Cæsar's ambition shall be glanced at. And, after this, let Cæsar seat him sure; SCENE III. The same. A Street. Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, earth 2 Shakes, like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, • Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? Casca. A common slave3 (you know him well by sight) Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Who glared 4 upon me, and went surly by, 1 "Did you attend Cæsar home?" 2 "The whole weight or momentum of this globe." 3 "A slave of the souldiers that did cast a marvellous burning flame out of his hande, insomuch as they that saw it thought he had been burnt; but when the fire was out, it was found that he had no hurt."-North's Plutarch. 4 The old copies erroneously read : "Who glazed upon me." Malone, determined to oppose himself to Steevens's reading of glared, And there were drawn Without annoying me. Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets. Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time; Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Is not to walk in. Farewell, Cicero. [Exit CICERO. Enter CASSIUS. Casca, by your voice. Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this? Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walked about the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night; And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone ; 2 4 reads gazed. Steevens has shown, from the Poet's own works, that his emendation is the true one. 1 Altogether, entirely. 2 What is now called a thunder bolt. And, when the cross bluc lightning seemed to open Even in the aim and very flash of it. Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens ? It is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty gods, by tokens, send Cas. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life A man no mightier than thyself, or me, Cassius? Is it not, Cas. Let it be who it is; for Romans now 1 i. e. "why birds and beasts deviate from their condition and nature; why old men, fools, and children calculate;" i. e. foretell or prophesy. At the suggestion of sir William Blackstone this last line has been erroneously pointed in all the late editions:- "Why old men fools, and children calculate." He observed, that "there was no prodigy in old men's calculating; but who were so likely to listen to prophecies as children, fools, and the superstitious eld?" 2 Portentous. Have thews1 and limbs like to their ancestors: But, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead, And we are governed with our mothers' spirits; Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Cæsar as a king: And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, In every place, save here in Italy. Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then ; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat: Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; But life, being weary of these worldly bars, Never lacks power to dismiss itself. If I know this, know all the world besides, That part of tyranny, that I do bear, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I; So every bondman in his own hand bears Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, then? So vile a thing as Cæsar? But, O grief! 2 1 i. e. sinews, muscular strength. See note on King Henry IV. Part II. Act iii. Sc. 2. 2 "I know I shall be called to account, and must answer for having uttered seditious words." Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering telltale. Hold my hand: 1 And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who goes farthest. Cas. There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. You are. O Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party Yes, Cas. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this ! 1 "Hold my hand" is the same as "Here's my hand." "Be factious for redress," means, be contentious, enterprising for redress. 2 The old copy reads, "Is favors." Favor here is put for appearance, look. |