they came from different citizens—all saying
how great his reputation is throughout all of Rome, while also hinting at
Caesar’s ambition. And after this, Caesar won't be able to sit comfortably
in his power, because we’ll either overthrow him, or suffer worse than we
do now.
CASSIUS exits.
CASSIUS exits.