SCENE III. The same. A Street. Thunder and Lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, Casca, with his sword drawn, and CICERO. 106. Cic. Good even, Casca. Brought you Cæsar home? I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 108. Cic. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Against the Capitol I met a lion, Who glared upon me, and went surly by, Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw And yesterday the bird of night did sit, Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies These are their reasons, they are natural; Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: 112. Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Send word to you, he would be there to-morrow. 117. Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what a night is this! 120. 122. Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walked about the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night; And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone: And, when the cross blue lightning seemed to open Even in the aim and very flash of it. Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty gods, by tokens, send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. Cas. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, To monstrous quality; why, you shall find, 124. Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, A man no mightier than thyself or me, In personal action; yet prodigious grown, Casca. 'Tis Cæsar that you mean: is it not, Cassius? Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, 126. Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger, then; 127. 128. Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, But life, being weary of these worldly bars, If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears [Thunder still. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, then? So vile a thing as Cæsar! But, O, grief! Where hast thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this My answer must be made. But I am armed, And dangers are to me indifferent. 129. Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs, And I will set this foot of mine as far As who goes farthest. 130. Cas. There's a bargain made. 134. 135. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Of honorable-dangerous consequence; In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, And the complexion of the element In favour's like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. He is a friend.-Cinna, where haste you so? To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. 136. Cas. Am I not staid for? Tell me. 137. Cin. Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party! 138. Cas. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this In at his window: set this up with wax Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. 139. Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone 140. [Exit CINNA. Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts; His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. 142. Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, For it is after midnight; and, ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him. [Exeunt. 143. Bru. What, Lucius! ho! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, Give guess how near to day. —Lucius, I say! I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. - Enter LUCIUS. Luc. Called you, my lord? Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my lord. 147. Bru. It must be by his death: and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, [Exit. |