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Manent BRUTUS and CASSIUS , now in the tent
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Manent BRUTUS and CASSIUS , now in the tent
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CASSIUS That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
5 Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
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CASSIUS That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
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BRUTUS You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
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BRUTUS You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
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CASSIUS In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
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CASSIUS In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
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BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
10 Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
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BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
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CASSIUS I “an itching palm”!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
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CASSIUS I “an itching palm”!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
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BRUTUS 15 The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
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BRUTUS The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
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CASSIUS Chastisement!
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CASSIUS Chastisement!
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BRUTUS Remember March, the ides of March remember.
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
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BRUTUS Remember March, the ides of March remember.
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
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20 What villain touched his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
25 And sell the mighty space of our large honors
For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.
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What villain touched his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honors
For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.
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CASSIUS Brutus, bait not me.
I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself
30 To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
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CASSIUS Brutus, bait not me.
I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
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BRUTUS Go to. You are not, Cassius.
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BRUTUS Go to. You are not, Cassius.
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CASSIUS I am.
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CASSIUS I am.
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BRUTUS 35 I say you are not.
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BRUTUS I say you are not.
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CASSIUS Urge me no more, I shall forget myself.
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
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CASSIUS Urge me no more, I shall forget myself.
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
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BRUTUS Away, slight man!
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BRUTUS Away, slight man!
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CASSIUS Is ’t possible?
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CASSIUS Is ’t possible?
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BRUTUS 40 Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
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BRUTUS Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
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CASSIUS O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?
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CASSIUS O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?
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BRUTUS “All this”? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
45 Go show your slaves how choleric you are
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humor? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
50 Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
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BRUTUS “All this”? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
Go show your slaves how choleric you are
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humor? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
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CASSIUS Is it come to this?
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CASSIUS Is it come to this?
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BRUTUS You say you are a better soldier.
Let it appear so. Make your vaunting true,
55 And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
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BRUTUS You say you are a better soldier.
Let it appear so. Make your vaunting true,
And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
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CASSIUS You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.
I said an elder soldier, not a better.
Did I say “better”?
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CASSIUS You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.
I said an elder soldier, not a better.
Did I say “better”?
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BRUTUS 60 If you did, I care not.
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BRUTUS If you did, I care not.
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CASSIUS When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
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CASSIUS When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
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BRUTUS Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
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BRUTUS Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
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CASSIUS I durst not!
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CASSIUS I durst not!
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BRUTUS No.
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BRUTUS No.
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CASSIUS 65 What, durst not tempt him?
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CASSIUS What, durst not tempt him?
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BRUTUS For your life you durst not.
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BRUTUS For your life you durst not.
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CASSIUS Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
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CASSIUS Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
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BRUTUS You have done that you should be sorry for.
70 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am armed so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
75 For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
80 To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
85 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts.
Dash him to pieces!
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BRUTUS You have done that you should be sorry for.
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am armed so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts.
Dash him to pieces!
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CASSIUS I denied you not.
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CASSIUS I denied you not.
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BRUTUS You did.
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BRUTUS You did.
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CASSIUS I did not. He was but a fool that brought
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart.
A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,
90 But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
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CASSIUS I did not. He was but a fool that brought
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart.
A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
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BRUTUS I do not, till you practice them on me.
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BRUTUS I do not, till you practice them on me.
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CASSIUS You love me not.
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CASSIUS You love me not.
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BRUTUS I do not like your faults.
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BRUTUS I do not like your faults.
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CASSIUS A friendly eye could never see such faults.
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CASSIUS A friendly eye could never see such faults.
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BRUTUS A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
95 As huge as high Olympus.
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BRUTUS A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
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CASSIUS Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world—
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
100 Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes.
(offers BRUTUS his bared dagger) There is my dagger.
105 And here my naked breast. Within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold.
If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth.
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart.
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know
110 When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
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CASSIUS Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world—
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes.
(offers BRUTUS his bared dagger) There is my dagger.
And here my naked breast. Within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold.
If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth.
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart.
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
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BRUTUS Sheathe your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope.
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
115 That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again.
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BRUTUS Sheathe your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope.
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again.
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CASSIUS Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
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CASSIUS Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
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BRUTUS 120 When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
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BRUTUS When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
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CASSIUS Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
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CASSIUS Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
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BRUTUS And my heart too.
