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JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare ACTISCENEI.Rome.Astreet.EnterFLAVIUS,MARULLUS,andcertainCommonersFLAVIUSHence!home,youidlecreaturesgetyouhome:Isthisaholiday?What!knowyounot,Beingmechanical,yououghtnotwalkUponalabouringdaywithoutthesignofyourprofession?Speak,whattradeartthou?FirstCommonerWhy,sir,acarpenter.MARULLUSWhereisthyleatherapronandthyrule?Whatdostthouwiththybestapparelon?You,sir,whattradeareyou?SecondCommonerTruly,sir,inrespectofafineworkman,Iambut,asyouwouldsay,acobbler.MARULLUSButwhattradeartthou?Answermedirectly.SecondCommonerAtrade,sir,that,Ihope,Imayusewithasafeconscience;whichis,indeed,sir,amenderofbadsoles.MARULLUSWhattrade,thouknave?thounaughtyknave,whattrade?SecondCommonerNay,Ibeseechyou,sir,benotoutwithme:yet,ifyoubeout,sir,Icanmendyou.MARULLUSWhatmeanestthoubythat?Mendme,thousaucyfellow!SecondCommonerWhy,sir,cobbleyou.FLAVIUSThouartacobbler,artthou?SecondCommoner

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Truly,sir,allthatIlivebyiswiththeawl:Imeddlewithnotradesman'smatters,norwomen'smatters,butwithawl.Iam,indeed,sir,asurgeontooldshoes;whentheyareingreatdanger,Irecoverthem.Aspropermenasevertroduponneat'sleatherhavegoneuponmyhandiwork.FLAVIUSButwhereforeartnotinthyshoptoday?Whydostthouleadthesemenaboutthestreets?SecondCommonerTruly,sir,towearouttheirshoes,togetmyselfintomorework.But,indeed,sir,wemakeholiday,toseeCaesarandtorejoiceinhistriumph.MARULLUSWhereforerejoice?Whatconquestbringshehome?WhattributariesfollowhimtoRome,tograceincaptivebondshischariot-wheels?Youblocks,youstones,youworsethansenselessthings!Oyouhardhearts,youcruelmenofRome,knewyounotPompey?Manyatimeandofthaveyouclimb'duptowallsandbattlements,totowersandwindows,yea,tochimney-tops,yourinfantsinyourarms,andtherehavesatthelivelongday,withpatientexpectation,toseegreatPompeypassthestreetsofRome:Andwhenyousawhischariotbutappear,haveyounotmadeanuniversalshout,thatTibertrembledunderneathherbanks,tohearthereplicationofyoursoundsmadeinherconcaveshores?Anddoyounowputonyourbestattire?Anddoyounowculloutaholiday?AnddoyounowstrewflowersinhiswaythatcomesintriumphoverPompey'sblood?Begone!Runtoyourhouses,falluponyourknees,praytothegodstointermittheplaguethatneedsmustlightonthisingratitude.FLAVIUSGo,go,goodcountrymen,and,forthisfault,Assembleallthepoormenofyoursort;DrawthemtoTiberbanks,andweepyourtearsintothechannel,tilltheloweststreamdokissthemostexaltedshoresofall.ExeuntalltheCommonersseewhethertheirbasestmetalbenotmoved;Theyvanishtongue-tiedintheirguiltiness.GoyoudownthatwaytowardstheCapitol;thiswaywillIdisrobetheimages,ifyoudofindthemdeck'dwithceremonies.MARULLUSMaywedoso?YouknowitisthefeastofLupercal.FLAVIUSItisnomatter;letnoimagesbehungwithCaesar'strophies.I'llabout,anddriveawaythevulgarfromthestreets:sodoyoutoo,whereyouperceivethemthick.Thesegrowingfeatherspluck'dfromCaesar'swingwillmakehimflyanordinarypitch,whoelsewouldsoarabovetheviewofmenandkeepusallinservilefearfulness.ExeuntSCENEII.Apublicplace.

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Flourish.EnterCAESAR;ANTONY,forthecourse;CALPURNIA,PORTIA,DECIUSBRUTUS,CICERO,BRUTUS,CASSIUS,andCASCA;agreatcrowdfollowing,amongthemaSoothsayerCAESARCalpurnia!CASCAPeace,ho!Caesarspeaks.CAESARCalpurnia!CALPURNIAHere,mylord.CAESARStandyoudirectlyinAntonius'way,whenhedothrunhiscourse.Antonius!ANTONYCaesar,mylord?CAESARForgetnot,inyourspeed,Antonius,totouchCalpurnia;forourelderssay,thebarren,touchedinthisholychase,shakeofftheirsterilecurse.ANTONYIshallremember:WhenCaesarsays'dothis,'itisperform'd.CAESARSeton;andleavenoceremonyout.FlourishSOOTHSAYERCaesar!CAESARHa!whocalls?CASCABideverynoisebestill:peaceyetagain!CAESARWhoisitinthepressthatcallsonme?Ihearatongue,shrillerthanallthemusic,Cry'Caesar!'Speak;Caesaristurn'dtohear.

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SOOTHSAYERBewaretheidesofMarch.CAESARWhatmanisthat?BRUTUSAsoothsayerbidsyoubewaretheidesofMarch.CAESARSethimbeforeme;letmeseehisface.CASSIUSFellow,comefromthethrong;lookuponCaesar.CAESARWhatsay'stthoutomenow?speakonceagain.SOOTHSAYERBewaretheidesofMarch.CAESARHeisadreamer;letusleavehim:pass.Sennet.ExeuntallexceptBRUTUSandCASSIUSCASSIUSWillyougoseetheorderofthecourse?BRUTUSNotI.CASSIUSIprayyou,do.BRUTUSIamnotgamesome:IdolacksomepartofthatquickspiritthatisinAntony.Letmenothinder,Cassius,yourdesires;I'llleaveyou.CASSIUSBrutus,Idoobserveyounowoflate:IhavenotfromyoureyesthatgentlenessandshowofloveasIwaswonttohave:Youbeartoostubbornandtoostrangeahandoveryourfriendthatlovesyou.BRUTUSCassius,benotdeceived:ifIhaveveil'dmylook,Iturnthetroubleofmycountenancemerelyuponmyself.VexedIamoflatewithpassionsofsome

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difference,conceptionsonlypropertomyself,whichgivesomesoilperhapstomybehaviors;Butletnotthereforemygoodfriendsbegrieved--Amongwhichnumber,Cassius,beyouone--Norconstrueanyfurthermyneglect,thanthatpoorBrutus,withhimselfatwar,Forgetstheshowsoflovetoothermen.CASSIUSThen,Brutus,Ihavemuchmistookyourpassion;Bymeanswhereofthisbreastofminehathburiedthoughtsofgreatvalue,worthycogitations.Tellme,goodBrutus,canyouseeyourface?BRUTUSNo,Cassius;fortheeyeseesnotitself,butbyreflection,bysomeotherthings.CASSIUS'Tisjust:Anditisverymuchlamented,Brutus,thatyouhavenosuchmirrorsaswillturnyourhiddenworthinessintoyoureye,thatyoumightseeyourshadow.Ihaveheard,wheremanyofthebestrespectinRome,exceptimmortalCaesar,speakingofBrutusandgroaningunderneaththisage'syoke,havewish'dthatnobleBrutushadhiseyes.BRUTUSIntowhatdangerswouldyouleadme,Cassius,thatyouwouldhavemeseekintomyselfforthatwhichisnotinme?CASSIUSTherefore,goodBrutus,bepreparedtohear:Andsinceyouknowyoucannotseeyourselfsowellasbyreflection,I,yourglass,willmodestlydiscovertoyourselfthatofyourselfwhichyouyetknownotof.Andbenotjealousonme,gentleBrutus:WereIacommonlaugher,ordidusetostalewithordinaryoathsmylovetoeverynewprotester;ifyouknowthatIdofawnonmenandhugthemhardandafterscandalthem,orifyouknowthatIprofessmyselfinbanquetingtoalltherout,thenholdmedangerous.Flourish,andshoutBRUTUSWhatmeansthisshouting?Idofear,thepeoplechooseCaesarfortheirking.CASSIUSAy,doyoufearit?ThenmustIthinkyouwouldnothaveitso.BRUTUSIwouldnot,Cassius;yetIlovehimwell.Butwhereforedoyouholdmeheresolong?Whatisitthatyouwouldimparttome?Ifitbeaughttowardthegeneralgood,sethonourinoneeyeanddeathi'theother,andIwilllookonbothindifferently,forlet

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thegodssospeedmeasIlovethenameofhonourmorethanIfeardeath.CASSIUSIknowthatvirtuetobeinyou,Brutus,aswellasIdoknowyouroutwardfavour.Well,honouristhesubjectofmystory.IwasbornfreeasCaesar;sowereyou:Webothhavefedaswell,andwecanbothendurethewinter'scoldaswellashe:Foronce,uponarawandgustyday,thetroubledTiberchafingwithhershores,Caesarsaidtome'Darestthou,Cassius,nowleapinwithmeintothisangryflood,Andswimtoyonderpoint?'UponthewordIplungedinandbadehimfollow;soindeedhedid.Thetorrentroar'd;Buterewecouldarrivethepointproposed,Caesarcried'Helpme,Cassius,orIsink!'I,asAeneas,ourgreatancestor,didfromtheflamesofTroyuponhisshouldersofromthewavesofTiberdidIthetiredCaesar.Andthismanisnowbecomeagod,andCassiusisawretchedcreatureandmustbendhisbody,ifCaesarcarelesslybutnodonhim.HehadafeverwhenhewasinSpain,andwhenthefitwasonhim,Ididmarkhowhedidshake:'tistrue,thisgoddidshake;Hiscowardlipsdidfromtheircolourfly,andthatsameeyewhosebenddothawetheworlddidlosehislustre:Ididhearhimgroan:Ay,andthattongueofhisthatbadetheRomansmarkhimandwritehisspeechesintheirbooks,alas,itcried'Givemesomedrink,Titinius,'asasickgirl.Yegods,itdothamazemeamanofsuchafeebletempershouldsogetthestartofthemajesticworldandbearthepalmalone.Shout.FlourishBRUTUSAnothergeneralshout!Idobelievethattheseapplausesareforsomenewhonoursthatareheap'donCaesar.CASSIUSWhy,man,hedothbestridethenarrowworldlikeaColossus,andwepettymenwalkunderhishugelegsandpeepabouttofindourselvesdishonourablegraves.Menatsometimearemastersoftheirfates:Thefault,dearBrutus,isnotinourstars,butinourselves,thatweareunderlings.BrutusandCaesar:whatshouldbeinthat'Caesar'?Whyshouldthatnamebesoundedmorethanyours?Writethemtogether,yoursisasfairaname;soundthem,itdothbecomethemouthaswell;weighthem,itisasheavy;conjurewith'em,BrutuswillstartaspiritassoonasCaesar.Now,inthenamesofallthegodsatonce,uponwhatmeatdoththisourCaesarfeed,thatheisgrownsogreat?Whencouldtheysaytillnow,thattalk'dofRome,thatherwidewallsencompass'dbutoneman?NowisitRomeindeedandroomenough,whenthereisinitbutoneonlyman.O,youandIhaveheardourfatherssay,therewasaBrutusoncethatwouldhavebrook'dtheeternaldeviltokeephisstateinRomeaseasilyasaking.BRUTUSThatyoudoloveme,Iamnothingjealous;whatyouwouldworkmeto,Ihavesomeaim:HowIhavethoughtofthisandofthesetimes,Ishallrecounthereafter;forthispresent,Iwouldnot,beanyfurthermoved.WhatyouhavesaidIwillconsider;whatyouhavetosayIwillwithpatiencehear,andfindatimebothmeettohearand

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answersuchhighthings.Tillthen,mynoblefriend,chewuponthis:BrutushadratherbeavillagerthantoreputehimselfasonofRomeunderthesehardconditionsasthistimeisliketolayuponus.CASSIUSIamgladthatmyweakwordshavestruckbutthusmuchshowoffirefromBrutus.BRUTUSThegamesaredoneandCaesarisreturning.CASSIUSAstheypassby,pluckCascabythesleeve;andhewill,afterhissourfashion,tellyouwhathathproceededworthynoteto-day.Re-enterCAESARandhisTrainBRUTUSIwilldoso.But,lookyou,Cassius,theangryspotdothglowonCaesar'sbrow,andalltherestlooklikeachiddentrain:Calpurnia'scheekispale;andCicerolookswithsuchferretandsuchfieryeyesaswehaveseenhimintheCapitol,beingcross'dinconferencebysomesenators.CASSIUSCascawilltelluswhatthematteris.CAESARAntonius!ANTONYCaesar?CAESARLetmehavemenaboutmethatarefat;sleek-headedmenandsuchassleepo'nights:YondCassiushasaleanandhungrylook;hethinkstoomuch:suchmenaredangerous.ANTONYFearhimnot,Caesar;he'snotdangerous;heisanobleRomanandwellgiven.CAESARWouldhewerefatter!ButIfearhimnot:yetifmynamewereliabletofear,IdonotknowthemanIshouldavoidsosoonasthatspareCassius.Hereadsmuch;heisagreatobserverandhelooksquitethroughthedeedsofmen:helovesnoplays,asthoudost,Antony;hehearsnomusic;seldomhesmiles,andsmilesinsuchasortasifhemock'dhimselfandscorn'dhisspiritthatcouldbemovedtosmileatanything.Suchmenashebeneveratheart'seasewhilestheybeholdagreaterthanthemselves,andthereforearetheyverydangerous.Irathertelltheewhatistobe

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fear'dthanwhatIfear;foralwaysIamCaesar.Comeonmyrighthand,forthisearisdeaf,andtellmetrulywhatthouthink'stofhim.ExeuntCAESARandallhisTrain,butCASCACASCAYoupull'dmebythecloak;wouldyouspeakwithme?BRUTUSAy,Casca;telluswhathathchancedto-day,thatCaesarlookssosad.CASCAWhy,youwerewithhim,wereyounot?BRUTUSIshouldnotthenaskCascawhathadchanced.CASCAWhy,therewasacrownofferedhim:andbeingofferedhim,heputitbywiththebackofhishand,thus;andthenthepeoplefella-shouting.BRUTUSWhatwasthesecondnoisefor?CASCAWhy,forthattoo.CASSIUSTheyshoutedthrice:whatwasthelastcryfor?CASCAWhy,forthattoo.BRUTUSWasthecrownofferedhimthrice?CASCAAy,marry,was't,andheputitbythrice,everytimegentlerthanother,andateveryputting-byminehonestneighboursshouted.CASSIUSWhoofferedhimthecrown?CASCAWhy,Antony.BRUTUS

