CaesarScriptActingScenes

Act1Scene1(script)andstartofAct Flavius,Murellus,Carpenter,Cobbler,withCaesar,
Casca,Calpurnia,Antony
1Scene2(script)
SCENEI.Rome.Astreet.
EnterFLAVIUS,MARULLUS,andcertainCommoners
FLAVIUS
Hence!home,youidlecreaturesgetyouhome:
Isthisaholiday?what!knowyounot,
Beingmechanical,yououghtnotwalk
Uponalabouringdaywithoutthesign
Ofyourprofession?Speak,whattradeartthou?
FirstCommoner
Why,sir,acarpenter.
MARULLUS
Whereisthyleatherapronandthyrule?
Whatdostthouwiththybestapparelon?
You,sir,whattradeareyou?
SecondCommoner
Truly,sir,inrespectofafineworkman,Iambut,
asyouwouldsay,acobbler.
MARULLUS
Butwhattradeartthou?answermedirectly.
SecondCommoner
Atrade,sir,that,Ihope,Imayusewithasafe
consciencewhichis,indeed,sir,amenderofbadsoles.
MARULLUS
Whattrade,thouknave?thounaughtyknave,whattrade?
SecondCommoner
Nay,Ibeseechyou,sir,benotoutwithme:yet,
ifyoubeout,sir,Icanmendyou.
MARULLUS
Whatmeanestthoubythat?mendme,thousaucyfellow!
SecondCommoner
Why,sir,cobbleyou.
FLAVIUS
Thouartacobbler,artthou?
SecondCommoner
Truly,sir,allthatIlivebyiswiththeawl:I
meddlewithnotradesman'smatters,norwomen's
matters,butwithawl.Iam,indeed,sir,asurgeon
tooldshoeswhentheyareingreatdanger,I
recoverthem.Aspropermenasevertrodupon
neat'sleatherhavegoneuponmyhandiwork.
1

FLAVIUS
Butwhereforeartnotinthyshoptoday?
Whydostthouleadthesemenaboutthestreets?
SecondCommoner
Truly,sir,towearouttheirshoes,togetmyself
intomorework.But,indeed,sir,wemakeholiday,
toseeCaesarandtorejoiceinhistriumph.
MARULLUS
Whereforerejoice?Whatconquestbringshehome?
WhattributariesfollowhimtoRome,
Tograceincaptivebondshischariotwheels?
Youblocks,youstones,youworsethansenselessthings!
Oyouhardhearts,youcruelmenofRome,
KnewyounotPompey?Manyatimeandoft
Haveyouclimb'duptowallsandbattlements,
Totowersandwindows,yea,tochimneytops,
Yourinfantsinyourarms,andtherehavesat
Thelivelongday,withpatientexpectation,
ToseegreatPompeypassthestreetsofRome:
Andwhenyousawhischariotbutappear,
Haveyounotmadeanuniversalshout,
ThatTibertrembledunderneathherbanks,
Tohearthereplicationofyoursounds
Madeinherconcaveshores?
Anddoyounowputonyourbestattire?
Anddoyounowculloutaholiday?
Anddoyounowstrewflowersinhisway
ThatcomesintriumphoverPompey'sblood?Begone!
Runtoyourhouses,falluponyourknees,
Praytothegodstointermittheplague
Thatneedsmustlightonthisingratitude.
FLAVIUS
Go,go,goodcountrymen,and,forthisfault,
Assembleallthepoormenofyoursort
DrawthemtoTiberbanks,andweepyourtears
Intothechannel,tilltheloweststream
Dokissthemostexaltedshoresofall.
ExeuntalltheCommoners
Seewhethertheirbasestmetalbenotmoved
Theyvanishtonguetiedintheirguiltiness.
GoyoudownthatwaytowardstheCapitol
ThiswaywillI
disrobetheimages,
Ifyoudofindthemdeck'dwithceremonies.
MARULLUS
Maywedoso?
YouknowitisthefeastofLupercal.
FLAVIUS
Itisnomatterletnoimages
2

BehungwithCaesar'strophies.I'llabout,
Anddriveawaythevulgarfromthestreets:
Sodoyoutoo,whereyouperceivethemthick.
Thesegrowingfeatherspluck'dfromCaesar'swing
Willmakehimflyanordinarypitch,
Whoelsewouldsoarabovetheviewofmen
Andkeepusallinservilefearfulness.
Exeunt

SCENEII.Apublicplace.
Flourish.EnterCAESARANTONY,forthecourseCALPURNIA,PORTIA,DECIUSBRUTUS,CICERO,BRUTUS,
CASSIUS,andCASCAagreatcrowdfollowing,amongthemaSoothsayer
CAESAR
Calpurnia!
CASCA
Peace,ho!Caesarspeaks.
CAESAR
Calpurnia!
CALPURNIA
Here,mylord.
CAESAR
StandyoudirectlyinAntonius'way,
Whenhedothrunhiscourse.Antonius!
ANTONY
Caesar,mylord?
CAESAR
Forgetnot,inyourspeed,Antonius,
TotouchCalpurniaforourelderssay,
Thebarren,touchedinthisholychase,
Shakeofftheirsterilecurse.
ANTONY
Ishallremember:
WhenCaesarsays'dothis,'itisperform'd.
CAESAR
Setonandleavenoceremonyout.
Flourish