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BRUTUS And my heart too.
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CASSIUS and BRUTUS shake hands
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CASSIUS and BRUTUS shake hands
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CASSIUS O Brutus!
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CASSIUS O Brutus!
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BRUTUS What’s the matter?
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BRUTUS What’s the matter?
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CASSIUS Have not you love enough to bear with me,
When that rash humor which my mother gave me
125 Makes me forgetful?
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CASSIUS Have not you love enough to bear with me,
When that rash humor which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful?
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BRUTUS Yes, Cassius. And from henceforth
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He’ll think your mother chides and leave you so.
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BRUTUS Yes, Cassius. And from henceforth
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He’ll think your mother chides and leave you so.
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POET (within) Let me go in to see the generals.
There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
130 They be alone.
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POET (within) Let me go in to see the generals.
There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
They be alone.
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LUCILLIUS (within) You shall not come to them.
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LUCILLIUS (within) You shall not come to them.
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POET (within) Nothing but death shall stay me.
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POET (within) Nothing but death shall stay me.
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Enter a POET followed by LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
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Enter a POET followed by LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
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CASSIUS How now? What’s the matter?
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CASSIUS How now? What’s the matter?
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POET For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
135 Love, and be friends as two such men should be.
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.
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POET For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
Love, and be friends as two such men should be.
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.
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CASSIUS Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
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CASSIUS Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
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BRUTUS (to POET) Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!
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BRUTUS (to POET) Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!
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CASSIUS Bear with him, Brutus. 'Tis his fashion.
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CASSIUS Bear with him, Brutus. 'Tis his fashion.
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BRUTUS 140 I’ll know his humor when he knows his time.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
—Companion, hence!
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BRUTUS I’ll know his humor when he knows his time.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
—Companion, hence!
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CASSIUS Away, away, be gone.
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CASSIUS Away, away, be gone.
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Exit POET
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Exit POET
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BRUTUS Lucillius and Titinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
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BRUTUS Lucillius and Titinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
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CASSIUS 145 And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you,
Immediately to us.
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CASSIUS And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you,
Immediately to us.
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Exeunt LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
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Exeunt LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
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BRUTUS (calls off) Lucius, a bowl of wine!
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BRUTUS (calls off) Lucius, a bowl of wine!
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CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry.
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CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry.
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BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
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BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
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CASSIUS Of your philosophy you make no use
150 If you give place to accidental evils.
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CASSIUS Of your philosophy you make no use
If you give place to accidental evils.
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BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
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BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
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CASSIUS Ha, Portia?
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CASSIUS Ha, Portia?
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BRUTUS She is dead.
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BRUTUS She is dead.
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CASSIUS How ’scaped I killing when I crossed you so?
155 O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
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CASSIUS How ’scaped I killing when I crossed you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
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BRUTUS Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong—for with her death
That tidings came—with this she fell distract
160 And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
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BRUTUS Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong—for with her death
That tidings came—with this she fell distract
And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
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CASSIUS And died so?
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CASSIUS And died so?
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BRUTUS Even so.
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BRUTUS Even so.
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CASSIUS O ye immortal gods!
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CASSIUS O ye immortal gods!
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Enter LUCIUS with wine and tapers
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Enter LUCIUS with wine and tapers
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BRUTUS Speak no more of her.—Give me a bowl of wine.—
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
(drinks)
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BRUTUS Speak no more of her.—Give me a bowl of wine.—
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
(drinks)
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CASSIUS 165 My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
(drinks)
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CASSIUS My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
(drinks)
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Exit LUCIUS
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Exit LUCIUS
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Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA
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Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA
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BRUTUS Come in, Titinius.—Welcome, good Messala!
170 Now sit we close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.
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BRUTUS Come in, Titinius.—Welcome, good Messala!
Now sit we close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.
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CASSIUS Portia, art thou gone?
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CASSIUS Portia, art thou gone?
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BRUTUS No more, I pray you.
—Messala, I have here receivèd letters
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
175 Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
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BRUTUS No more, I pray you.
—Messala, I have here receivèd letters
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
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MESSALA Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
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MESSALA Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
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BRUTUS With what addition?
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BRUTUS With what addition?