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Tellusthemannerofit,gentleCasca.CASCAIcanaswellbehangedastellthemannerofit:itwasmerefoolery;Ididnotmarkit.IsawMarkAntonyofferhimacrown;--yet'twasnotacrownneither,'twasoneofthesecoronets;--and,asItoldyou,heputitbyonce:but,forallthat,tomythinking,hewouldfainhavehadit.Thenheofferedittohimagain;thenheputitbyagain:but,tomythinking,hewasveryloathtolayhisfingersoffit.Andthenheoffereditthethirdtime;heputitthethirdtimeby:andstillasherefusedit,therabblementhootedandclappedtheirchappedhandsandthrewuptheirsweatynight-capsandutteredsuchadealofstinkingbreathbecauseCaesarrefusedthecrownthatithadalmostchokedCaesar;forheswoundedandfelldownatit:andformineownpart,Idurstnotlaugh,forfearofopeningmylipsandreceivingthebadair.CASSIUSBut,soft,Iprayyou:what,didCaesarswound?CASCAHefelldowninthemarket-place,andfoamedatmouth,andwasspeechless.BRUTUS'Tisverylike:hehaththefailingsickness.CASSIUSNo,Caesarhathitnot;butyouandI,AndhonestCasca,wehavethefallingsickness.CASCAIknownotwhatyoumeanbythat;but,Iamsure,Caesarfelldown.Ifthetag-ragpeopledidnotclaphimandhisshim,accordingashepleasedanddispleasedthem,astheyusetodotheplayersinthetheatre,Iamnotrueman.BRUTUSWhatsaidhewhenhecameuntohimself?CASCAMarry,beforehefelldown,whenheperceivedthecommonherdwasgladherefusedthecrown,hepluckedmeopehisdoubletandofferedthemhisthroattocut.AnIhadbeenamanofanyoccupation,ifIwouldnothavetakenhimataword,IwouldImightgotohellamongtherogues.Andsohefell.Whenhecametohimselfagain,hesaid,Ifhehaddoneorsaidanythingamiss,hedesiredtheirworshipstothinkitwashisinfirmity.Threeorfourwenches,whereIstood,cried'Alas,goodsoul!'andforgavehimwithalltheirhearts:butthere'snoheedtobetakenofthem;ifCaesarhadstabbedtheirmothers,theywouldhavedonenoless.BRUTUS

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Andafterthat,hecame,thussad,away?CASCAAy.CASSIUSDidCicerosayanything?CASCAAy,hespokeGreek.CASSIUSTowhateffect?CASCANay,anItellyouthat,Illne'erlookyoui'thefaceagain:butthosethatunderstoodhimsmiledatoneanotherandshooktheirheads;but,formineownpart,itwasGreektome.Icouldtellyoumorenewstoo:MarullusandFlavius,forpullingscarfsoffCaesar'simages,areputtosilence.Fareyouwell.Therewasmorefooleryyet,ifIcouldrememberit.CASSIUSWillyousupwithmeto-night,Casca?CASCANo,Iampromisedforth.CASSIUSWillyoudinewithmeto-morrow?CASCAAy,ifIbealiveandyourmindholdandyourdinnerworththeeating.CASSIUSGood:Iwillexpectyou.CASCADoso.Farewell,both.ExitBRUTUSWhatabluntfellowisthisgrowntobe!Hewasquickmettlewhenhewenttoschool.CASSIUS

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Soishenowinexecutionofanyboldornobleenterprise,howeverheputsonthistardyform.Thisrudenessisasaucetohisgoodwit,whichgivesmenstomachtodigesthiswordswithbetterappetite.BRUTUSAndsoitis.ForthistimeIwillleaveyou:to-morrow,ifyoupleasetospeakwithme,Iwillcomehometoyou;or,ifyouwill,comehometome,andIwillwaitforyou.CASSIUSIwilldoso:tillthen,thinkoftheworld.ExitBRUTUSWell,Brutus,thouartnoble;yet,Isee,thyhonourablemetalmaybewroughtfromthatitisdisposed:thereforeitismeetthatnoblemindskeepeverwiththeirlikes;Forwhosofirmthatcannotbeseduced?Caesardothbearmehard;buthelovesBrutus:IfIwereBrutusnowandhewereCassius,heshouldnothumourme.Iwillthisnight,inseveralhands,inathiswindowsthrow,asiftheycamefromseveralcitizens,writingsalltendingtothegreatopinionthatRomeholdsofhisname;whereinobscurelyCaesar'sambitionshallbeglancedat:andafterthisletCaesarseathimsure;forwewillshakehim,orworsedaysendure.ExitSCENEIII.Thesame.Astreet.Thunderandlightning.Enterfromoppositesides,CASCA,withhissworddrawnEnterCASSIUSCASSIUSWho'sthere?CASCAARoman.CASSIUSCasca,byyourvoice.CASCAYourearisgood.Cassius,whatnightisthis!CASSIUSAverypleasingnighttohonestmen.CASCAWhoeverknewtheheavensmenaceso?CASSIUSThosethathaveknowntheearthsofulloffaults.Formypart,Ihavewalk'daboutthestreets,submittingmeuntotheperilousnight,and,thusunbraced,Casca,asyou

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see,havebaredmybosomtothethunder-stone;andwhenthecrossbluelightningseem'dtoopenthebreastofheaven,Ididpresentmyselfevenintheaimandveryflashofit.CASCAButwhereforedidyousomuchtempttheheavens?Itisthepartofmentofearandtremble,whenthemostmightygodsbytokenssendsuchdreadfulheraldstoastonishus.CASSIUSYouaredull,Casca,andthosesparksoflifethatshouldbeinaRomanyoudowant,orelseyouusenot.Youlookpaleandgazeandputonfearandcastyourselfinwonder,toseethestrangeimpatienceoftheheavens:Butifyouwouldconsiderthetruecausewhy,youshallfindthatheavenhathinfusedthemwiththesespirits,tomaketheminstrumentsoffearandwarninguntosomemonstrousstate.NowcouldI,Casca,nametotheeamanmostlikethisdreadfulnight,thatthunders,lightens,opensgraves,androarsasdoththelionintheCapitol,amannomightierthanthyselformeinpersonalaction,yetprodigiousgrownandfearful,asthesestrangeeruptionsare.CASCA'TisCaesarthatyoumean;isitnot,Cassius?CASSIUSLetitbewhoitis:forRomansnowhavethewsandlimbsliketotheirancestors;but,woethewhile!ourfathers'mindsaredead,andwearegovern'dwithourmothers'spirits;ouryokeandsufferanceshowuswomanish.CASCAIndeed,theysaythesenatorstomorrowmeantoestablishCaesarasaking;andheshallwearhiscrownbyseaandland,ineveryplace,savehereinItaly.CASSIUSIknowwhereIwillwearthisdaggerthen;CassiusfrombondagewilldeliverCassius:therein,yegods,youmaketheweakmoststrong;therein,yegods,youtyrantsdodefeat:norstonytower,norwallsofbeatenbrass,norairlessdungeon,norstronglinksofiron,canberetentivetothestrengthofspirit;butlife,beingwearyoftheseworldlybars,neverlackspowertodismissitself.IfIknowthis,knowalltheworldbesides,thatpartoftyrannythatIdobearIcanshakeoffatpleasure.ThunderstillCASCASocanI:Soeverybondmaninhisownhandbearsthepowertocancelhiscaptivity.CASSIUSAndwhyshouldCaesarbeatyrantthen?Poorman!Iknowhewouldnotbeawolf,

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butthatheseestheRomansarebutsheep:Hewerenolion,werenotRomanshinds.thosethatwithhastewillmakeamightyfirebeginitwithweakstraws:whattrashisRome,whatrubbishandwhatoffal,whenitservesforthebasemattertoilluminatesovileathingasCaesar!But,Ogrief,wherehastthouledme?Iperhapsspeakthisbeforeawillingbondman;thenIknowmyanswermustbemade.ButIamarm'd,anddangersaretomeindifferent.CASCAYouspeaktoCasca,andtosuchamanthatisnofleeringtell-tale.Hold,myhand:befactiousforredressofallthesegriefs,andIwillsetthisfootofmineasfaraswhogoesfarthest.CASSIUSThere'sabargainmade.Nowknowyou,Casca,Ihavemovedalreadysomecertainofthenoblest-mindedRomanstoundergowithmeanenterpriseofhonourable-dangerousconsequence.CASCAStandcloseawhile,forherecomesoneinhaste.CASSIUS'TisCinna;Idoknowhimbyhisgait;Heisafriend.EnterCINNACinna,wherehasteyouso?CINNATofindoutyou.Who'sthat?MetellusCimber?CASSIUSNo,itisCasca;oneincorporatetoourattempts.AmInotstay'dfor,Cinna?CINNAIamgladon't.Whatafearfulnightisthis!There'stwoorthreeofushaveseenstrangesights.CASSIUSAmInotstay'dfor?tellme.CINNAYes,youare.OCassius,ifyoucouldbutwinthenobleBrutustoourparty--CASSIUSBeyoucontent:goodCinna,takethispaper,andlookyoulayitinthepraetor'schair,whereBrutusmaybutfindit;andthrowthisinathiswindow;setthisupwithwaxuponoldBrutus'statue:allthisdone,repairtoPompey'sporch,whereyoushallfindus.IsDeciusBrutusandTreboniusthere?

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CINNAAllbutMetellusCimber;andhe'sgonetoseekyouatyourhouse.Well,Iwillhie,andsobestowthesepapersasyoubademe.CASSIUSThatdone,repairtoPompey'stheatre.ExitCINNACome,Casca,youandIwillyeteredayseeBrutusathishouse:threepartsofhimisoursalready,andthemanentireuponthenextencounteryieldshimours.CASCAO,hesitshighinallthepeople'shearts:andthatwhichwouldappearoffenceinus,hiscountenance,likerichestalchemy,willchangetovirtueandtoworthiness.CASSIUSHimandhisworthandourgreatneedofhimyouhaverightwellconceited.Letusgo,foritisaftermidnight;anderedaywewillawakehimandbesureofhim.ExeuntACTIISCENEI.Rome.BRUTUS'sorchard.EnterBRUTUSBRUTUSWhat,Lucius,ho!Icannot,bytheprogressofthestars,giveguesshowneartoday.Lucius,Isay!Iwoulditweremyfaulttosleepsosoundly.When,Lucius,when?awake,Isay!what,Lucius!EnterLUCIUSLUCIUSCall'dyou,mylord?BRUTUSGetmeataperinmystudy,Lucius:Whenitislighted,comeandcallmehere.LUCIUSIwill,mylord.ExitBRUTUSItmustbebyhisdeath:andformypart,Iknownopersonalcausetospurnathim,butforthegeneral.Hewouldbecrown'd:howthatmightchangehisnature,there'sthequestion.Itisthebrightdaythatbringsforththeadder;andthatcraveswarywalking.Crownhim?Andthen,Igrant,weputastinginhim,thatathiswillhemay

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dodangerwith.But'tisacommonproof,thatlowlinessisyoungambition'sladder,wheretotheclimber-upwardturnshisface;butwhenheonceattainstheupmostround.Hethenuntotheladderturnshisback,looksintheclouds,scorningthebasedegreesbywhichhedidascend.SoCaesarmay.Then,lesthemay,prevent.And,sincethequarrelwillbearnocolourforthethingheis,fashionitthus;thatwhatheis,augmented,wouldruntotheseandtheseextremities:andthereforethinkhimasaserpent'seggwhich,hatch'd,would,ashiskind,growmischievous,andkillhimintheshell.Re-enterLUCIUSLUCIUSThetaperburnethinyourcloset,sir.Searchingthewindowforaflint,Ifoundthispaper,thusseal'dup;and,Iamsure,itdidnotlietherewhenIwenttobed.GiveshimtheletterBRUTUSGetyoutobedagain;itisnotday.Isnotto-morrow,boy,theidesofMarch?LUCIUSIknownot,sir.BRUTUSLookinthecalendar,andbringmeword.LUCIUSIwill,sir.ExitBRUTUSTheexhalationswhizzingintheairgivesomuchlightthatImayreadbythem.Openstheletterandreads'Brutus,thousleep'st:awake,andseethyself.ShallRome&c.,speak,strike,redress!Brutus,thousleep'st:awake!'Suchinstigationshavebeenoftendropp'dwhereIhavetookthemup.'ShallRome,&c.'ThusmustIpieceitout:ShallRomestandunderoneman'sawe?What,Rome?MyancestorsdidfromthestreetsofRometheTarquindrive,whenhewascall'daking.'Speak,strike,redress!'AmIentreatedtospeakandstrike?ORome,Imaketheepromise:Iftheredresswillfollow,thoureceivestthyfullpetitionatthehandofBrutus!Re-enterLUCIUSLUCIUSSir,Marchiswastedfourteendays.KnockingwithinBRUTUS'Tisgood.Gotothegate;somebodyknocks.

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ExitLUCIUSSinceCassiusfirstdidwhetmeagainstCaesar,Ihavenotslept.Betweentheactingofadreadfulthingandthefirstmotion,alltheinterimislikeaphantasma,orahideousdream:theGeniusandthemortalinstrumentsarethenincouncil;andthestateofman,liketoalittlekingdom,suffersthenthenatureofaninsurrection.Re-enterLUCIUSLUCIUSSir,'tisyourbrotherCassiusatthedoor,whodothdesiretoseeyou.BRUTUSIshealone?LUCIUSNo,sir,therearemoewithhim.BRUTUSDoyouknowthem?LUCIUSNo,sir;theirhatsarepluck'dabouttheirears,andhalftheirfacesburiedintheircloaks,thatbynomeansImaydiscoverthembyanymarkoffavour.BRUTUSLet'ementer.ExitLUCIUSTheyarethefaction.Oconspiracy,shamestthoutoshowthydangerousbrowbynight,whenevilsaremostfree?O,thenbydaywherewiltthoufindacaverndarkenoughtomaskthymonstrousvisage?Seeknone,conspiracy;hideitinsmilesandaffability:forifthoupath,thynativesemblanceon,notErebusitselfweredimenoughtohidetheefromprevention.Entertheconspirators,CASSIUS,CASCA,DECIUSBRUTUS,CINNA,METELLUSCIMBER,andTREBONIUSCASSIUSIthinkwearetoobolduponyourrest:Goodmorrow,Brutus;dowetroubleyou?BRUTUSIhavebeenupthishour,awakeallnight.KnowIthesementhatcomealongwithyou?CASSIUSYes,everymanofthem,andnomanherebuthonoursyou;andeveryonedothwishyouhadbutthatopinionofyourselfwhicheverynobleRomanbearsofyou.ThisisTrebonius.