Act1Scene2(script)

Caesar,Casca,Calphurnia,Antony,Soothsayer,Brutus,
Cassius

Soothsayer
Caesar!
CAESAR
Ha!whocalls?
CASCA
Bideverynoisebestill:peaceyetagain!
CAESAR
Whoisitinthepressthatcallsonme?
Ihearatongue,shrillerthanallthemusic,
Cry'Caesar!'SpeakCaesaristurn'dtohear.
Soothsayer
BewaretheidesofMarch.
CAESAR
Whatmanisthat?
BRUTUS
AsoothsayerbidsyoubewaretheidesofMarch.
CAESAR
Sethimbeforemeletmeseehisface.
CASSIUS
Fellow,comefromthethronglookuponCaesar.
CAESAR
Whatsay'stthoutomenow?speakonceagain.
Soothsayer
BewaretheidesofMarch.
CAESAR
Heisadreamerletusleavehim:pass.
Sennet.ExeuntallexceptBRUTUSandCASSIUS
CASSIUS
Willyougoseetheorderofthecourse?
BRUTUS
NotI.
CASSIUS
Iprayyou,do.
BRUTUS
Iamnotgamesome:Idolacksomepart
OfthatquickspiritthatisinAntony.
Letmenothinder,Cassius,yourdesires
I'llleaveyou.
CASSIUS
Brutus,Idoobserveyounowoflate:
Ihavenotfromyoureyesthatgentleness
AndshowofloveasIwaswonttohave:
Youbeartoostubbornandtoostrangeahand
Overyourfriendthatlovesyou.
4

BRUTUS
Cassius,
Benotdeceived:ifIhaveveil'dmylook,
Iturnthetroubleofmycountenance
Merelyuponmyself.VexedIam
Oflatewithpassionsofsomedifference,
Conceptionsonlypropertomyself,
Whichgivesomesoilperhapstomybehaviors
Butletnotthereforemygoodfriendsbegrieved
Amongwhichnumber,Cassius,beyouone
Norconstrueanyfurthermyneglect,
ThanthatpoorBrutus,withhimselfatwar,
Forgetstheshowsoflovetoothermen.
CASSIUS
Then,Brutus,Ihavemuchmistookyourpassion
Bymeanswhereofthisbreastofminehathburied
Thoughtsofgreatvalue,worthycogitations.
Tellme,goodBrutus,canyouseeyourface?
BRUTUS
No,Cassiusfortheeyeseesnotitself,
Butbyreflection,bysomeotherthings.
CASSIUS
'Tisjust:
Anditisverymuchlamented,Brutus,
Thatyouhavenosuchmirrorsaswillturn
Yourhiddenworthinessintoyoureye,
Thatyoumightseeyourshadow.Ihaveheard,
WheremanyofthebestrespectinRome,
ExceptimmortalCaesar,speakingofBrutus
Andgroaningunderneaththisage'syoke,
Havewish'dthatnobleBrutushadhiseyes.
BRUTUS
Intowhatdangerswouldyouleadme,Cassius,
Thatyouwouldhavemeseekintomyself
Forthatwhichisnotinme?
CASSIUS
Therefore,goodBrutus,bepreparedtohear:
Andsinceyouknowyoucannotseeyourself
Sowellasbyreflection,I,yourglass,
Willmodestlydiscovertoyourself
Thatofyourselfwhichyouyetknownotof.
Andbenotjealousonme,gentleBrutus:
WereIacommonlaugher,ordiduse
Tostalewithordinaryoathsmylove
Toeverynewprotesterifyouknow
ThatIdofawnonmenandhugthemhard
Andafterscandalthem,orifyouknow
ThatIprofessmyselfinbanqueting
Toalltherout,thenholdmedangerous.
5

Flourish,andshout
BRUTUS
Whatmeansthisshouting?Idofear,thepeople
ChooseCaesarfortheirking.
CASSIUS
Ay,doyoufearit?
ThenmustIthinkyouwouldnothaveitso.

