Julius Caesar (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare

Hence! Home, you idle creatures, get you home!

ACT 1 Scene 1 Enter Flavius, Marullus, and certain Commoners, < including a Carpenter and a Cobbler, > over the stage. FLAVIUS Hence! Home, you idle creatures, get you home! 1 Is this a holiday? What, know you not, 2 Being mechanical, you ought not walk 3 Upon a laboring day without the sign 4 Of your profession?—Speak, what trade art thou? 5 [Act 1 Scene 1]

Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me. 18 Yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you.

COBBLER Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me. 18 Yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 19 [Act 1 Scene 1]

You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless 39 things! 40 O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 41 Knew you not Pompey?

MARULLUS . . . You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless 39 things! 40 O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 41 Knew you not Pompey? [Act 1 Scene 1]

Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault 61 Assemble all the poor men of your sort, 62 Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears 63 Into the channel, till the lowest stream 64 Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.

FLAVIUS Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault 61 Assemble all the poor men of your sort, 62 Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears 63 Into the channel, till the lowest stream 64 Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. 65 All the Commoners exit. [Act 1 Scene 1]

These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing 77 Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, 78 Who else would soar above the view of men 79 And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

FLAVIUS It is no matter. Let no images 73 Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about 74 And drive away the vulgar from the streets; 75 So do you too, where you perceive them thick. 76 These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing 77 Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, 78 Who else would soar above the view of men 79 And keep us all in servile fearfulness. 80 They exit < in different directions. > [Act 1 Scene 1]

Beware the ides of March.

SOOTHSAYER Beware the ides of March. 21 Footnote 21. the ides of March: i.e., March 15 [Scene 1 Act 2]

I am not gamesome. I do lack some part 33 Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.

Vexèd I am 45 Of late with passions of some difference, 46 Conceptions only proper to myself, 47 Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors.

BRUTUS . . . Vexèd I am 45 Of late with passions of some difference, 46 Conceptions only proper to myself, 47 Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors. 48 . . . [Act 1 Scene 2]

Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

CASSIUS . . . Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? 57 BRUTUS No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself 58 But by reflection, by some other things. 59 [Scene 1 Act 2]

No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself 58 But by reflection, by some other things.

And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 61 That you have no such mirrors as will turn 62 Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 63 That you might see your shadow.

CASSIUS ’Tis just. 60 And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 61 That you have no such mirrors as will turn 62 Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 63 That you might see your shadow. I have heard 64 Where many of the best respect in Rome, 65 Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus 66 And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, 67 Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes. 68 [Scene 1 Act 2]

Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 69 That you would have me seek into myself 70 For that which is not in me?

BRUTUS Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 69 That you would have me seek into myself 70 For that which is not in me? 71 [Scene 1 Act 2]

And since you know you cannot see yourself 73 So well as by reflection, I, your glass, 74 Will modestly discover to yourself 75 That of yourself which you yet know not of.

CASSIUS Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear. 72 And since you know you cannot see yourself 73 So well as by reflection, I, your glass, 74 Will modestly discover to yourself 75 That of yourself which you yet know not of. 76 [Scene 1 Act 2]

What means this shouting? I do fear the people 85 Choose Caesar for their king.

Set honor in one eye and death i’ th’ other 93 And I will look on both indifferently; 94 For let the gods so speed me as I love 95 The name of honor more than I fear death.

BRUTUS . . . Set honor in one eye and death i’ th’ other 93 And I will look on both indifferently; 94 For let the gods so speed me as I love 95 The name of honor more than I fear death. 96 [Act 1 Scene 2]

I was born free as Caesar; so were you;

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 142 Like a Colossus, and we petty men 143 Walk under his huge legs and peep about 144 To find ourselves dishonorable graves.

