Act I, Scene 1
Rome. A street.
Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and certain Commoners
Flavius. Hence! home, you idle creatures get you home:
Is this a holiday? what! know you not,
Being mechanical, you ought not walk
Upon a labouring day without the sign 5
Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?
First Commoner. Why, sir, a carpenter.
Marullus. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?
What dost thou with thy best apparel on?
You, sir, what trade are you? 10Second Commoner. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but,
as you would say, a cobbler.
Marullus. But what trade art thou? answer me directly.
Second Commoner. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe
conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. 15Marullus. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade?
Second Commoner. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet,
if you be out, sir, I can mend you.
Marullus. What meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow!
Second Commoner. Why, sir, cobble you. 20Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Second Commoner. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I
meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's
matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon
to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I 25
recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon
neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork.
Flavius. But wherefore art not in thy shop today?
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?
Second Commoner. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself 30
into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday,
to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.
Marullus. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels? 35
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements,
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, 40
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
The livelong day, with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome:
And when you saw his chariot but appear,
Have you not made an universal shout, 45
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks,
To hear the replication of your sounds
Made in her concave shores?
And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now cull out a holiday? 50
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone!
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this ingratitude. 55Flavius. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault,
Assemble all the poor men of your sort;
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
Into the channel, till the lowest stream
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. 60
[Exeunt all the Commoners]
See whether their basest metal be not moved;
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
This way will I disrobe the images, 65
If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies.
Marullus. May we do so?
You know it is the feast of Lupercal.
Flavius. It is no matter; let no images
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about, 70
And drive away the vulgar from the streets:
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
Who else would soar above the view of men 75
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act I, Scene 2
A public place.
[Flourish. Enter CAESAR; ANTONY, for the course;] [p]CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS BRUTUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, [p]CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following, among [p]them a Soothsayer
Caesar. Calpurnia!
Casca. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
Caesar. Calpurnia!
Calpurnia. Here, my lord. 85Caesar. Stand you directly in Antonius' way,
When he doth run his course. Antonius!
Antony. Caesar, my lord?
Caesar. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, 90
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.
Antony. I shall remember:
When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd.
Caesar. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. 95Flourish
Soothsayer. Caesar!
Caesar. Ha! who calls?
Casca. Bid every noise be still: peace yet again!
Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me? 100
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
Caesar. What man is that?
Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. 105Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face.
Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. 110Sennet. Exeunt all except BRUTUS and CASSIUS
Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course?
Brutus. Not I.
Cassius. I pray you, do.
Brutus. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part 115
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I'll leave you.
Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness 120
And show of love as I was wont to have:
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.
Brutus. Cassius,
Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, 125
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference,
Conceptions only proper to myself,
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; 130
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved—
Among which number, Cassius, be you one—
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men. 135Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
Brutus. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, 140
But by reflection, by some other things.
Cassius. 'Tis just:
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 145
That you might see your shadow. I have heard,
Where many of the best respect in Rome,
Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus
And groaning underneath this age's yoke,
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 150Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
That you would have me seek into myself
For that which is not in me?
Cassius. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear:
And since you know you cannot see yourself 155
So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
Will modestly discover to yourself
That of yourself which you yet know not of.
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus:
Were I a common laugher, or did use 160
To stale with ordinary oaths my love
To every new protester; if you know
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And after scandal them, or if you know
That I profess myself in banqueting 165
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
Flourish, and shout
Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? 170
Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.
But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
What is it that you would impart to me?
If it be aught toward the general good, 175
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both indifferently,
For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honour more than I fear death.
Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 180
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be 185
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you:
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 190
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me 'Darest thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,
And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 195
And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy;
But ere we could arrive the point proposed, 200
Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!'
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man 205
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark 210
How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre: I did hear him groan:
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 215
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried 'Give me some drink, Tintinius,'
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world 220
And bear the palm alone.
Shout. Flourish
Brutus. Another general shout!
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar. 225Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates: 230
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name; 235
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,
Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar.
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, 240
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?
When could they say till now, that talk'd of Rome, 245
That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man.
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 250
The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
Brutus. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
What you would work me to, I have some aim:
How I have thought of this and of these times, 255
I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time 260
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time 265
Is like to lay upon us.
Cassius. I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
Brutus. The games are done and Caesar is returning.
Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; 270
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day.
Re-enter CAESAR and his Train
Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius,
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 275
And all the rest look like a chidden train:
Calpurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 280Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Caesar. Antonius!
Antony. Caesar?
Caesar. Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: 285
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Antony. Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman and well given.
Caesar. Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: 290
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
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, 295
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease 300
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 305
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
Sennet. Exeunt CAESAR and all his Train, but CASCA
Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
Brutus. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanced to-day,
That Caesar looks so sad. 310Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not?
Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him: and being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. 315Brutus. What was the second noise for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Cassius. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Brutus. Was the crown offered him thrice? 320Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every
time gentler than other, and at every putting-by
mine honest neighbours shouted.
Cassius. Who offered him the crown?
Casca. Why, Antony. 325Brutus. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it:
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 330
you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my
thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
offered it to him again; then he put it by again:
but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third 335
time; he put it the third time by: and still as he
refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps
and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because
Caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked 340
Caesar; 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.
Cassius. But, soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar swound?
Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at 345
mouth, and was speechless.
Brutus. 'Tis very like: he hath the failing sickness.
Cassius. No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, I am sure, 350
Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not
clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and
displeased them, as they use to do the players in
the theatre, I am no true man.
Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself? 355Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the
common herd was glad he refused the crown, he
plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his
throat to cut. An I had been a man of any
occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, 360
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 desired
their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three
or four wenches, where I stood, cried 'Alas, good 365
soul!' and forgave him with all their hearts: but
there's no heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had
stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.
Brutus. And after that, he came, thus sad, away?
Casca. Ay. 370Cassius. Did Cicero say any thing?
Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek.
Cassius. To what effect?
Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, Ill ne'er look you i' the
face again: but those that understood him smiled at 375
one 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 Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you
well. There was more foolery yet, if I could 380
remember it.
Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca?
Casca. No, I am promised forth.
Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow?
Casca. Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner 385
worth the eating.
Cassius. Good: I will expect you.
Casca. Do so. Farewell, both.
Exit
Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! 390
He was quick mettle when he went to school.
Cassius. So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise,
However he puts on this tardy form.
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 395
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
Brutus. 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, 400
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cassius. I will do so: till then, think of the world.
[Exit BRUTUS]
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honourable metal may be wrought 405
From that it is disposed: therefore it is meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus:
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, 410
He should not humour me. I will this night,
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
As if they came from several citizens,
Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely 415
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at:
And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
Exit
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previous scene Act I, Scene 3
The same. A street.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter from opposite sides,] [p]CASCA, with his sword drawn, and CICERO
Cicero. Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home?
Why are you breathless? and why stare you so?
Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, 425
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds
Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be exalted with the threatening clouds:
But never till to-night, never till now, 430
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.
Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,
Incenses them to send destruction.
Cicero. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? 435Casca. 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,
Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd.
Besides—I ha' not since put up my sword— 440
Against the Capitol I met a lion,
Who glared upon me, and went surly by,
Without annoying me: and there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw 445
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.
And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Even at noon-day upon the market-place,
Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say 450
'These are their reasons; they are natural;'
For, I believe, they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon.
Cicero. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time:
But men may construe things after their fashion, 455
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.
Come Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow?
Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow.
Cicero. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky 460
Is not to walk in.
Casca. Farewell, Cicero.
Exit CICERO
Enter CASSIUS
Cassius. Who's there? 465Casca. A Roman.
Cassius. Casca, by your voice.
Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!
Cassius. A very pleasing night to honest men.
Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? 470Cassius. 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 bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; 475
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.
Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?
It is the part of men to fear and tremble, 480
When the most mighty gods by tokens send
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
Cassius. 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 485
And put on fear and cast yourself in wonder,
To see the strange impatience of the heavens:
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, 490
Why old men fool and children calculate,
Why all these things change from their ordinance
Their natures and preformed faculties
To monstrous quality,—why, you shall find
That heaven hath infused them with these spirits, 495
To make them instruments of fear and warning
Unto some monstrous state.
Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man
Most like this dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 500
As doth the lion in the Capitol,
A man no mightier than thyself or me
In personal action, yet prodigious grown
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.
Casca. 'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius? 505Cassius. Let it be who it is: for Romans now
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors;
But, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead,
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits;
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. 510Casca. Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow
Mean to establish Caesar as a king;
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,
In every place, save here in Italy.
Cassius. I know where I will wear this dagger then; 515
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius:
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 520
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;
But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
If I know this, know all the world besides,
That part of tyranny that I do bear 525
I can shake off at pleasure.
Thunder still
Casca. So can I:
So every bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity. 530Cassius. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 535
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome,
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this 540
Before a willing bondman; then I know
My answer must be made. But I am arm'd,
And dangers are to me indifferent.
Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: 545
Be factious for redress of all these griefs,
And I will set this foot of mine as far
As who goes farthest.
Cassius. There's a bargain made.
Now know you, Casca, I have moved already 550
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
To undergo with me an enterprise
Of honourable-dangerous consequence;
And I do know, by this, they stay for me
In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, 555
There is no stir or walking in the streets;
And the complexion of the element
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. 560Cassius. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;
He is a friend.
[Enter CINNA]
Cinna, where haste you so?
Cinna. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? 565Cassius. No, it is Casca; one incorporate
To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?
Cinna. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this!
There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
Cassius. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. 570Cinna. Yes, you are.
O Cassius, if you could
But win the noble Brutus to our party—
Cassius. Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper,
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, 575
Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this
In at his window; set this up with wax
Upon old Brutus' statue: all this done,
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? 580Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,
And so bestow these papers as you bade me.
Cassius. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
[Exit CINNA] 585
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: 590
And that which would appear offence in us,
His countenance, like richest alchemy,
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
Cassius. Him and his worth and our great need of him
You have right well conceited. Let us go, 595
For it is after midnight; and ere day
We will awake him and be sure of him.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act II, Scene 1
Rome. BRUTUS’s orchard.
Enter BRUTUS
Brutus. What, Lucius, ho! 600
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
Lucius. Call'd you, my lord?
Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius. I will, my lord.
Exit
Brutus. It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; 615
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that;—
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, 620
I have not known when his affections sway'd
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round. 625
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is, 630
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities:
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell. 635Re-enter LUCIUS
Lucius. The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
Searching the window for a flint, I found
This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I am sure,
It did not lie there when I went to bed. 640Gives him the letter
Brutus. Get you to bed again; it is not day.
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March?
Lucius. I know not, sir.
Brutus. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 645Lucius. I will, sir.
Exit
Brutus. The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them.
[Opens the letter and reads] 650
'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself.
Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress!
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!'
Such instigations have been often dropp'd
Where I have took them up. 655
'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out:
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.
'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I entreated 660
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
Lucius. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. 665Knocking within
Brutus. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept. 670
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:
The Genius and the mortal instruments
Are then in council; and the state of man, 675
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.
Re-enter LUCIUS
Lucius. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,
Who doth desire to see you. 680Brutus. Is he alone?
Lucius. No, sir, there are moe with him.
Brutus. Do you know them?
Lucius. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears,
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 685
That by no means I may discover them
By any mark of favour.
Brutus. Let 'em enter.
[Exit LUCIUS]
They are the faction. O conspiracy, 690
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
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability: 695
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention.
[Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS]
BRUTUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMBER, and TREBONIUS 700Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest:
Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?
Brutus. I have been up this hour, awake all night.
Know I these men that come along with you?
Cassius. Yes, every man of them, and no man here 705
But honours you; and every one doth wish
You had but that opinion of yourself
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
Brutus. He is welcome hither. 710Cassius. This, Decius Brutus.
Brutus. He is welcome too.
Cassius. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
Brutus. They are all welcome.
What watchful cares do interpose themselves 715
Betwixt your eyes and night?
Cassius. Shall I entreat a word?
BRUTUS and CASSIUS whisper
Decius Brutus. Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
Casca. No. 720Cinna. 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,
Which is a great way growing on the south, 725
Weighing the youthful season of the year.
Some two months hence up higher toward the north
He first presents his fire; and the high east
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here.
Brutus. Give me your hands all over, one by one. 730Cassius. And let us swear our resolution.
Brutus. No, not an oath: if not the face of men,
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,—
If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
And every man hence to his idle bed; 735
So let high-sighted tyranny range on,
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough
To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 740
What need we any spur but our own cause,
To prick us to redress? what other bond
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
And will not palter? and what other oath
Than honesty to honesty engaged, 745
That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain 750
The even virtue of our enterprise,
Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
To think that or our cause or our performance
Did need an oath; when every drop of blood
That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 755
Is guilty of a several bastardy,
If he do break the smallest particle
Of any promise that hath pass'd from him.
Cassius. But what of Cicero? shall we sound him?
I think he will stand very strong with us. 760Casca. Let us not leave him out.
Cinna. No, by no means.
Metellus Cimber. O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
Will purchase us a good opinion
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds: 765
It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands;
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
But all be buried in his gravity.
Brutus. O, name him not: let us not break with him;
For he will never follow any thing 770
That other men begin.
Cassius. Then leave him out.
Casca. Indeed he is not fit.
Decius Brutus. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
Cassius. Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet, 775
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him
A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all: which to prevent, 780
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
Brutus. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar: 785
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;
And in the spirit of men there is no blood:
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, 790
Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 795
Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make
Our purpose necessary and not envious:
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. 800
And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm
When Caesar's head is off.
Cassius. Yet I fear him;
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar— 805Brutus. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar:
And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company. 810Trebonius. There is no fear in him; let him not die;
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
Clock strikes
Brutus. Peace! count the clock.
Cassius. The clock hath stricken three. 815Trebonius. 'Tis time to part.
Cassius. But it is doubtful yet,
Whether Caesar will come forth to-day, or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite from the main opinion he held once 820
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies:
It may be, these apparent prodigies,
The unaccustom'd terror of this night,
And the persuasion of his augurers,
May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 825Decius Brutus. Never fear that: if he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
That unicorns may be betray'd with trees,
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,
Lions with toils and men with flatterers; 830
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.
Let me work;
For I can give his humour the true bent,
And I will bring him to the Capitol. 835Cassius. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
Brutus. By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?
Cinna. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
Metellus Cimber. Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey: 840
I wonder none of you have thought of him.
Brutus. Now, good Metellus, go along by him:
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons;
Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him.
Cassius. The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, Brutus. 845
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
Brutus. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;
Let not our looks put on our purposes,
But bear it as our Roman actors do, 850
With untired spirits and formal constancy:
And so good morrow to you every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS]
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter;
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber: 855
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
Enter PORTIA
Portia. Brutus, my lord! 860Brutus. Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
It is not for your health thus to commit
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
Portia. Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, 865
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks;
I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head, 870
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot;
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
But, with an angry wafture of your hand,
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did;
Fearing to strengthen that impatience 875
Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour,
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And could it work so much upon your shape 880
As it hath much prevail'd on your condition,
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
Brutus. I am not well in health, and that is all.
Portia. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, 885
He would embrace the means to come by it.
Brutus. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Portia. Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, 890
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;
You have some sick offence within your mind, 895
Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one, 900
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night
Have had to resort to you: for here have been
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness. 905Brutus. Kneel not, gentle Portia.
Portia. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself 910
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 915Brutus. You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart
Portia. If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman; but withal 920
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:
I grant I am a woman; but withal
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter.
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so father'd and so husbanded? 925
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience.
And not my husband's secrets? 930Brutus. O ye gods,
Render me worthy of this noble wife!
[Knocking within]
Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall partake 935
The secrets of my heart.
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows:
Leave me with haste.
[Exit PORTIA] 940
Lucius, who's that knocks?
Re-enter LUCIUS with LIGARIUS
Lucius. He is a sick man that would speak with you.
Brutus. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how? 945Ligarius. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
Brutus. O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
Ligarius. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 950Brutus. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.
Ligarius. By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from honourable loins! 955
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
And I will strive with things impossible;
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?
Brutus. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 960Ligarius. But are not some whole that we must make sick?
Brutus. That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going
To whom it must be done.
Ligarius. Set on your foot, 965
And with a heart new-fired I follow you,
To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on.
Brutus. Follow me, then.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act II, Scene 2
CAESAR’s house.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter CAESAR, in his] [p]night-gown
Caesar. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within? 975Enter a Servant
Servant. My lord?
Caesar. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success.
Servant. I will, my lord. 980Exit
Enter CALPURNIA
Calpurnia. What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.
Caesar. Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me 985
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Calpurnia. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 990
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 995
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Caesar! these things are beyond all use, 1000
And I do fear them.
Caesar. What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 1005Calpurnia. When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Caesar. Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. 1010
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
[Re-enter Servant]
What say the augurers? 1015Servant. They would not have you to stir forth to-day.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.
Caesar. The gods do this in shame of cowardice:
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, 1020
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
We are two lions litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible: 1025
And Caesar shall go forth.
Calpurnia. Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 1030
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
And he shall say you are not well to-day:
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
Caesar. Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. 1035
[Enter DECIUS BRUTUS]
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
Decius Brutus. Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
Caesar. And you are come in very happy time, 1040
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.
Calpurnia. Say he is sick. 1045Caesar. Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Decius Brutus. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 1050
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Caesar. The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know: 1055
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt to-night she saw my statua,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: 1060
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.
Decius Brutus. This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate: 1065
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. 1070
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Caesar. And this way have you well expounded it.
Decius Brutus. I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 1075
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' 1080
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To our proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable. 1085Caesar. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
[Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA,]
TREBONIUS, and CINNA 1090
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
Publius. Good morrow, Caesar.
Caesar. Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, 1095
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
What is 't o'clock?
Brutus. Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
Caesar. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 1100
[Enter ANTONY]
See! Antony, that revels long o' nights,
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.
Antony. So to most noble Caesar.
Caesar. Bid them prepare within: 1105
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you. 1110Trebonius. Caesar, I will:
[Aside]
and so near will I be,
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
Caesar. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; 1115
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Brutus. [Aside That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
Exeunt
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previous scene Act II, Scene 3
A street near the Capitol.
Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper
Artemidorus. 'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not
Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is 1125
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal,
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover,
'ARTEMIDORUS.'
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 1130
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. 1135Exit
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previous scene Act II, Scene 4
Another part of the same street, before the house of BRUTUS.
Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS
Portia. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone:
Why dost thou stay? 1140Lucius. To know my errand, madam.
Portia. I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
O constancy, be strong upon my side,
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! 1145
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!
Art thou here yet?
Lucius. Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? 1150
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Portia. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that? 1155Lucius. I hear none, madam.
Portia. Prithee, listen well;
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
Lucius. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 1160Enter the Soothsayer
Portia. Come hither, fellow: which way hast thou been?
Soothsayer. At mine own house, good lady.
Portia. What is't o'clock?
Soothsayer. About the ninth hour, lady. 1165Portia. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
Soothsayer. Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand,
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
Portia. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
Soothsayer. That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar 1170
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
Portia. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
Soothsayer. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance.
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: 1175
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death:
I'll get me to a place more void, and there
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. 1180Exit
Portia. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
Sure, the boy heard me: Brutus hath a suit 1185
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint.
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
Say I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
Exeunt severally
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previous scene Act III, Scene 1
Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.
[A crowd of people; among them ARTEMIDORUS and the] [p]Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter CAESAR, BRUTUS, [p]CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS, METELLUS CIMBER, [p]TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, [p]PUBLIUS, and others
Caesar. [To the Soothsayer The ides of March are come.
Soothsayer. Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Artemidorus. Hail, Caesar! read this schedule.
Decius Brutus. Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 1200Artemidorus. O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
Caesar. What touches us ourself shall be last served.
Artemidorus. Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
Caesar. What, is the fellow mad? 1205Publius. Sirrah, give place.
Cassius. What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
[CAESAR goes up to the Senate-House, the rest]
following 1210Popilius. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Cassius. What enterprise, Popilius?
Popilius. Fare you well.
Advances to CAESAR
Brutus. What said Popilius Lena? 1215Cassius. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
Brutus. Look, how he makes to Caesar; mark him.
Cassius. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, 1220
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Brutus. Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 1225Cassius. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus.
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS
Decius Brutus. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 1230Brutus. He is address'd: press near and second him.
Cinna. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Caesar. Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his senate must redress?
Metellus Cimber. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, 1235
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart,—
Kneeling
Caesar. I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies 1240
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality 1245
With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words,
Low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 1250
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Metellus Cimber. Is there no voice more worthy than my own
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear
For the repealing of my banish'd brother? 1255Brutus. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Caesar. What, Brutus!
Cassius. Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: 1260
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Cassius. I could be well moved, if I were as you:
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star, 1265
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
But there's but one in all doth hold his place: 1270
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he, 1275
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Cinna. O Caesar,—
Caesar. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus? 1280Decius Brutus. Great Caesar,—
Caesar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Casca. Speak, hands for me!
[CASCA first, then the other Conspirators and]
BRUTUS stab CAESAR 1285Caesar. Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.
Dies
Cinna. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Cassius. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 1290
'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'
Brutus. People and senators, be not affrighted;
Fly not; stand stiff: ambition's debt is paid.
Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Decius Brutus. And Cassius too. 1295Brutus. Where's Publius?
Cinna. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Metellus Cimber. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's
Should chance—
Brutus. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; 1300
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius.
Cassius. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people,
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Brutus. Do so: and let no man abide this deed, 1305
But we the doers.
Re-enter TREBONIUS
Cassius. Where is Antony?
Trebonius. Fled to his house amazed:
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run 1310
As it were doomsday.
Brutus. Fates, we will know your pleasures:
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Cassius. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 1315
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood 1320
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'
Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence 1325
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
Brutus. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey's basis lies along
No worthier than the dust! 1330Cassius. So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave their country liberty.
Decius Brutus. What, shall we forth?
Cassius. Ay, every man away: 1335
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Servant
Brutus. Soft! who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel: 1340
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving:
Say I love Brutus, and I honour him; 1345
Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him and loved him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolved
How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 1350
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 1355
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.
Servant. I'll fetch him presently. 1360Exit
Brutus. I know that we shall have him well to friend.
Cassius. I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 1365Brutus. But here comes Antony.
[Re-enter ANTONY]
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Antony. O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 1370
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Caesar's death hour, nor no instrument 1375
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 1380
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
Brutus. O Antony, beg not your death of us. 1385
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands and this our present act,
You see we do, yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done:
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; 1390
And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony:
Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts 1395
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the disposing of new dignities.
Brutus. Only be patient till we have appeased 1400
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Antony. I doubt not of your wisdom. 1405
Let each man render me his bloody hand:
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours: now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; 1410
Though last, not last in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all,—alas, what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer. 1415
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy thy Anthony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 1420
Most noble! in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 1425
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. 1430
How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
Cassius. Mark Antony,—
Antony. Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
The enemies of Caesar shall say this; 1435
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Cassius. I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends;
Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 1440Antony. Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed,
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all and love you all,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 1445Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle:
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Antony. That's all I seek: 1450
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. 1455Cassius. Brutus, a word with you.
[Aside to BRUTUS]
You know not what you do: do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral:
Know you how much the people may be moved 1460
By that which he will utter?
Brutus. By your pardon;
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 1465
He speaks by leave and by permission,
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
Cassius. I know not what may fall; I like it not. 1470Brutus. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all 1475
About his funeral: and you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Antony. Be it so.
I do desire no more. 1480Brutus. Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exeunt all but ANTONY
Antony. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 1485
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,—
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— 1490
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar 1495
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell, 1500
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
[Enter a Servant] 1505
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
Servant. I do, Mark Antony.
Antony. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Servant. He did receive his letters, and is coming;
And bid me say to you by word of mouth— 1510
O Caesar!—
Seeing the body
Antony. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 1515
Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Servant. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.
Antony. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced:
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; 1520
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
Into the market-place: there shall I try
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men; 1525
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt with CAESAR's body
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
previous scene Act III, Scene 2
The Forum.
Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens
Citizens. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.
Brutus. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.
Cassius, go you into the other street,
And part the numbers.
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; 1535
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of Caesar's death.
First Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak.
Second Citizen. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, 1540
When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS]
goes into the pulpit
Third Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Brutus. Be patient till the last. 1545
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 1550
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
—Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved 1555
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I 1560
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If 1565
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
All. None, Brutus, none.
Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to 1570
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of
his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not
extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences
enforced, for which he suffered death.
[Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR's body] 1575
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who,
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive
the benefit of his dying, a place in the
commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this
I depart,—that, as I slew my best lover for the 1580
good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,
when it shall please my country to need my death.
All. Live, Brutus! live, live!
First Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Second Citizen. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 1585Third Citizen. Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Citizen. Caesar's better parts
Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
First Citizen. We'll bring him to his house
With shouts and clamours. 1590Brutus. My countrymen,—
Second Citizen. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.
First Citizen. Peace, ho!
Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: 1595
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar's glories; which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. 1600Exit
First Citizen. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
Third Citizen. Let him go up into the public chair;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 1605Goes into the pulpit
Fourth Citizen. What does he say of Brutus?
Third Citizen. He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself beholding to us all.
Fourth Citizen. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1610First Citizen. This Caesar was a tyrant.
Third Citizen. Nay, that's certain:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
Second Citizen. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
Antony. You gentle Romans,— 1615Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him.
Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones; 1620
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest— 1625
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men—
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious; 1630
And Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: 1635
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 1640
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know. 1645
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 1650
And I must pause till it come back to me.
First Citizen. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
Second Citizen. If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong.
Third Citizen. Has he, masters? 1655
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Fourth Citizen. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
First Citizen. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
Second Citizen. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 1660Third Citizen. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
Fourth Citizen. Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
Antony. But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world; now lies he there.
And none so poor to do him reverence. 1665
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose 1670
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament— 1675
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills, 1680
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
Fourth Citizen. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
All. The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will.
Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; 1685
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, bearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; 1690
For, if you should, O, what would come of it!
Fourth Citizen. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
Antony. Will you be patient? will you stay awhile?
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it: 1695
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
Fourth Citizen. They were traitors: honourable men!
All. The will! the testament!
Second Citizen. They were villains, murderers: the will! read the will. 1700Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?
Several Citizens. Come down. 1705Second Citizen. Descend.
Third Citizen. You shall have leave.
ANTONY comes down
Fourth Citizen. A ring; stand round.
First Citizen. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 1710Second Citizen. Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
Antony. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.
Several Citizens. Stand back; room; bear back.
Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this mantle: I remember 1715
The first time ever Caesar put it on;
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii:
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:
See what a rent the envious Casca made: 1720
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; 1725
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 1730
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart;
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua,
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! 1735
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold 1740
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
First Citizen. O piteous spectacle!
Second Citizen. O noble Caesar!
Third Citizen. O woful day! 1745Fourth Citizen. O traitors, villains!
First Citizen. O most bloody sight!
Second Citizen. We will be revenged.
All. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live! 1750Antony. Stay, countrymen.
First Citizen. Peace there! hear the noble Antony.
Second Citizen. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 1755
They that have done this deed are honourable:
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it: they are wise and honourable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: 1760
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him:
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 1765
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, 1770
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All. We'll mutiny. 1775First Citizen. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Citizen. Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
Antony. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!
Antony. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: 1780
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not: I must tell you then:
You have forgot the will I told you of.
All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.
Antony. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 1785
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Second Citizen. Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
Third Citizen. O royal Caesar!
Antony. Hear me with patience. 1790All. Peace, ho!
Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbours and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever, common pleasures, 1795
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
First Citizen. Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 1800
Take up the body.
Second Citizen. Go fetch fire.
Third Citizen. Pluck down benches.
Fourth Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
Exeunt Citizens with the body
Antony. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!
[Enter a Servant]
How now, fellow!
Servant. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 1810Antony. Where is he?
Servant. He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.
Antony. And thither will I straight to visit him:
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing. 1815Servant. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Antony. Belike they had some notice of the people,
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
Exeunt
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
previous scene Act III, Scene 3
A street.
Enter CINNA the poet
Cinna the Poet. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy:
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth. 1825Enter Citizens
First Citizen. What is your name?
Second Citizen. Whither are you going?
Third Citizen. Where do you dwell?
Fourth Citizen. Are you a married man or a bachelor? 1830Second Citizen. Answer every man directly.
First Citizen. Ay, and briefly.
Fourth Citizen. Ay, and wisely.
Third Citizen. Ay, and truly, you were best.
Cinna the Poet. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I 1835
dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to
answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and
truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.
Second Citizen. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry:
you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. 1840Cinna the Poet. Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
First Citizen. As a friend or an enemy?
Cinna the Poet. As a friend.
Second Citizen. That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Citizen. For your dwelling,—briefly. 1845Cinna the Poet. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Citizen. Your name, sir, truly.
Cinna the Poet. Truly, my name is Cinna.
First Citizen. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Cinna the Poet. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 1850Fourth Citizen. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
Cinna the Poet. I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Citizen. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his
name out of his heart, and turn him going.
Third Citizen. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! fire-brands: 1855
to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius'
house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go!
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 1
A house in Rome.
ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table
Antony. These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd. 1860Octavius. Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus. I do consent—
Octavius. Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus. Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 1865Antony. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house;
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
Lepidus. What, shall I find you here? 1870Octavius. Or here, or at the Capitol.
Exit LEPIDUS
Antony. This is a slight unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,
The three-fold world divided, he should stand 1875
One of the three to share it?
Octavius. So you thought him;
And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,
In our black sentence and proscription.
Antony. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: 1880
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; 1885
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.
Octavius. You may do your will; 1890
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
Antony. 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, 1895
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
On abjects, orts and imitations, 1900
Which, out of use and staled 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: 1905
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
Our best friends made, our means stretch'd
And let us presently go sit in council,
How covert matters may be best disclosed,
And open perils surest answered. 1910Octavius. Let us do so: for we are at the stake,
And bay'd about with many enemies;
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 2
Camp near Sardis. Before BRUTUS’s tent.
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and] [p]Soldiers; Tintinius and PINDARUS meeting them
Brutus. Stand, ho!
Lucilius. Give the word, ho! and stand.
Brutus. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near? 1920Lucilius. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come
To do you salutation from his master.
Brutus. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,
In his own change, or by ill officers,
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 1925
Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,
I shall be satisfied.
Pindarus. I do not doubt
But that my noble master will appear
Such as he is, full of regard and honour. 1930Brutus. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius;
How he received you, let me be resolved.
Lucilius. With courtesy and with respect enough;
But not with such familiar instances,
Nor with such free and friendly conference, 1935
As he hath used of old.
Brutus. Thou hast described
A hot friend cooling: ever note, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay,
It useth an enforced ceremony. 1940
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, 1945
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lucilius. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd;
The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Cassius.
Brutus. Hark! he is arrived. 1950
[Low march within]
March gently on to meet him.
Enter CASSIUS and his powers
Cassius. Stand, ho!
Brutus. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. 1955First Soldier. Stand!
Second Soldier. Stand!
Third Soldier. Stand!
Cassius. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Brutus. Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies? 1960
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
Cassius. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs;
And when you do them—
Brutus. Cassius, be content.
Speak your griefs softly: I do know you well. 1965
Before the eyes of both our armies here,
Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
Let us not wrangle: bid them move away;
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
And I will give you audience. 1970Cassius. Pindarus,
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground.
Brutus. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 1975
Let Lucius and Tintinius guard our door.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 3
Brutus’s tent.
Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS
Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this:
You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella 1980
For taking bribes here of the Sardians;
Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
Brutus. You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 1985
That every nice offence should bear his comment.
Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm;
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers. 1990Cassius. I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 1995Cassius. Chastisement!
Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remember:
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us 2000
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 2005
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,
Than such a Roman.
Cassius. Brutus, bay not me;
I'll not endure it: you forget yourself,
To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, 2010
Older in practise, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
Brutus. Go to; you are not, Cassius.
Cassius. I am.
Brutus. I say you are not. 2015Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself;
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
Brutus. Away, slight man!
Cassius. Is't possible?
Brutus. Hear me, for I will speak. 2020
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this?
Brutus. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 2025
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, 2030
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
Cassius. Is it come to this?
Brutus. You say you are a better soldier:
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 2035
And it shall please me well: for mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
Cassius. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus;
I said, an elder soldier, not a better:
Did I say 'better'? 2040Brutus. If you did, I care not.
Cassius. When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
Brutus. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
Cassius. I durst not!
Brutus. No. 2045Cassius. What, durst not tempt him!
Brutus. For your life you durst not!
Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love;
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 2050
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: 2055
For I can raise no money by vile means:
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection: I did send 2060
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,
To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 2065
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts;
Dash him to pieces!
Cassius. I denied you not.
Brutus. You did.
Cassius. I did not: he was but a fool that brought 2070
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart:
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me.
Cassius. You love me not. 2075Brutus. I do not like your faults.
Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults.
Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 2080
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world;
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
Cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed,
Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 2085
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold:
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth; 2090
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
Brutus. Sheathe your dagger: 2095
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire;
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 2100
And straight is cold again.
Cassius. Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him?
Brutus. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. 2105Cassius. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
Brutus. And my heart too.
Cassius. O Brutus!
Brutus. What's the matter?
Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 2110
When that rash humour which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful?
Brutus. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth,
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. 2115Poet. [Within Let me go in to see the generals;
There is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet
They be alone.
Lucilius. [Within You shall not come to them.
Poet. [Within Nothing but death shall stay me. 2120Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, Tintinius, and LUCIUS
Cassius. How now! what's the matter?
Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean?
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;
For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye. 2125Cassius. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence!
Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
Brutus. I'll know his humour, when he knows his time:
What should the wars do with these jigging fools? 2130
Companion, hence!
Cassius. Away, away, be gone.
Exit Poet
Brutus. Lucilius and Tintinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 2135Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us.
Exeunt LUCILIUS and Tintinius
Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine!
Exit LUCIUS
Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry.
Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use,
If you give place to accidental evils.
Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 2145Cassius. Ha! Portia!
Brutus. She is dead.
Cassius. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness? 2150Brutus. Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong:—for with her death
That tidings came;—with this she fell distract,
And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. 2155Cassius. And died so?
Brutus. Even so.
Cassius. O ye immortal gods!
Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper
Brutus. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 2160
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup;
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
Brutus. Come in, Tintinius! 2165
[Exit LUCIUS]
[Re-enter Tintinius, with MESSALA]
Welcome, good Messala.
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities. 2170Cassius. Portia, art thou gone?
Brutus. No more, I pray you.
Messala, I have here received letters,
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power, 2175
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
Messala. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
Brutus. With what addition?
Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 2180
Have put to death an hundred senators.
Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree;
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
Cassius. Cicero one! 2185Messala. Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Brutus. No, Messala.
Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? 2190Brutus. Nothing, Messala.
Messala. That, methinks, is strange.
Brutus. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours?
Messala. No, my lord.
Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 2195Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell:
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala:
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now. 2200Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure.
Cassius. I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently? 2205Cassius. I do not think it good.
Brutus. Your reason?
Cassius. This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us:
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 2210
Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
Brutus. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection; 2215
For they have grudged us contribution:
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged;
From which advantage shall we cut him off, 2220
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
Cassius. Hear me, good brother.
Brutus. Under your pardon. You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends, 2225
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe:
The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 2230
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures. 2235Cassius. Then, with your will, go on;
We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
Brutus. The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity;
Which we will niggard with a little rest. 2240
There is no more to say?
Cassius. No more. Good night:
Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence.
Brutus. Lucius!
[Enter LUCIUS] 2245
My gown.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Farewell, good Messala:
Good night, Tintinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night, and good repose. 2250Cassius. O my dear brother!
This was an ill beginning of the night:
Never come such division 'tween our souls!
Let it not, Brutus.
Brutus. Every thing is well. 2255Cassius. Good night, my lord.
Brutus. Good night, good brother.
Tintinius. [with MESSALA] Good night, Lord Brutus.
Brutus. Farewell, every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS] 2260
[Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown]
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Lucius. Here in the tent.
Brutus. What, thou speak'st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. 2265
Call Claudius and some other of my men:
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
Lucius. Varro and Claudius!
Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS
Varro. Calls my lord? 2270Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 2275
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so;
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
VARRO and CLAUDIUS lie down
Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 2280Brutus. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
Lucius. Ay, my lord, an't please you.
Brutus. It does, my boy: 2285
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
Lucius. It is my duty, sir.
Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already. 2290Brutus. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again;
I will not hold thee long: if I do live,
I will be good to thee.
[Music, and a song]
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, 2295
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,
That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night;
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee:
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument;
I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. 2300
Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
[Enter the Ghost of CAESAR]
How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 2305
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art. 2310Caesar. Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
Brutus. Why comest thou?
Caesar. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
Brutus. Well; then I shall see thee again?
Caesar. Ay, at Philippi. 2315Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
[Exit Ghost]
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest:
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius! 2320Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false.
Brutus. He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake!
Lucius. My lord?
Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? 2325Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
Brutus. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing?
Lucius. Nothing, my lord.
Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius!
[To VARRO] 2330
Fellow thou, awake!
Varro. My lord?
Claudius. My lord?
Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
Varro. [with Claudius] Did we, my lord? 2335Brutus. Ay: saw you any thing?
Varro. No, my lord, I saw nothing.
Claudius. Nor I, my lord.
Brutus. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius;
Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 2340
And we will follow.
Varro. [with Claudius] It shall be done, my lord.
[Exeunt]
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previous scene Act V, Scene 1
The plains of Philippi.
Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army
Octavius. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: 2345
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions;
It proves not so: their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us at Philippi here,
Answering before we do demand of them. 2350Antony. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know
Wherefore they do it: they could be content
To visit other places; and come down
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; 2355
But 'tis not so.
Enter a Messenger
Messenger. Prepare you, generals:
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, 2360
And something to be done immediately.
Antony. Octavius, lead your battle softly on,
Upon the left hand of the even field.
Octavius. Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
Antony. Why do you cross me in this exigent? 2365Octavius. I do not cross you; but I will do so.
[March]
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army;]
LUCILIUS, Tintinius, MESSALA, and others
Brutus. They stand, and would have parley. 2370Cassius. Stand fast, Tintinius: we must out and talk.
Octavius. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
Antony. No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.
Make forth; the generals would have some words.
Octavius. Stir not until the signal. 2375Brutus. Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
Octavius. Not that we love words better, as you do.
Brutus. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
Antony. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words:
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, 2380
Crying 'Long live! hail, Caesar!'
Cassius. Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
And leave them honeyless. 2385Antony. Not stingless too.
Brutus. O, yes, and soundless too;
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,
And very wisely threat before you sting.
Antony. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers 2390
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar:
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds,
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! 2395Cassius. Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself:
This tongue had not offended so to-day,
If Cassius might have ruled.
Octavius. Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; 2400
I draw a sword against conspirators;
When think you that the sword goes up again?
Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds
Be well avenged; or till another Caesar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 2405Brutus. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,
Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
Octavius. So I hope;
I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
Brutus. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, 2410
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.
Cassius. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour,
Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
Antony. Old Cassius still!
Octavius. Come, Antony, away! 2415
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth:
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field;
If not, when you have stomachs.
Exeunt OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army
Cassius. Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark! 2420
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
Brutus. Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you.
Lucilius. [Standing forth. My lord?
BRUTUS and LUCILIUS converse apart
Cassius. Messala! 2425Messala. [Standing forth What says my general?
Cassius. Messala,
This is my birth-day; as this very day
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala:
Be thou my witness that against my will, 2430
As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set
Upon one battle all our liberties.
You know that I held Epicurus strong
And his opinion: now I change my mind,
And partly credit things that do presage. 2435
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd,
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands;
Who to Philippi here consorted us:
This morning are they fled away and gone; 2440
And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites,
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us,
As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem
A canopy most fatal, under which
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 2445Messala. Believe not so.
Cassius. I but believe it partly;
For I am fresh of spirit and resolved
To meet all perils very constantly.
Brutus. Even so, Lucilius. 2450Cassius. Now, most noble Brutus,
The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may,
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age!
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain,
Let's reason with the worst that may befall. 2455
If we do lose this battle, then is this
The very last time we shall speak together:
What are you then determined to do?
Brutus. Even by the rule of that philosophy
By which I did blame Cato for the death 2460
Which he did give himself, I know not how,
But I do find it cowardly and vile,
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent
The time of life: arming myself with patience
To stay the providence of some high powers 2465
That govern us below.
Cassius. Then, if we lose this battle,
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome?
Brutus. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, 2470
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
He bears too great a mind. But this same day
Must end that work the ides of March begun;
And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take: 2475
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius!
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why then, this parting was well made.
Cassius. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus!
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; 2480
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.
Brutus. Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known. Come, ho! away! 2485Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 2
The same. The field of battle.
Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA
Brutus. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills
Unto the legions on the other side.
[Loud alarum] 2490
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 3
Another part of the field.
Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and Tintinius
Cassius. O, look, Tintinius, look, the villains fly!
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy:
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 2500Tintinius. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early;
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
Enter PINDARUS
Pindarus. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.
Cassius. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Tintinius;
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? 2510Tintinius. They are, my lord.
Cassius. Tintinius, if thou lovest me,
Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him,
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops,
And here again; that I may rest assured 2515
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Tintinius. I will be here again, even with a thought.
Exit
Cassius. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill;
My sight was ever thick; regard Tintinius, 2520
And tell me what thou notest about the field.
[PINDARUS ascends the hill]
This day I breathed first: time is come round,
And where I did begin, there shall I end;
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? 2525Pindarus. [Above O my lord!
Cassius. What news?
Pindarus. [Above Tintinius is enclosed round about
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur;
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 2530
Now, Tintinius! Now some light. O, he lights too.
He's ta'en.
[Shout]
And, hark! they shout for joy.
Cassius. Come down, behold no more. 2535
O, coward that I am, to live so long,
To see my best friend ta'en before my face!
[PINDARUS descends]
Come hither, sirrah:
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; 2540
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;
Now be a freeman: and with this good sword,
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 2545
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword.
[PINDARUS stabs him]
Caesar, thou art revenged, 2550
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
Dies
Pindarus. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius,
Far from this country Pindarus shall run, 2555
Where never Roman shall take note of him.
Exit
Re-enter Tintinius with MESSALA
Messala. It is but change, Tintinius; for Octavius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 2560
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
Tintinius. These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Messala. Where did you leave him?
Tintinius. All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 2565Messala. Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
Tintinius. He lies not like the living. O my heart!
Messala. Is not that he?
Tintinius. No, this was he, Messala,
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 2570
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night,
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set;
The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 2575Messala. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed.
O hateful error, melancholy's child,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not? O error, soon conceived,
Thou never comest unto a happy birth, 2580
But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee!
Tintinius. What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
Messala. Seek him, Tintinius, whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears; I may say, thrusting it; 2585
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
As tidings of this sight.
Tintinius. Hie you, Messala,
And I will seek for Pindarus the while. 2590
[Exit MESSALA]
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?
Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? 2595
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. 2600
By your leave, gods:—this is a Roman's part
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Tintinius' heart.
[Kills himself]
[Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO,]
STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS 2605Brutus. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
Messala. Lo, yonder, and Tintinius mourning it.
Brutus. Tintinius' face is upward.
Young Cato. He is slain.
Brutus. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! 2610
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails.
Low alarums
Young Cato. Brave Tintinius!
Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius! 2615Brutus. Are yet two Romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. 2620
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body:
His funerals shall not be in our camp,
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come;
And come, young Cato; let us to the field. 2625
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on:
'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 4
Another part of the field.
[Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies;] [p]then BRUTUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others
Brutus. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Young Cato. What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
I will proclaim my name about the field:
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! 2635
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend;
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
Brutus. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I;
Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus!
Exit
Lucilius. O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Tintinius;
And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son.
First Soldier. Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius. Only I yield to die: 2645
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
[Offering money]
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Soldier. We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 2650First Soldier. I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
[Enter ANTONY]
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
Antony. Where is he?
Lucilius. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: 2655
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 2660Antony. This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you,
A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe;
Give him all kindness: I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; 2665
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent
How every thing is chanced.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 5
Another part of the field.
[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and] [p]VOLUMNIUS
Brutus. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Clitus. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord,
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
Brutus. Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word;
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. 2675Whispers
Clitus. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
Brutus. Peace then! no words.
Clitus. I'll rather kill myself.
Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius. 2680Whispers
Dardanius. Shall I do such a deed?
Clitus. O Dardanius!
Dardanius. O Clitus!
Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 2685Dardanius. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.
Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
Volumnius. What says my lord? 2690Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius:
The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
And, this last night, here in Philippi fields:
I know my hour is come. 2695Volumnius. Not so, my lord.
Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
[Low alarums] 2700
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. 2705Volumnius. That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
Alarum still
Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
Brutus. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; 2710
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony 2715
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour. 2720Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!'
Clitus. Fly, my lord, fly.
Brutus. Hence! I will follow.
[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: 2725
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Strato. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. 2730Brutus. Farewell, good Strato.
[Runs on his sword]
Caesar, now be still:
I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
[Dies] 2735
[Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA,]
LUCILIUS, and the army
Octavius. What man is that?
Messala. My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
Strato. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: 2740
The conquerors can but make a fire of him;
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honour by his death.
Lucilius. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true. 2745Octavius. All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Octavius. Do so, good Messala.
Messala. How died my master, Strato? 2750Strato. I held the sword, and he did run on it.
Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
That did the latest service to my master.
Antony. This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he 2755
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 2760
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'
Octavius. According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. 2765
So call the field to rest; and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.
Exeunt
裘力斯·凯撒
奥克泰维斯·凯撒
玛克·安东尼
伊米力斯·莱必多斯 凯撒死后的三人执政
西塞罗
坡勃律斯
波匹律斯·里那 元老
玛克斯·勃鲁托斯
凯歇斯
凯斯卡
特莱包涅斯
里加律斯
狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯
麦泰勒斯·辛伯
西那 反对凯撒的叛党
弗莱维斯
马鲁勒斯 护民官
阿特米多勒斯 克尼陀斯的诡辩学者
预言者
西那 诗人
另一诗人
路西律斯
泰提涅斯
梅萨拉
小凯图
伏伦涅斯 勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯的友人
凡罗
克列特斯
克劳狄斯
斯特莱托
路歇斯
达台涅斯 勃鲁托斯的仆人
品达勒斯 凯歇斯的仆人
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒之妻
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯之妻
元老、市民、卫队、侍从等
地点
大部分在罗马；后半一部分在萨狄斯，一部分在腓利比附近
第一幕
第一场 罗马。街道
弗莱维斯、马鲁勒斯及若干市民上。
弗莱维斯 去！回家去，你们这些懒得做事的东西，回家去。今天是放假的日子吗？嘿！你们难道不知道，你们做手艺的人，在工作的日子走到街上来，一定要把你们职业的符号带在身上吗？说，你是干哪种行业的？
市民甲 呃，先生，我是一个木匠。
马鲁勒斯 你的革裙、你的尺呢？你穿起新衣服来干什么？你，你是干哪种行业的？
市民乙 说老实话，先生，我说不上有高等手艺，我无非是你们所谓的粗工匠罢了。
马鲁勒斯 可是你究竟是什么行业的人，简单地回答我。
市民乙 先生，我希望我干的行业可以对得起自己的良心；我不过是个替人家补缺补漏的。
马鲁勒斯 混帐东西，说明白一些你是干什么的？
市民乙 嗳，先生，请您不要对我生气；要是您有什么漏洞，先生，我也可以替您补一补。
马鲁勒斯 你这话是什么意思？替我补一补，你这坏蛮？
市民乙 对不起，先生，替你补破鞋洞。
弗莱维斯 你是一个补鞋匠吗？
市民乙 不瞒您说，先生，我的吃饭家伙就只有一把锥子；我也不会动斧头锯子，我也不会做针线女工，我就只有一把锥子。实实在在，先生，我是专治破旧靴鞋的外科医生；它们倘然害着危险的重病，我都可以把它们救活过来。那些脚踏牛皮的体面绅士，都曾请教过我哩。
弗莱维斯 可是你今天为什么不在你的铺子里作工？为什么你要领着这些人在街上走来走去？
市民乙 不瞒您说，先生，我要叫他们多走破几双鞋子，让我好多做几注生意。可是实实在在，先生，我们今天因为要迎接凯撒，庆祝他的凯旋，所以才放了一天假。
马鲁勒斯 为什么要庆祝呢？他带了些什么胜利回来？他的战车后面缚着几个纳土称臣的俘囚君长？你们这些木头石块，冥顽不灵的东西！冷酷无情的罗马人啊，你们忘记了庞贝吗？好多次你们爬到城墙上、雉堞上，有的登在塔顶，有的倚着楼窗，还有人高踞烟囱的顶上，手里抱着婴孩，整天坐着耐心等候，为了要看一看伟大的庞贝经过罗马的街道；当你们看见他的战车出现的时候，你们不是齐声欢呼，使台伯河里的流水因为听见你们的声音在凹陷的河岸上发出反响而颤栗吗？现在你们却穿起了新衣服，放假庆祝，把鲜花散布在踏着庞贝的血迹凯旋回来的那人的路上吗？快去！奔回你们的屋子里，跪在地上，祈祷神明饶恕你们的忘恩负义吧，否则上天的灾祸一定要降在你们头上了。
弗莱维斯 去，去，各位同胞，为了你们这一个错误，赶快把你们所有的伙伴们集合在一起，带他们到台伯河岸上，把你们的眼泪洒入河中，让那最低的水流也会漫过那最高的堤岸。（众市民下）瞧这些下流的材料也会天良发现；他们因为自知有罪，一个个哑口无言地去了。您打那一条路向圣殿走去；我打这一条路走。要是您看见他们在偶像上披着锦衣彩饰，就把它撕下来。
马鲁勒斯 我们可以这样做吗？您知道今天是卢柏克节①。
弗莱维斯 别管它；不要让偶像身上悬挂着凯撒的胜利品。我要去驱散街上的愚民；您要是看见什么地方有许多人聚集在一起，也要把他们赶散。我们应当趁早剪拔凯撒的羽毛，让他无力高飞；要是他羽毛既长，一飞冲天，我们大家都要在他的足下俯伏听命了。（各下。）
第二场 同前。广场
凯撒率众列队奏乐上；安东尼作竞走装束、凯尔弗妮娅、鲍西娅、狄歇斯、西塞罗、勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯、凯斯卡同上；大群民众随后，其中有一预言者。
凯撒 凯尔弗妮娅！
凯斯卡 肃静！凯撒有话。（乐止。）
凯撒 凯尔弗妮娅！
凯尔弗妮娅 有，我的主。
凯撒 你等安东尼快要跑到终点的时候，就到跑道中间站在和他当面的地方。安东尼！
安东尼 有，凯撒，我的主。
凯撒 安东尼，你在奔走的时候，不要忘记用手碰一碰凯尔弗妮娅的身体；因为有年纪的人都说，不孕的妇人要是被这神圣的竞走中的勇士碰了，就可以解除乏嗣的咒诅。
安东尼 我一定记得。凯撒吩咐做什么事，就得立刻照办。
凯撒 现在开始吧；不要遗漏了任何仪式。（音乐。）
预言者 凯撒！
凯撒 嘿！谁在叫我？
凯斯卡 所有的声音都静下来；肃静！（乐止。）
凯撒 谁在人丛中叫我？我听见一个比一切乐声更尖锐的声音喊着“凯撒”的名字。说吧；凯撒在听着。
预言者 留心三月十五日。
凯撒 那是什么人？
勃鲁托斯 一个预言者请您留心三月十五日。
凯撒 把他带到我的面前；让我瞧瞧他的脸。
凯斯卡 家伙，跑出来见凯撒。
凯撒 你刚才对我说什么？再说一遍。
预言者 留心三月十五日。
凯撒 他是个做梦的人；不要理他。过去。（吹号；除勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯外均下。）
凯歇斯 您也去看他们赛跑吗？
勃鲁托斯 我不去。
凯歇斯 去看看也好。
勃鲁托斯 我不喜欢干这种陶情作乐的事；我没有安东尼那样活泼的精神。不要让我打断您的兴致，凯歇斯；我先去了。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，我近来留心观察您的态度，从您的眼光之中，我觉得您对于我已经没有从前那样的温情和友爱；您对于爱您的朋友，太冷淡而疏远了。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，不要误会。要是我在自己的脸上罩着一层阴云，那只是因为我自己心里有些烦恼。我近来为某种情绪所困苦，某种不可告人的隐忧，使我在行为上也许有些反常的地方；可是，凯歇斯，您是我的好朋友，请您不要因此而不快，也不要因为可怜的勃鲁托斯和他自己交战，忘记了对别人的礼貌，而责怪我的怠慢。
凯歇斯 那么，勃鲁托斯，我大大地误会了您的心绪了；我因为疑心您对我有什么不满，所以有许多重要的值得考虑的意见我都藏在自己的心头，没有对您提起。告诉我，好勃鲁托斯，您能够瞧见您自己的脸吗？
勃鲁托斯 不，凯歇斯；因为眼睛不能瞧见它自己，必须借着反射，借着外物的力量。
凯歇斯 不错，勃鲁托斯，可惜您却没有这样的镜子，可以把您隐藏着的贤德照到您的眼里，让您看见您自己的影子。我曾经听见那些在罗马最有名望的人——除了不朽的凯撒以外——说起勃鲁托斯，他们呻吟于当前的桎梏之下，都希望高贵的勃鲁托斯睁开他的眼睛。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，您要我在我自己身上寻找我所没有的东西，到底是要引导我去干什么危险的事呢？
凯歇斯 所以，好勃鲁托斯，留心听着吧；您既然知道您不能瞧见您自己，像在镜子里照得那样清楚，我就可以做您的镜子，并不夸大地把您自己所不知道的自己揭露给您看。不要疑心我，善良的勃鲁托斯；倘然我是一个胁肩谄笑之徒，惯用千篇一律的盟誓向每一个人矢陈我的忠诚；倘然您知道我会当着人家的面向他们献媚，把他们搂抱，背了他们就用诽语毁谤他们；倘然您知道我是一个常常跟下贱的平民酒食征逐的人，那么您就认为我是一个危险分子吧。（喇叭奏花腔。众欢呼声。）
勃鲁托斯 这一阵欢呼是什么意思？我怕人民会选举凯撒做他们的王。
凯歇斯 嗯，您怕吗？那么看来您是不赞成这回事了。
勃鲁托斯 我不赞成，凯歇斯；虽然我很敬爱他。可是您为什么拉住我在这儿？您有什么话要对我说？倘然那是对大众有利的事，那么让我的一只眼睛看见光荣，另一只眼睛看见死亡，我也会同样无动于衷地正视着它们；因为我喜爱光荣的名字，甚于恐惧死亡，这自有神明作证。
凯歇斯 我知道您有那样内心的美德，勃鲁托斯，正像我知道您的外貌一样。好，光荣正是我的谈话的题目。我不知道您和其他的人对于这一个人生抱着怎样的观念；可是拿我个人而论，假如要我为了自己而担惊受怕，那么我还是不要活着的好。我生下来就跟凯撒同样的自由；您也是一样。我们都跟他同样地享受过，同样地能够忍耐冬天的寒冷。记得有一次，在一个狂风暴雨的白昼，台伯河里的怒浪正冲激着它的堤岸，凯撒对我说，“凯歇斯，你现在敢不敢跟我跳下这汹涌的波涛里，泅到对面去？”我一听见他的话，就穿着随身的衣服跳了下去，叫他跟着我；他也跳了下去。那时候滚滚的急流迎面而来，我们用壮健的膂力拚命抵抗，用顽强的心破浪前进；可是我们还没有达到预定的目标，凯撒就叫起来说，“救救我，凯歇斯，我要沉下去了！”正像我们伟大的祖先埃涅阿斯从特洛亚的烈焰之中把年老的安喀西斯肩负而出一样，我把力竭的凯撒负出了台伯河的怒浪。这个人现在变成了一尊天神，凯歇斯却是一个倒霉的家伙，要是凯撒偶然向他点一点头，也必须俯下他的身子。他在西班牙的时候，曾经害过一次热病，我看见那热病在他身上发作，他的浑身都战抖起来；是的，这位天神也会战抖；他的懦怯的嘴唇失去了血色，那使全世界惊悚的眼睛也没有了光彩；我听见他的呻吟；是的，他那使罗马人耸耳而听、使他们把他的话记载在书册上的舌头，唉！却吐出了这样的呼声，“给我一些水喝，泰提涅斯，”就像一个害病的女儿一样。神啊，像这样一个心神软弱的人，却会征服这个伟大的世界，独占着胜利的光荣，真是我再也想不到的事。（喇叭奏花腔。欢呼声。）
勃鲁托斯 又是一阵大众的欢呼！我相信他们一定又把新的荣誉加在凯撒的身上，所以才有这些喝彩的声音。
凯歇斯 嘿，老兄，他像一个巨人似的跨越这狭隘的世界；我们这些渺小的凡人一个个在他粗大的两腿下行走，四处张望着，替自己寻找不光荣的坟墓。人们有时可以支配他们自己的命运；要是我们受制于人，亲爱的勃鲁托斯，那错处并不在我们的命运，而在我们自己。勃鲁托斯和凯撒；“凯撒”那个名字又有什么了不得？为什么人们只是提起它而不提起勃鲁托斯？把那两个名字写在一起，您的名字并不比他的难看，放在嘴上念起来，它也一样顺口；称起重量来，它们是一样的重；要是用它们呼神召鬼，“勃鲁托斯”也可以同样感动幽灵，正像“凯撒”一样。凭着一切天神的名字，我们这位凯撒究竟吃些什么美食，才会长得这样伟大？可耻的时代！罗马啊，你的高贵的血统已经中断了！自从洪水以后，什么时代你不曾产生比一个更多的著名人物？直到现在为止，什么时候人们谈起罗马，能够说，她的广大的城墙之内，只是一个人的世界？要是罗马给一个人独占了去，那么它真的变成无人之境了。啊！你我都曾听见我们的父老说过，从前罗马有一个勃鲁托斯，不愿让他的国家被一个君主所统治，正像他不愿让它被永劫的恶魔统治一样。
勃鲁托斯 我一点不怀疑您对我的诚意；我也有点明白您打算鼓动我去干什么事；我对于这件事的意见，以及对于目前这一种局面所取的态度，以后可以告诉您知道，可是现在却不愿作进一步的表示或行动，请您也不必向我多说。您已经说过的话，我愿意仔细考虑；您还有些什么话要对我说的，我也愿意耐心静听，等有了适当的机会，我一定洗耳以待，畅聆您的高论，并且还要把我的意思向您提出。在那个时候没有到来以前，我的好友，请您记住这一句话：勃鲁托斯宁愿做一个乡野的贱民，不愿在这种将要加到我们身上来的难堪的重压之下自命为罗马的儿子。
凯歇斯 我很高兴我的微弱的言辞已经在勃鲁托斯的心中激起了这一点点火花。
勃鲁托斯 竞赛已经完毕，凯撒就要回来了。
凯歇斯 当他们经过的时候，您去拉一拉凯斯卡的衣袖，他就会用他那种尖酸刻薄的口气，把今天值得注意的事情告诉您。
凯撒及随从诸人重上。
勃鲁托斯 很好。可是瞧，凯歇斯，凯撒的额角上闪动着怒火，跟在他后面的那些人一个个垂头丧气，好像挨了一顿骂似的：凯尔弗妮娅面颊惨白；西塞罗的眼睛里充满着懊丧愤恨的神色，就像我们看见他在议会里遭到什么元老的驳斥的时候一样。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡会告诉我们为了什么事。
凯撒 安东尼！
安东尼 凯撒。
凯撒 我要那些身体长得胖胖的、头发梳得光光的、夜里睡得好好的人在我的左右。那个凯歇斯有一张消瘦憔悴的脸；他用心思太多；这种人是危险的。
安东尼 别怕他，凯撒，他没有什么危险；他是一个高贵的罗马人，有很好的天赋。
凯撒 我希望他再胖一点！可是我不怕他；不过要是我的名字可以和恐惧连在一起的话，那么我不知道还有谁比那个瘦瘦的凯歇斯更应该避得远远的了。他读过许多书；他的眼光很厉害，能够窥测他人的行动；他不像你，安东尼，那样喜欢游戏；他从来不听音乐；他不大露笑容，笑起来的时候，那神气之间，好像在讥笑他自己竟会被一些琐屑的事情所引笑。像他这种人，要是看见有人高过他们，心里就会觉得不舒服，所以他们是很危险的。我现在不过告诉你哪一种人是可怕的，并不是说我惧怕他们，因为我永远是凯撒。跑到我的右边来，因为这一只耳朵是聋的；实实在在告诉我你觉得他这个人怎么样。（吹号；凯撒及随从诸人下，凯斯卡留后。）
凯斯卡 您拉我的外套；要跟我说话吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，凯斯卡；告诉我们为什么今天凯撒的脸上显出心事重重的样子。
凯斯卡 怎么，您不是也跟他在一起吗？
勃鲁托斯 要是我跟他在一起，那么我也用不着问凯斯卡了。
凯斯卡 嘿，有人把一顶王冠献给他；他用他的手背这么一摆拒绝了；于是民众欢呼起来。
勃鲁托斯 第二次的喧哗又为着什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，也是为了那件事。
凯歇斯 他们一共欢呼了三次；最后一次的呼声是为着什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，也是为了那件事。
勃鲁托斯 他们把王冠献给他三次吗？
凯斯卡 嗯，是的，他三次拒绝了，每一次都比前一次更客气；他拒绝了一次，我身旁那些好心肠的人便欢呼起来。
凯歇斯 谁把王冠献给他的？
凯斯卡 嘿，安东尼。
勃鲁托斯 把他献冠的情形告诉我们，好凯斯卡。
凯斯卡 要我把那情形讲出来，还不如把我吊死了吧。那全然是一幕滑稽丑剧；我瞧也不去瞧它。我看见玛克·安东尼献给他一顶王冠；其实那也不是什么王冠，不过是一顶普通的冠；我已经对您说过，他第一次把它拒绝了；可是虽然拒绝，我觉得他心里却巴不得把它拿了过来。于是他再把它献给他；他又把它拒绝了；可是我觉得他的手指头却恋恋不舍地不愿意离开它。于是他又第三次把它献上去；他第三次把它拒绝了；当他拒绝的时候，那些乌合之众便高声欢呼，拍着他们粗糙的手掌，抛掷他们汗臭的睡帽，把他们令人作呕的气息散满在空气之中，因为凯撒拒绝了王冠，结果几乎把凯撒都熏死了；他一闻到这气息，便晕了过去倒在地上。我那时候瞧着这光景，虽然觉得好笑，可是竭力抿住我的嘴唇，不让它笑出来，生怕把这种恶浊的空气吸进去。
凯歇斯 可是且慢；您说凯撒晕了过去吗？
凯斯卡 他在市场上倒了下来，嘴边冒着白沫，话都说不出来。
勃鲁托斯 这是很可能的；他素来就有这种倒下去的毛病。
凯歇斯 不，凯撒没有这种病；您、我，还有正直的凯斯卡，我们才害着这种倒下去的病。
凯斯卡 我不知道您这句话是什么意思；可是我可以确定凯撒是倒了下去。那些下流的群众有的拍手，有的发出嘘嘘的声音，就像在戏院里一样；要是我编造了一句谣言，我就是个骗人的混蛋。
勃鲁托斯 他清醒过来以后说些什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，他在没有倒下以前，看见群众因为他拒绝了王冠而欢欣，就要我解开他的衬衣，露出他的咽喉来请他们宰割。倘然我是一个干活儿做买卖的人，我一定会听从他的话，否则让我跟那些恶人们一起下地狱去，于是他就倒下去了。等到他一醒过来，他就说，要是他做错了什么事，说错了什么话，他要请他们各位原谅他是一个有病的人。在我站立的地方，有三四个姑娘喊着说，“唉，好人儿！”从心底里原谅了他；可是不必注意她们，要是凯撒刺死了她们的母亲，她们也会同样原谅他的。
勃鲁托斯 后来他就这样满怀着心事走了吗？
凯斯卡 嗯。
凯歇斯 西塞罗说了些什么？
凯斯卡 嗯，他说的是希腊话。
凯歇斯 怎么说的？
凯斯卡 嗳哟，要是我把那些话告诉了您，那我以后再也不好意思看见您啦；可是那些听得懂他话的人都互相瞧着笑笑，摇摇他们的头；至于讲到我自己，那我可一点儿都不懂。我还可以告诉你们其他的新闻；马鲁勒斯和弗莱维斯因为扯去了凯撒像上的彩带，已经被剥夺了发言的权利。再会。滑稽丑剧还多着呢，可惜我记不起来啦。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，您今天晚上愿意陪我吃晚饭吗？
凯斯卡 不，我已经跟人家有了约会了。
凯歇斯 明天陪我吃午饭好不好？
凯斯卡 嗯，要是我明天还活着，要是您的心思没有改变，要是您的午饭值得一吃，那么我是会来的。
凯歇斯 好；我等着您。
凯斯卡 好。再见，两位。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 这家伙越来越乖僻了！他在求学的时候，却是很伶俐的。
凯歇斯 他现在虽然装出这一副迟钝的形状，可是干起勇敢壮烈的事业来，却不会落人之后。他的乖僻对于他的智慧是一种调味品，使人们在咀嚼他的言语的时候，可以感到一种深长的滋味。
勃鲁托斯 正是。现在我要暂时失陪了。明天您要是愿意跟我谈谈的话，我可以到您府上来看您；或者要是您愿意，就请您到我家里来也好，我一定等着您。
凯歇斯 好，我明天一定来拜访。再会；同时，不要忘了周围的世界。（勃鲁托斯下）好，勃鲁托斯，你是个仁人义士；可是我知道你的高贵的天性却可以被人诱入歧途；所以正直的人必须和正直的人为伍，因为谁是那样刚强，能够不受诱惑呢？凯撒对我很不好；可是他很喜欢勃鲁托斯；倘然现在我是勃鲁托斯，他是凯歇斯，他就打不动我的心。今天晚上我要摹仿几个人的不同的笔迹，写几封匿名信丢进他的窗里，假装那是好几个市民写给他的，里面所说的话，都是指出罗马人对于他抱着多大的信仰，同时隐隐约约地暗示着凯撒的野心。我这样布置好了以后，让凯撒坐得安稳一些吧，因为我们倘不能把他摇落下来，就要忍受更黑暗的命运了。（下。）
第三场 同前。街道
雷电交作；凯斯卡拔剑上，西塞罗自相对方向上。
西塞罗 晚安，凯斯卡；您送凯撒回去了吗？您为什么气都喘不过来？为什么把眼睛睁得这样大？
凯斯卡 您看见一切地上的权力战栗得像一件摇摇欲坠的东西，不觉得有动于心吗？啊，西塞罗！我曾经看见过咆哮的狂风劈碎多节的橡树；我曾经看见过野心的海洋奔腾澎湃，把浪沫喷涌到阴郁的黑云之上；可是我从来没有经历过像今晚这样一场从天上掉下火块来的狂风暴雨。倘不是天上起了纷争，一定因为世人的侮慢激怒了神明，使他们决心把这世界毁灭。
西塞罗 啊，您还看见什么奇怪的事情吗？
凯斯卡 一个卑贱的奴隶举起他的左手，那手上燃烧着二十个火炬合起来似的烈焰，可是他一点不觉得灼痛，他的手上没有一点火烙过的痕迹。在圣殿之前，我又遇见一头狮子，它睨视着我，生气似的走了过去，却没有跟我为难；到现在我都没有收起我的剑。一百个面无人色的女人吓得缩成一团，她们发誓说她们看见浑身发着火焰的男子在街道上来来去去。昨天正午的时候，夜枭栖在市场上，发出凄厉的鸣声。这种种怪兆同时出现，谁都不能说，“这些都是不足为奇的自然的现象”；我相信它们都是上天的示意，预兆着将有什么重大的变故到来。
西塞罗 是的，这是一个变异的时世；可是人们可以照着自己的意思解释一切事物的原因，实际却和这些事物本身的目的完全相反。凯撒明天到圣殿去吗？
凯斯卡 去的；他曾经叫安东尼传信告诉您他明天要到那边去。
西塞罗 那么晚安，凯斯卡；这样坏的天气，还是待在家里好。
凯斯卡 再会，西塞罗。（西塞罗下。）
凯歇斯上。
凯歇斯 那边是谁？
凯斯卡 一个罗马人。
凯歇斯 听您的声音像是凯斯卡。
凯斯卡 您的耳朵很好。凯歇斯，这是一个多么可怕的晚上！
凯歇斯 对于居心正直的人，这是一个很可爱的晚上。
凯斯卡 谁见过这样吓人的天气？
凯歇斯 地上有这么多的罪恶，天上自然有这么多的灾异。讲到我自己，那么我刚才就在这样危险的夜里在街上跑来跑去，像这样松开了钮扣，袒露着我的胸膛去迎接雷霆的怒击；当那青色的交叉的电光似乎把天空当胸劈裂的时候，我就挺着我自己的身体去领受神火的威力。
凯斯卡 可是您为什么要这样冒渎天威呢？当威灵显赫的天神们用这种可怕的天象惊骇我们的时候，人们是应该战栗畏惧的。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，您太冥顽了，您缺少一个罗马人所应该有的生命的热力，否则您就是把它藏起来不用。您看见上天发怒，就吓得面无人色，呆若木鸡；可是您要是想到究竟为什么天上会掉下火来，为什么有这些鬼魂来来去去，为什么鸟兽都改变了常性，为什么老翁、愚人和婴孩都会变得工于心计起来，为什么一切都脱离了常道，发生那样妖妄怪异的现象，啊，您要是思索到这一切的真正的原因，您就会明白这是上天假手于它们，警告人们预防着将要到来的一种非常的巨变。凯斯卡，我现在可以向您提起一个人的名字，他就像这个可怕的夜一样，能够叱咤雷电，震裂坟墓，像圣殿前的狮子一样怒吼，他在个人的行动上并不比你我更强，可是他的势力已经扶摇直上，变得像这些异兆一样可怕了。
凯斯卡 您说的是凯撒，是不是，凯歇斯？
凯歇斯 不管他是谁。罗马人现在有的是跟他们的祖先同样的筋骨手脚；可是唉！我们祖先的精神却已经死去，我们是被我们母亲的灵魂所统制着，我们的束缚和痛苦显出我们缺少男子的气概。
凯斯卡 不错，他们说元老们明天预备立凯撒为王；他可以君临海上和陆上的每一处地方，可是我们不能让他在这儿意大利称王。
凯歇斯 那么我知道我的刀子应当用在什么地方了；凯歇斯将要从奴隶的羁缚之下把凯歇斯解放出来。就在这种地方，神啊，你们使弱者变成最强壮的；就在这种地方，神啊，你们把暴君击败。无论铜墙石塔、密不透风的牢狱或是坚不可摧的锁链，都不能拘囚坚强的心灵；生命在厌倦于这些尘世的束缚以后，决不会缺少解脱它自身的力量。要是我知道我也肩负着一部分暴力的压迫，我就可以立刻挣脱这一种压力。（雷声继续。）
凯斯卡 我也能够；每一个被束缚的奴隶都可以凭着他自己的手挣脱他的锁链。
凯歇斯 那么为什么要让凯撒做一个暴君呢？可怜的人！我知道他只是因为看见罗马人都是绵羊，所以才做一头狼；罗马人倘不是一群鹿，他就不会成为一头狮子。谁要是急于生起一场旺火来，必须先用柔弱的草秆点燃；罗马是一些什么不中用的糠屑草料，要去点亮像凯撒这样一个卑劣庸碌的人物！可是唉，糟了！你引得我说出些什么话来啦？也许我是在一个甘心做奴隶的人的面前讲这种话，那么我知道我必须因此而受祸；可是我已经准备好了，一切危险我都不以为意。
凯斯卡 您在对凯斯卡讲话，他并不是一个摇唇弄舌、泄漏秘密的人。握着我的手；只要允许我跟您合作推翻暴力的压制，我愿意赴汤蹈火，踊跃前驱。
凯歇斯 那么很好，我们一言为定。现在我要告诉你，凯斯卡，我已经联络了几个勇敢的罗马义士，叫他们跟我去干一件轰轰烈烈的冒险事业，我知道他们现在一定在庞贝走廊下等我；因为在这样可怕的夜里，街上是不能行走的；天色是那么充满了杀机和愤怒，正像我们所要干的事情一样。
凯斯卡 暂避一避，什么人急忙忙地来了。
凯歇斯 那是西那；我从他走路的姿势上认得出来。他也是我们的同志。
西那上。
凯歇斯 西那，您这样忙到哪儿去？
西那 特为找您来的。那位是谁？麦泰勒斯·辛伯吗？
凯歇斯 不，这是凯斯卡；他也是参与我们的计划的。他们在等着我吗，西那？
西那 那很好。真是一个可怕的晚上！我们中间有两三个人看见过怪事哩。
凯歇斯 他们在等着我吗？回答我。
西那 是的，在等着您。啊，凯歇斯！只要您能够劝高贵的勃鲁托斯加入我们的一党——
凯歇斯 您放心吧。好西那，把这封信拿去放在市长的坐椅上，也许它会被勃鲁托斯看见；这一封信拿去丢在他的窗户里；这一封信用蜡胶在老勃鲁托斯的铜像上；这些事情办好以后，就到庞贝走廊去，我们都在那儿。狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯和特莱包涅斯都到了没有？
西那 除了麦泰勒斯·辛伯以外，都到齐了；他是到您家里去找您的。好，我马上就去，照您的吩咐把这几封信放好。
凯歇斯 放好了以后，就到庞贝剧场来。（西那下）来，凯斯卡，我们两人在天明以前，还要到勃鲁托斯家里去看他一次。他已经有四分之三属于我们，只要再跟他谈谈，他就可以完全加入我们这一边了。
凯斯卡 啊！他是众望所归的人；在我们似乎是罪恶的事情，有了他便可以像幻术一样变成正大光明的义举。
凯歇斯 您对于他、他的才德和我们对他的极大的需要，都看得很明白。我们去吧，现在已经过了半夜了；天明以前，我们必须把他叫醒，探探他的决心究竟如何。（同下。）
第二幕
第一场 罗马。勃鲁托斯的花园
勃鲁托斯上。
勃鲁托斯 喂，路歇斯！喂！我不能凭着星辰的运行，猜测现在离天亮还有多少时间。路歇斯，喂！我希望我也睡得像他一样熟。喂，路歇斯，你什么时候才会醒来？醒醒吧！喂，路歇斯！
路歇斯上。
路歇斯 您叫我吗，主人？
勃鲁托斯 替我到书斋里拿一支蜡烛，路歇斯；把它点亮了到这儿来叫我。
路歇斯 是，主人。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 只有叫他死这一个办法；我自己对他并没有私怨，只是为了大众的利益。他将要戴上王冠；那会不会改变他的性格是一个问题；蝮蛇是在光天化日之下出现的，所以步行的人必须刻刻提防。让他戴上王冠？——不！那等于我们把一个毒刺给了他，使他可以随意加害于人。把不忍之心和威权分开，那威权就会被人误用；讲到凯撒这个人，说一句公平话，我还不曾知道他什么时候曾经一味感情用事，不受理智的支配。可是微贱往往是初期野心的阶梯，凭借着它一步步爬上了高处；当他一旦登上了最高的一级之后，他便不再回顾那梯子，他的眼光仰望着云霄，瞧不起他从前所恃为凭借的低下的阶段。凯撒何尝不会这样？所以，为了怕他有这一天，必须早一点防备。既然我们反对他的理由，不是因为他现在有什么可以指责的地方，所以就得这样说：照他现在的地位要是再扩大些权力，一定会引起这样这样的后患；我们应当把他当作一颗蛇蛋，与其让他孵出以后害人，不如趁他还在壳里的时候就把他杀死。
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，蜡烛已经点在您的书斋里了。我在窗口找寻打火石的时候，发现了这封信；我明明记得我去睡觉的时候，并没有什么信放在那儿。
勃鲁托斯 你再去睡吧；天还没有亮哩。孩子，明天不是三月十五吗？
路歇斯 我不知道，主人。
勃鲁托斯 看看日历，回来告诉我。
路歇斯 是，主人。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 天上一闪一闪的电光，亮得可以使我读出信上的字来。（拆信）“勃鲁托斯，你在睡觉；醒来瞧瞧你自己吧。难道罗马将要——说话呀，攻击呀，拯救呀！勃鲁托斯，你睡着了；醒来吧！”他们常常把这种煽动的信丢在我的屋子附近。“难道罗马将要——”我必须替它把意思补足：难道罗马将要处于独夫的严威之下？什么，罗马？当塔昆称王的时候，我们的祖先曾经把他从罗马的街道上赶走。“说话呀，攻击呀，拯救呀！”他们请求我仗义执言，挥戈除暴吗？罗马啊！我允许你，勃鲁托斯一定会全力把你拯救！
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，三月已经有十四天过去了。（内叩门声。）
勃鲁托斯 很好。到门口瞧瞧去；有人打门。（路歇斯下）自从凯歇斯鼓动我反对凯撒那一天起，我一直没有睡过。在计划一件危险的行动和开始行动之间的一段时间里，一个人就好像置身于一场可怖的噩梦之中，遍历种种的幻象；他的精神和身体上的各部分正在彼此磋商；整个的身心像一个小小的国家，临到了叛变突发的前夕。
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，您的兄弟凯歇斯在门口，他要求见您。
勃鲁托斯 他一个人来吗？
路歇斯 不，主人，还有些人跟他在一起。
勃鲁托斯 你认识他们吗？
路歇斯 不，主人；他们的帽子都拉到耳边，他们的脸一半裹在外套里面，我不能从他们的外貌上认出他们来。
勃鲁托斯 请他们进来。（路歇斯下）他们就是那一伙党徒。阴谋啊！你在百鬼横行的夜里，还觉得不好意思显露你的险恶的容貌吗？啊！那么你在白天什么地方可以找到一处幽暗的巢窟，遮掩你的奇丑的脸相呢？不要找寻吧，阴谋，还是把它隐藏在和颜悦色的后面；因为要是您用本来面目招摇过市，即使幽冥的地府也不能把你遮掩过人家的眼睛的。
凯歇斯、凯斯卡、狄歇斯、西那、麦泰勒斯·辛伯及特莱包涅斯等诸党徒同上。
凯歇斯 我想我们未兔太冒昧了，打搅了您的安息。早安，勃鲁托斯；我们惊吵您了吧？
勃鲁托斯 我整夜没有睡觉，早就起来了。跟您同来的这些人，我都认识吗？
凯歇斯 是的，每一个人您都认识；这儿没有一个人不敬重您；谁都希望您能够看重您自己就像每一个高贵的罗马人看重您一样。这是特莱包涅斯。
勃鲁托斯 欢迎他到这儿来。
凯歇斯 这是狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 我也同样欢迎他。
凯歇斯 这是凯斯卡；这是西那；这是麦泰勒斯·辛伯。
勃鲁托斯 我都同样欢迎他们。可是各位为了什么烦心的事情，在这样的深夜不去睡觉？
凯歇斯 我可以跟您说句话吗？（勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯二人耳语。）
狄歇斯 这儿是东方；天不是从这儿亮起来的吗？
凯斯卡 不。
西那 啊！对不起，先生，它是从这儿亮起来的；那边镶嵌在云中的灰白色的条纹，便是预报天明的使者。
凯斯卡 你们将要承认你们两人都弄错了。这儿我用剑指着的所在，就是太阳升起的地方；在这样初春的季节，它正在南方逐渐增加它的热力；再过两个月，它就要更高地向北方升起，吐射它的烈焰了。这儿才是正东，也就是圣殿所在的地方。
勃鲁托斯 再让我一个一个握你们的手。
凯歇斯 让我们宣誓表示我们的决心。
勃鲁托斯 不，不要发誓。要是人们的神色、我们心灵上的苦难和这时代的腐恶算不得有力的动机，那么还是早些散了伙，各人回去高枕而卧吧；让凌越一切的暴力肆意横行，每一个人等候着命运替他安排好的死期吧。可是我相信我们眼前这些人心里都有着可以使懦夫奋起的蓬勃的怒焰，都有着可以使柔弱的妇女变为钢铁的坚强的勇气，那么，各位同胞，我们只要凭着我们自己堂皇正大的理由，便可以激励我们改造这当前的局面，何必还要什么其他的鞭策呢？我们都是守口如瓶、言而有信的罗马人，何必还要什么其他的约束呢？我们彼此赤诚相示，倘然不能达到目的，宁愿以身为殉，何必还要什么其他的盟誓呢？祭司们、懦夫们、奸诈的小人、老朽的陈尸腐肉和这一类自甘沉沦的不幸的人们才有发誓的需要；他们为了不正当的理由，恐怕不能见信于人，所以不得不用誓言来替他们圆谎；可是不要以为我们的宗旨或是我们的行动是需要盟誓的，因为那无异污蔑了我们堂堂正正的义举和我们不可压抑的精神；作为一个罗马人，要是对于他已经出口的诺言略微有一点违背之处，那么他身上光荣地载着的每一滴血，就都要蒙上数重的耻辱。
凯歇斯 可是西塞罗呢？我们要不要探探他的意向？我想他一定会跟我们全力合作的。
凯斯卡 让我们不要把他遗漏了。
西那 是的，我们不要把他遗漏了。
麦泰勒斯 啊！让我们招他参加我们的阵线；因为他的白发可以替我们赢得好感，使世人对我们的行动表示同情。人家一定会说他的见识支配着我们的胳臂；我们的少年孟浪可以不致于被世人所发现，因为一切都埋葬在他的老成练达的阅历之下了。
勃鲁托斯 啊！不要提起他；让我们不要对他说起，因为他是决不愿跟在后面去干别人所发起的事情的。
凯歇斯 那就不要叫他参加。
凯斯卡 他的确不大适宜。
狄歇斯 除了凯撒以外，别的人一个也不要碰吗？
凯歇斯 狄歇斯，你问得很好。我想玛克·安东尼这样被凯撒宠爱，我们不应该让他在凯撒死后继续留在世上。他是一个诡计多端的人；你们知道要是他利用他现在的力量，很可以给我们极大的阻梗；为了避免那样的可能起见，让安东尼跟凯撒一起丧命吧。
勃鲁托斯 卡厄斯·凯歇斯，我们割下了头，再去切断肢体，不但泄愤于生前，并且迁怒于死后，那瞧上去未免太残忍了；因为安东尼不过是凯撒的一只胳臂。让我们做献祭的人，不要做屠夫，卡尼斯。我们一致奋起反对凯撒的精神，我们的目的并不是要他流血；啊！要是我们能够直接战胜凯撒的精神，我们就可以不必戕害他的身体。可是唉！凯撒必须因此而流血。所以，善良的朋友们，让我们勇敢地，却不是残暴地，把他杀死；让我们把他当作一盘祭神的牺牲而宰割，不要把他当作一具饲犬的腐尸而脔切；让我们的心像聪明的主人一样，在鼓动他们的仆人去行暴以后，再在表面上装作责备他们的神气。这样可以昭示世人，使他们知道我们采取如此步骤，只是迫不得已，并不是出于私心的嫉恨；在世人的眼中，我们将被认为恶势力的清扫者，而不是杀人的凶手。至于玛克·安东尼，我们尽可不必把他放在心上，因为凯撒的头要是落了地，他这条凯撒的胳臂是无能为力的。
凯歇斯 可是我怕他，因为他对凯撒有很深切的感情——
勃鲁托斯 唉！好凯歇斯，不要想到他。要是他爱凯撒，他所能做的事情不过是忧思哀悼，用一死报答凯撒；可是那未必是他所做得到的，因为他是一个喜欢游乐、放荡、交际和饮宴的人。
特莱包涅斯 不用担心他这个人；让他保全了性命吧。等到事过境迁，他会把这种事情付之一笑的。（钟鸣）
