That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand: As who goes farthest. Cassius. There's a bargain made. Is favour'd, like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cassius. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait; He is a friend.—Cinna, where haste you so? Cinna. To find out you: Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cassius. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid 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 staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cinna. You are. O, Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party— Yes, Cassius. 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. Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone 7 Appears. To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, Casca. O, he sits high, in all the people's hearts: His countenance, like richest alchymy, Will change to virtue, and to worthiness. Cassius. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. For it is after midnight; and ere day, Let us go, [Exeunt. We will awake him, and be sure of him. ACT II. SCENE I.-BRUTUS's Orchard. Enter BRUTUS. Brutus. What, Lucius! ho! I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 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; And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 1 Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous; Re-enter LUCIUS. Lucius. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. It did not lie there when I went to bed. Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March? Brutus. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. Brutus. The exhalations, whizzing in the air. Give so much light, that I may read by them. [Opens the Letter, and reads. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake 8 Pity, tenderness. • Experience. I Low steps. Such instigations have been often dropp'd Shall Rome, &c. Thus, must I piece it out; My ancestors did from the streets of Rome If the redress will follow, thou receivest Re-enter LUCIUS. Lucius. Sir, March has wasted fourteen days. [Knock within. Brutus. 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. [Exit LUCIUS. Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, 2 Between the acting of a dreadful thing The nature of an insurrection. Re-enter Lucius. Lucius. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Brutus. Is he alone? Lucius. No, sir, there are more 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, 2 Vision. That by no means I may discover them Brutus. Let them enter. [Exit LUCIUS. They are the faction. O conspiracy! Sham'st 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: For if thou path, thy native semblance on,* Not Erebus itself were dim enough To hide thee from prevention. Enter CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest: Brutus. I have been up this hour; awake all night. Which every noble Roman bears of you. Brutus. He is welcome hither. He is welcome too. Cassius. This, Decius Brutus. Brutus. Cassius. This, Casca; this, Cinna; And this Metellus Cimber. Brutus. They are all welcome. What watchful cares do interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night? Cassius. Shall I entreat a word? [They whisper. Decius. Here lies the east: Doth not the day break here? Casca. No. 3 Countenance. 4 Walk in thy true form. 5 Hell. |