To be exalted with the threat'ning clouds: Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? Casca. 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 have not since put up my sword,) Against the Capitol I met a lion, Who glar'd upon me, and went surly by, Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets. 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 disburbed sky 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, Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble, Cas. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life That should be in a Roman, you do want, с But if you would consider the true cause, A man no mightier than thyself, or me, In personal action; yet prodigious grown, Casca. "Tis Cæsar that you mean: Is it not, Cas. Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thewes 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 Cæsar as a king: And he shall wear his crown, by sea, and land, In every place, save here in Italy. Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then; 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, 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 The power to cancel his captivity. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant then? So vile a thing as Cæsar? But, O, grief! Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand; Be factious for redress of all these griefs; And I will set this foot of mine as far, As who goes farthest. Cas. Of honourable-dangerous consequence; And I do know, by this, they stay for me 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; He is a friend.-Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? this? There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. You are. O, Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party— 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 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? |