For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
This by Calphurnia's dream is signified.

Ces. And this way have you well expounded it. Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can say;

And know it now: The senate have concluded
To give, this day, a crown to mighty Cesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a
mock

Apt to be render'd, for some one to say,
Break up the senate till another time,
When Cesar's wife shall meet with better

dreams.

If Cesar hide himself, shall they not whisper,
Lo, Cesar is afraid?

Pardon me, Cesar; for my dear, dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable. +

Ces. How foolish do your fears seem now,
Calphurnia!

1 am ashamed I did yield to them.Give me my robe, for I will go :

Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS,
CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA.

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
Pub. Good morrow, Cesar.

Ces. Welcome, Publius.

What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
Cesar was ne'er so much your enemy,

As that same ague which hath made you lean.-
What is't o'clock ?

Bru. Cesar, 'tis strucken eight.

Ces. I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

Enter ANTONY.

See! Antony, that revels long o'nights,

Is notwithstanding up :

Good morrow, Antony.

Ant. So to most noble Cesar.

Ces. Bid them prepare within :

I am to blaine to be thus waited for.

Now, Cinna :-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! I have an hour's talk in store for you; Remember that you call on me to-day: Be near me, that I may remember you. Treb. Cesar, I will and so near will I be, That your best friends shall wish I had been farther. [Aside. Ces. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;

And we, like friends, will straightway go to gether.

Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!

[Exeunt. SCENE 111.-The_same.-A street near the Capitol.

Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a Paper. Art. Cesar, beware of Brutus; take head of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye on Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark well Metellus Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Cesar. If thou be'st not immortal, look about you: Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy Lover, §

ARTEMIDORUS.

Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there.constancy, be strong upon my side!

Set a huge mountain 'tween any heart and tongue!

I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel I—
Art thou here yet!

Luc. Madam, what should I do?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?

Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,

For he went sickly forth: And take good note,
What Cesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that?
Luc. I hear none, madam.
Por. Pr'ythee, listen well;

I heard a bustling rumour like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: The throng that follows Cesar at the heels, Of senators, of prætors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: I'll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to great Cesar as he comes along. [Exit. Por. I must go in.-Ah me! how weak a thing The heart of woman is! O Brutus! The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! Sure, the boy heard me :-Brutus hath a suit, That Cesar will not grant.-Oh! I grow faint:Run, Lucius, and commend me to iny lord; Say, I am merry: come to me again, And bring me word what he doth say to thee [Exeunt.

ACT III.

SCENE 1.-The same.-The Capitol; the
Senate sitting.

A Crowd of People in the Street leading to
the Capitol; among them ARTEMIDORUS,
and the SOOTHSAYER. Flourish. Enter
CESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS,
METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY,
LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and others.
Ces. The ides of March are come.
Sooth. Ay, Cesar; but not gone.
Art. Hail, Cesar! Read this schedule.
Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

suit

That touches Cesar nearer: Read it, great Cesar. Ces. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd.

Art. Delay not, Cesar; read it instantly. (es. What, is the fellow mad?

Pub. Sirrah, give place.

Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street?

Come to the Capitol.

CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the SENATORS rise.

Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. Cas. What enterprise, Popilius ?

Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CESAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena?

Cas. He wish'd, to-day our enterprise might I fear our purpose is discovered. [thrive. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cesar: Mark him.

Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear preveution.

Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Cesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.

Bru. Cassius, be constant:

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;

For, look, he smiles, and Cesar doth not change. Cas. Trebonius knows his time for, look you, Brutus,

He draws Mark Antony out of the way. [Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS.

CESAR

and the SENATORS take their Seats. Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cesar.

Bru. He is address'd: press near and second him.

Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

Ces. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cesar and his senate must redress?

Met. Most high, most mighty, aud most puis

sant Cesar,

Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart :

[Kneeling.

Ces. I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings, and these lowly courtesies,
Might fire the blood of ordinary men ;
And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree,
Into the law of children. Be not fond
To think that Cesar bears such rebel blood,
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet
words,

Low-crook'd curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is bauished;
If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Cesar doth not wrong; nor, without cause,
Will he be satisfied.

Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my
Own,

To sound more sweetly in great Cesar's ear,
For the repealing of my banish'd brother?
Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery,
Cesar;

Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Ces. What, Brutus !

Cas. Pardon, Cesar; Cesar, pardon :
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

Ces. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:
So, in the world; "Tis furuish'd wel! with men,

• Ready.

sive ;*

CESAR

He is then

[CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck.
catches hold of his arm.
stabbed by several other Conspirators,
and at last by MARCUS BRUTUS.

Ces. Et tu, Brute? 1-Then, fall, Cesar.

[Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion.

Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead !— Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!

Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still:-ambition's debt is paid. Casca. Go to the pulpit, § Brutus.

Dec. And Cassins too.

Bru. Where's Publius?

Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cesar's Should chance

Bru. Talk not of standing-Publius, good cheer;

There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman e'se: so tell them, Publius.
Cas. And leave us, Publius; lest that the

people,

[chief. Rushing on us, should do your age some misBru. Do so;-and let no man abide this deed, But we the doers.

Re-enter TREBONIUS.

Cas. Where's Antony?

Tre. Fled to his house amaz'd:

Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday.

Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures :That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon. Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Cesar's friends, that have abridg'd
His time of fearing death.-Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Cesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords :
Then walk we forth, e'en to the market-place;
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry, Peace! Freedom! and Liberty!
Cas. Stoop then, and wash. How many ages
hence,

Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er,
In states unborn, and accents yet unknown!
Bru. How many times shall Cesar bleed in
sport,

That now on Pompey's basis lies along,
No worthier than the dust!

Cas. So oft as that shall be,

So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave our country liberty.
Dec. What, shall we forth?

Cas. Ay, every man away:

Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best bearts of Rome.

Say, I fear'd Cesar, honour'd him, and lov'd
If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony [him.
May safely come to him, and be resolv'd
How Cesar hath deserv'd to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Cesar dead
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,
With all true faith.' So says my inaster
tony.

Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse.

Tel: him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, Depart untouch'd.

Serv. I'll fetch him presently.

[Exit SERV. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend.

Cas. I wish we may but yet have I a mind, That fears him much; and my misgiving still Fails shrewdly to the purpose.

Re-enter ANTONY.

Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark
Antony.

Ant. O mighty Cesar! Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.-
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit

As Cesar's death hour; nor no instrument

Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich

With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if yon bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and
smoke,

Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die :
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Cesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.

Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us.
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands, and this our present act,
You see we do; yet see you but our hands,
And this the bleeding business they have done :
Our hearts you see not, they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome
(As fire drives ont fire, so pity, pity,)
Hath done this deed on Cesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark
Antony:

Our armis, in strength of malice,+ and our hearts,
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's,
In the disposing of new dignities.

Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Cesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.

Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. 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 :

Cas. Mark Antony,

Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.

Cas. I blame you not for praising Cesar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was

indeed,

Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cesar.
Friends am I with you all, and love you all;
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons,
Why, and wherein, Cesar was dangerous.

Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle :
Our reasons are so full of good regard,
That were you, Antony, the son of Cesar,
You should be satisfied.

Ant. That's all I seek:
And am moreover suitor, that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.

Bru. You shall, Mark Antony.
Cas. Brutus, a word with you.

You know not what you do; Do not consent,
That Antony speak in his funeral :
Know you how much the people may be mov'd
By that which he will utter !
Aside.

Bru. By your pardon ;

I will myself into the pulpit first,

And show the reason of our Cesar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission:
And that we are contented Cesar shall
Have all true rites, and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more, than do us wrong.

Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not.
Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Cesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Cesar;
And say, you do't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral: And you shall speak
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 us.
[Exeunt all but ANTONY
Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding
earth,

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood :
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,

Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,

• Grown too powerful for the public safety. Though strong in the deed just performed.

And sure he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause;
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason!-Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Cesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in bis
sayings.

Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cesar has had great wrong.

3 Cit. Has he, masters ?

I fear there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;

Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.

3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony.

4 Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday, the word of Cesar might Have stood against the world: now lies he there, Aud none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds 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 myself, and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cesar; I found it in his closset; 'tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament, (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,) And they would go and kiss dead Cesar's And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy

Unto their issue.

Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them

now.

You all do know this mantle : I remember
The first time ever Cesar put it on:
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii :-
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:
See, what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd,
And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Cesar follow'd it;
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd or no;
(For Brutus, as you know, was Cesar's angel)
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cesar lov'd him!
This was the mos unkindest cut of all:
For, when the noble Cesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitor's arms,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty
heart;

And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua
Which all the while ran blood, † great Cesar fell.
Oh! what a fall was there, my countrymen !
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
Oh! now you weep and I perceive you feel
The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you, when you but beho'd
Our Cesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd as you see, with trai-

tors.

1 Cit. O piteous spectacle ! 2 Cit. O noble Cesar!

3 Cit. O woeful day!

4 Cit. O traitors, villains!

1 Cit. O most bloody sight!

4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony.

Cit. The will! the will! we will hear Cesar's will.

Aut. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;

It is not meet you know how Cesar lov'd you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs ;
For, if you should, oh! what would come of it?
4 Cit. Read the will: we will hear it, Antony;
You shall read us the will; Cesar's will.

Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. [while?
I fear I wrong the honourable men,
Whose daggers have stabb'd Cesar: I do fear it.
4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men !
Cit. The will! the testament !

2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will!

Ant. You wili compel me then to read the will?

Then make a ring about the corse of Cesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
Cit. Come down.
2 Cit. Descend.

[He comes down from the Pulpit.

3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round.

1 Cit. Stand from the herse, stand from the body.

2 Cit. Room for Antony ;-most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far

off.

Cit. Stand back! room! bear back!

All are too proud to shew him any respect. + Said more than I intended.

tor live.

1 Cit. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up

To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
They that have done this deed are honourable;
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it: they are wise and ho-

nourable,

And will no doubt, with reasons answer you,
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts;
I am no orator, as Brutus is :

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend: and that they know full well

That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that, which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Cesar's wounds, poor, poor
dumb mouths,

And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Cesar, that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
Cit. We'll mutiny.

1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus.

3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony.

Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:

Wherein hath Cesar thus deserv'd your loves! Alas, you know not :-I must tell yon then :You have forgot the will I told you of.

Statua for statue, is common among the old writers. 1 Cesar's blood fell upon the statue, and trickled from i. Wrongs.