Cas. No, Cæsar hath it not; but you and I And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, I am sure, Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people 260 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 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 270 so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, If he had done or said any thing 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? Cas. Did Cicero say any thing? 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 mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling 280 scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could 290 remember it. Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? Casca. No, I am promised forth. 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. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! 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 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, [Exit Brutus. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, 300 310 He should not humour me. I will this night, That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely And after this let Cæsar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure. [Exit. SCENE III-The same. A street Thunder and lightning. Enter from opposite sides, Casca, with his sword drawn, and CICERO Cic. Good even, Casca: brought you Cæsar home? Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? Casca. A common slave you know him well by sight Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn 320 10 Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand, Who glared upon me, and went surly by, Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. Cic. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky Is not to walk in. Casca. 20 30 Farewell, Cicero. [Exit Cicero. 40 Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 50 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, Cas. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life That should be in a Roman you do want, Or else you use not. You look pale and gaze Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, To monstrous quality, why, you shall find Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 60 70 |