勃鲁托斯 静！听钟声敲几下。
凯歇斯 敲了三下。
特莱包涅斯 是应该分手的时候了。
凯歇斯 可是凯撒今天会不会出来，还是一个问题；因为他近来变得很迷信，完全改变了从前对怪异梦兆这一类事情的见解。这种明显的预兆、这晚上空前恐怖的天象以及他的卜者的劝告，也许会阻止他今天到圣殿里去。
狄歇斯 不用担心，要是他决定不出来，我可以叫他改变他的决心；因为他喜欢听人家说犀牛见欺于树木，熊见欺于镜子，象见欺于土穴，狮子见欺于罗网，人类见欺于谄媚；可是当我告诉他他憎恶谄媚之徒的时候，他就会欣然首肯，不知道他已经中了我深入痒处的谄媚了。让我试一试我的手段；我可以看准他的脾气下手，哄他到圣殿里去。
凯歇斯 我们大家都要到那边去迎接他。
勃鲁托斯 最迟要在八点钟到齐，是不是？
西那 最迟八点钟大家不可有误。
麦泰勒斯 卡厄斯·里加律斯对凯撒也很怀恨，因为他说了庞贝的好话，受到凯撒的斥责；你们怎么没有人想到他。
勃鲁托斯 啊，好麦泰勒斯，带他一起来吧；他对我感情很好，我也有恩于他；叫他到我这儿来，我可以劝他跟我们合作。
凯歇斯 天正在亮起来了；我们现在要离开您，勃鲁托斯。朋友们，各人散开；可是大家记住你们说过的话，显一显你们是真正的罗马人。
勃鲁托斯 各位好朋友们，大家脸色放高兴一些；不要让我们的脸上堆起我们的心事；应当像罗马的伶人一样，用不倦的精神和坚定的仪表肩负我们的重任。祝你们各位早安。（除勃鲁托斯外均下）孩子！路歇斯！睡熟了吗？很好，享受你的甜蜜而沉重的睡眠的甘露吧；你没有那些充满着烦忧的人们脑中的种种幻象，所以你会睡得这样安稳。
鲍西娅上。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯，我的主！
勃鲁托斯 鲍西娅，你来做什么？为什么你现在就起来？你这样娇弱的身体，是受不住清晨的寒风的。
鲍西娅 那对于您的身体也是同样不适宜的。您也太狠心了，勃鲁托斯，偷偷地从我的床上溜了出来。昨天晚上吃饭的时候，您也是突然立起身来，在屋子里跑来跑去，交叉着两臂，边想心事边叹气；当我问您为了什么事的时候，您用凶狠的眼光瞪着我；我再向您追问，您就搔您的头，非常暴躁地顿您的脚；可是我仍旧问下去，您还是不回答我，只是怒气冲冲地向我挥手，叫我走开。我因为您在盛怒之中，不愿格外触动您的烦恼，所以就遵从您的意思走开了，心里在希望这不过是您一时心境恶劣，人是谁都免不了有心里不痛快的时候的。它不让您吃饭、说话或是睡觉，要是它能够改变您的形体，就像它改变您的脾气一样，那么勃鲁托斯，我就要完全不认识您了。我的亲爱的主，让我知道您的忧虑的原因吧。
勃鲁托斯 我因为身体不舒服，所以有点烦躁。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯是个聪明人，要是他身体不舒服，他一定会知道怎样才可以得到健康。
勃鲁托斯 对了。好鲍西娅，去睡吧。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯要是有病，他应该松开了衣带，在多露的清晨步行，呼吸那种潮湿的空气吗？什么！勃鲁托斯害了病，他还要偷偷地从温暖的眠床上溜了出去，向那恶毒的夜气挑战，使他自己病上加病吗？不，我的勃鲁托斯，您害的是心里的病，凭着我的地位和权利，您应该让我知道。我现在向您跪下，凭着我的曾经受人赞美的美貌，凭着您的一切爱情的誓言，以及那使我们两人结为一体的伟大的盟约，我请求您告诉我，您的自身，您的一半，为什么您这样郁郁不乐，今天晚上有什么人来看过您；因为我知道这儿曾经来过六七个人，他们在黑暗之中还是不敢露出他们的脸来。
勃鲁托斯 不要跪，温柔的鲍西娅。
鲍西娅 假如您是温柔的勃鲁托斯，我就用不着下跪。在我们夫妇的名分之内，告诉我，勃鲁托斯，难道我是不应该知道您的秘密的吗？我虽然是您自身的一部分，可是那只是有限制的一部分，除了陪着您吃饭，在枕席上安慰安慰您，有时候跟您谈谈话以外，没有别的任务了吗？难道您只要我跟着您的好恶打转吗？假如不过是这样，那么鲍西娅只是勃鲁托斯的娼妓，不是他的妻子了。
勃鲁托斯 你是我的忠贞的妻子，正像滋润我悲哀的心的鲜红血液一样宝贵。
鲍西娅 这句话倘然是真的，那么我就应该知道您的心事。我承认我只是一个女流之辈，可是我却是勃鲁托斯娶为妻子的一个女人；我承认我只是一个女流之辈，可是我却是凯图的女儿，不是一个碌碌无名的女人。您以为我有了这样的父亲和丈夫，还是跟一般女人同样不中用吗？把您的心事告诉我，我一定不向人泄漏。我为了保证对你的坚贞，曾经自愿把我的贞操献给了你；难道我能够忍耐那样的痛苦，却不能保守我丈夫的秘密吗？
勃鲁托斯 神啊！保佑我不要辜负了这样一位高贵的妻子。（自叩门声）听，听！有人在打门，鲍西娅，你先暂时进去；等会儿你就可以知道我的心底的秘密。我要向你解释我的全部的计划，以及藏在我的脑中的一切思想。赶快进去。（鲍西娅下）路歇斯，谁在打门？
路歇斯率里加律斯重上。
路歇斯 这儿是一个病人，要跟您说话。
勃鲁托斯 卡厄斯·里加律斯，刚才麦泰勒斯向我提起过的。孩子，站在一旁。卡厄斯·里加律斯！怎么？
里加律斯 请您允许我这病弱的舌头向您吐出一声早安。
勃鲁托斯 啊！勇敢的卡厄斯，您怎么在这样早的时间扶病而起？要是您没有病那才好。
里加律斯 要是勃鲁托斯有什么无愧于荣誉的事情要吩咐我去做，那么我是没有病的。
勃鲁托斯 要是您有一双健康的耳朵可以听我诉说，里加律斯，那么我手头正有这样的一件事情。
里加律斯 凭着罗马人所崇拜的一切神明，我现在抛弃了我的疾病。罗马的灵魂！光荣的祖先所生的英勇的子孙！您像一个驱策鬼神的术士一样，已经把我奄奄一息的精神呼唤回来了。现在您只要叫我为您奔走，我就会冒着一切的危险迈进，克服一切前途的困难。您要我做什么事？
勃鲁托斯 我要叫您干一件可以使病人痊愈的事。
里加律斯 可是我们不是要叫有些不害病的人不舒服吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，我们也要叫有些不害病的人不舒服。我的卡厄斯，我们现在就要到我们预备下手的地方去，一路上我可以告诉你那是件什么工作。
里加律斯 请您举步先行，我用一颗新燃的心跟随您，去干一件我还没有知道的事情；在勃督托斯的领导之下，一定不会有错。
勃鲁托斯 那么跟我来。（同下。）
第二场 同前。凯撒家中
雷电交作；凯撒披寝衣上。
凯撒 今晚天地都不得安宁。凯尔弗妮娅在睡梦之中三次高声叫喊，说“救命！他们杀了凯撒啦！”里面有人吗？
一仆人上。
仆人 主人有什么吩咐？
凯撒 你去叫那些祭司们到神前献祭，问问他们我的吉凶休咎。
仆人 是，主人。（下。）
凯尔弗妮娅上。
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒，您要做什么？您想出去吗？今天可不能让您走出这屋子。
凯撒 凯撒一定要出去。恐吓我的东西只敢在我背后装腔作势；它们一看见凯撒的脸，就会销声匿迹。
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒，我从来不讲究什么禁忌，可是现在却有些惴惴不安。里边有一个人，他除了我们所听到看到的一切之外，还讲给我听巡夜的人所看见的许多可怕的异象。一头母狮在街道上生产；坟墓裂开了口，放鬼魂出来；凶猛的骑士在云端里列队交战，他们的血洒到了圣庙的屋上；战斗的声音在空中震响，人们听见马的嘶鸣、濒死者的呻吟，还有在街道上悲号的鬼魂。凯撒啊！这些事情都是从来不曾有过的，我害怕得很哩。
凯撒 天意注定的事，难道是人力所能逃避的吗？凯撒一定要出去；因为这些预兆不是给凯撒一个人看，而是给所有的世人看的。
凯尔弗妮娅 乞丐死了的时候，天上不会有彗星出现；君王们的凋殒才会上感天象。
凯撒 懦夫在未死以前，就已经死过好多次；勇士一生只死一次。在我所听到过的一切怪事之中，人们的贪生怕死是一件最奇怪的事情，因为死本来是一个人免不了的结局，它要来的时候谁也不能叫它不来。
仆人重上。
凯撒 卜者们怎么说？
仆人 他们叫您今天不要出外走动。他们剖开一头献祭的牲畜的肚子，预备掏出它的内脏来，不料找来找去找不到它的心。
凯撒 神明显示这样的奇迹，是要叫懦怯的人知道惭愧；凯撒要是今天为了恐惧而躲在家里，他就是一头没有心的牲畜。不，凯撒决不躲在家里。凯撒是比危险更危险的，我们是两头同日产生的雄狮，我却比它更大更凶。凯撒一定要出去。
凯尔弗妮娅 唉！我的主，您的智慧被自信汩没了。今天不要出去；就算是我的恐惧把您留在家里的吧，这不能说是您自己胆小。我们可以叫玛克·安东尼到元老院去，叫他对他们说您今天身体不大舒服。让我跪在地上，求求您答应了我吧。
凯撒 那么就叫玛克·安东尼去说我今天不大舒服；为了不忍拂你的意思，我就待在家里吧。
狄歇斯上。
凯撒 狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯来了，他可以去替我告诉他们。
狄歇斯 凯撒，万福！祝您早安，尊贵的凯撒；我来接您到元老院去。
凯撒 你来得正好，请你替我去向元老们致意，对他们说我今天不来了；不是不能来，更不是不敢来，我只是不高兴来；就对他们这么说吧，狄歇斯。
凯尔弗妮娅 你说他有病。
凯撒 凯撒是叫人去说谎的吗？难道我南征北战，攻下了这许多地方，却不敢对一班白须老头子们讲真话吗？狄歇斯，去告诉他们凯撒不高兴来。
狄歇斯 最伟大的凯撒，让我知道一些理由，否则我这样告诉了他们，会被他们嘲笑的。
凯撒 我不高兴去，这就是我的理由；你就这样去告诉元老们吧。可是为了我们私人间的感情，我愿意让你知道，我的妻子凯尔弗妮娅不放我出去。昨天晚上她梦见我的雕像仿佛一座有一百个喷水孔的水池，浑身流着鲜血；许多壮健的罗马人欢欢喜喜地都来把他们的手浸在血里。她以为这个梦是不祥之兆，所以跪着求我今天不要出去。
狄歇斯 这个梦完全解释错了；那明明是一个大吉大利之兆：您的雕像喷着鲜血，许多欢欢喜喜的罗马人把手浸在血里，这表示伟大的罗马将要从您的身上吸取复活的新血，许多有地位的人都要来向您要求分到一点余泽。这才是凯尔弗妮娅的梦的真正的意义。
凯撒 你这样解释得很好。
狄歇斯 我还有一些话要告诉您，您听了以后，就会知道我解释得一点不错。元老院已经决定要在今天替伟大的凯撒加冕；要是您叫人去对他们说您今天不去，他们也许会变了卦。而且这种事情给人家传扬出去，很容易变成笑柄，人家会这样说，“等凯撒的妻子做过了好梦以后，再让元老院开会吧。”要是凯撒躲在家里，他们不会窃窃私语，说“瞧！凯撒在害怕呢”吗？恕我，凯撒，因为我对您的深切的关心，使我向您说了这样的话。
凯撒 你的恐惧现在瞧上去是多么傻气，凯尔弗妮娅！我刚才听了你的话，现在倒有些惭愧起来了。把我的袍子给我，我要去。
坡勃律斯、勃鲁托斯，里加律斯、麦泰勒斯、凯斯卡、特莱包涅斯及西那同上。
凯撒 瞧，坡勃律斯来迎接我了。
坡勃律斯 早安，凯撒。
凯撒 欢迎，坡勃律斯。啊！勃鲁托斯，你也这样早就出来了吗？早安，凯斯卡。卡厄斯·里加律斯，你的贵恙害得你这样消瘦，凯撒可没有这样欺侮过你哩。现在几点钟啦？
勃鲁托斯 凯撒，已经敲过八点了。
凯撒 谢谢你们的跋涉和好意。
安东尼上。
凯撒 瞧！通宵狂欢的安东尼也已经起身了。早安，安东尼。
安东尼 早安，最尊贵的凯撒。
凯撒 叫他们里面预备起来；我不该让他们久等。你好，西那；你好，麦泰勒斯；啊，特莱包涅斯！我有可以足足讲一个钟点的话预备跟你谈哩；记住今天你还要来看我一次；站得离开我近一些，免得我把你忘了。
特莱包涅斯 是，凯撒。（旁白）我要站得离开你这么近，让你的好朋友们将来怪我不站远一些呢。
凯撒 好朋友们，进去陪我喝口酒；喝过了酒，我们就像朋友一样，大家一块儿去。
勃鲁托斯 （旁白）唉，凯撒！人家的心可不跟您一样，我勃鲁托斯想到这一点不免有些惆怅。（同下。）
第三场 同前。圣殿附近的街道
阿特米多勒斯上，读信。
阿特米多勒斯 “凯撒，留心勃鲁托斯；注意凯歇斯；不要走近凯斯卡；看着西那；不要相信特莱包涅斯；仔细察看麦泰勒斯·辛伯；狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯不喜欢你；卡厄斯·里加律斯受过你的委屈。这些人只有一条心，那就是要推翻凯撒。要是你不是永生不死的，那么警戒你的四周吧；阴谋是会毁坏你的安全的。伟大的神明护佑你！爱你的人，阿特米多勒斯。”我要站在这儿，等候凯撒经过，像一个请愿的人似的，我要把这信交给他。我一想到德行逃不过争胜的利齿，就觉得万分伤心。要是你读了这封信，凯撒啊！也许你还可以活命；否则命运也变成叛徒的同谋者了。（下。）
第四场 同前。同一街道的另一部分，勃鲁托斯家门前
鲍西娅及路歇斯上。
鲍西娅 孩子，请你赶快跑到元老院去；不要停留在这儿回答我，快去。你为什么还不去？
路歇斯 我还不知道您要我去做什么事哩，太太。
鲍西娅 我要你到那边去，去了再回来，可是我说不出我要你去做什么事。啊，坚强的精神！不要离开我；替我在我的心和舌头之间堆起一座高山；我有一颗男子的心，却只有妇女的能力。叫一个女人保守一桩秘密是一件多大的难事！你还在这儿吗？
路歇斯 太太，您要我去做什么呢？就是跑到圣殿里去，没有别的事了吗？去了再回来，就是这样吗？
鲍西娅 是的，孩子，你回来告诉我，主人的脸色怎样，因为他出去的时候，好像不大舒服；你还要留心看着凯撒的行动，向他请愿的有些什么人。听，孩子！那是什么声音？
路歇斯 我听不见，太太。
鲍西娅 仔细听着。我好像听见一陈骚乱的声音，仿佛在吵架似的；那声音从风里传了过来，好像就在圣殿那边。
路歇斯 真的，太太，我什么都听不见。
预言者上。
鲍西娅 过来，朋友；你从哪儿来？
预言者 从我自己的家里，好太太。
鲍西娅 现在几点钟啦？
预言者 大约九点钟了，太太。
鲍西娅 凯撒到圣殿里去了没有？
预言者 太太，还没有。我要去拣一处站立的地方，瞧他从街上经过到圣殿里去。
鲍西娅 你也要向凯撒提出什么请愿吗？
预言者 是的，太太。要是凯撒为了他自己的好处，愿意听我的话，我要请求他照顾照顾他自己。
鲍西娅 怎么，你知道有人要谋害他吗？
预言者 我不知道有什么人要谋害他，可是我怕有许多人要谋害他。再会。这儿街道很狭，那些跟在凯撒背后的元老们、官史们，还有请愿的民众们，一定拥挤得很；像我这样瘦弱的人，怕要给他们挤死。我要去找一处空旷一些的地方，等伟大的凯撒走过的时候，就可以向他说话。（下。）
鲍西娅 我必须进去。唉！女人的心是一件多么软弱的东西！勃鲁托斯啊！愿上天保佑你的事业成功。哎哟，叫这孩子听了去啦；勃鲁托斯要向凯撒请愿，可是凯撒不见得会答应他。啊！我的身子快要支持不住了。路歇斯，快去，替我致意我的主，说我现在很快乐。去了你再回来，告诉我他对你说些什么。（各下。）
第三幕
第一场 罗马。圣殿前。元老院在上层聚会
阿特米多勒斯及预言者杂在大群民众中上：喇叭奏花腔。凯撒、勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯、凯斯卡、狄歇斯、麦泰勒斯、特莱包涅斯、西那、安东尼、莱必多斯、波匹律斯、坡勃律斯及余人等上。
凯撒 （向预言者）三月十五已经来了。
预言者 是的，凯撒，可是它还没有去。
阿特米多勒斯 祝福，凯撒！请您把这张单子读一遍。
狄歇斯 这是特莱包涅斯的一个卑微的请愿，请您有空把它看一看。
阿特米多勒斯 啊，凯撒！先读我的；因为我的请愿是对凯撒很有关系的。读吧，伟大的凯撒。
凯撒 有关我自己的事情，应当放在末了办。
阿特米多勒斯 不要把它搁置，凯撒；立刻就读。
凯撒 什么！这家伙疯了吗？
坡勃律斯 喂，让开。
凯撒 什么！你们要在街上呈递你们的请愿吗？到圣殿里来吧。
凯撒走上元老院，余人后随；众元老起立。
波匹律斯 我希望你们今天大事成功。
凯歇斯 什么大事，波匹律斯？
波匹律斯 再见。（至凯撒前。）
勃鲁托斯 波匹律斯·里那怎么说？
凯歇斯 他希望我们今天大事成功。我怕我们的计划已经泄漏了。
勃鲁托斯 瞧，他到凯撒面前去了；看着他。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，事不宜迟，不要让他们有了防备。勃鲁托斯，怎么办？要是事情泄漏，那么也许是凯歇斯，也许是凯撒，总有一个人今天不能回去，因为我们这次倘然失败，我一定自杀。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，别慌；波匹律斯·里那并没有把我们的计划告诉他；瞧，他在笑，凯撒也没有变脸色。
凯歇斯 特莱包涅斯很机警，你瞧，勃鲁托斯，他把玛克·安东尼拉开去了。（安东尼、特莱包涅斯同下；凯撒及众元老就坐。）
狄歇斯 麦泰勒斯·辛伯在哪儿？叫他立刻过来，向凯撒呈上他的请愿。
勃鲁托斯 在叫麦泰勒斯了；我们站近些帮他说话。
西那 凯斯卡，你第一个举起手来。
凯撒 我们都预备好了吗？现在还有什么不对的事情，凯撒和他的元老们必须纠正的？
麦泰勒斯 至高无上、威严无比的凯撒，麦泰勒斯·辛伯在您的座前掬献一颗卑微的心——（跪。）
凯撒 我必须阻止你，辛伯。这种打躬作揖的玩意儿，也许可以煽动平常人的心，使那已经决定了的命令宣判变成儿戏的法律。可是你不要痴心，以为凯撒也有那样卑劣的血液，会因为这种可以使傻瓜们感动的甘言美语、弯腰屈膝和无耻的摇尾乞怜而融化了他的坚强的意志。按照判决，你的兄弟必须放逐出境；要是你奴颜婢膝地为他说情，我就要把你像狗一样踢开去。告诉你，凯撒是不会错误的，他所决定的事，一定有充分的理由。
麦泰勒斯 这儿难道没有一个比我自己更有价值的、在伟大的凯撒耳中更动听的声音，愿意为我放逐的兄弟恳求撤回成命吗？
勃鲁托斯 我吻你的手，可是这不是向你献媚，凯撒；请你立刻下令赦免坡勃律斯·辛伯。
凯撒 什么，勃鲁托斯！
凯歇斯 开恩吧，凯撒；凯撒，开恩吧。凯歇斯俯伏在您的足下，请您赦免坡勃律斯·辛伯。
凯撒 要是我也跟你们一样，我就会被你们所感动；要是我也能够用哀求打动别人的心，那么你们的哀求也会打动我的心；可是我是像北极星一样坚定，它的不可动摇的性质，在天宇中是无与伦比的。天上布满了无数的星辰，每一个星辰都是一个火球，都有它各自的光辉，可是在众星之中，只有一个星卓立不动。在人世间也是这样；无数的人生活在这世间，他们都是有血肉有知觉的，可是我知道只有一个人能够确保他的不可侵犯的地位，任何力量都不能使他动摇。我就是他；让我在这件小小的事上向你们证明，我既然已经决定把辛伯放逐，就要贯彻我的意旨，毫不含糊地执行这一个成命，而且永远不让他再回到罗马来。
西那 啊，凯撒——
凯撒 去！你想把俄林波斯山一手举起吗？
狄歇斯 伟大的凯撒——
凯撒 勃鲁托斯不是白白地下跪吗？
凯斯卡 好，那么让我的手代替我说话！（率众刺凯撒。）
凯撒 勃鲁托斯，你也在内吗？那么倒下吧，凯撒！（死。）
西那 自由！解放！暴君死了！去，到各处街道上宣布这样的消息。
凯歇斯 去几个人到公共讲坛上，高声呼喊，“自由，解放！”
勃鲁托斯 各位民众，各位元老，大家不要惊慌，不要跑走；站定；野心已经偿了它债了。
凯斯卡 到讲坛上来，勃鲁托斯。
狄歇斯 凯歇斯也上去。
勃鲁托斯 坡勃律斯呢？
西那 在这儿，他给这场乱子吓呆了。
麦泰勒斯 大家站在一起不要跑开，也许凯撒的同党们——
勃鲁托斯 别讲这种话。坡勃律斯，放心吧；我们不会加害于你，也不会加害任何其他的罗马人；你这样告诉他们，坡勃律斯。
凯歇斯 离开我们，坡勃律斯；也许人民会向我们冲来，连累您老人家受了伤害。
勃鲁托斯 是的，你去吧；我们干了这种事，我们自己负责，不要连累别人。
特莱包涅斯上。
凯歇斯 安东尼呢？
特莱包涅斯 吓得逃回家里去了。男人、女人，孩子，大家睁大了眼睛，乱嚷乱叫，到处奔跑，像是末日到来了一般。
勃鲁托斯 命运，我们等候着你的旨意。我们谁都免不了一死；与其在世上偷生苟活，拖延着日子，还不如轰轰烈烈地死去。
凯斯卡 嘿，切断了二十年的生命，等于切断了二十年在忧生畏死中过去的时间。
勃鲁托斯 照这样说来，死还是一件好事。所以我们都是凯撒的朋友，帮助他结束了这一段忧生畏死的生命。弯下身去，罗马人，弯下身去；让我们把手浸在凯撒的血里，一直到我们的肘上；让我们用他的血抹我们的剑。然后我们就迈步前进，到市场上去；把我们鲜红的武器在我们头顶挥舞，大家高呼着，“和平，自由，解放！”
凯歇斯 好，大家弯下身去，洗你们的手吧。多少年代以后，我们这一场壮烈的戏剧，将要在尚未产生的国家用我们所不知道的语言表演！
勃鲁托斯 凯撒将要在戏剧中流多少次的血，他现在却长眠在庞贝的像座之下，他的尊严化成了泥土！
凯歇斯 后世的人们搬演今天这一幕的时候，将要称我们这一群为祖国的解放者。
狄歇斯 怎么！我们要不要就去？
凯歇斯 好，大家去吧。让勃鲁托斯领导我们，让我们用罗马最勇敢纯洁的心跟随在他的后面。
一仆人上。
勃鲁托斯 且慢！谁来啦？一个安东尼手下的人。
仆人 勃鲁托斯，我的主人玛克·安东尼叫我跪在您的面前，他叫我对您说：勃鲁托斯是聪明正直、勇敢高尚的君子，凯撒是威严勇猛、慷慨仁慈的豪杰；我爱勃鲁托斯，我尊敬他；我畏惧凯撒，可是我也爱他尊敬他。要是勃鲁托斯愿意保证安东尼的安全，允许他来见一见勃鲁托斯的面，让他明白凯撒何以致死的原因，那么玛克·安东尼将要爱活着的勃鲁托斯甚于已死的凯撒；他将要竭尽他的忠诚，不辞一切的危险，追随着高贵的勃鲁托斯。这是我的主人安东尼所说的话。
勃鲁托斯 你的主人是一个聪明勇敢的罗马人，我一向佩服他。你去告诉他，请他到这儿来，我们可以给他满意的解释；我用我的荣誉向他保证，他决不会受到丝毫的伤害。
仆人 我立刻就去请他来。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 我知道我们可以跟他做朋友的。
凯歇斯 但愿如此；可是我对他总觉得很不放心。我所疑虑的事情，往往会成为事实。
安东尼重上。
勃鲁托斯 安东尼来了。欢迎，玛克·安东尼。
安东尼 啊，伟大的凯撒！你就这样倒下了吗？你的一切赫赫的勋业，你的一切光荣胜利，都化为乌有了吗？再会！各位壮士，我不知道你们的意思，还有些什么人在你们眼中看来是有毒的，应当替他放血。假如是我的话，那么我能够和凯撒死在同一个时辰，让你们手中那沾着全世界最高贵的血的刀剑结果我的生命，实在是再好没有的事。我请求你们，要是你们对我怀着敌视，趁着现在你们血染的手还在发出热气，赶快执行你们的意旨吧。即使我活到一千岁，也找不到像今天这样好的一个死的机会；让我躺在凯撒的旁边，还有比这更好的死处吗？让我死在你们这些当代英俊的手里，还有比这更好的死法吗？
勃鲁托斯 啊，安东尼！不要向我们请求一死。虽然你现在看我们好像是这样惨酷残忍，可是你只看见我们血污的手和它们所干的这一场流血的惨剧，你却还没有看见我们的心，它们是慈悲而仁善的。我们因为不忍看见罗马的人民受到暴力的压迫，所以才不得已把凯撒杀死；正像一场大火把小火吞没一样，更大的怜悯使我们放弃了小小的不忍之心。对于你，玛克·安东尼，我们的剑锋是铅铸的；我们用一切的热情、善意和尊敬，张开我们友好的胳臂欢迎你。
凯歇斯 我们重新分配官职的时候，你的意见将要受到同样的尊重。
勃鲁托斯 现在请你暂时忍耐，等我们把惊煌失措的群众安抚好了以后，就可以告诉你为什么我们要采取这样的行动，虽然我在刺死凯撒的一刹那还是没有减却我对他的敬爱。
安东尼 我不怀疑你的智慧。让每一个人把他的血手给我：第一，玛克斯·勃鲁托斯，我要握您的手；其次，卡厄斯·凯歇斯，我要握您的手；狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯、麦泰勒斯、西那，还有我的勇敢的凯斯卡，让我一个一个跟你们握手；虽然是最后一个，可是让我用同样热烈的诚意和您握手，好特莱包涅斯。各位朋友——唉！我应当怎么说呢？我的信誉现在岌岌可危，你们不以为我是一个懦夫，就要以为我是一个阿谀之徒。啊，凯撒！我曾经爱过你，这是一件千真万确的事实；要是你的阴魂现在看着我们，你看见你的安东尼当着你的尸骸之前靦颜事仇，握着你的敌人的血手，那不是要使你觉得比死还难过吗？要是我有像你的伤口那么多的眼睛，我应当让它们流着滔滔的热泪，正像血从你的伤口涌出一样，可是我却忘恩负义，和你的敌人成为朋友了。恕我，裘力斯！你是一头勇敢的鹿，在这儿落到猎人的手里了；啊，世界！你是这头鹿栖息的森林，他是这一座森林中的骄子；你现在躺在这儿，多么像一头中箭的鹿，被许多王子贵人把你射死！
凯歇斯 玛克·安东尼——
安东尼 恕我，卡厄斯·凯歇斯。即使是凯撒的敌人，也会说这样的话；在一个他的朋友的嘴里，这不过是人情上应有的表示。
凯歇斯 我不怪你把凯撒这样赞美；可是你预备怎样跟我们合作？你愿意做我们的一个同志呢，还是各行其是？
安东尼 我因为愿意跟你们合作，所以才跟你们握手；可是因为瞧见了凯撒，所以又说到旁的话头上去了，你们都是我的朋友，我愿意和你们大家相亲相爱，可是我希望你们能够向我解释为什么凯撒是一个危险的人物。
勃鲁托斯 我们倘没有正当的理由，那么今天这一种举动完全是野蛮的暴行了。要是你知道了我们所以要这样干的原因，安东尼，即使你是凯撒的儿子，你也会心悦诚服。
安东尼 那是我所要知道的一切。我还要向你们请求一件事，请你们准许我把他的尸体带到市场上去，让我以一个朋友的地位，在讲坛上为他说几句追悼的话。
勃鲁托斯 我们准许你，玛克·安东尼。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，跟你说句话。（向勃鲁托斯旁白）你太不加考虑了；不要让安东尼发表他的追悼演说。你不知道人民听了他的话，将要受到多大的感动吗？
勃鲁托斯 对不起，我自己先要登上讲坛，说明我们杀死凯撒的理由；我还要声明安东尼将要说的话，事先曾经得到我们的许可，我们并且同意凯撒可以得到一切合礼的身后哀荣。这样不但对我们没有妨害，而且更可以博得舆论对我们的同情。
凯歇斯 我不知道那会引起什么结果；我不赞成这样做。
勃鲁托斯 玛克·安东尼，来，你把凯撒的遗体搬去。在你的哀悼演说里，你不能归罪我们，不过你可以照你所能想到的尽量称道凯撒的好处，同时你必须声明你说这样的话，曾经得到我们的许可；要不然的话，我们就不让你参加他的葬礼。还有你必须跟我在同一讲坛上演说，等我演说完了以后你再上去。
安东尼 就这样吧；我没有其他的奢望了。
勃鲁托斯 那么准备把尸体抬起来，跟着我们来吧。（除安东尼外同下。）
安东尼 啊！你这一块流血的泥土，你这有史以来最高贵的英雄的遗体，恕我跟这些屠夫们曲意周旋。愿灾祸降于溅泼这样宝贵的血的凶手！你的一处处伤口，好像许多无言的嘴，张开了它们殷红的嘴唇，要求我的舌头替它们向世人申诉；我现在就在这些伤口上预言：一个咒诅将要降临在人们的肢体上；残暴惨酷的内乱将要使意大利到处陷于混乱；流血和破坏将要成为一时的风尚，恐怖的景象将要每天接触到人们的眼睛，以致于做母亲的人看见她们的婴孩被战争的魔手所肢解，也会毫不在乎地付之一笑；人们因为习惯于残杀，一切怜悯之心将要完全灭绝；凯撒的冤魂借着从地狱的烈火中出来的阿提②的协助，将要用一个君王的口气，向罗马的全境发出屠杀的号令，让战争的猛犬四出蹂躏，为了这一个万恶的罪行，大地上将要弥漫着呻吟求葬的臭皮囊。
一仆人上。
安东尼 你是侍候奥克泰维斯·凯撒的吗？
仆人 是的，玛克·安东尼。
安东尼 凯撒曾经写信叫他到罗马来。
仆人 他已经接到信，正在动身前来；他叫我口头对您说——（见尸体）啊，凯撒！——
安东尼 你的心肠很仁慈，你走开去哭吧。情感是容易感染的，看见你眼睛里悲哀的泪珠，我自己也忍不住流泪了。你的主人就来吗？
仆人 他今晚耽搁在离罗马二十多哩的地方。
安东尼 赶快回去，告诉他这儿发生的事。这是一个悲伤的罗马，一个危险的罗马，现在还不是可以让奥克泰维斯安全居住的地方；快去，照这样告诉他。可是且慢，你必须等我把这尸体搬到市场上去了以后再回去；我要在那边用演说试探人民对于这些暴徒们所造成的惨剧有什么反应，你可以根据他们的表示，回去告诉年轻的奥克泰维斯关于这儿的一切情形。帮一帮我。（二人抬凯撒尸体同下。）
第二场 同前。大市场
勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯及一群市民上。
众市民 我们一定要得到满意的解释；让我们得到满意的解释。
勃鲁托斯 那么跟我来，朋友们，让我讲给你们听。凯歇斯，你到另外一条街上去，把听众分散分散。愿意听我的留在这儿；愿意听凯歇斯的跟他去。我们将要公开宣布凯撒致死的原因。
市民甲 我要听勃鲁托斯讲。
市民乙 我要听凯歇斯讲；我们各人听了以后，可以把他们两人的理由比较比较。（凯歇斯及一部分市民下；勃鲁托斯登讲坛。）
市民丙 尊贵的勃鲁托斯上去了；静！
勃鲁托斯 请耐心听我讲完。各位罗马人，各位亲爱的同胞们！请你们静静地听我解释。为了我的名誉，请你们相信我；尊重我的名誉，这样你们就会相信我的话。用你们的智慧批评我；唤起你们的理智，给我一个公正的评断。要是在今天在场的群众中间，有什么人是凯撒的好朋友，我要对他说，勃鲁托斯也是和他同样地爱着凯撒。要是那位朋友问我为什么勃鲁托斯要起来反对凯撒，这就是我的回答：并不是我不爱凯撒，可是我更爱罗马。你们宁愿让凯撒活在世上，大家作奴隶而死呢，还是让凯撒死去，大家作自由人而生？因为凯撒爱我，所以我为他流泪；因为他是幸运的，所以我为他欣慰；因为他是勇敢的，所以我尊敬他；因为他有野心，所以我杀死他。我用眼泪报答他的友谊，用喜悦庆祝他的幸运，用尊敬崇扬他的勇敢，用死亡惩戒他的野心。这儿有谁愿意自甘卑贱，做一个奴隶？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。这儿有谁愿意自居化外，不愿做一个罗马人？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。这儿有谁愿意自处下流，不爱他的国家？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。我等待着答复。
众市民 没有，勃鲁托斯，没有。
勃鲁托斯 那么我没有得罪什么人。我怎样对待凯撒，你们也可以怎样对待我。他的遇害的经过已经记录在议会的案卷上，他的彪炳的功绩不曾被抹杀，他的错误虽使他伏法受诛，也不曾过分夸大。
安东尼及余人等抬凯撒尸体上。
勃鲁托斯 玛克·安东尼护送着他的遗体来了。虽然安东尼并不预闻凯撒的死，可是他将要享受凯撒死后的利益，他可以在共和国中得到一个地位，正像你们每一个人都是共和国中的一分子一样。当我临去之前，我还要说一句话：为了罗马的好处，我杀死了我的最好的朋友，要是我的祖国需要我的死，那么无论什么时候，我都可以用那同一把刀子杀死我自己。
众市民 不要死，勃鲁托斯！不要死！不要死！
市民甲 用欢呼护送他回家。
市民乙 替他立一座雕像，和他的祖先们在一起。
市民丙 让他做凯撒。
市民丁 让凯撒的一切光荣都归于勃鲁托斯。
市民甲 我们要一路欢呼送他回去。
勃鲁托斯 同胞们——
市民乙 静！别闹！勃鲁托斯讲话了。
市民甲 静些！
勃鲁托斯 善良的同胞们，让我一个人回去，为了我的缘故，留在这儿听安东尼有些什么话说。你们应该尊敬凯撒的遗体，静听玛克·安东尼赞美他的功业的演说；这是我们已经允许他的。除了我一个人以外，请你们谁也不要走开，等安东尼讲完了他的话。（下。）
市民甲 大家别走！让我们听玛克·安东尼讲话。
市民丙 让他登上讲坛；我们要听他讲话。尊贵的安东尼，上去。
安东尼 为了勃鲁托斯的缘故，我感激你们的好意。（登坛。）
市民丁 他说勃鲁托斯什么话？
市民丙 他说，为了勃鲁托斯的缘故，他感激我们的好意。
市民丁 他最好不要在这儿说勃鲁托斯的坏话。
市民甲 这凯撒是个暴君。
市民丙 嗯，那是不用说的；幸亏罗马除掉了他。
市民乙 静！让我们听听安东尼有些什么话说。
安东尼 各位善良的罗马人——
众市民 静些！让我们听他说。
安东尼 各位朋友，各位罗马人，各位同胞，请你们听我说；我是来埋葬凯撒，不是来赞美他。人们做了恶事，死后免不了遭人唾骂，可是他们所做的善事，往往随着他们的尸骨一齐入土；让凯撒也这样吧。尊贵的勃鲁托斯已经对你们说过，凯撒是有野心的；要是真有这样的事，那诚然是一个重大的过失，凯撒也为了它付出惨酷的代价了。现在我得到勃鲁托斯和他的同志们的允许——因为勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子，他们也都是正人君子——到这儿来在凯撒的丧礼中说几句话。他是我的朋友，他对我是那么忠诚公正；然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子。他曾经带许多俘虏回到罗马来，他们的赎金都充实了公家的财库；这可以说是野心者的行径吗？穷苦的人哀哭的时候，凯撒曾经为他们流泪；野心者是不应当这样仁慈的。然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子。你们大家看见在卢柏克节的那天，我三次献给他一顶王冠，他三次都拒绝了；这难道是野心吗？然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯的的确确是一个正人君子。我不是要推翻勃鲁托斯所说的话，我所说的只是我自己所知道的事实。你们过去都曾爱过他，那并不是没有理由的；那么什么理由阻止你们现在哀悼他呢？唉，理性啊！你已经遁入了野兽的心中，人们已经失去辨别是非的能力了。原谅我；我的心现在是跟凯撒一起在他的棺木之内，我必须停顿片刻，等它回到我自己的胸腔里。
市民甲 我想他的话说得很有道理。
市民乙 仔细想起来，凯撒是有点儿死得冤枉。
市民丙 列位，他死得冤枉吗？我怕换了一个人来，比他还不如哩。
市民丁 你们听见他的话吗？他不愿接受王冠；所以他的确一点没有野心。
市民甲 要是果然如此，有几个人将要付重大的代价。
市民乙 可怜的人！他的眼睛哭得像火一般红。
市民丙 在罗马没有比安东尼更高贵的人了。
市民丁 现在听看；他又开始说话了。
安东尼 就在昨天，凯撒的一句话可以抵御整个的世界；现在他躺在那儿，没有一个卑贱的人向他致敬。啊，诸君！要是我有意想要激动你们的心灵，引起一场叛乱，那我就要对不起勃鲁托斯，对不起凯歇斯；你们大家知道，他们都是正人君子。我不愿干对不起他们的事；我宁愿对不起死人，对不起我自己，对不起你们，却不愿对不起这些正人君子。可是这儿有一张羊皮纸，上面盖着凯撒的印章；那是我在他的卧室里找到的一张遗嘱。只要让民众一听到这张遗瞩上的话——原谅我，我现在还不想把它宣读——他们就会去吻凯撒尸体上的伤口，用手巾去蘸他神圣的血，还要乞讨他的一根头发回去作纪念，当他们临死的时候，将要在他们的遗嘱上郑重提起，作为传给后嗣的一项贵重的遗产。
市民丁 我们要听那遗嘱；读出来，玛克·安东尼。
众市民 遗嘱，遗嘱！我们要听凯撒的遗嘱。
安东尼 耐心吧，善良的朋友们；我不能读给你们听。你们不应该知道凯撒多么爱你们。你们不是木头，你们不是石块，你们是人；既然是人，听见了凯撒的遗嘱，一定会激起你们心中的火焰，一定会使你们发疯。你们还是不要知道你们是他的后嗣；要是你们知道了，啊！那将会引起一场什么乱子来呢？
市民丁 读那遗嘱！我们要听，安东尼；你必须把那遗嘱读给我们听，那凯撒的遗嘱。
安东尼 你们不能忍耐一些吗？你们不能等一会儿吗？是我一时失口告诉了你们这件事。我怕我对不起那些用刀子杀死凯撒的正人君子；我怕我对不起他们。
市民丁 他们是叛徒；什么正人君子！
众市民 遗嘱！遗嘱！
市民乙 他们是恶人、凶手。遗瞩！读那遗嘱！
安东尼 那么你们一定要逼迫我读那遗嘱吗？好，那么你们大家环绕在凯撒尸体的周围，让我给你们看看那写下这遗嘱的人。我可以下来吗？你们允许我吗？
众市民 下来。
市民乙 下来。（安东尼下坛。）
市民丙 我们允许你。
市民丁 大家站成一个圆圈。
市民甲 不要挨着棺材站着；不要挨着尸体站着。
市民乙 留出一些地位给安东尼，最尊贵的安东尼。
安东尼 不，不要挨得我这样紧；站得远一些。
众市民 退后！让出地位来！退后去！
安东尼 要是你们有眼泪，现在准备流起来吧。你们都认识这件外套；我记得凯撒第一次穿上它，是在一个夏天的晚上，在他的营帐里，就在他征服纳维人的那一天。瞧！凯歇斯的刀子是从这地方穿过的；瞧那狠心的凯斯卡割开了一道多深的裂口；他所深爱的勃鲁托斯就从这儿刺了一刀进去，当他拔出他那万恶的武器的时候，瞧凯撒的血是怎样汩汩不断地跟着它出来，好像急于涌到外面来，想要知道究竟是不是勃鲁托斯下这样无情的毒手；因为你们知道，勃鲁托斯是凯撒心目中的天使。神啊，请你们判断判断凯撒是多么爱他！这是最无情的一击，因为当尊贵的凯撒看见他行刺的时候，负心，这一柄比叛徒的武器更锋锐的利剑，就一直刺进了他的心脏，那时候他的伟大的心就碎裂了；他的脸给他的外套蒙着，他的血不停地流着，就在庞贝像座之下，伟大的凯撒倒下了。啊！那是一个多么惊人的殒落，我的同胞们；我、你们，我们大家都随着他一起倒下，残酷的叛逆却在我们头上耀武扬威。啊！现在你们流起眼泪来了，我看见你们已经天良发现；这些是真诚的泪滴。善良的人们，怎么！你们只看见我们凯撒衣服上的伤痕，就哭起来了吗？瞧这儿，这才是他自己，你们看，给叛徒们伤害到这个样子。
市民甲 啊，伤心的景象！
市民乙 啊，尊贵的凯撒！
市民丙 啊，不幸的日子！
市民丁 啊，叛徒！恶贼！
市民甲 啊，最残忍的惨剧！
市民乙 我们一定要复仇。
众市民 复仇！——动手！——捉住他们！——烧！放火！——杀！——杀！不要让一个叛徒活命。
安东尼 且慢，同胞们！
市民甲 静下来！听尊贵的安东尼讲话。
市民乙 我们要听他，我们要跟随他，我们要和他死在一起。
安东尼 好朋友们，亲爱的朋友们，不要让我把你们煽起这样一场暴动的怒潮。干这件事的人都是正人君子；唉！我不知道他们有些什么私人的怨恨，使他们干出这种事来，可是他们都是聪明而正直的，一定有理由可以答复你们。朋友们，我不是来偷取你们的心；我不是一个像勃鲁托斯那样能言善辩的人；你们大家都知道我不过是一个老老实实、爱我的朋友的人；他们也知道这一点，所以才允许我为他公开说几句话。因为我既没有智慧，又没有口才，又没有本领，我也不会用行动或言语来激动人们的血性；我不过照我心里所想到的说出来；我只是把你们已经知道的事情向你们提醒，给你们看看亲爱的凯撒的伤口，可怜的、可怜的无言之口，让它们代替我说话。可是假如我是勃鲁托斯，而勃鲁托斯是安东尼，那么那个安东尼一定会激起你们的愤怒，让凯撒的每一处伤口里都长出一条舌头来，即使罗马的石块也将要大受感动，奋身而起，向叛徒们抗争了。
众市民 我们要暴动！
市民甲 我们要烧掉勃鲁托斯的房子！
市民丙 那么去！来，捉那些奸贼们去！
安东尼 听我说，同胞们，听我说。
众市民 静些！——听安东尼说——最尊贵的安东尼。
安东尼 唉，朋友们，你们不知道你们将要去干些什么事。凯撒在什么地方值得你们这样爱他呢？唉！你们还没有知道，让我来告诉你们吧。你们已经忘记我对你们说起的那张遗嘱了。
众市民 不错。那遗嘱！让我们先听听那遗嘱。
安东尼 这就是凯撒盖过印的遗嘱。他给每一个罗马市民七十五个德拉克马③。
市民乙 最尊贵的凯撒！我们要为他的死复仇。
市民丙 啊，伟大的凯撒！
安东尼 耐心听我说。
众市民 静些！
安东尼 而且，他还把台伯河这一边的他的所有的步道、他的私人的园亭、他的新辟的花圃，全部赠给你们，永远成为你们世袭的产业，供你们自由散步游息之用。这样一个凯撒！几时才会有第二个同样的人？
市民甲 再也不会有了，再也不会有了！来，我们去，我们去！我们要在神圣的地方把他的尸体火化，就用那些火把去焚烧叛徒们的屋子。抬起这尸体来。
市民乙 去点起火来。
市民丙 把凳子拉下来烧。
市民丁 把椅子、窗门——什么东西一起拉下来烧。（众市民抬尸体下。）
安东尼 现在让它闹起来吧；一场乱事已经发生，随它怎样发展下去吧！
一仆人上。
安东尼 什么事？
仆人 大爷，奥克泰维斯已经到罗马了。
安东尼 他在什么地方？
仆人 他跟莱必多斯都在凯撒家里。
安东尼 我立刻就去看他。他来得正好。命运之神现在很高兴，她会满足我们一切的愿望。
仆人 我听他说勃鲁托斯和凯歇斯像疯子一样逃出了罗马的城门。
安东尼 大概他们已经注意到人民的态度，人民都被我煽动得十分激昂。领我到奥克泰维斯那儿去。（同下。）
