SPBABE'S 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 WILLIAM J. ROLFE. 
 
IN MEM0RIAM 
 Walter W. Bradley 
 
U J, 
 
 -* - 
 
 
 
 
 , - 
 

 Ay, at.Philippi (iv. 3. 282). 
 
SHAKESPEARE'S 
 
 TRAGEDY OF 
 
 JULIUS CyESAR. 
 
 EDITED, WITH NOTES, 
 
 WILLIAM J. ROLFE, LITT. D., 
 
 FORMERLY HEAD MASTER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 
 
 WITH ENGRA VINGS. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 FRANKLIN SQUARE. 
 
 1895. 
 
ENGLISH CLASSICS. 
 
 I 
 
 EDITED BY \VM. J. ROLFE, LITT. D. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo, Cloth, 56 cents per volume : Paper, 40 cents per volume. 
 
 SHAKESPEARE 
 
 The Merchant of Venice. 
 
 Othello. 
 
 Julius Caesar. 
 
 A Midsummer-Night's Dream. 
 
 Macbeth. 
 
 Hamlet. 
 
 Much Ado about Nothing. 
 
 Romeo and Juliet 
 
 As You Like It. 
 
 The Tempest. 
 
 Twelfth Night. 
 
 The Winter's Tale. 
 
 King John. 
 
 Richard II. 
 
 Henry IV. Part I. 
 
 Henry IV. Part II. 
 
 Henry V. 
 
 Henry VI. Part I. 
 
 Henry VI. Part II. 
 
 Henry VI. Part III. 
 
 ;'s WORKS. 
 Richard III. 
 Henry VIII. 
 King Lear. 
 
 The Taming of the Shrew. 
 All 's Well that Ends Well. 
 Coriolanus. 
 
 The Comedy of Errors. 
 Cymbeline. 
 
 Antony and Cleopatra. 
 Measure for Measure. 
 Merry Wives of Windsor. 
 Love's Labour 's Lost. 
 Two Gentlemen of Verona. 
 Timon of Athens. 
 Troilus and Cressida. 
 Pericles, Prince of Tyre. 
 The Two Noble Kinsmen. 
 Venus and Adonis, Lucrece, etc. 
 Sonnets. 
 Titus Andronicus. 
 
 GOLDSMITH'S SELECT POEMS. BROWNING'S SELECT POEMS. 
 
 GRAY'S SELECT POEMS. BROWNING'S SELECT DRAMAS. 
 
 MINOR POEMS OF JOHN MILTON- MACAULAY'S LAYS OF ANCIENT ROMH 
 WORDSWORTH'S SELECT POEMS. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 
 ^^ The above -works are for sale by all booksellers, or they will be sent by 
 HARPER & BROTHERS to any address oil receipt of price as quoted. If 
 ordered sent by mail, 10 per cent, should be added to the price to cover cost 
 of postage. 
 
 Copyright, 1872, by HARPER & BROTHERS. 
 Copyright, 1883, by HARPER & BROTHERS. 
 
r. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION TO JULIUS C^SAR 7 
 
 I. THE HISTORY OF THE PLAY 7 
 
 II. THE HISTORICAL SOURCES OF THE PLAY 8 
 
 III. CRITICAL COMMENTS ON THE PLAY n 
 
 JULIUS C^SAR 35 
 
 ACT I 37 
 
 11 II 55 
 
 " HI 73 
 
 " IV 94 
 
 " V. 109 
 
 Noi ES ; 123 
 
 M669137 
 
THE TIBER. 
 
CAIUS JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO 
 
 JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 I. THE HISTORY OF THE PLAY. 
 
 " The Tragedie of Julius Csesar"* was first published in the 
 Folio of 1623, where it occupies pages 109-130 in the division 
 of "Tragedies." It was printed with remarkable accuracy, and 
 no play of Shakespeare's presents fewer textual difficulties. 
 
 The date at which the drama was written has been vari- 
 ously fixed by the critics. According to Malone, it "could 
 not have appeared before 1607." Collier argues that it must 
 
 * This is the title at the beginning of the play and at the head of each 
 page, but in the Table of Contents (or, as it is called, "A CATALOGVE of 
 the seuerall Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies contained in this Vol- 
 ume") it is given af ''The Life and Death of Julius Caesar." 
 
8 JULIUS CSESAR. 
 
 have been acted before 1603. Knight believes it to be "one 
 of the latest works of Shakespeare." Craik* comes to the 
 conclusion that it "can hardly be assigned to a later date 
 than the year 1607, but there is nothing to prove that it may 
 not be of considerably earlier date." White infers from the 
 style that "it was probably brought out between 1605 and 
 1608." Gervinus (in his Shakespeare Commentaries} decides 
 that it "was composed before 1603, about the same time as 
 Hamlet;" and he adds that this is "confirmed not only by 
 the frequent external references to Caesar which we find in 
 Hamlet, but still more by the inner relations of the two plays." 
 More recently (in his folio edition of Shakespeare, 1865), 
 Halliwell has shown that it was written u in or before the 
 year 1601." This appears " from the following lines in Wee- 
 ver's Mirror of Martyrs, printed in that year lines which 
 unquestionably are to be traced to a recollection of Shake- 
 speare's drama, not to that of the history as given by Plutarch : 
 " ' The many-headed multitude were drawne 
 By Brutus' speech, that Caesar was ambitious ; 
 When eloquent Mark Antonie had showne 
 His vertues, who but Brutus then was vicious ?' " 
 
 II. THE HISTORICAL SOURCES OF THE PLAY. 
 
 It appears from Peck's " Collection of divers curious his- 
 torical pieces, etc." (appended to \usMemoirs of Oliver Crom- 
 well}, that a Latin play on this subject, entitled " Epilogus 
 Caesaris interfecti," had been written as early as 1582, by Dr. 
 Richard Eedes, and acted at Christ Church College, Oxford. 
 This was very likely the drama referred to mffamlet (iii. 2); 
 
 "Hamlet. My lord, you play'd once i' th' university, you say ? 
 Polonius. That did I, my lord ; and was accounted a good actor. 
 Hamlet. What did you enact ? 
 
 Polonius. I did enact Julius Caesar : I was kill'd i' th' Capitol ; 
 Brutus kill'd me." 
 
 * English of Shakespeare, Rolfe's ed., pp. 44-49. 
 
IN TROD UCTION. 
 
 m 
 
 THE ROMAN 1-OKUM BKFOKK THE Kfc-CENT EXCAVATIONS. 
 
 Stephen Gosson also, in his School of Abuse, 1579, mentions a 
 play entitled "The History of Caesar and Pompey ;" and there 
 were doubtless other early English plays based on the story 
 of Caesar. But the only source from which Shakespeare ap- 
 pears to have derived his materials was Sir Thomas North's 
 version of Plutarch's Lives (translated from the French of 
 Amyot), first published in 1579. He has followed his au- 
 thority closely, not only in the main incidents, but often in 
 the minutest details of the action. This has been well stated 
 
io JULIUS 
 
 by Gervinus in his Shakespeare Commentaries .-* "The com- 
 ponent parts of the drama are borrowed from the biographies 
 of Brutus and Csesar in such a manner that not only the his- 
 torical action in its ordinary course, but also the single char- 
 acteristic traits in incidents and speeches, nay, even single 
 expressions and words, are taken from Plutarch ; even such 
 as are not anecdotal or of an epigrammatic nature, even such 
 as one unacquainted with Plutarch would consider in form 
 and manner to be quite Shakespearian, and which have not 
 unfrequently been quoted as his peculiar property, testifying 
 to the poet's deep knowledge of human nature. From the 
 triumph over Pompey (or rather over his sons), the silencing 
 of the two tribunes, and the crown offered at the Lupercalian 
 feast, until Caesar's murder, and from thence to the battle of 
 Philippi and the closing words of Antony, which are in part 
 exactly as they were delivered, all in this play is essentially 
 Plutarch. The omens of Caesar's death, the warnings of the 
 augur and of Artemidorus, the absence of the heart in the 
 animal sacrificed, Calphurnia's dream ; the peculiar traits of 
 Caesar's character, his superstition regarding the touch of 
 barren women in the course, his remarks about thin people 
 like Cassius ; all the circumstances about the conspiracy 
 where no oath was taken, the character of Ligarius. the with- 
 drawal of Cicero ; the whole relation of Portia to Brutus, her 
 words, his reply, her subsequent anxiety and death ; the cir- 
 cumstances of Caesar's death, the very arts and means of 
 Decius Brutus to induce him to leave home, all the minutest 
 particulars of his murder, the behaviour of Antony and its 
 result, the murder of the poet Cinna ; further on, the conten- 
 tion between the republican friends respecting Lucius Pella 
 and the refusal of the money, the dissension of the two con- 
 cerning the decisive battle, their conversation about suicide, 
 the appearance of Brutus's evil genius, the mistakes in the 
 
 * Bunnett's Translation, London, 1863. This passage immediately pre- 
 cedes the one quoted in the " Critical Comments on the Play" below. 
 
INTRO D UCTION. 1 1 
 
 battle, its double issue, its repetition, the suicide of both 
 friends, and Cassius's death by the same sword with which 
 he killed Caesar all is taken from Plutarch's narrative, from 
 which the poet had only to omit whatever destroyed the unity 
 of the action." 
 
 The period of the action of the play extends from the feast 
 of the Lupercalia, in February of the year 44 B.C., to the battle 
 of Philippi, in the autumn of the year 42 B.C. 
 
 MARCUS JUNIUS BRUTUS. 
 
 III. CRITICAL COMMENTS ON THE PLAY. 
 
 [From Hazlilfs " Characters of Shakespear's Plays. 1 ''} 
 
 Shakespear has in this play and elsewhere shown the same 
 penetration into political character and the springs of public 
 events as into those of every-day life. For instance, the whole 
 design of the conspirators to liberate their country fails from 
 the generous temper and overweening confidence of Brutus 1 
 in the goodness of their cause and the assistance of others. 
 Thus it has always been. Those who mean well themselves 
 think well of others, and fall a prey to their security. That 
 humanity and honesty which dispose men to resist injustice! 
 and tyranny render them unfit to cope with the cunning and! 
 
12 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 (power of those who are opposed to them. The friends of 
 liberty trust to the professions of others because they are 
 themselves sincere, and endeavour to reconcile the public 
 good with the least possible hurt to its enemies, who have no 
 regard to anything but their own unprincipled ends, and stick 
 at nothing to accomplish them. Cassias was better cut out I 
 for a conspirator. His heart prompted his head. His watch- 
 ful jealousy made him fear the worst that might happen, and 
 his irritability of temper added to his inveteracy of purpose, 
 and sharpened his patriotism. The mixed nature of his mo- 
 tives made him fitter to contend with bad men. The vices 
 are never so well employed as in combating one another. 
 Tyranny and servility are to be dealt with after their own 
 fashion ; otherwise they will triumph over those who spare 
 them, and finally pronounce their funeral panegyric, as An- 
 tony did that of Brutus : 
 
 "All the conspirators, save only he, 
 Did that they did in envy cf great Caesar ; 
 He only in a general honest thought, 
 And common good to all, made one of them." 
 
 The quarrel between Brutus and Cassius is managed in a 
 masterly way. The dramatic fluctuation of passion, the calm- 
 ness of Brutus, the heat of Cassius, are admirably described 
 and the exclamation of Cassius on hearing of the death of 
 Portia, which he does not learn till after their reconciliation, 
 " How scap'd I killing when I cross'd you so ?" gives double 
 force to all that has gone before. The scene between Brutus 
 and Portia, where she endeavours to extort the secret of the 
 conspiracy from him, is conceived in the most heroical spirit, 
 and the burst of tenderness in Brutus 
 
 " You are my true and honourable wife : 
 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
 That visit my sad heart" 
 
 is justified by her whole behaviour. Portia's breathless im- 
 patience to learn the event of the conspiracy, in the dialogue 
 
INTRODUCTION. l $ 
 
 with Lucius, is full of passion. The interest which Portia 
 takes in Brutus, and that which Calphurnia takes in the fate 
 of Caesar, are discriminated with the nicest precision. Mark 
 Antony's speech over the dead body of Caesar has been justly 
 admired for the mixture of pathos and artifice in it : that of 
 Brutus certainly is not so good. 
 
 The entrance of the conspirators to the house of Brutus is 
 rendered very impressive. In the midst of this scene we 
 meet with one of those careless and natural digressions which 
 occur so frequently and beautifully in Shakespear. ?-After Cas- 
 sius has introduced his friends one by one, Brutus says, 
 
 "They are all welcome. 
 What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
 Betwixt your eyes and night ? 
 
 Cassius. Shall I entreat a word ? [Brutus and Cassius whisper. 
 
 Deems. Here lies the east : doth not the day break here ? 
 
 Casca. No. 
 
 ' Cinna. O pardon, sir, it doth ; and yon gray lines, 
 That fret the clouds, are messengers of day. 
 
 Casca. You shall confess that you are both deceiv'd : 
 Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises ; 
 Which is a great way growing on the south, 
 Weighing the youthful season of the year. 
 Some two months hence, up higher toward the north 
 He first presents his fire, and the high east 
 Stands, as the Capitol, directly here." 
 
 We cannot help thinking this graceful familiarity better than 
 all the fustian in the world. 
 
 The truth of history in Julius Ccesar is very ably worked 
 up with dramatic effect. The councils of generals, the doubt- 
 ful turns of battles, are represented to the life. The death 1 
 of Brutus is worthy of him : it has the dignity of the Roman JV 
 senator with the firmness of the Stoic philosopher. But what 
 is perhaps better than either is {belittle incident of his boy 
 Lucius falling asleep over his instrument, as he is playing to 
 his master in his tent, the night before the battle. Nature 
 had played him the same forgetful trick once before, on the 
 
I 4 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 night of the conspiracy. The humanity of Brutus is the same 
 on both occasions. 
 
 " It is no matter : 
 
 Enjoy the heavy honey-dew of slumber. 
 Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, 
 Which busy care draws in the brains of : nen, 
 Therefore thou sleep'st so sound." 
 
 [From Knight's " Pictorial Shakspere"*] 
 
 Nothing can be more interesting, we think, than to follow 
 Shakespeare with Plutarch in hand. The poet adheres to 
 the facts of history with a remarkable fidelity. A few hard 
 figures are painted upon a canvas ; the outlines are distinct, 
 the colours are strong ; but there is no art in the composi- 
 tion, no grouping, no light and shadow. This is the histo- 
 rian's picture. We turn to the poet. We recognize the same 
 figures, but they appear to live ; they are in harmony with 
 the entire scene in which they move ; we have at once the 
 
 I reality of nature and the ideal of art, which is a higher na- 
 ture. Compare the dialogue in the first act between Cassius 
 and Bjutus, and the same dialogue as reported by Plutarch, 
 for an example of the power by which the poet elevates all 
 he touches, without destroying its identity. When we arrive 
 at the stirring scenes of the third act, this power is still more 
 manifest. The assassination scene is as literal as may be ; 
 but it offers an example apt enough of Shakespeare's mode 
 of dramatizing a fact. When Metellus Cimber makes suit 
 for his brother, and the conspirators appear as intercessors, 
 the historian says, " Caesar at the first simply refused their 
 kindness and entreaties ; but afterwards, perceiving they still 
 pressed on him, he violently thrust them from him." The 
 poet enters into the mind of Caesar, and clothes this rejection 
 of the suit in characteristic words^ Hazlitt, after noticing 
 
 "the profound knowledge of character displayed by Shake 
 speare in this play, says : " If there be any exception to this 
 
 * Tragedies ', vol. ii. p. 349 foil. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 remark, it is in the hero of the piece himself. We do not 
 much admire the representation here given of Julius Caesar, 
 nor do we think it answers the portrait given of him in his 
 Commentaries. He makes several vapouring and rather pe- 
 dantic speeches, and does nothing. Indeed, he has nothing 1 
 to do. So far the fault of the character is the fault of the 
 plot." The echoes of this opinion are many, and smaller 
 critics wax bold upon the occasion. Boswell says : " There 
 cannot be a stronger proof of Shakespeare's deficiency in 
 classical knowledge than the boastfu].JLanguage he has put in 
 the mouth of the most accomplished man of all antiquity, 
 who was not more admirable for his achievements than for 
 the dignified simplicity with which he has recorded them." 
 Courtenay had hazarded, in his notice of Henry VIII., the 
 somewhat bold assertion that " Shakespeare used very little 
 artifice, and, in truth, had very little design, in the construc- 
 tion of the greater number of his historical characters." 
 Upon the character of Julius Caesar, he says that Plutarch's 
 having been supposed to pass over this character somewhat 
 slightly is "a corroboration of my remark upon the slight at- 
 tention which Shakespeare paid to his historical characters. 
 The conversation with Antony about fat men, and with Cal~ 
 phurnia about her dreams, came conveniently into his plan ; 
 and some lofty expressions could hardly be avoided in por- 
 traying one who was known to the whole world as a great 
 conqueror. Beyond this our poet gave himself no trouble." 
 This is certainly an easy way of disposing of a complicated 
 question. Did Shakespeare give himself no trouble about 
 the characterization of Brutus and Cassius ? In them did he 
 indicate no points of character but what he found in Plu- 
 tarch ? Is not his characterization of Caesar himself a con- 
 siderable expansion of what he found set down by the histo- 
 rian ?r 'At the exact period of the action of this drama, Caesar, 
 possessing the reality of power, was haunted by the weakness 
 of passionately desiring the title of king. Plutarch says : 
 
1 6 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 ' The chiefest cause that made him mortally hated was the 
 covetous desire he had to be called king." This is the pivot 
 iigpn which the whole action of Shakespeare's tragedy turns, 
 'here might have been another method of treating the sub- 
 ject. The death of Julius Caesar might have been the catas- 
 trophe. The republican and r^onar^hf.pn] prinripW might 
 have been exhibited in conflict. The republican principle 
 would have triumphed in the fall of Caesar ; and the poet 
 would have previously held the "balance between the two 
 principles, or have claimed, indeed, our largest sympathies 
 for the principles of Caesar and his friends, by a true exhibi- 
 tion of Caesar's greatness and Caesar's virtues. The poet 
 chose another course. And are we, then, to talk, with 
 ready flippancy, of ignorance and carelessness that he want- 
 ed classical knowledge that he gave himself no trouble? 
 " The fault of the character is the fault of the plot," says 
 Hazlitt. It would have been nearer the truth had he said, 
 the character is determined by the plot. JVhile Caesar is 
 upon the scene, it was for the poet, largely interpreting the 
 historian, to show the inward workings of " the coyetousjde- 
 slrgjif ha.H. jo be called klng f " and most admirably, according 
 to our notions of characterization, has he shown them/Cae- 
 y^sar is "in all but name a king." He is surroundecfby all 
 the external attributes of power ; yet he is not satisfied^ 
 
 " The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow." 
 
 Ijejs suspicious he fears. But he has acquired the policy 
 ofgreatness to seem What iFlsr not. To-kisualimate friend 
 he is an actor : 
 
 " I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd 
 Than what I fear ; for always I am Caesar." 
 
 When Calphurnia has recounted the terrible portents of the 
 night when the augurers would not that Caesar should stir 
 forth he exclaims : 
 
 i. 
 
INTRODUCTION. I 7 
 
 " The gods do this in shame of cowardice ; 
 Caesar should be a beast without a heart 
 If he should stay at home to-day for fear." 
 
 But to whom does he utter this, the "boastful language" 
 
 which so offends Boswell ? To the servant who has brought 
 
 the message from the augurers ; before him he could show 
 
 no fear. But the very inflation of his language shows that he 
 
 did fear j and an instant after, when the servant no doubt is 
 
 intended to have left the scene, he says to his wife, 
 
 " Mark Antony shall say I am not well, 
 
 And, for thy humour, I will stay at home." 
 
 Read Plutarch's account of the scene between Decius and 
 Caesar, when Decius prevails against Calphurnia, and Caesar 
 decides to go. In the historian we have not a hint of the 
 splendid characterization of Caesar struggling between his 
 fear and his pride. Wherever Shakespeare found a minute 
 touch in the historian that could harmonize with his general 
 plan, he embodied it in his character of Caesar. Who does 
 not remember the magnificent lines which the poet puts into 
 the mouth of Caesar ? 
 
 " Cowards die many times before their deaths ; 
 The valiant never taste of death but once. 
 Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 
 It seems to me most strange that men should fear ; 
 Seeing that death, a necessary end, 
 / Will come when it will come." 
 
 A very slight passage in Plutarch, with reference to other 
 events of Caesar's life, suggested this : " When some of his 
 friends did counsel him to have a guard for the safety of his 
 person, and some also did offer themselves to serve him, he 
 would never consent to it, but said it was better to die once 
 than always to be afraid of death." ... The tone of his last 
 speech is indeed boastful : 
 
 " I do know but one 
 That unassailable holds on his rank, 
 B 
 
1 8 JULIUS 
 
 Unshak'd of motion ; and that I am he 
 Let me a little show it." 
 
