SCENE II. The same. A publick Place. Enter, in Procession, with Musick, CESAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA, a great Croud following, among them a Soothsayer. Cas. Stand you directly in Antonius' way When he doth run his course.4-Antonius. Ant. Cæsar, my lord. Cas. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia: for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their steril curse. I shall remember: Ant. Sooth. Cæsar. Cas. Ha! who calls? [Musick. Casca. Bid every noise be still:-Peace yet again, [Musick ceases. Cas. Who is it in the press, that calls on me? 4 A ceremony observed at the feast of Lupercalia. Crouda I hear a tongue, shriller than all the musick, Cæs. What man is that! Bru. A soothsayer, bids you beware the ides of March. Cas. Set him before me, let me see his face. Cas. What says't thou to me now? Speak once again. Sooth. Beware the ides of March. Cas. He is a dreamer; let us leave him ;-pass. Cas. I pray you, do. Bru. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; I'll leave you. Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: Cassius, Bru. Flourish of instruments. Of late, with passions of some difference, Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours: Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion," By means whereof, this breast of mine hath buried Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Cas. "Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors, as will turn That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear : And, since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself 7 The nature of your feelings. : That of yourself which you yet know not of. [Flourish and Shout. Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people Choose Cæsar for their king. Cas. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Bru. 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? I was born free as Cæsar; so were you : 8 Allure. Endure the winter's cold, as well as he. And bade him follow: so, indeed, he did. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tyber Did I the tired Cæsar: And this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, He had a fever when he was in Spain, And, when the fit was on him, I did mark 9 Windy. 1 Temperament, constitution. |