SCENE III. The same. A street. Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero. Cic. Good even, Casca: Brought you Cæsar home* ? Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of earth Shakes, like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? sight), Held up his left hand, which did flame, and burn Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd. Against the Capitol I met a lion, Who glar'd 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 Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets. Did you attend Cæsar home? And, yesterday, the bird of night did sit, Cic. Indeed, it is a strange disposed time: Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius. Send word to you, he would be there to-morrow. Cic. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky Is not to walk in. Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this? Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Cas. Those, that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, And, when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 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, When the most mighty gods, by tokens, send Cas. 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, A man no mightier than thyself, or me, In personal action; yet prodigious t grown, Casca. 'Tis Cæsar that you mean: Is it not, Cassius? Cus. Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thewest 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. Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Caesar as a king: And he shall wear his crown by sea, and land, Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then; Why they deviate from quality and nature. + Portentous, Muscles. Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears. Cas. Aud why should Cæsar be a tyrant then? Where hast thou led me? But, O, grief! I, perhaps, speak this 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 t my hand: Be factious for redress of all these griefs; And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who goes farthest. Cas. There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already • Deer. + Here's my hand. + Active. In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, Is favour'd, like the work we have in hand, Enter Cinna. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait t; Cin. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this? There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cin. Yes, Cas. Be you content: Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Come, Casca, you and I will, yet, ere day, Resembles. † Air of walking. |