第三场 同前。街道
诗人西那上。
诗人西那 昨天晚上我做了一个梦，梦里我跟凯撒在一起欢宴；许多不祥之兆萦迴在我的脑际；我实在不想出来，可是不知不觉地又跑到门外来了。
众市民上。
市民甲 你叫什么名字？
市民乙 你到哪儿去？
市民丙 你住在哪儿？
市民丁 你是一个结过婚的人，还是一个单身汉子？
市民乙 回答每一个人的问话，要说得爽爽快快。
市民甲 是的，而且要说得简简单单。
市民丁 是的，而且要说得明明白白。
市民丙 是的，而且最好要说得确确实实。
诗人西那 我叫什么名字？我到哪儿去？我住在哪儿？我是一个结过婚的人，还是一个单身汉子？我必须回答每一个人的问话，要说得爽爽快快、简简单单、明明白白，而且确确实实。我就明明白白地回答你们，我是一个单身汉子。
市民乙 那简直就是说，那些结婚的人都是糊里糊涂的家伙；我怕你免不了要挨我一顿打。说下去；爽爽快快地说。
诗人西那 爽爽快快地说，我是去参加凯撒的葬礼的。
市民甲 你用朋友的名义去参加呢，还是用敌人的名义？
诗人西那 用朋友的名义。
市民乙 那个问题他已经爽爽快快地回答了。
市民丁 你的住所呢？简简单单地说。
诗人西那 简简单单地说，我住在圣殿附近。
市民丙 先生，你的名字呢？确确实实地说。
诗人西那 确确实实地说，我的名字是西那。
市民乙 撕碎他的身体；他是一个奸贼。
诗人西那 我是诗人西那，我是诗人西那。
市民丁 撕碎他，因为他做了坏诗；撕碎他，因为他做了坏诗。
诗人西那 我不是参加叛党的西那。
市民乙 不管它，他的名字叫西那；把他的名字从他的心里挖出来，再放他去吧。
市民丙 撕碎他，撕碎他！来，火把！喂！火把！到勃鲁托斯家里，到凯歇斯家里；烧毁他们的一切。去几个人到狄歇斯家里，几个人到凯斯卡家里，还有几个人到里加律斯家里。去！去！（同下。）
第四幕
第一场 罗马。安东尼家中一室
安东尼、奥克泰维斯及莱必多斯围桌而坐。
安东尼 那么这些人都是应该死的；他们的名字上都作了记号了。
奥克泰维斯 你的兄弟也必须死；你答应吗，莱必多斯？
莱必多斯 我答应。
奥克泰维斯 替他作了记号，安东尼。
莱必多斯 可是有一个条件，坡勃律斯也不能让他活命，他是你的外甥，安东尼。
安东尼 那么就把他处死；瞧，我用一个黑点注定他的死罪了。可是莱必多斯，你到凯撒家里去一趟，把他的遗嘱拿来，让我们决定怎样按照他的意旨替他处分遗产。
莱必多斯 什么！还要我到这儿来找你们吗？
奥克泰维斯 我们要是不在这儿，你到圣殿来找我们好了。（莱必多斯下。）
安东尼 这是一个不足齿数的庸奴，只好替别人供奔走之劳；像他这样的人，也配跟我们鼎足三分，在这世界上称雄道霸吗？
奥克泰维斯 你既然这样瞧不起他，为什么在我们判决哪几个人应当处死的时候，却愿意听从他的意见？
安东尼 奥克泰维斯，我比你多了几年人生经验；虽然我们把这种荣誉加在这个人的身上，使他替我们分去一部分诽谤，可是他负担他的荣誉将会像驴子负担黄金一样，在重荷之下呻吟流汗，不是被人牵曳，就是受人驱策，走一步路都要听我们的指挥；等他替我们把宝物载运到我们预定的地点以后，我们就可以卸下他的负担，把他赶走，让他像一头闲散的驴子一样，耸耸他的耳朵，在旷地上啃嚼他的草料。
奥克泰维斯 你可以照你的意思做；可是他不失为一个经验丰富的勇敢军人。
安东尼 我的马儿也是这样，奥克泰维斯；因为它久历戎行，所以我才用粮草饲养它。我教我的马儿怎样冲锋作战，怎样转弯，怎样停步，怎样向前驰突，它的身体的动作都要受我的精神的节制。莱必多斯也有几分正是如此；他一定要有人教导训练，有人命令他前进；他是一个没有独立精神的家伙，靠着腐败的废物滋养他自己，只知道掇拾他人的牙慧，人家已经习久生厌的事情，在他却还是十分新奇；不要讲起他，除非把他当作一件工具看待。现在，奥克泰维斯，让我们讲些重大的事情吧。勃鲁托斯和凯歇斯正在那儿招募兵马，我们必须立刻准备抵御；让我们集合彼此的力量，拉拢我们最好的朋友，运用我们所有的资财；让我们立刻就去举行会议，商讨怎样揭发秘密的阴谋，抗拒公开的攻击的方法吧。
奥克泰维斯 好，我们就去；我们已经到了存亡的关头，许多敌人环伺在我们的四周；还有许多虽然脸上装着笑容，我怕他们的心头却藏着无数的奸谋。（同下。）
第二场 萨狄斯附近的营地。勃鲁托斯营帐之前
鼓声；勃鲁托斯、路西律斯、路歇斯及兵士等上；泰提涅斯及品达勒斯自相对方向上。
勃鲁托斯 喂，站住！
路西律斯 喂，站住！口令！
勃鲁托斯 啊，路西律斯！凯歇斯就要来了吗？
路西律斯 他快要到了；品达勒斯奉他主人之命，来向您致敬。（品达勒斯以信交勃鲁托斯。）
勃鲁托斯 他信上写得很是客气。品达勒斯，你的主人近来行动有些改变，也许是他用人失当，使我觉得有些事情办得很不满意；不过要是他就要来了，我想他一定会向我解释的。
品达勒斯 我相信我的尊贵的主人一定会向您证明他还是那样一个忠诚正直的人。
勃鲁托斯 我并不怀疑他。路西律斯，我问你一句话，他怎样接待你？
路西律斯 他对我很是客气；可是却不像从前那样亲热，言辞之间，也没有从前那样真诚坦白。
勃鲁托斯 你所讲的正是一个热烈的友谊冷淡下来的情形。路西律斯，你要是看见朋友之间用得着不自然的礼貌的时候，就可以知道他们的感情已经在开始衰落了。坦白质朴的忠诚，是用不着浮文虚饰的；可是没有真情的人，就像一匹尚未试步的倔强的弩马，表现出一副奔腾千里的姿态，等到一受鞭策，就会颠踬泥涂，显出庸劣的本相。他的军队有没有开拔？
路西律斯 他们预备今晚驻扎在萨狄斯；大部分的人马是跟凯歇斯同来的。
勃鲁托斯 听！他到了。（内军队轻步行进）轻轻地上去迎接他。
凯歇斯及兵士等上。
凯歇斯 喂，站住！
勃鲁托斯 喂，站住！口令！
兵士甲 站住！
兵士乙 站住！
兵士丙 站住！
凯歇斯 最尊贵的兄弟，你欺人太甚啦。
勃鲁托斯 神啊，判断我。我欺侮过我的敌人吗？要是我没有欺侮过敌人，我怎么会欺侮一个兄弟呢？
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，你用这种庄严的神气掩饰你给我的侮辱——
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，别生气；你有什么不痛快的事情，请你轻轻地说吧。当着我们这些兵士的面前，让我们不要争吵，不要让他们看见我们两人不和。打发他们走开；然后，凯歇斯，你可以到我的帐里来诉说你的怨恨；我一定听你。
凯歇斯 品达勒斯，向我们的将领下令，叫他们各人把队伍安顿在离这儿略远一点的地方。
勃鲁托斯 路西律斯，你也去下这样的命令；在我们的会谈没有完毕以前，谁也不准进入我们的帐内。叫路歇斯和泰提涅斯替我们把守帐门。（同下。）
第三场 勃鲁托斯帐内
勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯上。
凯歇斯 你对我的侮辱，可以在这一件事情上看得出来：你把路歇斯·配拉定了罪，因为他在这儿受萨狄斯人的贿赂；可是我因为知道他的为人，写信来替他说情，你却置之不理。
勃鲁托斯 你在这种事情上本来就不该写信。
凯歇斯 在现在这种时候，不该为了一点小小的过失就把人谴责。
勃鲁托斯 让我告诉你，凯歇斯，许多人都说你自己的手心也很有点儿痒，常常为了贪图黄金的缘故，把官爵出卖给无功无能的人。
凯歇斯 我的手心痒！说这句话的人，倘不是勃鲁托斯，那么凭着神明起誓，这句话将要成为你的最后一句话。
勃鲁托斯 这种贪污的行为，因为有凯歇斯的名字作护符，所以惩罚还不曾显出它的威严来。
凯歇斯 惩罚！
勃鲁托斯 记得三月十五吗？伟大的凯撒不是为了正义的缘故而流血吗？倘不是为了正义，哪一个恶人可以加害他的身体？什么！我们曾经打倒全世界首屈一指的人物，因为他庇护盗贼；难道就在我们中间，竟有人甘心让卑污的贿赂玷污他的手指，为了盈握的废物，出卖我们伟大的荣誉吗？我宁愿做一头向月亮狂吠的狗，也不愿做这样一个罗马人。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，不要向我吠叫；我受不了这样的侮辱。你这样逼迫我，全然忘记了你自己是什么人。我是一个军人，经验比你多，我知道怎样处置我自己的事情。
勃鲁托斯 哼，不见得吧，凯歇斯。
凯歇斯 我就是这样一个人。
勃鲁托斯 我说你不是。
凯歇斯 别再逼我吧，我快要忘记我自己了；留心你的安全，别再挑拨我了吧。
勃鲁托斯 去，卑鄙的小人！
凯歇斯 有这等事吗？
勃鲁托斯 听着，我要说我的话。难道我必须在你的暴怒之下退让吗？难道一个疯子的怒目就可以把我吓倒吗？
凯歇斯 神啊！神啊！我必须忍受这一切吗？
勃鲁托斯 这一切！嗯，还有哩。你去发怒到把你骄傲的心都气破了吧；给你的奴隶们看看你的脾气多大，让他们吓得乱抖吧。难道我必须让你吗？我必须侍候你的颜色吗？当你心里烦躁的时候，我必须诚惶诚恐地站在一旁，俯首听命吗？凭着神明起誓，即使你气破了肚子，也是你自己的事；因为从今天起，我要把你的发怒当作我的笑料呢。
凯歇斯 居然会有这样的一天吗？
勃鲁托斯 你说你是一个比我更好的军人；很好，你拿事实来证明你的夸口吧，那会使我十分高兴的。拿我自己来说，我很愿意向高贵的人学习呢。
凯歇斯 你在各方面侮辱我；你侮辱我，勃鲁托斯。我说我是一个经验比你丰富的军人，并没有说我是一个比你更好的军人；难道我说过“更好”这两个字吗？
勃鲁托斯 我不管你有没有说过。
凯歇斯 凯撒活在世上的时候，他也不敢这样激怒我。
勃鲁托斯 闭嘴，闭嘴！你也不敢这样挑惹他。
凯歇斯 我不敢！
勃鲁托斯 你不敢。
凯歇斯 什么！不敢挑惹他！
勃鲁托斯 你不敢挑惹他。
凯歇斯 不要太自恃你我的交情；我也许会做出一些将会使我后悔的事情来的。
勃鲁托斯 你已经做了你应该后悔的事。凯歇斯，凭你怎样恐吓，我都不怕；因为正直的居心便是我的有力的护身符，你那些无聊的恐吓，就像一阵微风吹过，引不起我的注意。我曾经差人来向你告借几个钱，你没有答应我；因为我不能用卑鄙的手段搜括金钱；凭着上天发誓，我宁愿剖出我的心来，把我一滴滴的血熔成钱币，也不愿从农人粗硬的手里辗转榨取他们污臭的锱铢。为了分发军队的粮饷，我差人来向你借钱，你却拒绝了我；凯歇斯可以有这样的行为吗？我会不会给卡厄斯·凯歇斯这样的答复？玛克斯·勃鲁托斯要是也会变得这样吝啬，锁住他的鄙贱的银箱，不让他的朋友们染指，那么神啊，用你们的雷火把他殛得粉碎吧！
凯歇斯 我没有拒绝你。
勃鲁托斯 你拒绝我的。
凯歇斯 我没有，传回我的答复的那家伙是个傻瓜。勃鲁托斯把我的心都劈碎了。一个朋友应当原谅他朋友的过失，可是勃鲁托斯却把我的过失格外夸大。
勃鲁托斯 我没有，是你自己对不起我。
凯歇斯 你不喜欢我。
勃鲁托斯 我不喜欢你的错误。
凯歇斯 一个朋友的眼睛决不会注意到这种错误。
勃鲁托斯 在一个佞人的眼中，即使有像俄林波斯山峰一样高大的错误，也会视而不见。
凯歇斯 来，安东尼，来，年轻的奥克泰维斯，你们向凯歇斯一个人复仇吧，因为凯歇斯已经厌倦于人世了：被所爱的人憎恨，被他的兄弟攻击，像一个奴隶似的受人呵斥，他的一切过失都被人注视记录，背诵得烂熟，作为当面揭发的罪状。啊！我可以从我的眼睛里哭出我的灵魂来。这是我的刀子，这儿是我的袒裸的胸膛，这里面藏着一颗比财神普路托斯的宝矿更富有、比黄金更贵重的心；要是你是一个罗马人，请把它挖出来吧，我拒绝给你金钱，却愿意把我的心献给你。就像你向凯撒行刺一样把我刺死了吧，因为我知道，即使在你最恨他的时候，你也爱他远胜于爱凯歇斯。
勃鲁托斯 插好你的刀子。你高兴发怒就发怒吧，高兴怎么干就怎么干吧。啊，凯歇斯！你的伙伴是一头羔羊，愤怒在他的身上，就像燧石里的火星一样，受到重大的打击，也会发出闪烁的光芒，可是一转瞬间就已经冷下去了。
凯歇斯 难道凯歇斯的伤心烦恼，只给他的勃鲁托斯作为笑料吗？
勃鲁托斯 我说那句话的时候，我自己也是脾气太坏。
凯歇斯 你也这样承认吗？把你的手给我。
勃鲁托斯 我连我的心也一起给你。
凯歇斯 啊，勃鲁托斯！
勃鲁托斯 什么事？
凯歇斯 我的母亲给了我这副暴躁的脾气，使我常常忘记我自己，看在我们友谊的情分上，你能够原谅我吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，我原谅你；从此以后，要是你有时候跟你的勃鲁托斯过分认真，他会当作是你母亲在那儿发脾气，一切都不介意。（内喧声。）
诗人 （在内）让我进去瞧瞧两位将军；他们彼此之间有些争执，不应该让他们两人在一起。
路西律斯 （在内）你不能进去。
诗人 （在内）除了死，什么都不能阻止我。
诗人上，路西律斯、泰提涅斯及路歇斯随后。
凯歇斯 怎么！什么事？
诗人 呸，你们这些将军们！你们是什么意思？你们应该相亲相爱，做两个要好的朋友；我的话不会有错，我比你们谁都活得长久。
凯歇斯 哈哈！这个玩世的诗人吟的诗句多臭！
勃鲁托斯 滚出去，放肆的家伙，去！
凯歇斯 不要生他的气，勃鲁托斯；这是他的习惯。
勃鲁托斯 谁叫他胡说八道。在这样战争的年代，要这些胡诌几句歪诗的傻瓜们做什么用？滚开，家伙！
凯歇斯 去，去！出去！（诗人下。）
勃鲁托斯 路西律斯，泰提涅斯，传令各将领，叫他们今晚准备把队伍安营。
凯歇斯 你们传过了令，就带梅萨拉一起回来。（路西律斯，泰提涅斯同下。）
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯，倒一杯酒来！（路歇斯下。）
凯歇斯 我没有想到你会这样动怒。
勃鲁托斯 啊，凯歇斯！我心里有许多烦恼。
凯歇斯 要是你让偶然的不幸把你困扰，那么你自己的哲学对你就毫无用处了。
勃鲁托斯 谁也不比我更能忍受悲哀；鲍西娅已经死了。
凯歇斯 什么！鲍西娅！
勃鲁托斯 她死了。
凯歇斯 我刚才跟你这样吵嘴，你居然没有把我杀死，真是侥幸！唉，难堪的、痛心的损失！害什么病死的？
勃鲁托斯 她因为舍不得跟我远别，又听到了奥克泰维斯和玛克·安东尼的势力这样强大的消息，变得心神狂乱，乘着仆人不在的时候，把火吞了下去。
凯歇斯 就是这样死了吗？
勃鲁托斯 就是这样死了。
凯歇斯 永生的神啊！
路歇斯持酒及烛重上。
勃鲁托斯 不要再说起她。给我一杯酒。凯歇斯，在这一杯酒里，我捐弃了一切猜嫌。（饮酒。）
凯歇斯 我的心企望着这样高贵的誓言，有如渴者的思饮。来，路歇斯，给我倒满这一杯，我喝着勃鲁托斯的友情，是永远不会餍足的。（饮酒。）
勃鲁托斯 进来，泰提涅斯。（路歇斯下。）
泰提涅斯率梅萨拉重上。
勃鲁托斯 欢迎，好梅萨拉。让我们现在围烛而坐，讨论我们重要的事情。
凯歇斯 鲍西娅，你去了吗？
勃鲁托斯 请你不要说了。梅萨拉，我已经得到信息，说是奥克泰维斯那小子跟玛克·安东尼带了一支强大的军队，向腓利比进发，要来攻击我们了。
梅萨拉 我也得到同样的信息。
勃鲁托斯 你还知道什么其他的事情？
梅萨拉 听说奥克泰维斯、安东尼和莱必多斯三人用非法的手段，把一百个元老宣判了死刑。
勃鲁托斯 那么我们听到的略有不同；我得到的消息是七十个元老被他们判决处死，西塞罗也是其中的一个。
凯歇斯 西塞罗也是一个！
梅萨拉 西塞罗也被他们判决处死。您没有从您的夫人那儿得到信息吗？
勃鲁托斯 没有，梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 别人给您的信上也没有提起她吗？
勃鲁托斯 没有，梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 那可奇怪了。
勃鲁托斯 你为什么问起？你听见什么关于她的消息吗？
梅萨拉 没有，将军。
勃鲁托斯 你是一个罗马人，请你老实告诉我。
梅萨拉 那么请您用一个罗马人的精神，接受我告诉您的噩耗：尊夫人已经死了，而且死得很奇怪。
勃鲁托斯 那么再会了，鲍西娅！我们谁都不免一死，梅萨拉；想到她总有一天会死去，使我现在能够忍受这一个打击。
梅萨拉 这才是伟大的人物善处拂逆的精神。
凯歇斯 我可以在表面上装得跟你同样镇定，可是我的天性却受不了这样的打击。
勃鲁托斯 好，讲我们活人的事吧。你们以为我们应不应该立刻向腓利比进兵？
凯歇斯 我想这不是顶好的办法。
勃鲁托斯 你有什么理由？
凯歇斯 我的理由是这样的：我们最好让敌人来找寻我们，这样可以让他们糜费军需，疲劳兵卒，削弱他们自己的实力；我们却可以以逸待劳，蓄养我们的精锐。
勃鲁托斯 你的理由果然很对，可是我却有比你更好的理由。在腓利比到这儿之间一带地方的人民，都是因为被迫而归顺我们的，他们心里都怀着怨恨，对于我们的征敛早就感到不满。敌人一路前来，这些人民一定会加入他们的队伍，增强他们的力量。要是我们到腓利比去向敌人迎击，把这些人民留在后方，就可以避免给敌人这一种利益。
凯歇斯 听我说，好兄弟。
勃鲁托斯 请你原谅。你还要注意，我们已经集合我们所有的友人，我们的军队已经达到最高的数量，我们行动的时机已经完全成熟；敌人的力量现在还在每天增加中，我们在全盛的顶点上，却有日趋衰落的危险。世事的起伏本来是波浪式的，人们要是能够趁着高潮一往直前，一定可以功成名就；要是不能把握时机，就要终身蹭蹬，一事无成。我们现在正在满潮的海上漂浮，倘不能顺水行舟，我们的事业就会一败涂地。
凯歇斯 那么就照你的意思办吧；我们要亲自前去，在腓利比和他们相会。
勃鲁托斯 我们贪着谈话，不知不觉夜已经深了。疲乏了的精神，必须休息片刻。没有别的话了吗？
凯歇斯 没有了。晚安；明天我们一早就起来，向前方出发。
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯！
路歇斯重上。
勃鲁托斯 拿我的睡衣来。（路歇斯下）再会，好梅萨拉；晚安，泰提涅斯。尊贵的、尊贵的凯歇斯，晚安，愿你好好安息。
凯歇斯 啊，我的亲爱的兄弟！今天晚上的事情真是不幸；但愿我们的灵魂之间再也没有这样的分歧！让我们以后再也不要这样，勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 什么事情都是好好的。
凯歇斯 晚安，将军。
勃鲁托斯 晚安，好兄弟。
泰提涅斯
梅萨拉 晚安，勃鲁托斯将军。
勃鲁托斯 各位再会。（凯歇斯、泰提涅斯、梅萨拉同下。）
路歇斯持睡衣重上。
勃鲁托斯 把睡衣给我。你的乐器呢？
路歇斯 就在这儿帐里。
勃鲁托斯 什么！你说话好像在瞌睡一般？可怜的东西，我不怪你；你睡得太少了。把克劳狄斯和什么其他的仆人叫来；我要叫他们搬两个垫子来睡在我的帐内。
路歇斯 凡罗！克劳狄斯！
凡罗及克劳狄斯上。
凡罗 主人呼唤我们吗？
勃鲁托斯 请你们两个人就在我的帐内睡下；也许等会儿我有事情要叫你们起来到我的兄弟凯歇斯那边去。
凡罗 我们愿意站在这儿侍候您。
勃鲁托斯 我不要这样；睡下来吧，好朋友们；也许我没有什么事情。瞧，路歇斯，这就是我找来找去找不到的那本书；我把它放在我的睡衣口袋里了。（凡罗、克劳狄斯睡下。）
路歇斯 我原说您没有把它交给我。
勃鲁托斯 原谅我，好孩子，我的记性太坏了。你能不能够暂时睁开你的倦眼，替我弹一两支曲子？
路歇斯 好的，主人，要是您喜欢的话。
勃鲁托斯 我很喜欢，我的孩子。我太麻烦你了，可是你很愿意出力。
路歇斯 这是我的责任，主人。
勃鲁托斯 我不应该勉强你尽你能力以上的责任；我知道年轻人是需要休息的。
路歇斯 主人，我早已睡过了。
勃鲁托斯 很好，一会儿我就让你再去睡睡；我不愿耽搁你太久的时间。要是我还能够活下去，我一定不会亏待你。（音乐，路歇斯唱歌）这是一支催眠的乐曲；啊，杀人的睡眠！你把你的铅矛加在为你奏乐的我的孩子的身上了吗？好孩子，晚安；我不愿惊醒你的好梦。也许你在瞌睡之中，会打碎了你的乐器；让我替你拿去吧；好孩子，晚安。让我看，让我看，我上次没有读完的地方，不是把书页折下的吗？我想就是这儿。
凯撒幽灵上。
勃鲁托斯 这蜡烛的光怎么这样暗！嘿！谁来啦？我想我的眼睛有点昏花，所以会看见鬼怪。它走近我的身边来了。你是什么东西？你是神呢，天使呢，还是魔鬼，吓得我浑身冷汗，头发直竖？对我说你是什么。
幽灵 你的冤魂，勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 你来干什么？
幽灵 我来告诉你，你将在腓利比看见我。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么我将要再看见你吗？
幽灵 是的，在腓利比。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么我们在腓利比再见。（幽灵隐去）我刚鼓起一些勇气，你又不见了；冤魂，我还要跟你谈话。孩子，路歇斯！凡罗！克劳狄斯！喂，大家醒醒！克劳狄斯！
路歇斯 主人，弦子还没有调准呢。
勃鲁托斯 他以为他还在弹他的乐器呢。路歇斯，醒来！
路歇斯 主人！
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯，你做了什么梦，在梦中叫喊吗？
路歇斯 主人，我不知道我曾经叫喊过。
勃鲁托斯 你曾经叫喊过。你看见什么没有？
路歇斯 没有，主人。
勃鲁托斯 再睡吧，路歇斯。喂，克劳狄斯！你这家伙！醒来！
凡罗 主人！
克劳狄斯 主人！
勃鲁托斯 你们为什么在睡梦里大呼小叫的？
凡 罗
克劳狄斯 我们在睡梦里叫喊吗，主人？
勃鲁托斯 嗯，你们瞧见什么没有？
凡罗 没有，主人，我没有瞧见什么。
克劳狄斯 我也没有瞧见什么，主人。
勃鲁托斯 去向我的兄弟凯歇斯致意，请他赶快先把他的军队开拔，我们随后就来。
凡 罗
克劳狄斯 是，主人。（各下。）
第五幕
第一场 腓利比平原
奥克泰维斯及安东尼率军队上。
奥克泰维斯 现在，安东尼，我们的希望已经得到事实的答复了。你说敌人一定坚守山岭高地，不会下来；事实却并不如此，他们的军队已经向我们逼近，似乎有意要在这儿腓利比用先发制人的手段，给我们一个警告。
安东尼 嘿！我熟悉他们的心理，知道他们为什么这样做。他们的目的无非是想先声夺人，让我们看见他们的汹汹之势，认为他们的士气非常旺盛；其实完全不是这样。
一使者上。
使者 两位将军，请你们快些准备起来，敌人正在那儿浩浩荡荡地开过来了；他们已经挂出挑战的旗号，我们必须立刻布置防御的策略。
安东尼 奥克泰维斯，你带领你的一支军队向战地的左翼缓缓前进。
奥克泰维斯 我要向右翼迎击；你去打左翼。
安东尼 为什么你要在这样紧急的时候跟我闹别扭？
奥克泰维斯 我不跟你闹别扭；可是我要这样。（军队行进。）
鼓声：勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯率军队上；路西律斯、泰提涅斯、梅萨拉及余人等同上。
勃鲁托斯 他们站住了，要跟我们谈判。
凯歇斯 站定，泰提涅斯；我们必须出阵跟他们谈话。
奥克泰维斯 玛克·安东尼，我们要不要发出交战的号令？
安东尼 不，凯撒，等他们向我们进攻的时候，我们再去应战。上去；那几位将军们要谈几句话哩。
奥克泰维斯 不要动，等候号令。
勃鲁托斯 先礼后兵，是不是，各位同胞们？
奥克泰维斯 我们倒不像您那样喜欢空话。
勃鲁托斯 奥克泰维斯，良好的言语胜于拙劣的刺击。
安东尼 勃鲁托斯，您用拙劣的刺击来说您的良好的言语：瞧您刺在凯撒心上的创孔，它们在喊着，“凯撒万岁！”
凯歇斯 安东尼，我们还没有领教过您的剑法；可是我们知道您的舌头上涂满了蜜，蜂巢里的蜜都给你偷光了。
安东尼 我没有把蜜蜂的刺也一起偷走吧？
勃鲁托斯 啊，是的，您连它们的声音也一起偷走了；因为您已经学会了在刺人之前，先用嗡嗡的声音向人威吓。
安东尼 恶贼！你们在凯撒的旁边拔出你们万恶的刀子来的时候，是连半句声音也不透出来的；你们像猴子一样露出你们的牙齿，像狗子一样摇尾乞怜，像奴隶一样卑躬屈节，吻着凯撒的脚；该死的凯斯卡却像一条恶狗似的躲在背后，向凯撒的脖子上挥动他的凶器。啊，你们这些谄媚的家伙！
凯歇斯 谄媚的家伙！勃鲁托斯，谢谢你自己吧。早依了凯歇斯的话，今天决不让他把我们这样信口侮辱。
奥克泰维斯 不用多说；辩论不过使我们流汗，我们却要用流血来判断双方的曲直。瞧，我拔出这一柄剑来跟叛徒们决战；除非等到凯撒身上三十三处伤痕的仇恨完全报复或者另外一个凯撒也死在叛徒们的刀剑之下，这一柄剑是永远不收回去的。
勃鲁托斯 凯撒，你不会死在叛徒们的手里，除非那些叛徒就在你自己的左右。
奥克泰维斯 我也希望这样，天生下我来，不是要我死在勃鲁托斯的剑上的。
勃鲁托斯 啊！孩子，即使你是你的家门中最高贵的后裔，能够死在勃鲁托斯剑上，也要算是莫大的荣幸呢。
凯歇斯 像他这样一个顽劣的学童，跟一个跳舞喝酒的浪子在一起，才不值得污我们的刀剑。
安东尼 还是从前的凯歇斯！
奥克泰维斯 来，安东尼，我们去吧！叛徒们，我们现在当面向你们挑战；要是你们有胆量的话，今天就在战场上相见，否则等你们有了勇气再来。（奥克泰维斯、安东尼率军队下。）
凯歇斯 好，现在狂风已经吹起，波涛已经澎湃，船只要在风浪中颠簸了！一切都要信托给不可知的命运。
勃鲁托斯 喂！路西律斯！有话对你说。
路西律斯 什么事，主将？（勃鲁托斯、路西律斯在一旁谈话。）
凯歇斯 梅萨拉！
梅萨拉 主将有什么吩咐？
凯歇斯 梅萨拉，今天是我的生日；就在这一天，凯歇斯诞生到世上。把你的手给我，梅萨拉。请你做我的见证，正像从前庞贝一样，我是因为万不得已，才把我们全体的自由在这一次战役中作孤注一掷的。你知道我一向很信仰伊璧鸠鲁④的见解；现在我的思想却改变了，有些相信起预兆来了。我们从萨狄斯开拔前来的时候，有两头猛鹰从空中飞下，栖止在我们从前那个旗手的肩上；它们常常啄食我们兵士手里的食物，一路上跟我们作伴，一直到这儿腓利比。今天早晨它们却飞去不见了，代替着它们的，只有一群乌鸦鸱鸢，在我们的头顶盘旋，好像把我们当作垂毙的猎物一般；它们的黑影像是一顶不祥的华盖，掩覆着我们末日在迩的军队。
梅萨拉 不要相信这种事。
凯歇斯 我也不完全相信，因为我的精神很兴奋，我已经决心用坚定不拔的意志，抵御一切的危难。
勃鲁托斯 就这样吧，路西律斯。
凯歇斯 最尊贵的勃鲁托斯，愿神明今天护佑我们，使我们能够在太平的时代做一对亲密的朋友，直到我们的暮年！可是既然人事是这样无常，让我们也考虑到万一的不幸。要是我们这次战败了，那么现在就是我们最后一次的聚首谈心；请问你在那样的情形之下，准备怎么办？
勃鲁托斯 凯图自杀的时候，我曾经对他这一种举动表示不满；我不知道为什么，可是总觉得为了惧怕可能发生的祸患而结束自己的生命，是一件懦弱卑劣的行动；我现在还是根据这一种观念，决心用坚韧的态度，等候主宰世人的造化所给予我的命运。
凯歇斯 那么，要是我们失败了，你愿意被凯旋的敌人拖来拖去，在罗马的街道上游行吗？
勃鲁托斯 不，凯歇斯，不。尊贵的罗马人，你不要以为勃鲁托斯会有一天被人绑着回到罗马；他是有一颗太高傲的心的。可是今天这一天必须结束三月十五所开始的工作；我不知道我们能不能再有见面的机会，所以让我们从此永诀吧。永别了，永别了，凯歇斯！要是我们还能相见，那时候我们可以相视而笑；否则今天就是我们生离死别的日子。
凯歇斯 永别了，永别了，勃鲁托斯！要是我们还能相见，那时候我们一定相视而笑；否则今天真的是我们生离死别的日子了。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么前进吧。唉！要是一个人能够预先知道一天的工作的结果——可是一天的时间是很容易过去的，那结果也总会见到分晓。来啊！我们去吧！（同下。）
第二场 同前。战场
号角声；勃鲁托斯及梅萨拉上。
勃鲁托斯 梅萨拉，赶快骑马前去，传令那一方面的军队，（号角大鸣）叫他们立刻冲上去，因为我看见奥克泰维斯带领的那支军队打得很没有劲，迅速的进攻可以把他们一举击溃。赶快骑马前去，梅萨拉；叫他们全军向敌人进攻。（同下。）
第三场 战场的另一部分
号角声；凯歇斯及泰提涅斯上。
凯歇斯 啊！瞧，泰提涅斯，瞧，那些坏东西逃得多快。我自己也变成了我自己的仇敌；这是我的旗手，我看见他想要转身逃走，把这懦夫杀了，抢过了这军旗。
泰提涅斯 啊，凯歇斯！勃鲁托斯把号令发得太早了；他因为对奥克泰维斯略占优势，自以为胜利在握；他的军队忙着搜掠财物，我们却给安东尼全部包围起来。
品达勒斯上。
品达勒斯 再逃远一些，主人，再逃远一些；玛克·安东尼已经进占您的营帐了，主人。快逃，尊贵的凯歇斯，逃得远远的。
凯歇斯 这座山头已经够远了。瞧，瞧，泰提涅斯；那边有火的地方，不就是我的营帐吗？
泰提涅斯 是的，主将。
凯歇斯 泰提涅斯，要是你爱我，请你骑了我的马，着力加鞭，到那边有军队的所在探一探，再飞马回来向我报告，让我知道他们究竟是友军还是敌军。
泰提涅斯 是，我就去就来。（下。）
凯歇斯 品达勒斯，你给我登上那座山顶；我的眼睛看不大清楚；留意看着泰提涅斯，告诉我你所见到的战场上的情形。（品达勒斯登山）我今天第一次透过一口气来；时间在循环运转，我在什么地方开始，也要在什么地方终结；我的生命已经走完了它的途程。喂，看见什么没有？
品达勒斯 （在上）啊，主人！
凯歇斯 什么消息？
品达勒斯 泰提涅斯给许多骑马的人包围在中心，他们都向他策马而前；可是他仍旧向前飞奔，现在他们快要追上他了；赶快，泰提涅斯，现在有人下马了；嗳哟！他也下马了；他给他们捉去了；（内欢呼声）听！他们在欢呼。
凯歇斯 下来，不要再看了。唉，我真是一个懦夫，眼看着我的最好的朋友在我的面前给人捉去，我自己却还在这世上偷生苟活！
品达勒斯下山。
凯歇斯 过来，小子。你在巴底亚做了我的俘虏，我免了你一死，叫你对我发誓，无论我吩咐你做什么事，你都要照着做。现在你来，履行你的誓言；我让你从此做一个自由人；这柄曾经穿过凯撒心脏的好剑，你拿着它望我的胸膛里刺进去吧。不用回答我的话；来，把剑柄拿在手里；等我把脸遮上了，你就动手。好，凯撒，我用杀死你的那柄剑，替你复了仇了。（死。）
品达勒斯 现在我已经自由了；可是那却不是我自己的意思。凯歇斯啊，品达勒斯将要远远离开这一个国家，到没有一个罗马人可以看见他的地方去。（下。）
泰提涅斯及梅萨拉重上。
梅萨拉 泰提涅斯，双方的胜负刚刚互相抵销；因为一方面奥克泰维斯被勃鲁托斯的军队打败，一方面凯歇斯的军队也给安东尼打败。
泰提涅斯 这些消息很可以安慰安慰凯歇斯。
梅萨拉 你在什么地方离开他？
泰提涅斯 就在这座山上，垂头丧气地跟他的奴隶品达勒斯在一起。
梅萨拉 躺在地上的不就是他吗？
泰提涅斯 他躺着的样子好像已经死了。啊，我的心！
梅萨拉 那不是他吗？
泰提涅斯 不，梅萨拉，这个人从前是他，现在凯歇斯已经不在人世了。啊，没落的太阳！正像你今晚沉没在你红色的光辉中一样，凯歇斯的白昼也在他的赤血之中消隐了；罗马的太阳已经沉没了下去。我们的白昼已经过去；黑云、露水和危险正在袭来；我们的事业已成灰烬了。他因为不相信我能够不辱使命，所以才干出这件事来。
梅萨拉 他因为不相信我们能够得到胜利，所以才干出这件事来。啊，可恨的错误，你忧愁的产儿！为什么你要在人们灵敏的脑海里造成颠倒是非的幻象？你一进入人们的心中，便给他们带来了悲惨的结果。
泰提涅斯 喂，品达勒斯！你在哪儿，品达勒斯？
梅萨拉 泰提涅斯，你去找他，让我去见勃鲁托斯，把这刺耳的消息告诉他；勃鲁托斯听见了这个消息，一定会比锋利的刀刃、有毒的箭镞贯进他的耳中还要难过。
泰提涅斯 你去吧，梅萨拉；我先在这儿找一找品达勒斯。（梅萨拉下）勇敢的凯歇斯，为什么你要叫我去呢？我不是碰见你的朋友了吗？他们不是把这胜利之冠加在我的额上，叫我回来献给你吗？你没有听见他们的欢呼吗？唉！你误会了一切。可是请你接受这一个花环，让我替你戴上吧；你的勃鲁托斯叫我把它送给你，我必须遵从他的命令。勃鲁托斯，快来，瞧我怎样向卡厄斯·凯歇斯尽我的责任。允许我，神啊；这是一个罗马人的天职：来，凯歇斯的宝剑，进入泰提涅斯的心里吧。（自杀。）
号角声；梅萨拉率勃鲁托斯、小凯图、斯特莱托、伏伦涅斯及路西律斯重上。
勃鲁托斯 梅萨拉，梅萨拉，他的尸体在什么地方？
梅萨拉 瞧，那边；泰提涅斯正在他旁边哀泣。
勃鲁托斯 泰提涅斯的脸是向上的。
小凯图 他也死了。
勃鲁托斯 啊，裘力斯·凯撒！你到死还是有本领的！你的英灵不泯，借着我们自己的刀剑，洞穿我们自己的心脏。（号角低吹。）
小凯图 勇敢的泰提涅斯！瞧他替已死的凯歇斯加上胜利之冠了！
勃鲁托斯 世上还有两个和他们同样的罗马人吗？最后的罗马健儿，再会了！罗马再也不会产生可以和你匹敌的人物。朋友们，我对于这位已死的人，欠着还不清的眼泪。——慢慢地，凯歇斯，我会找到我的时间。——来，把他的尸体送到泰索斯去；他的葬礼不能在我们的营地上举行，因为恐怕影响军心。路西律斯，来；来，小凯图；我们到战场上去。拉琵奥、弗莱维斯，传令我们的军队前进。现在还只有三点钟；罗马人，在日落以前，我们还要在第二次的战争中试探我们的命运。（同下。）
第四场 战场的另一部分
号角声；两方兵士交战，勃鲁托斯、小凯图、路西律斯及余人等上。
勃鲁托斯 同胞们，啊！振起你们的精神！
小凯图 哪一个贱种敢退缩不前？谁愿意跟我来？我要在战场上到处宣扬我的名字：我是玛克斯·凯图的儿子！我是暴君的仇敌，祖国的朋友；我是玛克斯·凯图的儿子！
勃鲁托斯 我是勃鲁托斯，玛克斯·勃鲁托斯就是我；勃鲁托斯，祖国的朋友；请认明我是勃鲁托斯！（追击敌人下；小凯图被敌军围攻倒地。）
路西律斯 啊，年轻高贵的小凯图，你倒下了吗？啊，你现在像泰提涅斯一样勇敢地死了，你死得不愧为凯图的儿子。
兵士甲 不投降就是死。
路西律斯 我愿意投降，可是看在这许多钱的面上，请你们把我立刻杀死。（取钱赠兵士）你们杀死了勃鲁托斯，也算立了一件大大的功劳。
兵士甲 我们不能杀你。一个尊贵的俘虏！
兵士乙 喂，让开！告诉安东尼，勃鲁托斯已经捉住了。
兵士甲 我去传报这消息。主将来了。
安东尼上。
兵士甲 主将，勃鲁托斯已经捉住了。
安东尼 他在哪儿？
路西律斯 安东尼，勃鲁托斯还是安然无恙。我敢向你说一句，没有一个敌人可以把勃鲁托斯活捉；神明保佑他不致于遭到这样的耻辱！你们找到他的时候，不论是死的还是活的，他一定会保持他的堂堂的荣誉。
安东尼 朋友，这个人不是勃鲁托斯，可是也不是一个等闲之辈。不要伤害他，把他好生看待。我希望我有这样的人做我的朋友，而不是做我的仇敌。去，看看勃鲁托斯有没有死；有什么消息就到奥克泰维斯的营帐里来报告我们。（各下。）
第五场 战场的另一部分
勃鲁托斯、达台涅斯、克列特斯、斯特莱托及伏伦涅斯上。
勃鲁托斯 来，残余下来的几个朋友，在这块岩石上休息休息吧。
克列特斯 我们望见斯泰提律斯的火把，可是他没有回来；大概不是捉了去就是死了。
勃鲁托斯 坐下来，克列特斯。他一定死了；多少人都死了。听着，克列特斯。（向克列特斯耳语。）
克列特斯 什么，我吗，主人？不，那是万万不能的。
勃鲁托斯 那么算了！不要多说话。
克列特斯 我宁愿自杀。
勃鲁托斯 听着，达台涅斯。（向达台涅斯耳语。）
达台涅斯 我必须干这样一件事吗？
克列特斯 啊，达台涅斯！
达台涅斯 啊，克列特斯！
克列特斯 勃鲁托斯要求你干一件什么坏事？
达台涅斯 他要我杀死他，克列特斯。瞧，他在出神呆想。
克列特斯 他的高贵的心里装满了悲哀，甚至于在他的眼睛里流露出来。
勃鲁托斯 过来，好伏伦涅斯，听我一句话。
伏伦涅斯 主将有什么吩咐？
勃鲁托斯 是这样的，伏伦涅斯。凯撒的鬼魂曾经两次在夜里向我出现；一次在萨狄斯，一次就是昨天晚上，在这儿腓利比的战场上。我知道我的末日已经到了。
伏伦涅斯 不会有的事，主将。
勃鲁托斯 不，我确信我的末日已经到了，伏伦涅斯。你看大势已经变化到什么地步；我们的敌人已经把我们逼到了山穷水尽之境，与其等待他们来把我们推落深坑，还不如自己先跳下去。好伏伦涅斯，我们从前曾经在一起求学，看在我们旧日的交情分上，请你拿着我的剑柄，让我伏剑而死。
伏伦涅斯 主将，那不是一件可以叫一个朋友做的事。（号角声继续不断。）
克列特斯 快逃，快逃，主人！这儿是不能久留的。
勃鲁托斯 再会，你，你，还有你，伏伦涅斯。斯特莱托，你已经瞌睡了这大半天，再会了，斯特莱托。同胞们，我很高兴在我的一生之中，只有他还尽忠于我。我今天虽然战败了，可是将要享有比奥克泰维斯和玛克·安东尼在这次卑鄙的胜利中所得到的更大的光荣。大家再会了；勃鲁托斯的舌头已经差不多结束了他一生的历史；暮色罩在我的眼睛上，我的筋骨渴想得到它劳苦已久的安息。（号角声；内呼声，“逃啊，逃啊，逃啊！”）
克列特斯 快逃吧，主人，快逃吧。
勃鲁托斯 去！我就来。（克列特斯、达台涅斯、伏伦涅斯同下）斯特莱托，请你不要去，陪着你的主人。你是一个心地很好的人，你的为人还有几分义气；拿着我的剑，转过你的脸，让我对准剑锋扑上去。你肯不肯这样做，斯特莱托？
斯特莱托 请您先允许我握一握您的手；再会了，主人。
勃鲁托斯 再会了，好斯特莱托。（扑身剑上）凯撒，你现在可以瞑目了；我杀死你的时候，还不及现在一半的坚决。（死。）
号角声；吹退军号；奥克泰维斯、安东尼、梅萨拉、路西律斯及军队上。
奥克泰维斯 那是什么人？
梅萨拉 我的主将的仆人。斯特莱托，你的主人呢？
斯特莱托 他已经永远脱离了加在你身上的那种被俘的命运了，梅萨拉；胜利者只能在他身上举起一把火来，因为只有勃鲁托斯能够战胜他自己，谁也不能因他的死而得到荣誉。
路西律斯 勃鲁托斯的结果应当是这样的。谢谢你，勃鲁托斯，因为你证明了路西律斯的话并没有说错。
奥克泰维斯 所有跟随勃鲁托斯的人，我都愿意把他们收留下来。朋友，你愿意跟随我吗？
斯特莱托 好，只要梅萨拉肯把我举荐给您。
奥克泰维斯 你把他举荐给我吧，好梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 斯特莱托，我们的主将怎么死的？
斯特莱托 我拿了剑，他扑了上去。
梅萨拉 奥克泰维斯，他已经为我的主人尽了最后的义务，您把他收留下来吧。
安东尼 在他们那一群中间，他是一个最高贵的罗马人；除了他一个人以外，所有的叛徒们都是因为妒嫉凯撒而下毒手的；只有他才是激于正义的思想，为了大众的利益，而去参加他们的阵线。他一生善良，交织在他身上的各种美德，可以使造物肃然起立，向全世界宣告，“这是一个汉子！”
奥克泰维斯 让我们按照他的美德，给他应得的礼遇，替他殡葬如仪。他的尸骨今晚将要安顿在我的营帐里，他必须充分享受一个军人的荣誉。现在传令全军安息；让我们去分派今天的胜利的光荣吧。（同下。）
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注释
卢柏克节（Lupercal），二月十五日，罗马为畜牧神卢柏克葛斯的节日。
阿提（Ate），希腊罗马神话中之复仇女神。
德拉克马（Drachma），古希腊货币名。
伊璧鸠鲁（Epicurus，公元前341—270），希腊倡无神论的享乐主义派哲学家。
Rome. A street.
Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and certain Commoners
Flavius. Hence! home, you idle creatures get you home:
Is this a holiday? what! know you not,
Being mechanical, you ought not walk
Upon a labouring day without the sign 5
Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?
First Commoner. Why, sir, a carpenter.
Marullus. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?
What dost thou with thy best apparel on?
You, sir, what trade are you? 10Second Commoner. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but,
as you would say, a cobbler.
Marullus. But what trade art thou? answer me directly.