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MESSALA That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
180 Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred senators.
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MESSALA That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred senators.
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BRUTUS Therein our letters do not well agree.
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
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BRUTUS Therein our letters do not well agree.
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
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CASSIUS 185 Cicero one?
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CASSIUS Cicero one?
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MESSALA Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
(to BRUTUS) Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
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MESSALA Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
(to BRUTUS) Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
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BRUTUS No, Messala.
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BRUTUS No, Messala.
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MESSALA Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
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MESSALA Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
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BRUTUS 190 Nothing, Messala.
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BRUTUS Nothing, Messala.
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MESSALA That methinks is strange.
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MESSALA That methinks is strange.
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BRUTUS Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?
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BRUTUS Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?
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MESSALA No, my lord.
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MESSALA No, my lord.
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BRUTUS Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
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BRUTUS Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
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MESSALA Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell.
195 For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
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MESSALA Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell.
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
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BRUTUS Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now.
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BRUTUS Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now.
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MESSALA Even so great men great losses should endure.
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MESSALA Even so great men great losses should endure.
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CASSIUS 200 I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
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CASSIUS I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
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BRUTUS Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
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BRUTUS Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
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CASSIUS I do not think it good.
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CASSIUS I do not think it good.
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BRUTUS Your reason?
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BRUTUS Your reason?
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CASSIUS This it is:
205 'Tis better that the enemy seek us.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
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CASSIUS This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
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BRUTUS Good reasons must of force give place to better.
210 The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection,
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
215 Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
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BRUTUS Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection,
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
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CASSIUS Hear me, good brother—
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CASSIUS Hear me, good brother—
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BRUTUS Under your pardon. You must note beside,
220 That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day.
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
225 Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
230 Or lose our ventures.
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BRUTUS Under your pardon. You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day.
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures.
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CASSIUS Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
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CASSIUS Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
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BRUTUS The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
235 There is no more to say?
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BRUTUS The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?
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CASSIUS No more. Good night.
Early tomorrow will we rise and hence.
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CASSIUS No more. Good night.
Early tomorrow will we rise and hence.
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BRUTUS Lucius!
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BRUTUS Lucius!
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Enter LUCIUS
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Enter LUCIUS
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My gown.
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My gown.
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Exit LUCIUS
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Exit LUCIUS
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Farewell, good Messala.—
Good night, Titinius.—Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night and good repose.
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Farewell, good Messala.—
Good night, Titinius.—Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night and good repose.
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CASSIUS O my dear brother,
240 This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls.
Let it not, Brutus.
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CASSIUS O my dear brother,
This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls.
Let it not, Brutus.
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Enter LUCIUS with the gown
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Enter LUCIUS with the gown
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BRUTUS Everything is well.
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BRUTUS Everything is well.
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CASSIUS Good night, my lord.
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CASSIUS Good night, my lord.
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BRUTUS Good night, good brother.
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BRUTUS Good night, good brother.
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TITINIUS, MESSALA Good night, Lord Brutus.
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TITINIUS, MESSALA Good night, Lord Brutus.
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BRUTUS 245 Farewell, everyone.
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BRUTUS Farewell, everyone.
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Exeunt CASSIUS , TITINIUS , and MESSALA
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Exeunt CASSIUS , TITINIUS , and MESSALA
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Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
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Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
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LUCIUS Here in the tent.
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LUCIUS Here in the tent.
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BRUTUS What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not. Thou art o'erwatched.
Call Claudio and some other of my men.
250 I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
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BRUTUS What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not. Thou art o'erwatched.
Call Claudio and some other of my men.
I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
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LUCIUS Varrus and Claudio!
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LUCIUS Varrus and Claudio!
|
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Enter VARRUS and CLAUDIO
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Enter VARRUS and CLAUDIO
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VARRUS Calls my lord?
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VARRUS Calls my lord?
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BRUTUS I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
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BRUTUS I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
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VARRUS 255 So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
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VARRUS So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
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BRUTUS I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
—Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so.
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
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BRUTUS I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
—Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so.
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
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VARRUS and CLAUDIO lie down
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VARRUS and CLAUDIO lie down
|
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LUCIUS 260 I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
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LUCIUS I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
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BRUTUS Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
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BRUTUS Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
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LUCIUS Ay, my lord, an ’t please you.