SKIPAHEAD
BRUTUS
ThegamesaredoneandCaesarisreturning.
CASSIUS
Astheypassby,pluckCascabythesleeve
Andhewill,afterhissourfashion,tellyou
Whathathproceededworthynotetoday.
ReenterCAESARandhisTrain
BRUTUS
Iwilldoso.But,lookyou,Cassius,
TheangryspotdothglowonCaesar'sbrow,
Andalltherestlooklikeachiddentrain:
Calpurnia'scheekispaleandCicero
Lookswithsuchferretandsuchfieryeyes
AswehaveseenhimintheCapitol,
Beingcross'dinconferencebysomesenators.
CASSIUS
Cascawilltelluswhatthematteris.
CAESAR
Antonius!
ANTONY
Caesar?
CAESAR
Letmehavemenaboutmethatarefat
Sleekheadedmenandsuchassleepo'nights:
YondCassiushasaleanandhungrylook
Hethinkstoomuch:suchmenaredangerous.
ANTONY
Fearhimnot,Caesarhe'snotdangerous
HeisanobleRomanandwellgiven.
CAESAR
Wouldhewerefatter!ButIfearhimnot:
Yetifmynamewereliabletofear,
IdonotknowthemanIshouldavoid
SosoonasthatspareCassius.Hereadsmuch
Heisagreatobserverandhelooks
Quitethroughthedeedsofmen:helovesnoplays,
Asthoudost,Antonyhehearsnomusic
Seldomhesmiles,andsmilesinsuchasort
Asifhemock'dhimselfandscorn'dhisspirit
Thatcouldbemovedtosmileatanything.
6

Suchmenashebeneveratheart'sease
Whilestheybeholdagreaterthanthemselves,
Andthereforearetheyverydangerous.
Irathertelltheewhatistobefear'd
ThanwhatIfearforalwaysIamCaesar.
Comeonmyrighthand,forthisearisdeaf,
Andtellmetrulywhatthouthink'stofhim.
Sennet.ExeuntCAESARandallhisTrain,butCASCA
CASCA
Youpull'dmebythecloakwouldyouspeakwithme?
BRUTUS
Ay,Cascatelluswhathathchancedtoday,
ThatCaesarlookssosad.
CASCA
Why,youwerewithhim,wereyounot?
BRUTUS
IshouldnotthenaskCascawhathadchanced.
CASCA
Why,therewasacrownofferedhim:andbeing
offeredhim,heputitbywiththebackofhishand,
thusandthenthepeoplefellashouting.
BRUTUS
Whatwasthesecondnoisefor?
CASCA
Why,forthattoo.
CASSIUS
Theyshoutedthrice:whatwasthelastcryfor?
CASCA
Why,forthattoo.
BRUTUS
Wasthecrownofferedhimthrice?
CASCA
Ay,marry,was't,andheputitbythrice,every
timegentlerthanother,andateveryputtingby
minehonestneighboursshouted.
CASSIUS
Whoofferedhimthecrown?
CASCA
Why,Antony.
BRUTUS
Tellusthemannerofit,gentleCasca.
CASCA
Icanaswellbehangedastellthemannerofit:
itwasmerefooleryIdidnotmarkit.IsawMark
Antonyofferhimacrownyet'twasnotacrown
neither,'twasoneofthesecoronetsand,asItold
you,heputitbyonce:but,forallthat,tomy
thinking,hewouldfainhavehadit.Thenhe
offeredittohimagainthenheputitbyagain:
7

but,tomythinking,hewasveryloathtolayhis
fingersoffit.Andthenheoffereditthethird
timeheputitthethirdtimeby:andstillashe
refusedit,therabblementhootedandclappedtheir
chappedhandsandthrewuptheirsweatynightcaps
andutteredsuchadealofstinkingbreathbecause
Caesarrefusedthecrownthatithadalmostchoked
Caesarforheswoundedandfelldownatit:and
formineownpart,Idurstnotlaugh,forfearof
openingmylipsandreceivingthebadair.
CASSIUS
But,soft,Iprayyou:what,didCaesarswound?
CASCA
Hefelldowninthemarketplace,andfoamedat
mouth,andwasspeechless.
BRUTUS
'Tisverylike:hehaththefailingsickness.
CASSIUS
No,CaesarhathitnotbutyouandI,
AndhonestCasca,wehavethefallingsickness.
CASCA
Iknownotwhatyoumeanbythatbut,Iamsure,
Caesarfelldown.Ifthetagragpeopledidnot
claphimandhisshim,accordingashepleasedand
displeasedthem,astheyusetodotheplayersin
thetheatre,Iamnotrueman.

SKIPAHEAD
CASSIUS
Willyousupwithmetonight,Casca?
CASCA
No,Iampromisedforth.
CASSIUS
Willyoudinewithmetomorrow?
CASCA
Ay,ifIbealiveandyourmindholdandyourdinner
worththeeating.
CASSIUS
Good:Iwillexpectyou.
CASCA
Doso.Farewell,both.
Exit
BRUTUS
Whatabluntfellowisthisgrowntobe!
Hewasquickmettlewhenhewenttoschool.
CASSIUS
Soishenowinexecution
Ofanyboldornobleenterprise,
Howeverheputsonthistardyform.
8

