# Julius Caesar (1919) Yale/Text/Act III

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act III. Where these notes gloss a word in the text, the gloss can also be found by hovering over the text.
Where these notes refer to an end note (cf. n. = confer notam; "consult note"), a link to the accompanying end note is provided from the Footnotes section. The end notes accompanying Act III begin on page 104 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT THIRD
Scene One
[Before the Capitol]
Flourish. Enter Cæsar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Artemidorus, [Popilius,] Publius, the Soothsayer [and Others].
Cæs. [To the Soothsayer.] The ides of March are come.
Sooth. Ay, Cæsar; but not gone.
Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule.
Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read,4 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.8
Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly.
Cæs. What, is the fellow mad?
Pub.Sirrah, give place.
Cæs. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol.12
[Cæsar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following.]
Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Cas. What enterprise, Popilius?
Pop.Fare you well.
[Advances to Cæsar.]
Bru. What said Popilius Lena?
Cas. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.16 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,20 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.24
Cas. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus, He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.]
Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.28
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?32
Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Cæsar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat A humble heart,—[Kneeling.]
Cæs.I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies,36 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 blood40 That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words, Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banished:44 If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Cæsar doth not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied.48
Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear For the repealing of my banish'd brother?
Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar;52 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,56 To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
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,60 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,64 But there's but one in all doth hold his place: So, in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men, And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; Yet in the number I do know but one68 ​That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshak'd of motion: and that I am he Let me a little show it, even in this, That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, And constant do remain to keep him so.73
Cin. O Cæsar,—
Cæs.Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Dec. Great Cæsar,—
Cæs.Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Casca. Speak, hands, for me!76
They stab Cæsar.
Cæs. Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Cæsar!Dies.
Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out,80 'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'
Bru. People and senators, be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still; ambition's debt is paid.
[Exeunt all but the Conspirators and Publius.]
Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Dec.And Cassius too.84
Bru. Where's Publius?
Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cæsar's Should chance—88
Bru. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else; so tell them, Publius.
Cas. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people,92 Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Bru. Do so; and let no man abide this deed But we the doers.[Exit Publius.]
Enter Trebonius.
Cas. Where is Antony?
Tre.Fled to his house amaz'd.96 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.100
Casca. 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 Cæsar's friends, that have abridg'd104 His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: Then walk we forth, even to the market-place;108 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 over,112 In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, No worthier than the dust!
Cas.So oft as that shall be,116 So often shall the knot of us be call'd The men that gave their 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 hearts of Rome.121
Enter a Servant.
Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;124 And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Say I love Brutus, and I honour him;128 Say I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lov'd him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May safely come to him, and be resolv'd How Cæsar hath deserv'd to lie in death,132 Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus Thorough the hazards of this untrod state136 With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,141 Depart untouch'd.
Serv.I'll fetch him presently.
Exit Servant.
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 Falls shrewdly to the purpose.146
Enter Antony.
Bru. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.
Ant. O mighty Cæsar! 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,151 Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: If I myself, there is no hour so fit As Cæsar's death's hour, nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world.156 I do beseech ye, if ye 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:160 No place will please me so, no mean of death. As here by Cæsar, 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,165 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;169 And pity to the general wrong of Rome— As fire drives out fire, so pity pity— Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony:173 Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts ​Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.176
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,180 And then we will deliver you the cause Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Have thus proceeded.
Ant.I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand:184 First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand; Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;188 Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Gentlemen all,—alas! what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,192 Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cæsar, O 'tis true: If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,196 To see thy Antony making his peace, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Most noble, in the presence of thy corse? Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,200 Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, It would become me better than to close In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius. Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;204 ​Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. O world, thou wast the forest to this hart, And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.208 How like a deer, stricken by many princes, Dost thou here lie!
Cas. Mark Antony,—
Ant.Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this;212 Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends,216 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 Cæsar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all,220 Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Cæsar was dangerous.
Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle. Our reasons are so full of good regard224 That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar, You should be satisfied.
Ant.That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the market-place,228 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. ​[Aside to Brutus.] You know not what you do; do not consent232 That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be mov'd By that which he will utter?
Bru.By your pardon; I will myself into the pulpit first,236 And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission, And that we are contented Cæsar shall240 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 Cæsar's body.244 You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar, And say you do 't by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all248 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.252
Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exeunt all but Antony.
Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers; Thou art the ruins of the noblest man256 That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! ​Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,— Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips,260 To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,— A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;264 Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war,— All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds;269 And Cæsar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war;278 That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.
Enter Octavius' Servant.
You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not?276
Serv. I do, Mark Antony.
Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome.
Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming; And bid me say to you by word of mouth—280
[Seeing the body.]
O Cæsar!—
Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,284 Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.
Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,288 No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile; Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse Into the market-place; there shall I try,292 In my oration, how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men; According to the which thou shalt discourse To young Octavius of the state of things.296 Lend me your hand.Exeunt [with Cæsar's body].
