Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral. 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly. Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna. 1 Cit. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. 2 Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 3 Cit. Tear him, tear him. Come,brands, ho! fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius' :-away; go. ACT IV. [Exeunt. SCENE 1. The same. A Room in ANTONY's House. ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table. Antony. THESE many men shall die; their names are prick'd. Oct. Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus ? Lep. I do consent. Oct. Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live,' Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. Ant. He shall ñót live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house; Fetch the will hither, and we will determine How to cut off some charge in legacies. Lep. What, shall I find you here? The Capitol. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: Is it fit, [Exit LEPIDUS. The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it? Oct. So you thought him; [1] Lucius, not Publius, was the person here meant, who was the uncle by the mo ther's side to Mark Antony. This mistake, however, is more like the mistake of the author, who has already substituted Decius in the room of Decimus, than of his transcriber or printer. STEEVENS. And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: Oct. You may dó your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and, for that, I do appoint him store of provender. It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on; His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth: On objects, arts, and imitations; Which, out of use, and stal'd by other men, But as a property. And now, Octavius, Listen great things.Brutus and Cassius Are levying powers: we must straight make head: Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out ; How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answered. Oct. Let us do so; for we are at the stake, And bay'd about with many enemies; And some, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischief. SCENE II. [Exeunt. Before BRUTUS' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Bru. Stand, ho! Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? Luc. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master. [PINDARUS gives a letter to BRUTUS. Bru. He greets me well.-Your master, Pindarus, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish Things done, undone : but, if he be at hand, Pin. I do not doubt, But that my noble master will appear Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; . Nor with such free and friendly conference, As he hath used of old. Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd; Bru. Hark, he is arriv'd : March gently on to meet him. Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. Cas. Stand, ho! Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. [March within. Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them Bru. Cassius, be content, Speak your griefs softly, I do know you well :- Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off Bru. Lucilius, do the like; and let no man SCENE III. [Exeunt. Within the Tent of BRUTUS. LUCIUS and TITINIUS at some For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein, my letters, praying on his side, Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a case. That every nice offence should bear his comment.* To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm ? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, Bru. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world, But for supporting robbers; shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes ? [2] That is, every small trifling offence. WARBURTON. [3] This question is far from implying that any of those who touch'd Cæsar's body, were villains. On the contrary, it is an indirect way of asserting, that there was not a man among them, who was base enough to stab him for any cause but that of justice. MALONE. And sell the mighty space of our large honours, Cas. Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, Bru. Go to; you're not, Cassius. Bru. I say, you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Cas. Is't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted, when a madman stares? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all this? Bru. All this? ay, more: Fret, till your proud heart Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, [break; And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say, you are a better soldier : Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well: For mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say, better? Bru. If you did, I care not. Brutus ; Cas. When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not? [4] That is, to limit my authority by your direction or censure. JOHNSON. [5] That is, to know on what terms it is fit to confer the offices which are at my disposal. JOHNSON. |