Under these hard conditions as this time 175 Is like to lay upon us. Cas. I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. Bru. The games are done, and Cæsar is returning. Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; 180 And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Re-enter CESAR and his Train. Bru. I will do so: but, look you, Cassius, The angry spot doth glow on Cæsar's brow, And all the rest look like a chidden train: 185 Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero 190 Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes Being cross'd in conference by some senators. Ant. Cæsar? Cæs. Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; 195 He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. Ant. Fear him not, Cæsar; he's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman, and well given. Caes. Would he were fatter! but I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, 200 I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays, 205 Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. Such men as he be never at heart's ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 210 And therefore are they very dangerous. 215 220 225 I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd [Sennet. Exeunt CÆSAR and all his Train but CASCA. 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 offer'd him and being offer'd 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? Bru. Was the crown offer'd him thrice? Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by mine 230 honest neighbours shouted. Cas. Who offer'd him the crown? Casca. Why, Antony. Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. Casca. I can as well be hang'd as tell the manner of it: 235 it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; —yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets; - 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 offer'd it to him again; then he put 240 it by again: but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offer'd it the third time; he put it the third time by: and still as he refus'd it, the rabblement hooted, and clapp'd their chopp'd hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and utter'd such a deal of stink215 ing breath because Cæsar refus'd the crown, that it had almost chok'd Cæsar; for he swounded 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. 250 255 260 Cas. But, soft, I pray you: what, did Cæsar swound? Casca. He fell down in the market-place and foam'd at mouth and was speechless. Bru. "Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness. 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 pleas'd and displeas'd them, as they use 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 perceiv'd the common herd was glad he refus'd the crown, he pluck'd me ope his doublet and offer'd them his throat to cut. And I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have 265 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 desir'd their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, "Alas, good soul!" and for270 gave him with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæsar had stabb'd their mothers, they Iwould have done no less. Bru. And after that he came, thus sad, away? Casca. Ay. Casca. Nay, and I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again: but those that understood him smil'd at one 280 another and shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery 285 290 yet, if I could remember it. Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? Casca. No, I am promis'd forth. Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Cas. Good; I will expect you. Casca. Do so: farewell, both. Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school. Cas. So is he now in execution 295 Of any bold or noble enterprise, 300 However he puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite. 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, Come home to me, and I will wait for you. Cas. I will do so: till then, think of the world. 305 Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable metal may be wrought [Exit. [Exit BRUTUS. |