 That Caesar knew his power, and made others know it, who 
 can doubt ? He was not one who, in his desire to be king, 
 would put on the robe of humility. Altogether, then, we pro- 
 fess to receive Shakespeare's characterization of Caesar with 
 a perfect confidence that he produced that character upon 
 fixed principles of art. It is true to the narrative upon which 
 Shakespeare founded it ; but, what is of more importance, it 
 is true to every natural conception of what Caesar must have 
 been at the exact moment of his fall. 
 
 [From Ulricas " Shakespeare's Dramatic Art"*'} 
 The want of unity of interest is the common objection that 
 has been most frequently brought against Julius Ccesar. 
 And as long as this particular unity is confounded with the 
 true idealjjmty of art, defective composition, or a want of 
 true organic unity, is "the greatest censure that can be passed 
 upon a work of art. Now if the unity of interest ought to 
 centre entirely in one personage of the drama, then no doubt 
 the objection is just, for it is divided between Caesar, Brutus 
 and Cassius, and Antony and Octavius. But we cannot for 
 a moment concede that poetical interest is invariably per- 
 sonal ; we believe that it attaches as frequently to an idea. 
 In the historical drama, the interest must indeed be one, but 
 one historically, and then it will be one in a poetical sense 
 also. But in a certain sense history does not at all trouble 
 itself about persons ; its chief interest is in facts, and their 
 effects and influences. Now in Julius Cczsar this interest is 
 one throughout, and possesses a true and organic unity. One 
 and the same thought is reflected in the fall of Caesar, in the 
 defeat and death of Brutus and Cassius, and also in the vic- 
 
 * English Translation, London, 1847, P- 534 M- We have made a few 
 verbal changes, and have corrected some palpable errors ; as " sworn 
 friend" for " sworn enemy" (geschworenen Feinde). 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 tory of Antony and Octavius. No man, even though he be 
 as great as Caesar, or as noble as Brutus, is powerful enough 
 " to drag at will history in leading-strings ; every one in his 
 vocation may contribute his stone to building up the grand 
 whole, but no one must presume to think that he may with 
 impunity try experiments with it.CThe great Julius was but 
 rying an experiment when he arttowed the crown to be of 
 fered which he thrice rejected against his will. He could 
 n6T tame his wild ambition a fault which history perhaps 
 , might have pardoned ; but he understood her not ; he wished 
 and attempted what she was not ready for : by this sdf-co,n- 
 demned error, by this arrogance, he precipitated his fate^But 
 Brutus and Cassius erredlno less in thinking that Rome could 
 be saved byj:e,-esta.blishing the republic ; as if the prosperity 
 of a state depended on its form, and as if the individual could y/ 
 restore the lost morality of the nation by a magic word. As 
 Caesar thought life unendurable without the outward dignity 
 
 ^ of a crown, so they could not bear to live$ without the honour 
 of external liberty, which they mistook for true intrinsic free- 
 dom of mind. They also were trying their own experiments 
 with tastorv/J The avaricious and ambitious Cassius, as well 
 as the noble-minded and disinterested Brutus, arrogantly 
 thought themselves strong enough to control the course of 
 events. Thus, in their case also, was error associated with 
 presumption, and they doubly deserved the retribution that 
 overtook them. Antony, on the other hand, with Octavius 
 and Lepidus, the talented spendthrift with the clever actor 
 and the good-hearted simpleton neither half so able nor so 
 noble-minded as their adversaries nevertheless prevailed in 
 the struggle, because they consented to follow the course of 
 
 ^ history and the spirit of their jige, and understood how to use 
 it. In Julius Cczsar, therefore, we discern throughout the 
 same ground-idea, and a well-distributed organic unity of his- 
 torical interest in all the characters, whether leading or sub- 
 ordinate. It shines forth even in Portia's death, as well as 
 
20 JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 in the fall of Cato, Cicero, and the other conspirators ; Por- 
 tia and Cato fell with Brutus, and the rest with Cassius, be- 
 cause they did not understand the progress of events, and 
 thought to control it arbitrarily for themselves, or no less 
 wantonlvXo put their hanHsmto their bosoms, and " speak 
 Greek." ^History, accordingly, here appears under one of its 
 principal aspects that of its despotic power and energy of 
 development, by which, although worked out by individual 
 minds, it yet rules the greatest of them, and reaches far be- 
 yond their widest calculations^ 
 
 But what can justify apparitions and spirits in an historical 
 drama ? And in any case, why is it that the ghost of Caesar 
 appears to Brutus, whose designs, apparently at least, are 
 pure and noble, rather than to Cassius, his sworn enemy ? 
 Because, though they appear to be such, they are not so in 
 reality ; the design is not really pure which has for its first 
 step so arrogant a violation of right. Moreover, Caesar had 
 been morerflfeply wronged by Brutus than by Cassius. Bru- 
 tus, like Coriolanus, had trampled under foot the tenderest 
 and noblest affections of humanity for the sake of the phan- 
 tom honour of free citizenship. Brutus, lastly, was the very 
 soul of the conspiracy ; if his mental energies should be 
 paralyzed, and his strong courage unnerved, the whole en- 
 terprise must fail. And so, in truth, it went to pieces, be- 
 cause it was against the will of history that is, against the 
 eternal counsels of God. It was to signify this great lesson 
 that Shakespeare introduced the ghost upon the stage. Only 
 once, and with a few pregnant words, does the spirit appear ; 
 but he is constantly hovering in the background, like a dark 
 thunder-cloud, and is, as it were, the offended and threaten- 
 ing spirit of history itself. It is with the same purpose that 
 Shakespeare has introduced spectral apparitions into another 
 of his historical pieces Richard III. Both dramas belong 
 to the same historical grade ; they both represent important 
 turning-points in the history of the world the close of an 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 old, and the commencement of a new state of things and in 
 such times the guiding finger of God is more obviously ap- 
 parent than at others. 
 
 [From Gervinus's "Shakespeare Commentaries"*] 
 The fidelity of Shakespeare to his source [Plutarch] justi 
 fies us in saying that he has but copied the historical text. 
 It is at the same time wonderful with what hidden and al- 
 most undiscernible power he has converted the text into a 
 drama, and made one of the most effective plays possible. 
 Nowhere else has Shakespeare executed his task with such 
 simple skill, combining his dependence on history with the 
 greatest freedom of a poetic plan, and making the truest his- 
 tory at once the freest drama. The parts seem to be only 
 put together with the utmost ease, a few links taken out of 
 the great chain of historical events, and the remainder united 
 with a closer and more compact unity ; but let any one, fol- 
 lowing this model work, attempt to take any other subject 
 out of Plutarch, and arrange only a dramatic sketch from it, 
 and he will become fully aware of the difficulty of this appar- 
 ently most easy task. He will become aware what it is to 
 concentrate his mind on one theme strictly adhered to, as is 
 here the case ; to refer persons and actions to one idea ; to 
 seek this idea out of the most general truths laid down in 
 history ; to employ, moreover, for the dramatic representation 
 of this idea none but the actual historical personages ; and 
 so at length to arrange this for the stage with that practised 
 skill orjnnjite ability, that with an apparently artless transcript 
 of history, such an ingenious independent theatrical effect can 
 be obtained as that which this play has at no time failed to 
 produce. Indeed, Leonard Digges informs us with what ap- 
 plause Julius CcBsar was acted in Shakespeare's time, whilst 
 
 * Bunnett's Translation, London, 1863, vol. ii. p. 322 fol. (by permis- 
 sion). As this translation was made " under the author's superinten- 
 dence," we have quoted it verbatim, without collation with the original. 
 
22 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 the tedious Catiline and Sejanus, which Ben Jonson had 
 worked at with such diligence and labour, were coldly re- 
 ceived. Immediately on its appearance the play roused the 
 emulation of all the theatres ; the renowned poets Munday. 
 rtray ton, Webster, and Middleton wrote a rival piece, Casals 
 \Fall) in 1602, Lord Stirling a Julius Ccesar in 1604, and a 
 Ccesar and Pompey appeared in 1607. At the period of the 
 Restoration, Julius Ctesarwas one of the few works of Shake- 
 speare that were sought out, represented, and criticised. In 
 our own day, in Germany, we have seen it performed, seldom 
 well, but always with applause. Separate scenes, like that 
 between Casca and Cassius during the storm, produce an 
 effect which can scarcely be imagined from merely reading 
 them ; the speech of Antony, heightened by the effect of ex- 
 ternal arrangement and the artifices of conversation, by prop- 
 er pauses and interruptions, even with inferior acting, carries 
 away the spectator as well as the populace represented ; the 
 quarrel between Brutus and Cassius is a trial-piece for great 
 actors, which, according to Leonard Digges, created even in 
 his time the most rapturous applause ; and even the last act, 
 which has been often objected to, is capable of exciting the 
 liveliest emotion when well managed and acted with spirit. 
 # * * * * # * 
 
 The character of Caesar in our play has been much blamed. 
 He is declared to be unlike the idea conceived of him from 
 his Commentaries ; it is said that he does nothing, and only 
 utters a few pompous, thrasonical, grandiloquent words, and 
 it has been asked whether this be the Caesar that " did awe 
 the world?" The poet, if he intended to make the attempt 
 of the republicans his main theme, could not have ventured 
 to create too great an interest in Caesar ; it was necessary to 
 keep him in the background, and to present that view of him 
 which gave a reason for the conspiracy. According even to 
 Plutarch, whose biography of Caesar is acknowledged to be 
 very imperfect, Caesar's character altered much for the worse 
 
'INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 shortly before his death, and Shakespeare has represented 
 him according to this suggestion. With what reverence 
 Shakespeare viewed his character as a whole we learn from 
 several passages of his works, and even in this play from the 
 way in which he allows his memory to be respected as soon 
 as he is dead. In the descriptions of Cassius we look back 
 upon the time when the great man was natural, simple, un- 
 dissembling, popular, and on an equal footing with others. 
 Now he is spoiled by victory, success, power, and by the re- 
 publican courtiers who surround him. He stands close on 
 the borders between usurpation and discretion ; he is master 
 in reality, and is on the point of assuming the name and the 
 right ; he desires heirs to the throne ; he hesitates to accept 
 the crown which he would gladly possess ; he is ambitious, 
 and fears he may have betrayed this in his paroxysms of epi- 
 lepsy ; he exclaims against flatterers and cringers, and yet 
 both please him. All around him treat him as a master, his 
 wife as a prince ; the senate allow themselves to be called 
 his senate ; he assumes the appearance of a king even in his 
 house ; even with his wife he uses the language of a man 
 who knows himself secure of power ; and he maintains every- 
 where the proud, strict bearing of a soldier, which is repre- 
 sented even in his statues. If one of the changes at which 
 Plutarch hints lay in this pride, this haughtiness, another lay 
 in his superstition. In the suspicion and apprehension before 
 the final step, he was seized, contrary to his usual nature and 
 habit, with misgivings and superstitious fears, which affected 
 likewise the hitherto free-minded Calphurnia. These con- 
 flicting feelings divide him, his forebodings excite him, his 
 pride and his defiance of danger struggle against them, and 
 restore his former confidence, which was natural to him, and 
 which causes his ruin ; just as a like confidence, springing 
 from another source, ruined Brutus. The actor must matte 
 his high-sounding language appear as the result of this dis- 
 cord of feeling. Sometimes they are only incidental words 
 
24 JULIUS CALSAR. 
 
 intended to characterize the hero in the shortest way. Gen- 
 erally they appear in the cases where Caesar has to combat 
 with his superstition, where he uses effort to take a higher 
 stand in his words than at the moment he actually feels. He 
 speaks so much of having no fear that by this very thing he 
 betrays his fear. Even in the places where his words sound 
 most boastful, where he compares himself with the north star, 
 there is more arrogance and ill-concealed pride at work than 
 real boastfulness. It is intended there with a few words to 
 show him at that point when his behaviour could most excite 
 those free spirits against him. It was fully intended that he 
 should take but a small part in the action ; we must not, 
 therefore, say with Scottowe that he was merely brought upon 
 the stage to be killed. The poet has handled this historical 
 piece like his English historical plays. He had in his eye 
 the whole context of the Roman civil wars for this single 
 drama, not as yet thinking of its continuation in Antony and 
 Cleopatra. 
 
 [From Grains "English of Shakespeare"*] 
 
 It is evident that the character and history of Julius Caesar 
 had taken a strong hold of Shakespeare's imagination. There 
 is perhaps no other historical character who is so repeatedly 
 alluded to throughout his plays. 
 
 "There was never anything so sudden," says the disguised 
 Rosalind \\\As You Like It (v. 2) to Orlando, speaking of the 
 manner in which his brother Oliver and her cousin (or sister, 
 as she calls her) Celia had fallen in love with one another, 
 " but the fight of two rams, and Caesar's thrasonical brag of 
 I came, saw, and overcame : for your brother and my sister 
 no sooner met, but they look'd ; no sooner look'd, but they 
 lov'd ; no sooner lov'd, but they sigh'd ;" etc. 
 
 " O ! such a day," exclaims Lord Bardolph in the Second 
 Part of King Henry the Fourth (i. i) to old Northumberland, 
 * Ro'fe''s edition, p. 49 fol. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 in his misannouncement of the issue of the field of Shrews- 
 bury, 
 
 " So fought, so follow'd, and so fairly won, 
 Came not till now to dignify the times 
 Since Caesar's fortunes." 
 
 And afterwards (in iv. 3) we have Falstaff's magnificent 
 gasconade : " I have speeded hither with the very extremest 
 inch of possibility : I have founder'd nine score and odd posts ; 
 and here, travel-tainted as I am, have, in my pure andjinmac- 
 ulate valour, taken Sir John Colevile of the Dale, a most furi- 
 ous knight, and valorous enemy. But what of that ? He saw 
 me, and yielded ; that I may justly say, with the hook-nos'd 
 fellow of Rome, I came, saw, and overcame." 
 
 "But now behold," says the Chorus in the Fifth Act of 
 King Henry the Fifth, describing the triumphant return of the 
 English monarch from the conquest of France, 
 
 " In the quick forge and working-house of thought, 
 How London doth pour out her citizens. 
 The mayor, and all his brethren, in. best sort. 
 Like to the senators of th' antique Rome, 
 With the plebeians swarming at their heels, 
 Go forth, and fetch their conquering Caesar in." 
 
 In the three Parts of King Henry the Sixth, which are so 
 thickly scattered with classical allusions of all kinds, there 
 are several to the great Roman dictator. " Henry the Fifth ! 
 thy ghost I invocate ;" the Duke of Bedford apostrophizes his 
 deceased brother in the First Part (i. i) : 
 
 " Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils ! 
 Combat with adverse planets in the heavens ! 
 A far more glorious star thy soul will make 
 Than Julius Caesar, or bright " 
 
 In the next scene the Maid, setting out to raise the siege of 
 Orleans, and deliver her king and country, compares her- 
 self to 
 
26 JULIUS CsESAR. 
 
 " that proud insulting ship 
 Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once." 
 
 In the Second Part (iv. i) we have Suffolk, when hurried 
 away to execution by the seamen who had captured him, 
 consoling himself with 
 
 " Great men oft die by vile bezonians : 
 A Roman svvorder and banditto slave 
 Murder'd sweet Tully ; Brutus' bastard hand 
 Stabb'd Julius Caesar ; savage islanders 
 Pompey the Great ; and Suffolk dies by pirates." 
 
 And afterwards (iv. 7) we liave Lord Say, in somewhat sim- 
 ilar circumstances, thus appealing to Cade and his mob of 
 men of Kent : 
 
 " Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will. 
 Kent, in the Commentaries Caesar writ, 
 Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle ; 
 Sweet is the country, because full of riches ; 
 The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy ; 
 Which makes me hope you are not void of pity." 
 
 "O traitors ! murderers !" Queen Margaret in the I'hird Part 
 (v. 5) shrieks out in her agony and rage when the prince her 
 son is butchered before her eyes : 
 
 "They that stabb'd Caesar shed no blood at all, 
 Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame, 
 If this foul deed were by to equal it : 
 He was a man ; this, in respect, a child ; 
 And men ne'er spend their fury on a child." 
 
 In King Richard the Third (iii. i) is a passage of great 
 pregnancy. " Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord ?" 
 the young prince asks Buckingham, when it is proposed that 
 he shall retire for a day or two to the Tower before his coro- 
 nation. And when informed in reply that the mighty Roman 
 at least began the building, he further inquires, 
 
 " Is it upon record, or else reported 
 Successively from age to age, he built it ?" 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 27 
 
 " Upon record, my gracious lord,'' answers Buckingham. On 
 which the wise royal boy rejoins, 
 
 " But say, my lord, it were not register'd, 
 Methinks the truth should live from age to age, 
 As 't were retail'd to all posterity, 
 Even to the general all-ending day." 
 
 And then, after a " What say you, uncle ?" he explains the 
 great thought that was working in his mind in these striking 
 , words : 
 
 " That Julius Caesar was a famous man : 
 With what his valour, did enrich his wit, 
 His wit set down to make his valour live. 
 Death makes no conquest of this conqueror,* 
 P"or now he lives in fame, though not in life." 
 
 Far away from anything Roman as the fable and locality 
 of Hamlet are, various passages testify how much Caesar was 
 in the mind of Shakespeare while writing that play. First, 
 we have the famous passage (i. i) so closely resembling one 
 in the Second Scene of the Second Act of Julius Ccesar : 
 " In the most high and palmy state of Rome, 
 A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, 
 The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead 
 Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets ; 
 As I stars with trains of fire, and dews of blood, 
 Disasters in the sun ; and the moist star, 
 Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands, 
 Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse."} 
 
 Then there is (iii. 2) the conversation between Hamlet and 
 Polonius, touching the histrionic exploits of the latter in his I/* 
 university days : " I did enact Julius Caesar : I was killed i' 
 
 * "His conqueror" is the reading of all the folios. "TKr" was restored 
 by Theobald from the quarto of 1597, and has been adopted by Malone 
 and most modern editors. 
 
 t Something is evidently wrong here ; but even Mr. Collier's annotator 
 gives us no help. 
 
 t This passage, however, is found only ui the quartos, and is omitted in 
 all the folios. 
 
2 8 JULIUS CsESAR. 
 
 th' Capitol ; Brutus kill'd me." " It was a brute part of him 
 to kill so capital a calf there" (surely, by-the-by, to be spoken 
 aside, though not so marked). Lastly, there is the prince's 
 rhyming moralization (v. i) : 
 
 " Imperial Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay, 
 Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. 
 O, that that earth which kept the world in awe 
 Should patch a wall t' expel the winter's flaw !" 
 
 Many notices of Caesar occur, as might be expected, in 
 Cymbeline. Such are the boast of Posthumus to his friend 
 Philario (ii. 4) of the valour of the Britons : 
 
 " Our countrymen 
 
 Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar 
 Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage 
 Worthy his frowning at." 
 
 Various passages in the First Scene of the Third Act : 
 " When Julius Caesar (whose remembrance yet 
 Lives in men's eyes, and will to ears and tongues 
 Be theme and hearing ever) was in this Britain, 
 And conquer'd it, Cassibelan, thine uncle 
 (Famous in Caesar's praises no whit less 
 Than in his feats deserving it)," etc. 
 
 " There be many Caesars, 
 Ere such another Julius." 
 
 "A kind of conquest 
 
 Caesar made here ; but made not here his brag 
 Of came, and saw, and overcame : with shame 
 (The first that ever touch'd him) he was carried 
 From off our coast twice beaten ; and his shipping 
 (Poor ignorant baubles !) on our terrible seas, 
 Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges, crack'd 
 As easily 'gainst our rocks. For joy whereof 
 The fam'd Cassibelan, who was once at point 
 (O giglot Fortune !) to master Caesar's sword, 
 Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright, 
 And Britons strut with courage." 
 " Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time ; and, as I said, there 
 
 is no more such Caesars ; other of them may have crook'd noses ; but to 
 
 owe such straight arms, none." 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " Caesar's ambition 
 
 (Which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch 
 The sides o' th' world) against ^ colour here 
 Did put the yoke upon 's ; which to shake off 
 Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon 
 Ourselves to be." 
 Lastly, we have a few references in Antony and Cleopatra : 
 
 " Broad-fronted Caesar, 
 
 When thou wast here above the ground, I was 
 A morsel for a monarch" (i. 5). 
 
 "Julius Caesar, 
 
 Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted" (ii. 6). 
 
 "What was it 
 
 That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire ? And what 
 Made the all-honour'd, honest, Roman Brutus, 
 With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom, 
 To drench the Capitol, but that they would 
 Have one man but a man ?" (ii. 6.) 
 
 " Your fine Egyptian cookery 
 
 Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar 
 Grew fat with feasting there" (ii. 6). 
 
 " When Antony found Julius Caesar dead, 
 He cried almost to roaring ; and he wept 
 When at Philippi he found Brutus slain" (iii. 2). 
 
 "Thyreus. Give me grace to lay 
 My duty on your hand. 
 
