 | The Tragedie of Ivlivs Caesar |  |
Actus Tertius.
Flourish. Enter Cæsar, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cynna, Antony, Lepidus, Artimedorus, Publius, and the Soothsayer.Cæs.
The Ides of March are come.
Sooth.
I Cæsar, but not gone.
Art.
Haile Cæsar: Read this Scedule.
Deci.
Trebonius doth desire you to ore-read
(At your best leysure) this his humble suite.
Art.
O Cæsar, reade mine first: for mine's a suite
That touches Cæsar neerer. Read it great Cæsar.
Cæs.
What touches vs our selfe, shall be last seru'd.
Art.
Delay not Cæsar, read it instantly.
Cæs.
What, is the fellow mad?
Pub.
Sirra, giue place.
Cassi.
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.
Bru.
What said Popillius Lena?
Cassi.
He wisht to day our enterprize might thriue:
I feare our purpose is discouered.
Bru.
Looke how he makes to Cæsar: marke him.
Cassi.
Caska be sodaine, for we feare preuention.
Brutus what shall be done? If this be knowne,
Cassius or Cæsar neuer shall turne backe,
For I will slay my selfe.
Bru.
Cassius be constant:
Popillius Lena speakes not of our purposes,
For looke he smiles, and Cæsar 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 Cæsar.
Bru.
He is addrest: presse neere, and second him.
Cin.
Caska, you are the first that teares your hand.
Cæs.
Are we all ready? What is now amisse,
That Cæsar and his Senate must redresse?
Metel.
Most high, most mighty, and most puisant Cæsar
Metellus Cymber throwes before thy Seate
An humble heart.
Cæs.
I must preuent thee Cymber:
These couchings, and these lowly courtefies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turne pre-Ordinance, and first Decree
Into the lane of Children. Be not fond.
To thinke that Cæsar beares such Rebell blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth Fooles, I meane sweet words,
Low-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, Cæsar doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Metel.
Is there no voyce more worthy then my owne,
119
For the repealing of my banish'd Brother?
Bru.
I kisse thy hand, but not in flattery Cæsar:
Desiring thee, that Publius Cymber may
Haue an immediate freedome of repeale.
Cæs.
What Brutus?
Cassi.
Pardon Cæsar: Cæsar pardon:
As lowe as to thy foote doth Cassius fall,
To begge infranchisement for Publius Cymber.
Cæs.
I could be well mou'd, if I were as you,
If I could pray to mooue, Prayers would mooue me:
But I am constant as the Northerne Starre,
Of whose true fixt, and resting quality,
There is no fellow in the Firmament.
The Skies are painted with vnnumbred sparkes,
They are all Fire, and euery one doth shine:
But, there's but one in all doth hold his place.
So, in the World; 'Tis furnish'd well with Men,
And Men are Flesh and Blood, and apprehensiue;
Yet in the number, I do know but One
That vnassayleable holds on his Ranke,
Vnshak'd of Motion: and that I am he,
Let me a little shew it, euen in this:
That I was constant Cymber should be banish'd,
And constant do remaine to keepe him so.
Cinna.
O Cæsar.
Cæs.
Hence: Wilt thou lift vp Olympus?
Decius.
Great Cæsar.
Cæs.
Doth not Brutus bootlesse kneele?
Cask.
Speake hands for me.
They stab Cæsar.
Cæs.
Et Tu Brutè?—Then fall Cæsar.
Dyes
Cin.
Liberty, Freedome; Tyranny is dead,
Run hence, proclaime, cry it about the Streets.
Cassi.
Some to the common Pulpits, and cry out
Liberty, Freedome, and Enfranchisement.
Bru.
People and Senators, be not affrighted:
Fly not, stand still: Ambitions debt is paid.
Cask.
Go to the Pulpit Brutus.
Dec.
And Cassius too.
Bru.
Where's Publius?
Cin.
Heere, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Met.
Stand fast together, least some Friend of Cæsars
Should chance—
Bru.
Talke not of standing. Publius good cheere,
There is no harme intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them Publius.
Cassi.
And leaue vs Publius, least that the people
Rushing on vs, should do your Age some mischiefe.
Bru.
Do so, and let no man abide this deede,
But we the Doers.
Enter Trebonius.
Cassi.
Where is Antony?
Treb.
Fled to his House amaz'd:
Men, Wiues, and Children, stare, cry out, and run,
As it were Doomesday.
Bru.
