again; then he put it by again; but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by: and still as he refused it, the rabblement shouted, and clapped their chopped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Cæsar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cæsar; for he swooned, and fell down at it. And, for my own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips, and receiving the bad air. 83, Cas. But, soft, I pray you. Casca. He fell down in the at mouth, and was speechless. What! did Cæsar swoon? market-place, and foamed 85. Bru. 'Tis very like: he hath the falling sickness. Cas. No, Cæsar hath it not; but you and I, 86. And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. 87. Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him, and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no 89. 95. true man. Bru. What said he, when he came unto himself? Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut. - An I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, Alas, good soul!- and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them: if Cæsar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. Bru. And after that he came thus sad away? Casca. Ay. Cas. Did Cicero say anything? Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Cas. To what effect? Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again. But those that understood him smiled at one another, and shook their heads; but, for my own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? 97. Casca. No, I am promised forth. 102. Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Cas. Good: I will expect you. Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit CASCA. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! 103. Cas. So is he now, in execution Of any bold or noble enterprise, However he puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite. 104. Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave you: To-morrow if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you; or, if you will, 105. Cas. I will do so: - till then, think of the world. [Exit BRUTUS. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, As if they came from several citizens, That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely And, after this, let Cæsar seat him sure; [Exit. Thunder and Lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, CASCA, with his sword drawn, and CICERO. 106. Cic. Good even, Casca. Brought you Cæsar home? Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? 107. Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Shakes, like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, 108. 109. 110. I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Cic. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Who glared upon me, and went surly by, Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw And yesterday the bird of night did sit, 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 The breast of heaven, I did present myself 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 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, In every place, save here in Italy. 126. Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger, then; 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. 127. Casca. So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity. [Thunder still. 128. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, then? So vile a thing as Cæsar! But, O, grief! |