870

Serv. I heard 'em say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. The same. A street.

Enter CINNA the poet.

Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unlucky charge my fantasy:

I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

Sec. Cit.

10

Answer every man directly.

First Cit. Ay, and briefly.

Fourth Cit. Ay, and wisely.

Third Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best.

Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a 15 bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

Sec. Cit. That's as much as to say, they are. fools that marry: - you'll bear me a bang for that, 20 I fear. Proceed; directly.

Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
First Cit. As a friend or an enemy?

Cin. As a friend.

Sec. Cit. That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Cit. For your dwelling,

briefly.

25

Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Cit. Your name, sir, truly.
Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna.

First Cit. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 30 Fourth Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator.

Fourth Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him 35 going.

Third Cit. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho! firebrands: to Brutus'; to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius'; away. go! [Exeunt. 40

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Rome. A room in ANTONY's house.

ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table. Ant. These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.

Oct. Your brother too must die; consent you,

Lep. I do consent,

Oct.

Lepidus?

Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live,

5 Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.

10

Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house;

Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.

Lep. What, shall I find you here?

Oct.

The Capitol.

Or here, or at

[Exit Lepidus.

Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man,

Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,

The threefold world divided, he should stand

15 One of the three to share it?

Oct.

So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and proscription.

Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze in commons.

Oct.

You may do your will,
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that
I do appoint him store of provender:
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,

20

25

80

His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit.
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;

He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth;
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

85

On abject orts and imitations,

Which, out of use and stal'd by other men,
Begin his fashion: do not talk of him
But as a property. And now, Octavius,
Listen great things: Brutus and Cassius

Are levying powers: we must straight make head:
Therefore let our alliance be combin'd,

Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd

out;

40

45 And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answered.

Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bay'd about with many enemies;

50 And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischiefs.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. Before BRUTUS' tent, in the camp near

Sardis.

Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, and Soldiers; PINDARUS meeting them; LUCIUS at some distance.

Bru. Stand, ho!

Lucil. Give the word, ho! and stand.

Bru. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?
Lucil. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come

5 To do you salutation from his master.

[Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus. Brut. He greets me well. -Your master, Pindarus,

In his own change, or by ill officers,
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,
10 I shall be satisfied.

15

But that my noble master will appear

Such as he is, full of regard and honour.

Brut. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd.

Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances,