But that he sees the Romans are but sheep: So vile a thing as Cæsar! But, O grief, Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs, And I will set this foot of mine as far As who goes farthest. Cas. 110 Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Of honorable-dangerous consequence; In Pompey's porch°: for now, this fearful night, And the complexion of the element In favor°'s like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA 130 Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not stayed for? tell me. Cin. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party Yes, you are. 140 Cas. 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 Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone 150 [Exit CINNA. Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day See Brutus at his house: three parts of him Is ours already, and the man entire Upon the next encounter yields him ours. 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. 160 Cas. Him and his worth and our great need of him You have right well conceited. For it is after midnight; and ere day Let us go, [Exeunt We will awake him and be sure of him. ACT II SCENE I. Rome. BRUTUS's orchard° Enter BRUTUS Bru. What, Lucius, ho! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say! I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. When, Lucius, when? awake, I say! what, Lucius! Enter LUCIUS Luc. Called you, my lord? Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. Bru. It must be by his death: and for my part, 10 I know no personal cause to spurn° at him, But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there's the question: It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; 20 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel° I Which hatched would as his kind grow mischievous, Re-enter LUCIUS Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 30 [Gives him the letter. Bru. Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March? Luc. I know not, sir. Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. Bru. The exhalations whizzing in the air 40 [Exit. [Opens the letter and reads. "Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. |