Fates, we will know your pleasures:
That we shall dye we know, 'tis but the time
And drawing dayes out, that men stand vpon.
Cask.
Why he that cuts off twenty yeares of life,
Cuts off so many yeares of fearing death.
Bru.
Grant that, and then is Death a Benefit:
So are we Cæsars Friends, that haue abridg'd
His time of fearing death. Stoope Romans, stoope,
And let vs bathe our hands in Cæsars blood
Vp to the Elbowes, and besmeare our Swords:
Then walke we forth, euen to the Market place,
And wauing our red Weapons o're our heads,
Let's all cry Peace, Freedome, and Liberty.
Cassi.
Stoop then, and wash. How many Ages hence
Shall this our lofty Scene be acted ouer,
In State vnborne, and Accents yet vnknowne?
Bru.
How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompeyes Basis lye along,
No worthier then the dust?
Cassi.
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of vs be call'd,
The Men that gaue their Country liberty.
Dec.
What, shall we forth?
Cassi.
I, euery man away.
Brutus shall leade, and we will grace his heeles
With the most boldest, and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Seruant.
Bru.
Soft, who comes heere? A friend of Antonies.
Ser.
Thus Brutus did my Master bid me kneele;
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall downe,
And being prostrate, thus he bad me say:
Brutus is Noble, Wise, Valiant, and Honest;
Cæsar was Mighty, Bold, Royall, and Louing:
Say, I loue Brutus, and I honour him;
Say, I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lou'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolu'd
How Cæsar hath deseru'd to lye in death,
Mark Antony, shall not loue Cæsar dead
So well as Brutus liuing; but will follow
The Fortunes and Affayres of Noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this vntrod State,
With all true Faith. So sayes my Master Antony.
Bru.
Thy Master is a Wise and Valiant Romane,
I neuer thought him worse:
Tell him, so please him come vnto this place
He shall be satisfied: and by my Honor
Depart vntouch'd.
Ser.
Ile fetch him presently.
Exit Seruant.
Bru.
I know that we shall haue him well to Friend.
Cassi.
I wish we may: But yet haue I a minde
That feares him much: and my misgiuing still
Falles shrewdly to the purpose.
Enter Antony.
Bru.
But heere comes Antony:
Welcome Mark Antony.
Ant.
O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lye so lowe?
Are all thy Conquests, Glories, Triumphes, Spoiles,
Shrunke to this little Measure? Fare thee well.
I know not Gentlemen what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is ranke:
If I my selfe, there is no houre so fit
As Cæsars deaths houre; nor no Instrument
Of halfe that worth, as those your Swords; made rich
With the most Noble blood of all this World.
I do beseech yee, if you beare me hard,
Now, whil'st your purpled hands do reeke and smoake,
Fulfill your pleasure. Liue a thousand yeeres,
I shall not finde my selfe so apt to dye.
No place will please me so, no meane of death,
As heere by Cæsar, and by you cut off,
The Choice and Master Spirits of this Age.
Bru.
O Antony! Begge not your death of vs:
Though now we must appeare bloody and cruell,
As by our hands, and this our present Acte
You see we do: Yet see you but our hands,
120
Our hearts you see not, they are pittifull:
And pitty to the generall wrong of Rome,
As fire driues out fire, so pitty, pitty
Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part,
To you, our Swords haue leaden points Marke Antony:
Our Armes in strength of malice, and our Hearts
Of Brothers temper, do receiue you in,
With all kinde loue, good thoughts, and reuerence.
Cassi.
Your voyce shall be as strong as any mans,
In the disposing of new Dignities.
Bru.
Onely be patient, till we haue appeas'd
The Multitude, beside themselues with feare,
And then, we will deliuer you the cause,
Why I, that did loue Cæsar when I strooke him,
Haue thus proceeded.
Ant.
I doubt not of your Wisedome:
Let each man render me his bloody hand.
First Marcus Brutus will I shake with you;
Next Caius Cassius do I take your hand;
Now Decius Brutus yours; now yours Metellus;
Yours Cinna; and my valiant Caska, yours;
Though last, not least in loue, yours good Trebonius,
Gentlemen all: Alas, what shall I say,
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad wayes you must conceit me,
Either a Coward, or a Flatterer.
That I did loue thee Cæsar, O'tis true:
If then thy Spirit looke vpon vs now,
Shall it not greeue thee deerer then thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy Foes?
