stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink!I, as Aeneas our great ancestor
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him I did mark
How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips did from their color fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan.
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans Mark him and write his speeches in their books, Alas, it cried, "Give me some drink, Titinius,"
As a sick girl. Ye gods! It doth amaze me
5
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone. Shout. Flourish. BRUTUS. Another general shout!
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honors that are heap'd on Caesar. CASSIUS. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves that we are underlings.
Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that "Caesar"? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, "Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar." Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed! Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! When went there by an age since the great flood But it was famed with more than with one man? When could they say till now that talk'd of Rome That her wide walls encompass'd but one man? Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man. O, you and I have heard our fathers say
There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd
The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
BRUTUS. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim.
How I have thought of this and of these times, I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you, Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.
CASSIUS. I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
Re-enter Caesar and his Train.
BRUTUS. The games are done, and Caesar is returning. CASSIUS. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note today. BRUTUS. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, And all the rest look like a chidden train:
6
Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being cross'd in conference by some senators. CASSIUS. Casca will tell us what the matter is. CAESAR. Antonio!
ANTONY. Caesar?
CAESAR. Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous. ANTONY. Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman and well given.
CAESAR. Would he were fatter! But I fear him not, Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much, He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved to smile at anything. Such men as he be never at heart's ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar. Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
Sennet. Exeunt Caesar and all his Train but Casca. CASCA. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me? BRUTUS. Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced today
That Caesar looks so sad.
CASCA. Why, you were with him, were you not? BRUTUS. I should not then ask Casca what had chanced. CASCA. Why, there was a crown offered him, and being offered him,
he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell ashouting.
BRUTUS. What was the second noise for? CASCA. Why, for that too.
CASSIUS. They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for? CASCA. Why, for that too.
BRUTUS. Was the crown offered him thrice?
CASCA. Ay, marry, wast, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler
than other, and at every putting by mine honest neighbors shouted.
CASSIUS. Who offered him the crown? CASCA. Why, Antony.
BRUTUS. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
CASCA. I can as well be hang'd as tell the manner of it. It was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him