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LUCIUS Ay, my lord, an ’t please you.
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BRUTUS It does, my boy.
265 I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
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BRUTUS It does, my boy.
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
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LUCIUS It is my duty, sir.
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LUCIUS It is my duty, sir.
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BRUTUS I should not urge thy duty past thy might.
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
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BRUTUS I should not urge thy duty past thy might.
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
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LUCIUS I have slept, my lord, already.
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LUCIUS I have slept, my lord, already.
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BRUTUS 270 It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.
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BRUTUS It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.
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LUCIUS plays music and sings a song, falling asleep
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LUCIUS plays music and sings a song, falling asleep
|
|
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber,
Layst thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
275 That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night.
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument.
I’ll take it from thee. And, good boy, good night.
—Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
280 Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
|
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber,
Layst thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night.
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument.
I’ll take it from thee. And, good boy, good night.
—Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
|
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Enter the GHOST of Caesar
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Enter the GHOST of Caesar
|
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How ill this taper burns!—Ha, who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me.—Art thou any thing?
285 Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
|
How ill this taper burns!—Ha, who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me.—Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
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GHOST Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
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GHOST Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
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BRUTUS Why comest thou?
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BRUTUS Why comest thou?
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GHOST 290 To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
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GHOST To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
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BRUTUS Well, then I shall see thee again?
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BRUTUS Well, then I shall see thee again?
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GHOST Ay, at Philippi.
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GHOST Ay, at Philippi.
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BRUTUS Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
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BRUTUS Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
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Exit GHOST
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Exit GHOST
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|
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest.
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
—Claudio!
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Now I have taken heart thou vanishest.
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
—Claudio!
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LUCIUS The strings, my lord, are false.
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LUCIUS The strings, my lord, are false.
|
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BRUTUS He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake.
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BRUTUS He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake.
|
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LUCIUS 300 My lord?
|
LUCIUS My lord?
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|
BRUTUS Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
|
BRUTUS Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
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LUCIUS My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
|
LUCIUS My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
|
|
BRUTUS Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing?
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BRUTUS Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing?
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LUCIUS Nothing, my lord.
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LUCIUS Nothing, my lord.
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BRUTUS 305 Sleep again, Lucius.—Sirrah Claudio!
(to VARRUS)
Fellow thou, awake!
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BRUTUS Sleep again, Lucius.—Sirrah Claudio!
(to VARRUS)
Fellow thou, awake!
|
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VARRUS My lord?
|
VARRUS My lord?
|
|
CLAUDIO My lord?
|
CLAUDIO My lord?
|
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BRUTUS Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
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BRUTUS Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
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VARRUS, CLAUDIO 310 Did we, my lord?
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VARRUS, CLAUDIO Did we, my lord?
|
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BRUTUS Ay. Saw you anything?
|
BRUTUS Ay. Saw you anything?
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VARRUS No, my lord, I saw nothing.
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VARRUS No, my lord, I saw nothing.
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CLAUDIO Nor I, my lord.
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CLAUDIO Nor I, my lord.
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BRUTUS Go and commend me to my brother Cassius.
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
And we will follow.
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BRUTUS Go and commend me to my brother Cassius.
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
And we will follow.
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VARRUS, CLAUDIO It shall be done, my lord.
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VARRUS, CLAUDIO It shall be done, my lord.
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Exeunt severally
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Exeunt severally
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Manent BRUTUS and CASSIUS , now in the tent
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Manent BRUTUS and CASSIUS , now in the tent
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CASSIUS That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
5 Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
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CASSIUS That you have wronged me doth appear in this:
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians,
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
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BRUTUS You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
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BRUTUS You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
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CASSIUS In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
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CASSIUS In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
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BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
10 Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
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BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
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CASSIUS I “an itching palm”!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
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CASSIUS I “an itching palm”!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
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BRUTUS 15 The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
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BRUTUS The name of Cassius honors this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
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CASSIUS Chastisement!
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CASSIUS Chastisement!
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BRUTUS Remember March, the ides of March remember.
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
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BRUTUS Remember March, the ides of March remember.
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
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20 What villain touched his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
25 And sell the mighty space of our large honors
For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.
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What villain touched his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honors
For so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.
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CASSIUS Brutus, bait not me.
