He should not humour me. I will this night, And, after this, let Cæsar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure. [Exit. SCENE III. The same. A street. Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, Casca, with his sword drawn, and CICERO. Cic. Good even, Casca: brought you Cæsar home? Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Cic. 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, Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets. they are natural;" For, I believe, they are portentous things Unto the climate that they point upon. Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! Cass. A very pleasing night to honest men. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Cass. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night; Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone: And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open The breast of heaven, I did present myself 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 Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. Cass. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life That should be in a Roman you do want, Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man Most like this dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars - A man no mightier than thyself or me In personal action; yet prodigious grown, Casca. 'Tis Cæsar that you mean; is it not, Cassius? Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors; Casca. Indeed, they say the senators to-morrow And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, In every place, save here in Italy. Cass. I know where I will wear this dagger, then; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. So every bondman in his own hand bears Cass. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, So vile a thing as Cæsar! But, O grief, [Thunder still. then? Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man And I will set this foot of mine as far As who goes farthest. Cass. Of honourable-dangerous consequence; In favour's like the work we have in hand, Most bloody-fiery and most terrible. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. He is a friend. Enter CINNA. Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cass. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempt. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? Cin. I'm glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cass. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. Cin. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party Yes, you are. Cass. 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 In at his window; set this up with wax Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. [Exit Cinna. Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts: And that which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. Cass. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, |