Enter Flavius, Marullus, and certain Commoners,
including a Carpenter and a Cobbler, over the stage.

FLAVIUS 
FTLN 0001 Hence! Home, you idle creatures, get you home!
FTLN 0002 Is this a holiday? What, know you not,
FTLN 0003 Being mechanical, you ought not walk
FTLN 0004 Upon a laboring day without the sign
FTLN 00055 Of your profession?—Speak, what trade art thou?
CARPENTER  FTLN 0006Why, sir, a carpenter.
MARULLUS 
FTLN 0007 Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?
FTLN 0008 What dost thou with thy best apparel on?—
FTLN 0009 You, sir, what trade are you?
COBBLER  FTLN 001010Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am
FTLN 0011 but, as you would say, a cobbler.
MARULLUS 
FTLN 0012 But what trade art thou? Answer me directly.
COBBLER  FTLN 0013A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe
FTLN 0014 conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad
FTLN 001515 soles.
FLAVIUS 
FTLN 0016 What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what
FTLN 0017 trade?

---

COBBLER  FTLN 0018Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me.
FTLN 0019 Yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you.
MARULLUS 
FTLN 002020 What mean’st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy
FTLN 0021 fellow?
COBBLER  FTLN 0022Why, sir, cobble you.
FLAVIUS  FTLN 0023Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
COBBLER  FTLN 0024Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the
FTLN 002525 awl. I meddle with no tradesman’s matters nor
FTLN 0026 women’s matters, but withal I am indeed, sir, a
FTLN 0027 surgeon to old shoes: when they are in great danger,
FTLN 0028 I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon
FTLN 0029 neat’s leather have gone upon my handiwork.
FLAVIUS 
FTLN 003030 But wherefore art not in thy shop today?
FTLN 0031 Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?
COBBLER  FTLN 0032Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to
FTLN 0033 get myself into more work. But indeed, sir, we
FTLN 0034 make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his
FTLN 003535 triumph.
MARULLUS 
FTLN 0036 Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?
FTLN 0037 What tributaries follow him to Rome
FTLN 0038 To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?
FTLN 0039 You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless
FTLN 004040 things!
FTLN 0041 O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
FTLN 0042 Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
FTLN 0043 Have you climbed up to walls and battlements,
FTLN 0044 To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops,
FTLN 004545 Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
FTLN 0046 The livelong day, with patient expectation,
FTLN 0047 To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome.
FTLN 0048 And when you saw his chariot but appear,
FTLN 0049 Have you not made an universal shout,
FTLN 005050 That Tiber trembled underneath her banks

---

FTLN 0051 To hear the replication of your sounds
FTLN 0052 Made in her concave shores?
FTLN 0053 And do you now put on your best attire?
FTLN 0054 And do you now cull out a holiday?
FTLN 005555 And do you now strew flowers in his way
FTLN 0056 That comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood?
FTLN 0057 Be gone!
FTLN 0058 Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
FTLN 0059 Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
FTLN 006060 That needs must light on this ingratitude.
FLAVIUS 
FTLN 0061 Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault
FTLN 0062 Assemble all the poor men of your sort,
FTLN 0063 Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
FTLN 0064 Into the channel, till the lowest stream
FTLN 006565 Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.
All the Commoners exit.
FTLN 0066 See whe’er their basest mettle be not moved.
FTLN 0067 They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
FTLN 0068 Go you down that way towards the Capitol.
FTLN 0069 This way will I. Disrobe the images
FTLN 007070 If you do find them decked with ceremonies.
MARULLUS  FTLN 0071May we do so?
FTLN 0072 You know it is the feast of Lupercal.
FLAVIUS 
FTLN 0073 It is no matter. Let no images
FTLN 0074 Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about
FTLN 007575 And drive away the vulgar from the streets;
FTLN 0076 So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
FTLN 0077 These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing
FTLN 0078 Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
FTLN 0079 Who else would soar above the view of men
FTLN 008080 And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
They exit in different directions.

Enter Caesar, Antony for the course, Calphurnia, Portia,
Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, a Soothsayer;
after them Marullus and Flavius and Commoners.

CAESAR 
FTLN 0081 Calphurnia.
CASCA  FTLN 0082 Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
CAESAR  FTLN 0083 Calphurnia.
CALPHURNIA  FTLN 0084Here, my lord.
CAESAR 
FTLN 00855 Stand you directly in Antonius’ way
FTLN 0086 When he doth run his course.—Antonius.
ANTONY  FTLN 0087Caesar, my lord.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0088 Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
FTLN 0089 To touch Calphurnia, for our elders say
FTLN 009010 The barren, touchèd in this holy chase,
FTLN 0091 Shake off their sterile curse.
ANTONY  FTLN 0092 I shall remember.
FTLN 0093 When Caesar says “Do this,” it is performed.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0094 Set on and leave no ceremony out. Sennet.
SOOTHSAYER  FTLN 009515Caesar.
CAESAR  FTLN 0096Ha! Who calls?
CASCA 
FTLN 0097 Bid every noise be still. Peace, yet again!
CAESAR 
FTLN 0098 Who is it in the press that calls on me?
FTLN 0099 I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
FTLN 010020 Cry “Caesar.” Speak. Caesar is turned to hear.
SOOTHSAYER 
FTLN 0101 Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR  FTLN 0102 What man is that?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0103 A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

---

CAESAR 
FTLN 0104 Set him before me. Let me see his face.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 010525 Fellow, come from the throng.
The Soothsayer comes forward.
FTLN 0106 Look upon Caesar.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0107 What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again.
SOOTHSAYER  FTLN 0108Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0109 He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.
Sennet. All but Brutus and Cassius exit.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 011030 Will you go see the order of the course?
BRUTUS  FTLN 0111Not I.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0112I pray you, do.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0113 I am not gamesome. I do lack some part
FTLN 0114 Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
FTLN 011535 Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires.
FTLN 0116 I’ll leave you.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0117 Brutus, I do observe you now of late.
FTLN 0118 I have not from your eyes that gentleness
FTLN 0119 And show of love as I was wont to have.
FTLN 012040 You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
FTLN 0121 Over your friend that loves you.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0122 Cassius,
FTLN 0123 Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look,
FTLN 0124 I turn the trouble of my countenance
FTLN 012545 Merely upon myself. Vexèd I am
FTLN 0126 Of late with passions of some difference,
FTLN 0127 Conceptions only proper to myself,
FTLN 0128 Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors.
FTLN 0129 But let not therefore my good friends be grieved
FTLN 013050 (Among which number, Cassius, be you one)

---

FTLN 0131 Nor construe any further my neglect
FTLN 0132 Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
FTLN 0133 Forgets the shows of love to other men.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0134 Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,
FTLN 013555 By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
FTLN 0136 Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
FTLN 0137 Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0138 No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself
FTLN 0139 But by reflection, by some other things.
CASSIUS  FTLN 014060’Tis just.
FTLN 0141 And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
FTLN 0142 That you have no such mirrors as will turn
FTLN 0143 Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
FTLN 0144 That you might see your shadow. I have heard
FTLN 014565 Where many of the best respect in Rome,
FTLN 0146 Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus
FTLN 0147 And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,
FTLN 0148 Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0149 Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
FTLN 015070 That you would have me seek into myself
FTLN 0151 For that which is not in me?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0152 Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear.
FTLN 0153 And since you know you cannot see yourself
FTLN 0154 So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
FTLN 015575 Will modestly discover to yourself
FTLN 0156 That of yourself which you yet know not of.
FTLN 0157 And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus.
FTLN 0158 Were I a common laughter, or did use
FTLN 0159 To stale with ordinary oaths my love
FTLN 016080 To every new protester; if you know
FTLN 0161 That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
FTLN 0162 And after scandal them, or if you know

---

FTLN 0163 That I profess myself in banqueting
FTLN 0164 To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
Flourish and shout.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 016585 What means this shouting? I do fear the people
FTLN 0166 Choose Caesar for their king.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0167 Ay, do you fear it?
FTLN 0168 Then must I think you would not have it so.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0169 I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.
FTLN 017090 But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
FTLN 0171 What is it that you would impart to me?
FTLN 0172 If it be aught toward the general good,
FTLN 0173 Set honor in one eye and death i’ th’ other
FTLN 0174 And I will look on both indifferently;
FTLN 017595 For let the gods so speed me as I love
FTLN 0176 The name of honor more than I fear death.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0177 I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
FTLN 0178 As well as I do know your outward favor.
FTLN 0179 Well, honor is the subject of my story.
FTLN 0180100 I cannot tell what you and other men
FTLN 0181 Think of this life; but, for my single self,
FTLN 0182 I had as lief not be as live to be
FTLN 0183 In awe of such a thing as I myself.
FTLN 0184 I was born free as Caesar; so were you;
FTLN 0185105 We both have fed as well, and we can both
FTLN 0186 Endure the winter’s cold as well as he.
FTLN 0187 For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
FTLN 0188 The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
FTLN 0189 Caesar said to me “Dar’st thou, Cassius, now
FTLN 0190110 Leap in with me into this angry flood
FTLN 0191 And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word,
FTLN 0192 Accoutered as I was, I plungèd in
FTLN 0193 And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
FTLN 0194 The torrent roared, and we did buffet it

