Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CESAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wish'd, to-day our enterprise might thrive. I fear, our purpose is discovered. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cæsar: Mark him. Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.-— Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Cæsar never shall turn back, For I will slay myself. Bru. Cassius, be constant : Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change. the Senators take their seats. [Brutus, CESAR and Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar. Bru. He is address'd: press near, and second him. Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. Cas. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cæsar, and his senate, must redress? Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart :: Cæsar, [Kneeling. Cæs. I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings, and these lowly courtesies, Might fire the blood of ordinary men; And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree, Into the law of children.3 Be not fond, To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood, That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words, 'There is little doubt that we ought to read-Cassius on Cæsar never, &c. He is ready. Turn law and statute into such slight determinations as every start of will would alter. [J. CES. 36] Low-crooked curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning. If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, Know, Cæsar doth not wrong; nor without cause Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear, For the repealing of my banished brother? Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar; Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Cæs. What, Brutus! Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon: As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. Cæs. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you; The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, That unassailable holds on his rank, 2 Unshak'd of motion: and, that I am he, Let me a little show it, even in this; That I was constant, Cimber should be banish'd, Cin. O Cæsar, Cæs. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus? Dec. Great Cæsar, Cæs. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? Suceptible of fear, or other passions. • Unshaken by suit or solicitation. [J. CES. 37] 2c5 Casca. Speak, hands for me. [CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck. CÆSAR catches hold of his arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and at last by MARCUS BRUTUS. Cæs. Et tu, Brute?-Then fall, Cæsar. [Dies. The Senators and People retire in Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!— Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Dec. Bru. Where's Publius? And Cassius too. Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cæsar's Should chance Bru. Talk not of standing;-Publius, good cheer; There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no' Roman else: so tell them, Publius. Cas. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people, Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief. Bru. Do so;-and let no man abide this deed, But we the doers. Re-enter TREBONIUS. Cas. Where's Antony? Tre. Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures : 1 Shakspeare's use of the double negative has been already noticed. • Amount of days that men, &c. [J. CAS. 38] Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life, Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Cas. Stoop then, and wash.-How many ages hence, Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown? Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, No worthier than the dust? Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd Ay, every man away: Cas. Enter a Servant. Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down: And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say. Thorough the hazards of this untrod state, Tell him, so please him come unto this place, Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit Servant. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend. Cas. I wish, we may : but yet have I a mind, That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Ant. O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low? As Cæsar's death's hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. 1 grown too high for the public safety. [J. CES. 40] |