Most Noble, in the presence of thy Coarse,
Had I as many eyes, as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they streame forth thy blood,
It would become me better, then to close
In tearmes of Friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me Iulius, heere was't thou bay'd braue Hart,
Heere did'st thou fall, and heere thy Hunters stand
Sign'd in thy Spoyle, and Crimson'd in thy Lethee.
O World! thou wast the Forrest to this Hart,
And this indeed, O World, the Hart of thee.
How like a Deere, stroken by many Princes,
Dost thou heere lye?
Cassi.
Mark Antony.
Ant.
Pardon me Caius Cassius:
The Enemies of Cæsar, shall say this:
Then, in a Friend, it is cold Modestie.
Cassi.
I blame you not for praising Cæsar so,
But what compact meane you to haue with vs?
Will you be prick'd in number of our Friends,
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
Ant.
Therefore I tooke your hands, but was indeed
Sway'd from the point, by looking downe on Cæsar.
Friends am I with you all, and loue you all,
Vpon this hope, that you shall giue me Reasons,
Why, and wherein, Cæsar was dangerous.
Bru.
Or else were this a sauage Spectacle:
Our Reasons are so full of good regard,
That were you Antony, the Sonne of Cæsar,
You should be satisfied.
Ant.
That's all I seeke,
And am moreouer sutor, that I may
Produce his body to the Market-place,
And in the Pulpit as becomes a Friend,
Speake in the Order of his Funerall.
Bru.
You shall Marke Antony.
Cassi.
Brutus, a word with you:
You know not what you do; Do not consent
That Antony speake in his Funerall:
Know you how much the people may be mou'd
By that which he will vtter.
Bru.
By your pardon:
I will my selfe into the Pulpit first,
And shew the reason of our Cæsars death.
What Antony shall speake, I will protest
He speakes by leaue, and by permission:
And that we are contented Cæsar shall
Haue all true Rites, and lawfull Ceremonies,
It shall aduantage more, then do vs wrong.
Cassi.
I know not what may fall, I like it not.
Bru.
Mark Antony, heere take you Cæsars body:
You shall not in your Funerall speech blame vs,
But speake all good you can deuise of Cæsar,
And say you doo't by our permission:
Else shall you not haue any hand at all
About his Funerall. And you shall speake
In the same Pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Ant.
Be it so:
I do desire no more.
Bru.
Prepare the body then, and follow vs.
Exeunt.
Manet Antony.
O pardon me, thou bleeding peece of Earth:
That I am meeke and gentle with these Butchers.
Thou art the Ruines of the Noblest man
That euer liued in the Tide of Times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly Blood.
Ouer thy wounds, now do I Prophesie,
(Which like dumbe mouthes do ope their Ruby lips,
To begge the voyce and vtterance of my Tongue)
A Curse shall light vpon the limbes of men;
Domesticke Fury, and fierce Ciuill strife,
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy:
Blood and destruction shall be so in vse,
And dreadfull Obiects so familiar,
That Mothers shall but smile, when they behold
Their Infants quartered with the hands of Warre:
All pitty choak'd with custome of fell deeds,
And Cæsars Spirit ranging for Reuenge,
With Ate by his side, come hot from Hell,
Shall in these Confines, with a Monarkes voyce,
Cry hauocke, and let slip the Dogges of Warre,
That this foule deede, shall smell aboue the earth
With Carrion men, groaning for Buriall.
Enter Octavio's Seruant.
You serue Octauius Cæsar, do you not?
Ser.
I do Marke Antony.
Ant.
Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome.
Ser.
He did receiue his Letters, and is comming,
And bid me say to you by word of mouth—.
O Cæsar!
Ant.
Thy heart is bigge: get thee a-part and weepe:
Passion I see is catching from mine eyes,
Seeing those Beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Began to water. Is thy Master comming?
Ser.
He lies tonight within seuen Leagues of Rome.
Ant.
Post backe with speede,
And tell him what hath chanc'd:
Heere is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octauius yet,
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay a-while,
121
Into the Market place: There shall I try
In my Oration, how the People take
The cruell issue of these bloody men,
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To yong Octauius, of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt
Enter Brutus and goes into the Pulpit, and Cassius, with the Plebeians.
Ple.
We will be satisfied: let vs be satisfied.
Bru.
Then follow me, and giue me Audience friends.
Cassius go you into the other streete,
And part the Numbers:
Those that will heare me speake, let 'em stay heere;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him,
And publike Reasons shall be rendred
Of Cæsars death.
1. Ple.
I will heare Brutus speake.
2.
