Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I : So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant then? Poor man! I know, he would not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans are but sheep: He were no lion, were not Romans hinds*. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire, Begin it with weak straws: What trash is Rome, What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves For the base matter to illuminate So vile a thing as Cæsar? Where hast thou led me? But, O, grief! 1, perhaps, speak this Before a willing bondman: then I know My answer must be made: But I am arm'd, And dangers are to me indifferent. Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a mau, That is no fleering tell-tale. Holdt my haud : Be factious for redress of all these griefs; And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who goes farthest. Cas. There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already To undergo, with me, an enterprise Of honourable-dangerous consequence; • Deer. + Here's my hand. Active. In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, Is favour'd, like the work we have in hand, Enter Cinna. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinua, I do know him by his gait ; He is a friend.-Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this? There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cin. You are. O, Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party Yes, Cas. Be you content: Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Come, Casca, you and I will, yet, ere day, Resembles. + Air of walking. Casca. O, he sits high, in all the people's hearts: And that, which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchymy, Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, For it is after midnight; and, ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. The same. 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!— cius ! 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. Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. 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 question. It is the bright day, that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking. Crown him?-That; * An exclamation of impatience. And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, I have not known when his affections sway'd Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel vous; And kill him in the shell. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. Bru. Get you to bed again, it is not day. Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. Luc. I will, sir. Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, [Exit. Give so much light, that I may read by them. [Opens the letter, and reads. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awuke, and see thyself. * Pity, tenderness, Low steps. + Experience. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress! Such instigations have been often dropp'd Shall Rome, &c. Thus, must I piece it out; My ancestors did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. If the redress will follow, thou receivest Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. Bru. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. [Knocks within. [Exit Lucius. Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, Between the acting of a dreadful thing Re-enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Bru. Is he alone? Luc. No, sir, there are more with him. Bru. Do you know them? * Visionary. |