Second Commoner. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe
conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. 15Marullus. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade?
Second Commoner. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet,
if you be out, sir, I can mend you.
Marullus. What meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow!
Second Commoner. Why, sir, cobble you. 20Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Second Commoner. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I
meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's
matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon
to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I 25
recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon
neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork.
Flavius. But wherefore art not in thy shop today?
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?
Second Commoner. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself 30
into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday,
to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.
Marullus. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels? 35
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements,
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, 40
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
The livelong day, with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome:
And when you saw his chariot but appear,
Have you not made an universal shout, 45
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks,
To hear the replication of your sounds
Made in her concave shores?
And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now cull out a holiday? 50
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone!
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this ingratitude. 55Flavius. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault,
Assemble all the poor men of your sort;
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
Into the channel, till the lowest stream
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. 60
[Exeunt all the Commoners]
See whether their basest metal be not moved;
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
This way will I disrobe the images, 65
If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies.
Marullus. May we do so?
You know it is the feast of Lupercal.
Flavius. It is no matter; let no images
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about, 70
And drive away the vulgar from the streets:
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
Who else would soar above the view of men 75
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
Exeunt
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
previous scene Act I, Scene 2
A public place.
[Flourish. Enter CAESAR; ANTONY, for the course;] [p]CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS BRUTUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, [p]CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following, among [p]them a Soothsayer
Caesar. Calpurnia!
Casca. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
Caesar. Calpurnia!
Calpurnia. Here, my lord. 85Caesar. Stand you directly in Antonius' way,
When he doth run his course. Antonius!
Antony. Caesar, my lord?
Caesar. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, 90
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.
Antony. I shall remember:
When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd.
Caesar. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. 95Flourish
Soothsayer. Caesar!
Caesar. Ha! who calls?
Casca. Bid every noise be still: peace yet again!
Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me? 100
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
Caesar. What man is that?
Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. 105Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face.
Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. 110Sennet. Exeunt all except BRUTUS and CASSIUS
Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course?
Brutus. Not I.
Cassius. I pray you, do.
Brutus. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part 115
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I'll leave you.
Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness 120
And show of love as I was wont to have:
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.
Brutus. Cassius,
Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, 125
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference,
Conceptions only proper to myself,
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; 130
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved—
Among which number, Cassius, be you one—
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men. 135Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
Brutus. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, 140
But by reflection, by some other things.
Cassius. 'Tis just:
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 145
That you might see your shadow. I have heard,
Where many of the best respect in Rome,
Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus
And groaning underneath this age's yoke,
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 150Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
That you would have me seek into myself
For that which is not in me?
Cassius. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear:
And since you know you cannot see yourself 155
So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
Will modestly discover to yourself
That of yourself which you yet know not of.
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus:
Were I a common laugher, or did use 160
To stale with ordinary oaths my love
To every new protester; if you know
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And after scandal them, or if you know
That I profess myself in banqueting 165
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
Flourish, and shout
Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? 170
Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.
But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
What is it that you would impart to me?
If it be aught toward the general good, 175
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both indifferently,
For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honour more than I fear death.
Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 180
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be 185
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you:
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 190
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me 'Darest thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,
And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 195
And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy;
But ere we could arrive the point proposed, 200
Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!'
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man 205
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark 210
How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre: I did hear him groan:
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 215
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried 'Give me some drink, Tintinius,'
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world 220
And bear the palm alone.
Shout. Flourish
Brutus. Another general shout!
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar. 225Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates: 230
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name; 235
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,
Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar.
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, 240
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?
When could they say till now, that talk'd of Rome, 245
That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man.
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 250
The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
Brutus. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
What you would work me to, I have some aim:
How I have thought of this and of these times, 255
I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time 260
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time 265
Is like to lay upon us.
Cassius. I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
Brutus. The games are done and Caesar is returning.
Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve; 270
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day.
Re-enter CAESAR and his Train
Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius,
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 275
And all the rest look like a chidden train:
Calpurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 280Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Caesar. Antonius!
Antony. Caesar?
Caesar. Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: 285
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Antony. Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman and well given.
Caesar. Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: 290
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
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, 295
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease 300
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 305
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
Sennet. Exeunt CAESAR and all his Train, but CASCA
Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
Brutus. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanced to-day,
That Caesar looks so sad. 310Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not?
Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him: and being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. 315Brutus. What was the second noise for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Cassius. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Brutus. Was the crown offered him thrice? 320Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every
time gentler than other, and at every putting-by
mine honest neighbours shouted.
Cassius. Who offered him the crown?
Casca. Why, Antony. 325Brutus. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it:
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 330
you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my
thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
offered it to him again; then he put it by again:
but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third 335
time; he put it the third time by: and still as he
refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps
and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because
Caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked 340
Caesar; 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.
Cassius. But, soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar swound?
Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at 345
mouth, and was speechless.
Brutus. 'Tis very like: he hath the failing sickness.
Cassius. No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, I am sure, 350
Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not
clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and
displeased them, as they use to do the players in
the theatre, I am no true man.
Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself? 355Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the
common herd was glad he refused the crown, he
plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his
throat to cut. An I had been a man of any
occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, 360
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 desired
their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three
or four wenches, where I stood, cried 'Alas, good 365
soul!' and forgave him with all their hearts: but
there's no heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had
stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.
Brutus. And after that, he came, thus sad, away?
Casca. Ay. 370Cassius. Did Cicero say any thing?
Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek.
Cassius. To what effect?
Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, Ill ne'er look you i' the
face again: but those that understood him smiled at 375
one 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 Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you
well. There was more foolery yet, if I could 380
remember it.
Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca?
Casca. No, I am promised forth.
Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow?
Casca. Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner 385
worth the eating.
Cassius. Good: I will expect you.
Casca. Do so. Farewell, both.
Exit
Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! 390
He was quick mettle when he went to school.
Cassius. So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise,
However he puts on this tardy form.
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 395
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
Brutus. 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, 400
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cassius. I will do so: till then, think of the world.
[Exit BRUTUS]
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honourable metal may be wrought 405
From that it is disposed: therefore it is meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus:
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, 410
He should not humour me. I will this night,
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
As if they came from several citizens,
Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely 415
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at:
And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
Exit
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
previous scene Act I, Scene 3
The same. A street.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter from opposite sides,] [p]CASCA, with his sword drawn, and CICERO
Cicero. Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home?
Why are you breathless? and why stare you so?
Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, 425
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds
Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be exalted with the threatening clouds:
But never till to-night, never till now, 430
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.
Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,
Incenses them to send destruction.
Cicero. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? 435Casca. 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,
Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd.
Besides—I ha' not since put up my sword— 440
Against the Capitol I met a lion,
Who glared upon me, and went surly by,
Without annoying me: and there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw 445
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.
And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Even at noon-day upon the market-place,
Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say 450
'These are their reasons; they are natural;'
For, I believe, they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon.
Cicero. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time:
But men may construe things after their fashion, 455
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.
Come Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow?
Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow.
Cicero. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky 460
Is not to walk in.
Casca. Farewell, Cicero.
Exit CICERO
Enter CASSIUS
Cassius. Who's there? 465Casca. A Roman.
Cassius. Casca, by your voice.
Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!
Cassius. A very pleasing night to honest men.
Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? 470Cassius. 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 bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; 475
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.
Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?
It is the part of men to fear and tremble, 480
When the most mighty gods by tokens send
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
Cassius. 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 485
And put on fear and cast yourself in wonder,
To see the strange impatience of the heavens:
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, 490
Why old men fool and children calculate,
Why all these things change from their ordinance
Their natures and preformed faculties
To monstrous quality,—why, you shall find
That heaven hath infused them with these spirits, 495
To make them instruments of fear and warning
Unto some monstrous state.
Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man
Most like this dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 500
As doth the lion in the Capitol,
A man no mightier than thyself or me
In personal action, yet prodigious grown
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.
Casca. 'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius? 505Cassius. Let it be who it is: for Romans now
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors;
But, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead,
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits;
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. 510Casca. Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow
Mean to establish Caesar as a king;
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,
In every place, save here in Italy.
Cassius. I know where I will wear this dagger then; 515
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius:
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 520
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;
But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
If I know this, know all the world besides,
That part of tyranny that I do bear 525
I can shake off at pleasure.
Thunder still
Casca. So can I:
So every bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity. 530Cassius. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 535
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome,
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this 540
Before a willing bondman; then I know
My answer must be made. But I am arm'd,
And dangers are to me indifferent.
Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: 545
Be factious for redress of all these griefs,
And I will set this foot of mine as far
As who goes farthest.
Cassius. There's a bargain made.
Now know you, Casca, I have moved already 550
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
To undergo with me an enterprise
Of honourable-dangerous consequence;
And I do know, by this, they stay for me
In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, 555
There is no stir or walking in the streets;
And the complexion of the element
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. 560Cassius. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;
He is a friend.
[Enter CINNA]
Cinna, where haste you so?
Cinna. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? 565Cassius. No, it is Casca; one incorporate
To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?
Cinna. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this!
There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
Cassius. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. 570Cinna. Yes, you are.
O Cassius, if you could
But win the noble Brutus to our party—
Cassius. Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper,
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, 575
Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this
In at his window; set this up with wax
Upon old Brutus' statue: all this done,
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? 580Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,
And so bestow these papers as you bade me.
Cassius. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
[Exit CINNA] 585
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: 590
And that which would appear offence in us,
His countenance, like richest alchemy,
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
Cassius. Him and his worth and our great need of him
You have right well conceited. Let us go, 595
For it is after midnight; and ere day
We will awake him and be sure of him.
Exeunt
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
previous scene Act II, Scene 1
Rome. BRUTUS’s orchard.
Enter BRUTUS
Brutus. What, Lucius, ho! 600
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
Lucius. Call'd you, my lord?
Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius. I will, my lord.
Exit
Brutus. It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; 615
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that;—
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, 620
I have not known when his affections sway'd
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round. 625
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is, 630
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities:
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell. 635Re-enter LUCIUS
Lucius. The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
Searching the window for a flint, I found
This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I am sure,
It did not lie there when I went to bed. 640Gives him the letter
Brutus. Get you to bed again; it is not day.
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March?
Lucius. I know not, sir.
Brutus. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 645Lucius. I will, sir.
Exit
Brutus. The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them.
[Opens the letter and reads] 650
'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself.
Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress!
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!'
Such instigations have been often dropp'd
Where I have took them up. 655
'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out:
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.
'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I entreated 660
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
Lucius. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. 665Knocking within
Brutus. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept. 670
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:
The Genius and the mortal instruments
Are then in council; and the state of man, 675
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.
Re-enter LUCIUS
Lucius. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,
Who doth desire to see you. 680Brutus. Is he alone?
Lucius. No, sir, there are moe with him.
Brutus. Do you know them?
Lucius. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears,
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 685
That by no means I may discover them
By any mark of favour.
Brutus. Let 'em enter.
[Exit LUCIUS]
They are the faction. O conspiracy, 690
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
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability: 695
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention.
[Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS]
BRUTUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMBER, and TREBONIUS 700Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest:
Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?
Brutus. I have been up this hour, awake all night.
Know I these men that come along with you?
Cassius. Yes, every man of them, and no man here 705
But honours you; and every one doth wish
You had but that opinion of yourself
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
Brutus. He is welcome hither. 710Cassius. This, Decius Brutus.
Brutus. He is welcome too.
Cassius. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
Brutus. They are all welcome.
What watchful cares do interpose themselves 715
Betwixt your eyes and night?
Cassius. Shall I entreat a word?
BRUTUS and CASSIUS whisper
Decius Brutus. Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
Casca. No. 720Cinna. 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,
Which is a great way growing on the south, 725
Weighing the youthful season of the year.
Some two months hence up higher toward the north
He first presents his fire; and the high east
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here.
Brutus. Give me your hands all over, one by one. 730Cassius. And let us swear our resolution.
Brutus. No, not an oath: if not the face of men,
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,—
If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
And every man hence to his idle bed; 735
So let high-sighted tyranny range on,
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough
To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 740
What need we any spur but our own cause,
To prick us to redress? what other bond
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
And will not palter? and what other oath
Than honesty to honesty engaged, 745
That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain 750
The even virtue of our enterprise,
Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
To think that or our cause or our performance
Did need an oath; when every drop of blood
That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 755
Is guilty of a several bastardy,
If he do break the smallest particle
Of any promise that hath pass'd from him.
Cassius. But what of Cicero? shall we sound him?
I think he will stand very strong with us. 760Casca. Let us not leave him out.
Cinna. No, by no means.
Metellus Cimber. O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
Will purchase us a good opinion
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds: 765
It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands;
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
But all be buried in his gravity.
Brutus. O, name him not: let us not break with him;
For he will never follow any thing 770
That other men begin.
Cassius. Then leave him out.
Casca. Indeed he is not fit.
Decius Brutus. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
Cassius. Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet, 775
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him
A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all: which to prevent, 780
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
Brutus. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar: 785
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;
And in the spirit of men there is no blood:
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, 790
Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 795
Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make
Our purpose necessary and not envious:
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. 800
And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm
When Caesar's head is off.
Cassius. Yet I fear him;
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar— 805Brutus. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar:
And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company. 810Trebonius. There is no fear in him; let him not die;
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
Clock strikes
Brutus. Peace! count the clock.
Cassius. The clock hath stricken three. 815Trebonius. 'Tis time to part.
Cassius. But it is doubtful yet,
Whether Caesar will come forth to-day, or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite from the main opinion he held once 820
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies:
It may be, these apparent prodigies,
The unaccustom'd terror of this night,
And the persuasion of his augurers,
May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 825Decius Brutus. Never fear that: if he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
That unicorns may be betray'd with trees,
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,
Lions with toils and men with flatterers; 830
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.
Let me work;
For I can give his humour the true bent,
And I will bring him to the Capitol. 835Cassius. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
Brutus. By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?
Cinna. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
Metellus Cimber. Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey: 840
I wonder none of you have thought of him.
Brutus. Now, good Metellus, go along by him:
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons;
Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him.
Cassius. The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, Brutus. 845
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
Brutus. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;
Let not our looks put on our purposes,
But bear it as our Roman actors do, 850
With untired spirits and formal constancy:
And so good morrow to you every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS]
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter;
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber: 855
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
Enter PORTIA
Portia. Brutus, my lord! 860Brutus. Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
It is not for your health thus to commit
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
Portia. Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, 865
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks;
I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head, 870
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot;
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
But, with an angry wafture of your hand,
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did;
Fearing to strengthen that impatience 875
Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour,
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And could it work so much upon your shape 880
As it hath much prevail'd on your condition,
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
Brutus. I am not well in health, and that is all.
Portia. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, 885
He would embrace the means to come by it.
Brutus. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Portia. Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, 890
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;
You have some sick offence within your mind, 895
Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one, 900
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night
Have had to resort to you: for here have been
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness. 905Brutus. Kneel not, gentle Portia.
Portia. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself 910
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 915Brutus. You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart
Portia. If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman; but withal 920
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:
I grant I am a woman; but withal
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter.
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so father'd and so husbanded? 925
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience.
And not my husband's secrets? 930Brutus. O ye gods,
Render me worthy of this noble wife!
[Knocking within]
Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall partake 935
The secrets of my heart.
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows:
Leave me with haste.
[Exit PORTIA] 940
Lucius, who's that knocks?
Re-enter LUCIUS with LIGARIUS
Lucius. He is a sick man that would speak with you.
Brutus. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how? 945Ligarius. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
Brutus. O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
Ligarius. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 950Brutus. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.
Ligarius. By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from honourable loins! 955
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
And I will strive with things impossible;
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?
Brutus. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 960Ligarius. But are not some whole that we must make sick?
Brutus. That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going
To whom it must be done.
Ligarius. Set on your foot, 965
And with a heart new-fired I follow you,
To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on.
Brutus. Follow me, then.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act II, Scene 2
CAESAR’s house.
[Thunder and lightning. Enter CAESAR, in his] [p]night-gown
Caesar. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within? 975Enter a Servant
Servant. My lord?
Caesar. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success.
Servant. I will, my lord. 980Exit
Enter CALPURNIA
Calpurnia. What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.
Caesar. Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me 985
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Calpurnia. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 990
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 995
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Caesar! these things are beyond all use, 1000
And I do fear them.
Caesar. What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 1005Calpurnia. When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Caesar. Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. 1010
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
[Re-enter Servant]
What say the augurers? 1015Servant. They would not have you to stir forth to-day.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.
Caesar. The gods do this in shame of cowardice:
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, 1020
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
We are two lions litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible: 1025
And Caesar shall go forth.
Calpurnia. Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 1030
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
And he shall say you are not well to-day:
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
Caesar. Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. 1035
[Enter DECIUS BRUTUS]
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
Decius Brutus. Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
Caesar. And you are come in very happy time, 1040
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.
Calpurnia. Say he is sick. 1045Caesar. Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Decius Brutus. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 1050
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Caesar. The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know: 1055
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt to-night she saw my statua,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: 1060
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.
Decius Brutus. This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate: 1065
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. 1070
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Caesar. And this way have you well expounded it.
Decius Brutus. I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 1075
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' 1080
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To our proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable. 1085Caesar. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
[Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA,]
TREBONIUS, and CINNA 1090
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
Publius. Good morrow, Caesar.
Caesar. Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, 1095
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
What is 't o'clock?
Brutus. Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
Caesar. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 1100
[Enter ANTONY]
See! Antony, that revels long o' nights,
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.
Antony. So to most noble Caesar.
Caesar. Bid them prepare within: 1105
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you. 1110Trebonius. Caesar, I will:
[Aside]
and so near will I be,
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
Caesar. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; 1115
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Brutus. [Aside That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
Exeunt
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previous scene Act II, Scene 3
A street near the Capitol.
Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper
Artemidorus. 'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not
Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is 1125
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal,
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover,
'ARTEMIDORUS.'
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 1130
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. 1135Exit
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previous scene Act II, Scene 4
Another part of the same street, before the house of BRUTUS.
Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS
Portia. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone:
Why dost thou stay? 1140Lucius. To know my errand, madam.
Portia. I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
O constancy, be strong upon my side,
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! 1145
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!
Art thou here yet?
Lucius. Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? 1150
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Portia. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that? 1155Lucius. I hear none, madam.
Portia. Prithee, listen well;
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
Lucius. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 1160Enter the Soothsayer
Portia. Come hither, fellow: which way hast thou been?
Soothsayer. At mine own house, good lady.
Portia. What is't o'clock?
Soothsayer. About the ninth hour, lady. 1165Portia. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
Soothsayer. Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand,
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
Portia. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
Soothsayer. That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar 1170
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
Portia. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
Soothsayer. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance.
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: 1175
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death:
I'll get me to a place more void, and there
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. 1180Exit
Portia. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
Sure, the boy heard me: Brutus hath a suit 1185
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint.
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
Say I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
Exeunt severally
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previous scene Act III, Scene 1
Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.
[A crowd of people; among them ARTEMIDORUS and the] [p]Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter CAESAR, BRUTUS, [p]CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS, METELLUS CIMBER, [p]TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, [p]PUBLIUS, and others
Caesar. [To the Soothsayer The ides of March are come.
Soothsayer. Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Artemidorus. Hail, Caesar! read this schedule.
Decius Brutus. Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 1200Artemidorus. O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
Caesar. What touches us ourself shall be last served.
Artemidorus. Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
Caesar. What, is the fellow mad? 1205Publius. Sirrah, give place.
Cassius. What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
[CAESAR goes up to the Senate-House, the rest]
following 1210Popilius. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Cassius. What enterprise, Popilius?
Popilius. Fare you well.
Advances to CAESAR
Brutus. What said Popilius Lena? 1215Cassius. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
Brutus. Look, how he makes to Caesar; mark him.
Cassius. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, 1220
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Brutus. Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 1225Cassius. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus.
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS
Decius Brutus. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 1230Brutus. He is address'd: press near and second him.
Cinna. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Caesar. Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his senate must redress?
Metellus Cimber. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, 1235
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart,—
Kneeling
Caesar. I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies 1240
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality 1245
With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words,
Low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 1250
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Metellus Cimber. Is there no voice more worthy than my own
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear
For the repealing of my banish'd brother? 1255Brutus. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Caesar. What, Brutus!
Cassius. Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: 1260
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Cassius. I could be well moved, if I were as you:
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star, 1265
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
But there's but one in all doth hold his place: 1270
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he, 1275
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Cinna. O Caesar,—
Caesar. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus? 1280Decius Brutus. Great Caesar,—
Caesar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Casca. Speak, hands for me!
[CASCA first, then the other Conspirators and]
BRUTUS stab CAESAR 1285Caesar. Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.
Dies
Cinna. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Cassius. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 1290
'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'
Brutus. People and senators, be not affrighted;
Fly not; stand stiff: ambition's debt is paid.
Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Decius Brutus. And Cassius too. 1295Brutus. Where's Publius?
Cinna. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Metellus Cimber. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's
Should chance—
Brutus. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; 1300
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius.
Cassius. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people,
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Brutus. Do so: and let no man abide this deed, 1305
But we the doers.
Re-enter TREBONIUS
Cassius. Where is Antony?
Trebonius. Fled to his house amazed:
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run 1310
As it were doomsday.
Brutus. Fates, we will know your pleasures:
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Cassius. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 1315
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood 1320
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'
Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence 1325
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
Brutus. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey's basis lies along
No worthier than the dust! 1330Cassius. So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave their country liberty.
Decius Brutus. What, shall we forth?
Cassius. Ay, every man away: 1335
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Servant
Brutus. Soft! who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel: 1340
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving:
Say I love Brutus, and I honour him; 1345
Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him and loved him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolved
How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 1350
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 1355
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.
Servant. I'll fetch him presently. 1360Exit
Brutus. I know that we shall have him well to friend.
Cassius. I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 1365Brutus. But here comes Antony.
[Re-enter ANTONY]
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Antony. O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 1370
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Caesar's death hour, nor no instrument 1375
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 1380
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
Brutus. O Antony, beg not your death of us. 1385
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands and this our present act,
You see we do, yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done:
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; 1390
And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony:
Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts 1395
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the disposing of new dignities.
Brutus. Only be patient till we have appeased 1400
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Antony. I doubt not of your wisdom. 1405
Let each man render me his bloody hand:
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours: now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; 1410
Though last, not last in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all,—alas, what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer. 1415
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy thy Anthony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 1420
Most noble! in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 1425
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. 1430
How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
Cassius. Mark Antony,—
Antony. Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
The enemies of Caesar shall say this; 1435
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Cassius. I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends;
Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 1440Antony. Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed,
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all and love you all,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 1445Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle:
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Antony. That's all I seek: 1450
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. 1455Cassius. Brutus, a word with you.
[Aside to BRUTUS]
You know not what you do: do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral:
Know you how much the people may be moved 1460
By that which he will utter?
Brutus. By your pardon;
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 1465
He speaks by leave and by permission,
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
Cassius. I know not what may fall; I like it not. 1470Brutus. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all 1475
About his funeral: and you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Antony. Be it so.
I do desire no more. 1480Brutus. Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exeunt all but ANTONY
Antony. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 1485
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,—
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— 1490
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar 1495
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell, 1500
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
[Enter a Servant] 1505
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
Servant. I do, Mark Antony.
Antony. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Servant. He did receive his letters, and is coming;
And bid me say to you by word of mouth— 1510
O Caesar!—
Seeing the body
Antony. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 1515
Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Servant. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.
Antony. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced:
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; 1520
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
Into the market-place: there shall I try
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men; 1525
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt with CAESAR's body
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previous scene Act III, Scene 2
The Forum.
Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens
Citizens. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.
Brutus. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.
Cassius, go you into the other street,
And part the numbers.
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; 1535
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of Caesar's death.
First Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak.
Second Citizen. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, 1540
When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS]
goes into the pulpit
Third Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Brutus. Be patient till the last. 1545
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 1550
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
—Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved 1555
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I 1560
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If 1565
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
All. None, Brutus, none.
Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to 1570
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of
his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not
extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences
enforced, for which he suffered death.
[Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR's body] 1575
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who,
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive
the benefit of his dying, a place in the
commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this
I depart,—that, as I slew my best lover for the 1580
good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,
when it shall please my country to need my death.
All. Live, Brutus! live, live!
First Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Second Citizen. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 1585Third Citizen. Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Citizen. Caesar's better parts
Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
First Citizen. We'll bring him to his house
With shouts and clamours. 1590Brutus. My countrymen,—
Second Citizen. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.
First Citizen. Peace, ho!
Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: 1595
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar's glories; which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. 1600Exit
First Citizen. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
Third Citizen. Let him go up into the public chair;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 1605Goes into the pulpit
Fourth Citizen. What does he say of Brutus?
Third Citizen. He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself beholding to us all.
Fourth Citizen. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1610First Citizen. This Caesar was a tyrant.
Third Citizen. Nay, that's certain:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
Second Citizen. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
Antony. You gentle Romans,— 1615Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him.
Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones; 1620
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest— 1625
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men—
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious; 1630
And Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: 1635
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 1640
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know. 1645
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 1650
And I must pause till it come back to me.
First Citizen. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
Second Citizen. If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong.
Third Citizen. Has he, masters? 1655
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Fourth Citizen. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
First Citizen. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
Second Citizen. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 1660Third Citizen. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
Fourth Citizen. Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
Antony. But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world; now lies he there.
And none so poor to do him reverence. 1665
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose 1670
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament— 1675
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills, 1680
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
Fourth Citizen. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
All. The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will.
Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; 1685
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, bearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; 1690
For, if you should, O, what would come of it!
Fourth Citizen. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
Antony. Will you be patient? will you stay awhile?
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it: 1695
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
Fourth Citizen. They were traitors: honourable men!
All. The will! the testament!
Second Citizen. They were villains, murderers: the will! read the will. 1700Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?
Several Citizens. Come down. 1705Second Citizen. Descend.
Third Citizen. You shall have leave.
ANTONY comes down
Fourth Citizen. A ring; stand round.
First Citizen. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 1710Second Citizen. Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
Antony. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.
Several Citizens. Stand back; room; bear back.
Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this mantle: I remember 1715
The first time ever Caesar put it on;
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii:
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:
See what a rent the envious Casca made: 1720
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; 1725
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 1730
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart;
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua,
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! 1735
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold 1740
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
First Citizen. O piteous spectacle!
Second Citizen. O noble Caesar!
Third Citizen. O woful day! 1745Fourth Citizen. O traitors, villains!
First Citizen. O most bloody sight!
Second Citizen. We will be revenged.
All. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live! 1750Antony. Stay, countrymen.
First Citizen. Peace there! hear the noble Antony.
Second Citizen. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 1755
They that have done this deed are honourable:
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it: they are wise and honourable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: 1760
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him:
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 1765
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, 1770
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All. We'll mutiny. 1775First Citizen. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Citizen. Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
Antony. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!
Antony. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: 1780
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not: I must tell you then:
You have forgot the will I told you of.
All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.
Antony. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 1785
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Second Citizen. Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
Third Citizen. O royal Caesar!
Antony. Hear me with patience. 1790All. Peace, ho!
Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbours and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever, common pleasures, 1795
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
First Citizen. Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 1800
Take up the body.
Second Citizen. Go fetch fire.
Third Citizen. Pluck down benches.
Fourth Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
Exeunt Citizens with the body
Antony. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!
[Enter a Servant]
How now, fellow!
Servant. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 1810Antony. Where is he?
Servant. He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.
Antony. And thither will I straight to visit him:
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing. 1815Servant. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Antony. Belike they had some notice of the people,
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act III, Scene 3
A street.
Enter CINNA the poet
Cinna the Poet. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy:
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth. 1825Enter Citizens
First Citizen. What is your name?
Second Citizen. Whither are you going?
Third Citizen. Where do you dwell?
Fourth Citizen. Are you a married man or a bachelor? 1830Second Citizen. Answer every man directly.
First Citizen. Ay, and briefly.
Fourth Citizen. Ay, and wisely.
Third Citizen. Ay, and truly, you were best.
Cinna the Poet. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I 1835
dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to
answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and
truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.
Second Citizen. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry:
you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. 1840Cinna the Poet. Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
First Citizen. As a friend or an enemy?
Cinna the Poet. As a friend.
Second Citizen. That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Citizen. For your dwelling,—briefly. 1845Cinna the Poet. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Citizen. Your name, sir, truly.
Cinna the Poet. Truly, my name is Cinna.
First Citizen. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Cinna the Poet. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 1850Fourth Citizen. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
Cinna the Poet. I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Citizen. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his
name out of his heart, and turn him going.
Third Citizen. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! fire-brands: 1855
to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius'
house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go!
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 1
A house in Rome.
ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table
Antony. These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd. 1860Octavius. Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus. I do consent—
Octavius. Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus. Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 1865Antony. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house;
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
Lepidus. What, shall I find you here? 1870Octavius. Or here, or at the Capitol.
Exit LEPIDUS
Antony. This is a slight unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,
The three-fold world divided, he should stand 1875
One of the three to share it?
Octavius. So you thought him;
And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,
In our black sentence and proscription.
Antony. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: 1880
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; 1885
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.
Octavius. You may do your will; 1890
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
Antony. 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, 1895
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
On abjects, orts and imitations, 1900
Which, out of use and staled 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: 1905
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
Our best friends made, our means stretch'd
And let us presently go sit in council,
How covert matters may be best disclosed,
And open perils surest answered. 1910Octavius. Let us do so: for we are at the stake,
And bay'd about with many enemies;
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 2
Camp near Sardis. Before BRUTUS’s tent.
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and] [p]Soldiers; Tintinius and PINDARUS meeting them
Brutus. Stand, ho!
Lucilius. Give the word, ho! and stand.
Brutus. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near? 1920Lucilius. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come
To do you salutation from his master.
Brutus. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,
In his own change, or by ill officers,
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 1925
Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,
I shall be satisfied.
Pindarus. I do not doubt
But that my noble master will appear
Such as he is, full of regard and honour. 1930Brutus. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius;
How he received you, let me be resolved.
Lucilius. With courtesy and with respect enough;
But not with such familiar instances,
Nor with such free and friendly conference, 1935
As he hath used of old.
Brutus. Thou hast described
A hot friend cooling: ever note, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay,
It useth an enforced ceremony. 1940
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, 1945
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lucilius. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd;
The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Cassius.
Brutus. Hark! he is arrived. 1950
[Low march within]
March gently on to meet him.
Enter CASSIUS and his powers
Cassius. Stand, ho!
Brutus. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. 1955First Soldier. Stand!
Second Soldier. Stand!
Third Soldier. Stand!
Cassius. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Brutus. Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies? 1960
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
Cassius. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs;
And when you do them—
Brutus. Cassius, be content.
Speak your griefs softly: I do know you well. 1965
Before the eyes of both our armies here,
Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
Let us not wrangle: bid them move away;
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
And I will give you audience. 1970Cassius. Pindarus,
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground.
Brutus. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 1975
Let Lucius and Tintinius guard our door.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act IV, Scene 3
Brutus’s tent.
Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS
Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this:
You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella 1980
For taking bribes here of the Sardians;
Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
Brutus. You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 1985
That every nice offence should bear his comment.
Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm;
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers. 1990Cassius. I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 1995Cassius. Chastisement!
Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remember:
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What, shall one of us 2000
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 2005
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,
Than such a Roman.
Cassius. Brutus, bay not me;
I'll not endure it: you forget yourself,
To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, 2010
Older in practise, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
Brutus. Go to; you are not, Cassius.
Cassius. I am.
Brutus. I say you are not. 2015Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself;
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
Brutus. Away, slight man!
Cassius. Is't possible?
Brutus. Hear me, for I will speak. 2020
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this?
Brutus. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 2025
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, 2030
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
Cassius. Is it come to this?
Brutus. You say you are a better soldier:
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 2035
And it shall please me well: for mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
Cassius. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus;
I said, an elder soldier, not a better:
Did I say 'better'? 2040Brutus. If you did, I care not.
Cassius. When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
Brutus. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
Cassius. I durst not!
Brutus. No. 2045Cassius. What, durst not tempt him!
Brutus. For your life you durst not!
Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love;
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 2050
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: 2055
For I can raise no money by vile means:
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection: I did send 2060
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,
To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 2065
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts;
Dash him to pieces!
Cassius. I denied you not.
Brutus. You did.
Cassius. I did not: he was but a fool that brought 2070
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart:
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me.
Cassius. You love me not. 2075Brutus. I do not like your faults.
Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults.
Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 2080
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world;
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother;
Cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed,
Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 2085
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold:
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth; 2090
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
Brutus. Sheathe your dagger: 2095
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire;
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 2100
And straight is cold again.
Cassius. Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him?
Brutus. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. 2105Cassius. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
Brutus. And my heart too.
Cassius. O Brutus!
Brutus. What's the matter?
Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 2110
When that rash humour which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful?
Brutus. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth,
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. 2115Poet. [Within Let me go in to see the generals;
There is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet
They be alone.
Lucilius. [Within You shall not come to them.
Poet. [Within Nothing but death shall stay me. 2120Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, Tintinius, and LUCIUS
Cassius. How now! what's the matter?
Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean?
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;
For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye. 2125Cassius. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence!
Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
Brutus. I'll know his humour, when he knows his time:
What should the wars do with these jigging fools? 2130
Companion, hence!
Cassius. Away, away, be gone.
Exit Poet
Brutus. Lucilius and Tintinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 2135Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us.
Exeunt LUCILIUS and Tintinius
Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine!
Exit LUCIUS
Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry.
Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use,
If you give place to accidental evils.
Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 2145Cassius. Ha! Portia!
Brutus. She is dead.
Cassius. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness? 2150Brutus. Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong:—for with her death
That tidings came;—with this she fell distract,
And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. 2155Cassius. And died so?
Brutus. Even so.
Cassius. O ye immortal gods!
Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper
Brutus. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 2160
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup;
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
Brutus. Come in, Tintinius! 2165
[Exit LUCIUS]
[Re-enter Tintinius, with MESSALA]
Welcome, good Messala.
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities. 2170Cassius. Portia, art thou gone?
Brutus. No more, I pray you.
Messala, I have here received letters,
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power, 2175
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
Messala. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
Brutus. With what addition?
Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 2180
Have put to death an hundred senators.
Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree;
Mine speak of seventy senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
Cassius. Cicero one! 2185Messala. Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Brutus. No, Messala.
Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? 2190Brutus. Nothing, Messala.
Messala. That, methinks, is strange.
Brutus. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours?
Messala. No, my lord.
Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 2195Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell:
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala:
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now. 2200Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure.
Cassius. I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently? 2205Cassius. I do not think it good.
Brutus. Your reason?
Cassius. This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us:
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 2210
Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
Brutus. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection; 2215
For they have grudged us contribution:
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged;
From which advantage shall we cut him off, 2220
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
Cassius. Hear me, good brother.
Brutus. Under your pardon. You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends, 2225
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe:
The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 2230
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures. 2235Cassius. Then, with your will, go on;
We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
Brutus. The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity;
Which we will niggard with a little rest. 2240
There is no more to say?
Cassius. No more. Good night:
Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence.
Brutus. Lucius!
[Enter LUCIUS] 2245
My gown.
[Exit LUCIUS]
Farewell, good Messala:
Good night, Tintinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night, and good repose. 2250Cassius. O my dear brother!
This was an ill beginning of the night:
Never come such division 'tween our souls!
Let it not, Brutus.
Brutus. Every thing is well. 2255Cassius. Good night, my lord.
Brutus. Good night, good brother.
Tintinius. [with MESSALA] Good night, Lord Brutus.
Brutus. Farewell, every one.
[Exeunt all but BRUTUS] 2260
[Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown]
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Lucius. Here in the tent.
Brutus. What, thou speak'st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. 2265
Call Claudius and some other of my men:
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
Lucius. Varro and Claudius!
Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS
Varro. Calls my lord? 2270Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;
It may be I shall raise you by and by
On business to my brother Cassius.
Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 2275
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so;
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
VARRO and CLAUDIUS lie down
Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 2280Brutus. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
Lucius. Ay, my lord, an't please you.
Brutus. It does, my boy: 2285
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
Lucius. It is my duty, sir.
Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already. 2290Brutus. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again;
I will not hold thee long: if I do live,
I will be good to thee.
[Music, and a song]
This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, 2295
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,
That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night;
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee:
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument;
I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. 2300
Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
[Enter the Ghost of CAESAR]
How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 2305
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art. 2310Caesar. Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
Brutus. Why comest thou?
Caesar. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
Brutus. Well; then I shall see thee again?
Caesar. Ay, at Philippi. 2315Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.
[Exit Ghost]
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest:
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius! 2320Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false.
Brutus. He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake!
Lucius. My lord?
Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? 2325Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
Brutus. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing?
Lucius. Nothing, my lord.
Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius!
[To VARRO] 2330
Fellow thou, awake!
Varro. My lord?
Claudius. My lord?
Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
Varro. [with Claudius] Did we, my lord? 2335Brutus. Ay: saw you any thing?
Varro. No, my lord, I saw nothing.
Claudius. Nor I, my lord.
Brutus. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius;
Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 2340
And we will follow.
Varro. [with Claudius] It shall be done, my lord.
[Exeunt]
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previous scene Act V, Scene 1
The plains of Philippi.
Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army
Octavius. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: 2345
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions;
It proves not so: their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us at Philippi here,
Answering before we do demand of them. 2350Antony. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know
Wherefore they do it: they could be content
To visit other places; and come down
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; 2355
But 'tis not so.
Enter a Messenger
Messenger. Prepare you, generals:
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, 2360
And something to be done immediately.
Antony. Octavius, lead your battle softly on,
Upon the left hand of the even field.
Octavius. Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
Antony. Why do you cross me in this exigent? 2365Octavius. I do not cross you; but I will do so.
[March]
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army;]
LUCILIUS, Tintinius, MESSALA, and others
Brutus. They stand, and would have parley. 2370Cassius. Stand fast, Tintinius: we must out and talk.
Octavius. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
Antony. No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.
Make forth; the generals would have some words.
Octavius. Stir not until the signal. 2375Brutus. Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
Octavius. Not that we love words better, as you do.
Brutus. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
Antony. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words:
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, 2380
Crying 'Long live! hail, Caesar!'
Cassius. Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
And leave them honeyless. 2385Antony. Not stingless too.
Brutus. O, yes, and soundless too;
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,
And very wisely threat before you sting.
Antony. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers 2390
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar:
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds,
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! 2395Cassius. Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself:
This tongue had not offended so to-day,
If Cassius might have ruled.
Octavius. Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; 2400
I draw a sword against conspirators;
When think you that the sword goes up again?
Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds
Be well avenged; or till another Caesar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 2405Brutus. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,
Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
Octavius. So I hope;
I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
Brutus. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, 2410
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.
Cassius. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour,
Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
Antony. Old Cassius still!
Octavius. Come, Antony, away! 2415
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth:
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field;
If not, when you have stomachs.
Exeunt OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army
Cassius. Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark! 2420
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
Brutus. Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you.
Lucilius. [Standing forth. My lord?
BRUTUS and LUCILIUS converse apart
Cassius. Messala! 2425Messala. [Standing forth What says my general?
Cassius. Messala,
This is my birth-day; as this very day
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala:
Be thou my witness that against my will, 2430
As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set
Upon one battle all our liberties.
You know that I held Epicurus strong
And his opinion: now I change my mind,
And partly credit things that do presage. 2435
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd,
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands;
Who to Philippi here consorted us:
This morning are they fled away and gone; 2440
And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites,
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us,
As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem
A canopy most fatal, under which
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 2445Messala. Believe not so.
Cassius. I but believe it partly;
For I am fresh of spirit and resolved
To meet all perils very constantly.
Brutus. Even so, Lucilius. 2450Cassius. Now, most noble Brutus,
The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may,
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age!
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain,
Let's reason with the worst that may befall. 2455
If we do lose this battle, then is this
The very last time we shall speak together:
What are you then determined to do?
Brutus. Even by the rule of that philosophy
By which I did blame Cato for the death 2460
Which he did give himself, I know not how,
But I do find it cowardly and vile,
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent
The time of life: arming myself with patience
To stay the providence of some high powers 2465
That govern us below.
Cassius. Then, if we lose this battle,
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome?
Brutus. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, 2470
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
He bears too great a mind. But this same day
Must end that work the ides of March begun;
And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take: 2475
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius!
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why then, this parting was well made.
Cassius. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus!
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; 2480
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.
Brutus. Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known. Come, ho! away! 2485Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 2
The same. The field of battle.
Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA
Brutus. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills
Unto the legions on the other side.
[Loud alarum] 2490
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 3
Another part of the field.
Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and Tintinius
Cassius. O, look, Tintinius, look, the villains fly!
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy:
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 2500Tintinius. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early;
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
Enter PINDARUS
Pindarus. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.
Cassius. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Tintinius;
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? 2510Tintinius. They are, my lord.
Cassius. Tintinius, if thou lovest me,
Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him,
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops,
And here again; that I may rest assured 2515
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Tintinius. I will be here again, even with a thought.
Exit
Cassius. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill;
My sight was ever thick; regard Tintinius, 2520
And tell me what thou notest about the field.
[PINDARUS ascends the hill]
This day I breathed first: time is come round,
And where I did begin, there shall I end;
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? 2525Pindarus. [Above O my lord!
Cassius. What news?
Pindarus. [Above Tintinius is enclosed round about
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur;
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 2530
Now, Tintinius! Now some light. O, he lights too.
He's ta'en.
[Shout]
And, hark! they shout for joy.
Cassius. Come down, behold no more. 2535
O, coward that I am, to live so long,
To see my best friend ta'en before my face!
[PINDARUS descends]
Come hither, sirrah:
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; 2540
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;
Now be a freeman: and with this good sword,
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 2545
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword.
[PINDARUS stabs him]
Caesar, thou art revenged, 2550
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
Dies
Pindarus. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius,
Far from this country Pindarus shall run, 2555
Where never Roman shall take note of him.
Exit
Re-enter Tintinius with MESSALA
Messala. It is but change, Tintinius; for Octavius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 2560
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
Tintinius. These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Messala. Where did you leave him?
Tintinius. All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 2565Messala. Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
Tintinius. He lies not like the living. O my heart!
Messala. Is not that he?
Tintinius. No, this was he, Messala,
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 2570
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night,
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set;
The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 2575Messala. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed.
O hateful error, melancholy's child,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not? O error, soon conceived,
Thou never comest unto a happy birth, 2580
But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee!
Tintinius. What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
Messala. Seek him, Tintinius, whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears; I may say, thrusting it; 2585
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
As tidings of this sight.
Tintinius. Hie you, Messala,
And I will seek for Pindarus the while. 2590
[Exit MESSALA]
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?
Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? 2595
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. 2600
By your leave, gods:—this is a Roman's part
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Tintinius' heart.
[Kills himself]
[Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO,]
STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS 2605Brutus. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
Messala. Lo, yonder, and Tintinius mourning it.
Brutus. Tintinius' face is upward.
Young Cato. He is slain.
Brutus. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! 2610
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails.
Low alarums
Young Cato. Brave Tintinius!
Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius! 2615Brutus. Are yet two Romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. 2620
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body:
His funerals shall not be in our camp,
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come;
And come, young Cato; let us to the field. 2625
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on:
'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 4
Another part of the field.
[Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies;] [p]then BRUTUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others
Brutus. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Young Cato. What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
I will proclaim my name about the field:
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! 2635
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend;
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
Brutus. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I;
Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus!
Exit
Lucilius. O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Tintinius;
And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son.
First Soldier. Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius. Only I yield to die: 2645
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
[Offering money]
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Soldier. We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 2650First Soldier. I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
[Enter ANTONY]
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
Antony. Where is he?
Lucilius. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: 2655
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 2660Antony. This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you,
A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe;
Give him all kindness: I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; 2665
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent
How every thing is chanced.
Exeunt
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previous scene Act V, Scene 5
Another part of the field.
[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and] [p]VOLUMNIUS
Brutus. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Clitus. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord,
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
Brutus. Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word;
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. 2675Whispers
Clitus. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
Brutus. Peace then! no words.
Clitus. I'll rather kill myself.
Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius. 2680Whispers
Dardanius. Shall I do such a deed?
Clitus. O Dardanius!
Dardanius. O Clitus!
Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 2685Dardanius. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.
Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
Volumnius. What says my lord? 2690Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius:
The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
And, this last night, here in Philippi fields:
I know my hour is come. 2695Volumnius. Not so, my lord.
Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
[Low alarums] 2700
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. 2705Volumnius. That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
Alarum still
Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
Brutus. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; 2710
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony 2715
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour. 2720Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!'
Clitus. Fly, my lord, fly.
Brutus. Hence! I will follow.
[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: 2725
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Strato. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. 2730Brutus. Farewell, good Strato.
[Runs on his sword]
Caesar, now be still:
I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
[Dies] 2735
[Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA,]
LUCILIUS, and the army
Octavius. What man is that?
Messala. My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
Strato. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: 2740
The conquerors can but make a fire of him;
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honour by his death.
Lucilius. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true. 2745Octavius. All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Octavius. Do so, good Messala.
Messala. How died my master, Strato? 2750Strato. I held the sword, and he did run on it.
Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
That did the latest service to my master.
Antony. This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he 2755
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 2760
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'
Octavius. According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. 2765
So call the field to rest; and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.
Exeunt
裘力斯·凯撒
奥克泰维斯·凯撒
玛克·安东尼
伊米力斯·莱必多斯 凯撒死后的三人执政
西塞罗
坡勃律斯
波匹律斯·里那 元老
玛克斯·勃鲁托斯
凯歇斯
凯斯卡
特莱包涅斯
里加律斯
狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯
麦泰勒斯·辛伯
西那 反对凯撒的叛党
弗莱维斯
马鲁勒斯 护民官
阿特米多勒斯 克尼陀斯的诡辩学者
预言者
西那 诗人
另一诗人
路西律斯
泰提涅斯
梅萨拉
小凯图
伏伦涅斯 勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯的友人
凡罗
克列特斯
克劳狄斯
斯特莱托
路歇斯
达台涅斯 勃鲁托斯的仆人
品达勒斯 凯歇斯的仆人
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒之妻
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯之妻
元老、市民、卫队、侍从等
地点
大部分在罗马；后半一部分在萨狄斯，一部分在腓利比附近
第一幕
第一场 罗马。街道
弗莱维斯、马鲁勒斯及若干市民上。
弗莱维斯 去！回家去，你们这些懒得做事的东西，回家去。今天是放假的日子吗？嘿！你们难道不知道，你们做手艺的人，在工作的日子走到街上来，一定要把你们职业的符号带在身上吗？说，你是干哪种行业的？
市民甲 呃，先生，我是一个木匠。
马鲁勒斯 你的革裙、你的尺呢？你穿起新衣服来干什么？你，你是干哪种行业的？
市民乙 说老实话，先生，我说不上有高等手艺，我无非是你们所谓的粗工匠罢了。
马鲁勒斯 可是你究竟是什么行业的人，简单地回答我。
市民乙 先生，我希望我干的行业可以对得起自己的良心；我不过是个替人家补缺补漏的。
马鲁勒斯 混帐东西，说明白一些你是干什么的？
市民乙 嗳，先生，请您不要对我生气；要是您有什么漏洞，先生，我也可以替您补一补。
马鲁勒斯 你这话是什么意思？替我补一补，你这坏蛮？
市民乙 对不起，先生，替你补破鞋洞。
弗莱维斯 你是一个补鞋匠吗？
市民乙 不瞒您说，先生，我的吃饭家伙就只有一把锥子；我也不会动斧头锯子，我也不会做针线女工，我就只有一把锥子。实实在在，先生，我是专治破旧靴鞋的外科医生；它们倘然害着危险的重病，我都可以把它们救活过来。那些脚踏牛皮的体面绅士，都曾请教过我哩。
弗莱维斯 可是你今天为什么不在你的铺子里作工？为什么你要领着这些人在街上走来走去？
市民乙 不瞒您说，先生，我要叫他们多走破几双鞋子，让我好多做几注生意。可是实实在在，先生，我们今天因为要迎接凯撒，庆祝他的凯旋，所以才放了一天假。
马鲁勒斯 为什么要庆祝呢？他带了些什么胜利回来？他的战车后面缚着几个纳土称臣的俘囚君长？你们这些木头石块，冥顽不灵的东西！冷酷无情的罗马人啊，你们忘记了庞贝吗？好多次你们爬到城墙上、雉堞上，有的登在塔顶，有的倚着楼窗，还有人高踞烟囱的顶上，手里抱着婴孩，整天坐着耐心等候，为了要看一看伟大的庞贝经过罗马的街道；当你们看见他的战车出现的时候，你们不是齐声欢呼，使台伯河里的流水因为听见你们的声音在凹陷的河岸上发出反响而颤栗吗？现在你们却穿起了新衣服，放假庆祝，把鲜花散布在踏着庞贝的血迹凯旋回来的那人的路上吗？快去！奔回你们的屋子里，跪在地上，祈祷神明饶恕你们的忘恩负义吧，否则上天的灾祸一定要降在你们头上了。
弗莱维斯 去，去，各位同胞，为了你们这一个错误，赶快把你们所有的伙伴们集合在一起，带他们到台伯河岸上，把你们的眼泪洒入河中，让那最低的水流也会漫过那最高的堤岸。（众市民下）瞧这些下流的材料也会天良发现；他们因为自知有罪，一个个哑口无言地去了。您打那一条路向圣殿走去；我打这一条路走。要是您看见他们在偶像上披着锦衣彩饰，就把它撕下来。
马鲁勒斯 我们可以这样做吗？您知道今天是卢柏克节①。
弗莱维斯 别管它；不要让偶像身上悬挂着凯撒的胜利品。我要去驱散街上的愚民；您要是看见什么地方有许多人聚集在一起，也要把他们赶散。我们应当趁早剪拔凯撒的羽毛，让他无力高飞；要是他羽毛既长，一飞冲天，我们大家都要在他的足下俯伏听命了。（各下。）
第二场 同前。广场
凯撒率众列队奏乐上；安东尼作竞走装束、凯尔弗妮娅、鲍西娅、狄歇斯、西塞罗、勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯、凯斯卡同上；大群民众随后，其中有一预言者。
凯撒 凯尔弗妮娅！
凯斯卡 肃静！凯撒有话。（乐止。）
凯撒 凯尔弗妮娅！
凯尔弗妮娅 有，我的主。
凯撒 你等安东尼快要跑到终点的时候，就到跑道中间站在和他当面的地方。安东尼！
安东尼 有，凯撒，我的主。
凯撒 安东尼，你在奔走的时候，不要忘记用手碰一碰凯尔弗妮娅的身体；因为有年纪的人都说，不孕的妇人要是被这神圣的竞走中的勇士碰了，就可以解除乏嗣的咒诅。
安东尼 我一定记得。凯撒吩咐做什么事，就得立刻照办。
凯撒 现在开始吧；不要遗漏了任何仪式。（音乐。）
预言者 凯撒！
凯撒 嘿！谁在叫我？
凯斯卡 所有的声音都静下来；肃静！（乐止。）
凯撒 谁在人丛中叫我？我听见一个比一切乐声更尖锐的声音喊着“凯撒”的名字。说吧；凯撒在听着。
预言者 留心三月十五日。
凯撒 那是什么人？
勃鲁托斯 一个预言者请您留心三月十五日。
凯撒 把他带到我的面前；让我瞧瞧他的脸。
凯斯卡 家伙，跑出来见凯撒。
凯撒 你刚才对我说什么？再说一遍。
预言者 留心三月十五日。
凯撒 他是个做梦的人；不要理他。过去。（吹号；除勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯外均下。）
凯歇斯 您也去看他们赛跑吗？
勃鲁托斯 我不去。
凯歇斯 去看看也好。
勃鲁托斯 我不喜欢干这种陶情作乐的事；我没有安东尼那样活泼的精神。不要让我打断您的兴致，凯歇斯；我先去了。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，我近来留心观察您的态度，从您的眼光之中，我觉得您对于我已经没有从前那样的温情和友爱；您对于爱您的朋友，太冷淡而疏远了。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，不要误会。要是我在自己的脸上罩着一层阴云，那只是因为我自己心里有些烦恼。我近来为某种情绪所困苦，某种不可告人的隐忧，使我在行为上也许有些反常的地方；可是，凯歇斯，您是我的好朋友，请您不要因此而不快，也不要因为可怜的勃鲁托斯和他自己交战，忘记了对别人的礼貌，而责怪我的怠慢。
凯歇斯 那么，勃鲁托斯，我大大地误会了您的心绪了；我因为疑心您对我有什么不满，所以有许多重要的值得考虑的意见我都藏在自己的心头，没有对您提起。告诉我，好勃鲁托斯，您能够瞧见您自己的脸吗？
勃鲁托斯 不，凯歇斯；因为眼睛不能瞧见它自己，必须借着反射，借着外物的力量。
凯歇斯 不错，勃鲁托斯，可惜您却没有这样的镜子，可以把您隐藏着的贤德照到您的眼里，让您看见您自己的影子。我曾经听见那些在罗马最有名望的人——除了不朽的凯撒以外——说起勃鲁托斯，他们呻吟于当前的桎梏之下，都希望高贵的勃鲁托斯睁开他的眼睛。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，您要我在我自己身上寻找我所没有的东西，到底是要引导我去干什么危险的事呢？
凯歇斯 所以，好勃鲁托斯，留心听着吧；您既然知道您不能瞧见您自己，像在镜子里照得那样清楚，我就可以做您的镜子，并不夸大地把您自己所不知道的自己揭露给您看。不要疑心我，善良的勃鲁托斯；倘然我是一个胁肩谄笑之徒，惯用千篇一律的盟誓向每一个人矢陈我的忠诚；倘然您知道我会当着人家的面向他们献媚，把他们搂抱，背了他们就用诽语毁谤他们；倘然您知道我是一个常常跟下贱的平民酒食征逐的人，那么您就认为我是一个危险分子吧。（喇叭奏花腔。众欢呼声。）
勃鲁托斯 这一阵欢呼是什么意思？我怕人民会选举凯撒做他们的王。
凯歇斯 嗯，您怕吗？那么看来您是不赞成这回事了。
勃鲁托斯 我不赞成，凯歇斯；虽然我很敬爱他。可是您为什么拉住我在这儿？您有什么话要对我说？倘然那是对大众有利的事，那么让我的一只眼睛看见光荣，另一只眼睛看见死亡，我也会同样无动于衷地正视着它们；因为我喜爱光荣的名字，甚于恐惧死亡，这自有神明作证。
凯歇斯 我知道您有那样内心的美德，勃鲁托斯，正像我知道您的外貌一样。好，光荣正是我的谈话的题目。我不知道您和其他的人对于这一个人生抱着怎样的观念；可是拿我个人而论，假如要我为了自己而担惊受怕，那么我还是不要活着的好。我生下来就跟凯撒同样的自由；您也是一样。我们都跟他同样地享受过，同样地能够忍耐冬天的寒冷。记得有一次，在一个狂风暴雨的白昼，台伯河里的怒浪正冲激着它的堤岸，凯撒对我说，“凯歇斯，你现在敢不敢跟我跳下这汹涌的波涛里，泅到对面去？”我一听见他的话，就穿着随身的衣服跳了下去，叫他跟着我；他也跳了下去。那时候滚滚的急流迎面而来，我们用壮健的膂力拚命抵抗，用顽强的心破浪前进；可是我们还没有达到预定的目标，凯撒就叫起来说，“救救我，凯歇斯，我要沉下去了！”正像我们伟大的祖先埃涅阿斯从特洛亚的烈焰之中把年老的安喀西斯肩负而出一样，我把力竭的凯撒负出了台伯河的怒浪。这个人现在变成了一尊天神，凯歇斯却是一个倒霉的家伙，要是凯撒偶然向他点一点头，也必须俯下他的身子。他在西班牙的时候，曾经害过一次热病，我看见那热病在他身上发作，他的浑身都战抖起来；是的，这位天神也会战抖；他的懦怯的嘴唇失去了血色，那使全世界惊悚的眼睛也没有了光彩；我听见他的呻吟；是的，他那使罗马人耸耳而听、使他们把他的话记载在书册上的舌头，唉！却吐出了这样的呼声，“给我一些水喝，泰提涅斯，”就像一个害病的女儿一样。神啊，像这样一个心神软弱的人，却会征服这个伟大的世界，独占着胜利的光荣，真是我再也想不到的事。（喇叭奏花腔。欢呼声。）
勃鲁托斯 又是一阵大众的欢呼！我相信他们一定又把新的荣誉加在凯撒的身上，所以才有这些喝彩的声音。
凯歇斯 嘿，老兄，他像一个巨人似的跨越这狭隘的世界；我们这些渺小的凡人一个个在他粗大的两腿下行走，四处张望着，替自己寻找不光荣的坟墓。人们有时可以支配他们自己的命运；要是我们受制于人，亲爱的勃鲁托斯，那错处并不在我们的命运，而在我们自己。勃鲁托斯和凯撒；“凯撒”那个名字又有什么了不得？为什么人们只是提起它而不提起勃鲁托斯？把那两个名字写在一起，您的名字并不比他的难看，放在嘴上念起来，它也一样顺口；称起重量来，它们是一样的重；要是用它们呼神召鬼，“勃鲁托斯”也可以同样感动幽灵，正像“凯撒”一样。凭着一切天神的名字，我们这位凯撒究竟吃些什么美食，才会长得这样伟大？可耻的时代！罗马啊，你的高贵的血统已经中断了！自从洪水以后，什么时代你不曾产生比一个更多的著名人物？直到现在为止，什么时候人们谈起罗马，能够说，她的广大的城墙之内，只是一个人的世界？要是罗马给一个人独占了去，那么它真的变成无人之境了。啊！你我都曾听见我们的父老说过，从前罗马有一个勃鲁托斯，不愿让他的国家被一个君主所统治，正像他不愿让它被永劫的恶魔统治一样。
勃鲁托斯 我一点不怀疑您对我的诚意；我也有点明白您打算鼓动我去干什么事；我对于这件事的意见，以及对于目前这一种局面所取的态度，以后可以告诉您知道，可是现在却不愿作进一步的表示或行动，请您也不必向我多说。您已经说过的话，我愿意仔细考虑；您还有些什么话要对我说的，我也愿意耐心静听，等有了适当的机会，我一定洗耳以待，畅聆您的高论，并且还要把我的意思向您提出。在那个时候没有到来以前，我的好友，请您记住这一句话：勃鲁托斯宁愿做一个乡野的贱民，不愿在这种将要加到我们身上来的难堪的重压之下自命为罗马的儿子。
凯歇斯 我很高兴我的微弱的言辞已经在勃鲁托斯的心中激起了这一点点火花。
勃鲁托斯 竞赛已经完毕，凯撒就要回来了。
凯歇斯 当他们经过的时候，您去拉一拉凯斯卡的衣袖，他就会用他那种尖酸刻薄的口气，把今天值得注意的事情告诉您。
凯撒及随从诸人重上。
勃鲁托斯 很好。可是瞧，凯歇斯，凯撒的额角上闪动着怒火，跟在他后面的那些人一个个垂头丧气，好像挨了一顿骂似的：凯尔弗妮娅面颊惨白；西塞罗的眼睛里充满着懊丧愤恨的神色，就像我们看见他在议会里遭到什么元老的驳斥的时候一样。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡会告诉我们为了什么事。
凯撒 安东尼！
安东尼 凯撒。
凯撒 我要那些身体长得胖胖的、头发梳得光光的、夜里睡得好好的人在我的左右。那个凯歇斯有一张消瘦憔悴的脸；他用心思太多；这种人是危险的。
安东尼 别怕他，凯撒，他没有什么危险；他是一个高贵的罗马人，有很好的天赋。
凯撒 我希望他再胖一点！可是我不怕他；不过要是我的名字可以和恐惧连在一起的话，那么我不知道还有谁比那个瘦瘦的凯歇斯更应该避得远远的了。他读过许多书；他的眼光很厉害，能够窥测他人的行动；他不像你，安东尼，那样喜欢游戏；他从来不听音乐；他不大露笑容，笑起来的时候，那神气之间，好像在讥笑他自己竟会被一些琐屑的事情所引笑。像他这种人，要是看见有人高过他们，心里就会觉得不舒服，所以他们是很危险的。我现在不过告诉你哪一种人是可怕的，并不是说我惧怕他们，因为我永远是凯撒。跑到我的右边来，因为这一只耳朵是聋的；实实在在告诉我你觉得他这个人怎么样。（吹号；凯撒及随从诸人下，凯斯卡留后。）
凯斯卡 您拉我的外套；要跟我说话吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，凯斯卡；告诉我们为什么今天凯撒的脸上显出心事重重的样子。
凯斯卡 怎么，您不是也跟他在一起吗？
勃鲁托斯 要是我跟他在一起，那么我也用不着问凯斯卡了。
凯斯卡 嘿，有人把一顶王冠献给他；他用他的手背这么一摆拒绝了；于是民众欢呼起来。
勃鲁托斯 第二次的喧哗又为着什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，也是为了那件事。
凯歇斯 他们一共欢呼了三次；最后一次的呼声是为着什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，也是为了那件事。
勃鲁托斯 他们把王冠献给他三次吗？
凯斯卡 嗯，是的，他三次拒绝了，每一次都比前一次更客气；他拒绝了一次，我身旁那些好心肠的人便欢呼起来。
凯歇斯 谁把王冠献给他的？
凯斯卡 嘿，安东尼。
勃鲁托斯 把他献冠的情形告诉我们，好凯斯卡。
凯斯卡 要我把那情形讲出来，还不如把我吊死了吧。那全然是一幕滑稽丑剧；我瞧也不去瞧它。我看见玛克·安东尼献给他一顶王冠；其实那也不是什么王冠，不过是一顶普通的冠；我已经对您说过，他第一次把它拒绝了；可是虽然拒绝，我觉得他心里却巴不得把它拿了过来。于是他再把它献给他；他又把它拒绝了；可是我觉得他的手指头却恋恋不舍地不愿意离开它。于是他又第三次把它献上去；他第三次把它拒绝了；当他拒绝的时候，那些乌合之众便高声欢呼，拍着他们粗糙的手掌，抛掷他们汗臭的睡帽，把他们令人作呕的气息散满在空气之中，因为凯撒拒绝了王冠，结果几乎把凯撒都熏死了；他一闻到这气息，便晕了过去倒在地上。我那时候瞧着这光景，虽然觉得好笑，可是竭力抿住我的嘴唇，不让它笑出来，生怕把这种恶浊的空气吸进去。
凯歇斯 可是且慢；您说凯撒晕了过去吗？
凯斯卡 他在市场上倒了下来，嘴边冒着白沫，话都说不出来。
勃鲁托斯 这是很可能的；他素来就有这种倒下去的毛病。
凯歇斯 不，凯撒没有这种病；您、我，还有正直的凯斯卡，我们才害着这种倒下去的病。
凯斯卡 我不知道您这句话是什么意思；可是我可以确定凯撒是倒了下去。那些下流的群众有的拍手，有的发出嘘嘘的声音，就像在戏院里一样；要是我编造了一句谣言，我就是个骗人的混蛋。
勃鲁托斯 他清醒过来以后说些什么？
凯斯卡 嘿，他在没有倒下以前，看见群众因为他拒绝了王冠而欢欣，就要我解开他的衬衣，露出他的咽喉来请他们宰割。倘然我是一个干活儿做买卖的人，我一定会听从他的话，否则让我跟那些恶人们一起下地狱去，于是他就倒下去了。等到他一醒过来，他就说，要是他做错了什么事，说错了什么话，他要请他们各位原谅他是一个有病的人。在我站立的地方，有三四个姑娘喊着说，“唉，好人儿！”从心底里原谅了他；可是不必注意她们，要是凯撒刺死了她们的母亲，她们也会同样原谅他的。
勃鲁托斯 后来他就这样满怀着心事走了吗？
凯斯卡 嗯。
凯歇斯 西塞罗说了些什么？
凯斯卡 嗯，他说的是希腊话。
凯歇斯 怎么说的？
凯斯卡 嗳哟，要是我把那些话告诉了您，那我以后再也不好意思看见您啦；可是那些听得懂他话的人都互相瞧着笑笑，摇摇他们的头；至于讲到我自己，那我可一点儿都不懂。我还可以告诉你们其他的新闻；马鲁勒斯和弗莱维斯因为扯去了凯撒像上的彩带，已经被剥夺了发言的权利。再会。滑稽丑剧还多着呢，可惜我记不起来啦。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，您今天晚上愿意陪我吃晚饭吗？
凯斯卡 不，我已经跟人家有了约会了。
凯歇斯 明天陪我吃午饭好不好？
凯斯卡 嗯，要是我明天还活着，要是您的心思没有改变，要是您的午饭值得一吃，那么我是会来的。
凯歇斯 好；我等着您。
凯斯卡 好。再见，两位。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 这家伙越来越乖僻了！他在求学的时候，却是很伶俐的。
凯歇斯 他现在虽然装出这一副迟钝的形状，可是干起勇敢壮烈的事业来，却不会落人之后。他的乖僻对于他的智慧是一种调味品，使人们在咀嚼他的言语的时候，可以感到一种深长的滋味。
勃鲁托斯 正是。现在我要暂时失陪了。明天您要是愿意跟我谈谈的话，我可以到您府上来看您；或者要是您愿意，就请您到我家里来也好，我一定等着您。
凯歇斯 好，我明天一定来拜访。再会；同时，不要忘了周围的世界。（勃鲁托斯下）好，勃鲁托斯，你是个仁人义士；可是我知道你的高贵的天性却可以被人诱入歧途；所以正直的人必须和正直的人为伍，因为谁是那样刚强，能够不受诱惑呢？凯撒对我很不好；可是他很喜欢勃鲁托斯；倘然现在我是勃鲁托斯，他是凯歇斯，他就打不动我的心。今天晚上我要摹仿几个人的不同的笔迹，写几封匿名信丢进他的窗里，假装那是好几个市民写给他的，里面所说的话，都是指出罗马人对于他抱着多大的信仰，同时隐隐约约地暗示着凯撒的野心。我这样布置好了以后，让凯撒坐得安稳一些吧，因为我们倘不能把他摇落下来，就要忍受更黑暗的命运了。（下。）
第三场 同前。街道
雷电交作；凯斯卡拔剑上，西塞罗自相对方向上。
西塞罗 晚安，凯斯卡；您送凯撒回去了吗？您为什么气都喘不过来？为什么把眼睛睁得这样大？
凯斯卡 您看见一切地上的权力战栗得像一件摇摇欲坠的东西，不觉得有动于心吗？啊，西塞罗！我曾经看见过咆哮的狂风劈碎多节的橡树；我曾经看见过野心的海洋奔腾澎湃，把浪沫喷涌到阴郁的黑云之上；可是我从来没有经历过像今晚这样一场从天上掉下火块来的狂风暴雨。倘不是天上起了纷争，一定因为世人的侮慢激怒了神明，使他们决心把这世界毁灭。
西塞罗 啊，您还看见什么奇怪的事情吗？
凯斯卡 一个卑贱的奴隶举起他的左手，那手上燃烧着二十个火炬合起来似的烈焰，可是他一点不觉得灼痛，他的手上没有一点火烙过的痕迹。在圣殿之前，我又遇见一头狮子，它睨视着我，生气似的走了过去，却没有跟我为难；到现在我都没有收起我的剑。一百个面无人色的女人吓得缩成一团，她们发誓说她们看见浑身发着火焰的男子在街道上来来去去。昨天正午的时候，夜枭栖在市场上，发出凄厉的鸣声。这种种怪兆同时出现，谁都不能说，“这些都是不足为奇的自然的现象”；我相信它们都是上天的示意，预兆着将有什么重大的变故到来。
西塞罗 是的，这是一个变异的时世；可是人们可以照着自己的意思解释一切事物的原因，实际却和这些事物本身的目的完全相反。凯撒明天到圣殿去吗？
凯斯卡 去的；他曾经叫安东尼传信告诉您他明天要到那边去。
西塞罗 那么晚安，凯斯卡；这样坏的天气，还是待在家里好。
凯斯卡 再会，西塞罗。（西塞罗下。）
凯歇斯上。
凯歇斯 那边是谁？
凯斯卡 一个罗马人。
凯歇斯 听您的声音像是凯斯卡。
凯斯卡 您的耳朵很好。凯歇斯，这是一个多么可怕的晚上！
凯歇斯 对于居心正直的人，这是一个很可爱的晚上。
凯斯卡 谁见过这样吓人的天气？
凯歇斯 地上有这么多的罪恶，天上自然有这么多的灾异。讲到我自己，那么我刚才就在这样危险的夜里在街上跑来跑去，像这样松开了钮扣，袒露着我的胸膛去迎接雷霆的怒击；当那青色的交叉的电光似乎把天空当胸劈裂的时候，我就挺着我自己的身体去领受神火的威力。
凯斯卡 可是您为什么要这样冒渎天威呢？当威灵显赫的天神们用这种可怕的天象惊骇我们的时候，人们是应该战栗畏惧的。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，您太冥顽了，您缺少一个罗马人所应该有的生命的热力，否则您就是把它藏起来不用。您看见上天发怒，就吓得面无人色，呆若木鸡；可是您要是想到究竟为什么天上会掉下火来，为什么有这些鬼魂来来去去，为什么鸟兽都改变了常性，为什么老翁、愚人和婴孩都会变得工于心计起来，为什么一切都脱离了常道，发生那样妖妄怪异的现象，啊，您要是思索到这一切的真正的原因，您就会明白这是上天假手于它们，警告人们预防着将要到来的一种非常的巨变。凯斯卡，我现在可以向您提起一个人的名字，他就像这个可怕的夜一样，能够叱咤雷电，震裂坟墓，像圣殿前的狮子一样怒吼，他在个人的行动上并不比你我更强，可是他的势力已经扶摇直上，变得像这些异兆一样可怕了。
凯斯卡 您说的是凯撒，是不是，凯歇斯？
凯歇斯 不管他是谁。罗马人现在有的是跟他们的祖先同样的筋骨手脚；可是唉！我们祖先的精神却已经死去，我们是被我们母亲的灵魂所统制着，我们的束缚和痛苦显出我们缺少男子的气概。
凯斯卡 不错，他们说元老们明天预备立凯撒为王；他可以君临海上和陆上的每一处地方，可是我们不能让他在这儿意大利称王。
凯歇斯 那么我知道我的刀子应当用在什么地方了；凯歇斯将要从奴隶的羁缚之下把凯歇斯解放出来。就在这种地方，神啊，你们使弱者变成最强壮的；就在这种地方，神啊，你们把暴君击败。无论铜墙石塔、密不透风的牢狱或是坚不可摧的锁链，都不能拘囚坚强的心灵；生命在厌倦于这些尘世的束缚以后，决不会缺少解脱它自身的力量。要是我知道我也肩负着一部分暴力的压迫，我就可以立刻挣脱这一种压力。（雷声继续。）
凯斯卡 我也能够；每一个被束缚的奴隶都可以凭着他自己的手挣脱他的锁链。
凯歇斯 那么为什么要让凯撒做一个暴君呢？可怜的人！我知道他只是因为看见罗马人都是绵羊，所以才做一头狼；罗马人倘不是一群鹿，他就不会成为一头狮子。谁要是急于生起一场旺火来，必须先用柔弱的草秆点燃；罗马是一些什么不中用的糠屑草料，要去点亮像凯撒这样一个卑劣庸碌的人物！可是唉，糟了！你引得我说出些什么话来啦？也许我是在一个甘心做奴隶的人的面前讲这种话，那么我知道我必须因此而受祸；可是我已经准备好了，一切危险我都不以为意。
凯斯卡 您在对凯斯卡讲话，他并不是一个摇唇弄舌、泄漏秘密的人。握着我的手；只要允许我跟您合作推翻暴力的压制，我愿意赴汤蹈火，踊跃前驱。
凯歇斯 那么很好，我们一言为定。现在我要告诉你，凯斯卡，我已经联络了几个勇敢的罗马义士，叫他们跟我去干一件轰轰烈烈的冒险事业，我知道他们现在一定在庞贝走廊下等我；因为在这样可怕的夜里，街上是不能行走的；天色是那么充满了杀机和愤怒，正像我们所要干的事情一样。
凯斯卡 暂避一避，什么人急忙忙地来了。
凯歇斯 那是西那；我从他走路的姿势上认得出来。他也是我们的同志。
西那上。
凯歇斯 西那，您这样忙到哪儿去？
西那 特为找您来的。那位是谁？麦泰勒斯·辛伯吗？
凯歇斯 不，这是凯斯卡；他也是参与我们的计划的。他们在等着我吗，西那？
西那 那很好。真是一个可怕的晚上！我们中间有两三个人看见过怪事哩。
凯歇斯 他们在等着我吗？回答我。
西那 是的，在等着您。啊，凯歇斯！只要您能够劝高贵的勃鲁托斯加入我们的一党——
凯歇斯 您放心吧。好西那，把这封信拿去放在市长的坐椅上，也许它会被勃鲁托斯看见；这一封信拿去丢在他的窗户里；这一封信用蜡胶在老勃鲁托斯的铜像上；这些事情办好以后，就到庞贝走廊去，我们都在那儿。狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯和特莱包涅斯都到了没有？
西那 除了麦泰勒斯·辛伯以外，都到齐了；他是到您家里去找您的。好，我马上就去，照您的吩咐把这几封信放好。
凯歇斯 放好了以后，就到庞贝剧场来。（西那下）来，凯斯卡，我们两人在天明以前，还要到勃鲁托斯家里去看他一次。他已经有四分之三属于我们，只要再跟他谈谈，他就可以完全加入我们这一边了。
凯斯卡 啊！他是众望所归的人；在我们似乎是罪恶的事情，有了他便可以像幻术一样变成正大光明的义举。
凯歇斯 您对于他、他的才德和我们对他的极大的需要，都看得很明白。我们去吧，现在已经过了半夜了；天明以前，我们必须把他叫醒，探探他的决心究竟如何。（同下。）
第二幕
第一场 罗马。勃鲁托斯的花园
勃鲁托斯上。
勃鲁托斯 喂，路歇斯！喂！我不能凭着星辰的运行，猜测现在离天亮还有多少时间。路歇斯，喂！我希望我也睡得像他一样熟。喂，路歇斯，你什么时候才会醒来？醒醒吧！喂，路歇斯！
路歇斯上。
路歇斯 您叫我吗，主人？
勃鲁托斯 替我到书斋里拿一支蜡烛，路歇斯；把它点亮了到这儿来叫我。
路歇斯 是，主人。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 只有叫他死这一个办法；我自己对他并没有私怨，只是为了大众的利益。他将要戴上王冠；那会不会改变他的性格是一个问题；蝮蛇是在光天化日之下出现的，所以步行的人必须刻刻提防。让他戴上王冠？——不！那等于我们把一个毒刺给了他，使他可以随意加害于人。把不忍之心和威权分开，那威权就会被人误用；讲到凯撒这个人，说一句公平话，我还不曾知道他什么时候曾经一味感情用事，不受理智的支配。可是微贱往往是初期野心的阶梯，凭借着它一步步爬上了高处；当他一旦登上了最高的一级之后，他便不再回顾那梯子，他的眼光仰望着云霄，瞧不起他从前所恃为凭借的低下的阶段。凯撒何尝不会这样？所以，为了怕他有这一天，必须早一点防备。既然我们反对他的理由，不是因为他现在有什么可以指责的地方，所以就得这样说：照他现在的地位要是再扩大些权力，一定会引起这样这样的后患；我们应当把他当作一颗蛇蛋，与其让他孵出以后害人，不如趁他还在壳里的时候就把他杀死。
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，蜡烛已经点在您的书斋里了。我在窗口找寻打火石的时候，发现了这封信；我明明记得我去睡觉的时候，并没有什么信放在那儿。
勃鲁托斯 你再去睡吧；天还没有亮哩。孩子，明天不是三月十五吗？
路歇斯 我不知道，主人。
勃鲁托斯 看看日历，回来告诉我。
路歇斯 是，主人。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 天上一闪一闪的电光，亮得可以使我读出信上的字来。（拆信）“勃鲁托斯，你在睡觉；醒来瞧瞧你自己吧。难道罗马将要——说话呀，攻击呀，拯救呀！勃鲁托斯，你睡着了；醒来吧！”他们常常把这种煽动的信丢在我的屋子附近。“难道罗马将要——”我必须替它把意思补足：难道罗马将要处于独夫的严威之下？什么，罗马？当塔昆称王的时候，我们的祖先曾经把他从罗马的街道上赶走。“说话呀，攻击呀，拯救呀！”他们请求我仗义执言，挥戈除暴吗？罗马啊！我允许你，勃鲁托斯一定会全力把你拯救！
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，三月已经有十四天过去了。（内叩门声。）
勃鲁托斯 很好。到门口瞧瞧去；有人打门。（路歇斯下）自从凯歇斯鼓动我反对凯撒那一天起，我一直没有睡过。在计划一件危险的行动和开始行动之间的一段时间里，一个人就好像置身于一场可怖的噩梦之中，遍历种种的幻象；他的精神和身体上的各部分正在彼此磋商；整个的身心像一个小小的国家，临到了叛变突发的前夕。
路歇斯重上。
路歇斯 主人，您的兄弟凯歇斯在门口，他要求见您。
勃鲁托斯 他一个人来吗？
路歇斯 不，主人，还有些人跟他在一起。
勃鲁托斯 你认识他们吗？
路歇斯 不，主人；他们的帽子都拉到耳边，他们的脸一半裹在外套里面，我不能从他们的外貌上认出他们来。
勃鲁托斯 请他们进来。（路歇斯下）他们就是那一伙党徒。阴谋啊！你在百鬼横行的夜里，还觉得不好意思显露你的险恶的容貌吗？啊！那么你在白天什么地方可以找到一处幽暗的巢窟，遮掩你的奇丑的脸相呢？不要找寻吧，阴谋，还是把它隐藏在和颜悦色的后面；因为要是您用本来面目招摇过市，即使幽冥的地府也不能把你遮掩过人家的眼睛的。
凯歇斯、凯斯卡、狄歇斯、西那、麦泰勒斯·辛伯及特莱包涅斯等诸党徒同上。
凯歇斯 我想我们未兔太冒昧了，打搅了您的安息。早安，勃鲁托斯；我们惊吵您了吧？
勃鲁托斯 我整夜没有睡觉，早就起来了。跟您同来的这些人，我都认识吗？
凯歇斯 是的，每一个人您都认识；这儿没有一个人不敬重您；谁都希望您能够看重您自己就像每一个高贵的罗马人看重您一样。这是特莱包涅斯。
勃鲁托斯 欢迎他到这儿来。
凯歇斯 这是狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 我也同样欢迎他。
凯歇斯 这是凯斯卡；这是西那；这是麦泰勒斯·辛伯。
勃鲁托斯 我都同样欢迎他们。可是各位为了什么烦心的事情，在这样的深夜不去睡觉？
凯歇斯 我可以跟您说句话吗？（勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯二人耳语。）
狄歇斯 这儿是东方；天不是从这儿亮起来的吗？
凯斯卡 不。
西那 啊！对不起，先生，它是从这儿亮起来的；那边镶嵌在云中的灰白色的条纹，便是预报天明的使者。
凯斯卡 你们将要承认你们两人都弄错了。这儿我用剑指着的所在，就是太阳升起的地方；在这样初春的季节，它正在南方逐渐增加它的热力；再过两个月，它就要更高地向北方升起，吐射它的烈焰了。这儿才是正东，也就是圣殿所在的地方。
勃鲁托斯 再让我一个一个握你们的手。
凯歇斯 让我们宣誓表示我们的决心。
勃鲁托斯 不，不要发誓。要是人们的神色、我们心灵上的苦难和这时代的腐恶算不得有力的动机，那么还是早些散了伙，各人回去高枕而卧吧；让凌越一切的暴力肆意横行，每一个人等候着命运替他安排好的死期吧。可是我相信我们眼前这些人心里都有着可以使懦夫奋起的蓬勃的怒焰，都有着可以使柔弱的妇女变为钢铁的坚强的勇气，那么，各位同胞，我们只要凭着我们自己堂皇正大的理由，便可以激励我们改造这当前的局面，何必还要什么其他的鞭策呢？我们都是守口如瓶、言而有信的罗马人，何必还要什么其他的约束呢？我们彼此赤诚相示，倘然不能达到目的，宁愿以身为殉，何必还要什么其他的盟誓呢？祭司们、懦夫们、奸诈的小人、老朽的陈尸腐肉和这一类自甘沉沦的不幸的人们才有发誓的需要；他们为了不正当的理由，恐怕不能见信于人，所以不得不用誓言来替他们圆谎；可是不要以为我们的宗旨或是我们的行动是需要盟誓的，因为那无异污蔑了我们堂堂正正的义举和我们不可压抑的精神；作为一个罗马人，要是对于他已经出口的诺言略微有一点违背之处，那么他身上光荣地载着的每一滴血，就都要蒙上数重的耻辱。
凯歇斯 可是西塞罗呢？我们要不要探探他的意向？我想他一定会跟我们全力合作的。
凯斯卡 让我们不要把他遗漏了。
西那 是的，我们不要把他遗漏了。
麦泰勒斯 啊！让我们招他参加我们的阵线；因为他的白发可以替我们赢得好感，使世人对我们的行动表示同情。人家一定会说他的见识支配着我们的胳臂；我们的少年孟浪可以不致于被世人所发现，因为一切都埋葬在他的老成练达的阅历之下了。
勃鲁托斯 啊！不要提起他；让我们不要对他说起，因为他是决不愿跟在后面去干别人所发起的事情的。
凯歇斯 那就不要叫他参加。
凯斯卡 他的确不大适宜。
狄歇斯 除了凯撒以外，别的人一个也不要碰吗？
凯歇斯 狄歇斯，你问得很好。我想玛克·安东尼这样被凯撒宠爱，我们不应该让他在凯撒死后继续留在世上。他是一个诡计多端的人；你们知道要是他利用他现在的力量，很可以给我们极大的阻梗；为了避免那样的可能起见，让安东尼跟凯撒一起丧命吧。
勃鲁托斯 卡厄斯·凯歇斯，我们割下了头，再去切断肢体，不但泄愤于生前，并且迁怒于死后，那瞧上去未免太残忍了；因为安东尼不过是凯撒的一只胳臂。让我们做献祭的人，不要做屠夫，卡尼斯。我们一致奋起反对凯撒的精神，我们的目的并不是要他流血；啊！要是我们能够直接战胜凯撒的精神，我们就可以不必戕害他的身体。可是唉！凯撒必须因此而流血。所以，善良的朋友们，让我们勇敢地，却不是残暴地，把他杀死；让我们把他当作一盘祭神的牺牲而宰割，不要把他当作一具饲犬的腐尸而脔切；让我们的心像聪明的主人一样，在鼓动他们的仆人去行暴以后，再在表面上装作责备他们的神气。这样可以昭示世人，使他们知道我们采取如此步骤，只是迫不得已，并不是出于私心的嫉恨；在世人的眼中，我们将被认为恶势力的清扫者，而不是杀人的凶手。至于玛克·安东尼，我们尽可不必把他放在心上，因为凯撒的头要是落了地，他这条凯撒的胳臂是无能为力的。