 Cleopatra. Your Caesar's father oft, 
 
 When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in, 
 Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place, 
 As it rain'd kisses" (iii. ii). 
 
 These passages, taken all together, and some of them more 
 particularly, will probably be thought to afford a considerably 
 more comprehensive representation of " the mighty Julius" 
 than the Play which bears his name. We cannot be sure 
 that that Play was so entitled by Shakespeare. " The Trag- 
 edy of Julius Caesar," or "The Life and Death of Julius Cae- 
 sar," would describe no more than the half of it. Qesar's 
 part terminates with the opening of the Third Act; after 
 that, on to the end, we have nothing more of him but his dead 
 
3 o JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 body, his ghost, and his memory. The Play might more fitly 
 be called after Brutus than after Csesar. And still more re- 
 markable is the partial Delineation that we have of the man. 
 We -have a distinct exhibition of little else beyond his vanity 
 and arrogance, relieved and set off by his good nature or af- 
 fability. He is brought before us only as " the spoilt child 
 of victory." All the grandeur and predominance of his char- 
 acter is kept in the background, or in the shade to be in- 
 ferred, at most, from what is said by the other dramatis per- 
 sona by Cassius on the one hand and by Antony on the 
 other in the expression of their own diametrically opposite 
 natures and aims, and in a very few words by the calmer, 
 milder, and juster Brutus nowhere manifested by himself. 
 It might almost be suspected that the complete and full- 
 length Caesar had been carefully reserved for another drama. 
 Even Antony is only half delineated here, to be brought for 
 ward again on another scene : Caesar needed such reproduc- 
 tion much more, and was as well entitled to a stage which he 
 should tread without an equal. He is only a subordinate 
 character in the present Play ; his death is but an incident 
 in the progress of the plot. The first figures, standing con- 
 spicuously out from all the rest, are Brutus and Cassius. 
 
 Some of the passages that have been collected are further 
 curious and interesting as being other renderings of concep- 
 tions that are also found in the present Play, and as conse- 
 quently furnishing data both for the problem of the chrono- 
 logical arrangement of the Plays, and for the general history 
 of the mind and artistic genius of the writer. After all the 
 commentatorship and criticism of which the works of Shake- 
 speare have been the subject, they still remain to be studied 
 in their totality with a special reference to himself. The 
 man Shakespeare, as read in his works Shakespeare as 
 there revealed, not only in his genius and intellectual pow- 
 ers, but in his character, disposition, temper, opinions, tastes, 
 prejudices is a book yet to be written. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 [From Mrs. Jameson's "Characteristics of Women"] 
 Almost every one knows by hear* Lady Percy's celebrated 
 address to her husband, beginning, 
 
 " O, my good lord, why are you thus alone ?"* 
 and that of Portia to Brutus, in Julius Caesar, 
 ..." You 've ungently, Brutus, 
 Stol'n from my bed." 
 
 The situation is exactly similar, the topics of remonstrance 
 are nearly the same; the sentiments and the style as oppo- 
 site as are the characters of the two women. Lady Percy is 
 evidently accustomed to win more from her fiery lord by ca- 
 resses than by reason : he loves her in his rough way, " as 
 Harry Percy's wife," but she has no real influence over him ; 
 he has no confidence in her. 
 
 "Lady Percy. ... In faith, 
 
 I '11 know your business, Harry, that I will. 
 I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir 
 About this title, and hath sent for you 
 To line his enterprise ; but if you go 
 
 Hotspur. So far afoot, I shall be weary, love !" 
 
 The whole scene is admirable, but unnecessary here, because 
 it illustrates no point of character in her. Lady Percy has 
 no character, properly so called, whereas that of Portia is 
 very distinctly and faithfully drawn from the outline furnished 
 by Plutarch. Lady Percy's fond upbraidings, and her half- 
 playful, half- pouting entreaties, scarcely gain her husband's 
 attention. Portia, with true matronly dignity and tenderness, 
 pleads her right to share her husband's thoughts, and proves 
 it too. 
 
 " I grant, I am a woman, but, withal, 
 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife ; 
 I grant, I am a woman, but, withal, 
 A woman- well reputed, Cato's daughter. 
 
 * I Henry //>' ii. 3. 
 
3 2 JULIUS 
 
 Think you, I am no stronger than my sex, 
 Being so father'd, and so husbanded ? 
 
 Brtitus. You are my true and honourable wife : 
 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
 That visit my sad heart !" 
 
 Portia, as Shakespeare has truly felt and represented the 
 character, is but a softened reflection of that of her husband 
 Brutus : in him we see an excess of natural sensibility, an al- 
 most womanish tenderness of heart, repressed by the tenets 
 of his austere philosophy : a stoic by profession, and in real- 
 ity the reverse acting deeds against his nature by the strong 
 force of principle and will. In Portia there is the same pro- 
 found and passionate feeling, and all her sex's softness and 
 timidity held in check by that self-discipline, that stately dig- 
 nity, which she thought became a woman " so fathered and 
 so husbanded." The fact of her inflicting on herself a vol- 
 untary wound to try her own fortitude is perhaps the strongest 
 proof of this disposition. Plutarch relates that on the day 
 on which Caesar was assassinated, Portia appeared overcome 
 with" terror, and even swooned away, but did not in her emo- 
 tion utter a word which could affect the conspirators. Shake- 
 speare has rendered this circumstance literally. 
 
 "Portia. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house ; 
 Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. 
 Why dost thou stay ? 
 
 Lucius. * To know my errand, madam. 
 
 Portia. I would have had thee there and here again, 
 Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there. 
 
 constancy ! be strong upon my side : 
 
 Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue ! 
 
 1 have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 
 
 Ay me ! how weak a thing 
 
 The heart of woman is ! O, I grow faint," etc. 
 
 There is another beautiful incident related by Plutarch 
 which could not well be dramatized. When Brutus and Por- 
 tia parted for the last time in the island of Nisida, she re- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 33 
 
 strained all expression of grief that she might not shake his 
 fortitude ; but afterwards, in passing through a chamber in 
 which there hung a picture of Hector and Andromache, she 
 stopped, gazed upon it for a time with a settled sorrow, and 
 at length burst into a passion of tears. * 
 
 If Portia had been a Christian, and lived in later times, 
 she might have been another Lady Russel ; but she made a 
 poor stoic. No factitious or external control was sufficient 
 to restrain such an exuberance of sensibility and fancy ; and 
 those who praise the philosophy of Portia and the heroism of 
 her death, certainly mistook the character altogether. It is 
 evident, from the manner of her death, that it was not delib- 
 erate self-destruction, " after the high Roman fashion," but 
 took place in a paroxysm of madness, caused by overwrought 
 and suppressed feeling, grief, terror, and suspense. Shake- 
 speare has thus represented it : 
 
 "Brufas. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs ! 
 
 Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use, 
 If you give place to accidental evils. 
 
 Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 
 
 Cassius. Ha ! Portia ? 
 
 Brutiis. She is dead. 
 
 Cassins. How 'scap'd I killing, when I cross'd you so ? 
 O insupportable and touching loss ! 
 Upon what sickness? 
 
 Bruttts. Impatient of my absence, 
 
 And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony 
 Had made themselves so strong ; for with her death 
 These tidings came. With this she fell district > 
 And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire." 
 
 So much for woman's philosophy ! 
 
 
 
 * When at Naples, I have often stood upon the rock at the extreme 
 point of Posilippo, and looked down upon the little island of Nisida, and 
 thought of this scene till I forgot the Lazaretto which now deforms it : 
 deforms it, however, to the fancy only, for the building itself, as it rises 
 from amid the vines, the cypresses, and fig-trees which embosom it, looks 
 beautiful at a distance. 
 
 c 
 
CAIUS JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
/M 
 
 
( r Conspirators against Julius Caesar 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 OCTAVIUS CESAR, 
 
 MARCUS ANTONJUS, ! lnum virs, after the death ci 
 
 M. ^MILIUS LEPIDUS, ) J uhus C sar - 
 
 CICERO, \ 
 
 PUBLIUS, ( Senators. 
 
 POPILIUS LENA, 
 
 MARCUS BRUTUS, 
 
 CASSIUS, 
 
 CASCA, 
 
 TREBONIUS, 
 
 LIGARIUS, 
 
 DECIUS BRUTUS. 
 
 METELLUS CJMBER, | 
 
 CINNA, J 
 
 &,* } *- 
 
 ARTEMIDORUS, a Sophist of Cnidos. 
 
 A Soothsayer. 
 
 CINNA, a Poet. 
 
 Another Poet- 
 
 LUCILIUS, 1 
 
 TITINIUS, 
 
 MESSALA, }- Friends to Brutus and Cassius. 
 
 Young CATO, j 
 
 VOLUMNIUS, J 
 
 VARRO, j 
 
 CLITUS, 
 
 CLAUDIUS! 
 
 STRATO, 
 
 Lucius, 
 
 .DARDANIUS. 
 
 PINDARUS, Servant to Cassius. 
 
 CALPURNIA, Wife to Caesar. 
 PORTIA, Wife to Brutus. 
 
 Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, etc. 
 
 SCENE, during a great part of the Play, at Rome ; after' 
 wants at Sardis, and near Phtiippi. 
 
 Servants to Brutus. 
 
ROMAN VICTORY. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. Rome. -A Street. 
 Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and a rabble of Citizens. 
 
 Flavins. Hence ! home, you idle creatures, get you home, 
 Is this a holiday ? What ! know you not, 
 Being mechanical, you ought not walk 
 Upon a labouring day without the sign 
 Of your profession ? Speak, what trade art thou ? 
 
 1 Citizen. Why, sir, a carpenter. 
 
 Marullus. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule ? 
 What dost thou with thy best apparel on ? 
 You, sir ; what trade are you ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I. am 
 but, as vou would sav. a cobbler. n 
 
38 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Marullus. But what trade art thou ? Answer me directly. 
 
 2 Citizen. A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe 
 conscience ; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. 
 
 Marullus. What trade, thou knave ? thou naughty knave, 
 what trade ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me ; yet 
 .if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 
 
 Marullus. What mean'st thou by that ? Mend me, thou 
 saucy fellow ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Why, sir, cobble you. 20 
 
 Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl. I 
 meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters : 
 but withal 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 neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork. 
 
 Flavius. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ? 
 Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself 
 into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday to see 
 Caesar, and to rejoice in his triumph. 31 
 
 Marullus. Wherefore rejoice ? What conquest brings he 
 
 home? 
 
 What tributaries follow him to Rome, 
 To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ? 
 You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things ! 
 O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 
 Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft 
 Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, 
 To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, 
 Your infants in your arms, and there have sat 40 
 
 The livelong day, with patient expectation, 
 To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome ; 
 And, when you saw his chariot but appear, 
 Have you not made an universal shout, 
 
ACT L SCENE I. 39 
 
 That Tiber trembled underneath her banks, 
 
 To hear the replication of your sounds 
 
 Made in her concave shores ? 
 
 And do you now put on your best attire ? 
 
 And do you now cull out a holiday ? 
 
 And do you now strew flowers in his way 5 
 
 That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood ? 
 
 Be gone ! 
 
 Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, 
 
 Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 
 
 That needs must light on this ingratitude. 
 
 Flavins. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, 
 Assemble all the poor men of your sort ; 
 Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears 
 Into the channel, till the lowest stream 
 
 Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. [.Exeunt Citizens. 
 See whether their basest metal be not mov'd! 61 
 
 They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. 
 Go you down that way towards the Capitol ; 
 This way will I. Disrobe the images, 
 If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. 
 
 Marullus. May we do so ? 
 You know it is the feast of Lupercal. 
 
 Flavins. It is no matter ; let no images 
 Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about, 
 And drive away the vulgar from the streets ; 70 
 
 So do you too, where you perceive them thick. 
 These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing 
 Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, 
 Who else would soar above the view of men, 
 And keep us all in servile fearfulness. [Exeunt. 
 
40 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 SCENE II. A Public Place. 
 
 Enter, in procession with Music, C^SAR ; ANTONY, for the 
 course; CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, 
 CASSIUS, and CASCA, a great crowd following, among them 
 a Soothsayer. 
 
 Ccesar. Calpurnia ! 
 
 Casca. Peace, ho ! Caesar speaks. [Music ceases. 
 
 Ccesar. Calpurnia ! 
 
 Calpurnia. Here, my lord. 
 
 Ccesar. Stand you directly in Antonius' way 
 When he doth run his course. Antonius ! 
 
 Antony. Caesar, my lord ! 
 
 Ccesar. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, 
 To touch Calpurnia ; for our elders say, 
 The barren, touched in this holy chase, 
 Shake off their sterile curse. 
 
 Antony. I shall remember ; 
 
 When Ccesar says 'Do this,' it is performed. 10 
 
 Ccesar. Set on, and leave no ceremony out. \_Music. 
 
 Soothsayer. Caesar ! 
 
 Ccesar. Ha ! who calls ? 
 
 Casca. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again ! 
 
 [Music ceases. 
 
 Ccesar. Who is it in the press that calls on m.e? 
 I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, 
 Cry, Caesar. Speak ; Caesar is turn-'d to hear. 
 Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. 
 
 Ccesar. What man is that? 
 
 Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. 
 
 Ccesar. Set him before me ; let me see his face. 19 
 
 Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng ; look upon Caesar. 
 Ccesar. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. 
 
 Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. 
 
ACT I. SCENE II. 41 
 
 Ccesar. He is a dreamer ; let us leave him : pass. 
 
 {Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. 
 
 Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course? 
 
 Brutus. Not I. 
 
 Cassius. I pray you, do. 
 
 Brutus. 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 '11 leave you. 
 
 Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: 
 
 I_have not from your eyes that gentleness 30 
 
 And show of love as I was wont to have^. 
 You bear too stubborn and too stn\ngrp a banf| 
 Over your friend that loves you. 
 
 Brutus. Cassius, 
 
 Be not deceiv'd ; if I have veil'd my look, 
 I turn the trouble of my countenance 
 Merely upon myself. Vexed I a in 
 Of late with passions of some difference, 
 Conceptions only proper to myself, 
 Which give some soil, perhaps, to my 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 tha^poor Brutus, withjhimgelf at war ? 
 Forgets tl^T shows ot love to other men. 
 
 Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion ; 
 By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried. 
 Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. 
 Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face ? 
 
 Brutus. No, Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself 
 But by reflection by some other things. 
 
 Cassius. 'T is just ; 50 
 
 And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 
 That you have no such mirrors as will turn 
 
42 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 
 That you might see your shadow. I have heard, 
 Where many of the best respect in Rome, 
 Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus, 
 And groaning underneath this age's yoke, 
 Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 
 
 Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 
 That you would have me seek into myself 60 
 
 For that which is not in me ? 
 
 Cassius. 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 
 That of yourself which you yet know not of. 
 And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus: 
 Were I a common laugher, or did use 
 To stale with ordinary oaths my love 
 
 To every new protester ; if you know . 7 
 
 That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, 
 And after scandal them ; or if you know 
 That I profess myself in banqueting 
 To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. [Flourish and shout. 
 
 Brutus. What means this jshouting.^/I do fear the people 
 Choose Caesar for their king. 
 ( Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? 
 
 Then must I think you would not have it so. 
 ' Brutus. 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? 80 
 
 If it be aught toward the general good, /jjU 
 
 Set honour in one eye, and death i' the other, . J^ J 
 And I will look on both indifferently ; 
 For let the gods so speed me as I love 
 The name of honour more than I fear death. 
 
 Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 
 
ACT L SCENE II. 43 
 
 As well as I do know your outward favour. 
 
 Well, honour is the subject of my story. 
 
 I cannot tell what you and other men 
 
 Think of this life, but, for my single self, ^ 
 
 I had as lief not be as live to be 
 
 In awe of such a thing as I myself. 
 
 I was born free as Caesar, so were you ;\ 
 
 We both have fed as well, and we can both 
 
 Endure the winter's cold as well as he. 
 
 For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 
 
 The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 
 
 Caesar said to me, ' Dar'st thou, Cassius, now 
 
 Leap in with me into this angry flood, 
 
 And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word, too 
 
 Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, 
 
 And bade him follow ; so, indeed, he did. 
 
 The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it 
 
 With lusty sinews, throwing it aside 
 
 And stemming it with hearts of controversy. 
 
 But ere we could arrive the point propos'd, 
 
 Caesar cried,' Help me, Cassius, or I sink/ \J!r[ AS \\ 
 
 I, as ^Eneas, our great ancestor, 
 
 Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 
 
 The old Anchises bear, x so from the waves of Tiber; 
 
 Did I the tired Caesar. V^And this man 
 
 Is now become a god ; ^nd Cassius is 
 
 A wretched creature, and must bend his body 
 
 If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. 
 
 He had a fever when he was in Spain, 
 
 And when the fit was on him I did mark 
 
 How he did shake/: 't is true, this god did shake ; 
 
 His coward lips crra from their colour fly, 
 
 And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 
 
 Did lose his lustre.Vl dld-hearjnm groajn/X 
 
 Ay, and that tongueroThis, thaTbade ttie~Romans 
 
44 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Mark him and write his speeches in their books, 
 
 Alas! it cried, 'Give me some drink, Titinius,' 
 
 As a sick girl.-\-Ye gods, it doth amaze me, 
 
 A man of such a feeble temper should 
 
 So get the start of the majestic world, 
 
 And bear the palm alone. ) [Shout. Flourish. 
 
 Urutus. Another general shout ! 
 
 1 do believe that these applauses are 
 
 For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar. 130 
 
 /Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 
 /Like a Colossus, and we petty men 
 
 Walk under his huge legs and peep about 
 4 J To find ourselves dishonourable graves. . / 
 
 " / ( Men at some time are masters of their fates ; 0i%faA 
 ^The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
 
 But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 
 
 Brutus and Caesar : what should be in that Caesar? \ 
 
 Why should that name be sounded more than yours? 
 
 Write them together, yours is as fair a name ; 
 
 Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well ; 
 
 Weigh them, it is as heavy ; conjure with 'em, 
 
 ' Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as ' Caesar.' [Shout. 
 
 Now, in the names of all the gods at once, 
 
 Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, 
 
 That he is grown so great? Age, thou art sham'd ! 
 
 Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods ! 
 
 When went there by an age, since the great flood, 
 
 But it was fam'd with more than with one man ? 
 
 When could they say till now that talk'd of Rome 150 
 
 That her wide walls encompass'd but one man? 
 
 Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough, 
 
 When there is in it but one only man. 
 
 O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 
 
 There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 
 
 The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome 
 
 As easily as a king ! 
 
AC 7^ I. SCENE II. 
 
 45 
 
 Brutus. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous ; 
 What you would work me to, I have some aim ; 
 How I have thought of this, and of these times, * 160 
 
 I shall recount hereafter ; for this present, 
 I would not, so with love I might entreat you, 
 Be any further mov'd. What you have said, 
 I will consider ; what you have to say, 
 I will with patience hear, and find a time 
 Both meet to hear and answer such high things. 
 Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this : 
 Brutus had rather be a villager 
 Than to repute himself a son of Rome 
 
 Under these hard conditions as this time 170 
 
 Is like to lay upon us. 
 
 Cassius. I am glad 
 
 That my weak words have struck but thus much show 
 .Of fire from Brutus. 
 
 Enter CAESAR and his train. 
 
 Brutus. The games are done, and Caesar is returning. 
 
 Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve ; 
 And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you 
 What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. 
 
 Brutus. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, 
 The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 
 And all the rest look like a chidden train ; 180 
 
 Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero 
 Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes 
 As we have seen Kim in the Capitol, 
 Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 
 
 Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is. 
 
 Ccesar. Antonius ! 
 
 Antony. Caesar? 
 
 C(?sar. Let me have men about me that are fat, 
 Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights : 
 
JULIUS CSESAR. 
 
 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry lofrk ; 190 
 
 He thinks too much : such men are dangerous. 
 
 Antony. Eear him not, Caesar : he ? s not dangerous.^ 
 jie is a noble Roman and well given. 
 
 Ccesar. Would he were fatter! But I fear him not. 
 Yet if my name were liable to fear, 
 I do not know the man I should avoid 
 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much ; 
 He is a great observer, and he looks 
 Quite through the deeds of men : he loves no plays, 
 As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music: 200 
 
 Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 
 As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit 
 That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. 
 Such men as he be never at heart's ease 
 Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 
 And therefore are they very dangerous. 
 I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd 
 Than what I fear ; for always I am Caesar. 
 Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 
 And tell me truly what thou think'st of him. 210 
 
 \Sennet. Exeunt Ccesar and his train. Casca remains. 
 
 Casca. You pulFd me by the cloak ; would you speak with 
 me? 
 
 Brutus. Ay, Casca ; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, 
 That Caesar looks so sad. \^$ 
 
 Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not ? 
 
 Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. 
 
 Casca. Why, there was_a crown offered him ; and, being 
 offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; 
 and then the people fell a-shouting. 
 
 Brutus. What was the second noise for ? 
 
 Casca. Why, for that too. 220 
 
 Cassius. They shouted thrice ; what was the last cry for ? 
 
 Casca. Why, for that too. 
 
