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. Brutus. 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? Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbors shouted. Cassius. Who offer'd him the crown? Casca. Why, Antony. Brutus. 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 those coronets ;—and, as I told 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 time; he put it the third time by; and still as he refused it, the rabblement hooted, and clapped their chopped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Cæsar refused the crown, that it had almost choked Cæsar; for he swooned, 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 Cæsar swoon? Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. Brutus. "Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness. Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Cæsar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they used to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man. Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself? Casca. 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, 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 anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried, "Alas, good soul !"-and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them; if Cæsar had stabbed their mothers they would have done no less. Brutus. And after that he came thus sad away? Cassius. Did Cicero say anything? Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. Cassius. To what effect? Casca. Nay, and I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again. But those that understood him smiled at one another, and shook their heads; but, for my own. part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Cæsar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow? Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Cassius. Good; I will expect you. Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit CASCA. Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! 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, 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, Cassius. I will do so;-till then, think of the world. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, For we will shake him or worse days endure. SCENE III. A Street. [Exit. Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, CASCA, with his sword drawn, and CICERO. Cicero. 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 Cicero. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Casca. A common slave-you know him well by sight Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Who glar'd upon me and went surly by Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw Cicero. 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. Cicero. Good-night, then, Casca; this disturbed sky Is not to walk in. 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? Cassius. 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 embraced, Casca, as you see, Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone; And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open The breasts of heaven, I did present myself 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 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, And put on fear, and case yourself in wonder, A man no mightier than thyself or me In personal action, yet prodigious grown And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. Casca. 'Tis Cæsar that you mean; is it not, Cassius? Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors. Casca. Indeed, they say, the Senators to-morrow 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 ; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. VOL. XX.-24 |