I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself
30 To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
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CASSIUS Brutus, bait not me.
I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
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BRUTUS Go to. You are not, Cassius.
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BRUTUS Go to. You are not, Cassius.
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CASSIUS I am.
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CASSIUS I am.
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BRUTUS 35 I say you are not.
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BRUTUS I say you are not.
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CASSIUS Urge me no more, I shall forget myself.
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
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CASSIUS Urge me no more, I shall forget myself.
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
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BRUTUS Away, slight man!
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BRUTUS Away, slight man!
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CASSIUS Is ’t possible?
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CASSIUS Is ’t possible?
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BRUTUS 40 Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
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BRUTUS Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
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CASSIUS O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?
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CASSIUS O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?
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BRUTUS “All this”? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
45 Go show your slaves how choleric you are
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humor? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
50 Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
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BRUTUS “All this”? Ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break.
Go show your slaves how choleric you are
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humor? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you. For from this day forth,
I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
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CASSIUS Is it come to this?
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CASSIUS Is it come to this?
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BRUTUS You say you are a better soldier.
Let it appear so. Make your vaunting true,
55 And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
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BRUTUS You say you are a better soldier.
Let it appear so. Make your vaunting true,
And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
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CASSIUS You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.
I said an elder soldier, not a better.
Did I say “better”?
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CASSIUS You wrong me every way. You wrong me, Brutus.
I said an elder soldier, not a better.
Did I say “better”?
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BRUTUS 60 If you did, I care not.
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BRUTUS If you did, I care not.
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CASSIUS When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
|
CASSIUS When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
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BRUTUS Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
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BRUTUS Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him.
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CASSIUS I durst not!
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CASSIUS I durst not!
|
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BRUTUS No.
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BRUTUS No.
|
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CASSIUS 65 What, durst not tempt him?
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CASSIUS What, durst not tempt him?
|
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BRUTUS For your life you durst not.
|
BRUTUS For your life you durst not.
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CASSIUS Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
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CASSIUS Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
|
|
BRUTUS You have done that you should be sorry for.
70 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am armed so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
75 For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
80 To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
85 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts.
Dash him to pieces!
|
BRUTUS You have done that you should be sorry for.
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am armed so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts.
Dash him to pieces!
|
|
CASSIUS I denied you not.
|
CASSIUS I denied you not.
|
|
BRUTUS You did.
|
BRUTUS You did.
|
|
CASSIUS I did not. He was but a fool that brought
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart.
A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,
90 But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
|
CASSIUS I did not. He was but a fool that brought
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart.
A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
|
|
BRUTUS I do not, till you practice them on me.
|
BRUTUS I do not, till you practice them on me.
|
|
CASSIUS You love me not.
|
CASSIUS You love me not.
|
|
BRUTUS I do not like your faults.
|
BRUTUS I do not like your faults.
|
|
CASSIUS A friendly eye could never see such faults.
|
CASSIUS A friendly eye could never see such faults.
|
|
BRUTUS A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
95 As huge as high Olympus.
|
BRUTUS A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
|
|
CASSIUS Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world—
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
100 Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes.
(offers BRUTUS his bared dagger) There is my dagger.
105 And here my naked breast. Within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold.
If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth.
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart.
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know
110 When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
|
CASSIUS Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world—
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
Checked like a bondman, all his faults observed,
Set in a notebook, learned, and conned by rote
To cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes.
(offers BRUTUS his bared dagger) There is my dagger.
And here my naked breast. Within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold.
If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth.
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart.
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
|
|
BRUTUS Sheathe your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope.
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
115 That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again.
|
BRUTUS Sheathe your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope.
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor.
O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforcèd, shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again.
|
|
CASSIUS Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
|
CASSIUS Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?
|
|
BRUTUS 120 When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
|
BRUTUS When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.
|
|
CASSIUS Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
|
CASSIUS Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
|
|
BRUTUS And my heart too.
|
BRUTUS And my heart too.
|
|
CASSIUS and BRUTUS shake hands
|
CASSIUS and BRUTUS shake hands
|
|
CASSIUS O Brutus!
|
CASSIUS O Brutus!
|
|
BRUTUS What’s the matter?
|
BRUTUS What’s the matter?
|
|
CASSIUS Have not you love enough to bear with me,
When that rash humor which my mother gave me
125 Makes me forgetful?
|
CASSIUS Have not you love enough to bear with me,
When that rash humor which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful?
|
|
BRUTUS Yes, Cassius. And from henceforth
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He’ll think your mother chides and leave you so.
|
BRUTUS Yes, Cassius. And from henceforth
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He’ll think your mother chides and leave you so.
|
|
POET (within) Let me go in to see the generals.