ACT I. SCENE IL 47 
 
 Brutus. Was the crown offered him thrice ? 
 
 Casca. Ay, marry, was 't,and he put it by thrice, every time 
 gentler than other; and at every putting- by mine honest 
 neighbours shouted. 
 
 Cassius. Who offer'd him the crown ? 
 
 Casca. Why, Antony. 
 
 Brutus. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. 229 
 
 Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it; it 
 was mere foolery, I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony 
 offer him a crown ; yet 't was not a crown neither, 't was one 
 of these coronets; and, as I told you, he put it by once ; but, 
 for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then 
 he offered it to him again ; then he put it by again ; but, to 
 my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And 
 then he offered it the third time ; he put it the third time by; 
 and still as he refused it, the rabblement shouted, and clapped 
 their chopped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and 
 uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused 
 the crown, that it had almost choked Caesar; for he swooned, 
 and fell down at it. And, for mine own part, I durst not 
 laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. 
 
 Cassius. But, soft, I pray you. What ! did Caesar swoon ? 
 
 Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at 
 mouth, and was speechless. 246 
 
 Brutus. 'T is very like ; he hath the falling sickness. 
 
 Cassius. No, Caesar hath it not ; but you and I, 
 And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. 
 
 Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure 
 Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and ' 
 hiss him, according as he pleaseS and displeased them, as they 
 use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man. 253 
 
 Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself? 
 
 Casca. Marry,, before he fell down, when he perceived the 
 common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me 
 ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An I had 
 
48 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him 
 at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And 
 so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had 
 done or said any thing amiss, he desired their worships to 
 think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where I 
 stood, cried, 'Alas, good soul F and forgave him with all their 
 hearts. But there 's no heed to be taken of them ; if Caesar 
 had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. 265 
 
 Brutus. And after that he came thus sad away ? 
 
 Casca. Ay. 
 
 Cassius. Did Cicero say any thing? 
 
 Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. 
 
 Cassius. To what effect ? 27 o 
 
 Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I '11 ne'er look you i' the face 
 again. But those that understood him smiled at one another 
 and shook their heads ; but, for my own part, it was Greek to 
 me. I could tell you more news too : Marullus and Flavius, 
 for pulling scarfs off Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare 
 you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remem- 
 ber it. 
 
 Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? 
 
 Casca. No, I am promised forth. 
 
 Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow? 280 
 
 Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your din- 
 ner worth the eating. 
 
 Cassius. Good ; I will expect you. 
 
 Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit Casca. 
 
 Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be ! 
 He was quick mettle when he went to school. 
 
 Cassius. So is he now, in execution 
 Of any bold or noble enterprise, 
 However he puts on this tardy form. 
 
 This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 290 
 
 Which gfves men stomach to digest his words 
 With better appetite. 
 
ACT I. SCENE ///. 4 q 
 
 C^AO^ 
 
 Brutus. And so it is. For this time I will leave you : 
 To-morrow if you please to speak with me, 
 I will come home to you ; or, if you will, 
 Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 
 
 Cassius, I will do so \ till then, think of the world. 
 
 \Exit Brutus 
 
 Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet, I see, 
 Thy honourable .metal may be wrought 
 
 From thaij it; 'is "cfispos'd : therefore it is meet 300 
 
 That noble minds keep ever with their likes; 
 For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd? 
 Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus ; 
 If I were Brutus now, and Ji were Cassius,^ ^tc^> 
 He should not humour me. I will this night, 
 In several hands, in at his windows throw, 
 As if they came from several citizens, 
 Writings all tending to the great opinion 
 That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely 
 Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at ; 310 
 
 And after this let Caesar seat him; sure, 
 For we will shake him or worse days endure. [Exit. 
 
 SCENE III. A Street. 
 
 Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, CASCA, 
 with his sword drawn, and CICERO. 
 
 Cicero. Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home ? 
 Why are you breathless ? and why stare you so ? 
 
 Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of earth 
 Shakes, like a thing imfirm ? O Cicero, 
 I have seen tempests when the scolding winds 
 Have riv'd the knotty oaks ; and I have seen 
 The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, 
 To be exalted with the threatening clouds : 
 But never till to-night, never till now, 
 
 D 
 
5 o JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. 10 
 
 Either there is a civil strife in heaven, 
 
 Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 
 
 Incenses them to send destruction. 
 
 Cicero. 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, remained unscorch'd. 
 Besides I have not since put up my sword 
 Against the Capitol I met a lion, 20 
 
 Who glar'd upon me and went surly by 
 Without annoying me ; and there were drawn 
 Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women 
 Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw 
 Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. 
 And yesterday the bird of night did sit 
 Even at noonday upon the market-place, 
 Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies 
 Do so conjointly meet, let not men say, 
 These are their reasons, they are natural ; 30 
 
 For, I believe, they are portentous things 
 Unto the clhnate that they point upon. 
 
 Cicero. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time ; 
 But men may construe things after their fashion, 
 Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 
 Comes Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow? 
 
 Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius 
 Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. 
 
 Cicero. Good night, then, Casca ; this disturbed sky 39 
 Is not to walk in._^ 
 
 Casca. Farewell, Cicero. \Exit Cicero. 
 
ACT L SCENE II L 51 
 
 Enter CASSIUS. 
 
 Cassius, Who 's there ? 
 
 Casca. A Roman. 
 
 Cassius. Casca, by your voice. 
 
 Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is thisI^J^, 
 
 Cassius. A very pleasing night to honest men. 
 
 Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so ? 
 
 Cassius. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. 
 For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, 
 Submitting me unto the perilous night, 
 And thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, 
 Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone ; ^~ 
 And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 50 
 
 The breast of heaven, I did present myself 
 Even in the aim and very flash of it. 
 
 Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? 
 It is the part of men to fear and tremble 
 When the most mighty gods by tokens send 
 Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 
 
 Cassius. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life 
 That should be in a Roman you do want, 
 Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, 
 And put on fear, and case yourself in wonder, 60 
 
 To see the strange impatience of the heavens ; 
 But if you would consider the true cayse 
 Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, 
 Why birds and beasts from quality and kind,.. *"" 
 Why old men fool and children calculate, 
 Why all these things change from their ordinance, 
 Their natures and pre-formed faculties, 
 To monstrous quality, why, you shall find 
 That heaven hath infus'd them with these spirits, 
 To make them instruments of fear and warning 7 o 
 
 Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, 
 
52 JULIUS CMSAR. 
 
 Name to thee a man most like this dreadful night, 
 That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 
 As doth the lion in the Capitol ; 
 LA. man no mightier than thyself or me 
 jln personal action, yet prodigious grown 
 (And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. 
 i Casca. 'T is Caesar that you mean ; is it not, Cassius? 
 
 Cassius. Let it be who it is : for Romans now 
 Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors, 80 
 
 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 Caesar as a king ; 
 And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, 
 In every place, save here in Italy. 
 
 Cassius. I know where I will wear this dagger, then ; 
 ^/ ^ Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. 
 
 Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; 90 
 
 JJ^herein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat. 
 r Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 
 ' Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 
 / Can be retentive to the strength of spirit ; 
 / But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 
 ! Never lacks power to dismiss itself. 
 
 If I know this, know ajl the world besides, 
 That part of tyranny that I do bear 
 
 I I can shake off at pleasure. \Thunderstill. 
 
 - Casca. So can I ; 
 
 So every bondman in his own hand bears io< 
 
 The power to cancel his captivity. 
 
 Cassius. And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then ? 
 Poor man ! I know he would not be a wolf, 
 But that he sees the Romans are but sheep ; 
 He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. 
 
ACT I. SCENE III. 53 
 
 Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 
 
 Begin it with weak straws : what trash is Rome, 
 
 What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves 
 
 For the base matter to illuminate 
 
 So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief! no 
 
 Where hast thou led me ? I perhaps speak this 
 
 Before a willing bondman ; then I know 
 
 My answer must be made. But I am arm'd, 
 
 And dangers are to me indifferent. 
 
 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. 
 
 Cassius. There 's a bargain made. 
 
 Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already^ 120 
 
 Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans 
 To undergo with .me an enterprise / 
 
 Of honourable-dangerous consequence; / 
 And I do know by this they stay for me 
 In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, 
 There is no stir or walking in the streets,\ 
 -And the complexion of the element 
 In favour 's like the work we have in hand, \ 
 Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. <~-**Cv 
 
 \" J 
 
 Enter CINNA. 
 
 Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. 130 
 
 Cassius. 'T is 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 attempt. Am I not stay'd 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. 
 
54 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Cassius. Ami not stay'd for ? Tell me. 
 
 Cinna. Yes, you are. 
 
 O Cassius, if you could 
 But win the noble Brutus to our party ! 140 
 
 Cassius. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, 
 And look you lay it in the praetor'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? 
 
 Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber ; and he 's gone 
 To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, 
 And so bestow these papers as you bade me. 150 
 
 Cassius. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. 
 
 {Exit Cinna. 
 
 Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day 
 See Brutus at his house ; three parts of him 
 Is ours already, and the man entire 
 Upon the next encounter yields him ours. 
 , Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts ^^ 
 And that which would appear offence in us 
 His countenance, like richest alchemy, 
 ' Will change to virtue and to worthiness. 
 
 Cassius.^Rim and his worth and our great need of him i6c 
 
 You have right well conceitodr> Let us go, 
 
 For it is after midnight, and ere day 
 
 We will awake him and be sure of him. \Exeunt 
 
 
L 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Rome. Brutus' s Orchard. 
 
 Enter BRUTUS. 
 
 Brutus. What, Lucius ! ho ! 
 I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 
 Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say ! 
 I would it were myTault to sleep so soundly. 
 When, Lucius, when ? Awake, I say ! What, Lucius ! 
 
 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, fit must be by his death ; and, for my part, 10 
 
56 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 I know no persorud cajjse to spurn at him, 
 But for the generalTjiHe would be crown'd ; 
 ' How that might cfrajrgeTiis nature, there 's the question.) 
 lt is the bright day that brings forth the adder, 
 JAnd that craves wary walking. Crown him ? that ; 
 'And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 
 That at his will he may da, danger with.VVvX^-t. ' 
 
 (The abuse of greatness uTwhen it disjoins 
 Remorse from powerTjand, to speak truth of Caesar, 
 
 I have not known wUeri his affections sway'd 2 o 
 
 More than his reason. But 't is a common proof 
 
 That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, 
 
 Whereto the climber-upward turns his face ; 
 
 But when he once attains the upmost round 
 
 He then unto the ladder turns his back, 
 
 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees ' 
 
 By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. 
 
 Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel 
 
 Will bear no colour^ for the thing he is, 
 
 Fashion it thus : that what he is, augmented, 
 
 Would run to these and these extremities ; 
 
 |And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, 
 
 /Which hatch'd would, as his kind, grow mischievous, ^^ 
 
 [And kill him in the shell."""" 
 
 Enter Lucius. 
 
 Lucius. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 
 Searching the window for a flint, I found 
 This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure 
 It did not lie there when I went to bed. [Gives him the letter. 
 
 Brutus. Get you to bed again ; it is not clay, t ^ 
 Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March ? \ + *& 40 
 
 Lucius. I know not, sir. 
 
 Brutus. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 
 
 Lucius. I will, sir. [Exit. 
 
AC t T_IL SCENE /. 57 
 
 Brutus. The exhalations whizzing in the air 
 Give so much light that I may read by them. 
 
 [O^ens the letter, and reads. 
 
 1 Brutus, thou sleep'st ; awake, and see thyself\fj^ JuM 
 Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress /' Jj^^^^, - 
 ' Brutus, thou sleep'st ; awake !' 
 Such instigations have been often dropped 
 Where I have took them up. so 
 
 ' Shall Rome, etc.' Thus must I piece it out : 
 Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What! Rome? 
 My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 
 The Targujn drive, when he was call'd a king. 
 1 Speak, strike, redress !' Am I entreated 
 yTo speak and strike ?-fO Rome ! I make thee promise,\ < 
 
 ] If the redress will follow, thou receivest 
 
 jJThy full petition at the hand of Brutus. 
 
 Enter Lucius. 
 
 Lucius. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. 
 
 [Knocking within. 
 
 Brutus. 'T is good. Go to the gate ; somebody knocks. 
 
 /C^ [Exit Lucius. 
 
 Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar 61 
 
 I have not slept. 
 
 Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
 And the first motion, all the interim is 
 Like a phantasma or a hideous dream ; 
 | The genius ancT the mortal instruments ^ 
 Are then in council, and the state of man, 
 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 
 The nature of an insurrection. 
 
 Enter Lucius. 
 
 Lucius. Sir, 't is your brother Cassius at the door, 
 Who doth desire to see youT 
 
58 JULIUS C^LSAR. 
 
 Brutus. Is he alone ? f , 
 
 Lucius. No, sir ; there are noo^e with him. >. A ' 
 Brutus. Do you know them ? 
 
 Lucius. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, 
 
 And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 
 
 That by no means I may discover them 
 
 By any mark of favour. 
 
 Brutus. Let 'em enter. [Exit Lucius. 
 
 They are the faction. O Conspiracy !' 
 
 Sham'st thqu to show thy dangerous brow by night, 
 
 When .evils r *are most free ? O, then, by day 
 
 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80 
 
 To mask thy monstrous visage ? Seek none, Conspiracy ; 
 
 Hide it in smiles and affability; txr^ 
 
 For, if thou path, thy nativtTsemblance on, 
 
 Not Erebus itself were dim enough 
 
 To hicle thee from prevention. 
 
 Enter CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMRER, 
 and TREBONIUS. 
 
 Cassias. I think we are too bold upon your rest : 
 Good morrow, Brutus ; do we trouble you ? 
 
 Brutus. I have been up this hour, awake all night. 
 Know I these men that come along with you ? 
 
 Cassias. Yes, every man of them ; and no man here 9 
 But honours you ; and every one doth wish 
 You had but that opinion of yourself 
 Which every noble Roman bears of you. 
 This is Trebonius. 
 
 Brutas. He is welcome hither. 
 
 Cassias. This, Decius Brutus. 
 
 Brutus. He is welcome too. 
 
 Cassias. This, Casca; this, Cinna: and this. Metellus Cm* 
 ber. 
 
 Brutus. They are all welcome. 
 
. 
 ACT II. SCENE I. 59 
 
 What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
 
 Betwixt your eyes and night? 99 
 
 Cassius. Shall I entreat a word ? [They whisper. 
 
 JDedus. Here lies the east ; doth not the day break here ? 
 
 Casca. No. 
 
 Cinna. O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon grey lines 
 That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 
 
 Casca. You shall confess that you are both deceiv'd. 
 Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises ; 
 Which is a great way growing on the south, 
 Weighing the youthful season of the year. 
 S^rne two ntehths hence up higher toward the north 
 He firsrpresents his fire, and the high east , no 
 
 Stands as the Capitol, directly here. 
 
 Brutus. Give me your hands ajljxver, one by one. 
 
 Cassius. And let us swear our resolution. 
 
 Brutus. No, not an oath ! If not the face of men, 
 
 ~The sufferance of our souls, the tjme^s abuse, 
 
 If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 
 And every man hence to his idlejjed ; %v^*fi ^Ju/vvJ*^ 
 So let high-sighted tyranny range on, 
 r - V Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, ^^v^ 
 ^ As I am sure they clo, bear fire enough i 20 
 
 To kindle cowards, and to steel with valour 
 The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 
 What need we any spur but our own cause 
 yr To prick us to redress? what other bond 
 
 Than secret Romans that have spoke the word, 
 ^ And will not palter? and what other oath 
 Than honesty to honesty engag'd 
 That this shall be, or we will fall for it? 
 Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, v 
 Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls 130 
 
 That welcome wrongs ; unto bad causes swear 
 Such creatures as men doubt: but do not stain 
 
60 JULIUS CMSAR. 
 
 The even virtue of our enterprise, 
 *y\s >Nor tlie"7nsuppressive metal of our spirits, 
 
 To think that or our cause or our performance 
 Did need an oath, when every drop of blood, ,v*w { /,-.-" 
 
 That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 
 Is guilty of a several bastardy 
 If he do break the smallest particle 
 Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. 
 j Cassius. But what of Cicero ? Shall we sound him ? 
 [ I think he will stand very strong with us. 
 '/ Casca. Let us not leave him out. 
 
 Cinna. . No, by no means. 
 
 / Metellus. O, let us have him, for his silver hairs 
 /Will purchase us a good opinion, 
 \And buy men's voices to commend our deeds. 
 It shall be said, his judgment ruPd our hands ; f 
 Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, - 
 But all be buried in his gravity. 
 
 f Brutus. O, name him not ; let us not break with him, 
 rFor he will never follow any thing 
 [That other men begin. 
 
 Cassius. Then leave him out. 
 
 Casca. Indeed, he is not fit. 
 
 s. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar? 
 Cassius. Decius, well urg'd. I think it is not meet 
 Mark Antony, so well befov r o! of Caesar, 
 Should outlive, Caesar. We shall find of him 
 A shrewd contriver, and you know his means, 
 If he improve them, may well stretch so far 
 , A" As to annoy us all ; which to prevent, 160 
 
 Let Antony and Caesar fall together. 
 
 Brutus. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, 
 'o cut the head off and then hack the limbs, 
 /Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards; 
 / For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 
 
 JlShc 
 
 V e 
 TC 
 
ACT II. SCENE I. 
 
 180 
 
 1 
 
 (T 
 
 Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.j 
 Wojdlstand up against Jhe spirit of Caesar, 
 And in the spirit of men there is no bloocTJ" 
 O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, 
 And not dismember Caesar ! But, alas, 
 Caesar must bleed for it ! And, gentle friends, 
 Let 's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully ; 
 Let 's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, 
 Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds : 
 And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 
 Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 
 And after seem to chide 'em. This shall 
 Our purpose necessary and not envious \ 
 Which so appearing to the common eyes, 
 We shall be call'd pjurgers, not murtherers 
 And for Mark Antony, think not oTEim ;Ny 
 For he can do no more than Caesar's arm 
 When Caesar's head is off. 
 
 Cassius. Yet I fear him, \ 
 
 For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar \ 
 
 Brutus. ATas, good Cassius, do not think of 
 If he love Caesar, all that he can do 
 Is to himself, take thought and die for Csesar 
 And that were mucIThe should, for he is given 
 To sports, to wildness, and much company. 
 
 Trebonius. There is no fear in him ; let him not die ; 190 
 For he will live and laugh at this hereafter. [Clock strikes. 
 
 Brutus. Peace ! count the clock. 
 
 Cassius. The clock hath stricken three. 
 
 Trebonius. 'T is time to part. 
 
 Cassius. But it is doubtful yet 
 
 Whether Csesar will come forth to-day or no ; 
 For he is superstitious grown of late, 
 Quite from the main opinion he held once 
 Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies. 
 
62 .JULIUS 
 
 J*tf -r 'J, 
 
 It may be, these apparent prodigies, :: ..*^^s*vt' 
 
 The unaccustom'd terror of this night, 
 
 And the persuasion of his augurers 20 
 
 May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 
 
 Dtcius. Never fear that. If he be so resolv'cl, 
 I can o'ersway him ; for he loves to hear 
 That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, 
 And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, ^JJft- <*^ 
 Lions with toils, and men with flatterers : 
 But, when I tell him he hates flatterers, 
 He says he does, being then most flattered. 
 Let me work ; 
 
 For I can give his humour the true bent, 21 
 
 And I will bring him to the Capitol. ^^^ 
 
 Cassius. Nay, we will all of us be jfcere to fetch him. 
 
 Brutus. By the eighth hour ; is that the uttermost ? 
 
 Cinna. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. 
 
 Metdlus. Cains Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, 
 
 
 
 Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey; 
 
 I wonder none of you have thought of him. i/ 4 A^ v * 
 
 Brutus. Now, good Metellus, go along by him : 
 He loves me well, and I have given him reasons ; 
 Send him but hither, and I '11 fashion him. 220 
 
 Cassius. The morning comes upon 's ; we '11 leave you, 
 
 Brutus. 
 
 And, friends, disperse yourselves ; but all remember 
 What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. 
 
 Brutus. Good gentlemen, look frgsh and merrily. 
 Let not our looks put on our purposes ; 
 But bear it as our Roman actors do, >^n+*+*\*,<r^&*Lj / 
 With untjj'd spirits and formal constancy : 
 And so, good morrow to you every one. 
 
 [Exeunt all but Brutus. 
 
 Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep ? It is no matter ; 
 Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : 23 o 
 
 ^^ 
 
ACT //. SCENE I. 63 
 
 ff" 
 
 Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, 
 
 Which busy care draws in the brains of men ; 
 Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. 
 
 Enter PORTIA. 
 
 Portia. Brutus, my lord ! 
 