I will heare Cassius, and compare their Reasons,
When seuerally we heare them rendred.
3.
The Noble Brutus is ascended: Silence.
Bru.
Be patient till the last.
Romans, Countrey-men, and Louers, heare mee for my
cause, and be silent, that you may heare. Beleeue me for
mine Honor, and haue respect to mine Honor, that you
may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedom, and awake
your Senses, that you may the better Iudge. If there bee
any in this Assembly, any deere Friend of Cæsars, to him
I say, that Brutus loue to Cæsar, was no lesse then his. If
then, that Friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæsar,
this is my answer: Not that I lou'd Cæsar lesse, but
that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were liuing,
and dye all Slaues; then that Cæsar were dead, to
liue all Free-men? As Cæsar lou'd mee, I weepe for him;
as he was Fortunate, I reioyce at it; as he was Valiant, I
honour him: But, as he was Ambitious, I slew him. There
is Teares, for his Loue: Ioy, for his Fortune: Honor, for
his Valour: and Death, for his Ambition. Who is heere
so base, that would be a Bondman? If any, speak, for him
haue I offended. Who is heere so rude, that would not
be a Roman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who
is heere so vile, that will not loue his Countrey? If any,
speake, for him haue I offended. I pause for a Reply.
All.
None Brutus, none.
Brutus.
Then none haue I offended. I haue done no
more to Cæsar, then you shall do to Brutus. The Question
of his death, is inroll'd in the Capitoll: his Glory not
extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd,
for which he suffered death.
Heere comes his Body, mourn'd by Marke Antony, who
though he had no hand in his death, shall receiue the benefit
of his dying, a place in the Cōmonwealth, as which
of you shall not. With this I depart, that as I slewe my
best Louer for the good of Rome, I haue the same Dagger
for my selfe, when it shall please my Country to need
my death.
All.
Liue Brutus, liue, liue.
1.
Bring him with Triumph home vnto his house.
2.
Giue him a Statue with his Ancestors.
3.
Let him be Cæsar.
4.
Cæsars better parts,
Shall be Crown'd in Brutus.
1.
Wee'l bring him to his House,
With Showts and Clamors.
Bru.
My Country-men.
2.
Peace, silence, Brutus speakes.
1.
Peace ho.
Bru.
Good Countrymen, let me depart alone,
And (for my sake) stay heere with Antony:
Do grace to Cæsars Corpes, and grace his Speech
Tending to Cæsars Glories, which Marke Antony
(By our permission) is allow'd to make.
I do intreat you, not a man depart,
Saue I alone, till Antony haue spoke.
Exit
1
Stay ho, and let vs heare Mark Antony.
3
Let him go vp into the publike Chaire,
Wee'l heare him: Noble Antony go vp.
Ant.
For Brutus sake, I am beholding to you.
4
What does he say of Brutus?
3
He sayes, for Brutus sake
He findes himselfe beholding to vs all.
4
'Twere best he speake no harme of Brutus heere?
1
This Cæsar was a Tyrant.
3
Nay that's certaine:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
2
Peace, let vs heare what Antony can say.
Ant.
You gentle Romans.
All.
Peace hoe, let vs heare him.
An.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears:
I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him:
The euill that men do, liues after them,
The good is oft enterred with their bones,
So let it be with Cæsar. The Noble Brutus,
Hath told you Cæsar was Ambitious:
If it were so, it was a greeuous Fault,
And greeuously hath Cæsar answer'd it.
Heere, vnder leaue of Brutus, and the rest
(For Brutus is an Honourable man,
So are they all; all Honourable men)
Come I to speake in Cæsars Funerall.
He was my Friend, faithfull, and iust to me;
But Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious,
And Brutus is an Honourable man.
He hath brought many Captiues home to Rome,
Whose Ransomes, did the generall Coffers fill:
Did this in Cæsar seeme Ambitious?
When that the poore haue cry'de, Cæsar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuffe,
Yet Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious:
And Brutus is an Honourable man.
You all did see, that on the Lupercall,
I thrice presented him a Kingly Crowne,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this Ambition?
Yet Brutus sayes, he was Ambitious:
And sure he is an Honourable man.
I speake not to disprooue what Brutus spoke,
But heere I am, to speake what I do know;
You all did loue him once, not without cause,
What cause with-holds you then, to mourne for him?
O Iudgement! thou are fled to brutish Beasts,
And Men haue lost their Reason. Beare with me,
My heart is in the Coffin there with Cæsar,
And I must pawse, till it come backe to me.