There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
130 They be alone.
|
POET (within) Let me go in to see the generals.
There is some grudge between 'em. 'Tis not meet
They be alone.
|
|
LUCILLIUS (within) You shall not come to them.
|
LUCILLIUS (within) You shall not come to them.
|
|
POET (within) Nothing but death shall stay me.
|
POET (within) Nothing but death shall stay me.
|
|
Enter a POET followed by LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
|
Enter a POET followed by LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
|
|
CASSIUS How now? What’s the matter?
|
CASSIUS How now? What’s the matter?
|
|
POET For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
135 Love, and be friends as two such men should be.
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.
|
POET For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
Love, and be friends as two such men should be.
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.
|
|
CASSIUS Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
|
CASSIUS Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
|
|
BRUTUS (to POET) Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!
|
BRUTUS (to POET) Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!
|
|
CASSIUS Bear with him, Brutus. 'Tis his fashion.
|
CASSIUS Bear with him, Brutus. 'Tis his fashion.
|
|
BRUTUS 140 I’ll know his humor when he knows his time.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
—Companion, hence!
|
BRUTUS I’ll know his humor when he knows his time.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
—Companion, hence!
|
|
CASSIUS Away, away, be gone.
|
CASSIUS Away, away, be gone.
|
|
Exit POET
|
Exit POET
|
|
BRUTUS Lucillius and Titinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
|
BRUTUS Lucillius and Titinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
|
|
CASSIUS 145 And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you,
Immediately to us.
|
CASSIUS And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you,
Immediately to us.
|
|
Exeunt LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
|
Exeunt LUCILLIUS and TITINIUS
|
|
BRUTUS (calls off) Lucius, a bowl of wine!
|
BRUTUS (calls off) Lucius, a bowl of wine!
|
|
CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry.
|
CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry.
|
|
BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
|
BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
|
|
CASSIUS Of your philosophy you make no use
150 If you give place to accidental evils.
|
CASSIUS Of your philosophy you make no use
If you give place to accidental evils.
|
|
BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
|
BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
|
|
CASSIUS Ha, Portia?
|
CASSIUS Ha, Portia?
|
|
BRUTUS She is dead.
|
BRUTUS She is dead.
|
|
CASSIUS How ’scaped I killing when I crossed you so?
155 O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
|
CASSIUS How ’scaped I killing when I crossed you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
|
|
BRUTUS Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong—for with her death
That tidings came—with this she fell distract
160 And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
|
BRUTUS Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong—for with her death
That tidings came—with this she fell distract
And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
|
|
CASSIUS And died so?
|
CASSIUS And died so?
|
|
BRUTUS Even so.
|
BRUTUS Even so.
|
|
CASSIUS O ye immortal gods!
|
CASSIUS O ye immortal gods!
|
|
Enter LUCIUS with wine and tapers
|
Enter LUCIUS with wine and tapers
|
|
BRUTUS Speak no more of her.—Give me a bowl of wine.—
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
(drinks)
|
BRUTUS Speak no more of her.—Give me a bowl of wine.—
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
(drinks)
|
|
CASSIUS 165 My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
(drinks)
|
CASSIUS My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup.
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
(drinks)
|
|
Exit LUCIUS
|
Exit LUCIUS
|
|
Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA
|
Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA
|
|
BRUTUS Come in, Titinius.—Welcome, good Messala!
170 Now sit we close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.
|
BRUTUS Come in, Titinius.—Welcome, good Messala!
Now sit we close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.
|
|
CASSIUS Portia, art thou gone?
|
CASSIUS Portia, art thou gone?
|
|
BRUTUS No more, I pray you.
—Messala, I have here receivèd letters
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
175 Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
|
BRUTUS No more, I pray you.