 Brutus, Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now? 
 It is not for your health thus to commit 
 Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 
 
 Portia. Nor for yours neither. You Ve ungently, Brutus, 
 Stole from my bed ; and yesternight, at supper, 
 You suddenly arose and walk'd about, 
 
 Musing and sighing, with your arms across \ a xt 240 
 
 And, when I ask'd you what the matter was, 
 You star'd upon me with ungentle looks. 
 I urg'd you further; then you scratch'd your head, 
 And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot. 
 Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 
 But with an angry wafture of your hand 
 Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did; 
 Fearing to strengthen that impatience 
 Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal 
 Hoping it was but an effect of humour, 250 
 
 Which sometime hath his hour with every man. 
 It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, 
 And, could it work so much upon your shape 
 As it hath much prevail'cl on your condition, /v^-^^ 
 I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, 
 Make me acquainted with your caulseT ofgrfef. 
 
 Brutus. I am not well in health, and that is all. 
 
 Portia. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health. 
 He would embrace the means to come by it. 
 
 Brutus. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. 260 
 
 Portia. Is Brutus sick ? and is it physical 
 To walk unbraced and suck up the humours 
 
64 JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 Of the^dank morning ? What ! is Brutus sick, 
 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, 
 To dare the vile contagion of the night, 
 And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air 
 To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; 
 You have some sick offence within your mind, &******- 
 Which by the right and virtue of my place &**$'***** 
 I ought to know of: and, upon my knees, 270 
 
 rO^Ttharm you, by my once commended beauty, 
 By^aTTyour vows of love and that great vow 
 Which did incorporate and make us one, 
 That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, 
 Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 
 Have had resort to you ; for here have been 
 Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 
 Even from darkness. 
 
 Brutus. Kneel not, gentle Portia. 
 
 Portia. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. 
 Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 280 
 
 Is It excepted I should know no secrets 
 That appertain to you ? Am I yourself 
 But, as it were, injortorjimkation. 
 To keep with you at meals, "comfort your 
 And talk to you sometimes ? Dwell I but in the suburbs 
 Of your good pleasure ? If it be no more, 
 Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 
 
 Brutus. You are my true and honourable wife, 
 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
 That visit my sad heart. 29 c 
 
 Portia. If this were true, then should I know this secret. 
 I grant I am a woman, but withal 
 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife; 
 I grant I am a woman, but withal 
 A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter. 
 Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 
 
ACT II. SCENE /. 65 
 
 Being so fathered and so husbanded ?/<<- /-<- 
 
 Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em : 
 
 I have made strong proof of my constancy, 
 
 Giving myself a voluntary wound 3<*> 
 
 Here in the thigh ; can I bear that with patience, 
 
 And not my husband's secrets? 
 
 Brutus. O ye gods, 
 
 Render me worthy of this noble wife ! [Knocking within. 
 Hark, hark ! one knocks. Portia, go in a while ; 
 And by and by thy bosom shall partake 
 The secrets of my heart. 
 All my engagements I will construe to thee, 
 All the charactery of my sad brows. 
 Leave me with haste. \Exit Portia. 
 
 Enter Lucius and LIGARIUS. 
 
 Lucius, who 's that knocks ? 
 
 Lucius. Here is a sick man that would speak with you. 310 
 
 Brutus. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. 
 Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius ! how? 
 
 Ligarius. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. 
 
 Brutus. O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, 
 To wear a kerchief ! Would you were not sick ! 
 
 Ligarius. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand 
 Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 
 
 Brutus. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, 
 Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. 
 
 Ligarius. By all the gods that Romans bow before, 320 
 I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome ! 
 Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins ! 
 Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjjjr^d, up 
 My mortified spirit Now bid me run, 
 ^And I will strive with things impossible, 
 Yea, get the better of them. What 's to do ? 
 
 Brutus. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 
 
 E 
 
66 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Ligarins. But are not some whole that we must make sick? t 
 Brutus. That must we also. What it is, my Caius, 
 I shall unfold to thee as we are going 33 o 
 
 To whom it must be done. 
 
 Ligarius. Set on your foot, 
 
 """ And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you, 
 To do I know not what ; but it sufficeth 
 / That Brutus leads me on. 
 
 Brutus^ Follow me, then. {Exeunt. 
 
 Vfc 
 
 m 
 
 -,- i^ .^ i^ oCENE II. A Room in Ccesar' s Palace. 
 
 Thunder and lightning. Enter CAESAR in his night-gown. 
 
 Ccesar. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night ; 
 Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 
 ; Help, ho ! they murther Caesar !' Who 's within ? 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 Servant. My lord ? 
 
 Ccesar. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, 
 And bring me their opinions of success. 
 
 Servant. I will, my lord. (j {Exit. 
 
 Enter CALPURNIA. 
 
 Calpurnia. What mean you, Caesar? Think you to -walk 
 
 forth ? 
 You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 
 
 Ccesar. Caesar shall forth. The things that threaten'd me 
 Ne'er look'd but on my back ; when they shall see n 
 
 The face of Caesar, they are vanished. 
 
 Calpurnia. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, /u^Q 
 Yet now they fright me. There is one within, 
 Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 
 Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. 
 A lioness hath whelped in the streets ; 
 
ACT If. SCENE II. 
 
 6 7 
 
 And graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead ; 
 
 Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 
 
 In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 
 
 Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol ; 
 
 The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 
 
 Horses did neigh and dying men did groan, 
 
 And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 
 
 O Caesar! these things are beyond^ all use, oJjjw 
 
 And I do fear them. 
 
 Cczsar. What can be avoided . 
 
 Whose end is purposed bv the mighty gods? %** t 
 Yet Caesar shall go forth for these predictions 
 Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 
 
 Ccilpurnia. When beggars die, there are no comets seen ; 
 heavens themselves jplaze forth the death of princes. 31 
 
 Ccesar. Cowards die many times before their deaths ; 
 1 The valiant never taste of death but once. 
 Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 
 It seems to me most strange that men should fear, 
 Seeing that death, a necessary end, 
 Will come when it will come. 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 
 What say the augurers ? 
 
 Servant. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. 
 Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, 
 They could not find a heart within the beast. f , 
 
 Ccesar. The gods do this in shame of cowardice ; 
 Caesar should be a beast without a heart^" 
 If he shouTcTstay at home to day for fear. 
 No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows fulfwell 
 That Caesar is more dangerous than he. 
 We are two lions litter'djn one day, 
 And I the elder and more terrible ; 
 And Caesar shall go forth. 
 
68 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Calpurnia. Alas ! my lord, 
 
 Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. 
 Do not go forth to-day. Call it my fear 50 
 
 That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 
 We '11 send Mark Antony to the senate-house, 
 
 ;id he shall say you are not well to-day; 
 t me, upon my knee, prevail in this. 
 Ccesar. Mark Antony shall say I am not well, 
 id, for thy humour, I will stay at home. 
 
 Enter DECIUS. 
 Here 's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. 
 
 Deems. Caesar, all hail ! Good morrow, worthy Caesar ; 
 I come to fetch you to the senate-house. 
 
 Ccesar. And you are come in very happy time 60 
 
 To bear my greeting to the senators, 
 And tell them that I will not come to-day. 
 Cannot is false ; and that I dare not, falser ; 
 I will not come to-day. Tell them so, Decius. 
 
 Calpurnia. Say he is sick. 
 
 Ccesar. Shall Caesar send a lie ? 
 
 Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, 
 To be afeard to tell greybeards the truth ? 
 Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. 
 
 Decius. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 
 Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so. 7 o 
 
 Ccesar. The cause is in my will ; I will not come ; 
 That is enpugh_jo_satisfy the senate. 
 But, for your private satisfaction, 
 Because I love yon, I will let you know. 
 Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. 
 She dream'd to-night she saw my jtglna, 
 Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, 
 Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans /v^Q 
 Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it ; 
 
ACT IL SCENE II. 60 
 
 ' 
 
 And these does she apply for warnings and portents so 
 
 And evils imminent, and on her knee 
 Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day. 
 
 Decius. This dream is all amiss interpreted ; 
 It was a vision fair and fortunate. 
 Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 
 In which so many smiling Romans bath'd, 
 Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck 
 Reviving blood, and that great men shall press 
 For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. 
 This By~Calpurnia's dream is signified. 90 
 
 Cczsar. And this way have you well expounded it. 
 
 Decius. I have, when you have heard what I can say ; 
 And know it now.f^The senate have concluded , 
 To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 
 If you shall send them word you will not 
 /Their minds may change. ; Besides, it were a mock 
 Apt to be render'd, for some one to say, 
 """"Break up the senate till another time, 
 When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' 
 If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, ioc 
 
 4 Lo, Caesar is afraid' ? 
 
 Pardon me, Caesar, for my clear, jiear love M/J 
 To your proceeding bids me tell you this, tSj^U-* 
 And reason to my love is liable. 
 
 Ccesar. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia*! 
 I am ashamed I did yield to them. 
 me my robe, for I will go. 
 
 Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, 
 
 TREBONIUS, and CINNA. 
 
 And look where Publius is come to fetch me. 
 Publius. Good morrow, Caesar. 
 
 Cczsar. Welcome, Publius. 
 
 What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? no 
 
yo JULIUS CsESAR. 
 
 Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, 
 Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy 
 As that same ague which hath made you lean. => 
 What is 't o'clock ? 
 
 Brutus. Caesar, 't is strucken eight. 
 
 Ccesar. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 
 
 Enter ANTONY. 
 
 See ! Antony, that revels long o' nights, 
 Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony. 
 
 Antony. So to most noble Caesar. 
 
 Casar. ^ i^^f^^ Bid them prepare within. 
 
 I am to blame to be thus waited for. 
 
 Now, Cinna. Now, Metellus. What, Trebonius! 120 
 
 I have an hour's talk in store for you. 
 Remember that you call on me to-day ; 
 Be near me, that I may remember you. 
 
 Trebonius. Caesar, I will. [Aside] And so near will I be 
 That your best friends shall wish I had been further. 
 
 Ccesar. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; 
 And we, like friends, will straightway go together. 
 .,' <Brutus. \Aside\ That every like is not the same, O Caesar, 
 The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon ! {Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE III. A Street near the Capitol. 
 Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a Paper. 
 
 Artemidorus. Ccesar ^ beware of Brutus ; take heed of Cas- 
 sius ; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not 
 Trebonius ; mark well Metellus Cimber ; Decius Brutus loves 
 thee not ; thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. ffhere is but 
 one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Ccesar. If 
 thou beest not immortal, look about you; security gives way 
 to conspiracy. I The mighty gods defend thee ! Thy lover,- 
 
 ARTEMIDORUS. 
 
ACT II. SCENE IV. 71 
 
 Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 
 And as a suitor will I give him this. 10 
 
 OMy heart laments that virtue cannot live A 
 Out of the teeth of emulation. ^fcLJL^r^ 
 If thou read this, O Qesar, thou mayst live ;/ / 
 If not, the fates with traitors do contrive. ~; \Exit 
 
 SCENE IV. Another Part of the same Street, before the Houst 
 of- Brutus. 
 
 Enter PORTIA and Lucius. 
 
 Portia. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; 
 Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. 
 Why dost thou stay ? 
 
 Lucius. To know my errand, madam. 
 
 Portia. I. would have had thee there, and here again, 
 Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. 
 { //uO constancy, be strong upon my side ! 
 
 Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue \ 
 I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 
 How hard it is for women to keep counsel! ' 
 Art thou here yet ? 
 
 Lucius. Madam, what should I do? 10 
 
 Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? 
 And so return to you, and nothing else ? 
 
 Portia. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, 
 For he went sickly forth ; and take good note 
 What Caesar cloth, what suitors press to him. 
 Hark, boy ! what noise is that? 
 
 Lucius. I hear none, madam. 
 
 Portia. Prithee, listen well ; 
 
 I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, xjnxm^-X^ 
 "" . / And the wind brings it from the Capitol. 
 
 Lucius. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. * 
 
72 JULIUS CALSAR. 
 
 Enter the Soothsayer. 
 
 Portia. Come hither, fellow. Which way hast thou been ? 
 
 Soothsayer. At mine own house, good lady. 
 
 Portia. What is 't o'clock ? 
 
 Soothsayer. About the ninth hour, lady. 
 
 Portia. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol ? 
 
 Soothsayer. Madam, not yet ; I go to take my stand, 
 To see him pass on to the Capitol. 
 
 Portia. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not? 
 
 Soothsayer. That I have, lady ; if it will please Caesar 
 To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, 
 I shall beseech him to befriend himself. JL-J^** 
 
 Portia. Why, know'st thou any harm'Vin tended towards 
 him ? 
 
 Soothsayer. None that I know will be, much that I fear 
 
 may chance. 
 
 Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow ; 
 The throng that follows Caesar at the heels, 
 Of senators, of praetors, common suitors, 
 Will crowd a feeble man almost to death : yjl ^ 
 I '11 get me to a place more void, and there -, 
 
 ^ r - <Of~ZC/ AJLrAs&A* * V *^ V ' ( 
 
 Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. 
 
 Portia. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing 
 The heart of woman is ! O Brutus, 4 o 
 
 The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! 
 Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit, 
 That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint ! 
 Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord ; 
 Say I am merry : come to me again, 
 And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. 
 
ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. The Capitol; the Senate sitting. 
 <-l crowd of People in the Street leading to the Capitol ; among 
 them ARTEMIDORUS and the Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter 
 CESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TRE- 
 BONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and 
 others. 
 Ccesar. The ides of March are come. 
 
74 JULIUS CsESAK. 
 
 Soothsayer. Ay, Caesar ; but not gone. 
 
 Artemidorus. Hail, Caesar ! Read this schedule. 
 
 Decius. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, 
 At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 
 
 Artemidorus. O, Caesar, read mine first ; for mine 's a suit 
 That touches, Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar. 
 
 Ccesar. What touches us ourself shall be last serv'd. 
 
 Artemidorus. Delay not, Caesar ; read it instantly. 
 
 Ccesar. What ! is the fellow mad ? 
 
 Publius. Sirrah, give place. 10 
 
 Cassius. What ! urge you your petitions in the street ? 
 Come to the Capitol. 
 
 Ccesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the 
 Senators rise. 
 
 Popilius. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. 
 
 Cassius. What enterprise, Popilius ? 
 
 Popilius. Fare you well. \Advances to Ccesar. 
 
 Brutus. What said Popilius Lena ? 
 
 Cassius. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. 
 I fear our purpose is discovered. 
 
 Brutus. Look, how he makes to Caesar; ma/rk him. 
 
 Cassius. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. 20 
 Brutus, what shall be done ? If this be known, 
 Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, 
 For I will slay myself. 
 
 Brutus. Cassius, be constant : 
 
 Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes ; 
 For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 
 
 Cassius. Trebonius knows his time ; for, look you, Brutus, 
 He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 
 
 \Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. Ccesar and the Sena- 
 tors take their seats. 
 
 Decius. Where is Metelius Cimber ? Let him go 
 And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 
 
ACT III.. SCENE /. 75 
 
 Brutus. He is address'd ; press near and second him. 
 
 Cinna. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 3 
 
 Casca. Are we all ready ? 
 
 Cczsar. What is now amiss 
 
 That Caesar and his senate must redress ? 
 
 Metellus. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, 
 Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 
 An humble heart. [Kneeling. 
 
 Casar. I must prevent thee, Cimber. 
 
 x These couchings and these lowly courtesies 
 Might fire the blood of ordinary men, 
 And turn pre-ordinance and first decree 
 Into the law of children. Be not fond, 
 
 To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood 4 
 
 That will be thaw'd from the true quality 
 With that which melteth fools, I mean sweet words, 
 Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. 
 Thy brother by decree is banished ; 
 If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 
 
 I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 
 
 Know Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause 
 
 Will he be satisfied. 
 
 Metellus. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, 
 To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear 50 
 
 For the repealing of my banish'd brother? 
 
 Brutus. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, 
 Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may 
 Have an immediate freedom of repeal. 
 
 Casar. What, Brutus ! 
 
 Cassius. Pardon, Caesar ; Caesar, pardon : 
 
 As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, 
 To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 
 
 Ccesar. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you \ 
 If I could pray to move, prayers would move me : / 
 But I am constant as the northern star, J 6c 
 
7 6 JULIUS . 
 
 Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality 
 
 There is no fellow in the firmament. y u 
 
 The skies are painted with unnupaber'd sparks ; 
 
 They are all fire, and every one doth shine ; 
 
 But there 's but one in all doth hold his place. 
 
 ._-^ f 
 
 So in the world ; 't is furnish'd well with men, 
 
 And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive ; 
 
 Yet, in the number, I do know but one 
 
 That unassailable holds on his rank, 
 
 Unshak'o r oT?notion : and that I am he, 7 o 
 
 Let me a little show it, even in this, 
 
 That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, 
 
 And constant do remain to keep him so. 
 
 - Cinna. O Caesar ! 
 
 Ccesar. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus? 
 
 Decius. Great Caesar, 
 
 Ccesar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel ? 
 
 Casca. Speak, hands, for me. 
 
 [Casca stabs Ccesar in the neck. Ccesar catches hold of 
 \ - jy his arm. He is then stabbed by several other Con- 
 spirators, and at last by Marcus Brutus. 
 f Ccesar. Et tu, Brute ! Then, fall, Caesar. 
 
 J [Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion. 
 
 ^ l^Cinna. Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead ! 
 Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. 
 
 Cassius. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, &> 
 ^ /'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement !' 
 
 Brutus. People, and senators ! be not affrighted ; 
 Fly not ; stand still : ambition's debt isgaid. 
 ^ Casca. Go to the pulpit, -Brutus. *" 
 Decius. And Cassius too. 
 Brutus. Where 's Publius? 
 
 Cinna. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. 
 Metellus. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's 
 Should chance 
 
ACT III. SCENE L 
 
 Brutus. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer ; 
 There is no harm intended to your person, 
 Nor to no Roman else : so tell them, Publius. 
 
 Cassius. And leave us, Publius ; lest that the people 
 Rushing on us should do your age some mischief. 
 
 Brutus. Do so ; and let no man abide 
 But we the doers. 
 
 77 
 
 Enter TREBONius.t/iw 
 
 Cassius. AVhere is Antony? 
 
 Trebonius. Fled to his house amaz'd. 
 Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, 
 As it were doomsday. 
 
 Brutus. Fates ! we will know your pleasures : 
 
 That we shall die, we know ; 't is but the time, 
 And drawing days out, that men stand upon. 
 
 Casca. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life' 
 Cuts off so many years of fearing death. 
 
 Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit 
 So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged 
 His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, 
 And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood 
 Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords ; 
 Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, 
 And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, j , Axfio 
 
 Let J s all cry, Peace ! Freedom ! and Liberty! \^r 
 I Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence 
 /Shall this our lofty scene be acted over-Vx\>^ 
 [in states unborn and accents yet unknown ! ....> N ^~ 
 
 Brutus. How many times shall Caesar bleeas(n sport, 
 That now on Pompey's basis lies along 
 No worthier tTian the dust ! 
 
 Cassius. So oft as that shall be, \ t 
 
 often shall the kjiott of us be call'cl t^^^^^iX j\^ ^ 
 The men that gave their country liberty / 
 
 
 Sto 
 y Th 
 
7 8 JULIUS CALSAK. 
 
 Derius. What ! shall we forth ? 
 
 Casslus. Ay, every man away ; 120 
 
 Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels 
 With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 
 Brutus. Soft, who comes here ? A friend of Antony's. 
 Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; 
 Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ; 
 And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say : 
 Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; 
 t >l{ v Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. 
 
 Say I love Brutus and I honour him ; 
 ^ - ' v ,Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and lov'd him. 
 uX" If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 
 May safely come to him and be resolv'd 
 
 How Caesar hath deserv'd to lie in death, 
 
 * 
 
 Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 
 So well as Brutus living, but will follow 
 The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus 
 Thorough ( the hazards Jofthisjuntrod state 
 With all true faith. So says my master Antony. 
 
 Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 
 I never thought him worse. 140 
 
 Tell him, so please him come unto this place, , 
 
 ^ 
 
 He shall be satisfied and, by my honour, 
 Depart untouch'd. 
 
 Servant. I'll fetch him presently. \Eodt Servant. 
 
 Brutus. I know that we shall have him well Voiriend. 
 
 Cassius. I wish we may ; but yet have I a mind 
 Thac fears him much, and my misgiving stii]^ 
 Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 
 
ACT ///. SCENE L 
 
 79 
 
 Enter ANTONY. 
 
 Bnitus. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark An- 
 tony. 
 
 Antony. O mighty Caesar! Dostjj^ou lie so low? 
 Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 150 
 
 Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. 
 I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 
 Who else must be let blood, who else is rank; 
 If I myself, there is no houFso fit 
 As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument 
 Of half that^wdrth' as those your swords, made rich 
 With the most noble blood of all this world. 
 I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, 
 Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, 
 Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, " f ' l6 
 I shall not find myself so apt to die ; j*A&&^ 
 No place will please me so, no mean of death>l 
 v As here by Caesar and by you cut off, 
 v < { .. The ghpice and master spirits of this age. 
 
 Brutus. O Antony ! "beg not your death of us. 
 Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 
 As, by our hands and this our present act, 
 You see we do, yet see you but our hands 
 And this the bleeding business they have done. . 
 Our hearts vou see not : they are pitiful jv .J' 
 And pity tolthe general wrong of Rome y J^p^ 
 As fire drives out fire, so pity pity 
 Hath clone this deed on Cassar. For your part, 
 To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; 
 Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts 
 Of brothers' temper, do receive you in, 
 With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. 
 
 Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's 
 In the disposing of new dignities. 
 
So JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 Brutus. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd 
 The multitude, beside themselves with fear, / I 
 And then we will deliver you the cause ^dlaMjr* *~*~ 
 Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, 
 Have thus proceeded. 
 
 Antony. I doubt not of your wisdom. 
 
 Let each man render me his bloody hand : 
 First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ; 
 Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand ; 
 Now, Decius Brutus, yours ; now yours, Metellus ; 
 Yours, Cinna ; and] my valiant Casca, yours ; / 
 Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. 
 Gentlemen all, alas ! what shall I say ? 
 My credit now stands on such slippery ground, 
 That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, 
 Either a coward or a flatterer. 
 That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 't is true ! 
 If then thy spirit look upon us now, 
 Shall it not grieve thee clearer than thy death, st+*>*nA 
 To see thy Antony making his peace, 
 Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 
 Most noble ! in the presence of thy corse ? 
 Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, 
 Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, 
 It would become me better than to close 
 In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 
 Pardon me, Julius ! Here wast thou^bay^d, brave hart ; 
 Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, ^ >*; 
 Sign'd in thy spoil and crimson'cl in thy lethe. J&c+-r~J 
 D world ! thou wast the forest to this hajrt ; 
 |\nd this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. 
 plow like a deer strucken by many princes 2 
 
 Dost thou here lie ! 
 
 Cassius. Mark Antony, 
 
 Antony. Pardon me, Caius Cassius : 
 
ACT II L SCENE I. 8 1 
 
 The enemies of Caesar shall say this ; *-j~~j 
 
 Then, in a friend, it is cold moc[ggJx^>>*t*r^ 
 
 Cassius. I blame you not for praising Caesar so; 
 But what compact mean you to have with us? 
 Will you be prick'd in number of our friends ; 
 Or shall we on, and not depend on you ? 
 
 Antony. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed 
 Sway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar. 220 
 
 Friends am I with you all and love you all, \. 
 Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons \ ^4 
 Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. / 
 
 Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle. * 
 Our reasons are so full of good regard ^L^^^Jr^ s^&r#^~* 
 That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,; 
 You should be satisfied. 
 v Antony. That 's all I seek ; 
 
 And am moreover suitor that I may 
 Produce his body to the market-place, 
 
 And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 230 
 
 Speak in the order of his funeral. 
 
 Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. 
 
 Cassius. Brutus, a word with you. 
 
 \Aside\ You know not what you do. Do not consent 
 That Antony speak in his funeral. 
 Know you how much the people may be mov'd 
 By that which he will utter ? 
 
 Brutus. By your pardon ; -*ffc y^v^ *>*-*i 
 
 I will myself into the pulpit first, ^fL^JiJL OT^ 
 
 And show the reason of our Caesar's death ; 
 What Antony shall speak, I will protest 
 He speaks by leave and by permission, . 240 
 
 And that we are contented Caesar shall 
 Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. 
 It shall advantage more than do us wrong. 
 
 Cassius. I know not what may fall ; I like it not. 
 
 F 
 
82 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Brutus. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. 
 You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, 
 But speak all good you canjieyise^of Caesar, 
 
 nd say~y u ^ '* by ourper mission ; 
 Else shall you not have any hand at all 
 About his funeral. And you shall speak 250 
 
 In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 
 After my speech is ended. 
 
 Antony. Be it so ; 
 
 I do desire no more. 
 
 Brutus. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 
 
 [Exeunt all but Antony. 
 
 Antony. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, 
 That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! 
 x Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 
 That ever lived in the tide of times. 
 Woe to the hands that shed this costly blood ! 
 Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, 
 Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips 
 To -beg the voice and utterance of my tongue : 
 A curse shall light upon the limbs of men ; 
 DomesticJ^ury and fierce civil strife 
 Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ; 
 Blood and destruction shall be so in use, -<^ <, 
 And dreadful objects so familiar, 
 That mothers shall but smile when they behold 
 Their infants quarter'cl with the hands of war, 
 All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds ; 
 -J^. And Caesar's spirit ranging fdt^revenge/ 
 '/With Ate by his $ide come hot from hell, 
 .Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice 
 Cry * Havoc !' and let slip the dogs of war ; 
 That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 
 With carrion men groaning for burial. 
 
 / J. -LsJLiJ^rt n 
 ^Jts 
 
 
ACT III. SCENE II. 83 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? 
 
 Servant. I do, Mark Antony. 
 
 Antony. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. 
 
 Servant. He did receive his letters and is coming, 230 
 
 And bid me say to you, by word of mouth 
 O Caesar ! ^_ ^^y ^ [Seeing the body, 
 
 Antony. Thy heart is big ; get thee apart and weep. 
 Passion, I see, is catchi_ng, for mine eyes, 
 ' ^ Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 
 
 Began^ to water. Is thy master coming? 
 \^jS^rvant. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. 
 ^'Antony. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath 
 
 chanc'd. 
 
 'Here is a mourmng Rome, a dangerous Rome, 
 No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; 290 
 
 Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile ; 
 Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse 
 Into the market-place : there shall I try, 
 In my oration, how the people take 
 The cruel issue of these bloody men ; 
 According to the which thou shalt discourse 
 To young Octavius of the state of things. 
 Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with Ccesar's body. 
 
 SCENE II. The Forum. 
 
 Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng tf/* Citizens. 
 Citizens. We will be satisfied ; let us be satisfied. 
 Brutus. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. 
 Cassius, go you into the other street, 
 And part the numbers. 
 
 Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here ; 
 Those that will follow Cassius, go with him ; 
 
yr 
 
 ' 84 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 I J 
 
 ~-H[And public reasons shall be rendered 
 /Of Caesar's death. 
 
 1 Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak. 
 
 2 Citizen. I will hear Cassius, and compare their reasons. 
 When severally we hear them rendered. w 
 
 \Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes 
 into the pulpit. 
 
 3 Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence ! 
 Brutus. Be patient till the last. 
 
 Romans, countrymen, and lovers ! hear me for my cause, and 
 be silent, that you may hear / believe me for mine honour, 
 and have respect to mine honOTfr, that you may believe ; cen : 
 sure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you 
 may the better judge./ If there be any in this assembly, any 
 dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to Cae- 
 saj was no less than his. VI f then that friend demand why 
 Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer, Not that I 
 loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you 
 rather Caesar were living, and cli$ all^slayes, than that Caesar 
 were dead, to live all freemenjJJXs_ Caesar loved me, I weep 
 for him ; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it ; as he was 
 iant, I honour him ; but as h^__\vasambitious, I ^lew hi.n. 
 There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for 
 his valour, and death for his ambition. Who is here so base 
 that would be a bondman ? If any, speak, for him have I 
 offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? 
 If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile 
 that will not love his country ? If any, speak, for him have 
 I offended. I pause for a reply. 32 
 
 All. None, Brutus, none. 
 
 Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no more 
 to Caesar than -you shall do to Brutus. The question of his 
 death is e drafted in the Capitol ; his glory not extenuated, 
 wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which 
 he suffered death. 38 
 

 ACT III, SCENE If. ' 85 
 
 Enter ANTONY and others, with Ccesar's My. 
 Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, though 
 tf/) he had no hand in his death, shall receive/me^ benefit of his^/ 
 Hvmcr, a pfarfi in the commonwealth^ as which of you shall 
 not? With this I depart, that, as I slew my best lover for 
 the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when r\' 
 it shall please my country to need my death. 44 
 
 All. Live, Brutus, live ! live! 
 
 i Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 
 A)4 2 Citizen. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 
 rjJ^ d/ $ Citizen. Let him be Caesar. 
 
 4 Citizen. Caesar's better parts 
 
 yv 'Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. 
 
 1 Citizen. We '11 bring him to his house with shouts and 
 
 clamours. s 
 
 Brutus. My countrymen, 
 
 2 Citizen. Peace ! silence ! Brutus speaks. 
 i Citizen. Peace, ho ! 
 
 Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 
 And, for my sake, stay here with Antony; 
 Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech ^ ^r^^- . 
 Tending to Caesar's glories, w rnclTM ark A n tony 
 By our permission is allow'd to make. 
 I do entreat you, not a man depart, 
 Save I alone, till Antony have, spoke. [Exit. 
 
 i Citizen. Stay, ho ! and let us hear Mark Antony. 60 
 
 3 Citizen. Let him go up into the public chair; 
 We '11 hear him. Noble Antony, go up. 
 
 Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 
 
 4 Citizen. What does he say of Brutus ? 
 
 3 Citizen. He says, for Brutus' sake, 
 He finds himself beholding to us all. 
 
 4 Citizen. T were best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 
 i Citizen. This Caesar was a tyrant. 
 
86 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 3 Citizen. Nay, that 's certain ; 
 
 We are blest that Rome is rid of him. 
 
 2 Citizen. Peace, let us hear what Antony can say. 69 
 
 Antony. You gentle Romans, 
 
 All. Peace, ho ! let us hear him. 
 
 Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; 
 I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. 
 /The evil that men do lives after them, 
 (The good is oft interred with their bones ; 
 yfeo let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus 
 (Hath told you Caesar was ambitious ; 
 \[f it were so, it was a grievous fault, ^ 
 
 ^/Vnd [ grievgusl^Jiatli^Qaesar answered \\..j ' 
 Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, 
 Jio^ Brutus is an honourable man, 80 
 
 So are they all, all honourable men, 
 Come I tospeak in Caesar's funeral^ 
 He was my friend, faithful and just to me : 
 ut Brutus says he was ambitious ; 
 
 honourable man, j 
 ^ 
 
 J 
 
 4^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 He hath brought many^captiyes Home to Rome T . 
 Whosej-ansom did the general coffers fillj 
 
 id this in Caesar seem ambitious? 
 When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept ; 
 Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. 90 
 
 Yet Brutus says he was ambitious ; ^ 
 Brutus is an honourable man._| 
 
 You all did see that on the Lupercal 
 l thrice presented him a kingly crown, 
 Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition ? 
 Yet JhJrutus says, he was ambitious ; 
 
 And, sure, he is an honourable man. f 
 speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 
 utjieje I am tCL ^peak whaJLj^dojcnow. / 
 ou all did love him once, not without cause ; 
 
ACT III. SCENE If. 87 
 
 What cause withholds you then to mourn, for him ? 
 
 O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, 
 
 And men have lost their reason ! Bear with me ; ^^ 
 
 My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 
 
 And I must pause till it come back to me. 
 
 1 Citizen. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. ^^- 
 
 2 Citizen. If thou consider rightly of the matter, 
 Caesar has had great wrong. 
 
 3 Citizen. Has he, masters? 
 J fear there will a worse come in his place. 
 
 4 Citizen. Mark'd ye his words ? He would not take the 
 
 crown ; no 
 
 Therefore 't is certain he was not ambitious. 
 
 1 Citizen. If it be, found so, some will dearjibide it. ^ t -' 
 
 2 Citizen. Poor soul ! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 
 
 3 Citizen. There 's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 
 
 4 Citizen. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. 
 Antony. But yesterday the word of Caesar might 
 
 Have stood against the world : now lies he there, 
 
 *.^*"' ^ 
 
 to do him reverence. . 
 
 masters ! if I were ffispos'd. to stir T^ v ^K 
 our hearts and minds to nrutrny and rage, 
 I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, 
 VWJiOj you all know^aTe^onourj^lejTien.^J 
 I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose 
 To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, 
 V Tlian I will wrong such honourable men. _ 
 BuThere 's a^parcjjment, with the seal^oTCaesar ; 
 I found it in his closet; *t is his will- 
 
 Let but the commons? hear this testament, 
 
 Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read, 
 
 And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds, MC 
 
 1 dip their napkins in his sacred blood, 
 Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, 
 And, dying, mention it within their wills, 
 
88 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Bequeathing it as a rich legacy 
 Unto their issue. -vo>X) 
 
 4 Citizen. We '11 hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony. 
 
 All. The will, the will ! we will hear Caesar's will. 
 
 Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it ; 
 Tt is nojjrjeet you know how Caesar lov'd you. 
 You are not wood, you are not stones, but men ; H 
 
 " And, being men, "hearing the will of Caesar^ 
 A It will inflame you, it will make ynn rna 
 I ? T is gnnH yon know not that yon qre his 
 For if you should, O, what would come of it 
 
 4 Citizen. Read the will ! we '11 hear it, Antony ! 
 You shall read us the will ! Caesar's will ! 
 
 Antony. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? 
 t I have j)'ershpt myself, to tell you of it. 
 I fear I wrong the honourable men 
 
 rs have stabb'd Caesar : I do feaHt/ 150 
 
 4 Citizen. They were ^traitors ! Honourable men ! 
 
 All. The will ! the testament ! 
 
 2- Citizen. They were villains, murtherers ! The will ! Read 
 the will ! 
 
 Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will ? 
 Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, 
 And let me show you him that made the will. 
 Shall I descend? And will you give me leave? ; ,<t/w v 
 
 All. Come down. 159 
 
 2 Citizen. Descend. \He comes down from the pulpit. 
 
 3 Citizen. You shall have leave. 
 
 4 Citizen. A ring ; stand round. 
 
 t Citizen. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 
 a Citizen. Room for Antony ! most noble Antony ! , 
 Nay, press not so upon me ; stand far off. 
 
 ~" 
 
 All. Stand bacirTTc^ml bear back 
 
 
 Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 
 You all do know this mantle : I remember 
 
ACT III. SCENE If. JJ/*J* 
 
 The first time ever Caesar put it on ; 
 
 5 T was on a summ/er'si evening, in his tent, , ! 
 
 i t toi^rX*^** , ^T /> D t^&^fc 
 That dayjie overcame the NeDm.nU^" 
 
 LookTin this place ran Cassius' dagger through , 
 See what a rent the envious Casca made ; 
 Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd ; 
 And as he pluck'd his ciirsed steel awayf^ 
 ark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it, yU* 
 s rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd 
 Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or nofe 
 'or Brutus, as you know, was Caesarjs an^ei.-. < 
 , O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov'd him 
 This was the most unkinde^ c"t of all : * 
 For, when the noble^Csesar saw him stab, 
 
 , more strong thaji_jrai tors' arms, 
 Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart ; 
 
 iarxJ:le muffling up his 
 Even at the base of Pompey's statua, 
 Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. 
 O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 
 Then I, and* you, and all of us feJLdpwn, 
 
 jbloody treason 
 O, now you weep, artS^Tperceive you feel 
 
 dint of pity ; these are gracious drops. 
 Kind souls, what ! weep you when you but behold 
 Our Caesar's vesUinejvoundecl ? Look you here, 
 Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with ^ traitor^ 
 
 1 Citizen. O, piteous spectacle ! 
 
 2 Citizen. O, iTobie Caesar ! * 
 
 3 Citizen. O, woful day ! "x^ 
 
 4 Citizen. O, traitors, villains! 
 
 1 Citizen. O, most bloody sight! 
 
 2 Citizen. We will be reveng'd ! 
 All. Revenge ! About ! Seek ! 
 
 Slay ! Let not a traitor live 1 
 
 
 190 
 
 Burn! Fire! Kill! 
 
9 o 
 
 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 \ 
 
 Antony. Stay, countrymen. ^^ 
 
 1 Citizen.' Peace there ! Hear the noble Antony. 
 
 2 Citizen. W T e '11 hear him, we '11 follow him, we '11 die with 
 m. w<r*s^ 
 Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up 
 
 To such a su^denjload of mutiny. ^/^*^4V^-vv\ZvJ^ 
 They that have done this deed are honourable. 210 
 
 private griefs they have, alas ! I know not, 
 That made them do it ; they are wjse and honourable, 
 And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 
 I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts : VWA^ *wv^ 4/ 
 I am no orator, as Brutus is, i j j 
 
 But, as you know me all, a plain blut man, crvA *T? 
 That love my friend ; and that they know full well 
 That gave me public leave to speak of him. 
 For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 
 Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, 220 
 
 To stir men's blood : I only speak right on \ 
 I tell you that which you yourselves do know, 
 Show you sweet Caesar^wj3unds, poor,poor dumb mouths, 
 AndVid them sgealTfoTme^ ' *- . 
 
 AncfBrutus Antony, there were an Antony 
 Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue 
 
 every wound of Caesar that should move 
 
 e stones of Rome to rise arid mutiny 
 II. We '11 mutiny. 
 
 i Citizen. We"' 11 burlfThe house of Brutus. 230 
 
 3 Citizen. A way, -then ! come, sek the conspirators. - 
 Antony. Yet hear me, countrymen ; yet hear me speak. 
 AIL Peace, ho ! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. 
 Antony. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. 
 
 Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves ? 
 Alas, you know not ! I must tell you, then. 
 You have forgot the will I told you of. 
 
 All. Most true ; the will ! let 's stay, and hear the will. 
 
ACT III. SCENE II. 
 
 Antony. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 
 To every Roman citizen he gives, 
 To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. ^-^^ 
 
 2 Citizen. IvTost noble Caesar ! w T eT'll revenue his death. 
 
 3 Citizen. O, royal Caesar ! / . 
 Antony. Hear" me with patience. 
 All. Peace, ho ! 
 
 Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 
 His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, 
 On this side Tiber ; he hath left them you, 
 
 tF"^ourTTeTrs forever, common pleasures, 
 To walk abroad^ and recreate yourselves. 
 
 ware a Caesar! when comes such another? 
 
 1 Citizen. Never, never ! Come, away^ayvay ! 
 We '11 burn his body in the holy place, 'xj- ^ 
 And with the, brands fifre the traitors' houses^ x ^-w^ft* 
 Take up the body. 
 
 2 Citizen. Go, fetch fire. 
 
 3 Citizen. Pluck down benches. i 1 - 
 
 4 Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. . \? 
 
 [Exeunt Citizens, with the body. 
 
 Antony. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art^ajbot, t ' 
 Take thou what course thou wfft T How now, fellow? / '260^ 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 
 Servant. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 
 
 Antony. Where is he ? 
 
 Servant. He and Lepiclus are at Caesar's house. 
 
 Antony. And thither will ^straight to visit him. ^X 
 He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, 
 And in this mood will give us any thing. 
 
 Servant. I heard him say Brutus and Cassius 
 Are_rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 
 ^ Antony. Belike they had some notice of the jDeople, - ^ 
 How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. {Exeunt. 
 
ens. 
 
 \ Jr^/ . 
 P'; ' \ 
 JU^ 
 
 92 JULIUS 
 
 SCENE III. A Street. 
 Enter CINNA the Poet. 
 
 Cinna. I dream 'd to-night that I did feast with Caesar, * 
 And things unlucky charge my fantasy, ts^fi**^ } \? / *' 
 I have no will to wanaer forth of doors, ? ' 
 Yet something leads me forth. 
 
 " 
 Enter Citizens. 
 
 1 Citizen. What is your name ? 
 
 2 Citizen. Whither are you going r ? 
 
 3 Citizen. Where do you..dwell ? 
 
 4 Citizen. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?^ 
 
 2 Citizen. Answer every man directly. ^>, Zs**^\ >vv 
 
 1 Citizen. Ay, and briefly, c 10 
 4 Citizen. Ay, and wisely. ^-^^^ 
 
 3 Citizen. Ay, and truly, you were best. 
 
 Cinna. What is my name? Whither am I going? VVhere 
 do I dwell ? Am I a married man, or a bachelor? Then to 
 answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly. 
 ' Wisely, I say, I am a bachelor. 
 
 2 Citizen. That 's as much as to say, they are fools that 
 marry ; you ^11 bear me a. bang for that, I fear. Proceed ;_ 
 directly. /& 
 
 Cinna. Directly, I am going tc> Caesar's funeral.V^ Ar ^ < ^a 
 
 1 Citizen. As a friend, or an ene^ny ?-Vv^ 
 Cinna. As a friendAxrv* 
 
 2 Citizen. That matter is answered directly. 
 4 Citizen. For your dwelling, briefly. 
 Cinna. Briefly, I dwelTby the Capitol. 
 
 3 Citizen. Your name, sir, truly. Vxr^ 
 Cinna. Truly, my name is Cinna. 
 
 i Citizen. Tear him to pieces, he 's a conspirator. 
 Cinna. I arrTCinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 
 
ACT III. SCENE 
 
 -wvW^ 
 
 93 
 
 4 Citizen. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad 
 verses. 31 
 
 Cinna. I am not Cinna the conspirator. 
 
 2 Citizen. It is no matter, his name 's Cinna ; pluck but his 
 name out of his heart, and turn him_j^ing. / g^^ ^ixy7'*>c 
 
 3 Citizen. Tear him, tear him ! Come, brands, ho ! (fire- 
 brands ! To Brutus', to Cassius' ; burn all. Some to Decius' 
 house, and some to Caeca's ; some to Ligarius' : away ! go !/ 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 v 
 
 
ROMAN SOLDIERo. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I. A Room in Antony's House. ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, 
 
 and LEPIDUS, seated at a table. 
 
 \ . . 
 