1
Me thinkes there is much reason in his sayings.
2
If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Cæsar ha's had great wrong.
3
Ha's hee Masters? I feare there will a worse come in his place.
122
Mark'd ye his words? he would not take ye Crown,
Therefore 'tis certaine, he was not Ambitious.
1.
If it be found so, some will deere abide it.
2.
Poore soule, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
3.
There's not a Nobler man in Rome then Antony.
4.
Now marke him, he begins againe to speake.
Ant.
But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might
Haue stood against the World: Now lies he there,
And none so poore to do him reuerence.
O Maisters! If I were dispos'd to stirre
Your hearts and mindes to Mutiny and Rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong:
Who (you all know) are Honourable men.
I will not do them wrong: I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong my selfe and you,
Then I will wrong such Honourable men.
But heere's a Parchment, with the Seale of Cæsar,
I found it in his Closset, 'tis his Will:
Let but the Commons heare this Testament:
(Which pardon me) I do not meane to reade,
And they would go and kisse dead Cæsars wounds,
And I dip their Napkins in his Sacred Blood;
Yea, begge a haire of him for Memory,
And dying, mention it within their Willes,
Bequeathing it as a rich Legacie
Vnto their issue.
4
Wee'l heare the Will, reade it Marke Antony.
All.
The Will, the Will; we will heare Cæsars Will.
Ant.
Haue patience gentle Friends, I must not read it.
It is not meete you know how Cæsar lou'd you:
You are not Wood, you are not Stones, but men:
And being men, hearing the Will of Cæsar,
It will inflame you it will make you mad;
'Tis good you know not that you are his Heires,
For if you should, O what would come of it?
4
Read the Will, wee'l heare it Antony:
You shall reade vs the Will, Cæsars Will.
Ant.
Will you be Patient? Will you stay a-while?
I haue o're-shot my selfe to tell you of it,
I feare I wrong the Honourable men,
Whose Daggers haue stabb'd Cæsar: I do feare it.
4
They were Traitors: Honourable men?
All.
The Will, the Testament.
2
They were Villaines, Murderers: the Will, read the Will.
Ant.
You will compell me then to read the Will:
Then make a Ring about the Corpes of Cæsar,
And let me shew you him that made the Will:
Shall I descend? And will you giue me leaue?
All.
Come downe.
2
Descend.
3
You shall haue leaue.
4
A Ring, stand round.
1
Stand from the Hearse, stand from the Body.
2
Roome for Antony, most Noble Antony.
Ant.
Nay presse not so vpon me, stand farre off.
All.
Stand backe: roome, beare backe.
Ant.
If you haue teares, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this Mantle, I remember
The first time euer Cæsar put it on,
'Twas on a Summers Euening in his Tent,
That day he ouercame the Neruij.
Looke, in this place ran Cassius Dagger through:
See what a rent the enuious Caska made:
Through this, the wel-beloued Brutus stabb'd,
And as he pluck'd his cursed Steele away:
Marke how the blood of Cæsar followed it,
As rushing out of doores, to be resolu'd
If Brutus so vnkindely knock'd, or no:
For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsars Angel.
Iudge, O you Gods, how deerely Cæsar lou'd him:
This was the most vnkindest cut of all.
For when the Noble Cæsar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong then Traitors armes,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his Mighty heart,
And in his Mantle, muffling vp his face,
Euen at the Base of Pompeyes Statue
(Which all the while ran blood) great Cæsar fell.
O what a fall was there, my Countrymen?
Then I, and you, and all of vs fell downe,
Whil'st bloody Treason flourish'd ouer vs.
O now you weepe, and I perceiue you feele
The dint of pitty: These are gracious droppes.
Kinde Soules, what weepe you, when you but behold
Our Cæsars Vesture wounded? Looke you heere,
Heere is Himselfe, marr'd as you see with Traitors.
1.
O pitteous spectacle!
2.
O Noble Cæsar!
3.
O wofull day!
4.
O Traitors, Villaines!
1.
O most bloody sight!
2.
We will be reueng'd: Reuenge
About, seeke, burne, fire, kill, slay,
Let not a Traitor liue.
Ant.
Stay Country-men.
1.
Peace there, heare the Noble Antony.
2.
Wee'l heare him, wee'l follow him, wee'l dy with
him.
Ant.
Good Friends, sweet Friends, let me not stirre you vp
To such a sodaine Flood of Mutiny:
They that haue done this Deede, are honourable.