Thisrudenessisasaucetohisgoodwit,
Whichgivesmenstomachtodigesthiswords
Withbetterappetite.
BRUTUS
Andsoitis.ForthistimeIwillleaveyou:
Tomorrow,ifyoupleasetospeakwithme,
Iwillcomehometoyouor,ifyouwill,
Comehometome,andIwillwaitforyou.
CASSIUS
Iwilldoso:tillthen,thinkoftheworld.
ExitBRUTUS
Well,Brutus,thouartnobleyet,Isee,
Thyhonourablemetalmaybewrought
Fromthatitisdisposed:thereforeitismeet
Thatnoblemindskeepeverwiththeirlikes
Forwhosofirmthatcannotbeseduced?
CaesardothbearmehardbuthelovesBrutus:
IfIwereBrutusnowandhewereCassius,
Heshouldnothumourme.Iwillthisnight,
Inseveralhands,inathiswindowsthrow,
Asiftheycamefromseveralcitizens,
Writingsalltendingtothegreatopinion
ThatRomeholdsofhisnamewhereinobscurely
Caesar'sambitionshallbeglancedat:
AndafterthisletCaesarseathimsure
Forwewillshakehim,orworsedaysendure.
Exit

CaesarAntonyCalphurniaDeciusBrutusCasca
TreboniusCinnaPubliusCaesarsServantPortia
Act2Scene2andScene3andScene4 LuciusSoothsayerArtemidorus
(script)
SCENEII.CAESAR'shouse.
Thunderandlightning.EnterCAESAR,inhisnightgown
CAESAR
Norheavennorearthhavebeenatpeacetonight:
ThricehathCalpurniainhersleepcriedout,
'Help,ho!theymurderCaesar!'Who'swithin?
EnteraServant
Servant
Mylord?
CAESAR
Gobidthepriestsdopresentsacrifice
Andbringmetheiropinionsofsuccess.
Servant
Iwill,mylord.
Exit
EnterCALPURNIA
CALPURNIA
Whatmeanyou,Caesar?thinkyoutowalkforth?
Youshallnotstiroutofyourhousetoday.
CAESAR
Caesarshallforth:thethingsthatthreaten'dme
Ne'erlook'dbutonmybackwhentheyshallsee
ThefaceofCaesar,theyarevanished.
CALPURNIA
Caesar,Ineverstoodonceremonies,
Yetnowtheyfrightme.Thereisonewithin,
Besidesthethingsthatwehaveheardandseen,
Recountsmosthorridsightsseenbythewatch.
Alionesshathwhelpedinthestreets
Andgraveshaveyawn'd,andyieldeduptheirdead
Fiercefierywarriorsfoughtupontheclouds,
Inranksandsquadronsandrightformofwar,
WhichdrizzledbloodupontheCapitol
Thenoiseofbattlehurtledintheair,
Horsesdidneigh,anddyingmendidgroan,
Andghostsdidshriekandsquealaboutthestreets.
OCaesar!thesethingsarebeyondalluse,
AndIdofearthem.
CAESAR
Whatcanbeavoided
10

Whoseendispurposedbythemightygods?
YetCaesarshallgoforthforthesepredictions
AretotheworldingeneralastoCaesar.
CALPURNIA
Whenbeggarsdie,therearenocometsseen
Theheavensthemselvesblazeforththedeathofprinces.
CAESAR
Cowardsdiemanytimesbeforetheirdeaths
Thevaliantnevertasteofdeathbutonce.
OfallthewondersthatIyethaveheard.
Itseemstomemoststrangethatmenshouldfear
Seeingthatdeath,anecessaryend,
Willcomewhenitwillcome.
ReenterServant
Whatsaytheaugurers?
Servant
Theywouldnothaveyoutostirforthtoday.
Pluckingtheentrailsofanofferingforth,
Theycouldnotfindaheartwithinthebeast.
CAESAR
Thegodsdothisinshameofcowardice:
Caesarshouldbeabeastwithoutaheart,
Ifheshouldstayathometodayforfear.
No,Caesarshallnot:dangerknowsfullwell
ThatCaesarismoredangerousthanhe:
Wearetwolionslitter'dinoneday,
AndItheelderandmoreterrible:
AndCaesarshallgoforth.
CALPURNIA
Alas,mylord,
Yourwisdomisconsumedinconfidence.
Donotgoforthtoday:callitmyfear
Thatkeepsyouinthehouse,andnotyourown.
We'llsendMarkAntonytothesenatehouse:
Andheshallsayyouarenotwelltoday:
Letme,uponmyknee,prevailinthis.
CAESAR
MarkAntonyshallsayIamnotwell,
And,forthyhumour,Iwillstayathome.
EnterDECIUSBRUTUS
Here'sDeciusBrutus,heshalltellthemso.
DECIUSBRUTUS
Caesar,allhail!goodmorrow,worthyCaesar:
Icometofetchyoutothesenatehouse.
CAESAR
Andyouarecomeinveryhappytime,
Tobearmygreetingtothesenators
AndtellthemthatIwillnotcometoday:
Cannot,isfalse,andthatIdarenot,falser:
11

