Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, (redress!) Such (instigations) have been often dropped Where I have took them up. "Shall Rome, etc." Thus must I piece it out: 50 Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? My ancestors did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive, when he was called a king. "Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, If the redress will follow, thou receivest Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! Re-enter LUCIUS Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. [Knocking within. [Exit LUCIUS. Bru. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all the interim is 60 Are then in council, and the state of man, Luc. No, sir, there are moe° with him. Bru. at the 70 Luc. No, sir; their hats are plucked about their ears, And half their faces buried in their cloaks, That by no means I may discover them By any mark of favor. Bru. They are the faction Let 'em enter. [Exit LUCIUS. O conspiracy, Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, When evils are most free? O, then, by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80 To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, con spiracy; Hide it in smiles and affability: For if thou path,° thy native semblance on, Not Erebus itself were dim enough Enter the Conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, Cas. I think we are too bold° upon your rest: Good merrow, Brutus; do we trouble you? Bru. I have been up this hour, awake all night. Cas. Yes, every man of them: and no man here Which every noble Roman bears of you. Bru. He is welcome hither. He is welcome too. Cas. This, Decius Brutus. Bru. 90 Cas. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. Bru. They are all welcome. What watchful cares do interpose themselves Cas. Shall I entreat a word? [They whisper. 100 Dec. Here lies the east: doth not the day break here? Casca. No. Cin. O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon gray lines That fret the clouds are messengers of day. Casca. You shall confess that you are both deceived. Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises; Bru. Give me your hands all over, one by one. Bru. No, not an oath°; if not the face of men, Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word, 120 And will not palter°? and what other oath That this shall be, or we will fall for it? Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits, If he do break the smallest particle Of any promise that hath passed from him. Cas. But what of Cicero? shall we sound him? I think he will stand very strong with us. 130 140 No, by no means. Cin. And buy men's voices to commend our deeds: D |