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 Incenses them to send destruction. 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 Like twenty torches join'd; and yet his hand, 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; And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, 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. 1 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 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, To monstrous quality; - why, you shall find Aks Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man That thunders, lightens, opens graves, A man no mightier than thyself or me and roars 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, 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 airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears [Thunder still. Cass. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, then?- So vile a thing as Cæsar! But, O grief, 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. Cass. 'Tis Cinna, — I do know him by his gait; 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, |