Iwillnotcometoday:tellthemso,Decius.
CALPURNIA
Sayheissick.
CAESAR
ShallCaesarsendalie?
HaveIinconqueststretch'dminearmsofar,
Tobeafraidtotellgraybeardsthetruth?
Decius,gotellthemCaesarwillnotcome.
DECIUSBRUTUS
MostmightyCaesar,letmeknowsomecause,
LestIbelaugh'datwhenItellthemso.
CAESAR
Thecauseisinmywill:Iwillnotcome
Thatisenoughtosatisfythesenate.
Butforyourprivatesatisfaction,
BecauseIloveyou,Iwillletyouknow:
Calpurniahere,mywife,staysmeathome:
Shedreamttonightshesawmystatua,
Which,likeafountainwithanhundredspouts,
Didrunpureblood:andmanylustyRomans
Camesmiling,anddidbathetheirhandsinit:
Andthesedoessheapplyforwarnings,andportents,
Andevilsimminentandonherknee
Hathbegg'dthatIwillstayathometoday.
DECIUSBRUTUS
Thisdreamisallamissinterpreted
Itwasavisionfairandfortunate:
Yourstatuespoutingbloodinmanypipes,
InwhichsomanysmilingRomansbathed,
SignifiesthatfromyougreatRomeshallsuck
Revivingblood,andthatgreatmenshallpress
Fortinctures,stains,relicsandcognizance.
ThisbyCalpurnia'sdreamissignified.
CAESAR
Andthiswayhaveyouwellexpoundedit.
DECIUSBRUTUS
Ihave,whenyouhaveheardwhatIcansay:
Andknowitnow:thesenatehaveconcluded
TogivethisdayacrowntomightyCaesar.
Ifyoushallsendthemwordyouwillnotcome,
Theirmindsmaychange.Besides,itwereamock
Apttoberender'd,forsomeonetosay
'Breakupthesenatetillanothertime,
WhenCaesar'swifeshallmeetwithbetterdreams.'
IfCaesarhidehimself,shalltheynotwhisper
'Lo,Caesarisafraid'?
Pardonme,Caesarformydeardearlove
Toourproceedingbidsmetellyouthis
Andreasontomyloveisliable.
12

CAESAR
Howfoolishdoyourfearsseemnow,Calpurnia!
IamashamedIdidyieldtothem.
Givememyrobe,forIwillgo.

EnterPUBLIUS,BRUTUS,CASCA,TREBONIUS,andCINNA
CAESAR
What,Brutus,areyoustirr'dsoearlytoo?
Goodmorrow,Casca.
Caesarwasne'ersomuchyourenemy
Asthatsameaguewhichhathmadeyoulean.
Whatis'to'clock?
BRUTUS
Caesar,'tisstruckeneight.
CAESAR
Ithankyouforyourpainsandcourtesy.
EnterANTONY
See!Antony,thatrevelslongo'nights,
Isnotwithstandingup.Goodmorrow,Antony.
ANTONY
SotomostnobleCaesar.
CAESAR
Bidthempreparewithin:
Iamtoblametobethuswaitedfor.
Now,Cinna:now,Metellus:what,Trebonius!
Ihaveanhour'stalkinstoreforyou
Rememberthatyoucallonmetoday:
Benearme,thatImayrememberyou.
TREBONIUS
Caesar,Iwill:
Aside
andsonearwillIbe,
ThatyourbestfriendsshallwishIhadbeenfurther.
CAESAR
Goodfriends,goin,andtastesomewinewithme
Andwe,likefriends,willstraightwaygotogether.
BRUTUS
[Aside]Thateverylikeisnotthesame,OCaesar,
TheheartofBrutusyearnstothinkupon!
Exeunt

SCENEIII.AstreetneartheCapitol.
EnterARTEMIDORUS,readingapaper
ARTEMIDORUS
'Caesar,bewareofBrutustakeheedofCassius
comenotnearCascahaveaneyetoCinna,trustnot
Trebonius:markwellMetellusCimber:DeciusBrutus
lovestheenot:thouhastwrongedCaiusLigarius.
Thereisbutonemindinallthesemen,anditis
13

bentagainstCaesar.Ifthoubeestnotimmortal,
lookaboutyou:securitygiveswaytoconspiracy.
Themightygodsdefendthee!Thylover,
'ARTEMIDORUS.'
HerewillIstandtillCaesarpassalong,
AndasasuitorwillIgivehimthis.
Myheartlamentsthatvirtuecannotlive
Outoftheteethofemulation.
Ifthoureadthis,OCaesar,thoumaystlive
Ifnot,theFateswithtraitorsdocontrive.
Exit