---

FTLN 0195115 With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
FTLN 0196 And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
FTLN 0197 But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
FTLN 0198 Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
FTLN 0199 I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
FTLN 0200120 Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
FTLN 0201 The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
FTLN 0202 Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
FTLN 0203 Is now become a god, and Cassius is
FTLN 0204 A wretched creature and must bend his body
FTLN 0205125 If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
FTLN 0206 He had a fever when he was in Spain,
FTLN 0207 And when the fit was on him, I did mark
FTLN 0208 How he did shake. ’Tis true, this god did shake.
FTLN 0209 His coward lips did from their color fly,
FTLN 0210130 And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
FTLN 0211 Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan.
FTLN 0212 Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
FTLN 0213 Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
FTLN 0214 “Alas,” it cried “Give me some drink, Titinius”
FTLN 0215135 As a sick girl. You gods, it doth amaze me
FTLN 0216 A man of such a feeble temper should
FTLN 0217 So get the start of the majestic world
FTLN 0218 And bear the palm alone.
Shout. Flourish.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0219Another general shout!
FTLN 0220140 I do believe that these applauses are
FTLN 0221 For some new honors that are heaped on Caesar.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0222 Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
FTLN 0223 Like a Colossus, and we petty men
FTLN 0224 Walk under his huge legs and peep about
FTLN 0225145 To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
FTLN 0226 Men at some time are masters of their fates.
FTLN 0227 The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
FTLN 0228 But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

---

FTLN 0229 “Brutus” and “Caesar”—what should be in that
FTLN 0230150 “Caesar”?
FTLN 0231 Why should that name be sounded more than
FTLN 0232 yours?
FTLN 0233 Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
FTLN 0234 Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
FTLN 0235155 Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with ’em,
FTLN 0236 “Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.”
FTLN 0237 Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
FTLN 0238 Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
FTLN 0239 That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
FTLN 0240160 Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
FTLN 0241 When went there by an age, since the great flood,
FTLN 0242 But it was famed with more than with one man?
FTLN 0243 When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,
FTLN 0244 That her wide walks encompassed but one man?
FTLN 0245165 Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough
FTLN 0246 When there is in it but one only man.
FTLN 0247 O, you and I have heard our fathers say
FTLN 0248 There was a Brutus once that would have brooked
FTLN 0249 Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
FTLN 0250170 As easily as a king.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0251 That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.
FTLN 0252 What you would work me to, I have some aim.
FTLN 0253 How I have thought of this, and of these times,
FTLN 0254 I shall recount hereafter. For this present,
FTLN 0255175 I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
FTLN 0256 Be any further moved. What you have said
FTLN 0257 I will consider; what you have to say
FTLN 0258 I will with patience hear, and find a time
FTLN 0259 Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
FTLN 0260180 Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
FTLN 0261 Brutus had rather be a villager
FTLN 0262 Than to repute himself a son of Rome

---

FTLN 0263 Under these hard conditions as this time
FTLN 0264 Is like to lay upon us.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0265185I am glad that my weak words
FTLN 0266 Have struck but thus much show of fire from
FTLN 0267 Brutus.

Enter Caesar and his train.

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0268 The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0269 As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
FTLN 0270190 And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
FTLN 0271 What hath proceeded worthy note today.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0272 I will do so. But look you, Cassius,
FTLN 0273 The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow,
FTLN 0274 And all the rest look like a chidden train.
FTLN 0275195 Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero
FTLN 0276 Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
FTLN 0277 As we have seen him in the Capitol,
FTLN 0278 Being crossed in conference by some senators.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0279 Casca will tell us what the matter is.
CAESAR  FTLN 0280200Antonius.
ANTONY  FTLN 0281Caesar.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0282 Let me have men about me that are fat,
FTLN 0283 Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights.
FTLN 0284 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.
FTLN 0285205 He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
ANTONY 
FTLN 0286 Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous.
FTLN 0287 He is a noble Roman, and well given.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0288 Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.
FTLN 0289 Yet if my name were liable to fear,

---

FTLN 0290210 I do not know the man I should avoid
FTLN 0291 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,
FTLN 0292 He is a great observer, and he looks
FTLN 0293 Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
FTLN 0294 As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
FTLN 0295215 Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
FTLN 0296 As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit
FTLN 0297 That could be moved to smile at anything.
FTLN 0298 Such men as he be never at heart’s ease
FTLN 0299 Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
FTLN 0300220 And therefore are they very dangerous.
FTLN 0301 I rather tell thee what is to be feared
FTLN 0302 Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
FTLN 0303 Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
FTLN 0304 And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.
Sennet. Caesar and his train exit
but Casca remains behind.
CASCA  FTLN 0305225You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak
FTLN 0306 with me?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0307 Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath chanced today
FTLN 0308 That Caesar looks so sad.
CASCA  FTLN 0309Why, you were with him, were you not?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0310230 I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
CASCA  FTLN 0311Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being
FTLN 0312 offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
FTLN 0313 thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0314What was the second noise for?
CASCA  FTLN 0315235Why, for that too.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0316 They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?
CASCA  FTLN 0317Why, for that too.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0318Was the crown offered him thrice?
CASCA  FTLN 0319Ay, marry, was ’t, and he put it by thrice, every
FTLN 0320240 time gentler than other; and at every putting-by,
FTLN 0321 mine honest neighbors shouted.

---

CASSIUS  FTLN 0322Who offered him the crown?
CASCA  FTLN 0323Why, Antony.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0324 Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
CASCA  FTLN 0325245I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it.
FTLN 0326 It was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark
FTLN 0327 Antony offer him a crown (yet ’twas not a crown
FTLN 0328 neither; ’twas one of these coronets), and, as I told
FTLN 0329 you, he put it by once; but for all that, to my
FTLN 0330250 thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered
FTLN 0331 it to him again; then he put it by again; but to my
FTLN 0332 thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it.
FTLN 0333 And then he offered it the third time. He put it the
FTLN 0334 third time by, and still as he refused it the rabblement
FTLN 0335255 hooted and clapped their chopped hands and
FTLN 0336 threw up their sweaty nightcaps and uttered such a
FTLN 0337 deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused the
FTLN 0338 crown that it had almost choked Caesar, for he
FTLN 0339 swooned and fell down at it. And for mine own part,
FTLN 0340260 I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and
FTLN 0341 receiving the bad air.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0342 But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
CASCA  FTLN 0343He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at
FTLN 0344 mouth and was speechless.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0345265 ’Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0346 No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I
FTLN 0347 And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
CASCA  FTLN 0348I know not what you mean by that, but I am
FTLN 0349 sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not
FTLN 0350270 clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and
FTLN 0351 displeased them, as they use to do the players in the
FTLN 0352 theater, I am no true man.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0353 What said he when he came unto himself?
CASCA  FTLN 0354Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived
FTLN 0355275 the common herd was glad he refused the crown,
FTLN 0356 he plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his
FTLN 0357 throat to cut. An I had been a man of any occupation,
FTLN 0358 if I would not have taken him at a word, I
FTLN 0359 would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so
FTLN 0360280 he fell. When he came to himself again, he said if he
FTLN 0361 had done or said anything amiss, he desired their
FTLN 0362 Worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four
FTLN 0363 wenches where I stood cried “Alas, good soul!” and
FTLN 0364 forgave him with all their hearts. But there’s no
FTLN 0365285 heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had stabbed
FTLN 0366 their mothers, they would have done no less.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0367 And, after that, he came thus sad away?
CASCA  FTLN 0368Ay.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0369Did Cicero say anything?
CASCA  FTLN 0370290Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0371To what effect?
CASCA  FTLN 0372Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ th’
FTLN 0373 face again. But those that understood him smiled at
FTLN 0374 one another and shook their heads. But for mine
FTLN 0375295 own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more
FTLN 0376 news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarves
FTLN 0377 off Caesar’s images, are put to silence. Fare you
FTLN 0378 well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember
FTLN 0379 it.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0380300Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
CASCA  FTLN 0381No, I am promised forth.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0382Will you dine with me tomorrow?
CASCA  FTLN 0383Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your
FTLN 0384 dinner worth the eating.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0385305Good. I will expect you.
CASCA  FTLN 0386Do so. Farewell both. He exits.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0387 What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!
FTLN 0388 He was quick mettle when he went to school.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0389 So is he now in execution
FTLN 0390310 Of any bold or noble enterprise,
FTLN 0391 However he puts on this tardy form.
FTLN 0392 This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,
FTLN 0393 Which gives men stomach to digest his words
FTLN 0394 With better appetite.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0395315 And so it is. For this time I will leave you.
FTLN 0396 Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
FTLN 0397 I will come home to you; or, if you will,
FTLN 0398 Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0399 I will do so. Till then, think of the world.
Brutus exits.
FTLN 0400320 Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see
FTLN 0401 Thy honorable mettle may be wrought
FTLN 0402 From that it is disposed. Therefore it is meet
FTLN 0403 That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
FTLN 0404 For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
FTLN 0405325 Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.
FTLN 0406 If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
FTLN 0407 He should not humor me. I will this night
FTLN 0408 In several hands in at his windows throw,
FTLN 0409 As if they came from several citizens,
FTLN 0410330 Writings, all tending to the great opinion
FTLN 0411 That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely
FTLN 0412 Caesar’s ambition shall be glancèd at
FTLN 0413 And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,
FTLN 0414 For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
He exits.

Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca and Cicero.

CICERO 
FTLN 0415 Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home?
FTLN 0416 Why are you breathless? And why stare you so?
CASCA 
FTLN 0417 Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
FTLN 0418 Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,
FTLN 04195 I have seen tempests when the scolding winds
FTLN 0420 Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen
FTLN 0421 Th’ ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam
FTLN 0422 To be exalted with the threat’ning clouds;
FTLN 0423 But never till tonight, never till now,
FTLN 042410 Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.
FTLN 0425 Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
FTLN 0426 Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,
FTLN 0427 Incenses them to send destruction.
CICERO 
FTLN 0428 Why, saw you anything more wonderful?
CASCA 
FTLN 042915 A common slave (you know him well by sight)
FTLN 0430 Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn
FTLN 0431 Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,
FTLN 0432 Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched.
FTLN 0433 Besides (I ha’ not since put up my sword),
FTLN 043420 Against the Capitol I met a lion,
FTLN 0435 Who glazed upon me and went surly by
FTLN 0436 Without annoying me. And there were drawn
FTLN 0437 Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
FTLN 0438 Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw
FTLN 043925 Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.
FTLN 0440 And yesterday the bird of night did sit
FTLN 0441 Even at noonday upon the marketplace,
FTLN 0442 Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies
FTLN 0443 Do so conjointly meet, let not men say

---

FTLN 044430 “These are their reasons, they are natural,”
FTLN 0445 For I believe they are portentous things
FTLN 0446 Unto the climate that they point upon.
CICERO 
FTLN 0447 Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time.
FTLN 0448 But men may construe things after their fashion,
FTLN 044935 Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.
FTLN 0450 Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?
CASCA 
FTLN 0451 He doth, for he did bid Antonius
FTLN 0452 Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.
CICERO 
FTLN 0453 Good night then, Casca. This disturbèd sky
FTLN 045440 Is not to walk in.
CASCA  FTLN 0455 Farewell, Cicero Cicero exits.

Enter Cassius.

CASSIUS  FTLN 0456Who’s there?
CASCA  FTLN 0457 A Roman.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0458 Casca, by your voice.
CASCA 
FTLN 045945 Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0460 A very pleasing night to honest men.
CASCA 
FTLN 0461 Who ever knew the heavens menace so?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0462 Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
FTLN 0463 For my part, I have walked about the streets,
FTLN 046450 Submitting me unto the perilous night,
FTLN 0465 And thus unbracèd, Casca, as you see,
FTLN 0466 Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone;
FTLN 0467 And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open
FTLN 0468 The breast of heaven, I did present myself
FTLN 046955 Even in the aim and very flash of it.

---

CASCA 
FTLN 0470 But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?
FTLN 0471 It is the part of men to fear and tremble
FTLN 0472 When the most mighty gods by tokens send
FTLN 0473 Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 047460 You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life
FTLN 0475 That should be in a Roman you do want,
FTLN 0476 Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze,
FTLN 0477 And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder,
FTLN 0478 To see the strange impatience of the heavens.
FTLN 047965 But if you would consider the true cause
FTLN 0480 Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
FTLN 0481 Why birds and beasts from quality and kind,
FTLN 0482 Why old men, fools, and children calculate,
FTLN 0483 Why all these things change from their ordinance,
FTLN 048470 Their natures, and preformèd faculties,
FTLN 0485 To monstrous quality—why, you shall find
FTLN 0486 That heaven hath infused them with these spirits
FTLN 0487 To make them instruments of fear and warning
FTLN 0488 Unto some monstrous state.
FTLN 048975 Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man
FTLN 0490 Most like this dreadful night,
FTLN 0491 That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
FTLN 0492 As doth the lion in the Capitol;
FTLN 0493 A man no mightier than thyself or me
FTLN 049480 In personal action, yet prodigious grown,
FTLN 0495 And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.
CASCA 
FTLN 0496 ’Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0497 Let it be who it is. For Romans now
FTLN 0498 Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors.
FTLN 049985 But, woe the while, our fathers’ minds are dead,
FTLN 0500 And we are governed with our mothers’ spirits.
FTLN 0501 Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish.

---

CASCA 
FTLN 0502 Indeed, they say the Senators tomorrow
FTLN 0503 Mean to establish Caesar as a king,
FTLN 050490 And he shall wear his crown by sea and land
FTLN 0505 In every place save here in Italy.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0506 I know where I will wear this dagger then;
FTLN 0507 Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
FTLN 0508 Therein, you gods, you make the weak most strong;
FTLN 050995 Therein, you gods, you tyrants do defeat.
FTLN 0510 Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
FTLN 0511 Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,
FTLN 0512 Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;
FTLN 0513 But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
FTLN 0514100 Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
FTLN 0515 If I know this, know all the world besides,
FTLN 0516 That part of tyranny that I do bear
FTLN 0517 I can shake off at pleasure. Thunder still.
CASCA  FTLN 0518 So can I.
FTLN 0519105 So every bondman in his own hand bears
FTLN 0520 The power to cancel his captivity.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0521 And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then?
FTLN 0522 Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf
FTLN 0523 But that he sees the Romans are but sheep;
FTLN 0524110 He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
FTLN 0525 Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
FTLN 0526 Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome,
FTLN 0527 What rubbish, and what offal when it serves
FTLN 0528 For the base matter to illuminate
FTLN 0529115 So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
FTLN 0530 Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this
FTLN 0531 Before a willing bondman; then, I know
FTLN 0532 My answer must be made. But I am armed,
FTLN 0533 And dangers are to me indifferent.

---

CASCA 
FTLN 0534120 You speak to Casca, and to such a man
FTLN 0535 That is no fleering telltale. Hold. My hand.
They shake hands.
FTLN 0536 Be factious for redress of all these griefs,
FTLN 0537 And I will set this foot of mine as far
FTLN 0538 As who goes farthest.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0539125 There’s a bargain made.
FTLN 0540 Now know you, Casca, I have moved already
FTLN 0541 Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
FTLN 0542 To undergo with me an enterprise
FTLN 0543 Of honorable-dangerous consequence.
FTLN 0544130 And I do know by this they stay for me
FTLN 0545 In Pompey’s Porch. For now, this fearful night,
FTLN 0546 There is no stir or walking in the streets;
FTLN 0547 And the complexion of the element
FTLN 0548 In favor ’s like the work we have in hand,
FTLN 0549135 Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.

Enter Cinna.