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BRUTUSHeiswelcomehither.CASSIUSThis,DeciusBrutus.BRUTUSHeiswelcometoo.CASSIUSThis,Casca;this,Cinna;andthis,MetellusCimber.BRUTUSTheyareallwelcome.Whatwatchfulcaresdointerposethemselvesbetwixtyoureyesandnight?CASSIUSShallIentreataword?BRUTUSandCASSIUSwhisperDECIUSBRUTUSHereliestheeast:dothnotthedaybreakhere?CASCANo.CINNAO,pardon,sir,itdoth;andyongraylinesthatfretthecloudsaremessengersofday.CASCAYoushallconfessthatyouarebothdeceived.Here,asIpointmysword,thesunarises,whichisagreatwaygrowingonthesouth,weighingtheyouthfulseasonoftheyear.Sometwomonthshenceuphighertowardthenorthhefirstpresentshisfire;andthehigheaststands,astheCapitol,directlyhere.BRUTUSGivemeyourhandsallover,onebyone.CASSIUSAndletusswearourresolution.BRUTUSNo,notanoath:ifnotthefaceofmen,thesufferanceofoursouls,thetime'sabuse,--Ifthesebemotivesweak,breakoffbetimes,andeverymanhencetohisidlebed;Solethigh-sightedtyrannyrangeon,tilleachmandropbylottery.Butifthese,asIamsuretheydo,bearfireenoughtokindlecowardsandtosteelwithvalour

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themeltingspiritsofwomen,then,countrymen,whatneedweanyspurbutourowncause,toprickustoredress?WhatotherbondthansecretRomans,thathavespoketheword,andwillnotpalter?Andwhatotheroaththanhonestytohonestyengaged,thatthisshallbe,orwewillfallforit?Swearpriestsandcowardsandmencautelous,oldfeeblecarrionsandsuchsufferingsoulsthatwelcomewrongs;untobadcausesswearsuchcreaturesasmendoubt;butdonotstaintheevenvirtueofourenterprise,Northeinsuppressivemettleofourspirits,tothinkthatorourcauseorourperformancedidneedanoath;wheneverydropofbloodthateveryRomanbears,andnoblybears,isguiltyofaseveralbastardy,ifhedobreakthesmallestparticleofanypromisethathathpass'dfromhim.CASSIUSButwhatofCicero?shallwesoundhim?Ithinkhewillstandverystrongwithus.CASCALetusnotleavehimout.CINNANo,bynomeans.METELLUSCIMBERO,letushavehim,forhissilverhairswillpurchaseusagoodopinionandbuymen'svoicestocommendourdeeds:itshallbesaid,hisjudgmentruledourhands;ouryouthsandwildnessshallnowhitappear,butallbeburiedinhisgravity.BRUTUSO,namehimnot:letusnotbreakwithhim;forhewillneverfollowanythingthatothermenbegin.CASSIUSThenleavehimout.CASCAIndeedheisnotfit.DECIUSBRUTUSShallnomanelsebetouch'dbutonlyCaesar?CASSIUSDecius,wellurged:Ithinkitisnotmeet,MarkAntony,sowellbelovedofCaesar,shouldoutliveCaesar:weshallfindofhimashrewdcontriver;and,youknow,hismeans,ffheimprovethem,maywellstretchsofarastoannoyusall:whichtoprevent,letAntonyandCaesarfalltogether.BRUTUS

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Ourcoursewillseemtoobloody,CaiusCassius,tocuttheheadoffandthenhackthelimbs,likewrathindeathandenvyafterwards;forAntonyisbutalimbofCaesar:letusbesacrificers,butnotbutchers,Caius.WeallstandupagainstthespiritofCaesar;andinthespiritofmenthereisnoblood:O,thatwethencouldcomebyCaesar'sspirit,andnotdismemberCaesar!But,alas,Caesarmustbleedforit!And,gentlefriends,let'skillhimboldly,butnotwrathfully;let'scarvehimasadishfitforthegods,nothewhimasacarcassfitforhounds:andletourhearts,assubtlemastersdo,stiruptheirservantstoanactofrage,andafterseemtochide'em.Thisshallmakeourpurposenecessaryandnotenvious:whichsoappearingtothecommoneyes,weshallbecall'dpurgers,notmurderers.AndforMarkAntony,thinknotofhim;forhecandonomorethanCaesar'sarmwhenCaesar'sheadisoff.CASSIUSYetIfearhim;forintheingraftedlovehebearstoCaesar--BRUTUSAlas,goodCassius,donotthinkofhim:ifheloveCaesar,allthathecandoistohimself,takethoughtanddieforCaesar:andthatweremuchheshould;forheisgiventosports,towildnessandmuchcompany.TREBONIUSThereisnofearinhim;lethimnotdie;forhewilllive,andlaughatthishereafter.ClockstrikesBRUTUSPeace!counttheclock.CASSIUSTheclockhathstrickenthree.TREBONIUS'Tistimetopart.CASSIUSButitisdoubtfulyet,whetherCaesarwillcomeforthto-day,orno;forheissuperstitiousgrownoflate,quitefromthemainopinionheheldonceoffantasy,ofdreamsandceremonies:itmaybe,theseapparentprodigies,theunaccustom'dterrorofthisnight,andthepersuasionofhisaugurers,mayholdhimfromtheCapitolto-day.DECIUSBRUTUSNeverfearthat:ifhebesoresolved,Icano'erswayhim;forhelovestohearthatunicornsmaybebetray'dwithtrees,andbearswithglasses,elephantswithholes,lionswithtoilsandmenwithflatterers;butwhenItellhimhehatesflatterers,hesayshedoes,beingthenmostflattered.Letmework;forIcangivehishumourthetruebent,andIwillbringhimtotheCapitol.

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CASSIUSNay,wewillallofusbetheretofetchhim.BRUTUSBytheeighthhour:isthattheuttermost?CINNABethattheuttermost,andfailnotthen.METELLUSCIMBERCaiusLigariusdothbearCaesarhard,whoratedhimforspeakingwellofPompey:Iwondernoneofyouhavethoughtofhim.BRUTUSNow,goodMetellus,goalongbyhim:helovesmewell,andIhavegivenhimreasons;sendhimbuthither,andI'llfashionhim.CASSIUSThemorningcomesupon's:we'llleaveyou,Brutus.And,friends,disperseyourselves;butallrememberwhatyouhavesaid,andshowyourselvestrueRomans.BRUTUSGoodgentlemen,lookfreshandmerrily;letnotourlooksputonourpurposes,butbearitasourRomanactorsdo,withuntiredspiritsandformalconstancy:andsogoodmorrowtoyoueveryone.ExeuntallbutBRUTUSBoy!Lucius!Fastasleep?Itisnomatter;enjoythehoney-heavydewofslumber:thouhastnofiguresnornofantasies,whichbusycaredrawsinthebrainsofmen;thereforethousleep'stsosound.EnterPORTIAPORTIABrutus,mylord!BRUTUSPortia,whatmeanyou?Whereforeriseyounow?Itisnotforyourhealththustocommityourweakconditiontotherawcoldmorning.PORTIANorforyoursneither.You'veungently,Brutus,stolefrommybed:andyesternight,atsupper,yousuddenlyarose,andwalk'dabout,musingandsighing,withyourarmsacross,andwhenIask'dyouwhatthematterwas,youstareduponmewithungentlelooks;Iurgedyoufurther;thenyouscratch'dyourhead,andtooimpatientlystamp'dwithyourfoot;yetIinsisted,yetyouanswer'dnot,but,withanangrywaftureofyourhand,gavesignformetoleaveyou:soIdid;fearingto

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strengthenthatimpatiencewhichseem'dtoomuchenkindled,andwithalhopingitwasbutaneffectofhumour,whichsometimehathhishourwitheveryman.Itwillnotletyoueat,nortalk,norsleep,andcoulditworksomuchuponyourshapeasithathmuchprevail'donyourcondition,Ishouldnotknowyou,Brutus.Dearmylord,makemeacquaintedwithyourcauseofgrief.BRUTUSIamnotwellinhealth,andthatisall.PORTIABrutusiswise,and,werehenotinhealth,hewouldembracethemeanstocomebyit.BRUTUSWhy,soIdo.GoodPortia,gotobed.PORTIAIsBrutussick?Isitphysicaltowalkunbracedandsuckupthehumoursofthedankmorning?What,isBrutussick,andwillhestealoutofhiswholesomebed,todarethevilecontagionofthenightandtempttherheumyandunpurgedairtoadduntohissickness?No,myBrutus;youhavesomesickoffencewithinyourmind,which,bytherightandvirtueofmyplace,Ioughttoknowof:and,uponmyknees,Icharmyou,bymyonce-commendedbeauty,byallyourvowsofloveandthatgreatvowwhichdidincorporateandmakeusone,thatyouunfoldtome,yourself,yourhalf,whyyouareheavy,andwhatmento-nighthavehadtoresorttoyou:forherehavebeensomesixorseven,whodidhidetheirfacesevenfromdarkness.BRUTUSKneelnot,gentlePortia.PORTIAIshouldnotneed,ifyouweregentleBrutus.Withinthebondofmarriage,tellme,Brutus,isitexceptedIshouldknownosecretsthatappertaintoyou?AmIyourselfbut,asitwere,insortorlimitation,tokeepwithyouatmeals,comfortyourbed,andtalktoyousometimes?DwellIbutinthesuburbsofyourgoodpleasure?Ifitbenomore,PortiaisBrutus'harlot,nothiswife.BRUTUSYouaremytrueandhonourablewife,asdeartomeasaretheruddydropsthatvisitmysadheartPORTIAIfthisweretrue,thenshouldIknowthissecret.IgrantIamawoman;butwithalawomanthatLordBrutustooktowife:IgrantIamawoman;butwithalawomanwell-reputed,Cato'sdaughter.ThinkyouIamnostrongerthanmysex,beingso

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father'dandsohusbanded?Tellmeyourcounsels,Iwillnotdisclose'em:Ihavemadestrongproofofmyconstancy,givingmyselfavoluntarywoundhere,inthethigh:canIbearthatwithpatience.Andnotmyhusband'ssecrets?BRUTUSOyegods,rendermeworthyofthisnoblewife!KnockingwithinHark,hark!oneknocks:Portia,goinawhile;andbyandbythybosomshallpartakethesecretsofmyheart.AllmyengagementsIwillconstruetothee,allthecharacteryofmysadbrows:Leavemewithhaste.ExitPORTIALucius,who'sthatknocks?Re-enterLUCIUSwithLIGARIUSLUCIUSHeisasickmanthatwouldspeakwithyou.BRUTUSCaiusLigarius,thatMetellusspakeof.Boy,standaside.CaiusLigarius!how?LIGARIUSVouchsafegoodmorrowfromafeebletongue.BRUTUSO,whatatimehaveyouchoseout,braveCaius,towearakerchief!Wouldyouwerenotsick!LIGARIUSIamnotsick,ifBrutushaveinhandanyexploitworthythenameofhonour.BRUTUSSuchanexploithaveIinhand,Ligarius,hadyouahealthfuleartohearofit.LIGARIUSByallthegodsthatRomansbowbefore,Iherediscardmysickness!SoulofRome!Braveson,derivedfromhonourableloins!Thou,likeanexorcist,hastconjuredupmymortifiedspirit.Nowbidmerun,andIwillstrivewiththingsimpossible;yea,getthebetterofthem.What'stodo?BRUTUSApieceofworkthatwillmakesickmenwhole.LIGARIUSButarenotsomewholethatwemustmakesick?BRUTUS

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Thatmustwealso.Whatitis,myCaius,Ishallunfoldtothee,aswearegoingtowhomitmustbedone.LIGARIUSSetonyourfoot,andwithaheartnew-firedIfollowyou,todoIknownotwhat:butitsufficeththatBrutusleadsmeon.BRUTUSFollowme,then.ExeuntSCENEII.CAESAR'shouse.Thunderandlightning.EnterCAESAR,inhisnight-gownCAESARNorheavennorearthhavebeenatpeaceto-night:thricehathCalpurniainhersleepcriedout,'Help,ho!theymurderCaesar!'Who'swithin?EnteraServantSERVANTMylord?CAESARGobidthepriestsdopresentsacrificeandbringmetheiropinionsofsuccess.SERVANTIwill,mylord.ExitEnterCALPURNIACALPURNIAWhatmeanyou,Caesar?thinkyoutowalkforth?Youshallnotstiroutofyourhouseto-day.CAESARCaesarshallforth:thethingsthatthreaten'dmene'erlook'dbutonmyback;whentheyshallseethefaceofCaesar,theyarevanished.CALPURNIACaesar,Ineverstoodonceremonies,yetnowtheyfrightme.Thereisonewithin,besidesthethingsthatwehaveheardandseen,recountsmosthorridsightsseenbythewatch.Alionesshathwhelpedinthestreets;andgraveshaveyawn'd,andyieldeduptheirdead;fiercefierywarriorsfoughtupontheclouds,inranksandsquadronsandrightformofwar,whichdrizzledbloodupontheCapitol;thenoiseof

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battlehurtledintheair,horsesdidneigh,anddyingmendidgroan,andghostsdidshriekandsquealaboutthestreets.OCaesar!Thesethingsarebeyondalluse,andIdofearthem.CAESARWhatcanbeavoidedwhoseendispurposedbythemightygods?YetCaesarshallgoforth;forthesepredictionsaretotheworldingeneralastoCaesar.CALPURNIAWhenbeggarsdie,therearenocometsseen;theheavensthemselvesblazeforththedeathofprinces.CAESARCowardsdiemanytimesbeforetheirdeaths;thevaliantnevertasteofdeathbutonce.OfallthewondersthatIyethaveheard.Itseemstomemoststrangethatmenshouldfear;seeingthatdeath,anecessaryend,willcomewhenitwillcome.Re-enterServantWhatsaytheaugurers?SERVANTTheywouldnothaveyoutostirforthto-day.Pluckingtheentrailsofanofferingforth,theycouldnotfindaheartwithinthebeast.CAESARThegodsdothisinshameofcowardice:Caesarshouldbeabeastwithoutaheart,ifheshouldstayathometo-dayforfear.No,Caesarshallnot:dangerknowsfullwellthatCaesarismoredangerousthanhe:wearetwolionslitter'dinoneday,andItheelderandmoreterrible:andCaesarshallgoforth.CALPURNIAAlas,mylord,yourwisdomisconsumedinconfidence.Donotgoforthto-day:callitmyfearthatkeepsyouinthehouse,andnotyourown.We'llsendMarkAntonytothesenate-house:andheshallsayyouarenotwellto-day:letme,uponmyknee,prevailinthis.CAESARMarkAntonyshallsayIamnotwell,and,forthyhumour,Iwillstayathome.EnterDECIUSBRUTUSHere'sDeciusBrutus,heshalltellthemso.DECIUSBRUTUSCaesar,allhail!goodmorrow,worthyCaesar:Icometofetchyoutothesenate-house.CAESARAndyouarecomeinveryhappytime,tobearmygreetingtothesenatorsandtell

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themthatIwillnotcometo-day:cannot,isfalse,andthatIdarenot,falser:Iwillnotcometo-day:tellthemso,Decius.CALPURNIASayheissick.CAESARShallCaesarsendalie?HaveIinconqueststretch'dminearmsofar,tobeafraidtotellgraybeardsthetruth?Decius,gotellthemCaesarwillnotcome.DECIUSBRUTUSMostmightyCaesar,letmeknowsomecause,lestIbelaugh'datwhenItellthemso.CAESARThecauseisinmywill:Iwillnotcome;thatisenoughtosatisfythesenate.Butforyourprivatesatisfaction,becauseIloveyou,Iwillletyouknow:Calpurniahere,mywife,staysmeathome:shedreamtto-nightshesawmystatua,which,likeafountainwithanhundredspouts,didrunpureblood:andmanylustyRomanscamesmiling,anddidbathetheirhandsinit:andthesedoessheapplyforwarnings,andportents,andevilsimminent;andonherkneehathbegg'dthatIwillstayathometo-day.DECIUSBRUTUSThisdreamisallamissinterpreted;itwasavisionfairandfortunate:yourstatuespoutingbloodinmanypipes,inwhichsomanysmilingRomansbathed,signifiesthatfromyougreatRomeshallsuckrevivingblood,andthatgreatmenshallpressfortinctures,stains,relicsandcognizance.ThisbyCalpurnia'sdreamissignified.CAESARAndthiswayhaveyouwellexpoundedit.DECIUSBRUTUSIhave,whenyouhaveheardwhatIcansay:andknowitnow:thesenatehaveconcludedtogivethisdayacrowntomightyCaesar.Ifyoushallsendthemwordyouwillnotcome,theirmindsmaychange.Besides,itwereamockapttoberender'd,forsomeonetosay'Breakupthesenatetillanothertime,whenCaesar'swifeshallmeetwithbetterdreams.'IfCaesarhidehimself,shalltheynotwhisper'Lo,Caesarisafraid'?Pardonme,Caesar;formydeardearlovetoourproceedingbidsmetellyouthis;andreasontomyloveisliable.CAESARHowfoolishdoyourfearsseemnow,Calpurnia!IamashamedIdidyieldtothem.Givememyrobe,forIwillgo.EnterPUBLIUS,BRUTUS,LIGARIUS,METELLUS,CASCA,TREBONIUS,andCINNAAndlookwherePubliusiscometofetchme.