CASSIUS Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 142 Like a Colossus, and we petty men 143 Walk under his huge legs and peep about 144 To find ourselves dishonorable graves. 145 . . . [Scene 1 Act 2]

Men at some time are masters of their fates. 146 The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 147 But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

CASSIUS . . . Men at some time are masters of their fates. 146 The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 147 But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 148 [Scene 1 Act 2]

That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.

Let me have men about me that are fat, 202 Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights. 203 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. 204 He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.

CAESAR Let me have men about me that are fat, 202 Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights. 203 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. 204 He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous. 205 [Scene 1 Act 2]

He reads much, 211 He is a great observer, and he looks 212 Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, 213 As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music; 214 Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 215 As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit 216 That could be moved to smile at anything. 217 Such men as he be never at heart’s ease 218 Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 219 And therefore are they very dangerous.

CAESAR Would he were fatter! But I fear him not. 208 Yet if my name were liable to fear, 209 I do not know the man I should avoid 210 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much, 211 He is a great observer, and he looks 212 Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, 213 As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music; 214 Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 215 As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit 216 That could be moved to smile at anything. 217 Such men as he be never at heart’s ease 218 Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 219 And therefore are they very dangerous. 220 I rather tell thee what is to be feared 221 Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. 222 Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 223 And tell me truly what thou think’st of him. 224 Sennet. Caesar and his train exit < but Casca remains behind. > [Scene 1 Act 2]

But for mine 294 own part, it was Greek to me.

CASSIUS Will you dine with me tomorrow? 302 CASCA Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your 303 dinner worth the eating. 304

CASSIUS Will you dine with me tomorrow? 302 CASCA Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your 303 dinner worth the eating. 304

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 312 Which gives men stomach to digest his words 313 With better appetite.

CASSIUS So is he now in execution 309 Of any bold or noble enterprise, 310 However he puts on this tardy form. 311 This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 312 Which gives men stomach to digest his words 313 With better appetite. 314 [Scene 1 Act 2]

But men may construe things after their fashion, 34 Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.

CICERO Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time. 33 But men may construe things after their fashion, 34 Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 35 Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow? 36 [Act 1 Scene 3]

Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 75 Most like this dreadful night, 76 That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 77 As doth the lion in the Capitol;

CASSIUS . . . Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 75 Most like this dreadful night, 76 That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 77 As doth the lion in the Capitol; 78 [Act 1 Scene 3]

Indeed, they say the Senators tomorrow 88 Mean to establish Caesar as a king, 89 And he shall wear his crown by sea and land 90 In every place save here in Italy.

CASCA Indeed, they say the Senators tomorrow 88 Mean to establish Caesar as a king, 89 And he shall wear his crown by sea and land 90 In every place save here in Italy. 91 [Act 1 Scene 3]

Therein, you gods, you make the weak most strong; 94 Therein, you gods, you tyrants do defeat. 95 Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 96 Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 97 Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; 98 But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 99 Never lacks power to dismiss itself.

CASSIUS I know where I will wear this dagger then; 92 Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. 93 Therein, you gods, you make the weak most strong; 94 Therein, you gods, you tyrants do defeat. 95 Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 96 Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 97 Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; 98 But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 99 Never lacks power to dismiss itself. [Act 1 Scene 3]

Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf 108 But that he sees the Romans are but sheep; 109 He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.

O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, 162 And that which would appear offense in us 163 His countenance, like richest alchemy, 164 Will change to virtue and to worthiness.

CASCA O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, 162 And that which would appear offense in us 163 His countenance, like richest alchemy, 164 Will change to virtue and to worthiness. 165 [Act 1 Scene 3]

What, Lucius, ho!— 1 I cannot by the progress of the stars 2 Give guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!— 3 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.— 4 When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!

ACT 2 < Scene 1 > Enter Brutus in his orchard. BRUTUS What, Lucius, ho!—1 I cannot by the progress of the stars 2 Give guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!—3 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.—4 When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius! 5 Enter Lucius.

But ’tis a common proof 22 That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, 23 Whereto the <climber-upward> turns his face; 24 But, when he once attains the upmost round, 25 He then unto the ladder turns his back, 26 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 27 By which he did ascend.