CASCA 
FTLN 0550 Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0551 ’Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait.
FTLN 0552 He is a friend.—Cinna, where haste you so?
CINNA 
FTLN 0553 To find out you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0554140 No, it is Casca, one incorporate
FTLN 0555 To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna?
CINNA 
FTLN 0556 I am glad on ’t. What a fearful night is this!
FTLN 0557 There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0558Am I not stayed for? Tell me.
CINNA 
FTLN 0559145 Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could
FTLN 0560 But win the noble Brutus to our party—

---

CASSIUS , handing him papers 
FTLN 0561 Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper,
FTLN 0562 And look you lay it in the Praetor’s chair,
FTLN 0563 Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this
FTLN 0564150 In at his window; set this up with wax
FTLN 0565 Upon old Brutus’ statue. All this done,
FTLN 0566 Repair to Pompey’s Porch, where you shall find us.
FTLN 0567 Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
CINNA 
FTLN 0568 All but Metellus Cimber, and he’s gone
FTLN 0569155 To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie
FTLN 0570 And so bestow these papers as you bade me.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0571 That done, repair to Pompey’s Theater.
Cinna exits.
FTLN 0572 Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day
FTLN 0573 See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him
FTLN 0574160 Is ours already, and the man entire
FTLN 0575 Upon the next encounter yields him ours.
CASCA 
FTLN 0576 O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts,
FTLN 0577 And that which would appear offense in us
FTLN 0578 His countenance, like richest alchemy,
FTLN 0579165 Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0580 Him and his worth and our great need of him
FTLN 0581 You have right well conceited. Let us go,
FTLN 0582 For it is after midnight, and ere day
FTLN 0583 We will awake him and be sure of him.
They exit.

Enter Brutus in his orchard.

BRUTUS  FTLN 0584What, Lucius, ho!—
FTLN 0585 I cannot by the progress of the stars
FTLN 0586 Give guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!—
FTLN 0587 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.—
FTLN 05885 When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS  FTLN 0589Called you, my lord?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0590 Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
FTLN 0591 When it is lighted, come and call me here.
LUCIUS  FTLN 0592I will, my lord. He exits.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 059310 It must be by his death. And for my part
FTLN 0594 I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
FTLN 0595 But for the general. He would be crowned:
FTLN 0596 How that might change his nature, there’s the
FTLN 0597 question.
FTLN 059815 It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
FTLN 0599 And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
FTLN 0600 And then I grant we put a sting in him
FTLN 0601 That at his will he may do danger with.
FTLN 0602 Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins

---

FTLN 060320 Remorse from power. And, to speak truth of Caesar,
FTLN 0604 I have not known when his affections swayed
FTLN 0605 More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof
FTLN 0606 That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,
FTLN 0607 Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
FTLN 060825 But, when he once attains the upmost round,
FTLN 0609 He then unto the ladder turns his back,
FTLN 0610 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
FTLN 0611 By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
FTLN 0612 Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel
FTLN 061330 Will bear no color for the thing he is,
FTLN 0614 Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,
FTLN 0615 Would run to these and these extremities.
FTLN 0616 And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg,
FTLN 0617 Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow
FTLN 061835 mischievous,
FTLN 0619 And kill him in the shell.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS 
FTLN 0620 The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
FTLN 0621 Searching the window for a flint, I found
FTLN 0622 This paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure
FTLN 062340 It did not lie there when I went to bed.
Gives him the letter.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0624 Get you to bed again. It is not day.
FTLN 0625 Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March?
LUCIUS  FTLN 0626I know not, sir.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0627 Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
LUCIUS  FTLN 062845I will, sir. He exits.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0629 The exhalations, whizzing in the air,
FTLN 0630 Give so much light that I may read by them.
Opens the letter and reads.

---

FTLN 0631 Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself!
FTLN 0632 Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!
FTLN 063350 “Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake.”
FTLN 0634 Such instigations have been often dropped
FTLN 0635 Where I have took them up.
FTLN 0636 “Shall Rome, etc.” Thus must I piece it out:
FTLN 0637 Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What,
FTLN 063855 Rome?
FTLN 0639 My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
FTLN 0640 The Tarquin drive when he was called a king.
FTLN 0641 “Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreated
FTLN 0642 To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
FTLN 064360 If the redress will follow, thou receivest
FTLN 0644 Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS  FTLN 0645Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.
Knock within.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0646 ’Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
Lucius exits.
FTLN 0647 Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
FTLN 064865 I have not slept.
FTLN 0649 Between the acting of a dreadful thing
FTLN 0650 And the first motion, all the interim is
FTLN 0651 Like a phantasma or a hideous dream.
FTLN 0652 The genius and the mortal instruments
FTLN 065370 Are then in council, and the state of man,
FTLN 0654 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
FTLN 0655 The nature of an insurrection.

Enter Lucius.

LUCIUS 
FTLN 0656 Sir, ’tis your brother Cassius at the door,
FTLN 0657 Who doth desire to see you.

---

BRUTUS  FTLN 065875 Is he alone?
LUCIUS 
FTLN 0659 No, sir. There are more with him.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0660 Do you know
FTLN 0661 them?
LUCIUS 
FTLN 0662 No, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears,
FTLN 066380 And half their faces buried in their cloaks,
FTLN 0664 That by no means I may discover them
FTLN 0665 By any mark of favor.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0666 Let ’em enter. Lucius exits.
FTLN 0667 They are the faction. O conspiracy,
FTLN 066885 Sham’st thou to show thy dang’rous brow by night,
FTLN 0669 When evils are most free? O, then, by day
FTLN 0670 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
FTLN 0671 To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none,
FTLN 0672 conspiracy.
FTLN 067390 Hide it in smiles and affability;
FTLN 0674 For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
FTLN 0675 Not Erebus itself were dim enough
FTLN 0676 To hide thee from prevention.

Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna,
Metellus, and Trebonius.

CASSIUS 
FTLN 0677 I think we are too bold upon your rest.
FTLN 067895 Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0679 I have been up this hour, awake all night.
FTLN 0680 Know I these men that come along with you?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0681 Yes, every man of them; and no man here
FTLN 0682 But honors you, and every one doth wish
FTLN 0683100 You had but that opinion of yourself
FTLN 0684 Which every noble Roman bears of you.
FTLN 0685 This is Trebonius.

---

BRUTUS  FTLN 0686 He is welcome hither.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0687 This, Decius Brutus.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0688105 He is welcome too.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0689 This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0690They are all welcome.
FTLN 0691 What watchful cares do interpose themselves
FTLN 0692 Betwixt your eyes and night?
CASSIUS  FTLN 0693110Shall I entreat a word?
Brutus and Cassius whisper.
DECIUS 
FTLN 0694 Here lies the east; doth not the day break here?
CASCA  FTLN 0695No.
CINNA 
FTLN 0696 O pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines
FTLN 0697 That fret the clouds are messengers of day.
CASCA 
FTLN 0698115 You shall confess that you are both deceived.
FTLN 0699 Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,
FTLN 0700 Which is a great way growing on the south,
FTLN 0701 Weighing the youthful season of the year.
FTLN 0702 Some two months hence, up higher toward the
FTLN 0703120 north
FTLN 0704 He first presents his fire, and the high east
FTLN 0705 Stands, as the Capitol, directly here.
BRUTUS , coming forward with Cassius 
FTLN 0706 Give me your hands all over, one by one.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0707 And let us swear our resolution.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0708125 No, not an oath. If not the face of men,
FTLN 0709 The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—
FTLN 0710 If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
FTLN 0711 And every man hence to his idle bed.
FTLN 0712 So let high-sighted tyranny range on

---

FTLN 0713130 Till each man drop by lottery. But if these—
FTLN 0714 As I am sure they do—bear fire enough
FTLN 0715 To kindle cowards and to steel with valor
FTLN 0716 The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,
FTLN 0717 What need we any spur but our own cause
FTLN 0718135 To prick us to redress? What other bond
FTLN 0719 Than secret Romans that have spoke the word
FTLN 0720 And will not palter? And what other oath
FTLN 0721 Than honesty to honesty engaged
FTLN 0722 That this shall be or we will fall for it?
FTLN 0723140 Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
FTLN 0724 Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls
FTLN 0725 That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
FTLN 0726 Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain
FTLN 0727 The even virtue of our enterprise,
FTLN 0728145 Nor th’ insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
FTLN 0729 To think that or our cause or our performance
FTLN 0730 Did need an oath, when every drop of blood
FTLN 0731 That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,
FTLN 0732 Is guilty of a several bastardy
FTLN 0733150 If he do break the smallest particle
FTLN 0734 Of any promise that hath passed from him.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0735 But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?
FTLN 0736 I think he will stand very strong with us.
CASCA 
FTLN 0737 Let us not leave him out.
CINNA  FTLN 0738155 No, by no means.
METELLUS 
FTLN 0739 O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
FTLN 0740 Will purchase us a good opinion
FTLN 0741 And buy men’s voices to commend our deeds.
FTLN 0742 It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands.
FTLN 0743160 Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
FTLN 0744 But all be buried in his gravity.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0745 O, name him not! Let us not break with him,
FTLN 0746 For he will never follow anything
FTLN 0747 That other men begin.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0748165Then leave him out.
CASCA  FTLN 0749Indeed, he is not fit.
DECIUS 
FTLN 0750 Shall no man else be touched, but only Caesar?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0751 Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet
FTLN 0752 Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
FTLN 0753170 Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him
FTLN 0754 A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,
FTLN 0755 If he improve them, may well stretch so far
FTLN 0756 As to annoy us all; which to prevent,
FTLN 0757 Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0758175 Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
FTLN 0759 To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
FTLN 0760 Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
FTLN 0761 For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.
FTLN 0762 Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
FTLN 0763180 We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,
FTLN 0764 And in the spirit of men there is no blood.
FTLN 0765 O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit
FTLN 0766 And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
FTLN 0767 Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,
FTLN 0768185 Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully.
FTLN 0769 Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
FTLN 0770 Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.
FTLN 0771 And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
FTLN 0772 Stir up their servants to an act of rage
FTLN 0773190 And after seem to chide ’em. This shall make
FTLN 0774 Our purpose necessary and not envious;
FTLN 0775 Which so appearing to the common eyes,
FTLN 0776 We shall be called purgers, not murderers.