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PUBLIUSGoodmorrow,Caesar.CAESARWelcome,Publius.What,Brutus,areyoustirr'dsoearlytoo?Goodmorrow,Casca.CaiusLigarius,Caesarwasne'ersomuchyourenemyasthatsameaguewhichhathmadeyoulean.Whatis'to'clock?BRUTUSCaesar,'tisstruckeneight.CAESARIthankyouforyourpainsandcourtesy.EnterANTONYSee!Antony,thatrevelslongo'nights,isnotwithstandingup.Goodmorrow,Antony.ANTONYSotomostnobleCaesar.CAESARBidthempreparewithin:Iamtoblametobethuswaitedfor.Now,Cinna:now,Metellus:what,Trebonius!Ihaveanhour'stalkinstoreforyou;rememberthatyoucallonmeto-day:benearme,thatImayrememberyou.TREBONIUSCaesar,Iwill:AsideandsonearwillIbe,thatyourbestfriendsshallwishIhadbeenfurther.CAESARGoodfriends,goin,andtastesomewinewithme;andwe,likefriends,willstraightwaygotogether.BRUTUS[Aside]Thateverylikeisnotthesame,OCaesar,theheartofBrutusyearnstothinkupon!ExeuntSCENEIII.AstreetneartheCapitol.EnterARTEMIDORUS,readingapaperARTEMIDORUS'Caesar,bewareofBrutus;takeheedofCassius;comenotnearCasca;haveaneyetoCinna,trustnotTrebonius:markwellMetellusCimber:DeciusBrutuslovestheenot:thouhastwrongedCaiusLigarius.Thereisbutonemindinallthesemen,andit

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isbentagainstCaesar.Ifthoubeestnotimmortal,lookaboutyou:securitygiveswaytoconspiracy.Themightygodsdefendthee!Thylover,'ARTEMIDORUS.'HerewillIstandtillCaesarpassalong,andasasuitorwillIgivehimthis.Myheartlamentsthatvirtuecannotliveoutoftheteethofemulation.Ifthoureadthis,OCaesar,thoumaystlive;ifnot,theFateswithtraitorsdocontrive.ExitSCENEIV.Anotherpartofthesamestreet,beforethehouseofBRUTUS.EnterPORTIAandLUCIUSPORTIAIprithee,boy,runtothesenate-house;staynottoanswerme,butgettheegone:Whydostthoustay?LUCIUSToknowmyerrand,madam.PORTIAIwouldhavehadtheethere,andhereagain,ereIcantelltheewhatthoushouldstdothere.Oconstancy,bestronguponmyside,setahugemountain'tweenmyheartandtongue!Ihaveaman'smind,butawoman'smight.Howharditisforwomentokeepcounsel!Artthouhereyet?LUCIUSMadam,whatshouldIdo?RuntotheCapitol,andnothingelse?Andsoreturntoyou,andnothingelse?PORTIAYes,bringmeword,boy,ifthylordlookwell,forhewentsicklyforth:andtakegoodnotewhatCaesardoth,whatsuitorspresstohim.Hark,boy!whatnoiseisthat?LUCIUSIhearnone,madam.PORTIAPrithee,listenwell;Iheardabustlingrumour,likeafray,andthewindbringsitfromtheCapitol.LUCIUSSooth,madam,Ihearnothing.EntertheSoothsayerPORTIAComehither,fellow:whichwayhastthoubeen?

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SOOTHSAYERAtmineownhouse,goodlady.PORTIAWhatis'to'clock?SOOTHSAYERAbouttheninthhour,lady.PORTIAIsCaesaryetgonetotheCapitol?SOOTHSAYERMadam,notyet:Igototakemystand,toseehimpassontotheCapitol.PORTIAThouhastsomesuittoCaesar,hastthounot?SOOTHSAYERThatIhave,lady:ifitwillpleaseCaesartobesogoodtoCaesarastohearme,Ishallbeseechhimtobefriendhimself.PORTIAWhy,know'stthouanyharm'sintendedtowardshim?SOOTHSAYERNonethatIknowwillbe,muchthatIfearmaychance.Goodmorrowtoyou.Herethestreetisnarrow:thethrongthatfollowsCaesarattheheels,ofsenators,ofpraetors,commonsuitors,willcrowdafeeblemanalmosttodeath:I'llgetmetoaplacemorevoid,andtherespeaktogreatCaesarashecomesalong.ExitPORTIAImustgoin.Ayme,howweakathingtheheartofwomanis!OBrutus,theheavensspeedtheeinthineenterprise!Sure,theboyheardme:BrutushathasuitthatCaesarwillnotgrant.O,Igrowfaint.Run,Lucius,andcommendmetomylord;sayIammerry:cometomeagain,andbringmewordwhathedothsaytothee.ExeuntseverallyACTIIISCENEI.Rome.BeforetheCapitol;theSenatesittingabove.Acrowdofpeople;amongthemARTEMIDORUSandtheSoothsayer.Flourish.EnterCAESAR,BRUTUS,CASSIUS,CASCA,DECIUSBRUTUS,METELLUSCIMBER,TREBONIUS,CINNA,ANTONY,LEPIDUS,POPILIUS,PUBLIUS,andothers

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CAESAR[TotheSoothsayer]TheidesofMarcharecome.SOOTHSAYERAy,Caesar;butnotgone.ARTEMIDORUSHail,Caesar!readthisschedule.DECIUSBRUTUSTreboniusdothdesireyoutoo'erread,atyourbestleisure,thishishumblesuit.ARTEMIDORUSOCaesar,readminefirst;formine'sasuitthattouchesCaesarnearer:readit,greatCaesar.CAESARWhattouchesusourselfshallbelastserved.ARTEMIDORUSDelaynot,Caesar;readitinstantly.CAESARWhat,isthefellowmad?PUBLIUSSirrah,giveplace.CASSIUSWhat,urgeyouyourpetitionsinthestreet?CometotheCapitol.CAESARgoesuptotheSenate-House,therestfollowingPOPILIUSIwishyourenterpriseto-daymaythrive.CASSIUSWhatenterprise,Popilius?POPILIUSFareyouwell.AdvancestoCAESARBRUTUSWhatsaidPopiliusLena?CASSIUSHewish'dto-dayourenterprisemightthrive.Ifearourpurposeisdiscovered.

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BRUTUSLook,howhemakestoCaesar;markhim.CASSIUSCasca,besudden,forwefearprevention.Brutus,whatshallbedone?Ifthisbeknown,CassiusorCaesarnevershallturnback,forIwillslaymyself.BRUTUSCassius,beconstant:PopiliusLenaspeaksnotofourpurposes;for,look,hesmiles,andCaesardothnotchange.CASSIUSTreboniusknowshistime;for,lookyou,Brutus.HedrawsMarkAntonyoutoftheway.ExeuntANTONYandTREBONIUSDECIUSBRUTUSWhereisMetellusCimber?Lethimgo,andpresentlypreferhissuittoCaesar.BRUTUSHeisaddress'd:pressnearandsecondhim.CINNACasca,youarethefirstthatrearsyourhand.CAESARAreweallready?WhatisnowamissthatCaesarandhissenatemustredress?METELLUSCIMBERMosthigh,mostmighty,andmostpuissantCaesar,MetellusCimberthrowsbeforethyseatanhumbleheart,--KneelingCAESARImustpreventthee,Cimber.Thesecouchingsandtheselowlycourtesiesmightfirethebloodofordinarymen,andturnpre-ordinanceandfirstdecreeintothelawofchildren.Benotfond,tothinkthatCaesarbearssuchrebelbloodthatwillbethaw'dfromthetruequalitywiththatwhichmeltethfools;Imean,sweetwords,low-crookedcourt'siesandbasespaniel-fawning.Thybrotherbydecreeisbanished:Ifthoudostbendandprayandfawnforhim,Ispurntheelikeacuroutofmyway.Know,Caesardothnotwrong,norwithoutcausewillhebesatisfied.METELLUSCIMBERIstherenovoicemoreworthythanmyowntosoundmoresweetlyingreatCaesar'searfortherepealingofmybanish'dbrother?

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BRUTUSIkissthyhand,butnotinflattery,Caesar;desiringtheethatPubliusCimbermayhaveanimmediatefreedomofrepeal.CAESARWhat,Brutus!CASSIUSPardon,Caesar;Caesar,pardon:aslowastothyfootdothCassiusfall,tobegenfranchisementforPubliusCimber.Icouldbewellmoved,ifIwereasyou:IfIcouldpraytomove,prayerswouldmoveme:butIamconstantasthenorthernstar,ofwhosetrue-fix'dandrestingqualitythereisnofellowinthefirmament.Theskiesarepaintedwithunnumber'dsparks,theyareallfireandeveryonedothshine,butthere'sbutoneinalldothholdhisplace:sointheworld;'tisfurnish'dwellwithmen,andmenarefleshandblood,andapprehensive;yetinthenumberIdoknowbutonethatunassailableholdsonhisrank,unshakedofmotion:andthatIamhe,letmealittleshowit,eveninthis;thatIwasconstantCimbershouldbebanish'd,andconstantdoremaintokeephimso.CINNAOCaesar,--CAESARHence!wiltthouliftupOlympus?DECIUSBRUTUSGreatCaesar,--CAESARDothnotBrutusbootlesskneel?CASCASpeak,handsforme!CASCAfirst,thentheotherConspiratorsandBRUTUSstabCAESARCAESAREttu,Brute!Thenfall,Caesar.DiesCINNALiberty!Freedom!Tyrannyisdead!Runhence,proclaim,cryitaboutthestreets.CASSIUSSometothecommonpulpits,andcryout'Liberty,freedom,andenfranchisement!'

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BRUTUSPeopleandsenators,benotaffrighted;flynot;standstiff:ambition'sdebtispaid.CASCAGotothepulpit,Brutus.DECIUSBRUTUSAndCassiustoo.BRUTUSWhere'sPublius?CINNAHere,quiteconfoundedwiththismutiny.METELLUSCIMBERStandfasttogether,lestsomefriendofCaesar'sshouldchance--BRUTUSTalknotofstanding.Publius,goodcheer;thereisnoharmintendedtoyourperson,nortonoRomanelse:sotellthem,Publius.CASSIUSAndleaveus,Publius;lestthatthepeople,rushingonus,shoulddoyouragesomemischief.BRUTUSDoso:andletnomanabidethisdeed,butwethedoers.Re-enterTREBONIUSCASSIUSWhereisAntony?TREBONIUSFledtohishouseamazed:men,wivesandchildrenstare,cryoutandrunasitweredoomsday.BRUTUSFates,wewillknowyourpleasures:thatweshalldie,weknow;'tisbutthetimeanddrawingdaysout,thatmenstandupon.CASSIUSWhy,hethatcutsofftwentyyearsoflifecutsoffsomanyyearsoffearingdeath.BRUTUSGrantthat,andthenisdeathabenefit:soareweCaesar'sfriends,thathaveabridged

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histimeoffearingdeath.Stoop,Romans,stoop,andletusbatheourhandsinCaesar'sblooduptotheelbows,andbesmearourswords:thenwalkweforth,eventothemarket-place,and,wavingourredweaponso'erourheads,let'sallcry'Peace,freedomandliberty!'CASSIUSStoop,then,andwash.Howmanyageshenceshallthisourloftyscenebeactedoverinstatesunbornandaccentsyetunknown!BRUTUSHowmanytimesshallCaesarbleedinsport,thatnowonPompey'sbasisliesalongnoworthierthanthedust!CASSIUSSooftasthatshallbe,sooftenshalltheknotofusbecall'dthementhatgavetheircountryliberty.DECIUSBRUTUSWhat,shallweforth?CASSIUSAy,everymanaway:Brutusshalllead;andwewillgracehisheelswiththemostboldestandbestheartsofRome.EnteraServantBRUTUSSoft!whocomeshere?AfriendofAntony's.SERVANTThus,Brutus,didmymasterbidmekneel:thusdidMarkAntonybidmefalldown;and,beingprostrate,thushebademesay:Brutusisnoble,wise,valiant,andhonest;Caesarwasmighty,bold,royal,andloving:sayIloveBrutus,andIhonourhim;sayIfear'dCaesar,honour'dhimandlovedhim.IfBrutuswillvouchsafethatAntonymaysafelycometohim,andberesolvedhowCaesarhathdeservedtolieindeath,MarkAntonyshallnotloveCaesardeadsowellasBrutusliving;butwillfollowthefortunesandaffairsofnobleBrutusthoroughthehazardsofthisuntrodstatewithalltruefaith.SosaysmymasterAntony.BRUTUSThymasterisawiseandvaliantRoman;Ineverthoughthimworse.Tellhim,sopleasehimcomeuntothisplace,Heshallbesatisfied;and,bymyhonour,departuntouch'd.SERVANTI'llfetchhimpresently.Exit