SCENEIV.Anotherpartofthesamestreet,beforethehouseofBRUTUS.
EnterPORTIAandLUCIUS
PORTIA
Iprithee,boy,runtothesenatehouse
Staynottoanswerme,butgettheegone:
Whydostthoustay?
LUCIUS
Toknowmyerrand,madam.
PORTIA
Iwouldhavehadtheethere,andhereagain,
EreIcantelltheewhatthoushouldstdothere.
Oconstancy,bestronguponmyside,
Setahugemountain'tweenmyheartandtongue!
Ihaveaman'smind,butawoman'smight.
Howharditisforwomentokeepcounsel!
Artthouhereyet?
LUCIUS
Madam,whatshouldIdo?
RuntotheCapitol,andnothingelse?
Andsoreturntoyou,andnothingelse?
PORTIA
Yes,bringmeword,boy,ifthylordlookwell,
Forhewentsicklyforth:andtakegoodnote
WhatCaesardoth,whatsuitorspresstohim.
Hark,boy!whatnoiseisthat?
LUCIUS
Ihearnone,madam.
PORTIA
Prithee,listenwell
Iheardabustlingrumour,likeafray,
AndthewindbringsitfromtheCapitol.
LUCIUS
Sooth,madam,Ihearnothing.
EntertheSoothsayer
PORTIA
Comehither,fellow:whichwayhastthoubeen?
Soothsayer
14

Atmineownhouse,goodlady.
PORTIA
Whatis'to'clock?
Soothsayer
Abouttheninthhour,lady.
PORTIA
IsCaesaryetgonetotheCapitol?
Soothsayer
Madam,notyet:Igototakemystand,
ToseehimpassontotheCapitol.
PORTIA
ThouhastsomesuittoCaesar,hastthounot?
Soothsayer
ThatIhave,lady:ifitwillpleaseCaesar
TobesogoodtoCaesarastohearme,
Ishallbeseechhimtobefriendhimself.
PORTIA
Why,know'stthouanyharm'sintendedtowardshim?
Soothsayer
NonethatIknowwillbe,muchthatIfearmaychance.
Goodmorrowtoyou.Herethestreetisnarrow:
ThethrongthatfollowsCaesarattheheels,
Ofsenators,ofpraetors,commonsuitors,
Willcrowdafeeblemanalmosttodeath:
I'llgetmetoaplacemorevoid,andthere
SpeaktogreatCaesarashecomesalong.
Exit
PORTIA
Imustgoin.Ayme,howweakathing
Theheartofwomanis!OBrutus,
Theheavensspeedtheeinthineenterprise!
Sure,theboyheardme:Brutushathasuit
ThatCaesarwillnotgrant.O,Igrowfaint.
Run,Lucius,andcommendmetomylord
SayIammerry:cometomeagain,
Andbringmewordwhathedothsaytothee.
Exeuntseverally

15

Act4Scene1(script)

AntonyOctaviusLepidus

SCENEI.AhouseinRome.
ANTONY,OCTAVIUS,andLEPIDUS,seatedatatable
ANTONY
Thesemany,then,shalldietheirnamesareprick'd.
OCTAVIUS
Yourbrothertoomustdieconsentyou,Lepidus?
LEPIDUS
Idoconsent
OCTAVIUS
Prickhimdown,Antony.
LEPIDUS
UponconditionPubliusshallnotlive,
Whoisyoursister'sson,MarkAntony.
ANTONY
Heshallnotlivelook,withaspotIdamnhim.
But,Lepidus,goyoutoCaesar'shouse
Fetchthewillhither,andweshalldetermine
Howtocutoffsomechargeinlegacies.
LEPIDUS
What,shallIfindyouhere?
OCTAVIUS
Orhere,orattheCapitol.
ExitLEPIDUS
ANTONY
Thisisaslightunmeritableman,
Meettobesentonerrands:isitfit,
Thethreefoldworlddivided,heshouldstand
Oneofthethreetoshareit?
OCTAVIUS
Soyouthoughthim
Andtookhisvoicewhoshouldbeprick'dtodie,
Inourblacksentenceandproscription.
ANTONY
Octavius,Ihaveseenmoredaysthanyou:
Andthoughwelaythesehonoursonthisman,
Toeaseourselvesofdiversslanderousloads,
Heshallbutbearthemastheassbearsgold,
Togroanandsweatunderthebusiness,
Eitherledordriven,aswepointtheway
Andhavingbroughtourtreasurewherewewill,
Thentakewedownhisload,andturnhimoff,
Liketotheemptyass,toshakehisears,
Andgrazeincommons.
OCTAVIUS
16

Youmaydoyourwill
Buthe'satriedandvaliantsoldier.
ANTONY
Soismyhorse,Octaviusandforthat
Idoappointhimstoreofprovender:
ItisacreaturethatIteachtofight,
Towind,tostop,torundirectlyon,
Hiscorporalmotiongovern'dbymyspirit.
And,insometaste,isLepidusbutso
Hemustbetaughtandtrain'dandbidgoforth
Abarrenspiritedfellowonethatfeeds
Onabjects,ortsandimitations,
Which,outofuseandstaledbyothermen,
Beginhisfashion:donottalkofhim,
Butasaproperty.Andnow,Octavius,
Listengreatthings:BrutusandCassius
Arelevyingpowers:wemuststraightmakehead:
Thereforeletouralliancebecombined,
Ourbestfriendsmade,ourmeansstretch'd
Andletuspresentlygositincouncil,
Howcovertmattersmaybebestdisclosed,
Andopenperilssurestanswered.
OCTAVIUS
Letusdoso:forweareatthestake,
Andbay'daboutwithmanyenemies
Andsomethatsmilehaveintheirhearts,Ifear,
Millionsofmischiefs.
Exeunt