---

FTLN 0777 And for Mark Antony, think not of him,
FTLN 0778195 For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm
FTLN 0779 When Caesar’s head is off.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0780 Yet I fear him,
FTLN 0781 For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar—
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0782 Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him.
FTLN 0783200 If he love Caesar, all that he can do
FTLN 0784 Is to himself: take thought and die for Caesar.
FTLN 0785 And that were much he should, for he is given
FTLN 0786 To sports, to wildness, and much company.
TREBONIUS 
FTLN 0787 There is no fear in him. Let him not die,
FTLN 0788205 For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.
Clock strikes.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0789 Peace, count the clock.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0790 The clock hath stricken
FTLN 0791 three.
TREBONIUS 
FTLN 0792 ’Tis time to part.
CASSIUS  FTLN 0793210 But it is doubtful yet
FTLN 0794 Whether Caesar will come forth today or no,
FTLN 0795 For he is superstitious grown of late,
FTLN 0796 Quite from the main opinion he held once
FTLN 0797 Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.
FTLN 0798215 It may be these apparent prodigies,
FTLN 0799 The unaccustomed terror of this night,
FTLN 0800 And the persuasion of his augurers
FTLN 0801 May hold him from the Capitol today.
DECIUS 
FTLN 0802 Never fear that. If he be so resolved,
FTLN 0803220 I can o’ersway him, for he loves to hear
FTLN 0804 That unicorns may be betrayed with trees,
FTLN 0805 And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,
FTLN 0806 Lions with toils, and men with flatterers.

---

FTLN 0807 But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
FTLN 0808225 He says he does, being then most flatterèd.
FTLN 0809 Let me work,
FTLN 0810 For I can give his humor the true bent,
FTLN 0811 And I will bring him to the Capitol.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0812 Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0813230 By the eighth hour, is that the uttermost?
CINNA 
FTLN 0814 Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
METELLUS 
FTLN 0815 Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
FTLN 0816 Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey.
FTLN 0817 I wonder none of you have thought of him.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0818235 Now, good Metellus, go along by him.
FTLN 0819 He loves me well, and I have given him reasons.
FTLN 0820 Send him but hither, and I’ll fashion him.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 0821 The morning comes upon ’s. We’ll leave you,
FTLN 0822 Brutus.
FTLN 0823240 And, friends, disperse yourselves, but all remember
FTLN 0824 What you have said, and show yourselves true
FTLN 0825 Romans.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0826 Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.
FTLN 0827 Let not our looks put on our purposes,
FTLN 0828245 But bear it, as our Roman actors do,
FTLN 0829 With untired spirits and formal constancy.
FTLN 0830 And so good morrow to you every one.
All but Brutus exit.
FTLN 0831 Boy! Lucius!—Fast asleep? It is no matter.
FTLN 0832 Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.
FTLN 0833250 Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies

---

FTLN 0834 Which busy care draws in the brains of men.
FTLN 0835 Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.

Enter Portia.

PORTIA  FTLN 0836 Brutus, my lord.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0837 Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now?
FTLN 0838255 It is not for your health thus to commit
FTLN 0839 Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0840 Nor for yours neither. You’ve ungently, Brutus,
FTLN 0841 Stole from my bed. And yesternight at supper
FTLN 0842 You suddenly arose and walked about,
FTLN 0843260 Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
FTLN 0844 And when I asked you what the matter was,
FTLN 0845 You stared upon me with ungentle looks.
FTLN 0846 I urged you further; then you scratched your head
FTLN 0847 And too impatiently stamped with your foot.
FTLN 0848265 Yet I insisted; yet you answered not,
FTLN 0849 But with an angry wafture of your hand
FTLN 0850 Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,
FTLN 0851 Fearing to strengthen that impatience
FTLN 0852 Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal
FTLN 0853270 Hoping it was but an effect of humor,
FTLN 0854 Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
FTLN 0855 It will not let you eat nor talk nor sleep,
FTLN 0856 And could it work so much upon your shape
FTLN 0857 As it hath much prevailed on your condition,
FTLN 0858275 I should not know you Brutus. Dear my lord,
FTLN 0859 Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0860 I am not well in health, and that is all.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0861 Brutus is wise and, were he not in health,
FTLN 0862 He would embrace the means to come by it.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0863280 Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0864 Is Brutus sick? And is it physical
FTLN 0865 To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors
FTLN 0866 Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
FTLN 0867 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
FTLN 0868285 To dare the vile contagion of the night
FTLN 0869 And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air
FTLN 0870 To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus,
FTLN 0871 You have some sick offense within your mind,
FTLN 0872 Which by the right and virtue of my place
FTLN 0873290 I ought to know of.  She kneels. And upon my
FTLN 0874 knees
FTLN 0875 I charm you, by my once commended beauty,
FTLN 0876 By all your vows of love, and that great vow
FTLN 0877 Which did incorporate and make us one,
FTLN 0878295 That you unfold to me, your self, your half,
FTLN 0879 Why you are heavy, and what men tonight
FTLN 0880 Have had resort to you; for here have been
FTLN 0881 Some six or seven who did hide their faces
FTLN 0882 Even from darkness.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0883300 Kneel not, gentle Portia.
He lifts her up.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0884 I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
FTLN 0885 Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
FTLN 0886 Is it excepted I should know no secrets
FTLN 0887 That appertain to you? Am I your self
FTLN 0888305 But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
FTLN 0889 To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
FTLN 0890 And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the
FTLN 0891 suburbs
FTLN 0892 Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
FTLN 0893310 Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0894 You are my true and honorable wife,
FTLN 0895 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
FTLN 0896 That visit my sad heart.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0897 If this were true, then should I know this secret.
FTLN 0898315 I grant I am a woman, but withal
FTLN 0899 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.
FTLN 0900 I grant I am a woman, but withal
FTLN 0901 A woman well-reputed, Cato’s daughter.
FTLN 0902 Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
FTLN 0903320 Being so fathered and so husbanded?
FTLN 0904 Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose ’em.
FTLN 0905 I have made strong proof of my constancy,
FTLN 0906 Giving myself a voluntary wound
FTLN 0907 Here, in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience,
FTLN 0908325 And not my husband’s secrets?
BRUTUS  FTLN 0909 O you gods,
FTLN 0910 Render me worthy of this noble wife! Knock.
FTLN 0911 Hark, hark, one knocks. Portia, go in awhile,
FTLN 0912 And by and by thy bosom shall partake
FTLN 0913330 The secrets of my heart.
FTLN 0914 All my engagements I will construe to thee,
FTLN 0915 All the charactery of my sad brows.
FTLN 0916 Leave me with haste. Portia exits.
FTLN 0917 Lucius, who ’s that knocks?

Enter Lucius and Ligarius.

LUCIUS 
FTLN 0918335 Here is a sick man that would speak with you.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0919 Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spoke of.—
FTLN 0920 Boy, stand aside. Lucius exits.
FTLN 0921 Caius Ligarius, how?
LIGARIUS 
FTLN 0922 Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.

---

BRUTUS 
FTLN 0923340 O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
FTLN 0924 To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
LIGARIUS 
FTLN 0925 I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
FTLN 0926 Any exploit worthy the name of honor.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0927 Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
FTLN 0928345 Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.
LIGARIUS 
FTLN 0929 By all the gods that Romans bow before,
FTLN 0930 I here discard my sickness.
He takes off his kerchief.
FTLN 0931 Soul of Rome,
FTLN 0932 Brave son derived from honorable loins,
FTLN 0933350 Thou like an exorcist hast conjured up
FTLN 0934 My mortifièd spirit. Now bid me run,
FTLN 0935 And I will strive with things impossible,
FTLN 0936 Yea, get the better of them. What’s to do?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0937 A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
LIGARIUS 
FTLN 0938355 But are not some whole that we must make sick?
BRUTUS 
FTLN 0939 That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
FTLN 0940 I shall unfold to thee as we are going
FTLN 0941 To whom it must be done.
LIGARIUS  FTLN 0942 Set on your foot,
FTLN 0943360 And with a heart new-fired I follow you
FTLN 0944 To do I know not what; but it sufficeth
FTLN 0945 That Brutus leads me on. Thunder.
BRUTUS  FTLN 0946 Follow me then.
They exit.

Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his
nightgown.

CAESAR 
FTLN 0947 Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
FTLN 0948 Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out
FTLN 0949 “Help ho, they murder Caesar!”—Who’s within?

Enter a Servant.

SERVANT  FTLN 0950My lord.
CAESAR 
FTLN 09515 Go bid the priests do present sacrifice,
FTLN 0952 And bring me their opinions of success.
SERVANT  FTLN 0953I will, my lord. He exits.

Enter Calphurnia.

CALPHURNIA 
FTLN 0954 What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
FTLN 0955 You shall not stir out of your house today.
CAESAR 
FTLN 095610 Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me
FTLN 0957 Ne’er looked but on my back. When they shall see
FTLN 0958 The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.
CALPHURNIA 
FTLN 0959 Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
FTLN 0960 Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
FTLN 096115 Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
FTLN 0962 Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
FTLN 0963 A lioness hath whelpèd in the streets,
FTLN 0964 And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead.
FTLN 0965 Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds
FTLN 096620 In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
FTLN 0967 Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol.
FTLN 0968 The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
FTLN 0969 Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,

---

FTLN 0970 And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
FTLN 097125 O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,
FTLN 0972 And I do fear them.
CAESAR  FTLN 0973 What can be avoided
FTLN 0974 Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
FTLN 0975 Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions
FTLN 097630 Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
CALPHURNIA 
FTLN 0977 When beggars die there are no comets seen;
FTLN 0978 The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of
FTLN 0979 princes.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0980 Cowards die many times before their deaths;
FTLN 098135 The valiant never taste of death but once.
FTLN 0982 Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
FTLN 0983 It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
FTLN 0984 Seeing that death, a necessary end,
FTLN 0985 Will come when it will come.

Enter a Servant.

FTLN 098640 What say the augurers?
SERVANT 
FTLN 0987 They would not have you to stir forth today.
FTLN 0988 Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
FTLN 0989 They could not find a heart within the beast.
CAESAR 
FTLN 0990 The gods do this in shame of cowardice.
FTLN 099145 Caesar should be a beast without a heart
FTLN 0992 If he should stay at home today for fear.
FTLN 0993 No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well
FTLN 0994 That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
FTLN 0995 We are two lions littered in one day,
FTLN 099650 And I the elder and more terrible.
FTLN 0997 And Caesar shall go forth.
CALPHURNIA  FTLN 0998 Alas, my lord,
FTLN 0999 Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.

---

FTLN 1000 Do not go forth today. Call it my fear
FTLN 100155 That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
FTLN 1002 We’ll send Mark Antony to the Senate House,
FTLN 1003 And he shall say you are not well today.
FTLN 1004 Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. She kneels.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1005 Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
FTLN 100660 And for thy humor I will stay at home.
He lifts her up.

Enter Decius.

FTLN 1007 Here’s Decius Brutus; he shall tell them so.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1008 Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.
FTLN 1009 I come to fetch you to the Senate House.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1010 And you are come in very happy time
FTLN 101165 To bear my greeting to the Senators
FTLN 1012 And tell them that I will not come today.
FTLN 1013 Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser.
FTLN 1014 I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius.
CALPHURNIA 
FTLN 1015 Say he is sick.
CAESAR  FTLN 101670 Shall Caesar send a lie?
FTLN 1017 Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far,
FTLN 1018 To be afeard to tell graybeards the truth?
FTLN 1019 Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1020 Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
FTLN 102175 Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1022 The cause is in my will. I will not come.
FTLN 1023 That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
FTLN 1024 But for your private satisfaction,
FTLN 1025 Because I love you, I will let you know.
FTLN 102680 Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.

---

FTLN 1027 She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
FTLN 1028 Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
FTLN 1029 Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
FTLN 1030 Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.
FTLN 103185 And these does she apply for warnings and portents
FTLN 1032 And evils imminent, and on her knee
FTLN 1033 Hath begged that I will stay at home today.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1034 This dream is all amiss interpreted.
FTLN 1035 It was a vision fair and fortunate.
FTLN 103690 Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
FTLN 1037 In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
FTLN 1038 Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
FTLN 1039 Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
FTLN 1040 For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
FTLN 104195 This by Calphurnia’s dream is signified.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1042 And this way have you well expounded it.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1043 I have, when you have heard what I can say.
FTLN 1044 And know it now: the Senate have concluded
FTLN 1045 To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
FTLN 1046100 If you shall send them word you will not come,
FTLN 1047 Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
FTLN 1048 Apt to be rendered, for someone to say
FTLN 1049 “Break up the Senate till another time,
FTLN 1050 When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.”
FTLN 1051105 If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
FTLN 1052 “Lo, Caesar is afraid”?
FTLN 1053 Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love
FTLN 1054 To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
FTLN 1055 And reason to my love is liable.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1056110 How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia!
FTLN 1057 I am ashamèd I did yield to them.
FTLN 1058 Give me my robe, for I will go.

---

Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius,
Cinna, and Publius.

FTLN 1059 And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
PUBLIUS 
FTLN 1060 Good morrow, Caesar.
CAESAR  FTLN 1061115 Welcome, Publius.—
FTLN 1062 What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?—
FTLN 1063 Good morrow, Casca.—Caius Ligarius,
FTLN 1064 Caesar was ne’er so much your enemy
FTLN 1065 As that same ague which hath made you lean.—
FTLN 1066120 What is ’t o’clock?
BRUTUS  FTLN 1067 Caesar, ’tis strucken eight.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1068 I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

Enter Antony.

FTLN 1069 See, Antony that revels long a-nights
FTLN 1070 Is notwithstanding up.—Good morrow, Antony.
ANTONY  FTLN 1071125So to most noble Caesar.
CAESAR , to Servant  FTLN 1072Bid them prepare within.—
FTLN 1073 I am to blame to be thus waited for. Servant exits.
FTLN 1074 Now, Cinna.—Now, Metellus.—What, Trebonius,
FTLN 1075 I have an hour’s talk in store for you.
FTLN 1076130 Remember that you call on me today;
FTLN 1077 Be near me that I may remember you.
TREBONIUS 
FTLN 1078 Caesar, I will.  Aside. And so near will I be
FTLN 1079 That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1080 Good friends, go in and taste some wine with me,
FTLN 1081135 And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
BRUTUS , aside 
FTLN 1082 That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
FTLN 1083 The heart of Brutus earns to think upon.
They exit.

Enter Artemidorus reading a paper.

ARTEMIDORUS  FTLN 1084Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heed of
FTLN 1085 Cassius, come not near Casca, have an eye to Cinna,
FTLN 1086 trust not Trebonius, mark well Metellus Cimber.
FTLN 1087 Decius Brutus loves thee not. Thou hast wronged
FTLN 10885 Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these
FTLN 1089 men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not
FTLN 1090 immortal, look about you. Security gives way to
FTLN 1091 conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee!
FTLN 1092 Thy lover,
FTLN 109310 Artemidorus
FTLN 1094 Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,
FTLN 1095 And as a suitor will I give him this.
FTLN 1096 My heart laments that virtue cannot live
FTLN 1097 Out of the teeth of emulation.
FTLN 109815 If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live;
FTLN 1099 If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. He exits.

Enter Portia and Lucius.

PORTIA 
FTLN 1100 I prithee, boy, run to the Senate House.
FTLN 1101 Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
FTLN 1102 Why dost thou stay?
LUCIUS  FTLN 1103 To know my errand, madam.
PORTIA 
FTLN 11045 I would have had thee there and here again
FTLN 1105 Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
FTLN 1106  Aside. O constancy, be strong upon my side;
FTLN 1107 Set a huge mountain ’tween my heart and tongue.
FTLN 1108 I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might.

