ACT I Where Brutus may but1 find it; and throw this Upon old Brutus' statue:2 all this done, Repair to Pompey's Porch, where you shall find us. 150 [Exit CINNA. Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. CASS. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, 160 For it is after midnight; and, ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him. [exeunt. ACT II SCENE I. Rome. BRUTUS's Orchard. Enter BRUTUS. 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. When, Lucius, when! awake, I say! what, Lucius! Enter LUCIUS. Luc. Call'd you, my Lord? BRU. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. 1 alone. 2 .e. Lucius Junius Brutus, avenger of Lucretia, and expulser of the Tarquins. 18 3 =Decimus. Luc. I will, my Lord. BRU. It must be by his death: and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, 20 30 Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, Sir. [gives him the letter. BRU. Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not to-morrow, Boy, the Ides of March? BRU. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. BRU. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, 40 [exit. ACT II Give so much light, that I may read by them. Such instigations have been often dropp'd Shall Rome, etc. Thus must I piece it out: Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? My ancestor did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a King. 50 What, To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus ! Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. [Knocking within. 60 BRU. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. [Exit LUCIUS. Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion,1 all the interim is Like a phantasma or a hideous dream: The Genius and the mortal instruments2 Are then in council; and the State of Man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection. Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, BRU. 70 Is he alone? Do you know them? Luc. No, Sir; there are moe with him. Luc. No, Sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 1 impulse. 2 the mind and the passions. 8 i.e. brother-in-law. That by no means I may discover them By any mark of favour.1 BRU. ACT II Let 'em enter. [Exit LUCIUS. They are the faction. O Conspiracy, Sham'st thou to shew thy dangerous brow by night, When Evils are most free? O, then, by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough To mask thy monstrous visage? spiracy; Hide it in smiles and affability: 80 Seek none, Con For if thou put thy native semblance on, Not Erebus itself were dim enough To hide thee from prevention. Enter the Conspirators, CASSIUS, Casca, DECIUS, CINNA, CASS. I think we are too bold upon your rest: Which every noble Roman bears of BRU. you. He is welcome hither. CASS. This, Decius Brutus. BRU. He is welcome too. 90 CASS. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. BRU. They are all welcome. What watchful cares do interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night? CASS. Shall I entreat a word? 100 [BRUTUS and CASSIUS whisper. DEC. Here lies the East: doth not the day break here? CASCA. NO. CIN. O, pardon, Sir, it doth; and yon gray lines CASCA. You shall confess that you are both deceiv'd. 1countenance. ACT II Here, as I point my sword, the Sun arises; year. Some two months hence, up higher toward the North BRU. Give me your hands all over, one by one. Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word, That this shall be, or we will fall for it? If he do break the smallest particle Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. ΣΤΟ 120 130 140 |