ACT IV. SCENE I. The Scene a Street, through which CAESAR paffes in pomp to the Senate-house, attended by thofe Senators who were with him at the end of the former Act. Be pleas'd, great CAESAR, to peruse this parchment. MESSALA. 'Tis from a friend of CAESAR, this petition; At your first leisure read his humble fuit, SPURINNA. Oh! CAESAR, read mine first, 'tis for your safety: Read it, great CAESAR, read it instantly. CAESAR. What most concerns ourself, fhall last be read: What! do you trouble CAESAR in the street? SPURINNA. But, mine concerns his life. CASSIUS. I know it does; Therefore away; we'll all take care of that. SCENE II. The Scene is changed to the Senate houfe, which appears full of Senators, who all rife up at CAESAR'S coming. One of them whispers BRUTUS. SENATOR. All good fuccefs attend your enterprize. What did he say? CASSIUS. BRUTUS. He wish'd me good fuccefs. See, he makes up to CAESAR earnestly. There is no danger, CASSIUS; CAESAR fmiles; Let's all kneel round to beg for CYMBER's life. BRUTUS. 'Tis mean at any time, but needless now; Go you; I will not kneel. CASSIUS. Well, what you please. CASCA ftrikes first; but ftay, CAESAR will speak. CAESAR fits on a feat above the reft; then rises up and fpeaks, while the Senators ftand round him. Now, rev'rend lords, if any weighty thoughts Is that great Parthian king fo haughty grown, My arms shall haste to humble all his pride, On this depend; and while I govern thus, And not refign my pow'r, like unlearn'd SYLLA, CASCA. Oh! I can hold no longer. [They all ftab CAESAR, who struggles with them till he fees BRUTUS strike. CAESAR. What, BRUTUS too! Nay, then 'tis time to die. Liberty! freedom! tyranny is dead. Run to the streets, and cry out, Liberty! And let us bathe our hands in CAESAR's blood, BRUTUS. The deed is done, what need we triumph in it? SCENE IV. Enter a SENATOR. Well now, what news? SENATOR. The people are amaz'd, Cry out, and ftare, and run about the streets, As in an earthquake. [They all ftoop down to CAESAR's body, except BRUTUS. CASCA. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown! TREBONIUS. How many times fhall CAESAR bleed in fport, Come, on then, let's away. BRUTUS fhall lead, and we will grace his steps BRUTUS. What! ANTONY return'd, and without arms! |