---

FTLN 110910 How hard it is for women to keep counsel!—
FTLN 1110 Art thou here yet?
LUCIUS  FTLN 1111 Madam, what should I do?
FTLN 1112 Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
FTLN 1113 And so return to you, and nothing else?
PORTIA 
FTLN 111415 Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
FTLN 1115 For he went sickly forth. And take good note
FTLN 1116 What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
FTLN 1117 Hark, boy, what noise is that?
LUCIUS  FTLN 1118I hear none, madam.
PORTIA  FTLN 111920Prithee, listen well.
FTLN 1120 I heard a bustling rumor like a fray,
FTLN 1121 And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
LUCIUS  FTLN 1122Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

Enter the Soothsayer.

PORTIA 
FTLN 1123 Come hither, fellow. Which way hast thou been?
SOOTHSAYER  FTLN 112425At mine own house, good lady.
PORTIA  FTLN 1125What is ’t o’clock?
SOOTHSAYER  FTLN 1126About the ninth hour, lady.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1127 Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
SOOTHSAYER 
FTLN 1128 Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand
FTLN 112930 To see him pass on to the Capitol.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1130 Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
SOOTHSAYER 
FTLN 1131 That I have, lady. If it will please Caesar
FTLN 1132 To be so good to Caesar as to hear me,
FTLN 1133 I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
PORTIA 
FTLN 113435 Why, know’st thou any harms intended towards
FTLN 1135 him?

---

SOOTHSAYER 
FTLN 1136 None that I know will be, much that I fear may
FTLN 1137 chance.
FTLN 1138 Good morrow to you.—Here the street is narrow.
FTLN 113940 The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
FTLN 1140 Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
FTLN 1141 Will crowd a feeble man almost to death.
FTLN 1142 I’ll get me to a place more void, and there
FTLN 1143 Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. He exits.
PORTIA 
FTLN 114445 I must go in.  Aside. Ay me, how weak a thing
FTLN 1145 The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
FTLN 1146 The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
FTLN 1147 Sure the boy heard me.  To Lucius. Brutus hath a
FTLN 1148 suit
FTLN 114950 That Caesar will not grant.  Aside. O, I grow
FTLN 1150 faint.—
FTLN 1151 Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord.
FTLN 1152 Say I am merry. Come to me again
FTLN 1153 And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
They exit separately.

Flourish. Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus; Brutus, Cassius,
Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna; Publius,
Popilius, Artemidorus, the Soothsayer, and other
Senators and Petitioners.

CAESAR  FTLN 1154The ides of March are come.
SOOTHSAYER  FTLN 1155Ay, Caesar, but not gone.
ARTEMIDORUS  FTLN 1156Hail, Caesar. Read this schedule.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1157 Trebonius doth desire you to o’erread,
FTLN 11585 At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
ARTEMIDORUS 
FTLN 1159 O Caesar, read mine first, for mine’s a suit
FTLN 1160 That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1161 What touches us ourself shall be last served.
ARTEMIDORUS 
FTLN 1162 Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
CAESAR 
FTLN 116310 What, is the fellow mad?
PUBLIUS  FTLN 1164 Sirrah, give place.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1165 What, urge you your petitions in the street?
FTLN 1166 Come to the Capitol.
Caesar goes forward, the rest following.

---

POPILIUS , to Cassius 
FTLN 1167 I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
CASSIUS  FTLN 116815What enterprise, Popilius?
POPILIUS  FTLN 1169Fare you well. He walks away.
BRUTUS  FTLN 1170What said Popilius Lena?
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1171 He wished today our enterprise might thrive.
FTLN 1172 I fear our purpose is discoverèd.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 117320 Look how he makes to Caesar. Mark him.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1174 Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.—
FTLN 1175 Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
FTLN 1176 Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
FTLN 1177 For I will slay myself.
BRUTUS  FTLN 117825 Cassius, be constant.
FTLN 1179 Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes,
FTLN 1180 For look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1181 Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus,
FTLN 1182 He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Trebonius and Antony exit.
DECIUS 
FTLN 118330 Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go
FTLN 1184 And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1185 He is addressed. Press near and second him.
CINNA 
FTLN 1186 Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1187 Are we all ready? What is now amiss
FTLN 118835 That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
METELLUS , kneeling 
FTLN 1189 Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
FTLN 1190 Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
FTLN 1191 An humble heart.

---

CAESAR  FTLN 1192 I must prevent thee, Cimber.
FTLN 119340 These couchings and these lowly courtesies
FTLN 1194 Might fire the blood of ordinary men
FTLN 1195 And turn preordinance and first decree
FTLN 1196 Into the law of children. Be not fond
FTLN 1197 To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
FTLN 119845 That will be thawed from the true quality
FTLN 1199 With that which melteth fools—I mean sweet
FTLN 1200 words,
FTLN 1201 Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning.
FTLN 1202 Thy brother by decree is banishèd.
FTLN 120350 If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
FTLN 1204 I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
FTLN 1205 Know: Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
FTLN 1206 Will he be satisfied.
METELLUS 
FTLN 1207 Is there no voice more worthy than my own
FTLN 120855 To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear
FTLN 1209 For the repealing of my banished brother?
BRUTUS , kneeling 
FTLN 1210 I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,
FTLN 1211 Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
FTLN 1212 Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
CAESAR 
FTLN 121360 What, Brutus?
CASSIUS , kneeling 
FTLN 1214 Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon!
FTLN 1215 As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall
FTLN 1216 To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
CAESAR 
FTLN 1217 I could be well moved, if I were as you.
FTLN 121865 If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
FTLN 1219 But I am constant as the Northern Star,
FTLN 1220 Of whose true fixed and resting quality
FTLN 1221 There is no fellow in the firmament.
FTLN 1222 The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks;

---

FTLN 122370 They are all fire, and every one doth shine.
FTLN 1224 But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.
FTLN 1225 So in the world: ’tis furnished well with men,
FTLN 1226 And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive.
FTLN 1227 Yet in the number I do know but one
FTLN 122875 That unassailable holds on his rank,
FTLN 1229 Unshaked of motion; and that I am he
FTLN 1230 Let me a little show it, even in this:
FTLN 1231 That I was constant Cimber should be banished
FTLN 1232 And constant do remain to keep him so.
CINNA , kneeling 
FTLN 123380 O Caesar—
CAESAR  FTLN 1234 Hence. Wilt thou lift up Olympus?
DECIUS , kneeling 
FTLN 1235 Great Caesar—
CAESAR  FTLN 1236 Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
CASCA  FTLN 1237Speak, hands, for me!
As Casca strikes, the others rise up and stab Caesar.
CAESAR  FTLN 123885Et tu, Brutè?—Then fall, Caesar.
He dies.
CINNA 
FTLN 1239 Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
FTLN 1240 Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1241 Some to the common pulpits and cry out
FTLN 1242 “Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement.”
BRUTUS 
FTLN 124390 People and Senators, be not affrighted.
FTLN 1244 Fly not; stand still. Ambition’s debt is paid.
CASCA 
FTLN 1245 Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
DECIUS  FTLN 1246 And Cassius too.
BRUTUS  FTLN 1247Where’s Publius?
CINNA 
FTLN 124895 Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.

---

METELLUS 
FTLN 1249 Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s
FTLN 1250 Should chance—
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1251 Talk not of standing.—Publius, good cheer.
FTLN 1252 There is no harm intended to your person,
FTLN 1253100 Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1254 And leave us, Publius, lest that the people,
FTLN 1255 Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1256 Do so, and let no man abide this deed
FTLN 1257 But we the doers.
All but the Conspirators exit.

Enter Trebonius.

CASSIUS  FTLN 1258105Where is Antony?
TREBONIUS  FTLN 1259Fled to his house amazed.
FTLN 1260 Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run
FTLN 1261 As it were doomsday.
BRUTUS  FTLN 1262 Fates, we will know your
FTLN 1263110 pleasures.
FTLN 1264 That we shall die we know; ’tis but the time,
FTLN 1265 And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
CASCA 
FTLN 1266 Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
FTLN 1267 Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1268115 Grant that, and then is death a benefit.
FTLN 1269 So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridged
FTLN 1270 His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
FTLN 1271 And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood
FTLN 1272 Up to the elbows and besmear our swords.
FTLN 1273120 Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace,
FTLN 1274 And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads,
FTLN 1275 Let’s all cry “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”

---

CASSIUS 
FTLN 1276 Stoop then, and wash.
They smear their hands and swords with Caesar’s blood.
FTLN 1277 How many ages hence
FTLN 1278125 Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
FTLN 1279 In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1280 How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
FTLN 1281 That now on Pompey’s basis lies along
FTLN 1282 No worthier than the dust!
CASSIUS  FTLN 1283130So oft as that shall be,
FTLN 1284 So often shall the knot of us be called
FTLN 1285 The men that gave their country liberty.
DECIUS 
FTLN 1286 What, shall we forth?
CASSIUS  FTLN 1287 Ay, every man away.
FTLN 1288135 Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels
FTLN 1289 With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Enter a Servant.