—Messala, I have here receivèd letters
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
|
|
MESSALA Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
|
MESSALA Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
|
|
BRUTUS With what addition?
|
BRUTUS With what addition?
|
|
MESSALA That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
180 Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred senators.
|
MESSALA That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred senators.
|
|
BRUTUS Therein our letters do not well agree.
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
|
BRUTUS Therein our letters do not well agree.
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
|
|
CASSIUS 185 Cicero one?
|
CASSIUS Cicero one?
|
|
MESSALA Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
(to BRUTUS) Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
|
MESSALA Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
(to BRUTUS) Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
|
|
BRUTUS No, Messala.
|
BRUTUS No, Messala.
|
|
MESSALA Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
|
MESSALA Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
|
|
BRUTUS 190 Nothing, Messala.
|
BRUTUS Nothing, Messala.
|
|
MESSALA That methinks is strange.
|
MESSALA That methinks is strange.
|
|
BRUTUS Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?
|
BRUTUS Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?
|
|
MESSALA No, my lord.
|
MESSALA No, my lord.
|
|
BRUTUS Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
|
BRUTUS Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
|
|
MESSALA Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell.
195 For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
|
MESSALA Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell.
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
|
|
BRUTUS Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now.
|
BRUTUS Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now.
|
|
MESSALA Even so great men great losses should endure.
|
MESSALA Even so great men great losses should endure.
|
|
CASSIUS 200 I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
|
CASSIUS I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
|
|
BRUTUS Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
|
BRUTUS Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
|
|
CASSIUS I do not think it good.
|
CASSIUS I do not think it good.
|
|
BRUTUS Your reason?
|
BRUTUS Your reason?
|
|
CASSIUS This it is:
205 'Tis better that the enemy seek us.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
|
CASSIUS This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
|
|
BRUTUS Good reasons must of force give place to better.
210 The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection,
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
215 Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
|
BRUTUS Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection,
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
|
|
CASSIUS Hear me, good brother—
|
CASSIUS Hear me, good brother—
|
|
BRUTUS Under your pardon. You must note beside,
220 That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day.
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
225 Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
230 Or lose our ventures.
|
BRUTUS Under your pardon. You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day.
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures.
|
|
CASSIUS Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
|
CASSIUS Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
|
|
BRUTUS The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
235 There is no more to say?
|
BRUTUS The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?
|
|
CASSIUS No more. Good night.
Early tomorrow will we rise and hence.
|
CASSIUS No more. Good night.
Early tomorrow will we rise and hence.
|
|
BRUTUS Lucius!
|
BRUTUS Lucius!
|
|
Enter LUCIUS
|
Enter LUCIUS
|
|
My gown.
|
My gown.
|
|
Exit LUCIUS
|
Exit LUCIUS
|
|
Farewell, good Messala.—
Good night, Titinius.—Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night and good repose.
|
Farewell, good Messala.—
Good night, Titinius.—Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night and good repose.
|
|
CASSIUS O my dear brother,
240 This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls.
Let it not, Brutus.
|
CASSIUS O my dear brother,
This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls.
Let it not, Brutus.
|
|
Enter LUCIUS with the gown
|
Enter LUCIUS with the gown
|
|
BRUTUS Everything is well.
|
BRUTUS Everything is well.
|
|
CASSIUS Good night, my lord.
|
CASSIUS Good night, my lord.
|
|
BRUTUS Good night, good brother.
|
BRUTUS Good night, good brother.
|
|
TITINIUS, MESSALA Good night, Lord Brutus.
|
TITINIUS, MESSALA Good night, Lord Brutus.
|
|
BRUTUS 245 Farewell, everyone.
|
BRUTUS Farewell, everyone.
|
|
Exeunt CASSIUS , TITINIUS , and MESSALA
|
Exeunt CASSIUS , TITINIUS , and MESSALA
|
|
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
|
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
|
|
LUCIUS Here in the tent.
|
LUCIUS Here in the tent.
|
|
BRUTUS What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not. Thou art o'erwatched.
Call Claudio and some other of my men.
250 I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
|
BRUTUS What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not. Thou art o'erwatched.
Call Claudio and some other of my men.
I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
|
|
LUCIUS Varrus and Claudio!
|
LUCIUS Varrus and Claudio!
|
|
Enter VARRUS and CLAUDIO
|
Enter VARRUS and CLAUDIO
|
|
VARRUS Calls my lord?
|
VARRUS Calls my lord?
|
|
BRUTUS I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
|
BRUTUS I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
|
|
VARRUS 255 So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
|
VARRUS So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
|
|
BRUTUS I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
—Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so.
