I do not know the man I should avoid, So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, [Exeunt CESAR and his TRAIN, Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me? Bru. Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanc'd, to-day, That Cæsar looks so sad. Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him; and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting. Bru. What was the second noise for ? Casca. Why, for that too. Cas. They shouted thrice, what was the last cry for? Casca. Why, for that too. Bru. Was the crown offered him three times ? Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than the other; and at every putting by mine honest neighbours shouted. Cas. Who offered him the crown? Casca. Why, Antony. Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. Casca. I can as well be hanged, as tell the manner of it; it was mere foolery, I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him the crown; and, as I told you, he put it by once; but for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again: then he put it by again; but to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it a third time: he put it the third time by; and still as he refused it, the rabblemen hooted, and clapped their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath, because Cæsar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cæsar; for he swooned, and fell down at it: and for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips, and receiving the bad air. Cas. But soft, I pray you what! did Cæsar swoon? Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. Bru. "Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness. Cas. No, Cæsar has it not; but you and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Cæsar fell down; if the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they used to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man. Bru. What said he, when he came unto himself? Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an' I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues! and so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, "If he had done, or said any thing amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity." Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, Alas, good soul! -and forgave him with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæsar had stabb'd their mothers, they would have done no less. Bru. And after that, he came, thus sad, away? Cas. Did Cicero say any thing? Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Cas. To what effect? Casca. Nay, an' I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i'th' face again. But those, that understood him, smiled at one another, and shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Cas. Will you sup with me, to-night, Casca? Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner be worth the eating. Cas. Good, I will expect you. Casca. Do so; farewell both. [Exit. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! Of any bold or noble enterprize. Bru. And so it is: for this time I will leave you, To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you; or, if you will, Cas. I will do so; till then think on the world. Than to repute himself a son of Rome, [Exit BRUTUS. Cas. Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet I see, Thy honourable metal may be wrought ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. [Exit. A Street in Rome. Enter CASCA, his Sword drawn, and TREBONIUS meeting him. Tre. Good even, Casca: brought you Cæsar home? Why are you breathless, and why stare you so? Casca. Are you not mov'd, when all the sway of ear th Shak es like a thing unfirm? O, Trebonius! : Have riv'd the knotty oaks and I have seen [Thunder. Tre. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? Casca. A common slave, you know him well by sight, Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn, Who glar'd upon me, and went surly by, And, yesterday, the bird of night did sit, For, I believe, they are portentous things, Tre. Indeed, it is a strange disposed time; Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Casca. Farewell, Trebonius. [Exit TREBONIUS. Enter CASSIUS. Cas. Who's there? |