17

Act5Scene1(script)

OctaviusAntonyMessengerBrutusCassiusLucilius

SCENEI.TheplainsofPhilippi.
EnterOCTAVIUS,ANTONY,andtheirarmy
OCTAVIUS
Now,Antony,ourhopesareanswered:
Yousaidtheenemywouldnotcomedown,
Butkeepthehillsandupperregions
Itprovesnotso:theirbattlesareathand
TheymeantowarnusatPhilippihere,
Answeringbeforewedodemandofthem.
ANTONY
Tut,Iamintheirbosoms,andIknow
Whereforetheydoit:theycouldbecontent
Tovisitotherplacesandcomedown
Withfearfulbravery,thinkingbythisface
Tofasteninourthoughtsthattheyhavecourage
But'tisnotso.
EnteraMessenger
Messenger
Prepareyou,generals:
Theenemycomesoningallantshow
Theirbloodysignofbattleishungout,
Andsomethingtobedoneimmediately.
ANTONY
Octavius,leadyourbattlesoftlyon,
Uponthelefthandoftheevenfield.
OCTAVIUS
UpontherighthandIkeepthoutheleft.
ANTONY
Whydoyoucrossmeinthisexigent?
OCTAVIUS
IdonotcrossyoubutIwilldoso.
March
Drum.EnterBRUTUS,CASSIUS,andtheirArmyLUCILIUS,TITINIUS,MESSALA,andothers
BRUTUS
Theystand,andwouldhaveparley.
CASSIUS
Standfast:wemustoutandtalk.
OCTAVIUS
MarkAntony,shallwegivesignofbattle?
ANTONY
No,Caesar,wewillanswerontheircharge.
Makeforththegeneralswouldhavesomewords.
OCTAVIUS
Stirnotuntilthesignal.
18

BRUTUS
Wordsbeforeblows:isitso,countrymen?
OCTAVIUS
Notthatwelovewordsbetter,asyoudo.
BRUTUS
Goodwordsarebetterthanbadstrokes,Octavius.
ANTONY
Inyourbadstrokes,Brutus,yougivegoodwords:
WitnesstheholeyoumadeinCaesar'sheart,
Crying'Longlive!hail,Caesar!'
CASSIUS
Antony,
Thepostureofyourblowsareyetunknown
Butforyourwords,theyrobtheHyblabees,
Andleavethemhoneyless.
ANTONY
Notstinglesstoo.
BRUTUS
O,yes,andsoundlesstoo
Foryouhavestol'ntheirbuzzing,Antony,
Andverywiselythreatbeforeyousting.
ANTONY
Villains,youdidnotso,whenyourviledaggers
Hack'doneanotherinthesidesofCaesar:
Youshow'dyourteethlikeapes,andfawn'dlikehounds,
Andbow'dlikebondmen,kissingCaesar'sfeet
WhilstdamnedCasca,likeacur,behind
StruckCaesarontheneck.Oyouflatterers!
CASSIUS
Flatterers!Now,Brutus,thankyourself:
Thistonguehadnotoffendedsotoday,
IfCassiusmighthaveruled.
OCTAVIUS
Come,come,thecause:ifarguingmakeussweat,
Theproofofitwillturntoredderdrops.Look
Idrawaswordagainstconspirators
Whenthinkyouthattheswordgoesupagain?
Never,tillCaesar'sthreeandthirtywounds
BewellavengedortillanotherCaesar
Haveaddedslaughtertotheswordoftraitors.
BRUTUS
Caesar,thoucanstnotdiebytraitors'hands,
Unlessthoubring'stthemwiththee.
OCTAVIUS
SoIhope
IwasnotborntodieonBrutus'sword.
BRUTUS
O,ifthouwertthenoblestofthystrain,
Youngman,thoucouldstnotdiemorehonourable.
19

CASSIUS
Apeevishschoolboy,worthlessofsuchhonour,
Join'dwithamaskerandareveller!
ANTONY
OldCassiusstill!
OCTAVIUS
Come,Antony,away!
Defiance,traitors,hurlweinyourteeth:
Ifyoudarefighttoday,cometothefield
Ifnot,whenyouhavestomachs.
ExeuntOCTAVIUS,ANTONY,andtheirarmy
CASSIUS
Why,now,blowwind,swellbillowandswimbark!
Thestormisup,andallisonthehazard.
BRUTUS
Ho,Lucilius!hark,awordwithyou.
LUCILIUS
[Standingforth]
Mylord?
BRUTUSandLUCILIUSconverseapart