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
|
BRUTUS I will not have it so. Lie down, good sirs.
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
—Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so.
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
|
|
VARRUS and CLAUDIO lie down
|
VARRUS and CLAUDIO lie down
|
|
LUCIUS 260 I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
|
LUCIUS I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
|
|
BRUTUS Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
|
BRUTUS Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
|
|
LUCIUS Ay, my lord, an ’t please you.
|
LUCIUS Ay, my lord, an ’t please you.
|
|
BRUTUS It does, my boy.
265 I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
|
BRUTUS It does, my boy.
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
|
|
LUCIUS It is my duty, sir.
|
LUCIUS It is my duty, sir.
|
|
BRUTUS I should not urge thy duty past thy might.
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
|
BRUTUS I should not urge thy duty past thy might.
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
|
|
LUCIUS I have slept, my lord, already.
|
LUCIUS I have slept, my lord, already.
|
|
BRUTUS 270 It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.
|
BRUTUS It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.
|
|
LUCIUS plays music and sings a song, falling asleep
|
LUCIUS plays music and sings a song, falling asleep
|
|
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber,
Layst thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
275 That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night.
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument.
I’ll take it from thee. And, good boy, good night.
—Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
280 Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
|
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber,
Layst thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night.
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument.
I’ll take it from thee. And, good boy, good night.
—Let me see, let me see. Is not the leaf turned down
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
|
|
Enter the GHOST of Caesar
|
Enter the GHOST of Caesar
|
|
How ill this taper burns!—Ha, who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me.—Art thou any thing?
285 Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
|
How ill this taper burns!—Ha, who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me.—Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
|
|
GHOST Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
|
GHOST Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
|
|
BRUTUS Why comest thou?
|
BRUTUS Why comest thou?
|
|
GHOST 290 To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
|
GHOST To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
|
|
BRUTUS Well, then I shall see thee again?
|
BRUTUS Well, then I shall see thee again?
|
|
GHOST Ay, at Philippi.
|
GHOST Ay, at Philippi.
|
|
BRUTUS Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
|
BRUTUS Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
|
|
Exit GHOST
|
Exit GHOST
|
|
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest.
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
—Claudio!
|
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest.
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
—Claudio!
|
|
LUCIUS The strings, my lord, are false.
|
LUCIUS The strings, my lord, are false.
|
|
BRUTUS He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake.
|
BRUTUS He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake.
|
|
LUCIUS 300 My lord?
|
LUCIUS My lord?
|
|
BRUTUS Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
|
BRUTUS Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
|
|
LUCIUS My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
|
LUCIUS My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
|
|
BRUTUS Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing?
|
BRUTUS Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing?
|
|
LUCIUS Nothing, my lord.
|
LUCIUS Nothing, my lord.
|
|
BRUTUS 305 Sleep again, Lucius.—Sirrah Claudio!
(to VARRUS)
Fellow thou, awake!
|
BRUTUS Sleep again, Lucius.—Sirrah Claudio!
(to VARRUS)
Fellow thou, awake!
|
|
VARRUS My lord?
|
VARRUS My lord?
|
|
CLAUDIO My lord?
|
CLAUDIO My lord?
|
|
BRUTUS Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
|
BRUTUS Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
|
|
VARRUS, CLAUDIO 310 Did we, my lord?
|
VARRUS, CLAUDIO Did we, my lord?
|
|
BRUTUS Ay. Saw you anything?
|
BRUTUS Ay. Saw you anything?
|
|
VARRUS No, my lord, I saw nothing.
|
VARRUS No, my lord, I saw nothing.
|
|
CLAUDIO Nor I, my lord.
|
CLAUDIO Nor I, my lord.
|
|
BRUTUS Go and commend me to my brother Cassius.
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
And we will follow.
|
BRUTUS Go and commend me to my brother Cassius.
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
And we will follow.
|
|
VARRUS, CLAUDIO It shall be done, my lord.
|
VARRUS, CLAUDIO It shall be done, my lord.
|
|
Exeunt severally
|
Exeunt severally
|
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