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BRUTUSIknowthatweshallhavehimwelltofriend.CASSIUSIwishwemay:butyethaveIamindthatfearshimmuch;andmymisgivingstillfallsshrewdlytothepurpose.BRUTUSButherecomesAntony.Re-enterANTONYWelcome,MarkAntony.ANTONYOmightyCaesar!dostthouliesolow?Areallthyconquests,glories,triumphs,spoils,shrunktothislittlemeasure?Faretheewell.Iknownot,gentlemen,whatyouintend,whoelsemustbeletblood,whoelseisrank:IfImyself,thereisnohoursofitasCaesar'sdeathhour,nornoinstrumentofhalfthatworthasthoseyourswords,maderichwiththemostnoblebloodofallthisworld.Idobeseechye,ifyoubearmehard,now,whilstyourpurpledhandsdoreekandsmoke,fulfilyourpleasure.Liveathousandyears,Ishallnotfindmyselfsoapttodie:noplacewillpleasemeso,nomeanofdeath,asherebyCaesar,andbyyoucutoff,thechoiceandmasterspiritsofthisage.BRUTUSOAntony,begnotyourdeathofus.Thoughnowwemustappearbloodyandcruel,as,byourhandsandthisourpresentact,youseewedo,yetseeyoubutourhandsAndthisthebleedingbusinesstheyhavedone:Ourheartsyouseenot;theyarepitiful;andpitytothegeneralwrongofRome--Asfiredrivesoutfire,sopitypity--HathdonethisdeedonCaesar.Foryourpart,toyouourswordshaveleadenpoints,MarkAntony:Ourarms,instrengthofmalice,andourheartsofbrothers'temper,doreceiveyouinwithallkindlove,goodthoughts,andreverence.CASSIUSYourvoiceshallbeasstrongasanyman'sinthedisposingofnewdignities.BRUTUSOnlybepatienttillwehaveappeasedthemultitude,besidethemselveswithfear,andthenwewilldeliveryouthecause,whyI,thatdidloveCaesarwhenIstruckhim,havethusproceeded.ANTONYIdoubtnotofyourwisdom.Leteachmanrendermehisbloodyhand:first,MarcusBrutus,willIshakewithyou;Next,CaiusCassius,doItakeyourhand;Now,DeciusBrutus,yours:nowyours,Metellus;yours,Cinna;and,myvaliantCasca,yours;thoughlast,notlastinlove,yours,goodTrebonius.Gentlemenall,--

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Alas,whatshallIsay?Mycreditnowstandsonsuchslipperyground,thatoneoftwobadwaysyoumustconceitme,eitheracowardoraflatterer.ThatIdidlovethee,Caesar,O,'tistrue:Ifthenthyspiritlookuponusnow,shallitnotgrievetheedearerthanthydeath,toseethyAnthonymakinghispeace,shakingthebloodyfingersofthyfoes,mostnobleinthepresenceofthycorse?HadIasmanyeyesasthouhastwounds,weepingasfastastheystreamforththyblood,itwouldbecomemebetterthantocloseIntermsoffriendshipwiththineenemies.Pardonme,Julius!Herewastthoubay'd,bravehart;heredidstthoufall;andherethyhuntersstand,sign'dinthyspoil,andcrimson'dinthylethe.Oworld,thouwasttheforesttothishart;andthis,indeed,Oworld,theheartofthee.Howlikeadeer,struckenbymanyprinces,dostthouherelie!CASSIUSMarkAntony,--ANTONYPardonme,CaiusCassius:theenemiesofCaesarshallsaythis;Then,inafriend,itiscoldmodesty.CASSIUSIblameyounotforpraisingCaesarso;butwhatcompactmeanyoutohavewithus?Willyoubeprick'dinnumberofourfriends;orshallweon,andnotdependonyou?ANTONYThereforeItookyourhands,butwas,indeed,sway'dfromthepoint,bylookingdownonCaesar.FriendsamIwithyouallandloveyouall,uponthishope,thatyoushallgivemereasonswhyandwhereinCaesarwasdangerous.BRUTUSOrelsewerethisasavagespectacle:ourreasonsaresofullofgoodregardthatwereyou,Antony,thesonofCaesar,youshouldbesatisfied.ANTONYThat'sallIseek:andammoreoversuitorthatImayproducehisbodytothemarket-place;andinthepulpit,asbecomesafriend,speakintheorderofhisfuneral.BRUTUSYoushall,MarkAntony.CASSIUSBrutus,awordwithyou.AsidetoBRUTUSYouknownotwhatyoudo:donotconsentthatAntonyspeakinhisfuneral:Knowyouhowmuchthepeoplemaybemovedbythatwhichhewillutter?BRUTUS

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Byyourpardon;Iwillmyselfintothepulpitfirst,andshowthereasonofourCaesar'sdeath:WhatAntonyshallspeak,Iwillprotesthespeaksbyleaveandbypermission,andthatwearecontentedCaesarshallhavealltrueritesandlawfulceremonies.Itshalladvantagemorethandouswrong.CASSIUSIknownotwhatmayfall;Ilikeitnot.BRUTUSMarkAntony,here,takeyouCaesar'sbody.Youshallnotinyourfuneralspeechblameus,butspeakallgoodyoucandeviseofCaesar,andsayyoudo'tbyourpermission;Elseshallyounothaveanyhandatallabouthisfuneral:andyoushallspeakinthesamepulpitwheretoIamgoing,aftermyspeechisended.ANTONYBeitso.Idodesirenomore.BRUTUSPreparethebodythen,andfollowus.ExeuntallbutANTONYANTONYO,pardonme,thoubleedingpieceofearth,thatIammeekandgentlewiththesebutchers!Thouarttheruinsofthenoblestmanthateverlivedinthetideoftimes.Woetothehandthatshedthiscostlyblood!OverthywoundsnowdoIprophesy,--Which,likedumbmouths,doopetheirrubylips,Tobegthevoiceandutteranceofmytongue--Acurseshalllightuponthelimbsofmen;domesticfuryandfiercecivilstrifeshallcumberallthepartsofItaly;bloodanddestructionshallbesoinuseanddreadfulobjectssofamiliarthatmothersshallbutsmilewhentheybeholdtheirinfantsquarter'dwiththehandsofwar;allpitychokedwithcustomoffelldeeds:andCaesar'sspirit,rangingforrevenge,withAtebyhissidecomehotfromhell,shallintheseconfineswithamonarch'svoicecry'Havoc,'andletslipthedogsofwar;thatthisfouldeedshallsmellabovetheearthwithcarrionmen,groaningforburial.EnteraServantYouserveOctaviusCaesar,doyounot?SERVANTIdo,MarkAntony.ANTONYCaesardidwriteforhimtocometoRome.SERVANTHedidreceivehisletters,andiscoming;andbidmesaytoyoubywordofmouth--OCaesar!--

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SeeingthebodyANTONYThyheartisbig,gettheeapartandweep.Passion,Isee,iscatching;formineeyes,seeingthosebeadsofsorrowstandinthine,begantowater.Isthymastercoming?SERVANTHeliesto-nightwithinsevenleaguesofRome.ANTONYPostbackwithspeed,andtellhimwhathathchanced:hereisamourningRome,adangerousRome,noRomeofsafetyforOctaviusyet;hiehence,andtellhimso.Yet,stayawhile;thoushaltnotbacktillIhavebornethiscorseintothemarket-place:thereshallItryinmyoration,howthepeopletakethecruelissueofthesebloodymen;accordingtothewhich,thoushaltdiscoursetoyoungOctaviusofthestateofthings.Lendmeyourhand.ExeuntwithCAESAR'sbodySCENEII.TheForum.EnterBRUTUSandCASSIUS,andathrongofCitizensCitizensWewillbesatisfied;letusbesatisfied.BRUTUSThenfollowme,andgivemeaudience,friends.Cassius,goyouintotheotherstreetandpartthenumbers.Thosethatwillhearmespeak,let'emstayhere;thosethatwillfollowCassius,gowithhim;andpublicreasonsshallberenderedofCaesar'sdeath.FirstCitizenIwillhearBrutusspeak.SecondCitizenIwillhearCassius;andcomparetheirreasons,whenseverallywehearthemrendered.ExitCASSIUS,withsomeoftheCitizens.BRUTUSgoesintothepulpitThirdCitizenThenobleBrutusisascended:silence!BRUTUSBepatienttillthelast.Romans,countrymen,andlovers!hearmeformycause,andbesilent,thatyoumayhear:believemeforminehonour,andhaverespecttominehonour,thatyoumaybelieve:censuremeinyourwisdom,andawakeyoursenses,thatyoumaythe

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betterjudge.Iftherebeanyinthisassembly,anydearfriendofCaesar's,tohimIsay,thatBrutus'lovetoCaesarwasnolessthanhis.IfthenthatfrienddemandwhyBrutusroseagainstCaesar,thisismyanswer:--NotthatIlovedCaesarless,butthatIlovedRomemore.HadyouratherCaesarwerelivinganddieallslaves,thanthatCaesarweredead,toliveallfreemen?AsCaesarlovedme,Iweepforhim;ashewasfortunate,Irejoiceatit;ashewasvaliant,Ihonourhim:but,ashewasambitious,Islewhim.Thereistearsforhislove;joyforhisfortune;honourforhisvalour;anddeathforhisambition.Whoisheresobasethatwouldbeabondman?Ifany,speak;forhimhaveIoffended.WhoisheresorudethatwouldnotbeaRoman?Ifany,speak;forhimhaveIoffended.Whoisheresovilethatwillnotlovehiscountry?Ifany,speak;forhimhaveIoffended.Ipauseforareply.AllNone,Brutus,none.BRUTUSThennonehaveIoffended.IhavedonenomoretoCaesarthanyoushalldotoBrutus.ThequestionofhisdeathisenrolledintheCapitol;hisglorynotextenuated,whereinhewasworthy,norhisoffencesenforced,forwhichhesuffereddeath.EnterANTONYandothers,withCAESAR'sbodyHerecomeshisbody,mournedbyMarkAntony:who,thoughhehadnohandinhisdeath,shallreceivethebenefitofhisdying,aplaceinthecommonwealth;aswhichofyoushallnot?WiththisIdepart,--that,asIslewmybestloverforthegoodofRome,Ihavethesamedaggerformyself,whenitshallpleasemycountrytoneedmydeath.AllLive,Brutus!live,live!FirstCitizenBringhimwithtriumphhomeuntohishouse.SecondCitizenGivehimastatuewithhisancestors.ThirdCitizenLethimbeCaesar.FourthCitizenCaesar'sbetterpartsshallbecrown'dinBrutus.FirstCitizenWe'llbringhimtohishousewithshoutsandclamours.

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BRUTUSMycountrymen,--SecondCitizenPeace,silence!Brutusspeaks.FirstCitizenPeace,ho!BRUTUSGoodcountrymen,letmedepartalone,and,formysake,stayherewithAntony:dogracetoCaesar'scorpse,andgracehisspeechtendingtoCaesar'sglories;whichMarkAntony,byourpermission,isallow'dtomake.Idoentreatyou,notamandepart,saveIalone,tillAntonyhavespoke.ExitFirstCitizenStay,ho!andletushearMarkAntony.ThirdCitizenLethimgoupintothepublicchair;we'llhearhim.NobleAntony,goup.ANTONYForBrutus'sake,Iambeholdingtoyou.GoesintothepulpitFourthCitizenWhatdoeshesayofBrutus?ThirdCitizenHesays,forBrutus'sake,hefindshimselfbeholdingtousall.FourthCitizen'TwerebesthespeaknoharmofBrutushere.FirstCitizenThisCaesarwasatyrant.ThirdCitizenNay,that'scertain:weareblestthatRomeisridofhim.SecondCitizenPeace!letushearwhatAntonycansay.ANTONY

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YougentleRomans,--ALLCitizensPeace,ho!letushearhim.ANTONYFriends,Romans,countrymen,lendmeyourears;IcometoburyCaesar,nottopraisehim.Theevilthatmendolivesafterthem;Thegoodisoftinterredwiththeirbones;SoletitbewithCaesar.ThenobleBrutushathtoldyouCaesarwasambitious:Ifitwereso,itwasagrievousfault,andgrievouslyhathCaesaranswer'dit.Here,underleaveofBrutusandtherest--ForBrutusisanhonourableman;soaretheyall,allhonourablemen--comeItospeakinCaesar'sfuneral.Hewasmyfriend,faithfulandjusttome:butBrutussayshewasambitious;andBrutusisanhonourableman.HehathbroughtmanycaptiveshometoRomewhoseransomsdidthegeneralcoffersfill:didthisinCaesarseemambitious?Whenthatthepoorhavecried,Caesarhathwept:Ambitionshouldbemadeofsternerstuff:YetBrutussayshewasambitious;andBrutusisanhonourableman.YoualldidseethatontheLupercalIthricepresentedhimakinglycrown,whichhedidthricerefuse:wasthisambition?YetBrutussayshewasambitious;and,sure,heisanhonourableman.IspeaknottodisprovewhatBrutusspoke,buthereIamtospeakwhatIdoknow.Youalldidlovehimonce,notwithoutcause:Whatcausewithholdsyouthen,tomournforhim?Ojudgment!thouartfledtobrutishbeasts,andmenhavelosttheirreason.Bearwithme;myheartisinthecoffintherewithCaesar,andImustpausetillitcomebacktome.FirstCitizenMethinksthereismuchreasoninhissayings.SecondCitizenIfthouconsiderrightlyofthematter,Caesarhashadgreatwrong.ThirdCitizenHashe,masters?Ifeartherewillaworsecomeinhisplace.FourthCitizenMark'dyehiswords?Hewouldnottakethecrown;therefore'tiscertainhewasnotambitious.FirstCitizenIfitbefoundso,somewilldearabideit.

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SecondCitizenPoorsoul!hiseyesareredasfirewithweeping.ThirdCitizenThere'snotanoblermaninRomethanAntony.FourthCitizenNowmarkhim,hebeginsagaintospeak.ANTONYButyesterdaythewordofCaesarmighthavestoodagainsttheworld;nowlieshethere.Andnonesopoortodohimreverence.Omasters,ifIweredisposedtostiryourheartsandmindstomutinyandrage,IshoulddoBrutuswrong,andCassiuswrong,who,youallknow,arehonourablemen:Iwillnotdothemwrong;Iratherchoosetowrongthedead,towrongmyselfandyou,thanIwillwrongsuchhonourablemen.Buthere'saparchmentwiththesealofCaesar;Ifounditinhiscloset,'tishiswill:Letbutthecommonshearthistestament--Which,pardonme,Idonotmeantoread--Bequeathingitasarichlegacyuntotheirissue.FourthCitizenWe'llhearthewill:readit,MarkAntony.AllThewill,thewill!wewillhearCaesar'swill.ANTONYHavepatience,gentlefriends,Imustnotreadit;itisnotmeetyouknowhowCaesarlovedyou.Youarenotwood,youarenotstones,butmen;and,beingmen,bearingthewillofCaesar,itwillinflameyou,itwillmakeyoumad:'Tisgoodyouknownotthatyouarehisheirs;for,ifyoushould,O,whatwouldcomeofit!FourthCitizenReadthewill;we'llhearit,Antony;youshallreadusthewill,Caesar'swill.ANTONYWillyoubepatient?willyoustayawhile?Ihaveo'ershotmyselftotellyouofit:IfearIwrongthehonourablemenwhosedaggershavestabb'dCaesar;Idofearit.FourthCitizenTheyweretraitors:honourablemen!AllThewill!Thetestament!SecondCitizen

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Theywerevillains,murderers:thewill!Readthewill.ANTONYYouwillcompelme,then,toreadthewill?ThenmakearingaboutthecorpseofCaesar,andletmeshowyouhimthatmadethewill.ShallIdescend?andwillyougivemeleave?SeveralCitizensComedown.SecondCitizenDescend.ThirdCitizenYoushallhaveleave.ANTONYcomesdownFourthCitizenAring;standround.FirstCitizenStandfromthehearse,standfromthebody.SecondCitizenRoomforAntony,mostnobleAntony.ANTONYNay,pressnotsouponme;standfaroff.SeveralCitizensStandback;room;bearback.ANTONYIfyouhavetears,preparetoshedthemnow.Youalldoknowthismantle:IrememberthefirsttimeeverCaesarputiton;‘Twasonasummer'sevening,inhistent,thatdayheovercametheNervii:Look,inthisplaceranCassius'daggerthrough:SeewhatarenttheenviousCascamade:Throughthisthewell-belovedBrutusstabb'd;andashepluck'dhiscursedsteelaway,markhowthebloodofCaesarfollow'dit,forBrutus,asyouknow,wasCaesar'sangel:Judge,Oyougods,howdearlyCaesarlovedhim!Thiswastheunkindestcutofall;forwhenthenobleCaesarsawhimstab,ingratitude,morestrongthantraitors'arms,quitevanquish'dhim:thenbursthismightyheart,and,inhismantlemufflinguphisface,evenatthebaseofPompey'sstatua,whichallthewhileranblood,greatCaesarfell.O,whatafallwasthere,mycountrymen!ThenI,andyou,andallofusfelldown,whilstbloodytreasonflourish'doverus.O,nowyouweep;and,Iperceive,youfeelthedintofpity:thesearegraciousdrops.

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Kindsouls,what,weepyouwhenyoubutbeholdourCaesar'svesturewounded?Lookyouhere,hereishimself,marr'd,asyousee,withtraitors.FirstCitizenOpiteousspectacle!SecondCitizenOnobleCaesar!ThirdCitizenOwofulday!FourthCitizenOtraitors,villains!FirstCitizenOmostbloodysight!SecondCitizenWewillberevenged.AllRevenge!About!Seek!Burn!Fire!Kill!Slay!Letnotatraitorlive!ANTONYStay,countrymen.FirstCitizenPeacethere!hearthenobleAntony.SecondCitizenWe'llhearhim,we'llfollowhim,we'lldiewithhim.ANTONYGoodfriends,sweetfriends,letmenotstiryouuptosuchasuddenfloodofmutiny.Theythathavedonethisdeedarehonourable:Whatprivategriefstheyhave,alas,Iknownot,thatmadethemdoit:theyarewiseandhonourable,andwill,nodoubt,withreasonsansweryou.Icomenot,friends,tostealawayyourhearts:Iamnoorator,asBrutusis;but,asyouknowmeall,aplainbluntman,thatlove’dmyfriend;andthattheyknowfullwellthatgavemepublicleavetospeakofhim:ForIhaveneitherwit,norwords,norworth,action,norutterance,northepowerofspeech,tostirmen'sblood:Ionlyspeakrighton;Itellyouthatwhichyouyourselvesdoknow;ShowyousweetCaesar'swounds,poorpoordumbmouths,andbidthemspeakforme:butwereIBrutus,andBrutusAntony,therewereanAntonywouldruffleupyourspiritsand

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putatongueineverywoundofCaesarthatshouldmovethestonesofRometoriseandmutiny.AllWe'llmutiny.FirstCitizenWe'llburnthehouseofBrutus.ThirdCitizenAway,then!come,seektheconspirators.ANTONYYethearme,countrymen;yethearmespeak.AllPeace,ho!HearAntony.MostnobleAntony!ANTONYWhy,friends,yougotodoyouknownotwhat:whereinhathCaesarthusdeservedyourloves?Alas,youknownot:Imusttellyouthen:youhaveforgotthewillItoldyouof.AllMosttrue.Thewill!Let'sstayandhearthewill.ANTONYHereisthewill,andunderCaesar'sseal.ToeveryRomancitizenhegives,toeveryseveralman,seventy-fivedrachmas.SecondCitizenMostnobleCaesar!We'llrevengehisdeath.ThirdCitizenOroyalCaesar!ANTONYHearmewithpatience.AllPeace,ho!ANTONYMoreover,hehathleftyouallhiswalks,hisprivatearboursandnew-plantedorchards,onthissideTiber;hehathleftthemyou,andtoyourheirsforever,commonpleasures,towalkabroad,andrecreateyourselves.

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HerewasaCaesar!Whencomessuchanother?FirstCitizenNever,never.Come,away,away!We'llburnhisbodyintheholyplace,andwiththebrandsfirethetraitors'houses.Takeupthebody.SecondCitizenGofetchfire.ThirdCitizenPluckdownbenches.FourthCitizenPluckdownforms,windows,anything.ExeuntCitizenswiththebodyANTONYNowletitwork.Mischief,thouartafoot,takethouwhatcoursethouwilt!EnteraServantHownow,fellow!ServantSir,OctaviusisalreadycometoRome.ANTONYWhereishe?ServantHeandLepidusareatCaesar'shouse.ANTONYAndthitherwillIstraighttovisithim:hecomesuponawish.Fortuneismerry,andinthismoodwillgiveusanything.ServantIheardhimsay,BrutusandCassiusareridlikemadmenthroughthegatesofRome.ANTONYBeliketheyhadsomenoticeofthepeople,howIhadmovedthem.BringmetoOctavius.Exeunt(intermission)

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ACTIVSCENEI.AhouseinRome.ANTONY,OCTAVIUS,andLEPIDUS,seatedatatableANTONYThesemany,then,shalldie;theirnamesareprick'd.OCTAVIUSYourbrothertoomustdie;consentyou,Lepidus?LEPIDUSIdoconsent--OCTAVIUSPrickhimdown,Antony.LEPIDUSUponconditionPubliusshallnotlive,whoisyoursister'sson,MarkAntony.ANTONYHeshallnotlive;look,withaspotIdamnhim.But,Lepidus,goyoutoCaesar'shouse;fetchthewillhither,andweshalldeterminehowtocutoffsomechargeinlegacies.LEPIDUSWhat,shallIfindyouhere?OCTAVIUSOrhere,orattheCapitol.ExitLEPIDUSANTONYThisisaslightunmeritableman,meettobesentonerrands:isitfit,thethree-foldworlddivided,heshouldstandoneofthethreetoshareit?OCTAVIUSSoyouthoughthim;andtookhisvoicewhoshouldbeprick'dtodie,inourblacksentenceandproscription.ANTONYOctavius,Ihaveseenmoredaysthanyou:andthoughwelaythesehonoursonthisman,toeaseourselvesofdiversslanderousloads,heshallbutbearthemastheassbearsgold,togroanandsweatunderthebusiness,eitherledordriven,aswepoint

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theway;andhavingbroughtourtreasurewherewewill,thentakewedownhisload,andturnhimoff,liketotheemptyass,toshakehisears,andgrazeincommons.OCTAVIUSYoumaydoyourwill;buthe'satriedandvaliantsoldier.ANTONYSoismyhorse,Octavius;andforthatIdoappointhimstoreofprovender:itisacreaturethatIteachtofight,towind,tostop,torundirectlyon,hiscorporalmotiongovern'dbymyspirit.and,insometaste,isLepidusbutso;hemustbetaughtandtrain'dandbidgoforth;abarren-spiritedfellow;onethatfeedsonabjects,ortsandimitations,which,outofuseandstaledbyothermen,beginhisfashion:donottalkofhim,butasaproperty.Andnow,Octavius,listengreatthings:--BrutusandCassiusarelevyingpowers:wemuststraightmakehead:thereforeletouralliancebecombined,ourbestfriendsmade,ourmeansstretch'dandletuspresentlygositincouncil,howcovertmattersmaybebestdisclosed,andopenperilssurestanswered.OCTAVIUSLetusdoso:forweareatthestake,andbay'daboutwithmanyenemies;Andsomethatsmilehaveintheirhearts,Ifear,millionsofmischiefs.ExeuntSCENEII.CampnearSardis.BeforeBRUTUS'stent.Drum.EnterBRUTUS,LUCILIUS,LUCIUS,andSoldiers;TITINIUSandPINDARUSmeetingthemBRUTUSStand,ho!LUCILIUSGivetheword,ho!andstand.BRUTUSWhatnow,Lucilius!IsCassiusnear?LUCILIUSHeisathand;andPindarusiscometodoyousalutationfromhismaster.BRUTUSHegreetsmewell.Yourmaster,Pindarus,inhisownchange,orbyillofficers,hathgivenmesomeworthycausetowishthingsdone,undone:but,ifhebeathand,Ishallbesatisfied.PINDARUS

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Idonotdoubtbutthatmynoblemasterwillappearsuchasheis,fullofregardandhonour.BRUTUSHeisnotdoubted.Aword,Lucilius;howhereceivedyou,letmeberesolved.LUCILIUSWithcourtesyandwithrespectenough;butnotwithsuchfamiliarinstances,norwithsuchfreeandfriendlyconference,ashehathusedofold.BRUTUSThouhastdescribedahotfriendcooling:evernote,Lucilius,whenlovebeginstosickenanddecay,itusethanenforcedceremony.Therearenotricksinplainandsimplefaith;buthollowmen,likehorseshotathand,makegallantshowandpromiseoftheirmettle;butwhentheyshouldendurethebloodyspur,theyfalltheircrests,and,likedeceitfuljades,sinkinthetrial.Comeshisarmyon?LUCILIUSTheymeanthisnightinSardistobequarter'd;Thegreaterpart,thehorseingeneral,arecomewithCassius.BRUTUSHark!heisarrived.LowmarchwithinMarchgentlyontomeethim.EnterCASSIUSandhispowersCASSIUSStand,ho!BRUTUSStand,ho!Speakthewordalong.FirstSoldierStand!SecondSoldierStand!ThirdSoldierStand!CASSIUSMostnoblebrother,youhavedonemewrong.

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BRUTUSJudgeme,yougods!wrongImineenemies?And,ifnotso,howshouldIwrongabrother?CASSIUSBrutus,thissoberformofyourshideswrongs;Andwhenyoudothem--BRUTUSCassius,becontent.Speakyourgriefssoftly:Idoknowyouwell.Beforetheeyesofbothourarmieshere,whichshouldperceivenothingbutlovefromus,letusnotwrangle:bidthemmoveaway;theninmytent,Cassius,enlargeyourgriefs,andIwillgiveyouaudience.CASSIUSPindarus,bidourcommandersleadtheirchargesoffalittlefromthisground.BRUTUSLucilius,doyouthelike;andletnomancometoourtenttillwehavedoneourconference.LetLuciusandTitiniusguardourdoor.ExeuntSCENEIII.Brutus'stent.EnterBRUTUSandCASSIUSCASSIUSThatyouhavewrong'dmedothappearinthis:youhavecondemn'dandnotedLuciusPellafortakingbribeshereoftheSardians;whereinmyletters,prayingonhisside,becauseIknewtheman,wereslightedoff.BRUTUSYouwrongedyourselftowriteinsuchacase.CASSIUSInsuchatimeasthisitisnotmeetthateveryniceoffenceshouldbearhiscomment.BRUTUSLetmetellyou,Cassius,youyourselfaremuchcondemn'dtohaveanitchingpalm;tosellandmartyourofficesforgoldtoundeservers.CASSIUSIanitchingpalm!YouknowthatyouareBrutusthatspeakthis,or,bythegods,thisspeechwereelseyourlast.BRUTUSThenameofCassiushonoursthiscorruption,andchastisementdoththereforehidehishead.

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CASSIUSChastisement!BRUTUSRememberMarch,theidesofMarchremember:DidnotgreatJuliusbleedforjustice'sake?Whatvillaintouch'dhisbody,thatdidstab,andnotforjustice?What,shalloneofusthatstrucktheforemostmanofallthisworldbutforsupportingrobbers,shallwenowcontaminateourfingerswithbasebribes,andsellthemightyspaceofourlargehonoursforsomuchtrashasmaybegraspedthus?Ihadratherbeadog,andbaythemoon,thansuchaRoman.CASSIUSBrutus,baynotme;I'llnotendureit:youforgetyourself,tohedgemein;Iamasoldier,I,olderinpractise,ablerthanyourselftomakeconditions.BRUTUSGoto;youarenot,Cassius.CASSIUSIam.BRUTUSIsayyouarenot.CASSIUSUrgemenomore,Ishallforgetmyself;haveminduponyourhealth,temptmenofurther.BRUTUSAway,slightman!CASSIUSIs'tpossible?BRUTUSHearme,forIwillspeak.MustIgivewayandroomtoyourrashcholer?ShallIbefrightedwhenamadmanstares?CASSIUSOyegods,yegods!mustIendureallthis?BRUTUSAllthis!ay,more:frettillyourproudheartbreak;goshowyourslaveshowcholericyouare,andmakeyourbondmentremble.MustIbudge?MustIobserveyou?MustIstandandcrouchunderyourtestyhumour?Bythegodsyoushalldigestthevenom

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ofyourspleen,thoughitdosplityou;for,fromthisdayforth,I'lluseyouformymirth,yea,formylaughter,whenyouarewaspish.CASSIUSIsitcometothis?BRUTUSYousayyouareabettersoldier:letitappearso;makeyourvauntingtrue,anditshallpleasemewell:formineownpart,Ishallbegladtolearnofnoblemen.CASSIUSYouwrongmeeveryway;youwrongme,Brutus;Isaid,aneldersoldier,notabetter:DidIsay'better'?BRUTUSIfyoudid,Icarenot.CASSIUSWhenCaesarlived,hedurstnotthushavemovedme.BRUTUSPeace,peace!youdurstnotsohavetemptedhim.CASSIUSIdurstnot!BRUTUSNo.CASSIUSWhat,durstnottempthim!BRUTUSForyourlifeyoudurstnot!CASSIUSDonotpresumetoomuchuponmylove;ImaydothatIshallbesorryfor.BRUTUSYouhavedonethatyoushouldbesorryfor.Thereisnoterror,Cassius,inyourthreats,forIamarm'dsostronginhonestythattheypassbymeastheidlewind,WhichIrespectnot.Ididsendtoyouforcertainsumsofgold,whichyoudeniedme:ForIcanraisenomoneybyvilemeans:byheaven,Ihadrathercoinmyheart,anddropmybloodfordrachmas,thantowringfromthehardhandsofpeasantstheirviletrashbyanyindirection:Ididsendtoyouforgoldtopaymylegions,whichyoudeniedme:wasthatdonelikeCassius?ShouldIhaveanswer'dCaiusCassiusso?

