O constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else? Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: And take good note, Luc. I hear none, madam. Por. Pr'ythee, listen well; I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Por. Is Cæsar yet gone to the Capitol? Sooth. Madam, not yet; I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol. Por. Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not? Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar To be so good to Cæsar, as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself. Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him? 3 In truth. Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow : [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 enterprize! -0, I grow faint Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord; Say, I am merry: come to me again, : And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. The Capitol; the Senate sitting. A Crowd of People in the Street leading to the Cas. The ides of March are come. Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit. Art. O, Cæsar, read mine first; for mine's a suit That touches Cæsar nearer: Read it, great Cæsar. Cæs. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd. Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly. Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. Pop. I wish, your enterprize to-day may thrive. Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CÆSAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wish'd, to-day our enterprize might thrive. I fear, our purpose is discovered. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cæsar: Mark him. Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Cæsar 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 Cæsar 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 Cæsar. Bru. He is address'd: press near, and second him. Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. Cæs. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cæsar, and his senate must redress? Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Cæsar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart: [Kneeling. Cæs. 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 Cæsar bears such rebel blood, That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words, Low-crooked curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banished; If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, spurn thee like a cur out of my way. I Know, Cæsar 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 Cæsar's ear, Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar; Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Cæs. What, Brutus ! Cas. Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon: As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 4 Ready. Cæs. 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, That I was constant, Cimber should be banish'd, Cin. O Cæsar, Cæs. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus? Dec. Great Cæsar, Cæs. Doth not Brutus bootless 7 kneel? Casca. Speak, hands, for me. [CASCA stabs CESAR in the Neck. CESAR catches hold of his Arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and at last by MARCUS BRutus. Cæs. Et tu, Brute? Then, fall, Cæsar. [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. 5 Intelligent. And Cassius too. 6 Solicitation. 7 Unsuccessfully. |