CASSIUS
Thisismybirthdayasthisveryday
WasCassiusborn.Givemethyhand,Rome,
Bethoumywitnessthatagainstmywill,
AsPompeywas,amIcompell'dtoset
Upononebattleallourliberties.
YouknowthatIheldEpicurusstrong
Andhisopinion:nowIchangemymind,
Andpartlycreditthingsthatdopresage.
ComingfromSardis,onourformerensign
Twomightyeaglesfell,andtheretheyperch'd,
Gorgingandfeedingfromoursoldiers'hands
WhotoPhilippihereconsortedus:
Thismorningaretheyfledawayandgone
Andintheirsteadsdoravens,crowsandkites,
Flyo'erourheadsanddownwardlookonus,
Asweweresicklyprey:theirshadowsseem
Acanopymostfatal,underwhich
Ourarmylies,readytogiveuptheghost.
Ibutbelieveitpartly
ForIamfreshofspiritandresolved
Tomeetallperilsveryconstantly.
BRUTUS
Evenso,Lucilius.
CASSIUS
Now,mostnobleBrutus,
Thegodstodaystandfriendly,thatwemay,
Loversinpeace,leadonourdaystoage!
Butsincetheaffairsofmenreststillincertain,
20

Let'sreasonwiththeworstthatmaybefall.
Ifwedolosethisbattle,thenisthis
Theverylasttimeweshallspeaktogether:
Whatareyouthendeterminedtodo?
BRUTUS
Evenbytheruleofthatphilosophy
BywhichIdidblameCatoforthedeath
Whichhedidgivehimself,Iknownothow,
ButIdofinditcowardlyandvile,
Forfearofwhatmightfall,sotoprevent
Thetimeoflife:armingmyselfwithpatience
Tostaytheprovidenceofsomehighpowers
Thatgovernusbelow.
CASSIUS
Then,ifwelosethisbattle,
Youarecontentedtobeledintriumph
ThoroughthestreetsofRome?
BRUTUS
No,Cassius,no:thinknot,thounobleRoman,
ThateverBrutuswillgoboundtoRome
Hebearstoogreatamind.Butthissameday
MustendthatworktheidesofMarchbegun
AndwhetherweshallmeetagainIknownot.
Thereforeoureverlastingfarewelltake:
Forever,andforever,farewell,Cassius!
Ifwedomeetagain,why,weshallsmile
Ifnot,whythen,thispartingwaswellmade.
CASSIUS
Forever,andforever,farewell,Brutus!
Ifwedomeetagain,we'llsmileindeed
Ifnot,'tistruethispartingwaswellmade.
BRUTUS
Why,then,leadon.O,thatamanmightknow
Theendofthisday'sbusinessereitcome!
Butitsufficeththatthedaywillend,
Andthentheendisknown.Come,ho!away!
Exeunt

21

Act5Scene4(script)

BrutusMessalaCatoLuciliusFlaviusSoldierof
AntonysAntony

SCENEIV.Anotherpartofthefield.
Alarum.Enterfighting,SoldiersofbotharmiesthenBRUTUS,CATO,LUCILIUS,andothers
BRUTUS
Yet,countrymen,O,yetholdupyourheads!
CATO
Whatbastarddothnot?Whowillgowithme?
Iwillproclaimmynameaboutthefield:
IamthesonofMarcusCato,ho!
Afoetotyrants,andmycountry'sfriend
IamthesonofMarcusCato,ho!
BRUTUS
AndIamBrutus,MarcusBrutus,I
Brutus,mycountry'sfriendknowmeforBrutus!
Exit
LUCILIUS
OyoungandnobleCato,artthoudown?
Why,nowthoudiestasbravelyasTitinius
Andmaystbehonour'd,beingCato'sson.
FirstSoldier
Yield,orthoudiest.
LUCILIUS
OnlyIyieldtodie:
Thereissomuchthatthouwiltkillmestraight
Offeringmoney
KillBrutus,andbehonour'dinhisdeath.
FirstSoldier
Wemustnot.Anobleprisoner!
I'lltellthenews.Herecomesthegeneral.
EnterANTONY
Brutusista'en,Brutusista'en,mylord.
ANTONY
Whereishe?
LUCILIUS
Safe,AntonyBrutusissafeenough:
Idareassuretheethatnoenemy
ShallevertakealivethenobleBrutus:
Thegodsdefendhimfromsogreatashame!
Whenyoudofindhim,oraliveordead,
HewillbefoundlikeBrutus,likehimself.
ANTONY
ThisisnotBrutus,friendbut,Iassureyou,
Aprizenolessinworth:keepthismansafe
Givehimallkindness:Ihadratherhave
22

Suchmenmyfriendsthanenemies.Goon,
AndseewhetherBrutusbealiveordead
AndbringusworduntoOctavius'tent
Howeverythingischanced.
Exeunt

23