BRUTUS 
FTLN 1290 Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
SERVANT , kneeling 
FTLN 1291 Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel.
FTLN 1292 Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,
FTLN 1293140 And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
FTLN 1294 Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
FTLN 1295 Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.
FTLN 1296 Say, I love Brutus, and I honor him;
FTLN 1297 Say, I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
FTLN 1298145 If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
FTLN 1299 May safely come to him and be resolved
FTLN 1300 How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
FTLN 1301 Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
FTLN 1302 So well as Brutus living, but will follow
FTLN 1303150 The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus

---

FTLN 1304 Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
FTLN 1305 With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1306 Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman.
FTLN 1307 I never thought him worse.
FTLN 1308155 Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
FTLN 1309 He shall be satisfied and, by my honor,
FTLN 1310 Depart untouched.
SERVANT  FTLN 1311 I’ll fetch him presently.
Servant exits.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1312 I know that we shall have him well to friend.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1313160 I wish we may; but yet have I a mind
FTLN 1314 That fears him much, and my misgiving still
FTLN 1315 Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

Enter Antony.

BRUTUS 
FTLN 1316 But here comes Antony.—Welcome, Mark Antony!
ANTONY 
FTLN 1317 O mighty Caesar, dost thou lie so low?
FTLN 1318165 Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils
FTLN 1319 Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.—
FTLN 1320 I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
FTLN 1321 Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.
FTLN 1322 If I myself, there is no hour so fit
FTLN 1323170 As Caesar’s death’s hour, nor no instrument
FTLN 1324 Of half that worth as those your swords made rich
FTLN 1325 With the most noble blood of all this world.
FTLN 1326 I do beseech you, if you bear me hard,
FTLN 1327 Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
FTLN 1328175 Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
FTLN 1329 I shall not find myself so apt to die;
FTLN 1330 No place will please me so, no mean of death,

---

FTLN 1331 As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
FTLN 1332 The choice and master spirits of this age.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1333180 O Antony, beg not your death of us!
FTLN 1334 Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
FTLN 1335 As by our hands and this our present act
FTLN 1336 You see we do, yet see you but our hands
FTLN 1337 And this the bleeding business they have done.
FTLN 1338185 Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;
FTLN 1339 And pity to the general wrong of Rome
FTLN 1340 (As fire drives out fire, so pity pity)
FTLN 1341 Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
FTLN 1342 To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.
FTLN 1343190 Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts
FTLN 1344 Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in
FTLN 1345 With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1346 Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s
FTLN 1347 In the disposing of new dignities.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1348195 Only be patient till we have appeased
FTLN 1349 The multitude, beside themselves with fear;
FTLN 1350 And then we will deliver you the cause
FTLN 1351 Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
FTLN 1352 Have thus proceeded.
ANTONY  FTLN 1353200 I doubt not of your wisdom.
FTLN 1354 Let each man render me his bloody hand.
FTLN 1355 First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you.—
FTLN 1356 Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand.—
FTLN 1357 Now, Decius Brutus, yours;—now yours,
FTLN 1358205 Metellus;—
FTLN 1359 Yours, Cinna;—and, my valiant Casca, yours;—
FTLN 1360 Though last, not least in love, yours, good
FTLN 1361 Trebonius.—
FTLN 1362 Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say?
FTLN 1363210 My credit now stands on such slippery ground
FTLN 1364 That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,

---

FTLN 1365 Either a coward or a flatterer.—
FTLN 1366 That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true!
FTLN 1367 If then thy spirit look upon us now,
FTLN 1368215 Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death
FTLN 1369 To see thy Antony making his peace,
FTLN 1370 Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes—
FTLN 1371 Most noble!—in the presence of thy corpse?
FTLN 1372 Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
FTLN 1373220 Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
FTLN 1374 It would become me better than to close
FTLN 1375 In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
FTLN 1376 Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed, brave
FTLN 1377 hart,
FTLN 1378225 Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand
FTLN 1379 Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy Lethe.
FTLN 1380 O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,
FTLN 1381 And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee.
FTLN 1382 How like a deer strucken by many princes
FTLN 1383230 Dost thou here lie!
CASSIUS  FTLN 1384Mark Antony—
ANTONY  FTLN 1385 Pardon me, Caius Cassius.
FTLN 1386 The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
FTLN 1387 Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
CASSIUS 
FTLN 1388235 I blame you not for praising Caesar so.
FTLN 1389 But what compact mean you to have with us?
FTLN 1390 Will you be pricked in number of our friends,
FTLN 1391 Or shall we on and not depend on you?
ANTONY 
FTLN 1392 Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
FTLN 1393240 Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar.
FTLN 1394 Friends am I with you all and love you all,
FTLN 1395 Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
FTLN 1396 Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1397 Or else were this a savage spectacle.

---

FTLN 1398245 Our reasons are so full of good regard
FTLN 1399 That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
FTLN 1400 You should be satisfied.
ANTONY  FTLN 1401 That’s all I seek;
FTLN 1402 And am, moreover, suitor that I may
FTLN 1403250 Produce his body to the marketplace,
FTLN 1404 And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
FTLN 1405 Speak in the order of his funeral.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1406 You shall, Mark Antony.
CASSIUS  FTLN 1407 Brutus, a word with you.
FTLN 1408255  Aside to Brutus. You know not what you do. Do
FTLN 1409 not consent
FTLN 1410 That Antony speak in his funeral.
FTLN 1411 Know you how much the people may be moved
FTLN 1412 By that which he will utter?
BRUTUS , aside to Cassius  FTLN 1413260 By your pardon,
FTLN 1414 I will myself into the pulpit first
FTLN 1415 And show the reason of our Caesar’s death.
FTLN 1416 What Antony shall speak I will protest
FTLN 1417 He speaks by leave and by permission,
FTLN 1418265 And that we are contented Caesar shall
FTLN 1419 Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
FTLN 1420 It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
CASSIUS , aside to Brutus 
FTLN 1421 I know not what may fall. I like it not.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1422 Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body.
FTLN 1423270 You shall not in your funeral speech blame us
FTLN 1424 But speak all good you can devise of Caesar
FTLN 1425 And say you do ’t by our permission,
FTLN 1426 Else shall you not have any hand at all
FTLN 1427 About his funeral. And you shall speak
FTLN 1428275 In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
FTLN 1429 After my speech is ended.

---

ANTONY  FTLN 1430 Be it so.
FTLN 1431 I do desire no more.
BRUTUS 
FTLN 1432 Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
All but Antony exit.
ANTONY 
FTLN 1433280 O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
FTLN 1434 That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.
FTLN 1435 Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
FTLN 1436 That ever livèd in the tide of times.
FTLN 1437 Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
FTLN 1438285 Over thy wounds now do I prophesy
FTLN 1439 (Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
FTLN 1440 To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue)
FTLN 1441 A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
FTLN 1442 Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
FTLN 1443290 Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
FTLN 1444 Blood and destruction shall be so in use
FTLN 1445 And dreadful objects so familiar
FTLN 1446 That mothers shall but smile when they behold
FTLN 1447 Their infants quartered with the hands of war,
FTLN 1448295 All pity choked with custom of fell deeds;
FTLN 1449 And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge,
FTLN 1450 With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
FTLN 1451 Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice
FTLN 1452 Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war,
FTLN 1453300 That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
FTLN 1454 With carrion men groaning for burial.

Enter Octavius’ Servant.

FTLN 1455 You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
SERVANT  FTLN 1456I do, Mark Antony.
ANTONY 
FTLN 1457 Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
SERVANT 
FTLN 1458305 He did receive his letters and is coming,

---

FTLN 1459 And bid me say to you by word of mouth—
FTLN 1460 O Caesar!
ANTONY 
FTLN 1461 Thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep.
FTLN 1462 Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes,
FTLN 1463310 Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
FTLN 1464 Began to water. Is thy master coming?
SERVANT 
FTLN 1465 He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
ANTONY 
FTLN 1466 Post back with speed and tell him what hath
FTLN 1467 chanced.
FTLN 1468315 Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
FTLN 1469 No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.
FTLN 1470 Hie hence and tell him so.—Yet stay awhile;
FTLN 1471 Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse
FTLN 1472 Into the marketplace. There shall I try,
FTLN 1473320 In my oration, how the people take
FTLN 1474 The cruel issue of these bloody men,
FTLN 1475 According to the which thou shalt discourse
FTLN 1476 To young Octavius of the state of things.
FTLN 1477 Lend me your hand.
They exit with Caesar’s body.