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WhenMarcusBrutusgrowssocovetous,tolocksuchrascalcountersfromhisfriends,beready,gods,withallyourthunderbolts;Dashhimtopieces!CASSIUSIdeniedyounot.BRUTUSYoudid.CASSIUSIdidnot:hewasbutafoolthatbroughtmyanswerback.Brutushathrivedmyheart:afriendshouldbearhisfriend'sinfirmities,butBrutusmakesminegreaterthantheyare.BRUTUSIdonot,tillyoupractisethemonme.CASSIUSYoulovemenot.BRUTUSIdonotlikeyourfaults.CASSIUSAfriendlyeyecouldneverseesuchfaults.BRUTUSAflatterer'swouldnot,thoughtheydoappearashugeashighOlympus.CASSIUSCome,Antony,andyoungOctavius,come,revengeyourselvesaloneonCassius,forCassiusisawearyoftheworld;hatedbyoneheloves;bravedbyhisbrother;cheque'dlikeabondman;allhisfaultsobserved,setinanote-book,learn'd,andconn'dbyrote,tocastintomyteeth.O,Icouldweepmyspiritfrommineeyes!Thereismydagger,andheremynakedbreast;within,aheartdearerthanPlutus'mine,richerthangold:ifthatthoube'staRoman,takeitforth;I,thatdeniedtheegold,willgivemyheart:strike,asthoudidstatCaesar;for,Iknow,whenthoudidsthatehimworst,thoulovedsthimbetterthaneverthoulovedstCassius.BRUTUSSheatheyourdagger:beangrywhenyouwill,itshallhavescope;dowhatyouwill,dishonourshallbehumour.OCassius,youareyokedwithalambthatcarriesangerastheflintbearsfire;who,muchenforced,showsahastyspark,andstraightiscoldagain.CASSIUS

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HathCassiuslivedtobebutmirthandlaughtertohisBrutus,whengrief,andbloodill-temper'd,vexethhim?BRUTUSWhenIspokethat,Iwasill-temper'dtoo.CASSIUSDoyouconfesssomuch?Givemeyourhand.BRUTUSAndmyhearttoo.CASSIUSOBrutus!BRUTUSWhat'sthematter?CASSIUSHavenotyouloveenoughtobearwithme,whenthatrashhumourwhichmymothergavememakesmeforgetful?BRUTUSYes,Cassius;and,fromhenceforth,whenyouareover-earnestwithyourBrutus,he'llthinkyourmotherchides,andleaveyouso.BRUTUSLuciliusandTitinius,bidthecommanderspreparetolodgetheircompaniesto-night.CASSIUSAndcomeyourselves,andbringMessalawithyouimmediatelytous.ExeuntLUCILIUSandTITINIUSBRUTUSLucius,abowlofwine!ExitLUCIUSCASSIUSIdidnotthinkyoucouldhavebeensoangry.BRUTUSOCassius,Iamsickofmanygriefs.CASSIUSOfyourphilosophyyoumakenouse,ifyougiveplacetoaccidentalevils.

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BRUTUSNomanbearssorrowbetter.Portiaisdead.CASSIUSHa!Portia!BRUTUSSheisdead.CASSIUSHow'scapedIkillingwhenIcross'dyouso?Oinsupportableandtouchingloss!Uponwhatsickness?BRUTUSImpatientofmyabsence,andgriefthatyoungOctaviuswithMarkAntonyhavemadethemselvessostrong:--forwithherdeaththattidingscame;--withthisshefelldistract,and,herattendantsabsent,swallow'dfire.CASSIUSAnddiedso?BRUTUSEvenso.CASSIUSOyeimmortalgods!Re-enterLUCIUS,withwineandtaperBRUTUSSpeaknomoreofher.Givemeabowlofwine.InthisIburyallunkindness,Cassius.CASSIUSMyheartisthirstyforthatnoblepledge.Fill,Lucius,tillthewineo'erswellthecup;IcannotdrinktoomuchofBrutus'love.BRUTUSComein,Titinius!ExitLUCIUSRe-enterTITINIUS,withMESSALAWelcome,goodMessala.Nowsitwecloseaboutthistaperhere,andcallinquestionournecessities.CASSIUSPortia,artthougone?

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BRUTUSNomore,Iprayyou.Messala,Ihaveherereceivedletters,thatyoungOctaviusandMarkAntonycomedownuponuswithamightypower,bendingtheirexpeditiontowardPhilippi.MESSALAMyselfhavelettersoftheselfsametenor.BRUTUSWithwhataddition?MESSALAThatbyproscriptionandbillsofoutlawry,Octavius,Antony,andLepidus,haveputtodeathanhundredsenators.BRUTUSThereinourlettersdonotwellagree;minespeakofseventysenatorsthatdiedbytheirproscriptions,Cicerobeingone.CASSIUSCiceroone!MESSALACiceroisdead,andbythatorderofproscription.Hadyouyourlettersfromyourwife,mylord?BRUTUSNo,Messala.MESSALANornothinginyourletterswritofher?BRUTUSNothing,Messala.MESSALAThat,methinks,isstrange.BRUTUSWhyaskyou?hearyouaughtofherinyours?MESSALANo,mylord.BRUTUS

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Now,asyouareaRoman,tellmetrue.MESSALAThenlikeaRomanbearthetruthItell:Forcertainsheisdead,andbystrangemanner.BRUTUSWhy,farewell,Portia.Wemustdie,Messala:withmeditatingthatshemustdieonce,Ihavethepatiencetoendureitnow.MESSALAEvensogreatmengreatlossesshouldendure.CASSIUSIhaveasmuchofthisinartasyou,butyetmynaturecouldnotbearitso.BRUTUSWell,toourworkalive.WhatdoyouthinkofmarchingtoPhilippipresently?CASSIUSIdonotthinkitgood.BRUTUSYourreason?CASSIUSThisitis:'Tisbetterthattheenemyseekus:soshallhewastehismeans,wearyhissoldiers,doinghimselfoffence;whilstwe,lyingstill,arefullofrest,defense,andnimbleness.BRUTUSGoodreasonsmust,offorce,giveplacetobetter.Thepeople'twixtPhilippiandthisgrounddostandbutinaforcedaffection;fortheyhavegrudgeduscontribution:theenemy,marchingalongbythem,bythemshallmakeafullernumberup,comeonrefresh'd,new-added,andencouraged;fromwhichadvantageshallwecuthimoff,ifatPhilippiwedofacehimthere,thesepeopleatourback.CASSIUSHearme,goodbrother.BRUTUSUnderyourpardon.Youmustnotebeside,thatwehavetriedtheutmostofourfriends,ourlegionsarebrim-full,ourcauseisripe:Theenemyincreasetheveryday;we,attheheight,arereadytodecline.Thereisatideintheaffairsofmen,which,takenattheflood,leadsontofortune;omitted,allthevoyageoftheirlifeisboundin

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shallowsandinmiseries.Onsuchafullseaarewenowafloat;andwemusttakethecurrentwhenitserves,orloseourventures.CASSIUSThen,withyourwill,goon;we'llalongourselves,andmeetthematPhilippi.BRUTUSThedeepofnightiscreptuponourtalk,andnaturemustobeynecessity;whichwewillwithalittlerest.Thereisnomoretosay?CASSIUSNomore.Goodnight:earlyto-morrowwillwerise,andhence.BRUTUSLucius!EnterLUCIUSMygown.ExitLUCIUSFarewell,goodMessala:goodnight,Titinius.Noble,nobleCassius,goodnight,andgoodrepose.CASSIUSOmydearbrother!Thiswasanillbeginningofthenight:nevercomesuchdivision'tweenoursouls!Letitnot,Brutus.BRUTUSEverythingiswell.CASSIUSGoodnight,mylord.BRUTUSGoodnight,goodbrother.TITINIUSMESSALAGoodnight,LordBrutus.BRUTUSFarewell,everyone.ExeuntallbutBRUTUSRe-enterLUCIUS,withthegownGivemethegown.Whereisthyinstrument?LUCIUSHereinthetent.

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BRUTUSWhat,thouspeak'stdrowsily?Poorknave,Iblametheenot;thouarto'er-watch'd.CallClaudiusandsomeotherofmymen:I'llhavethemsleeponcushionsinmytent.LUCIUSVarroandClaudius!EnterVARROandCLAUDIUSVARROCallsmylord?BRUTUSIprayyou,sirs,lieinmytentandsleep;itmaybeIshallraiseyoubyandbyonbusinesstomybrotherCassius.VARROSopleaseyou,wewillstandandwatchyourpleasure.BRUTUSIwillnothaveitso:liedown,goodsirs;itmaybeIshallotherwisebethinkme.Look,Lucius,here'sthebookIsoughtforso;Iputitinthepocketofmygown.VARROandCLAUDIUSliedownLUCIUSIwassureyourlordshipdidnotgiveitme.BRUTUSBearwithme,goodboy,Iammuchforgetful.Canstthouholdupthyheavyeyesawhile,andtouchthyinstrumentastrainortwo?LUCIUSAy,mylord,an'tpleaseyou.BRUTUSItdoes,myboy:Itroubletheetoomuch,butthouartwilling.LUCIUSItismyduty,sir.BRUTUSIshouldnoturgethydutypastthymight;Iknowyoungbloodslookforatimeofrest.LUCIUSIhaveslept,mylord,already.

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BRUTUSItwaswelldone;andthoushaltsleepagain;Iwillnotholdtheelong:ifIdolive,Iwillbegoodtothee.Music,andasongthisisasleepytune.Omurderousslumber,lay'stthouthyleadenmaceuponmyboy,thatplaystheemusic?Gentleknave,goodnight;Iwillnotdotheesomuchwrongtowakethee:Ifthoudostnod,thoubreak'stthyinstrument;I'lltakeitfromthee;and,goodboy,goodnight.Letmesee,letmesee;isnottheleafturn'ddownwhereIleftreading?Hereitis,Ithink.EntertheGhostofCAESARHowillthistaperburns!Ha!whocomeshere?IthinkitistheweaknessofmineeyesThatshapesthismonstrousapparition.Itcomesuponme.Artthouanything?Artthousomegod,someangel,orsomedevil,thatmakestmybloodcoldandmyhairtostare?Speaktomewhatthouart.GHOSTThyevilspirit,Brutus.BRUTUSWhycomestthou?GHOSTTotelltheethoushaltseemeatPhilippi.BRUTUSWell;thenIshallseetheeagain?GHOSTAy,atPhilippi.BRUTUSWhy,IwillseetheeatPhilippi,then.ExitGhostNowIhavetakenheartthouvanishest:Illspirit,Iwouldholdmoretalkwiththee.Boy,Lucius!Varro!Claudius!Sirs,awake!Claudius!LUCIUSThestrings,mylord,arefalse.BRUTUSHethinkshestillisathisinstrument.Lucius,awake!LUCIUSMylord?BRUTUS

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Didstthoudream,Lucius,thatthousocriedstout?LUCIUSMylord,IdonotknowthatIdidcry.BRUTUSYes,thatthoudidst:didstthouseeanything?LUCIUSNothing,mylord.BRUTUSSleepagain,Lucius.SirrahClaudius!ToVARROFellowthou,awake!VARROMylord?CLAUDIUSMylord?BRUTUSWhydidyousocryout,sirs,inyoursleep?VARROCLAUDIUSDidwe,mylord?BRUTUSAy:sawyouanything?VARRONo,mylord,Isawnothing.CLAUDIUSNorI,mylord.BRUTUSGoandcommendmetomybrotherCassius;bidhimsetonhispowersbetimesbefore,andwewillfollow.VARROCLAUDIUSItshallbedone,mylord.ExeuntACTV

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SCENEI.TheplainsofPhilippi.EnterOCTAVIUS,ANTONY,andtheirarmyOCTAVIUSNow,Antony,ourhopesareanswered:Yousaidtheenemywouldnotcomedown,butkeepthehillsandupperregions;itprovesnotso:theirbattlesareathand;theymeantowarnusatPhilippihere,answeringbeforewedodemandofthem.ANTONYTut,Iamintheirbosoms,andIknowwhereforetheydoit:theycouldbecontenttovisitotherplaces;andcomedownwithfearfulbravery,thinkingbythisfacetofasteninourthoughtsthattheyhavecourage;but'tisnotso.EnteraMessengerMESSENGERPrepareyou,generals:theenemycomesoningallantshow;theirbloodysignofbattleishungout,andsomethingtobedoneimmediately.ANTONYOctavius,leadyourbattlesoftlyon,uponthelefthandoftheevenfield.OCTAVIUSUpontherighthandI;keepthoutheleft.ANTONYWhydoyoucrossmeinthisexigent?OCTAVIUSIdonotcrossyou;butIwilldoso.MarchDrum.EnterBRUTUS,CASSIUS,andtheirArmy;LUCILIUS,TITINIUS,MESSALA,andothersBRUTUSTheystand,andwouldhaveparley.CASSIUSStandfast,Titinius:wemustoutandtalk.OCTAVIUSMarkAntony,shallwegivesignofbattle?ANTONYNo,Caesar,wewillanswerontheircharge.Makeforth;thegeneralswouldhavesomewords.

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OCTAVIUSStirnotuntilthesignal.BRUTUSWordsbeforeblows:isitso,countrymen?OCTAVIUSNotthatwelovewordsbetter,asyoudo.BRUTUSGoodwordsarebetterthanbadstrokes,Octavius.ANTONYInyourbadstrokes,Brutus,yougivegoodwords:witnesstheholeyoumadeinCaesar'sheart,Crying'Longlive!hail,Caesar!'CASSIUSAntony,thepostureofyourblowsareyetunknown;butforyourwords,theyrobtheHyblabees,andleavethemhoneyless.ANTONYNotstinglesstoo.BRUTUSO,yes,andsoundlesstoo;foryouhavestol'ntheirbuzzing,Antony,andverywiselythreatbeforeyousting.ANTONYVillains,youdidnotso,whenyourviledaggershack'doneanotherinthesidesofCaesar:youshow'dyourteethlikeapes,andfawn'dlikehounds,andbow'dlikebondmen,kissingCaesar'sfeet;whilstdamnedCasca,likeacur,behindstruckCaesarontheneck.Oyouflatterers!CASSIUSFlatterers!Now,Brutus,thankyourself:Thistonguehadnotoffendedsoto-day,ifCassiusmighthaveruled.OCTAVIUSCome,come,thecause:ifarguingmakeussweat,theproofofitwillturntoredderdrops.Look;Idrawaswordagainstconspirators;whenthinkyouthattheswordgoesupagain?Never,tillCaesar'sthreeandthirtywoundsbewellavenged;ortillanotherCaesarhaveaddedslaughtertotheswordoftraitors.BRUTUSCaesar,thoucanstnotdiebytraitors'hands,unlessthoubring'stthemwiththee.