What priuate greefes they haue, alas I know not,
That made them do it: They are Wise, and Honourable,
And will no doubt with Reasons answer you.
I come not (Friends) to steale away your hearts,
I am no Orator, as Brutus is;
But (as you know me all) a plaine blunt man
That loue my Friend, and that they know full well,
That gaue me publike leaue to speake of him:
For I haue neyther writ nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor Vtterance, nor the power of Speech,
To stirre mens Blood. I onely speake right on:
I tell you that, which you your selues do know,
Shew you sweet Cæsars wounds, poor poor dum mouths
And bid them speake for me: But were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle vp your Spirits, and put a Tongue
In euery Wound of Cæsar, that should moue
The stones of Rome, to rise and Mutiny.
All.
Wee'l Mutiny.
1
Wee'l burne the house of Brutus.
3
Away then, come, seeke the Conspirators.
Ant.
Yet heare me Countrymen, yet heare me speake
All.
Peace hoe, heare Antony, most Noble Antony.
Ant.
Why Friends, you go to do you know not what:
Wherein hath Cæsar thus deseru'd your loues?
Alas you know not, I must tell you then:
You haue forgot the Will I told you of.
All.
Most true, the Will, let's stay and heare the Wil.
Ant.
Heere is the Will, and vnder Cæsars Seale:
To euery Roman Citizen he giues,
To euery seuerall man, seuenty fiue Drachmaes.
123
Most Noble Cæsar, wee'l reuenge his death.
3 Ple.
O Royall Cæsar.
Ant.
Heare me with patience.
All.
Peace hoe
Ant.
Moreouer, he hath left you all his Walkes,
His priuate Arbors, and new-planted Orchards,
On this side Tyber, he hath left them you,
And to your heyres for euer: common pleasures
To walke abroad, and recreate your selues.
Heere was a Cæsar: when comes such another?
1. Ple.
Neuer, neuer: come, away, away:
Wee'l burne his body in the holy place,
And with the Brands fire the Traitors houses.
Take vp the body.
2. Ple.
Go fetch fire.
3. Ple.
Plucke downe Benches.
4. Ple.
Plucke downe Formes, Windowes, any thing.
Exit Plebeians.
Ant.
Now let it worke: Mischeefe thou art a-foot,
Take thou what course thou wilt.
How now Fellow?
Enter Seruant.
Ser.
Sir, Octauius is already come to Rome.
Ant.
Where is hee?
Ser.
He and Lepidus are at Cæsars house.
Ant.
And thither will I straight, to visit him:
He comes vpon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will giue vs any thing.
Ser.
I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like Madmen through the Gates of Rome.
Ant.
Belike they had some notice of the people
How I had moued them. Bring me to Octauius.
Exeunt
Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians.
Cinna.
I dreamt to night, that I did feast with Cæsar,
And things vnluckily charge my Fantasie:
I haue no will to wander foorth of doores,
Yet something leads me foorth.
1.
What is your name?
2.
Whether are you going?
3.
Where do you dwell?
4.
Are you a married man, or a Batchellor?
2.
Answer euery man directly.
1.
I, and breefely.
4.
I, and wisely.
3.
I, and truly, you were best.
Cin.
What is my name? Whether am I going? Where
do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a Batchellour? Then
to answer euery man, directly and breefely, wisely and
truly: wisely I say, I am a Batchellor.
2.
That's as much as to say, they are fooles that marrie:
you'l beare me a bang for that I feare: proceede directly.
Cinna.
Directly I am going to Cæsars Funerall.
1.
As a Friend, or an Enemy?
Cinna.
As a friend.
2.
That matter is answered directly.
4.
For your dwelling: breefely.
Cinna.
Breefely, I dwell by the Capitoll.
3.
Your name sir, truly.
Cinna.
Truly, my name is Cinna.
1.
Teare him to peeces, hee's a Conspirator.
Cinna.
I am Cinna the Poet, I am Cinna the Poet.
4.
Teare him for his bad verses, teare him for his bad
Verses.
Cin.
I am not Cinna the Conspirator.
4.
It is no matter, his name's Cinna, plucke but his
name out of his heart, and turne him going.
3.
Teare him, tear him; Come Brands hoe, Firebrands:
to Brutus, to Cassius, burne all. Some to Decius House,
and some to Caska's; some to Ligarius: Away, go.
Exeunt all the Plebeians.
| The Tragedie of Ivlivs Caesar | |