have had it. Then he offered it to him again; then he put it by again; but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by; and still as he refused it the rabblement shouted and clapped their chopped hands, and 245 threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Cæsar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cæsar; for he swounded and fell down at it: and for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. Cas. But soft, I pray you: what! did Cæsar swound? Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. Bru. 'Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness. Cas. No, Cæsar hath it not; but you, and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness. 252 Casca. I know not what you mean by that; 258 but I am sure Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people 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? 263 Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceiv'd 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 268 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 so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to 273 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? Casca. Ay. Cas. Did Cicero say anything? 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 scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could 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. 269 occupation: artisan's calling 291 put to silence: dismissed, not killed 294 I have a previous engagement (to dine out) 279 284 292 297 Exit. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school. Cas. So is he now in execution 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 With better appetite. 300 304 Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave you: To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, 308 I will come home to you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 312 Exit Brutus. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, In several hands, in at his windows throw, 316 320 That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely 324 Cæsar's ambition shall be glanced at: And after this let Cæsar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure. 301 quick mettle: high-spirited Exit. 304 However: notwithstanding that tardy form: sluggish manner 312 the world: public affairs 318 bear me hard: dislike me 321 several hands: different handwritings 315 that: that to which 320 He. ... me; cf. n. 327 or... endure: or suffer disastrous consequences of our attempt Scene Three [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 mov'd, when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero! I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 122 Cic. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Casca. A common slave-you know him well by sight Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Who glar'd upon me, and went surly by, 1 brought: escorted 14 more: else (or, extraordinarily) 18 sensible of: vulnerable by, sensitive to 16 20 20 24 3 sway: settled order 22, 23 drawn .. heap: crowded together in a body Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Casca. Farewell, Cicero. 28 32 36 40 Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? 44 Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night, 26 bird of night: owl 32 climate: clime, region point upon: apply to 33 strange-disposed: of strange character 34 after 35 Clean fashion: according to men's own human predilection 39 sky: air, state of weather 42 what night: what a night |