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OCTAVIUSSoIhope;IwasnotborntodieonBrutus'sword.BRUTUSO,ifthouwertthenoblestofthystrain,youngman,thoucouldstnotdiemorehonourable.CASSIUSApeevishschoolboy,worthlessofsuchhonour,join'dwithamaskerandareveller!ANTONYOldCassiusstill!OCTAVIUSCome,Antony,away!Defiance,traitors,hurlweinyourteeth:ifyoudarefightto-day,cometothefield;ifnot,whenyouhavestomachs.ExeuntOCTAVIUS,ANTONY,andtheirarmyCASSIUSWhy,now,blowwind,swellbillowandswimbark!Thestormisup,andallisonthehazard.BRUTUSHo,Lucilius!Hark,awordwithyou.LUCILIUS[Standingforth]Mylord?BRUTUSandLUCILIUSconverseapartCASSIUSMessala!MESSALA[Standingforth]Whatsaysmygeneral?CASSIUSMessala,thisismybirth-day;asthisverydaywasCassiusborn.Givemethyhand,Messala:bethoumywitnessthatagainstmywill,asPompeywas,amIcompell'dtosetupononebattleallourliberties.YouknowthatIheldEpicurusstrongandhisopinion:nowIchangemymind,andpartlycreditthingsthatdopresage.ComingfromSardis,onourformerensigntwomightyeaglesfell,andtheretheyperch'd,gorgingandfeedingfromoursoldiers'hands;whotoPhilippihereconsortedus:thismorningaretheyfledawayandgone;andintheirsteadsdoravens,crowsandkites,flyo'erourheadsanddownwardlookonus,asweweresicklyprey:theirshadowsseemacanopymostfatal,underwhichourarmylies,readytogiveuptheghost.

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MESSALABelievenotso.CASSIUSIbutbelieveitpartly;forIamfreshofspiritandresolvedtomeetallperilsveryconstantly.BRUTUSEvenso,Lucilius.CASSIUSNow,mostnobleBrutus,thegodsto-daystandfriendly,thatwemay,loversinpeace,leadonourdaystoage!Butsincetheaffairsofmenreststillincertain,let'sreasonwiththeworstthatmaybefall.Ifwedolosethisbattle,thenisthistheverylasttimeweshallspeaktogether:Whatareyouthendeterminedtodo?BRUTUSEvenbytheruleofthatphilosophybywhichIdidblameCatoforthedeathwhichhedidgivehimself,Iknownothow,butIdofinditcowardlyandvile,forfearofwhatmightfall,sotopreventthetimeoflife:armingmyselfwithpatiencetostaytheprovidenceofsomehighpowersthatgovernusbelow.CASSIUSThen,ifwelosethisbattle,youarecontentedtobeledintriumphthoroughthestreetsofRome?BRUTUSNo,Cassius,no:thinknot,thounobleRoman,thateverBrutuswillgoboundtoRome;hebearstoogreatamind.ButthissamedaymustendthatworktheidesofMarchbegun;andwhetherweshallmeetagainIknownot.Thereforeoureverlastingfarewelltake:forever,andforever,farewell,Cassius!Ifwedomeetagain,why,weshallsmile;ifnot,whythen,thispartingwaswellmade.CASSIUSForever,andforever,farewell,Brutus!Ifwedomeetagain,we'llsmileindeed;ifnot,'tistruethispartingwaswellmade.BRUTUSWhy,then,leadon.O,thatamanmightknowtheendofthisday'sbusinessereitcome!Butitsufficeththatthedaywillend,andthentheendisknown.Come,ho!Away!ExeuntSCENEIII.Anotherpartofthefield.Alarums.EnterCASSIUSandTITINIUS

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CASSIUSO,look,Titinius,look,thevillainsfly!Myselfhavetomineownturn'denemy:Thisensignhereofminewasturningback;Islewthecoward,anddidtakeitfromhim.TITINIUSOCassius,Brutusgavethewordtooearly;Who,havingsomeadvantageonOctavius,Tookittooeagerly:hissoldiersfelltospoil,WhilstwebyAntonyareallenclosed.EnterPINDARUSPINDARUSFlyfurtheroff,mylord,flyfurtheroff;MarkAntonyisinyourtents,mylordFly,therefore,nobleCassius,flyfaroff.CASSIUSThishillisfarenough.Look,look,Titinius;ArethosemytentswhereIperceivethefire?TITINIUSTheyare,mylord.CASSIUSTitinius,ifthoulovestme,Mountthoumyhorse,andhidethyspursinhim,Tillhehavebroughttheeuptoyondertroops,Andhereagain;thatImayrestassuredWhetheryondtroopsarefriendorenemy.TITINIUSIwillbehereagain,evenwithathought.ExitCASSIUSGo,Pindarus,gethigheronthathill;Mysightwaseverthick;regardTitinius,andtellmewhatthounotestaboutthefield.PINDARUSascendsthehillThisdayIbreathedfirst:timeiscomeround,andwhereIdidbegin,thereshallIend;mylifeisrunhiscompass.Sirrah,whatnews?PINDARUS[Above]Omylord!CASSIUSWhatnews?PINDARUS[Above]Titiniusisenclosedroundaboutwithhorsemen,thatmaketohimonthespur;yethespurson.Nowtheyarealmostonhim.Now,Titinius!Nowsomelight.O,

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helightstoo.He'sta'en.ShoutAnd,hark!theyshoutforjoy.CASSIUSComedown,beholdnomore.O,cowardthatIam,tolivesolong,toseemybestfriendta'enbeforemyface!PINDARUSdescendsComehither,sirrah:inParthiadidItaketheeprisoner;andthenIsworethee,savingofthylife,thatwhatsoeverIdidbidtheedo,thoushouldstattemptit.Comenow,keepthineoath;nowbeafreeman:andwiththisgoodsword,thatranthroughCaesar'sbowels,searchthisbosom.Standnottoanswer:here,takethouthehilts;and,whenmyfaceiscover'd,as'tisnow,guidethouthesword.PINDARUSstabshimCaesar,thouartrevenged,evenwiththeswordthatkill'dthee.DiesPINDARUSSo,Iamfree;yetwouldnotsohavebeen,durstIhavedonemywill.OCassius,farfromthiscountryPindarusshallrun,whereneverRomanshalltakenoteofhim.ExitRe-enterTITINIUSwithMESSALAMESSALAItisbutchange,Titinius;forOctaviusisoverthrownbynobleBrutus'power,asCassius'legionsarebyAntony.TITINIUSThesetidingswillwellcomfortCassius.MESSALAWheredidyouleavehim?TITINIUSAlldisconsolate,withPindarushisbondman,onthishill.MESSALAIsnotthathethatliesupontheground?TITINIUSHeliesnotliketheliving.Omyheart!MESSALAIsnotthathe?

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TITINIUSNo,thiswashe,Messala,butCassiusisnomore.Osettingsun,asinthyredraysthoudostsinkto-night,soinhisredbloodCassius'dayisset;thesunofRomeisset!Ourdayisgone;clouds,dews,anddangerscome;ourdeedsaredone!Mistrustofmysuccesshathdonethisdeed.MESSALAMistrustofgoodsuccesshathdonethisdeed.Ohatefulerror,melancholy'schild,whydostthoushowtotheaptthoughtsofmenthethingsthatarenot?Oerror,soonconceived,thounevercomestuntoahappybirth,butkill'stthemotherthatengender'dthee!TITINIUSWhat,Pindarus!whereartthou,Pindarus?MESSALASeekhim,Titinius,whilstIgotomeetthenobleBrutus,thrustingthisreportintohisears;Imaysay,thrustingit;forpiercingsteelanddartsenvenomedshallbeaswelcometotheearsofBrutusastidingsofthissight.TITINIUSHieyou,Messala,andIwillseekforPindarusthewhile.ExitMESSALAWhydidstthousendmeforth,braveCassius?DidInotmeetthyfriends?anddidnottheyputonmybrowsthiswreathofvictory,andbidmegiveitthee?Didstthounotheartheirshouts?Alas,thouhastmisconstruedeverything!But,holdthee,takethisgarlandonthybrow;thyBrutusbidmegiveitthee,andIwilldohisbidding.Brutus,comeapace,andseehowIregardedCaiusCassius.Byyourleave,gods:--thisisaRoman'spartcome,Cassius'sword,andfindTitinius'heart.KillshimselfAlarum.Re-enterMESSALA,withBRUTUS,CATO,STRATO,andLUCILIUSBRUTUSWhere,where,Messala,dothhisbodylie?MESSALALo,yonder,andTitiniusmourningit.BRUTUSTitinius'faceisupward.CATOHeisslain.BRUTUS

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OJuliusCaesar,thouartmightyyet!Thyspiritwalksabroadandturnsourswordsinourownproperentrails.LowalarumsCATOBraveTitinius!Look,whetherhehavenotcrown'ddeadCassius!BRUTUSAreyettwoRomanslivingsuchasthese?ThelastofalltheRomans,faretheewell!ItisimpossiblethateverRomeshouldbreedthyfellow.Friends,Iowemoretearstothisdeadmanthanyoushallseemepay.Ishallfindtime,Cassius,Ishallfindtime.Come,therefore,andtoThasossendhisbody:hisfuneralsshallnotbeinourcamp,lestitdiscomfortus.Lucilius,come;andcome,youngCato;letustothefield.LabeoandFlavius,setourbattleson:'Tisthreeo'clock;and,Romans,yeterenightweshalltryfortuneinasecondfight.ExeuntSCENEIV.Anotherpartofthefield.Alarum.Enterfighting,Soldiersofbotharmies;thenBRUTUS,CATO,LUCILIUS,andothersBRUTUSYet,countrymen,O,yetholdupyourheads!CATOWhatbastarddothnot?Whowillgowithme?Iwillproclaimmynameaboutthefield:IamthesonofMarcusCato,ho!Afoetotyrants,andmycountry'sfriend;IamthesonofMarcusCato,ho!BRUTUSAndIamBrutus,MarcusBrutus,I;Brutus,mycountry'sfriend;knowmeforBrutus!ExitLUCILIUSOyoungandnobleCato,artthoudown?Why,nowthoudiestasbravelyasTitinius;andmaystbehonour'd,beingCato'sson.FirstSoldierYield,orthoudiest.LUCILIUSOnlyIyieldtodie:thereissomuchthatthouwiltkillmestraight;offeringmoneykillBrutus,andbehonour'dinhisdeath.FirstSoldier

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Wemustnot.Anobleprisoner!SecondSoldierRoom,ho!TellAntony,Brutusista'en.FirstSoldierI'lltellthenews.Herecomesthegeneral.EnterANTONYBrutusista'en,Brutusista'en,mylord.ANTONYWhereishe?LUCILIUSSafe,Antony;Brutusissafeenough:IdareassuretheethatnoenemyshallevertakealivethenobleBrutus:thegodsdefendhimfromsogreatashame!Whenyoudofindhim,oraliveordead,hewillbefoundlikeBrutus,likehimself.ANTONYThisisnotBrutus,friend;but,Iassureyou,aprizenolessinworth:keepthismansafe;givehimallkindness:Ihadratherhavesuchmenmyfriendsthanenemies.Goon,andseewhetherBrutusbealiveordead;andbringusworduntoOctavius'tentHoweverythingischanced.ExeuntSCENEV.Anotherpartofthefield.EnterBRUTUS,DARDANIUS,CLITUS,andSTRATOBRUTUSCome,poorremainsoffriends,restonthisrock.CLITUSStatiliusshow'dthetorch-light,but,mylord,hecamenotback:heisorta'enorslain.BRUTUSSittheedown,Clitus:slayingistheword;itisadeedinfashion.Harkthee,Clitus.WhispersCLITUSWhat,I,mylord?No,notforalltheworld.BRUTUSPeacethen!nowords.

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CLITUSI'llratherkillmyself.BRUTUSHarkthee,Dardanius.WhispersDARDANIUSShallIdosuchadeed?CLITUSODardanius!DARDANIUSOClitus!CLITUSWhatillrequestdidBrutusmaketothee?DARDANIUSTokillhim,Clitus.Look,hemeditates.CLITUSNowisthatnoblevesselfullofgrief,thatitrunsoverevenathiseyes.AlarumstillFly,fly,mylord;thereisnotarryinghere.BRUTUSFarewelltoyou;andyou;andyou.Strato,thouhastbeenallthiswhileasleep;farewelltotheetoo,Strato.Countrymen,myheartdothjoythatyetinallmylifeIfoundnomanbuthewastruetome.IshallhaveglorybythislosingdaymorethanOctaviusandMarkAntonybythisvileconquestshallattainunto.Sofareyouwellatonce;forBrutus'tonguehathalmostendedhislife'shistory:nighthangsuponmineeyes;myboneswouldrest,thathavebutlabour'dtoattainthishour.Alarum.CLITUSFly,mylord,fly.BRUTUSHence!Iwillfollow.ExeuntCLITUS,andDARDANIUSIprithee,Strato,staythoubythylord:thouartafellowofagoodrespect;thylifehathhadsomesmatchofhonourinit:holdthenmysword,andturnawaythyface,whileIdorunuponit.Wiltthou,Strato?

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STRATOGivemeyourhandfirst.Fareyouwell,mylord.BRUTUSFarewell,goodStrato.RunsonhisswordCaesar,nowbestill:Ikill'dnottheewithhalfsogoodawill.DiesAlarum.Retreat.EnterOCTAVIUS,ANTONY,MESSALA,LUCILIUS,andthearmyOCTAVIUSWhatmanisthat?MESSALAMymaster'sman.Strato,whereisthymaster?STRATOFreefromthebondageyouarein,Messala:theconquerorscanbutmakeafireofhim;forBrutusonlyovercamehimself,andnomanelsehathhonourbyhisdeath.LUCILIUSSoBrutusshouldbefound.Ithankthee,Brutus,thatthouhastprovedLucilius'sayingtrue.OCTAVIUSAllthatservedBrutus,Iwillentertainthem.Fellow,wiltthoubestowthytimewithme?STRATOAy,ifMessalawillprefermetoyou.OCTAVIUSDoso,goodMessala.MESSALAHowdiedmymaster,Strato?STRATOIheldthesword,andhedidrunonit.MESSALAOctavius,thentakehimtofollowthee,thatdidthelatestservicetomymaster.ANTONYThiswasthenoblestRomanofthemall:alltheconspiratorssaveonlyhedidthattheydidinenvyofgreatCaesar;heonly,inageneralhonestthoughtandcommon

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goodtoall,madeoneofthem.Hislifewasgentle,andtheelementssomix'dinhimthatNaturemightstandupandsaytoalltheworld'Thiswasaman!'OCTAVIUSAccordingtohisvirtueletususehim,withallrespectandritesofburial.Withinmytenthisbonesto-nightshalllie,mostlikeasoldier,order'dhonourably.Socallthefieldtorest;andlet'saway,topartthegloriesofthishappyday.Exeunt