BRUTUS . . . But ’tis a common proof 22 That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, 23 Whereto the < climber-upward > turns his face; 24 But, when he once attains the upmost round, 25 He then unto the ladder turns his back, 26 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 27 By which he did ascend. . . . [Act 2 Scene 1]

I have not slept. 65 Between the acting of a dreadful thing 66 And the first motion, all the interim is 67 Like a phantasma or a hideous dream. 68 The genius and the mortal instruments 69 Are then in council, and the state of man, 70 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 71 The nature of an insurrection.

BRUTUS ’Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. 63 < Lucius exits. > Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, 64 I have not slept. 65 Between the acting of a dreadful thing 66 And the first motion, all the interim is 67 Like a phantasma or a hideous dream. 68 The genius and the mortal instruments 69 Are then in council, and the state of man, 70 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 71 The nature of an insurrection. 72 Enter Lucius.

To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, 176 Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; 177 For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 178 Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.

BRUTUS Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, 175 To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, 176 Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; 177 For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 178 Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. 179 . . .

For he is superstitious grown of late, 212 Quite from the main opinion he held once 213 Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.

Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies 250 Which busy care draws in the brains of men. 251 Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.

is it physical 281 To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors 282 Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, 283 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed 284 To dare the vile contagion of the night

PORTIA Is Brutus sick? And is it physical 281 To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors 282 Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, 283 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed 284 To dare the vile contagion of the night 285 . . .

bid me run, 351 And I will strive with things impossible,

A piece of work that will make sick men whole.

But are not some whole that we must make sick?

Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.

< Scene 2 > Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his nightgown. CAESAR Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. 1 Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out 2 “Help ho, they murder Caesar!”—Who’s within? 3

And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead.

CALPHURNIA And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead. 18 Fierce fiery warriors < fought > upon the clouds 19 In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 20 Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol. 21 The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 22 Horses < did > neigh, and dying men did groan, 23 And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

When beggars die there are no comets seen; 31 The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of 32 princes.

CALPHURNIA When beggars die there are no comets seen; 31 The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of 32 princes. 33

Cowards die many times before their deaths; 34 The valiant never taste of death but once. 35 Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 36 It seems to me most strange that men should fear, 37 Seeing that death, a necessary end, 38 Will come when it will come.

CAESAR Cowards die many times before their deaths; 34 The valiant never taste of death but once. 35 Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 36 It seems to me most strange that men should fear, 37 Seeing that death, a necessary end, 38 Will come when it will come. 39 Enter a Servant. What say the augurers? 40

Danger knows full well 47 That Caesar is more dangerous than he. 48 We <are> two lions littered in one day, 49 And I the elder and more terrible.

CAESAR The gods do this in shame of cowardice. 44 Caesar should be a beast without a heart 45 If he should stay at home today for fear. 46 No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well 47 That Caesar is more dangerous than he. 48 We < are > two lions littered in one day, 49 And I the elder and more terrible. 50 And Caesar shall go forth. 51

And Caesar shall go forth.

And tell them that I will not come today. 66 Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser. 67 I will not come today.

CAESAR The ides of March are come. 1 SOOTHSAYER Ay, Caesar, but not gone. 2

ACT 3 < Scene 1 > Flourish. Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus; Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna; Publius, < Popilius, > Artemidorus, the Soothsayer, < and other Senators and Petitioners. > CAESAR The ides of March are come. 1 SOOTHSAYER Ay, Caesar, but not gone. 2

I could be well moved, if I were as you. 64 If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.

But I am constant as the Northern Star, 66 Of whose true fixed and resting quality 67 There is no fellow in the firmament.

CAESAR I could be well moved, if I were as you. 64 If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. 65 But I am constant as the Northern Star, 66 Of whose true fixed and resting quality 67 There is no fellow in the firmament. 68 . . .