凯歇斯 可是我怕他，因为他对凯撒有很深切的感情——
勃鲁托斯 唉！好凯歇斯，不要想到他。要是他爱凯撒，他所能做的事情不过是忧思哀悼，用一死报答凯撒；可是那未必是他所做得到的，因为他是一个喜欢游乐、放荡、交际和饮宴的人。
特莱包涅斯 不用担心他这个人；让他保全了性命吧。等到事过境迁，他会把这种事情付之一笑的。（钟鸣）
勃鲁托斯 静！听钟声敲几下。
凯歇斯 敲了三下。
特莱包涅斯 是应该分手的时候了。
凯歇斯 可是凯撒今天会不会出来，还是一个问题；因为他近来变得很迷信，完全改变了从前对怪异梦兆这一类事情的见解。这种明显的预兆、这晚上空前恐怖的天象以及他的卜者的劝告，也许会阻止他今天到圣殿里去。
狄歇斯 不用担心，要是他决定不出来，我可以叫他改变他的决心；因为他喜欢听人家说犀牛见欺于树木，熊见欺于镜子，象见欺于土穴，狮子见欺于罗网，人类见欺于谄媚；可是当我告诉他他憎恶谄媚之徒的时候，他就会欣然首肯，不知道他已经中了我深入痒处的谄媚了。让我试一试我的手段；我可以看准他的脾气下手，哄他到圣殿里去。
凯歇斯 我们大家都要到那边去迎接他。
勃鲁托斯 最迟要在八点钟到齐，是不是？
西那 最迟八点钟大家不可有误。
麦泰勒斯 卡厄斯·里加律斯对凯撒也很怀恨，因为他说了庞贝的好话，受到凯撒的斥责；你们怎么没有人想到他。
勃鲁托斯 啊，好麦泰勒斯，带他一起来吧；他对我感情很好，我也有恩于他；叫他到我这儿来，我可以劝他跟我们合作。
凯歇斯 天正在亮起来了；我们现在要离开您，勃鲁托斯。朋友们，各人散开；可是大家记住你们说过的话，显一显你们是真正的罗马人。
勃鲁托斯 各位好朋友们，大家脸色放高兴一些；不要让我们的脸上堆起我们的心事；应当像罗马的伶人一样，用不倦的精神和坚定的仪表肩负我们的重任。祝你们各位早安。（除勃鲁托斯外均下）孩子！路歇斯！睡熟了吗？很好，享受你的甜蜜而沉重的睡眠的甘露吧；你没有那些充满着烦忧的人们脑中的种种幻象，所以你会睡得这样安稳。
鲍西娅上。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯，我的主！
勃鲁托斯 鲍西娅，你来做什么？为什么你现在就起来？你这样娇弱的身体，是受不住清晨的寒风的。
鲍西娅 那对于您的身体也是同样不适宜的。您也太狠心了，勃鲁托斯，偷偷地从我的床上溜了出来。昨天晚上吃饭的时候，您也是突然立起身来，在屋子里跑来跑去，交叉着两臂，边想心事边叹气；当我问您为了什么事的时候，您用凶狠的眼光瞪着我；我再向您追问，您就搔您的头，非常暴躁地顿您的脚；可是我仍旧问下去，您还是不回答我，只是怒气冲冲地向我挥手，叫我走开。我因为您在盛怒之中，不愿格外触动您的烦恼，所以就遵从您的意思走开了，心里在希望这不过是您一时心境恶劣，人是谁都免不了有心里不痛快的时候的。它不让您吃饭、说话或是睡觉，要是它能够改变您的形体，就像它改变您的脾气一样，那么勃鲁托斯，我就要完全不认识您了。我的亲爱的主，让我知道您的忧虑的原因吧。
勃鲁托斯 我因为身体不舒服，所以有点烦躁。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯是个聪明人，要是他身体不舒服，他一定会知道怎样才可以得到健康。
勃鲁托斯 对了。好鲍西娅，去睡吧。
鲍西娅 勃鲁托斯要是有病，他应该松开了衣带，在多露的清晨步行，呼吸那种潮湿的空气吗？什么！勃鲁托斯害了病，他还要偷偷地从温暖的眠床上溜了出去，向那恶毒的夜气挑战，使他自己病上加病吗？不，我的勃鲁托斯，您害的是心里的病，凭着我的地位和权利，您应该让我知道。我现在向您跪下，凭着我的曾经受人赞美的美貌，凭着您的一切爱情的誓言，以及那使我们两人结为一体的伟大的盟约，我请求您告诉我，您的自身，您的一半，为什么您这样郁郁不乐，今天晚上有什么人来看过您；因为我知道这儿曾经来过六七个人，他们在黑暗之中还是不敢露出他们的脸来。
勃鲁托斯 不要跪，温柔的鲍西娅。
鲍西娅 假如您是温柔的勃鲁托斯，我就用不着下跪。在我们夫妇的名分之内，告诉我，勃鲁托斯，难道我是不应该知道您的秘密的吗？我虽然是您自身的一部分，可是那只是有限制的一部分，除了陪着您吃饭，在枕席上安慰安慰您，有时候跟您谈谈话以外，没有别的任务了吗？难道您只要我跟着您的好恶打转吗？假如不过是这样，那么鲍西娅只是勃鲁托斯的娼妓，不是他的妻子了。
勃鲁托斯 你是我的忠贞的妻子，正像滋润我悲哀的心的鲜红血液一样宝贵。
鲍西娅 这句话倘然是真的，那么我就应该知道您的心事。我承认我只是一个女流之辈，可是我却是勃鲁托斯娶为妻子的一个女人；我承认我只是一个女流之辈，可是我却是凯图的女儿，不是一个碌碌无名的女人。您以为我有了这样的父亲和丈夫，还是跟一般女人同样不中用吗？把您的心事告诉我，我一定不向人泄漏。我为了保证对你的坚贞，曾经自愿把我的贞操献给了你；难道我能够忍耐那样的痛苦，却不能保守我丈夫的秘密吗？
勃鲁托斯 神啊！保佑我不要辜负了这样一位高贵的妻子。（自叩门声）听，听！有人在打门，鲍西娅，你先暂时进去；等会儿你就可以知道我的心底的秘密。我要向你解释我的全部的计划，以及藏在我的脑中的一切思想。赶快进去。（鲍西娅下）路歇斯，谁在打门？
路歇斯率里加律斯重上。
路歇斯 这儿是一个病人，要跟您说话。
勃鲁托斯 卡厄斯·里加律斯，刚才麦泰勒斯向我提起过的。孩子，站在一旁。卡厄斯·里加律斯！怎么？
里加律斯 请您允许我这病弱的舌头向您吐出一声早安。
勃鲁托斯 啊！勇敢的卡厄斯，您怎么在这样早的时间扶病而起？要是您没有病那才好。
里加律斯 要是勃鲁托斯有什么无愧于荣誉的事情要吩咐我去做，那么我是没有病的。
勃鲁托斯 要是您有一双健康的耳朵可以听我诉说，里加律斯，那么我手头正有这样的一件事情。
里加律斯 凭着罗马人所崇拜的一切神明，我现在抛弃了我的疾病。罗马的灵魂！光荣的祖先所生的英勇的子孙！您像一个驱策鬼神的术士一样，已经把我奄奄一息的精神呼唤回来了。现在您只要叫我为您奔走，我就会冒着一切的危险迈进，克服一切前途的困难。您要我做什么事？
勃鲁托斯 我要叫您干一件可以使病人痊愈的事。
里加律斯 可是我们不是要叫有些不害病的人不舒服吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，我们也要叫有些不害病的人不舒服。我的卡厄斯，我们现在就要到我们预备下手的地方去，一路上我可以告诉你那是件什么工作。
里加律斯 请您举步先行，我用一颗新燃的心跟随您，去干一件我还没有知道的事情；在勃督托斯的领导之下，一定不会有错。
勃鲁托斯 那么跟我来。（同下。）
第二场 同前。凯撒家中
雷电交作；凯撒披寝衣上。
凯撒 今晚天地都不得安宁。凯尔弗妮娅在睡梦之中三次高声叫喊，说“救命！他们杀了凯撒啦！”里面有人吗？
一仆人上。
仆人 主人有什么吩咐？
凯撒 你去叫那些祭司们到神前献祭，问问他们我的吉凶休咎。
仆人 是，主人。（下。）
凯尔弗妮娅上。
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒，您要做什么？您想出去吗？今天可不能让您走出这屋子。
凯撒 凯撒一定要出去。恐吓我的东西只敢在我背后装腔作势；它们一看见凯撒的脸，就会销声匿迹。
凯尔弗妮娅 凯撒，我从来不讲究什么禁忌，可是现在却有些惴惴不安。里边有一个人，他除了我们所听到看到的一切之外，还讲给我听巡夜的人所看见的许多可怕的异象。一头母狮在街道上生产；坟墓裂开了口，放鬼魂出来；凶猛的骑士在云端里列队交战，他们的血洒到了圣庙的屋上；战斗的声音在空中震响，人们听见马的嘶鸣、濒死者的呻吟，还有在街道上悲号的鬼魂。凯撒啊！这些事情都是从来不曾有过的，我害怕得很哩。
凯撒 天意注定的事，难道是人力所能逃避的吗？凯撒一定要出去；因为这些预兆不是给凯撒一个人看，而是给所有的世人看的。
凯尔弗妮娅 乞丐死了的时候，天上不会有彗星出现；君王们的凋殒才会上感天象。
凯撒 懦夫在未死以前，就已经死过好多次；勇士一生只死一次。在我所听到过的一切怪事之中，人们的贪生怕死是一件最奇怪的事情，因为死本来是一个人免不了的结局，它要来的时候谁也不能叫它不来。
仆人重上。
凯撒 卜者们怎么说？
仆人 他们叫您今天不要出外走动。他们剖开一头献祭的牲畜的肚子，预备掏出它的内脏来，不料找来找去找不到它的心。
凯撒 神明显示这样的奇迹，是要叫懦怯的人知道惭愧；凯撒要是今天为了恐惧而躲在家里，他就是一头没有心的牲畜。不，凯撒决不躲在家里。凯撒是比危险更危险的，我们是两头同日产生的雄狮，我却比它更大更凶。凯撒一定要出去。
凯尔弗妮娅 唉！我的主，您的智慧被自信汩没了。今天不要出去；就算是我的恐惧把您留在家里的吧，这不能说是您自己胆小。我们可以叫玛克·安东尼到元老院去，叫他对他们说您今天身体不大舒服。让我跪在地上，求求您答应了我吧。
凯撒 那么就叫玛克·安东尼去说我今天不大舒服；为了不忍拂你的意思，我就待在家里吧。
狄歇斯上。
凯撒 狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯来了，他可以去替我告诉他们。
狄歇斯 凯撒，万福！祝您早安，尊贵的凯撒；我来接您到元老院去。
凯撒 你来得正好，请你替我去向元老们致意，对他们说我今天不来了；不是不能来，更不是不敢来，我只是不高兴来；就对他们这么说吧，狄歇斯。
凯尔弗妮娅 你说他有病。
凯撒 凯撒是叫人去说谎的吗？难道我南征北战，攻下了这许多地方，却不敢对一班白须老头子们讲真话吗？狄歇斯，去告诉他们凯撒不高兴来。
狄歇斯 最伟大的凯撒，让我知道一些理由，否则我这样告诉了他们，会被他们嘲笑的。
凯撒 我不高兴去，这就是我的理由；你就这样去告诉元老们吧。可是为了我们私人间的感情，我愿意让你知道，我的妻子凯尔弗妮娅不放我出去。昨天晚上她梦见我的雕像仿佛一座有一百个喷水孔的水池，浑身流着鲜血；许多壮健的罗马人欢欢喜喜地都来把他们的手浸在血里。她以为这个梦是不祥之兆，所以跪着求我今天不要出去。
狄歇斯 这个梦完全解释错了；那明明是一个大吉大利之兆：您的雕像喷着鲜血，许多欢欢喜喜的罗马人把手浸在血里，这表示伟大的罗马将要从您的身上吸取复活的新血，许多有地位的人都要来向您要求分到一点余泽。这才是凯尔弗妮娅的梦的真正的意义。
凯撒 你这样解释得很好。
狄歇斯 我还有一些话要告诉您，您听了以后，就会知道我解释得一点不错。元老院已经决定要在今天替伟大的凯撒加冕；要是您叫人去对他们说您今天不去，他们也许会变了卦。而且这种事情给人家传扬出去，很容易变成笑柄，人家会这样说，“等凯撒的妻子做过了好梦以后，再让元老院开会吧。”要是凯撒躲在家里，他们不会窃窃私语，说“瞧！凯撒在害怕呢”吗？恕我，凯撒，因为我对您的深切的关心，使我向您说了这样的话。
凯撒 你的恐惧现在瞧上去是多么傻气，凯尔弗妮娅！我刚才听了你的话，现在倒有些惭愧起来了。把我的袍子给我，我要去。
坡勃律斯、勃鲁托斯，里加律斯、麦泰勒斯、凯斯卡、特莱包涅斯及西那同上。
凯撒 瞧，坡勃律斯来迎接我了。
坡勃律斯 早安，凯撒。
凯撒 欢迎，坡勃律斯。啊！勃鲁托斯，你也这样早就出来了吗？早安，凯斯卡。卡厄斯·里加律斯，你的贵恙害得你这样消瘦，凯撒可没有这样欺侮过你哩。现在几点钟啦？
勃鲁托斯 凯撒，已经敲过八点了。
凯撒 谢谢你们的跋涉和好意。
安东尼上。
凯撒 瞧！通宵狂欢的安东尼也已经起身了。早安，安东尼。
安东尼 早安，最尊贵的凯撒。
凯撒 叫他们里面预备起来；我不该让他们久等。你好，西那；你好，麦泰勒斯；啊，特莱包涅斯！我有可以足足讲一个钟点的话预备跟你谈哩；记住今天你还要来看我一次；站得离开我近一些，免得我把你忘了。
特莱包涅斯 是，凯撒。（旁白）我要站得离开你这么近，让你的好朋友们将来怪我不站远一些呢。
凯撒 好朋友们，进去陪我喝口酒；喝过了酒，我们就像朋友一样，大家一块儿去。
勃鲁托斯 （旁白）唉，凯撒！人家的心可不跟您一样，我勃鲁托斯想到这一点不免有些惆怅。（同下。）
第三场 同前。圣殿附近的街道
阿特米多勒斯上，读信。
阿特米多勒斯 “凯撒，留心勃鲁托斯；注意凯歇斯；不要走近凯斯卡；看着西那；不要相信特莱包涅斯；仔细察看麦泰勒斯·辛伯；狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯不喜欢你；卡厄斯·里加律斯受过你的委屈。这些人只有一条心，那就是要推翻凯撒。要是你不是永生不死的，那么警戒你的四周吧；阴谋是会毁坏你的安全的。伟大的神明护佑你！爱你的人，阿特米多勒斯。”我要站在这儿，等候凯撒经过，像一个请愿的人似的，我要把这信交给他。我一想到德行逃不过争胜的利齿，就觉得万分伤心。要是你读了这封信，凯撒啊！也许你还可以活命；否则命运也变成叛徒的同谋者了。（下。）
第四场 同前。同一街道的另一部分，勃鲁托斯家门前
鲍西娅及路歇斯上。
鲍西娅 孩子，请你赶快跑到元老院去；不要停留在这儿回答我，快去。你为什么还不去？
路歇斯 我还不知道您要我去做什么事哩，太太。
鲍西娅 我要你到那边去，去了再回来，可是我说不出我要你去做什么事。啊，坚强的精神！不要离开我；替我在我的心和舌头之间堆起一座高山；我有一颗男子的心，却只有妇女的能力。叫一个女人保守一桩秘密是一件多大的难事！你还在这儿吗？
路歇斯 太太，您要我去做什么呢？就是跑到圣殿里去，没有别的事了吗？去了再回来，就是这样吗？
鲍西娅 是的，孩子，你回来告诉我，主人的脸色怎样，因为他出去的时候，好像不大舒服；你还要留心看着凯撒的行动，向他请愿的有些什么人。听，孩子！那是什么声音？
路歇斯 我听不见，太太。
鲍西娅 仔细听着。我好像听见一陈骚乱的声音，仿佛在吵架似的；那声音从风里传了过来，好像就在圣殿那边。
路歇斯 真的，太太，我什么都听不见。
预言者上。
鲍西娅 过来，朋友；你从哪儿来？
预言者 从我自己的家里，好太太。
鲍西娅 现在几点钟啦？
预言者 大约九点钟了，太太。
鲍西娅 凯撒到圣殿里去了没有？
预言者 太太，还没有。我要去拣一处站立的地方，瞧他从街上经过到圣殿里去。
鲍西娅 你也要向凯撒提出什么请愿吗？
预言者 是的，太太。要是凯撒为了他自己的好处，愿意听我的话，我要请求他照顾照顾他自己。
鲍西娅 怎么，你知道有人要谋害他吗？
预言者 我不知道有什么人要谋害他，可是我怕有许多人要谋害他。再会。这儿街道很狭，那些跟在凯撒背后的元老们、官史们，还有请愿的民众们，一定拥挤得很；像我这样瘦弱的人，怕要给他们挤死。我要去找一处空旷一些的地方，等伟大的凯撒走过的时候，就可以向他说话。（下。）
鲍西娅 我必须进去。唉！女人的心是一件多么软弱的东西！勃鲁托斯啊！愿上天保佑你的事业成功。哎哟，叫这孩子听了去啦；勃鲁托斯要向凯撒请愿，可是凯撒不见得会答应他。啊！我的身子快要支持不住了。路歇斯，快去，替我致意我的主，说我现在很快乐。去了你再回来，告诉我他对你说些什么。（各下。）
第三幕
第一场 罗马。圣殿前。元老院在上层聚会
阿特米多勒斯及预言者杂在大群民众中上：喇叭奏花腔。凯撒、勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯、凯斯卡、狄歇斯、麦泰勒斯、特莱包涅斯、西那、安东尼、莱必多斯、波匹律斯、坡勃律斯及余人等上。
凯撒 （向预言者）三月十五已经来了。
预言者 是的，凯撒，可是它还没有去。
阿特米多勒斯 祝福，凯撒！请您把这张单子读一遍。
狄歇斯 这是特莱包涅斯的一个卑微的请愿，请您有空把它看一看。
阿特米多勒斯 啊，凯撒！先读我的；因为我的请愿是对凯撒很有关系的。读吧，伟大的凯撒。
凯撒 有关我自己的事情，应当放在末了办。
阿特米多勒斯 不要把它搁置，凯撒；立刻就读。
凯撒 什么！这家伙疯了吗？
坡勃律斯 喂，让开。
凯撒 什么！你们要在街上呈递你们的请愿吗？到圣殿里来吧。
凯撒走上元老院，余人后随；众元老起立。
波匹律斯 我希望你们今天大事成功。
凯歇斯 什么大事，波匹律斯？
波匹律斯 再见。（至凯撒前。）
勃鲁托斯 波匹律斯·里那怎么说？
凯歇斯 他希望我们今天大事成功。我怕我们的计划已经泄漏了。
勃鲁托斯 瞧，他到凯撒面前去了；看着他。
凯歇斯 凯斯卡，事不宜迟，不要让他们有了防备。勃鲁托斯，怎么办？要是事情泄漏，那么也许是凯歇斯，也许是凯撒，总有一个人今天不能回去，因为我们这次倘然失败，我一定自杀。
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，别慌；波匹律斯·里那并没有把我们的计划告诉他；瞧，他在笑，凯撒也没有变脸色。
凯歇斯 特莱包涅斯很机警，你瞧，勃鲁托斯，他把玛克·安东尼拉开去了。（安东尼、特莱包涅斯同下；凯撒及众元老就坐。）
狄歇斯 麦泰勒斯·辛伯在哪儿？叫他立刻过来，向凯撒呈上他的请愿。
勃鲁托斯 在叫麦泰勒斯了；我们站近些帮他说话。
西那 凯斯卡，你第一个举起手来。
凯撒 我们都预备好了吗？现在还有什么不对的事情，凯撒和他的元老们必须纠正的？
麦泰勒斯 至高无上、威严无比的凯撒，麦泰勒斯·辛伯在您的座前掬献一颗卑微的心——（跪。）
凯撒 我必须阻止你，辛伯。这种打躬作揖的玩意儿，也许可以煽动平常人的心，使那已经决定了的命令宣判变成儿戏的法律。可是你不要痴心，以为凯撒也有那样卑劣的血液，会因为这种可以使傻瓜们感动的甘言美语、弯腰屈膝和无耻的摇尾乞怜而融化了他的坚强的意志。按照判决，你的兄弟必须放逐出境；要是你奴颜婢膝地为他说情，我就要把你像狗一样踢开去。告诉你，凯撒是不会错误的，他所决定的事，一定有充分的理由。
麦泰勒斯 这儿难道没有一个比我自己更有价值的、在伟大的凯撒耳中更动听的声音，愿意为我放逐的兄弟恳求撤回成命吗？
勃鲁托斯 我吻你的手，可是这不是向你献媚，凯撒；请你立刻下令赦免坡勃律斯·辛伯。
凯撒 什么，勃鲁托斯！
凯歇斯 开恩吧，凯撒；凯撒，开恩吧。凯歇斯俯伏在您的足下，请您赦免坡勃律斯·辛伯。
凯撒 要是我也跟你们一样，我就会被你们所感动；要是我也能够用哀求打动别人的心，那么你们的哀求也会打动我的心；可是我是像北极星一样坚定，它的不可动摇的性质，在天宇中是无与伦比的。天上布满了无数的星辰，每一个星辰都是一个火球，都有它各自的光辉，可是在众星之中，只有一个星卓立不动。在人世间也是这样；无数的人生活在这世间，他们都是有血肉有知觉的，可是我知道只有一个人能够确保他的不可侵犯的地位，任何力量都不能使他动摇。我就是他；让我在这件小小的事上向你们证明，我既然已经决定把辛伯放逐，就要贯彻我的意旨，毫不含糊地执行这一个成命，而且永远不让他再回到罗马来。
西那 啊，凯撒——
凯撒 去！你想把俄林波斯山一手举起吗？
狄歇斯 伟大的凯撒——
凯撒 勃鲁托斯不是白白地下跪吗？
凯斯卡 好，那么让我的手代替我说话！（率众刺凯撒。）
凯撒 勃鲁托斯，你也在内吗？那么倒下吧，凯撒！（死。）
西那 自由！解放！暴君死了！去，到各处街道上宣布这样的消息。
凯歇斯 去几个人到公共讲坛上，高声呼喊，“自由，解放！”
勃鲁托斯 各位民众，各位元老，大家不要惊慌，不要跑走；站定；野心已经偿了它债了。
凯斯卡 到讲坛上来，勃鲁托斯。
狄歇斯 凯歇斯也上去。
勃鲁托斯 坡勃律斯呢？
西那 在这儿，他给这场乱子吓呆了。
麦泰勒斯 大家站在一起不要跑开，也许凯撒的同党们——
勃鲁托斯 别讲这种话。坡勃律斯，放心吧；我们不会加害于你，也不会加害任何其他的罗马人；你这样告诉他们，坡勃律斯。
凯歇斯 离开我们，坡勃律斯；也许人民会向我们冲来，连累您老人家受了伤害。
勃鲁托斯 是的，你去吧；我们干了这种事，我们自己负责，不要连累别人。
特莱包涅斯上。
凯歇斯 安东尼呢？
特莱包涅斯 吓得逃回家里去了。男人、女人，孩子，大家睁大了眼睛，乱嚷乱叫，到处奔跑，像是末日到来了一般。
勃鲁托斯 命运，我们等候着你的旨意。我们谁都免不了一死；与其在世上偷生苟活，拖延着日子，还不如轰轰烈烈地死去。
凯斯卡 嘿，切断了二十年的生命，等于切断了二十年在忧生畏死中过去的时间。
勃鲁托斯 照这样说来，死还是一件好事。所以我们都是凯撒的朋友，帮助他结束了这一段忧生畏死的生命。弯下身去，罗马人，弯下身去；让我们把手浸在凯撒的血里，一直到我们的肘上；让我们用他的血抹我们的剑。然后我们就迈步前进，到市场上去；把我们鲜红的武器在我们头顶挥舞，大家高呼着，“和平，自由，解放！”
凯歇斯 好，大家弯下身去，洗你们的手吧。多少年代以后，我们这一场壮烈的戏剧，将要在尚未产生的国家用我们所不知道的语言表演！
勃鲁托斯 凯撒将要在戏剧中流多少次的血，他现在却长眠在庞贝的像座之下，他的尊严化成了泥土！
凯歇斯 后世的人们搬演今天这一幕的时候，将要称我们这一群为祖国的解放者。
狄歇斯 怎么！我们要不要就去？
凯歇斯 好，大家去吧。让勃鲁托斯领导我们，让我们用罗马最勇敢纯洁的心跟随在他的后面。
一仆人上。
勃鲁托斯 且慢！谁来啦？一个安东尼手下的人。
仆人 勃鲁托斯，我的主人玛克·安东尼叫我跪在您的面前，他叫我对您说：勃鲁托斯是聪明正直、勇敢高尚的君子，凯撒是威严勇猛、慷慨仁慈的豪杰；我爱勃鲁托斯，我尊敬他；我畏惧凯撒，可是我也爱他尊敬他。要是勃鲁托斯愿意保证安东尼的安全，允许他来见一见勃鲁托斯的面，让他明白凯撒何以致死的原因，那么玛克·安东尼将要爱活着的勃鲁托斯甚于已死的凯撒；他将要竭尽他的忠诚，不辞一切的危险，追随着高贵的勃鲁托斯。这是我的主人安东尼所说的话。
勃鲁托斯 你的主人是一个聪明勇敢的罗马人，我一向佩服他。你去告诉他，请他到这儿来，我们可以给他满意的解释；我用我的荣誉向他保证，他决不会受到丝毫的伤害。
仆人 我立刻就去请他来。（下。）
勃鲁托斯 我知道我们可以跟他做朋友的。
凯歇斯 但愿如此；可是我对他总觉得很不放心。我所疑虑的事情，往往会成为事实。
安东尼重上。
勃鲁托斯 安东尼来了。欢迎，玛克·安东尼。
安东尼 啊，伟大的凯撒！你就这样倒下了吗？你的一切赫赫的勋业，你的一切光荣胜利，都化为乌有了吗？再会！各位壮士，我不知道你们的意思，还有些什么人在你们眼中看来是有毒的，应当替他放血。假如是我的话，那么我能够和凯撒死在同一个时辰，让你们手中那沾着全世界最高贵的血的刀剑结果我的生命，实在是再好没有的事。我请求你们，要是你们对我怀着敌视，趁着现在你们血染的手还在发出热气，赶快执行你们的意旨吧。即使我活到一千岁，也找不到像今天这样好的一个死的机会；让我躺在凯撒的旁边，还有比这更好的死处吗？让我死在你们这些当代英俊的手里，还有比这更好的死法吗？
勃鲁托斯 啊，安东尼！不要向我们请求一死。虽然你现在看我们好像是这样惨酷残忍，可是你只看见我们血污的手和它们所干的这一场流血的惨剧，你却还没有看见我们的心，它们是慈悲而仁善的。我们因为不忍看见罗马的人民受到暴力的压迫，所以才不得已把凯撒杀死；正像一场大火把小火吞没一样，更大的怜悯使我们放弃了小小的不忍之心。对于你，玛克·安东尼，我们的剑锋是铅铸的；我们用一切的热情、善意和尊敬，张开我们友好的胳臂欢迎你。
凯歇斯 我们重新分配官职的时候，你的意见将要受到同样的尊重。
勃鲁托斯 现在请你暂时忍耐，等我们把惊煌失措的群众安抚好了以后，就可以告诉你为什么我们要采取这样的行动，虽然我在刺死凯撒的一刹那还是没有减却我对他的敬爱。
安东尼 我不怀疑你的智慧。让每一个人把他的血手给我：第一，玛克斯·勃鲁托斯，我要握您的手；其次，卡厄斯·凯歇斯，我要握您的手；狄歇斯·勃鲁托斯、麦泰勒斯、西那，还有我的勇敢的凯斯卡，让我一个一个跟你们握手；虽然是最后一个，可是让我用同样热烈的诚意和您握手，好特莱包涅斯。各位朋友——唉！我应当怎么说呢？我的信誉现在岌岌可危，你们不以为我是一个懦夫，就要以为我是一个阿谀之徒。啊，凯撒！我曾经爱过你，这是一件千真万确的事实；要是你的阴魂现在看着我们，你看见你的安东尼当着你的尸骸之前靦颜事仇，握着你的敌人的血手，那不是要使你觉得比死还难过吗？要是我有像你的伤口那么多的眼睛，我应当让它们流着滔滔的热泪，正像血从你的伤口涌出一样，可是我却忘恩负义，和你的敌人成为朋友了。恕我，裘力斯！你是一头勇敢的鹿，在这儿落到猎人的手里了；啊，世界！你是这头鹿栖息的森林，他是这一座森林中的骄子；你现在躺在这儿，多么像一头中箭的鹿，被许多王子贵人把你射死！
凯歇斯 玛克·安东尼——
安东尼 恕我，卡厄斯·凯歇斯。即使是凯撒的敌人，也会说这样的话；在一个他的朋友的嘴里，这不过是人情上应有的表示。
凯歇斯 我不怪你把凯撒这样赞美；可是你预备怎样跟我们合作？你愿意做我们的一个同志呢，还是各行其是？
安东尼 我因为愿意跟你们合作，所以才跟你们握手；可是因为瞧见了凯撒，所以又说到旁的话头上去了，你们都是我的朋友，我愿意和你们大家相亲相爱，可是我希望你们能够向我解释为什么凯撒是一个危险的人物。
勃鲁托斯 我们倘没有正当的理由，那么今天这一种举动完全是野蛮的暴行了。要是你知道了我们所以要这样干的原因，安东尼，即使你是凯撒的儿子，你也会心悦诚服。
安东尼 那是我所要知道的一切。我还要向你们请求一件事，请你们准许我把他的尸体带到市场上去，让我以一个朋友的地位，在讲坛上为他说几句追悼的话。
勃鲁托斯 我们准许你，玛克·安东尼。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，跟你说句话。（向勃鲁托斯旁白）你太不加考虑了；不要让安东尼发表他的追悼演说。你不知道人民听了他的话，将要受到多大的感动吗？
勃鲁托斯 对不起，我自己先要登上讲坛，说明我们杀死凯撒的理由；我还要声明安东尼将要说的话，事先曾经得到我们的许可，我们并且同意凯撒可以得到一切合礼的身后哀荣。这样不但对我们没有妨害，而且更可以博得舆论对我们的同情。
凯歇斯 我不知道那会引起什么结果；我不赞成这样做。
勃鲁托斯 玛克·安东尼，来，你把凯撒的遗体搬去。在你的哀悼演说里，你不能归罪我们，不过你可以照你所能想到的尽量称道凯撒的好处，同时你必须声明你说这样的话，曾经得到我们的许可；要不然的话，我们就不让你参加他的葬礼。还有你必须跟我在同一讲坛上演说，等我演说完了以后你再上去。
安东尼 就这样吧；我没有其他的奢望了。
勃鲁托斯 那么准备把尸体抬起来，跟着我们来吧。（除安东尼外同下。）
安东尼 啊！你这一块流血的泥土，你这有史以来最高贵的英雄的遗体，恕我跟这些屠夫们曲意周旋。愿灾祸降于溅泼这样宝贵的血的凶手！你的一处处伤口，好像许多无言的嘴，张开了它们殷红的嘴唇，要求我的舌头替它们向世人申诉；我现在就在这些伤口上预言：一个咒诅将要降临在人们的肢体上；残暴惨酷的内乱将要使意大利到处陷于混乱；流血和破坏将要成为一时的风尚，恐怖的景象将要每天接触到人们的眼睛，以致于做母亲的人看见她们的婴孩被战争的魔手所肢解，也会毫不在乎地付之一笑；人们因为习惯于残杀，一切怜悯之心将要完全灭绝；凯撒的冤魂借着从地狱的烈火中出来的阿提②的协助，将要用一个君王的口气，向罗马的全境发出屠杀的号令，让战争的猛犬四出蹂躏，为了这一个万恶的罪行，大地上将要弥漫着呻吟求葬的臭皮囊。
一仆人上。
安东尼 你是侍候奥克泰维斯·凯撒的吗？
仆人 是的，玛克·安东尼。
安东尼 凯撒曾经写信叫他到罗马来。
仆人 他已经接到信，正在动身前来；他叫我口头对您说——（见尸体）啊，凯撒！——
安东尼 你的心肠很仁慈，你走开去哭吧。情感是容易感染的，看见你眼睛里悲哀的泪珠，我自己也忍不住流泪了。你的主人就来吗？
仆人 他今晚耽搁在离罗马二十多哩的地方。
安东尼 赶快回去，告诉他这儿发生的事。这是一个悲伤的罗马，一个危险的罗马，现在还不是可以让奥克泰维斯安全居住的地方；快去，照这样告诉他。可是且慢，你必须等我把这尸体搬到市场上去了以后再回去；我要在那边用演说试探人民对于这些暴徒们所造成的惨剧有什么反应，你可以根据他们的表示，回去告诉年轻的奥克泰维斯关于这儿的一切情形。帮一帮我。（二人抬凯撒尸体同下。）
第二场 同前。大市场
勃鲁托斯、凯歇斯及一群市民上。
众市民 我们一定要得到满意的解释；让我们得到满意的解释。
勃鲁托斯 那么跟我来，朋友们，让我讲给你们听。凯歇斯，你到另外一条街上去，把听众分散分散。愿意听我的留在这儿；愿意听凯歇斯的跟他去。我们将要公开宣布凯撒致死的原因。
市民甲 我要听勃鲁托斯讲。
市民乙 我要听凯歇斯讲；我们各人听了以后，可以把他们两人的理由比较比较。（凯歇斯及一部分市民下；勃鲁托斯登讲坛。）
市民丙 尊贵的勃鲁托斯上去了；静！
勃鲁托斯 请耐心听我讲完。各位罗马人，各位亲爱的同胞们！请你们静静地听我解释。为了我的名誉，请你们相信我；尊重我的名誉，这样你们就会相信我的话。用你们的智慧批评我；唤起你们的理智，给我一个公正的评断。要是在今天在场的群众中间，有什么人是凯撒的好朋友，我要对他说，勃鲁托斯也是和他同样地爱着凯撒。要是那位朋友问我为什么勃鲁托斯要起来反对凯撒，这就是我的回答：并不是我不爱凯撒，可是我更爱罗马。你们宁愿让凯撒活在世上，大家作奴隶而死呢，还是让凯撒死去，大家作自由人而生？因为凯撒爱我，所以我为他流泪；因为他是幸运的，所以我为他欣慰；因为他是勇敢的，所以我尊敬他；因为他有野心，所以我杀死他。我用眼泪报答他的友谊，用喜悦庆祝他的幸运，用尊敬崇扬他的勇敢，用死亡惩戒他的野心。这儿有谁愿意自甘卑贱，做一个奴隶？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。这儿有谁愿意自居化外，不愿做一个罗马人？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。这儿有谁愿意自处下流，不爱他的国家？要是有这样的人，请说出来；因为我已经得罪他了。我等待着答复。
众市民 没有，勃鲁托斯，没有。
勃鲁托斯 那么我没有得罪什么人。我怎样对待凯撒，你们也可以怎样对待我。他的遇害的经过已经记录在议会的案卷上，他的彪炳的功绩不曾被抹杀，他的错误虽使他伏法受诛，也不曾过分夸大。
安东尼及余人等抬凯撒尸体上。
勃鲁托斯 玛克·安东尼护送着他的遗体来了。虽然安东尼并不预闻凯撒的死，可是他将要享受凯撒死后的利益，他可以在共和国中得到一个地位，正像你们每一个人都是共和国中的一分子一样。当我临去之前，我还要说一句话：为了罗马的好处，我杀死了我的最好的朋友，要是我的祖国需要我的死，那么无论什么时候，我都可以用那同一把刀子杀死我自己。
众市民 不要死，勃鲁托斯！不要死！不要死！
市民甲 用欢呼护送他回家。
市民乙 替他立一座雕像，和他的祖先们在一起。
市民丙 让他做凯撒。
市民丁 让凯撒的一切光荣都归于勃鲁托斯。
市民甲 我们要一路欢呼送他回去。
勃鲁托斯 同胞们——
市民乙 静！别闹！勃鲁托斯讲话了。
市民甲 静些！
勃鲁托斯 善良的同胞们，让我一个人回去，为了我的缘故，留在这儿听安东尼有些什么话说。你们应该尊敬凯撒的遗体，静听玛克·安东尼赞美他的功业的演说；这是我们已经允许他的。除了我一个人以外，请你们谁也不要走开，等安东尼讲完了他的话。（下。）
市民甲 大家别走！让我们听玛克·安东尼讲话。
市民丙 让他登上讲坛；我们要听他讲话。尊贵的安东尼，上去。
安东尼 为了勃鲁托斯的缘故，我感激你们的好意。（登坛。）
市民丁 他说勃鲁托斯什么话？
市民丙 他说，为了勃鲁托斯的缘故，他感激我们的好意。
市民丁 他最好不要在这儿说勃鲁托斯的坏话。
市民甲 这凯撒是个暴君。
市民丙 嗯，那是不用说的；幸亏罗马除掉了他。
市民乙 静！让我们听听安东尼有些什么话说。
安东尼 各位善良的罗马人——
众市民 静些！让我们听他说。
安东尼 各位朋友，各位罗马人，各位同胞，请你们听我说；我是来埋葬凯撒，不是来赞美他。人们做了恶事，死后免不了遭人唾骂，可是他们所做的善事，往往随着他们的尸骨一齐入土；让凯撒也这样吧。尊贵的勃鲁托斯已经对你们说过，凯撒是有野心的；要是真有这样的事，那诚然是一个重大的过失，凯撒也为了它付出惨酷的代价了。现在我得到勃鲁托斯和他的同志们的允许——因为勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子，他们也都是正人君子——到这儿来在凯撒的丧礼中说几句话。他是我的朋友，他对我是那么忠诚公正；然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子。他曾经带许多俘虏回到罗马来，他们的赎金都充实了公家的财库；这可以说是野心者的行径吗？穷苦的人哀哭的时候，凯撒曾经为他们流泪；野心者是不应当这样仁慈的。然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯是一个正人君子。你们大家看见在卢柏克节的那天，我三次献给他一顶王冠，他三次都拒绝了；这难道是野心吗？然而勃鲁托斯却说他是有野心的，而勃鲁托斯的的确确是一个正人君子。我不是要推翻勃鲁托斯所说的话，我所说的只是我自己所知道的事实。你们过去都曾爱过他，那并不是没有理由的；那么什么理由阻止你们现在哀悼他呢？唉，理性啊！你已经遁入了野兽的心中，人们已经失去辨别是非的能力了。原谅我；我的心现在是跟凯撒一起在他的棺木之内，我必须停顿片刻，等它回到我自己的胸腔里。
市民甲 我想他的话说得很有道理。
市民乙 仔细想起来，凯撒是有点儿死得冤枉。
市民丙 列位，他死得冤枉吗？我怕换了一个人来，比他还不如哩。
市民丁 你们听见他的话吗？他不愿接受王冠；所以他的确一点没有野心。
市民甲 要是果然如此，有几个人将要付重大的代价。
市民乙 可怜的人！他的眼睛哭得像火一般红。
市民丙 在罗马没有比安东尼更高贵的人了。
市民丁 现在听看；他又开始说话了。
安东尼 就在昨天，凯撒的一句话可以抵御整个的世界；现在他躺在那儿，没有一个卑贱的人向他致敬。啊，诸君！要是我有意想要激动你们的心灵，引起一场叛乱，那我就要对不起勃鲁托斯，对不起凯歇斯；你们大家知道，他们都是正人君子。我不愿干对不起他们的事；我宁愿对不起死人，对不起我自己，对不起你们，却不愿对不起这些正人君子。可是这儿有一张羊皮纸，上面盖着凯撒的印章；那是我在他的卧室里找到的一张遗嘱。只要让民众一听到这张遗瞩上的话——原谅我，我现在还不想把它宣读——他们就会去吻凯撒尸体上的伤口，用手巾去蘸他神圣的血，还要乞讨他的一根头发回去作纪念，当他们临死的时候，将要在他们的遗嘱上郑重提起，作为传给后嗣的一项贵重的遗产。
市民丁 我们要听那遗嘱；读出来，玛克·安东尼。
众市民 遗嘱，遗嘱！我们要听凯撒的遗嘱。
安东尼 耐心吧，善良的朋友们；我不能读给你们听。你们不应该知道凯撒多么爱你们。你们不是木头，你们不是石块，你们是人；既然是人，听见了凯撒的遗嘱，一定会激起你们心中的火焰，一定会使你们发疯。你们还是不要知道你们是他的后嗣；要是你们知道了，啊！那将会引起一场什么乱子来呢？
市民丁 读那遗嘱！我们要听，安东尼；你必须把那遗嘱读给我们听，那凯撒的遗嘱。
安东尼 你们不能忍耐一些吗？你们不能等一会儿吗？是我一时失口告诉了你们这件事。我怕我对不起那些用刀子杀死凯撒的正人君子；我怕我对不起他们。
市民丁 他们是叛徒；什么正人君子！
众市民 遗嘱！遗嘱！
市民乙 他们是恶人、凶手。遗瞩！读那遗嘱！
安东尼 那么你们一定要逼迫我读那遗嘱吗？好，那么你们大家环绕在凯撒尸体的周围，让我给你们看看那写下这遗嘱的人。我可以下来吗？你们允许我吗？
众市民 下来。
市民乙 下来。（安东尼下坛。）
市民丙 我们允许你。
市民丁 大家站成一个圆圈。
市民甲 不要挨着棺材站着；不要挨着尸体站着。
市民乙 留出一些地位给安东尼，最尊贵的安东尼。
安东尼 不，不要挨得我这样紧；站得远一些。
众市民 退后！让出地位来！退后去！
安东尼 要是你们有眼泪，现在准备流起来吧。你们都认识这件外套；我记得凯撒第一次穿上它，是在一个夏天的晚上，在他的营帐里，就在他征服纳维人的那一天。瞧！凯歇斯的刀子是从这地方穿过的；瞧那狠心的凯斯卡割开了一道多深的裂口；他所深爱的勃鲁托斯就从这儿刺了一刀进去，当他拔出他那万恶的武器的时候，瞧凯撒的血是怎样汩汩不断地跟着它出来，好像急于涌到外面来，想要知道究竟是不是勃鲁托斯下这样无情的毒手；因为你们知道，勃鲁托斯是凯撒心目中的天使。神啊，请你们判断判断凯撒是多么爱他！这是最无情的一击，因为当尊贵的凯撒看见他行刺的时候，负心，这一柄比叛徒的武器更锋锐的利剑，就一直刺进了他的心脏，那时候他的伟大的心就碎裂了；他的脸给他的外套蒙着，他的血不停地流着，就在庞贝像座之下，伟大的凯撒倒下了。啊！那是一个多么惊人的殒落，我的同胞们；我、你们，我们大家都随着他一起倒下，残酷的叛逆却在我们头上耀武扬威。啊！现在你们流起眼泪来了，我看见你们已经天良发现；这些是真诚的泪滴。善良的人们，怎么！你们只看见我们凯撒衣服上的伤痕，就哭起来了吗？瞧这儿，这才是他自己，你们看，给叛徒们伤害到这个样子。
市民甲 啊，伤心的景象！
市民乙 啊，尊贵的凯撒！
市民丙 啊，不幸的日子！
市民丁 啊，叛徒！恶贼！
市民甲 啊，最残忍的惨剧！
市民乙 我们一定要复仇。
众市民 复仇！——动手！——捉住他们！——烧！放火！——杀！——杀！不要让一个叛徒活命。
安东尼 且慢，同胞们！
市民甲 静下来！听尊贵的安东尼讲话。
市民乙 我们要听他，我们要跟随他，我们要和他死在一起。
安东尼 好朋友们，亲爱的朋友们，不要让我把你们煽起这样一场暴动的怒潮。干这件事的人都是正人君子；唉！我不知道他们有些什么私人的怨恨，使他们干出这种事来，可是他们都是聪明而正直的，一定有理由可以答复你们。朋友们，我不是来偷取你们的心；我不是一个像勃鲁托斯那样能言善辩的人；你们大家都知道我不过是一个老老实实、爱我的朋友的人；他们也知道这一点，所以才允许我为他公开说几句话。因为我既没有智慧，又没有口才，又没有本领，我也不会用行动或言语来激动人们的血性；我不过照我心里所想到的说出来；我只是把你们已经知道的事情向你们提醒，给你们看看亲爱的凯撒的伤口，可怜的、可怜的无言之口，让它们代替我说话。可是假如我是勃鲁托斯，而勃鲁托斯是安东尼，那么那个安东尼一定会激起你们的愤怒，让凯撒的每一处伤口里都长出一条舌头来，即使罗马的石块也将要大受感动，奋身而起，向叛徒们抗争了。
众市民 我们要暴动！
市民甲 我们要烧掉勃鲁托斯的房子！
市民丙 那么去！来，捉那些奸贼们去！
安东尼 听我说，同胞们，听我说。
众市民 静些！——听安东尼说——最尊贵的安东尼。
安东尼 唉，朋友们，你们不知道你们将要去干些什么事。凯撒在什么地方值得你们这样爱他呢？唉！你们还没有知道，让我来告诉你们吧。你们已经忘记我对你们说起的那张遗嘱了。
众市民 不错。那遗嘱！让我们先听听那遗嘱。
安东尼 这就是凯撒盖过印的遗嘱。他给每一个罗马市民七十五个德拉克马③。
市民乙 最尊贵的凯撒！我们要为他的死复仇。
市民丙 啊，伟大的凯撒！
