Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I ras'd him, and I pawn'd When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: He wag'd me with his countenance, as if 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, Auf. There was it ; 5 Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the city. Lords. You are most welcome home. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. 10 What faults he made before the last, I think, Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; 25 home, Doth more than counterpoise, a full third part, 30 Than shame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; 35 But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Forwhich my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.40 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes honie; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose childrenhehath slain, theirbase throats tear, Cor. Traitor-How now? [think Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears.- more. Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! The meaning, according to Dr. Johnson, is, He prescribed to me with an air of authority, and gave me his countenance for my wages; thought me sufficiently rewarded with good looks. This is the point on which I will attack him with my utmost abilities. That is, rewarding us with our own expences. Pardon Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion (Who wears my stripes imprest upon him; that Must bear my beating to his grave) shall join To thrust the lie unto him. 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volces, men and lads, Stain all your edges in me.-Boy! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle on a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your Volces in Corioli: Alone I did it.Boy! Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? All Con. Let him die for't. 5 10 Provok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours 15 To call me to your senate, I'll deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded As the most noble corse, that ever herald Did follow to his urn. 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up: Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully: Trail your steel pikes.-Though in this city he 30 Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury; Yet he shall have a noble memory Assist. [Aufidius and the Conspirators draw, and kill|35| i, e, his fame overspreads the world, [Exeunt, bearing the body of Marcius. A dead march sounded. 2 Memory, as before, for memorial. JULIUS CÆSAR. JULIUS CESAR. PERSONS REPRESENTED. OCTAVIUS CESAR, Triumvirs after the Death M. ANTONIUS, M. EMIL. LEPIDUS, of Julius Cæsar. CICERO, PUBLIUS, POPILIUS LÆNA, Senators. BRUTUS, CASSIUS, FLAVIUS, and MARULLUS, Tribunes. CINNA, a Poet: Another Poet. LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, MESSALA, Young CATO, CASCA, Cæsar. DECIUS BRUTUS, METELLUS CIMBER, CINNA, CALPHURNIA, Wife to Cæsar. Plebeians, Senators, Guards, Attendants, &c. SCENE, for the three first Acts, at Rome: afterwards at an Island near Mutina; at Sardis; and near Philippi. A C T I. Flar. Thou art a cobler, art thou? Cob. Truly, sir, all that I live by is, with the awl: I meddle with no trade,-man's matters, nor woman's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neats-leather, have gone upon my handy-work. Flar. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? Cob. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see Cæsar, and to rejoice in his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings What tributaries follow him to Rome, things! O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 3 B3 Have you not made an universal shout, And do you now put on your best attire? Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, [Exeunt Commoners. You know, it is the feast of Lupercal. Cas. What man is that? [March. Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of Cas. Set him before me, let me see his face. Cas. Fellow, come from the throng:-Look 5 upon Cæsar. [again. Cas. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once Sooth. Beware the ides of March. Cas. He is a dreamer; let us leave him:-pass. [Sennet. Exeunt Cæsar and train. Cas. Will you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not I. 10 Bru. Cassius, Be not deceiv'd: If I have veil'd my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance 25 Merely upon myself. Vexed I am, Of late, with passions of some difference", Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil, perhaps, to iny behaviours: But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd; (Among which number, Cassius, be you one) Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shews of love to other men. Flav. It is no matter; let no images Enter Cæsar; Antony, for the course; Calphurnia, Cas. Calphurnia,— Casca. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. Cas. Calphurnia, Calph. Here, my lord. Cas. Stand you directly in Antonius' way, When he doth run his course.-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 sterile course. Ant. I shall remember: When Cæsar says, Do this, it is perform'd. Cas. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. Sooth. Cæsar. Cas. Ha! Who calls? [again. 35 Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof, this breast of mine hath bury'd Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Bru. No, Cassius: for the eye sees not itself, 40 But by reflection, by some other things. Cas. 'Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 45 That you might see your shadow. I have heard Cas. Therefore,good Brutus, be prepar'dto hear: That of yourself, which yet you know not of. 1 Ceremonies for religious ornaments. 2 This person was not Decius, but Decimus Brutus. 'We have before observed, that Sennet appears to be a particular tune or mode of martial musick. Strange is alien, unfamiliar. i. e. with a fluctuation of discordant opinions and desires. Το |