Scene Two
[The Forum]
Enter Brutus and [presently] goes into the Pulpit, and Cassius, with the Plebeians.
Plebeians. We will be satisfied: let us be satisfied.
Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers.4 Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death.
First Ple. I will hear Brutus speak.8
Sec. Ple. I will hear Cassius, and compare their reasons, ​When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebeians.]
Third Ple. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Bru. Be patient till the last.12 Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than20 his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious,28 I slew him. There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honour, for his valour; and death, for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that33 would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.37
All. None, Brutus, none.
Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled ​in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, where- in he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death.44
Enter Mark Antony, with Cæsar's body.
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.52
All. Live, Brutus! live! live!
First Ple. Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Sec. Ple. Give him a statue with his ancestors.
Third Ple. Let him be Cæsar.
Fourth Ple.Cæsar's better parts Shall be crown'd in Brutus.57
First Ple. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours.
Bru. My countrymen,—
Sec. Ple.Peace! silence! Brutus speaks.
First Ple. Peace, ho!60
Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone. And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech Tending to Cæsar's glories, which Mark Antony, By our permission, is allow'd to make.65 I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.Exit.
First Ple. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.68
Third Ple. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.
[Goes up.]
Fourth Ple. What does he say of Brutus?
Third Ple.He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all.73
Fourth Ple. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.
First Ple. This Cæsar was a tyrant.
Third Ple.Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd that Rome is rid of him.76
Sec. Ple. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
Ant. You gentle Romans,—
All.Peace, ho! let us hear him.
Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him.80 The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Cæsar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Cæsar was ambitious;84 If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest,— For Brutus is an honourable man;88 So are they all, all honourable men,— Come I to speak in Cæsar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious;92 And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: ​Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious?96 When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man.100 You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;104 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:108 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 Cæsar,112 And I must pause till it come back to me.
First Ple. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
Sec. Ple. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong.
Third Ple.Has he, masters?116 I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Fourth Ple. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
First Ple. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.120
Sec. Ple. Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
Third Ple. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
Fourth Ple. Now mark him; he begins again to speak.
Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæsar might124 Have stood against the world; now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters, if I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,128 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,132 Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment with the seal of Cæsar; I found it in his closet; 'tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament—136 Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read— And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,140 And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue.
Fourth Ple. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.144
All. The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will!
Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not read it: It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men: And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar,149 It will inflame you, it will make you mad. ​'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For if you should, O what would come of it?
Fourth Ple. Read the will! we'll hear it, Antony;153 You shall read us the will, Cæsar's will.
Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it.156 I fear I wrong the honourable men Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar; I do fear it.
Fourth Ple. They were traitors: honourable men!
All. The will! the testament!160
Sec. Ple. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will.
Ant. You will compel me then to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will.164 Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
All. Come down.
Sec. Ple. Descend.
Third Ple. You shall have leave.168
Fourth Ple. A ring; stand round.
First Ple. Stand from the hearse; stand from the body.
[Antony comes down.]
Sec. Ple. Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.172
All. Stand back! room! bear back!
Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on;176 '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:180 ​Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Cæsar follow'd it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd184 If Brutus so unkindly knock'd or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him. This was the most unkindest cut of all;188 For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face,192 Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,196 Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. O now you weep, and I perceive you feel The dint of pity; these are gracious drops, Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold200 Our Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
First Ple. O piteous spectacle!
Sec. Ple. O noble Cæsar!204
Third Ple. O woeful day!
Fourth Ple. O traitors! villains!
First Ple. O most bloody sight!
Sec. Ple. We will be revenged.208
[All.] Revenge!—About!—Seek!—Burn! Fire!—Kill!—Slay! Let not a traitor live!
Ant. Stay, countrymen,—
First Ple. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony.
Sec. Ple. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him!213
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,217 That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is;221 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,225 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 Cæsar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,229 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 Cæsar, that should move233 The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All. We'll mutiny.
First Ple. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Ple. Away, then! Come, seek the conspirators.237
Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
All. Peace, ho!—Hear Antony, most noble Antony!
Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.240 Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not: I must tell you then. You have forgot the will I told you of.
All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.244
Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Sec. Ple. Most noble Cæsar! We'll revenge his death.248
Third Ple. O royal Cæsar!
Ant. Hear me with patience.
All. Peace, ho!
Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,252 His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.256 Here was a Cæsar! When comes such another?
First Ple. Never, never! Come, away, away! We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. Take up the body.261
Sec. Ple. Go fetch fire.
Third Ple. Pluck down benches.
Fourth Ple. Pluck down forms, windows, anything.
Exeunt Plebeians [with the body].
Ant. Now let it work: mischief, thou art afoot;265 Take thou what course thou wilt!
Enter Servant.
​How now, fellow!
Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Ant. Where is he?268
Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house.
Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him. He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us anything.272
Serv. I heard him say Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people,275 How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius.
Exeunt.
Scene Three
[A Street]
Enter Cinna, the Poet, and after him the Plebeians.
Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy: I have no will to wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth.4
First Ple. What is your name?
Sec. Ple. Whither are you going?
Third Ple. Where do you dwell?
Fourth Ple. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?9
Sec. Ple. Answer every man directly.
First Ple. Ay, and briefly.
Fourth Ple. Ay, and wisely.12
Third Ple. Ay, and truly, you were best.
Cin. What is my name? Whither am I ​going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.18
Sec. Ple. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry; you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.21
Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
First Ple. As a friend or an enemy?
Cin. As a friend.24
Sec. Ple. That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Ple. For your dwelling, briefly?
Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Ple. Your name, sir, truly?28
Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna.
Sec. Ple. Tear him to pieces; he's a con- spirator!
Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet!33
Fourth Ple. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses!
Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator!
Sec. Ple. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.39
Third Ple. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho! Firebrands! To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius'. Away! Go!43
Exeunt all the Plebeians.
Footnotes to Act III
Scene One
​Scene One S. d. Before . . . Capitol; cf. n. 3 schedule: written scroll 8 serv'd: attended to ​22 constant: unmoved 28 prefer: present, offer 29 address'd: ready 36 couchings: prostrations courtesies: bowings 38 pre-ordinance: what is already ordained 39 law of children: arbitrary uncertainty fond: foolish ​40 rebel: ungovernable 42 With: by 43 Low-crooked: low-bending curtsies: same as 'courtesies,' line 36 spaniel: servile, obsequious 47, 48 Cf. n. 51 repealing: recalling 54 freedom of repeal: free, unconditional recall 59 Cf. n. 61 resting: stationary 63 painted: decorated 67 apprehensive: intelligent ​69 holds on: maintains rank: position 75 bootless: unavailingly 80 common pulpits: public rostra 89 good cheer: be of good cheer, undismayed ​94 abide: pay the penalty for 97 wives: women 100 drawing . . . out: prolonging their life stand upon: lay stress on, worry about 115 Pompey's basis: pedestal of Pompey's statue along: outstretched 117 knot: group ​131 resolv'd: convinced, satisfied 136 Thorough: throughout untrod: novel, precarious 140 so please him: if he is willing to 143 well to friend: as a good friend 145, 146 still . . . purpose: always proves only too well grounded ​152 let blood: bled, for medical purposes rank: diseased from surfeiting 159 Live: if I live 160 apt: ready, fit 161 mean: means 162 by Cæsar: beside Cæsar 174 malice: power (but not wish) to harm; cf. n. ​178 disposing . . . dignities: distributing . . . offices 199 corse: corpse 202 close: unite 204 bay'd: brought to bay hart: stag (an obvious play on words) ​206 Sign'd . . . spoil: bearing the bloody mark of thy slaughter lethe: death (?) 212 this: all that he has just been saying 213 modesty: moderation 216 prick'd in number: marked in the list 224 good regard: what deserves approbation 228 Produce: carry forth 230 order: course ​235 By . . . pardon: pardon me a moment, and I'll explain 238 protest: announce 257 tide of times: ebb and flow of human existence ​268 quarter'd: hewn into pieces 269 custom . . . deeds: the mere frequency of cruel actions 271 Ate: goddess of discord 272 confines: regions 273 Havoc: the signal for killing without sparing let slip: unleash dogs of war; cf. n. 274 That: so that 275 With rotting corpses, too numerous for the burial that they grievously demand 283 Passion: emotion ​294 issue: deed 295 the which: the way in which people act
Scene Two
​4 And divide the throng ​12 Give me a patient hearing, till I finish 33 rude: uncivilized 41 question of: official inquest into enrolled: recorded ​42 extenuated: belittled 43 enforced: unduly stressed, strained ​71 beholding: indebted 86 answer'd: atoned for 95 general coffers: public treasury ​101 on the Lupercal: on the day of the Lupercalia ​124, 125 word . . . world: his bare assertion would have carried his point against the world 126 And there are none so humble as to show him any respect 136 commons: common people 139 napkins: handkerchiefs ​178 That day: on the day on which; cf. n. ​186 angel: dear as his guardian spirit 199 dint: impression ​226 Action, nor utterance: orator's powers of gesticulation and elocution 227 right on: with simple straightforwardness 232 ruffle: stir ​247 drachmas: Greek coins; cf. n. 254 this; cf. n. 255 pleasures: pleasure-grounds (in which) 264 forms: long seats ​271 upon a wish: as if at my wish
Scene Three
​2 unluckily . . . fantasy: weigh upon my fancy ominously 13 you were best: it would be best for you ​20 bear me a bang: get a blow from me 26 For: now for