安东尼 耐心听我说。
众市民 静些！
安东尼 而且，他还把台伯河这一边的他的所有的步道、他的私人的园亭、他的新辟的花圃，全部赠给你们，永远成为你们世袭的产业，供你们自由散步游息之用。这样一个凯撒！几时才会有第二个同样的人？
市民甲 再也不会有了，再也不会有了！来，我们去，我们去！我们要在神圣的地方把他的尸体火化，就用那些火把去焚烧叛徒们的屋子。抬起这尸体来。
市民乙 去点起火来。
市民丙 把凳子拉下来烧。
市民丁 把椅子、窗门——什么东西一起拉下来烧。（众市民抬尸体下。）
安东尼 现在让它闹起来吧；一场乱事已经发生，随它怎样发展下去吧！
一仆人上。
安东尼 什么事？
仆人 大爷，奥克泰维斯已经到罗马了。
安东尼 他在什么地方？
仆人 他跟莱必多斯都在凯撒家里。
安东尼 我立刻就去看他。他来得正好。命运之神现在很高兴，她会满足我们一切的愿望。
仆人 我听他说勃鲁托斯和凯歇斯像疯子一样逃出了罗马的城门。
安东尼 大概他们已经注意到人民的态度，人民都被我煽动得十分激昂。领我到奥克泰维斯那儿去。（同下。）
第三场 同前。街道
诗人西那上。
诗人西那 昨天晚上我做了一个梦，梦里我跟凯撒在一起欢宴；许多不祥之兆萦迴在我的脑际；我实在不想出来，可是不知不觉地又跑到门外来了。
众市民上。
市民甲 你叫什么名字？
市民乙 你到哪儿去？
市民丙 你住在哪儿？
市民丁 你是一个结过婚的人，还是一个单身汉子？
市民乙 回答每一个人的问话，要说得爽爽快快。
市民甲 是的，而且要说得简简单单。
市民丁 是的，而且要说得明明白白。
市民丙 是的，而且最好要说得确确实实。
诗人西那 我叫什么名字？我到哪儿去？我住在哪儿？我是一个结过婚的人，还是一个单身汉子？我必须回答每一个人的问话，要说得爽爽快快、简简单单、明明白白，而且确确实实。我就明明白白地回答你们，我是一个单身汉子。
市民乙 那简直就是说，那些结婚的人都是糊里糊涂的家伙；我怕你免不了要挨我一顿打。说下去；爽爽快快地说。
诗人西那 爽爽快快地说，我是去参加凯撒的葬礼的。
市民甲 你用朋友的名义去参加呢，还是用敌人的名义？
诗人西那 用朋友的名义。
市民乙 那个问题他已经爽爽快快地回答了。
市民丁 你的住所呢？简简单单地说。
诗人西那 简简单单地说，我住在圣殿附近。
市民丙 先生，你的名字呢？确确实实地说。
诗人西那 确确实实地说，我的名字是西那。
市民乙 撕碎他的身体；他是一个奸贼。
诗人西那 我是诗人西那，我是诗人西那。
市民丁 撕碎他，因为他做了坏诗；撕碎他，因为他做了坏诗。
诗人西那 我不是参加叛党的西那。
市民乙 不管它，他的名字叫西那；把他的名字从他的心里挖出来，再放他去吧。
市民丙 撕碎他，撕碎他！来，火把！喂！火把！到勃鲁托斯家里，到凯歇斯家里；烧毁他们的一切。去几个人到狄歇斯家里，几个人到凯斯卡家里，还有几个人到里加律斯家里。去！去！（同下。）
第四幕
第一场 罗马。安东尼家中一室
安东尼、奥克泰维斯及莱必多斯围桌而坐。
安东尼 那么这些人都是应该死的；他们的名字上都作了记号了。
奥克泰维斯 你的兄弟也必须死；你答应吗，莱必多斯？
莱必多斯 我答应。
奥克泰维斯 替他作了记号，安东尼。
莱必多斯 可是有一个条件，坡勃律斯也不能让他活命，他是你的外甥，安东尼。
安东尼 那么就把他处死；瞧，我用一个黑点注定他的死罪了。可是莱必多斯，你到凯撒家里去一趟，把他的遗嘱拿来，让我们决定怎样按照他的意旨替他处分遗产。
莱必多斯 什么！还要我到这儿来找你们吗？
奥克泰维斯 我们要是不在这儿，你到圣殿来找我们好了。（莱必多斯下。）
安东尼 这是一个不足齿数的庸奴，只好替别人供奔走之劳；像他这样的人，也配跟我们鼎足三分，在这世界上称雄道霸吗？
奥克泰维斯 你既然这样瞧不起他，为什么在我们判决哪几个人应当处死的时候，却愿意听从他的意见？
安东尼 奥克泰维斯，我比你多了几年人生经验；虽然我们把这种荣誉加在这个人的身上，使他替我们分去一部分诽谤，可是他负担他的荣誉将会像驴子负担黄金一样，在重荷之下呻吟流汗，不是被人牵曳，就是受人驱策，走一步路都要听我们的指挥；等他替我们把宝物载运到我们预定的地点以后，我们就可以卸下他的负担，把他赶走，让他像一头闲散的驴子一样，耸耸他的耳朵，在旷地上啃嚼他的草料。
奥克泰维斯 你可以照你的意思做；可是他不失为一个经验丰富的勇敢军人。
安东尼 我的马儿也是这样，奥克泰维斯；因为它久历戎行，所以我才用粮草饲养它。我教我的马儿怎样冲锋作战，怎样转弯，怎样停步，怎样向前驰突，它的身体的动作都要受我的精神的节制。莱必多斯也有几分正是如此；他一定要有人教导训练，有人命令他前进；他是一个没有独立精神的家伙，靠着腐败的废物滋养他自己，只知道掇拾他人的牙慧，人家已经习久生厌的事情，在他却还是十分新奇；不要讲起他，除非把他当作一件工具看待。现在，奥克泰维斯，让我们讲些重大的事情吧。勃鲁托斯和凯歇斯正在那儿招募兵马，我们必须立刻准备抵御；让我们集合彼此的力量，拉拢我们最好的朋友，运用我们所有的资财；让我们立刻就去举行会议，商讨怎样揭发秘密的阴谋，抗拒公开的攻击的方法吧。
奥克泰维斯 好，我们就去；我们已经到了存亡的关头，许多敌人环伺在我们的四周；还有许多虽然脸上装着笑容，我怕他们的心头却藏着无数的奸谋。（同下。）
第二场 萨狄斯附近的营地。勃鲁托斯营帐之前
鼓声；勃鲁托斯、路西律斯、路歇斯及兵士等上；泰提涅斯及品达勒斯自相对方向上。
勃鲁托斯 喂，站住！
路西律斯 喂，站住！口令！
勃鲁托斯 啊，路西律斯！凯歇斯就要来了吗？
路西律斯 他快要到了；品达勒斯奉他主人之命，来向您致敬。（品达勒斯以信交勃鲁托斯。）
勃鲁托斯 他信上写得很是客气。品达勒斯，你的主人近来行动有些改变，也许是他用人失当，使我觉得有些事情办得很不满意；不过要是他就要来了，我想他一定会向我解释的。
品达勒斯 我相信我的尊贵的主人一定会向您证明他还是那样一个忠诚正直的人。
勃鲁托斯 我并不怀疑他。路西律斯，我问你一句话，他怎样接待你？
路西律斯 他对我很是客气；可是却不像从前那样亲热，言辞之间，也没有从前那样真诚坦白。
勃鲁托斯 你所讲的正是一个热烈的友谊冷淡下来的情形。路西律斯，你要是看见朋友之间用得着不自然的礼貌的时候，就可以知道他们的感情已经在开始衰落了。坦白质朴的忠诚，是用不着浮文虚饰的；可是没有真情的人，就像一匹尚未试步的倔强的弩马，表现出一副奔腾千里的姿态，等到一受鞭策，就会颠踬泥涂，显出庸劣的本相。他的军队有没有开拔？
路西律斯 他们预备今晚驻扎在萨狄斯；大部分的人马是跟凯歇斯同来的。
勃鲁托斯 听！他到了。（内军队轻步行进）轻轻地上去迎接他。
凯歇斯及兵士等上。
凯歇斯 喂，站住！
勃鲁托斯 喂，站住！口令！
兵士甲 站住！
兵士乙 站住！
兵士丙 站住！
凯歇斯 最尊贵的兄弟，你欺人太甚啦。
勃鲁托斯 神啊，判断我。我欺侮过我的敌人吗？要是我没有欺侮过敌人，我怎么会欺侮一个兄弟呢？
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，你用这种庄严的神气掩饰你给我的侮辱——
勃鲁托斯 凯歇斯，别生气；你有什么不痛快的事情，请你轻轻地说吧。当着我们这些兵士的面前，让我们不要争吵，不要让他们看见我们两人不和。打发他们走开；然后，凯歇斯，你可以到我的帐里来诉说你的怨恨；我一定听你。
凯歇斯 品达勒斯，向我们的将领下令，叫他们各人把队伍安顿在离这儿略远一点的地方。
勃鲁托斯 路西律斯，你也去下这样的命令；在我们的会谈没有完毕以前，谁也不准进入我们的帐内。叫路歇斯和泰提涅斯替我们把守帐门。（同下。）
第三场 勃鲁托斯帐内
勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯上。
凯歇斯 你对我的侮辱，可以在这一件事情上看得出来：你把路歇斯·配拉定了罪，因为他在这儿受萨狄斯人的贿赂；可是我因为知道他的为人，写信来替他说情，你却置之不理。
勃鲁托斯 你在这种事情上本来就不该写信。
凯歇斯 在现在这种时候，不该为了一点小小的过失就把人谴责。
勃鲁托斯 让我告诉你，凯歇斯，许多人都说你自己的手心也很有点儿痒，常常为了贪图黄金的缘故，把官爵出卖给无功无能的人。
凯歇斯 我的手心痒！说这句话的人，倘不是勃鲁托斯，那么凭着神明起誓，这句话将要成为你的最后一句话。
勃鲁托斯 这种贪污的行为，因为有凯歇斯的名字作护符，所以惩罚还不曾显出它的威严来。
凯歇斯 惩罚！
勃鲁托斯 记得三月十五吗？伟大的凯撒不是为了正义的缘故而流血吗？倘不是为了正义，哪一个恶人可以加害他的身体？什么！我们曾经打倒全世界首屈一指的人物，因为他庇护盗贼；难道就在我们中间，竟有人甘心让卑污的贿赂玷污他的手指，为了盈握的废物，出卖我们伟大的荣誉吗？我宁愿做一头向月亮狂吠的狗，也不愿做这样一个罗马人。
凯歇斯 勃鲁托斯，不要向我吠叫；我受不了这样的侮辱。你这样逼迫我，全然忘记了你自己是什么人。我是一个军人，经验比你多，我知道怎样处置我自己的事情。
勃鲁托斯 哼，不见得吧，凯歇斯。
凯歇斯 我就是这样一个人。
勃鲁托斯 我说你不是。
凯歇斯 别再逼我吧，我快要忘记我自己了；留心你的安全，别再挑拨我了吧。
勃鲁托斯 去，卑鄙的小人！
凯歇斯 有这等事吗？
勃鲁托斯 听着，我要说我的话。难道我必须在你的暴怒之下退让吗？难道一个疯子的怒目就可以把我吓倒吗？
凯歇斯 神啊！神啊！我必须忍受这一切吗？
勃鲁托斯 这一切！嗯，还有哩。你去发怒到把你骄傲的心都气破了吧；给你的奴隶们看看你的脾气多大，让他们吓得乱抖吧。难道我必须让你吗？我必须侍候你的颜色吗？当你心里烦躁的时候，我必须诚惶诚恐地站在一旁，俯首听命吗？凭着神明起誓，即使你气破了肚子，也是你自己的事；因为从今天起，我要把你的发怒当作我的笑料呢。
凯歇斯 居然会有这样的一天吗？
勃鲁托斯 你说你是一个比我更好的军人；很好，你拿事实来证明你的夸口吧，那会使我十分高兴的。拿我自己来说，我很愿意向高贵的人学习呢。
凯歇斯 你在各方面侮辱我；你侮辱我，勃鲁托斯。我说我是一个经验比你丰富的军人，并没有说我是一个比你更好的军人；难道我说过“更好”这两个字吗？
勃鲁托斯 我不管你有没有说过。
凯歇斯 凯撒活在世上的时候，他也不敢这样激怒我。
勃鲁托斯 闭嘴，闭嘴！你也不敢这样挑惹他。
凯歇斯 我不敢！
勃鲁托斯 你不敢。
凯歇斯 什么！不敢挑惹他！
勃鲁托斯 你不敢挑惹他。
凯歇斯 不要太自恃你我的交情；我也许会做出一些将会使我后悔的事情来的。
勃鲁托斯 你已经做了你应该后悔的事。凯歇斯，凭你怎样恐吓，我都不怕；因为正直的居心便是我的有力的护身符，你那些无聊的恐吓，就像一阵微风吹过，引不起我的注意。我曾经差人来向你告借几个钱，你没有答应我；因为我不能用卑鄙的手段搜括金钱；凭着上天发誓，我宁愿剖出我的心来，把我一滴滴的血熔成钱币，也不愿从农人粗硬的手里辗转榨取他们污臭的锱铢。为了分发军队的粮饷，我差人来向你借钱，你却拒绝了我；凯歇斯可以有这样的行为吗？我会不会给卡厄斯·凯歇斯这样的答复？玛克斯·勃鲁托斯要是也会变得这样吝啬，锁住他的鄙贱的银箱，不让他的朋友们染指，那么神啊，用你们的雷火把他殛得粉碎吧！
凯歇斯 我没有拒绝你。
勃鲁托斯 你拒绝我的。
凯歇斯 我没有，传回我的答复的那家伙是个傻瓜。勃鲁托斯把我的心都劈碎了。一个朋友应当原谅他朋友的过失，可是勃鲁托斯却把我的过失格外夸大。
勃鲁托斯 我没有，是你自己对不起我。
凯歇斯 你不喜欢我。
勃鲁托斯 我不喜欢你的错误。
凯歇斯 一个朋友的眼睛决不会注意到这种错误。
勃鲁托斯 在一个佞人的眼中，即使有像俄林波斯山峰一样高大的错误，也会视而不见。
凯歇斯 来，安东尼，来，年轻的奥克泰维斯，你们向凯歇斯一个人复仇吧，因为凯歇斯已经厌倦于人世了：被所爱的人憎恨，被他的兄弟攻击，像一个奴隶似的受人呵斥，他的一切过失都被人注视记录，背诵得烂熟，作为当面揭发的罪状。啊！我可以从我的眼睛里哭出我的灵魂来。这是我的刀子，这儿是我的袒裸的胸膛，这里面藏着一颗比财神普路托斯的宝矿更富有、比黄金更贵重的心；要是你是一个罗马人，请把它挖出来吧，我拒绝给你金钱，却愿意把我的心献给你。就像你向凯撒行刺一样把我刺死了吧，因为我知道，即使在你最恨他的时候，你也爱他远胜于爱凯歇斯。
勃鲁托斯 插好你的刀子。你高兴发怒就发怒吧，高兴怎么干就怎么干吧。啊，凯歇斯！你的伙伴是一头羔羊，愤怒在他的身上，就像燧石里的火星一样，受到重大的打击，也会发出闪烁的光芒，可是一转瞬间就已经冷下去了。
凯歇斯 难道凯歇斯的伤心烦恼，只给他的勃鲁托斯作为笑料吗？
勃鲁托斯 我说那句话的时候，我自己也是脾气太坏。
凯歇斯 你也这样承认吗？把你的手给我。
勃鲁托斯 我连我的心也一起给你。
凯歇斯 啊，勃鲁托斯！
勃鲁托斯 什么事？
凯歇斯 我的母亲给了我这副暴躁的脾气，使我常常忘记我自己，看在我们友谊的情分上，你能够原谅我吗？
勃鲁托斯 是的，我原谅你；从此以后，要是你有时候跟你的勃鲁托斯过分认真，他会当作是你母亲在那儿发脾气，一切都不介意。（内喧声。）
诗人 （在内）让我进去瞧瞧两位将军；他们彼此之间有些争执，不应该让他们两人在一起。
路西律斯 （在内）你不能进去。
诗人 （在内）除了死，什么都不能阻止我。
诗人上，路西律斯、泰提涅斯及路歇斯随后。
凯歇斯 怎么！什么事？
诗人 呸，你们这些将军们！你们是什么意思？你们应该相亲相爱，做两个要好的朋友；我的话不会有错，我比你们谁都活得长久。
凯歇斯 哈哈！这个玩世的诗人吟的诗句多臭！
勃鲁托斯 滚出去，放肆的家伙，去！
凯歇斯 不要生他的气，勃鲁托斯；这是他的习惯。
勃鲁托斯 谁叫他胡说八道。在这样战争的年代，要这些胡诌几句歪诗的傻瓜们做什么用？滚开，家伙！
凯歇斯 去，去！出去！（诗人下。）
勃鲁托斯 路西律斯，泰提涅斯，传令各将领，叫他们今晚准备把队伍安营。
凯歇斯 你们传过了令，就带梅萨拉一起回来。（路西律斯，泰提涅斯同下。）
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯，倒一杯酒来！（路歇斯下。）
凯歇斯 我没有想到你会这样动怒。
勃鲁托斯 啊，凯歇斯！我心里有许多烦恼。
凯歇斯 要是你让偶然的不幸把你困扰，那么你自己的哲学对你就毫无用处了。
勃鲁托斯 谁也不比我更能忍受悲哀；鲍西娅已经死了。
凯歇斯 什么！鲍西娅！
勃鲁托斯 她死了。
凯歇斯 我刚才跟你这样吵嘴，你居然没有把我杀死，真是侥幸！唉，难堪的、痛心的损失！害什么病死的？
勃鲁托斯 她因为舍不得跟我远别，又听到了奥克泰维斯和玛克·安东尼的势力这样强大的消息，变得心神狂乱，乘着仆人不在的时候，把火吞了下去。
凯歇斯 就是这样死了吗？
勃鲁托斯 就是这样死了。
凯歇斯 永生的神啊！
路歇斯持酒及烛重上。
勃鲁托斯 不要再说起她。给我一杯酒。凯歇斯，在这一杯酒里，我捐弃了一切猜嫌。（饮酒。）
凯歇斯 我的心企望着这样高贵的誓言，有如渴者的思饮。来，路歇斯，给我倒满这一杯，我喝着勃鲁托斯的友情，是永远不会餍足的。（饮酒。）
勃鲁托斯 进来，泰提涅斯。（路歇斯下。）
泰提涅斯率梅萨拉重上。
勃鲁托斯 欢迎，好梅萨拉。让我们现在围烛而坐，讨论我们重要的事情。
凯歇斯 鲍西娅，你去了吗？
勃鲁托斯 请你不要说了。梅萨拉，我已经得到信息，说是奥克泰维斯那小子跟玛克·安东尼带了一支强大的军队，向腓利比进发，要来攻击我们了。
梅萨拉 我也得到同样的信息。
勃鲁托斯 你还知道什么其他的事情？
梅萨拉 听说奥克泰维斯、安东尼和莱必多斯三人用非法的手段，把一百个元老宣判了死刑。
勃鲁托斯 那么我们听到的略有不同；我得到的消息是七十个元老被他们判决处死，西塞罗也是其中的一个。
凯歇斯 西塞罗也是一个！
梅萨拉 西塞罗也被他们判决处死。您没有从您的夫人那儿得到信息吗？
勃鲁托斯 没有，梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 别人给您的信上也没有提起她吗？
勃鲁托斯 没有，梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 那可奇怪了。
勃鲁托斯 你为什么问起？你听见什么关于她的消息吗？
梅萨拉 没有，将军。
勃鲁托斯 你是一个罗马人，请你老实告诉我。
梅萨拉 那么请您用一个罗马人的精神，接受我告诉您的噩耗：尊夫人已经死了，而且死得很奇怪。
勃鲁托斯 那么再会了，鲍西娅！我们谁都不免一死，梅萨拉；想到她总有一天会死去，使我现在能够忍受这一个打击。
梅萨拉 这才是伟大的人物善处拂逆的精神。
凯歇斯 我可以在表面上装得跟你同样镇定，可是我的天性却受不了这样的打击。
勃鲁托斯 好，讲我们活人的事吧。你们以为我们应不应该立刻向腓利比进兵？
凯歇斯 我想这不是顶好的办法。
勃鲁托斯 你有什么理由？
凯歇斯 我的理由是这样的：我们最好让敌人来找寻我们，这样可以让他们糜费军需，疲劳兵卒，削弱他们自己的实力；我们却可以以逸待劳，蓄养我们的精锐。
勃鲁托斯 你的理由果然很对，可是我却有比你更好的理由。在腓利比到这儿之间一带地方的人民，都是因为被迫而归顺我们的，他们心里都怀着怨恨，对于我们的征敛早就感到不满。敌人一路前来，这些人民一定会加入他们的队伍，增强他们的力量。要是我们到腓利比去向敌人迎击，把这些人民留在后方，就可以避免给敌人这一种利益。
凯歇斯 听我说，好兄弟。
勃鲁托斯 请你原谅。你还要注意，我们已经集合我们所有的友人，我们的军队已经达到最高的数量，我们行动的时机已经完全成熟；敌人的力量现在还在每天增加中，我们在全盛的顶点上，却有日趋衰落的危险。世事的起伏本来是波浪式的，人们要是能够趁着高潮一往直前，一定可以功成名就；要是不能把握时机，就要终身蹭蹬，一事无成。我们现在正在满潮的海上漂浮，倘不能顺水行舟，我们的事业就会一败涂地。
凯歇斯 那么就照你的意思办吧；我们要亲自前去，在腓利比和他们相会。
勃鲁托斯 我们贪着谈话，不知不觉夜已经深了。疲乏了的精神，必须休息片刻。没有别的话了吗？
凯歇斯 没有了。晚安；明天我们一早就起来，向前方出发。
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯！
路歇斯重上。
勃鲁托斯 拿我的睡衣来。（路歇斯下）再会，好梅萨拉；晚安，泰提涅斯。尊贵的、尊贵的凯歇斯，晚安，愿你好好安息。
凯歇斯 啊，我的亲爱的兄弟！今天晚上的事情真是不幸；但愿我们的灵魂之间再也没有这样的分歧！让我们以后再也不要这样，勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 什么事情都是好好的。
凯歇斯 晚安，将军。
勃鲁托斯 晚安，好兄弟。
泰提涅斯
梅萨拉 晚安，勃鲁托斯将军。
勃鲁托斯 各位再会。（凯歇斯、泰提涅斯、梅萨拉同下。）
路歇斯持睡衣重上。
勃鲁托斯 把睡衣给我。你的乐器呢？
路歇斯 就在这儿帐里。
勃鲁托斯 什么！你说话好像在瞌睡一般？可怜的东西，我不怪你；你睡得太少了。把克劳狄斯和什么其他的仆人叫来；我要叫他们搬两个垫子来睡在我的帐内。
路歇斯 凡罗！克劳狄斯！
凡罗及克劳狄斯上。
凡罗 主人呼唤我们吗？
勃鲁托斯 请你们两个人就在我的帐内睡下；也许等会儿我有事情要叫你们起来到我的兄弟凯歇斯那边去。
凡罗 我们愿意站在这儿侍候您。
勃鲁托斯 我不要这样；睡下来吧，好朋友们；也许我没有什么事情。瞧，路歇斯，这就是我找来找去找不到的那本书；我把它放在我的睡衣口袋里了。（凡罗、克劳狄斯睡下。）
路歇斯 我原说您没有把它交给我。
勃鲁托斯 原谅我，好孩子，我的记性太坏了。你能不能够暂时睁开你的倦眼，替我弹一两支曲子？
路歇斯 好的，主人，要是您喜欢的话。
勃鲁托斯 我很喜欢，我的孩子。我太麻烦你了，可是你很愿意出力。
路歇斯 这是我的责任，主人。
勃鲁托斯 我不应该勉强你尽你能力以上的责任；我知道年轻人是需要休息的。
路歇斯 主人，我早已睡过了。
勃鲁托斯 很好，一会儿我就让你再去睡睡；我不愿耽搁你太久的时间。要是我还能够活下去，我一定不会亏待你。（音乐，路歇斯唱歌）这是一支催眠的乐曲；啊，杀人的睡眠！你把你的铅矛加在为你奏乐的我的孩子的身上了吗？好孩子，晚安；我不愿惊醒你的好梦。也许你在瞌睡之中，会打碎了你的乐器；让我替你拿去吧；好孩子，晚安。让我看，让我看，我上次没有读完的地方，不是把书页折下的吗？我想就是这儿。
凯撒幽灵上。
勃鲁托斯 这蜡烛的光怎么这样暗！嘿！谁来啦？我想我的眼睛有点昏花，所以会看见鬼怪。它走近我的身边来了。你是什么东西？你是神呢，天使呢，还是魔鬼，吓得我浑身冷汗，头发直竖？对我说你是什么。
幽灵 你的冤魂，勃鲁托斯。
勃鲁托斯 你来干什么？
幽灵 我来告诉你，你将在腓利比看见我。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么我将要再看见你吗？
幽灵 是的，在腓利比。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么我们在腓利比再见。（幽灵隐去）我刚鼓起一些勇气，你又不见了；冤魂，我还要跟你谈话。孩子，路歇斯！凡罗！克劳狄斯！喂，大家醒醒！克劳狄斯！
路歇斯 主人，弦子还没有调准呢。
勃鲁托斯 他以为他还在弹他的乐器呢。路歇斯，醒来！
路歇斯 主人！
勃鲁托斯 路歇斯，你做了什么梦，在梦中叫喊吗？
路歇斯 主人，我不知道我曾经叫喊过。
勃鲁托斯 你曾经叫喊过。你看见什么没有？
路歇斯 没有，主人。
勃鲁托斯 再睡吧，路歇斯。喂，克劳狄斯！你这家伙！醒来！
凡罗 主人！
克劳狄斯 主人！
勃鲁托斯 你们为什么在睡梦里大呼小叫的？
凡 罗
克劳狄斯 我们在睡梦里叫喊吗，主人？
勃鲁托斯 嗯，你们瞧见什么没有？
凡罗 没有，主人，我没有瞧见什么。
克劳狄斯 我也没有瞧见什么，主人。
勃鲁托斯 去向我的兄弟凯歇斯致意，请他赶快先把他的军队开拔，我们随后就来。
凡 罗
克劳狄斯 是，主人。（各下。）
第五幕
第一场 腓利比平原
奥克泰维斯及安东尼率军队上。
奥克泰维斯 现在，安东尼，我们的希望已经得到事实的答复了。你说敌人一定坚守山岭高地，不会下来；事实却并不如此，他们的军队已经向我们逼近，似乎有意要在这儿腓利比用先发制人的手段，给我们一个警告。
安东尼 嘿！我熟悉他们的心理，知道他们为什么这样做。他们的目的无非是想先声夺人，让我们看见他们的汹汹之势，认为他们的士气非常旺盛；其实完全不是这样。
一使者上。
使者 两位将军，请你们快些准备起来，敌人正在那儿浩浩荡荡地开过来了；他们已经挂出挑战的旗号，我们必须立刻布置防御的策略。
安东尼 奥克泰维斯，你带领你的一支军队向战地的左翼缓缓前进。
奥克泰维斯 我要向右翼迎击；你去打左翼。
安东尼 为什么你要在这样紧急的时候跟我闹别扭？
奥克泰维斯 我不跟你闹别扭；可是我要这样。（军队行进。）
鼓声：勃鲁托斯及凯歇斯率军队上；路西律斯、泰提涅斯、梅萨拉及余人等同上。
勃鲁托斯 他们站住了，要跟我们谈判。
凯歇斯 站定，泰提涅斯；我们必须出阵跟他们谈话。
奥克泰维斯 玛克·安东尼，我们要不要发出交战的号令？
安东尼 不，凯撒，等他们向我们进攻的时候，我们再去应战。上去；那几位将军们要谈几句话哩。
奥克泰维斯 不要动，等候号令。
勃鲁托斯 先礼后兵，是不是，各位同胞们？
奥克泰维斯 我们倒不像您那样喜欢空话。
勃鲁托斯 奥克泰维斯，良好的言语胜于拙劣的刺击。
安东尼 勃鲁托斯，您用拙劣的刺击来说您的良好的言语：瞧您刺在凯撒心上的创孔，它们在喊着，“凯撒万岁！”
凯歇斯 安东尼，我们还没有领教过您的剑法；可是我们知道您的舌头上涂满了蜜，蜂巢里的蜜都给你偷光了。
安东尼 我没有把蜜蜂的刺也一起偷走吧？
勃鲁托斯 啊，是的，您连它们的声音也一起偷走了；因为您已经学会了在刺人之前，先用嗡嗡的声音向人威吓。
安东尼 恶贼！你们在凯撒的旁边拔出你们万恶的刀子来的时候，是连半句声音也不透出来的；你们像猴子一样露出你们的牙齿，像狗子一样摇尾乞怜，像奴隶一样卑躬屈节，吻着凯撒的脚；该死的凯斯卡却像一条恶狗似的躲在背后，向凯撒的脖子上挥动他的凶器。啊，你们这些谄媚的家伙！
凯歇斯 谄媚的家伙！勃鲁托斯，谢谢你自己吧。早依了凯歇斯的话，今天决不让他把我们这样信口侮辱。
奥克泰维斯 不用多说；辩论不过使我们流汗，我们却要用流血来判断双方的曲直。瞧，我拔出这一柄剑来跟叛徒们决战；除非等到凯撒身上三十三处伤痕的仇恨完全报复或者另外一个凯撒也死在叛徒们的刀剑之下，这一柄剑是永远不收回去的。
勃鲁托斯 凯撒，你不会死在叛徒们的手里，除非那些叛徒就在你自己的左右。
奥克泰维斯 我也希望这样，天生下我来，不是要我死在勃鲁托斯的剑上的。
勃鲁托斯 啊！孩子，即使你是你的家门中最高贵的后裔，能够死在勃鲁托斯剑上，也要算是莫大的荣幸呢。
凯歇斯 像他这样一个顽劣的学童，跟一个跳舞喝酒的浪子在一起，才不值得污我们的刀剑。
安东尼 还是从前的凯歇斯！
奥克泰维斯 来，安东尼，我们去吧！叛徒们，我们现在当面向你们挑战；要是你们有胆量的话，今天就在战场上相见，否则等你们有了勇气再来。（奥克泰维斯、安东尼率军队下。）
凯歇斯 好，现在狂风已经吹起，波涛已经澎湃，船只要在风浪中颠簸了！一切都要信托给不可知的命运。
勃鲁托斯 喂！路西律斯！有话对你说。
路西律斯 什么事，主将？（勃鲁托斯、路西律斯在一旁谈话。）
凯歇斯 梅萨拉！
梅萨拉 主将有什么吩咐？
凯歇斯 梅萨拉，今天是我的生日；就在这一天，凯歇斯诞生到世上。把你的手给我，梅萨拉。请你做我的见证，正像从前庞贝一样，我是因为万不得已，才把我们全体的自由在这一次战役中作孤注一掷的。你知道我一向很信仰伊璧鸠鲁④的见解；现在我的思想却改变了，有些相信起预兆来了。我们从萨狄斯开拔前来的时候，有两头猛鹰从空中飞下，栖止在我们从前那个旗手的肩上；它们常常啄食我们兵士手里的食物，一路上跟我们作伴，一直到这儿腓利比。今天早晨它们却飞去不见了，代替着它们的，只有一群乌鸦鸱鸢，在我们的头顶盘旋，好像把我们当作垂毙的猎物一般；它们的黑影像是一顶不祥的华盖，掩覆着我们末日在迩的军队。
梅萨拉 不要相信这种事。
凯歇斯 我也不完全相信，因为我的精神很兴奋，我已经决心用坚定不拔的意志，抵御一切的危难。
勃鲁托斯 就这样吧，路西律斯。
凯歇斯 最尊贵的勃鲁托斯，愿神明今天护佑我们，使我们能够在太平的时代做一对亲密的朋友，直到我们的暮年！可是既然人事是这样无常，让我们也考虑到万一的不幸。要是我们这次战败了，那么现在就是我们最后一次的聚首谈心；请问你在那样的情形之下，准备怎么办？
勃鲁托斯 凯图自杀的时候，我曾经对他这一种举动表示不满；我不知道为什么，可是总觉得为了惧怕可能发生的祸患而结束自己的生命，是一件懦弱卑劣的行动；我现在还是根据这一种观念，决心用坚韧的态度，等候主宰世人的造化所给予我的命运。
凯歇斯 那么，要是我们失败了，你愿意被凯旋的敌人拖来拖去，在罗马的街道上游行吗？
勃鲁托斯 不，凯歇斯，不。尊贵的罗马人，你不要以为勃鲁托斯会有一天被人绑着回到罗马；他是有一颗太高傲的心的。可是今天这一天必须结束三月十五所开始的工作；我不知道我们能不能再有见面的机会，所以让我们从此永诀吧。永别了，永别了，凯歇斯！要是我们还能相见，那时候我们可以相视而笑；否则今天就是我们生离死别的日子。
凯歇斯 永别了，永别了，勃鲁托斯！要是我们还能相见，那时候我们一定相视而笑；否则今天真的是我们生离死别的日子了。
勃鲁托斯 好，那么前进吧。唉！要是一个人能够预先知道一天的工作的结果——可是一天的时间是很容易过去的，那结果也总会见到分晓。来啊！我们去吧！（同下。）
第二场 同前。战场
号角声；勃鲁托斯及梅萨拉上。
勃鲁托斯 梅萨拉，赶快骑马前去，传令那一方面的军队，（号角大鸣）叫他们立刻冲上去，因为我看见奥克泰维斯带领的那支军队打得很没有劲，迅速的进攻可以把他们一举击溃。赶快骑马前去，梅萨拉；叫他们全军向敌人进攻。（同下。）
第三场 战场的另一部分
号角声；凯歇斯及泰提涅斯上。
凯歇斯 啊！瞧，泰提涅斯，瞧，那些坏东西逃得多快。我自己也变成了我自己的仇敌；这是我的旗手，我看见他想要转身逃走，把这懦夫杀了，抢过了这军旗。
泰提涅斯 啊，凯歇斯！勃鲁托斯把号令发得太早了；他因为对奥克泰维斯略占优势，自以为胜利在握；他的军队忙着搜掠财物，我们却给安东尼全部包围起来。
品达勒斯上。
品达勒斯 再逃远一些，主人，再逃远一些；玛克·安东尼已经进占您的营帐了，主人。快逃，尊贵的凯歇斯，逃得远远的。
凯歇斯 这座山头已经够远了。瞧，瞧，泰提涅斯；那边有火的地方，不就是我的营帐吗？
泰提涅斯 是的，主将。
凯歇斯 泰提涅斯，要是你爱我，请你骑了我的马，着力加鞭，到那边有军队的所在探一探，再飞马回来向我报告，让我知道他们究竟是友军还是敌军。
泰提涅斯 是，我就去就来。（下。）
凯歇斯 品达勒斯，你给我登上那座山顶；我的眼睛看不大清楚；留意看着泰提涅斯，告诉我你所见到的战场上的情形。（品达勒斯登山）我今天第一次透过一口气来；时间在循环运转，我在什么地方开始，也要在什么地方终结；我的生命已经走完了它的途程。喂，看见什么没有？
品达勒斯 （在上）啊，主人！
凯歇斯 什么消息？
品达勒斯 泰提涅斯给许多骑马的人包围在中心，他们都向他策马而前；可是他仍旧向前飞奔，现在他们快要追上他了；赶快，泰提涅斯，现在有人下马了；嗳哟！他也下马了；他给他们捉去了；（内欢呼声）听！他们在欢呼。
凯歇斯 下来，不要再看了。唉，我真是一个懦夫，眼看着我的最好的朋友在我的面前给人捉去，我自己却还在这世上偷生苟活！
品达勒斯下山。
凯歇斯 过来，小子。你在巴底亚做了我的俘虏，我免了你一死，叫你对我发誓，无论我吩咐你做什么事，你都要照着做。现在你来，履行你的誓言；我让你从此做一个自由人；这柄曾经穿过凯撒心脏的好剑，你拿着它望我的胸膛里刺进去吧。不用回答我的话；来，把剑柄拿在手里；等我把脸遮上了，你就动手。好，凯撒，我用杀死你的那柄剑，替你复了仇了。（死。）
品达勒斯 现在我已经自由了；可是那却不是我自己的意思。凯歇斯啊，品达勒斯将要远远离开这一个国家，到没有一个罗马人可以看见他的地方去。（下。）
泰提涅斯及梅萨拉重上。
梅萨拉 泰提涅斯，双方的胜负刚刚互相抵销；因为一方面奥克泰维斯被勃鲁托斯的军队打败，一方面凯歇斯的军队也给安东尼打败。
泰提涅斯 这些消息很可以安慰安慰凯歇斯。
梅萨拉 你在什么地方离开他？
泰提涅斯 就在这座山上，垂头丧气地跟他的奴隶品达勒斯在一起。
梅萨拉 躺在地上的不就是他吗？
泰提涅斯 他躺着的样子好像已经死了。啊，我的心！
梅萨拉 那不是他吗？
泰提涅斯 不，梅萨拉，这个人从前是他，现在凯歇斯已经不在人世了。啊，没落的太阳！正像你今晚沉没在你红色的光辉中一样，凯歇斯的白昼也在他的赤血之中消隐了；罗马的太阳已经沉没了下去。我们的白昼已经过去；黑云、露水和危险正在袭来；我们的事业已成灰烬了。他因为不相信我能够不辱使命，所以才干出这件事来。
梅萨拉 他因为不相信我们能够得到胜利，所以才干出这件事来。啊，可恨的错误，你忧愁的产儿！为什么你要在人们灵敏的脑海里造成颠倒是非的幻象？你一进入人们的心中，便给他们带来了悲惨的结果。
泰提涅斯 喂，品达勒斯！你在哪儿，品达勒斯？
梅萨拉 泰提涅斯，你去找他，让我去见勃鲁托斯，把这刺耳的消息告诉他；勃鲁托斯听见了这个消息，一定会比锋利的刀刃、有毒的箭镞贯进他的耳中还要难过。
泰提涅斯 你去吧，梅萨拉；我先在这儿找一找品达勒斯。（梅萨拉下）勇敢的凯歇斯，为什么你要叫我去呢？我不是碰见你的朋友了吗？他们不是把这胜利之冠加在我的额上，叫我回来献给你吗？你没有听见他们的欢呼吗？唉！你误会了一切。可是请你接受这一个花环，让我替你戴上吧；你的勃鲁托斯叫我把它送给你，我必须遵从他的命令。勃鲁托斯，快来，瞧我怎样向卡厄斯·凯歇斯尽我的责任。允许我，神啊；这是一个罗马人的天职：来，凯歇斯的宝剑，进入泰提涅斯的心里吧。（自杀。）
号角声；梅萨拉率勃鲁托斯、小凯图、斯特莱托、伏伦涅斯及路西律斯重上。
勃鲁托斯 梅萨拉，梅萨拉，他的尸体在什么地方？
梅萨拉 瞧，那边；泰提涅斯正在他旁边哀泣。
勃鲁托斯 泰提涅斯的脸是向上的。
小凯图 他也死了。
勃鲁托斯 啊，裘力斯·凯撒！你到死还是有本领的！你的英灵不泯，借着我们自己的刀剑，洞穿我们自己的心脏。（号角低吹。）
小凯图 勇敢的泰提涅斯！瞧他替已死的凯歇斯加上胜利之冠了！
勃鲁托斯 世上还有两个和他们同样的罗马人吗？最后的罗马健儿，再会了！罗马再也不会产生可以和你匹敌的人物。朋友们，我对于这位已死的人，欠着还不清的眼泪。——慢慢地，凯歇斯，我会找到我的时间。——来，把他的尸体送到泰索斯去；他的葬礼不能在我们的营地上举行，因为恐怕影响军心。路西律斯，来；来，小凯图；我们到战场上去。拉琵奥、弗莱维斯，传令我们的军队前进。现在还只有三点钟；罗马人，在日落以前，我们还要在第二次的战争中试探我们的命运。（同下。）
第四场 战场的另一部分
号角声；两方兵士交战，勃鲁托斯、小凯图、路西律斯及余人等上。
勃鲁托斯 同胞们，啊！振起你们的精神！
小凯图 哪一个贱种敢退缩不前？谁愿意跟我来？我要在战场上到处宣扬我的名字：我是玛克斯·凯图的儿子！我是暴君的仇敌，祖国的朋友；我是玛克斯·凯图的儿子！
勃鲁托斯 我是勃鲁托斯，玛克斯·勃鲁托斯就是我；勃鲁托斯，祖国的朋友；请认明我是勃鲁托斯！（追击敌人下；小凯图被敌军围攻倒地。）
路西律斯 啊，年轻高贵的小凯图，你倒下了吗？啊，你现在像泰提涅斯一样勇敢地死了，你死得不愧为凯图的儿子。
兵士甲 不投降就是死。
路西律斯 我愿意投降，可是看在这许多钱的面上，请你们把我立刻杀死。（取钱赠兵士）你们杀死了勃鲁托斯，也算立了一件大大的功劳。
兵士甲 我们不能杀你。一个尊贵的俘虏！
兵士乙 喂，让开！告诉安东尼，勃鲁托斯已经捉住了。
兵士甲 我去传报这消息。主将来了。
安东尼上。
兵士甲 主将，勃鲁托斯已经捉住了。
安东尼 他在哪儿？
路西律斯 安东尼，勃鲁托斯还是安然无恙。我敢向你说一句，没有一个敌人可以把勃鲁托斯活捉；神明保佑他不致于遭到这样的耻辱！你们找到他的时候，不论是死的还是活的，他一定会保持他的堂堂的荣誉。
安东尼 朋友，这个人不是勃鲁托斯，可是也不是一个等闲之辈。不要伤害他，把他好生看待。我希望我有这样的人做我的朋友，而不是做我的仇敌。去，看看勃鲁托斯有没有死；有什么消息就到奥克泰维斯的营帐里来报告我们。（各下。）
第五场 战场的另一部分
勃鲁托斯、达台涅斯、克列特斯、斯特莱托及伏伦涅斯上。
勃鲁托斯 来，残余下来的几个朋友，在这块岩石上休息休息吧。
克列特斯 我们望见斯泰提律斯的火把，可是他没有回来；大概不是捉了去就是死了。
勃鲁托斯 坐下来，克列特斯。他一定死了；多少人都死了。听着，克列特斯。（向克列特斯耳语。）
克列特斯 什么，我吗，主人？不，那是万万不能的。
勃鲁托斯 那么算了！不要多说话。
克列特斯 我宁愿自杀。
勃鲁托斯 听着，达台涅斯。（向达台涅斯耳语。）
达台涅斯 我必须干这样一件事吗？
克列特斯 啊，达台涅斯！
达台涅斯 啊，克列特斯！
克列特斯 勃鲁托斯要求你干一件什么坏事？
达台涅斯 他要我杀死他，克列特斯。瞧，他在出神呆想。
克列特斯 他的高贵的心里装满了悲哀，甚至于在他的眼睛里流露出来。
勃鲁托斯 过来，好伏伦涅斯，听我一句话。
伏伦涅斯 主将有什么吩咐？
勃鲁托斯 是这样的，伏伦涅斯。凯撒的鬼魂曾经两次在夜里向我出现；一次在萨狄斯，一次就是昨天晚上，在这儿腓利比的战场上。我知道我的末日已经到了。
伏伦涅斯 不会有的事，主将。
勃鲁托斯 不，我确信我的末日已经到了，伏伦涅斯。你看大势已经变化到什么地步；我们的敌人已经把我们逼到了山穷水尽之境，与其等待他们来把我们推落深坑，还不如自己先跳下去。好伏伦涅斯，我们从前曾经在一起求学，看在我们旧日的交情分上，请你拿着我的剑柄，让我伏剑而死。
伏伦涅斯 主将，那不是一件可以叫一个朋友做的事。（号角声继续不断。）
克列特斯 快逃，快逃，主人！这儿是不能久留的。
勃鲁托斯 再会，你，你，还有你，伏伦涅斯。斯特莱托，你已经瞌睡了这大半天，再会了，斯特莱托。同胞们，我很高兴在我的一生之中，只有他还尽忠于我。我今天虽然战败了，可是将要享有比奥克泰维斯和玛克·安东尼在这次卑鄙的胜利中所得到的更大的光荣。大家再会了；勃鲁托斯的舌头已经差不多结束了他一生的历史；暮色罩在我的眼睛上，我的筋骨渴想得到它劳苦已久的安息。（号角声；内呼声，“逃啊，逃啊，逃啊！”）
克列特斯 快逃吧，主人，快逃吧。
勃鲁托斯 去！我就来。（克列特斯、达台涅斯、伏伦涅斯同下）斯特莱托，请你不要去，陪着你的主人。你是一个心地很好的人，你的为人还有几分义气；拿着我的剑，转过你的脸，让我对准剑锋扑上去。你肯不肯这样做，斯特莱托？
斯特莱托 请您先允许我握一握您的手；再会了，主人。
勃鲁托斯 再会了，好斯特莱托。（扑身剑上）凯撒，你现在可以瞑目了；我杀死你的时候，还不及现在一半的坚决。（死。）
号角声；吹退军号；奥克泰维斯、安东尼、梅萨拉、路西律斯及军队上。
奥克泰维斯 那是什么人？
梅萨拉 我的主将的仆人。斯特莱托，你的主人呢？
斯特莱托 他已经永远脱离了加在你身上的那种被俘的命运了，梅萨拉；胜利者只能在他身上举起一把火来，因为只有勃鲁托斯能够战胜他自己，谁也不能因他的死而得到荣誉。
路西律斯 勃鲁托斯的结果应当是这样的。谢谢你，勃鲁托斯，因为你证明了路西律斯的话并没有说错。
奥克泰维斯 所有跟随勃鲁托斯的人，我都愿意把他们收留下来。朋友，你愿意跟随我吗？
斯特莱托 好，只要梅萨拉肯把我举荐给您。
奥克泰维斯 你把他举荐给我吧，好梅萨拉。
梅萨拉 斯特莱托，我们的主将怎么死的？
斯特莱托 我拿了剑，他扑了上去。
梅萨拉 奥克泰维斯，他已经为我的主人尽了最后的义务，您把他收留下来吧。
安东尼 在他们那一群中间，他是一个最高贵的罗马人；除了他一个人以外，所有的叛徒们都是因为妒嫉凯撒而下毒手的；只有他才是激于正义的思想，为了大众的利益，而去参加他们的阵线。他一生善良，交织在他身上的各种美德，可以使造物肃然起立，向全世界宣告，“这是一个汉子！”
奥克泰维斯 让我们按照他的美德，给他应得的礼遇，替他殡葬如仪。他的尸骨今晚将要安顿在我的营帐里，他必须充分享受一个军人的荣誉。现在传令全军安息；让我们去分派今天的胜利的光荣吧。（同下。）
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注释
卢柏克节（Lupercal），二月十五日，罗马为畜牧神卢柏克葛斯的节日。
阿提（Ate），希腊罗马神话中之复仇女神。
德拉克马（Drachma），古希腊货币名。
伊璧鸠鲁（Epicurus，公元前341—270），希腊倡无神论的享乐主义派哲学家。