A man no mightier than thyself, or me, Cas. Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thewes' and limbs like to their ancestors; But, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead, And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits; Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Cæsar as a king: And he shall wear his crown by sea, and land, Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then; If I know this, know all the world besides, Casca. So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant then? So vile a thing as Cæsar? But, O, grief! My answer must be made: But I am arm'd, Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs; And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who Cas. goes farthest. There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already Of honourable-dangerous consequence; Is favour'd, like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this? There 's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cin. You are. O, Cassius, if you could but win 7 Appears. Yes, The noble Brutus to our party Cas. Be you content: Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. Casca. O, he sits high, in all the people's hearts: And that, which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchymy, Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. Brutus's Orchard. Enter BRUTUS. Bru. What, Lucius! ho! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say! - Enter LUCIUS. Luc. Call'd you, my lord? Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. Bru. It must be by his death: and, for my part, It is the bright day, that brings forth the adder; And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, ୫ Cæsar, I have not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason. But 't is a common proof", 8 Pity, tenderness. 9 Experience. That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel And kill him in the shell. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. [Exit. Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, Give so much light, that I may read by them. [Opens the Letter, and reads. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress! Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake Such instigations have been often dropp'd Where I have took them up. Shall Rome, &c. Thus, must I piece it out; Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What! Rome? I Low steps. |