 Antony. These many, then, shall die ; their names are 
 
 JjrickU x^J 
 Octavius. Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lep 
 
 idus? - 
 
 Lepidus. I do consent. 
 
 Octavius. Prick him down, Antony. " 
 
 J Lepidus. Upon condition Publius shall not live, 
 *- Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 
 
ACT IV, SCEXE I, 95 
 
 ^ ^\ 
 
 Antony. He shall not live ; look, with a srx>t I damn him.* 
 
 But, Lepidus, go vou to Caesar's house ; 
 
 Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine : 
 
 How to cut off some charge in legacies. Jsv>~*Jfc\ i*^* tv^t 
 
 Lepidus. What, shall I find you here ? J0 
 
 Octavius. Or here or at the Capitol. [Exit Leptdus. 
 
 Antony. This is a slight, unmeritable man, U^^J^A^JI/^YIW 
 x IVJeet to be s,ent on errands; is it fit, 
 The three-Told world divided, he should stand TV 
 One of the three to share it ? 
 
 Octavius. So you thought him. 
 
 And took his voice'^who should be pricked to die QA*^ 
 In our bjackjsentence and proscriotpn. V/s^^ KN "^^\^ ^ 
 
 Antony. Octavius, I have seen more days than you^J^^V^ 
 
 And though we lay these honours on this man, 
 To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, 
 He shall but bear them as^tfie ass bears 
 To groan and sweat under the business, 
 Either led or driven, as we point the way ; 
 And having brought our treasure where we will, 
 TThen take we down his load and turn him 
 Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears 
 And graze in commons^^ ^/^^ 
 
 Ociamus. You may do your will ; 
 
 But he 's a tried and valiant soldier. <V^ "*"\; 
 
 Antony. So is my hqrjse, Octavius, and for that 
 T do appoint him stofeofprovender. 
 is a creaUire thaTl teach to fight, 
 ^ Tq wind, to stop, to run directly on, 
 ^TIIS coVrjoral motion govern'd by my spirit. 
 
 And, in somejaj>te, is Lepidus but^so :; 
 jj^ He must be taught, and train'cl, and bi(3^8 forth 
 ^ A barren-spirited fellow, one that feecTs Q^'-r^ 
 ^Dn objects, arts* and imitations 
 * Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, 
 
f . Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him 
 
 3ut as a property. And now, Octavius, 40 
 
 ''Listen <*re at things. Brutus and Cassius 
 , Are levyirigT^owers ; we must straight make head : W* ^ 
 Therefore let our alliance be combined, / 
 
 best friends madeTour nfea^stjetch'd /$Tw* *^ * 
 And let us presently go sit in council, 
 How covert matters may be best di^closld, Z_ 
 
 And open perils surest answered. Jt^Mf) /v**^ 
 
 Octavius. Let us do so : .for we are at the stake, 
 And bay'd about with many enemies ; 
 
 And some that smile have. in their hearts, I fear, 50 
 
 Millions of mischiefs. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE II. Before the Tent of Brutus, in the Camp near 
 Sardis. 
 
 Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, and Soldiers: 
 PINDARUS meeting them ; Lucius at a distance. 
 
 Brutus. Stand, ho ! 
 
 Lucilius. Give the word, ho ! and stand. 
 
 Brutus. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? 
 
 Lucilius. He is at hand, and Pindarus is come 
 To do you salutation from his master. 
 
 [Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus. 
 
 Brutus. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus, 
 In his own change, or by ill officers, 
 Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 
 Things done undone ; but if he be at hand, 
 I shall be satisfied. 
 
 Pindarus. I do not doubt , 
 
 But that my noble master will appear 
 Such as he is, full of regard and honour. 
 
 Brutus. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius : 
 How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. 
 
ACT IV. SCENE II. 97 
 
 Luriiius. With courtesy, and with respect enough, 
 But not with such familiar instances, 
 Nor with such free and friendly conference, 
 As he hath us'd of old. 
 
 Brutus. Thou hast describ'd 
 
 A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, 
 When love begins to sicken and decay * 
 
 It useth an enforced ceremony. 
 There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ; 
 But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, 
 Make gallant show and promise of their mettle, 
 But when they should endure the bloody spur 
 They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades 
 Sink in the trial. Comes his army on ? 
 
 Lucilius. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'cl ; 
 The greater part, the horse in general,' 
 Are come with Cassius. [March within. 
 
 Brutus. Hark, he is-arriv'd. 30 
 
 March gently on to meet him. 
 
 Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers* 
 Cassius. Stand, ho ! 
 Brutus. Stand, ho ! Speak the word along* 
 
 1 Soldier. Stand. 
 
 2 Soldier. Stand, 
 
 3 Soldier. Stand. 
 
 Cassius. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. 
 
 Brutus. Judge me, you gods ! Wrong I mine enemies? 
 And. if not so, how should I wrong a brother? 
 
 Cassius. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs, ^ 
 And when you do them 
 
 Brutus. Cassius, be content ; 
 
 Speak your griefs softly, I do know you well. 
 Before the eyes of both our armies here, 
 Which should perceive nothing but love from us, 
 
 G 
 
98 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away ; 
 Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, 
 And I will give you audience. 
 
 Cassius. Pindarus, 
 
 Bid our commanders lead their charges off 
 A little from this ground. 
 
 Brutus. Lucius, do you the like; and let no man 50 
 
 Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 
 Lucilius and Titinius, guard our door. \Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE III. Within the Tent of Brutus. 
 
 Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. 
 
 f Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this : 
 You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella ^/i/ir^t/l 
 For taking bribes here of the Sarclians ; 
 Wherein my letter, praying on his side, 
 Because I knew the man, was slighted off. 
 
 Brutus. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. 
 
 Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 
 That every nice offence should bear his comment. 
 
 Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself 
 Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm, 
 
 To sell and mart your offices for gold 
 To undeservers. 
 
 Cassius. I an itching palm ? 
 
 You know that you are Brutus that speaks this, 
 Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. 
 
 Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, 
 And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 
 
 Cassius. Chastisement ! 
 
 Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remember ! 
 X. 1 Did not great Julius bleed for jusjice_ake ? 
 
 * What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, 20 
 
 And not for justice ? What ! shall one of us, 
 
 1 
 
ACT IV. SCENE III. 
 
 99 
 
 That struck the foremost man of all this world 
 But for supporting robbers, shall we now 
 Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, 
 And sell the mighty space of our large honours 
 For so much trash as may be grasped thus ? 
 I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, 
 Than such a Roman. 
 
 Cassius. Brutus, bay not me ; 
 
 I '11 not endure it : you forget yourself, 
 To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, 
 Older in practice, abler than yourself 
 To make conditions. 
 
 Brutus. Go to ; you are not, Cassius. 
 
 Cassius. I am. 
 
 Brutus. I say you are not. 
 
 Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; 
 Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. 
 
 Brutus. Away, slight man ! 
 
 Cassius. Is 't possible ? 
 
 Brutus. Hear rne, for I will speak. 
 
 Must I give way and room to your rash choler ..? 
 Shall I be frighted when a madman stares7 40 
 
 Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods ! Must I endure all this ? 
 
 Brutus. All this ? Ay, more. Fret till your Jjroud heart 
 
 break ; 
 
 Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 
 And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge ? 
 Must I observe you ? Must I stand and crouch 
 Under your testy humour ? By the gods, 
 You shall digest the venom of your spleen, 
 Though it do split you ; for from this day forth 
 I '11 use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
 When you are waspish. 
 
 Cassius. Is it come to this ? 5 
 
 Brutus. You say you are a better soldier : 
 
ZOO JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Let it appear so ; make your vaunting true, 
 
 And it shall please me well. For mine own part, 
 
 I shall be glad to learn of noble men. 
 
 Cassius. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus; 
 I said an elder soldier, not a better : 
 Did I say better ? 
 
 Brutus. If you did, I care not. 
 
 Cassius. When Qesar liv'd he durst .not thus have mov'd me. 
 
 Brutus. Peace, peace ! you durst not so have tempted him, 
 
 Cassius. I durst not ? 6 o 
 
 Brutus. No. 
 
 Cassius. What ? durst not tempt him ? 
 
 Brutus. For your life you durst note 
 
 Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love ; 
 I may do that I shall be sorry for. 
 Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 
 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats ; 
 For I am arm'd so strong in honesty 
 , i That they pass by me as the idle wind 
 
 Which I respect not. I did send to you 
 
 ; For certain sums of gold, which you denied me ; 70 
 
 For I can raise no money by vile means : 
 By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, 
 And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring 
 From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash 
 By any indirection. I did send 
 To you for gold to pay my legions, 
 Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius ? 
 Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so ? 
 When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, 
 To lock such rascal counters from his friends, So 
 
 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, 
 Dash him to pieces ! 
 
 Cassius. I denied you not. 
 
 Brutus. You did. 
 
ACT IV. SCENE III. 101 
 
 Cassius. I did not ; he was but a fool 
 
 That brought my answer back. Brutus hath riv'd my heart ; 
 A friend should bear a friend's infirmities, 
 But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. 
 
 Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me. 
 
 Cassius. You love me not. 
 
 Brutus. I do not like your faults. 
 
 Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults. 
 
 Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear 9 o 
 As huge as high Olympus. 
 
 Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 
 Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius ! 
 For Cassius is aweary of the world ; 
 Hated by one he loves, brav'd by his brother, 
 Check'd like a bondman ; all his faults observ'd, 
 Set in a note-book, learn'd and conn'd by rote, 
 To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep 
 My spirit from mine eyes ! There is my dagger, 
 And here my naked breast ; within, a heart 100 
 
 Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold : 
 If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth. 
 I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart : 
 Strike, as thou didst at Caesar ; for I know, 
 When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him better 
 Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius. 
 
 Brutus. Sheathe your dagger : 
 
 Be angry when you will, it shall have scope ; 
 Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. 
 O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb, 
 
 That carries anger as the flint bears fire, nc 
 
 Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark 
 And straight is cold again. 
 
 Cassius. Hath Cassius liv'd 
 
 To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, 
 When grief and blood ill-temper'd vexeth him ? 
 
102 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Brutus. When I spoke that I was ill-temper'd too. 
 
 Cassius. Do you confess so much ? Give me your hand. 
 
 Brutus. And my heart too. 
 
 Cassius. O Brutus ! 
 
 Brutus. What 's the matter ? 
 
 Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 
 When that rash humour which my mother gave me 
 Makes me forgetful ? 
 
 Brutus. Yes, Cassius ; and from henceforth, 120 
 
 When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, 
 He '11 think your mother chides, and leave you so. 
 
 [Noise within. 
 
 Poet. [ Within\ Let me go in to see the generals : 
 There is some grudge between 'em ; 't is not meet 
 They be alone. 
 
 Lucilius. \Withiri\ You shall not come to them. 
 
 Poet. [Within\ Nothing but death shall stay me. 
 
 Enter v&, followed by LUCILIUS and TITINIUS. 
 
 Cassius. How now? What 's the matter? 
 
 Poet. For shame, you generals ! What do you mean r 
 Love, and be friends, as two such men should be ; 
 For I have seen more years, I 'm sure, than ye. 130 
 
 Cassius. Ha, ha ! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme ! 
 
 Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah ! saucy fellow, hence ! 
 
 Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 't is his fashion. 
 
 Brutus. I '11 know his humour when he knows his time. 
 What should the wars do with these jigging fools ! 
 Companion, hence ! 
 
 Cassius. Away, away ! be gone ! [Exit Poet. 
 
 Brutus. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders 
 Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 
 
 Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you, 
 Immediately to us. [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius. 
 
 Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine. 140 
 
ACT IV. SCENE III. IO3 
 
 Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry. 
 
 Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs ! 
 
 Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use, 
 If you give place to accidental evils. 
 
 Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 
 
 Cassius. Ha ! Portia ? 
 
 Brutus. She is dead. 
 
 Cassius. How scap'd I killing when I cross'd you so? 
 O, insupportable and touching loss! 
 Upon what sickness ? 
 
 Brutus. Impatient of my absence, 150 
 
 And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony 
 Have made themselves so strong ; for with her death 
 That tidings came. With this she fell distract, 
 And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. 
 
 Cassius. And died so? 
 
 Brutus. Even so. 
 
 Cassius. . O ye immortal gods ! 
 
 Enter Lucius, with wine and tapers. 
 
 Brutus. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of 
 
 wine. 
 
 In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. {Drinks. 
 
 Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. 
 
 Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup ; i|j 
 
 I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. \Drinks. 
 
 Enter TITINIUS, with MESSALA. 
 
 Brutus. Come in, Titinius. Welcome, good Messala. 
 Now sit we close about this taper here, 
 And call in question our necessities. 
 
 Cassius. Portia, art thou gone ? 
 
 Brutus. No more, I pray you. 
 
 Messala, I have here received letters, 
 That young Octavius and Mark Antony 
 
104 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Come down upon us with a mighty power, 
 Bending their expedition toward Philippi. ^xu-e/C 
 
 Messala. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenour. 
 
 Brutus. With what addition ? 
 
 Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, 
 Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus 
 Have put to death an hundred senators. 
 
 Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree ; 
 Mine speak of seventy senators that died 
 By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. 
 
 Cassius. Cicero one ? 
 
 Messala. Cicero is dead, 
 
 And by that order of proscription. 
 Had you your letters from your wife, my lord ? 
 
 Brutus. No, Messala. 
 
 Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? 
 
 Brutus. Nothing, Messala. 
 
 Messala. That, methinks, is strange. 
 
 Brutus. Why ask you ? Hear you aught of her in yours ? 
 
 Messala. No, my lord. 
 
 Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 
 
 Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell ; ^* & 
 
 For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 
 
 Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We 'must die, Messala. 
 With meditating that she must die once, 
 I have theTpatience to endure it now. ^^r^ 190 
 
 Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure. Vs^* 
 
 Cassius. I have as much of this in art^as you, L&-+. 
 . But yet my nature could not bear it s'oT~ ^<* 
 
 Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think &. 
 Of marching to Philippi presently ?****/- 
 
 Cassius. I do not think irgopd. ywM w*-^ 
 
 Brutus. Your reason ? 
 
 Cassius. *~}/v~+**^ This it is : 
 
 'T is better that the enemy seek us ; 
 
ACT IV. SCENE II f. 105 
 
 he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 
 Doing himself offence, whilst we lying still f.^*"* ' 
 Are full of rest,7fejej3ce, and nimbleuess. jJ"'*^ 200 
 
 Brutus. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better, /vc 
 The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground 
 Do stand but in a forc'd affection, 
 
 _. they have grudged us contribution, 
 "he enemy, marching along by them, 
 By them shall make a fuller number up, 
 
 Come on refreshed, new^aoSectvand encouraged ; &vdi //* 4 i * r/ n** 
 From which advantage shall we cut him off ^J^J^ ^^ 
 If at Philippi we do face him there, 
 These people at our back. 
 
 Cassius. Hear me, good brother. 210 
 
 Brutus. Under your pardon. You must 
 That we have tried the utmost of our friends. 
 
 legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe : 
 The enemy increaseth every day ; 
 We, at the height, are ready to decline. 
 There is a tide in the affairs of men, 
 Which, taken at the flood, leads on to for 
 Omitted, all the voyage of their life 
 Is boimd in shajjows and in miseries 
 On such a full sea are we now afloat, 
 
 we must take the current when it sen 
 
 lose our ventures. 
 
 Cassius. Then, with your will, go on ; 
 
 We '11 along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. 
 
 Brutus. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, 
 And nature must obey necessity, ^to *o *^* 4~* 
 Which we will niggard with a little rest. 
 There is no more to say ? 
 
 Cassius. No more. Good night ! 
 
 Early to-morrow will we rise and hence. 
 
 Brutus. Lucius, my gown. \Exit Lurius.~\ Farewell, good 
 Messala ! 
 
I0 6 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Good night, Titinius ! Noble, noble Cassius-/ 
 Good night, and good repose ! xtx^o^r />-V^ 
 
 
 Cassius. O my dear 
 
 This was an ill beginning of the night ; 
 Never come such division 'tween our souls! ^, ' 
 
 Let it not, Brutus. 
 
 Enter Lucius, with the gown. 
 
 Brutus. Every thing is well. 
 
 Cassius. Good night, my lord ! 
 
 Brutus. Good night, good brother ! 
 
 Titinius, Messala. Good night, lord Brutus ! 
 
 Brutus. Farewell, every one ! 
 
 \Exeunt Cassius, Titinius, and Messalc* 
 Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument ? 
 
 Lucius. Here, in the tent. JD^ 
 
 Brutus. What! thou speak'st drowsily? 
 
 Poor knave. I blame thee not ; thou art o'erwatch'd. rwv^ 
 Call Claudius and some other ^of my men ; 240 
 
 I '11 have them sleep on cushions in my tent. /vx^vfr* 
 
 Lucius. Varro and Claudius ! 
 
 Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS. 
 
 Varro. Calls my lord ? 
 
 Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep ; 
 it may be I shall raise you by and by 
 On business to my brother Cassius. 
 
 Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your 
 pleasure. 
 
 Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 
 It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. 
 Look, Lucius, here 's the book I sought for so ; 250 
 
 I put it in the pocket of my gown. {Servants lie down. 
 
 Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 
 
 Brutus. Bear with me, good boy; I am much forgetful. 
 

 ACT IV. SCENE Ilf. 107 
 
 ^^,4.< ./VV^^V^ fg^****** 
 
 Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, 
 And touch tHy instrument a strain or two? 
 
 Lucius. Ay, my lord, an 't please you. 
 
 Brutus. It does, my boy ; 
 
 '.,- I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. 
 
 Lucius. It is my duty, sir. fa*&*"*f*** 
 
 Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might ; 
 I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 
 
 Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already. 
 
 Brutus. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again 
 I will not hold thee long : if I do live, 
 
 I will be good to the. /-^ [Music and a song. 
 
 f This is a sleepy tune. O murtherous slumber,,'^^^ 2 
 Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, J>vt^4 
 That plays thee music ! Gentle knave, good night ; 
 I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. 
 If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument : 
 I '11 take it from thee ; and, good boy, good night. 270 
 
 Let me see, let me see, is not the leaf turn'd down 
 Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. \He sits down. 
 
 Enter the Ghost of Caesar. 
 
 How ill this taper burns ! Ha ! who comes here? 
 
 I think it is the weakness of my eyes 
 
 That shapes this monstrous apparition. ^-i*n 
 
 It comes upon me.^Art thou any thing ? 
 
 Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, 
 
 That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare ? 
 
 Speak to me what thou "art. 
 
 Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. 
 
 Brutus. Why com'st thou ? i 28c A 
 
 Ghost. Tp tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.J/vA- iX*"* 
 
 Brutus. Well ; then I shall see thee again ? 
 
 Ghost. ' Ay, at Philippi. 
 
 [ Ghost vanishes. 
 
108 JULIUS CAESAR. 
 
 Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. 
 Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest. >t^* > *^ 
 111 spirit, I would Hold more talk with thee. 
 Boy ! Lucius ! Varro ! Claudius ! Sirs, awake ! 
 Claudius ! 
 
 Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false. 
 
 Brutus. He thinks he still is at his instrument. 
 Lucius, awake ! 290 
 
 Lucius. My lord ! 
 
 Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? 
 
 Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. 
 
 Brutus. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing.'* 
 
 Lucius. Nothing, my lord. 
 
 Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah, Claudius ! 
 Fellow thou ! awake ! 
 
 Varro. My lord ! 
 
 Claudius. My lord ! 
 
 Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? 300 
 
 Varro, Claudius. Did we, my lord ? 
 
 Brutus. Ay ; saw you any thing? 
 
 Varro. No, my lord, I saw nothing. 
 
 Claudius. Nor I, my lord. 
 
 Brutus. Go, and commend me to my brother Cassius ; 
 Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 
 And we will follow. 
 
 Claudius. It shall be done, my lord. \Exeunt. 
 
SCENE I. The /%M>W of Philippi. 
 Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their Army. 
 
 (y jffv**** &*** '"' 4 * 
 
 Octavius. Now, Antony, our hoges are answered. 
 You said the enemy would not_come down, V'{.-. >* 
 But keep the hills and upper region?. -V - > 
 It proves not so : their battles are at hand ; 
 They mean to warn us at Philippi here, a^uxut/t^' 
 Answering before we do demand of them. 
 J Antony. Tut ! I am in their bosoms, and I know 
 x Wherefore they do it: they could Be content 
 To visit other places, and come ^ 
 
IIO JULIUS CALSAR. 
 
 Urv^v*/ 
 
 With fearful bravery, thinking by this face 
 TalastenTfTbur thoughts that they have courage; 
 
 But 't is not so. $/-*> Y<^^ 
 
 ' ""* 
 
 i Enter a Messenger. .J ' 
 
 *V\ r*-'fj\ ~s*J*j&& *rf J^ 
 
 Messenger. Prepare you, generals : 4X"* A j 
 
 The enemy comes on in gallant show ; /' 
 
 Their bloody "sign of battle is hung out, v /' vt ^ 
 
 And something to be done immediately. 
 \#$^Antony. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, 
 
 Upon the left hand of the even field. \~oJ& L ' *f*^** 
 Octavius. Upon the right hand I ; keep thou the left. 
 Antony. Why do you cross me in this exigent ? */s* ^ 
 Octavius. I do not cross you ; but I wilTtfcfso. [ March. 
 
 Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army ; LUCILIUS, 
 
 TITINIUS, MESSALA, and others. ^JL**^] 
 
 Brutus. They sland and wouldjiave^ajley. '* 
 Cassius. Standfast, Titinius; we must out and talk. 
 Octavius. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle ? 
 
 No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. 
 Make forth ; the generals would have some words. 
 ^i*\Octavius. Stir not until the signal. 
 
 \Brutus. Words before blows ; is it so, countrymen ? 
 
 Octavius. Not that we love words better, as you do. 
 
 Brutus. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius, 
 
 Antony. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words ; 
 Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, ^rr\p/^-'lN- 31 
 Crying, ' Long live ! Hail, Caesar !' 
 , Cassius. Antony, 
 
 The posture of your blows are yet unknown ; , 
 But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, "* 
 And leave them honeyless. 
 
 Antony. Not stingless too. 
 
 Brutus. O, yes, and soundless too ; 
 
ACT V. SCENE I. 
 
 For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, 
 And very wisely threat before you sting. 
 
 Antony. Villains, you did not so when your vile daggers 
 Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar: 
 You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'cl like hounds, 
 And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet, 
 Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind, 
 Struck Caesar on the neck. O,you flatterers I 
 
 Cassius. Flatterers ! Now, Brutus, thank yourself; 
 This tongue had not offended so to-day, 
 If Cassius might have rul'd. 
 
 Octavius. Come, come, the cause ; if arguing make us sweat, 
 The proof of Jt will turn to redder drops. 
 I7ook, I draw a sword against conspirators; 50 
 
 When think you that the sword goes up again f 
 Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds 
 Be well aveng'd, or till another Caesar 
 Have added slaughter to the sworcl of traitors. 
 
 Brutus. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, 
 Unless thou bring'st them with thee. 
 
 Octavius. So I hope ; 
 
 I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. 
 
 Brutus. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strair^ 
 Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. 
 
 Cassius. A jeevish, school boy, worth]e"sToFsucFTionour, 
 Join'd with a masker and a reveller. 61 
 
 Antony. Old Cassius still ! 
 
 Octavius. Come, Antony; away! 
 
 Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. 
 If you dare fight to-day, come to the field ; 
 If not, when you have stomachs. 
 
 \Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their Army. 
 
 Cassius. Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark ! 
 The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. 
 
 Brutus. Ho, Lucilius ! hark, a word with you. 
 
H2 JULIUS 
 
 Lutilius. My lord ! {Brutus and Lucilius talk apart. 
 
 Cassius. Messala ! 
 
 Messala. What says my general ? 
 
 Cassius. . Messala, 
 
 This is my birthday ; as this very day ^ A 7 o 
 
 Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala; 
 Be thou my witness that against my will, 
 As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set 
 Upon one battle all our liberties. 
 You know that I held Epicurus strong, 
 And his opinion ; now I change my mind, 
 And partly credit things that do presage. 
 Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign 
 Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, 
 Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands, 80 
 
 Who to Philippi here consorted us : 
 This morning are they fled away and gone, 
 And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites 
 Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, 
 As" we were sickly prey ; their shadows seem 
 A canopy most fatal, under which 
 Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 
 
 Messala. Believe not so. 
 
 Cassius. I but believe it partly, 
 
 For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd ^ 
 To meet all perils very constantly. 90 
 
 Brutus. Even so, Lucilius. 
 
 Cassius. Now, most noble Brutus, 
 
 The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, 
 Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age ! 
 But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, 
 Let 's reason with the worst that may befall. 
 If we do lose this battle, then is this 
 The very last time we shall speak together ; 
 What are you then determined to do ? 
 
 
ACT V. SCENE II. 1 13 
 
 Brutus. EyejkJ^Jlxe_ule of that philosophy 
 By which I did blame Cato for the death 100 
 
 Which he did give himself. I know not how, 
 But I do find it cowardly and vile, 
 For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 
 The time of life, arming myself with patience 
 To stay the providence of some high powers 
 That govern "us below. 
 
 Cassius. Then, if we lose this battle, 
 
 You are contented to be led in triumph 
 Thorough the streets of Rome ? 
 
 Brutus. No, Cassius, no ! think not, thou noble Roman, 
 That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome ; no 
 
 He bears too great a mind. But this same day 
 Must end that work the ides of March begun ; 
 And whether we shall meet again I know not. 
 Therefore our everlasting farewell take ; 
 For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius ! 
 If we do meet again, why, we shall smile ; 
 If not, why, then this parting was well made. 
 
 Cassius. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus ! 
 If we do meet again, we '11 smile indeed ; 
 If not, 't is true, this parting was well made. 120 
 
 Brutus. Why, then lead on. O that a man might know 
 The end of this day's business ere it come ! 
 But it sufficeth that the day will end, 
 And then the end is known. Come, ho ! away ! \Eyeunt. 
 
 SCENE II. The Field of Battle. 
 Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA. 
 Brutus. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 
 'Unto the legions on the other side. \Loud alarum. 
 
 Let them set on at once ; for I perceive 
 But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing, 
 
 H 
 
H 4 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 And sudden push gives them the overthrow. 
 
 Ride, ride, Messala ; let them all come down. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE III. Another Part of the Field. 
 Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS. 
 
 Cassius. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly ! 
 Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy. 
 This ensign here of mine was turning back ; 
 I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 
 
 Titinius. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, 
 Who, having some advantage on Octavius, 
 Took it too eagerly ; his soldiers fell to spoil, 
 Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd. 
 
 Enter PINDARUS. 
 
 Pindarus. Fly further off, my lord, tiy further off! 
 Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord ! 10 
 
 Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off! 
 
 Cassius. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius; 
 Are those my tents where I perceive the fire ? 
 
 Titinius. They are, my lord. 
 
 Cassius. Titinius, if thou lov'st me, 
 
 Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, 
 Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops 
 And here again, that I may rest assur'd 
 Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. 
 
 Titinius. I will be here again even with a thought. \_Exit. 
 
 Cassius. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill ; 20 
 
 My sight was ever thick ; regard Titinius, 
 And tell me what thou not'st about the field. 
 
 \Pirtdarus goes up. 
 
 This day I breathed first : time is come round, 
 And where I did begin, there shall I end ; 
 My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? 
 
ACT V. SCENE II L 115 
 
 Pindarus. [Above] O my lord ! 
 
 Cassius. What news? 
 
 Pindarus. Titinius is enclosed round about 
 With horsemen that make to him on the spur ; 
 Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 30 
 
 Now, Titinius ! 
 Now some light. O, he lights too. He 's ta'en ; and, 
 
 hark ! 
 They shout for joy. [Shout. 
 
 Cassius. Come down, behold no more. 
 
 O, coward that I am to live so long, 
 To see my best friend ta'en before my face ! 
 
 PINDARUS comes down. 
 Come hither, sirrah ! 
 In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; 
 And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, 
 That whatsoever I did bid thee do, 
 
 Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath ! 4 
 Now be a freeman ; and with this good sword, 
 That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 
 Stand not to answer : here, take thou the hilts ; 
 And when my face is cover'd, as 't is now, 
 Guide thou the sword. Caesar, thou art reveng'd, 
 Even with the sword that kill'd thee. [Dies. 
 
 Pindarus. So, I am free ; yet would not so have been, 
 Durst I have done my will. O Cassius ! 
 Far from this country Pindarus shall run, 49 
 
 Where never Roman shall take note of him. [Exit. 
 
 Enter TITINIUS, with MESSALA. 
 
 Messala. It is but change, Titinius ; for Octavius 
 Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 
 As Cassius' legions are by Antony. 
 
 Titinius. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. 
 
Il6 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Messala. Where did you leave him ? 
 
 Titinius. All disconsolate, 
 
 With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 
 
 Messala. Is not that he that lies upon the ground ? 
 
 Titinius. He lies not like the living. O, my heart ! 
 
 Messala. Is not that he ? 
 
 Titinius. No, this was he, Messala, 
 
 But Cassius is no more. O setting sun ! 60 
 
 As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night, 
 So in his red blood Cassius' day is set ; 
 The sun of Rome is set ! Our day is gone ; 
 Clouds, dews, and dangers come ; our deeds are done ! 
 Mistrust of my success hath clone this deed. 
 
 Messala. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. 
 O hateful Error, Melancholy's child ! 
 Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men 
 The things that are not ? O Error, soon conceiv'd, 
 Thou never com'st unto a happy birth, 70 
 
 But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee. 
 
 Titinius. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus? 
 
 Messala. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet 
 The noble Brutus, thrusting this report 
 Into his ears ; I may say, thrusting it, 
 For piercing steel and darts envenomed 
 Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus 
 As tidings of this sight. 
 
 Titinius. Hie you, Messala, 
 
 And I will seek for Pindarus the while. {Exit Messala. 
 Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius ? 80 
 
 Did I not meet thy friends ? and dfcl not they 
 Put on my brows this wreath of victory, 
 And bid me give it thee ? Didst thou not hear their shouts ? 
 Alas ! thou hast misconstrued every thing. 
 But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; 
 Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I 
 
ACT V. SCENE IV. 1 17 
 
 Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, 
 
 And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. 
 
 By your leave, gods : this is a Roman's part ; 89 
 
 Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. [Dies. 
 
 Alarum. Enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, young CATO, STRA- 
 TO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS. 
 
 Brutus. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie ? 
 
 Messala. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. fl$ ^ 
 
 Brutus. Titinius' face is upward. 
 
 Cato. He is slain. -^ 
 
 Brutus. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet ! 
 Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords 
 In our own proper entrails. \_Low alarums. 
 
 Cato. Brave Titinius ! 
 
 Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius ! 
 
 Brutus. Are yet two Romans living such as these? 
 The last of all the Romans, fare thee well ! 
 It is impossible that ever Rome 100 
 
 Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears 
 To this dead man than you shall see me pay. 
 I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. 
 Come, therefore, and to Thassos send his body ; 
 His funerals shall not be in our camp, 
 Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come ; 
 And come, young Cato ; let us to the field. 
 Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on. 
 J T is three o'clock ; and, Romans, yet ere night 109 
 
 We shall try fortune in a second fight. {Exeunt. 
 
 
 
 SCENE IV. Another Part of the Field. 
 
 Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both Armies ; then BRU- 
 TUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others. 
 Brutus. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads ! 
 
n8 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Cato. What bastard doth not ? Who will go with me ? 
 I will proclaim my name about the field. 
 I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 
 A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend ; 
 I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! [Charges the enemy. 
 
 Brutus. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I ; 
 Brutus, my country's friend ; know me for Brutus ! 
 
 [Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and 
 falls. 
 
 Ludlius. O young and noble Cato, art thou down ? 
 Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, 10 
 
 And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son. 
 
 i Soldier. Yield, or thou diest. 
 
 Ludlius. Only I yield to die: 
 
 There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight ; 
 
 \Offering money. 
 Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death. 
 
 1 Soldier. We must not. A noble prisoner ! 
 
 2 Soldier. Room, ho ! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en, 
 
 i "Soldier. I'll tell the news. Here comes the general. 
 
 Enter ANTONY. 
 Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. 
 
 Antony. Where is he? 
 
 Ludlius. Safe, Antony ; Brutus is safe enough. 20 
 
 I dare assure thee that no enemy 
 Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus ; 
 The gods defend him from so great a shame ! 
 When you do find him, or alive or dead, 
 He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 
 
 Antony. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, 
 A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe, 
 Give him all kindness ; I had rather have 
 Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, 
 And see whether Brutus be alive or dead, 30 
 
ACT V. SCENE V. 
 
 119 
 
 And bring us word unto Octavius' tent 
 
 How every thing is chanc'd. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE V. Another Part of the Field. 
 Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and VOLUMNIUS. 
 
 Brutus. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. 
 
 Clitus. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, milord, 
 He came not back ; he is or ta'en or slain. M$ Hi * 
 
 Brutus. Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word ; 
 It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. \Whispering. 
 
 Clitus. What ! I, my lord? No, not for all the world. 
 
 Brutus. Peace then ! no words. 
 
 Clitus. I '11 rather kill myself. 
 
 Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius ! [ Whispers him. 
 
 Dardanius. Shall I do such a deed? 
 
 Clitus. O Dardanius ! 
 
 Dardanius. O Clitus ! 10 
 
 Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 
 
 Dardanius. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. 
 
 Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, 
 That it runs over even at his eyes. 
 
 Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius ; list a word. 
 
 Volumnius. What says my lord ? 
 
 Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius : 
 
 The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me 
 Two several times by night ; at Sardis once, 
 And this last night here in Philippi fields. 
 I know my hour is come. 
 
 Volumnius. Not so, my lord. 20 
 
 Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. 
 Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes ; 
 Our enemies have beat us to the pit : [Low alarums. 
 
 It is more worthy to leap in ourselves 
 Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 
 
120 JULIUS C&SAR. 
 
 Thou know'st that we two went to school together ; 
 Even for that our love of old, I prithee, 
 Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it. 
 
 Volumnius. That 's not an office for a friend, my lord. 
 
 [Alarum still. 
 
 Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord ! there is no tarrying here. 30 
 
 Brutus. Farewell toyou; and you: andyou,Volumnius. 
 Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep ; 
 Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, 
 My heart doth joy that yet in all my life 
 I found no man but he was true to me. 
 I shall have glory by this losing day, 
 More than Octavius and Mark Antony , 
 By this vile conquest shall attain unto. 
 So, fare you well at once ; for Brutus' tongue 
 Hath almost ended his life's history. 40 
 
 Night hangs upon my eyes ; my bones would rest, 
 That have but labour'd to attain this hour. 
 
 [Alarum. Cry within, ' Fly, fly, fly P 
 
 Clitus. Fly, my lord, fly ! 
 
 Brutus. Hence, I will follow. 
 
 \Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius. 
 I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. 
 Thou art a fellow of a good respect ; 
 Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it : - 
 Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face 
 While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato ? 
 
 Strato. Give me your hand first ; fare you well, my lord. 
 
 Brutus. Farewell, good Strato. Caesar, now be still ; 50 
 I kill'd not thee with half so good a will. 
 
 \He runs on his sword, and dies. 
 
 Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA, 
 
 LUCILIUS, and the Army. 
 Octavius. What man is that ? 
 
ACT V. SCEtfE V. 
 
 121 
 
 v 
 
 
 Messala. My master's man. Strato, where is thy master? 
 
 Strato. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala :\ 
 The conquerors can but make a fire of him ; 
 For Brutus only overcame himself, / 
 
 And no man else hath honour by his death. 
 
 Lucilius. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus, 
 That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true. /j^^w 
 
 Octavius. All that serv'd Brutus, I^will om^rainjthem. 
 Fellow, wilt thou tjestow thy time with me? 
 
 Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. 
 
 Octavius. Do so, good Messala. 
 
 Messala. How died my master, Strato ? 
 
 Strato. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 
 
 Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee, 
 That did the latest service to my master. 
 
 Antony. This was the noblest Roman of them all. 
 All the conspirators, save only he, ^V> 
 Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; 
 He only, in a general honest thought 
 And common good to all, made one of them. 
 His life was gentle, and the elements 
 So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 
 And say to all the world, * This was a man P 
 
 Qctavius. According to his virtue let us use him, 
 With all respect and rites of burial. 
 Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, 
 Most like a soldier, ordered honourably. 
 So, call the field to rest, and let 's away, 80 
 
 To part the glories of this happy day. \Exeunt 
 
 
 
 COIN OF THE TRIUMVIRS. 
 
ROMAN MATRON. 
 
NOTES. 
 
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES. 
 
 Abbott (or Gr.), Abbott's Shakespearian Grammar (third edition). 
 A. S., Anglo-Saxon. 
 
 A. V., Authorized Version of the Bible (1611). 
 
 B. and F., Beaumont and Fletcher. 
 B. J., Ben Jonson. 
 
 Camb. ed., " Cambridge edition " of Shakespeare, edited by Clark and Wright. 
 
 Cf. (confer), compare. 
 
 Clarke, " Cassell's Illustrated Shakespeare," edited by Charles and Mary Cowden. 
 Clarke (London, n. d.). 
 
 Coll., Collier (second edition). 
 
 Coll. MS., Manuscript. Corrections of Second Folio, edited by Collier. 
 
 Craik, Craik's English of Shakespeare (Rolfe's edition). 
 
 D., Dyce (second edition). 
 
 H., Hudson (" Harvard " edition). 
 
 Halliwell, J. O. Halliwell (folio ed. of Shakespeare). 
 
 Id. (idem), the same. 
 
 K., Knight (second edition). 
 
 N., North's Plutarch. 
 
 Nares, Glossary, edited by Halliwell and Wright (London, 1859). 
 
 Prol., Prologue. 
 
 Rich., Richardson's Dictionary (London, 1838). 
 
 S., Shakespeare. 
 
 Schmidt, A. Schmidt's Shakespeare- Lexicon (Berlin, 1874). 
 
 Sr., Singer. ., 
 
 Sf., Staunton. 
 
 Theo., Theobald. 
 
 V., Vevplanck. 
 
 W., R. Grant White. 
 
 Walker, Wm. Sidney Walker's Critical Examination of the Text of Shakespeare 
 (London, 1860). 
 
 Warb., Warburton. 
 
 Wb., Webster's Dictionary (revised quarto edition of 1879). 
 
 Wore., Worcester's Dictionary (quarto edition). 
 
 Wr., W. A. Wright's " Clarendon Press " ed. of J. C. (Oxford, 1878). 
 
 The abbreviations of the names of Shakespeare's Plays will be readily understood; as 
 T. N. for Twelfth Night, Cor. for Coriolanus, 3 Hen. VI. for The Third Part of King 
 Henry the Sixth, etc. P. P. refers to The Passionate Pilgrim ; V. and A . to Venus 
 and Adonis ; L. C. to Lover* s Complaint ; and Sonn. to the Sonnets. 
 
 When the abbreviation of the name of a play is followed by%. reference to page, 
 Rolfe's edition of the play is meant. 
 The numbers of the lines (except for the present play) are xhose of tne *' Globe " ed. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. In the folio of 1623 the play is divided into acts, but not into 
 scenes, and there is no list of dramatis 'persona. The heading of Act I. 
 is as follows : ** Actus Primus. Scana Priina. Enter Flauius, Murel- 
 !us, and certaine Commoners ouer the Stage.' 1 '' The spelling Murellus is 
 found throughout .the play, except in one instance (i. 2. 278), where we find 
 " Murrellus and Flanius, for pulling Scarffes off Ccesars Images, are put to 
 silence." The name in N. is Manillas, and Theo. corrected it here. 
 
 3. Being mechanical. " Cobblers, tapsters, or such like base mechan- 
 ical people " (N.). S. uses both mechanic and mechanical as noun and 
 as adjective. Cf. M. N. D. iii. 2. 9 : " rude mechanicals ;" 2 Hen. IV. v. 
 5.38: "by most mechanical and dirty hand;' 1 Cor. v. 3. 83 : " Rome's 
 mechanics ;" A. and C. v. 2. 209 : " mechanic slaves." 
 
I 2 6 NOTES. 
 
 Ought not walk. On the omission of to, see Gr. 349. 
 
 4. A labouring day. As Craik remarks, labouring here is not the par- 
 ticiple, but the verbal noun (or gerund) used as an adjective. Cf. the 
 expressions a walking-stick, a writing-desk, etc. The participle in -ing 
 is active, and it remains so when used as an adjective ; as in a labouring 
 man, etc. When used as a noun, which rarely occurs in English, it de- 
 notes the agent. Thus " the erring" means those tvho err, as amans in 
 Latin means a lover. The verbal noun in -ing, on the other hand, de- 
 notes the tf<:/(as "labouring is wearisome "), like the Latin gerund amandi, 
 etc. This verbal noun is commonly called a " participial noun " in the 
 grammars, but it has no etymological connection with the participle. In 
 early English (as in A. S.) the two had different forms. The ending of 
 the participle was ande (and], ende (end), or inde, and that of the verbal 
 noun was ing or nttg ; but the former went out of use, and the latter 
 came to do service for both. This change began before the year 1300, 
 but in the time of Chaucer the old participial ending was still occasion- 
 ally used, and it is found in Scotch writers even to the end of the six- 
 teenth century. 
 
 The following are examples of the participle and the verbal noun used 
 with their appropriate endings in the same sentence : 
 
 " Hors, or hund, or othir thing 
 
 That war plesaud to their nk/flg-." Barbour (1357). 
 " Full low incliiymd? to their queen full clear 
 
 Whom for their noble nourishing they thank.'' Duiibar (E Ills' s Spec.). 
 
 5. What trade art thon ? Either trade is equivalent to tradesman (as 
 Craik makes it), or of is understood. Cf. Gr. 202. On the use of thou 
 andjjw in S., see Gr. 232. 
 
 6. i Citizen. The folio has " Car" (that is, Carpenter), and for 2 Citizen 
 either " Cobl." or " Cob" (Cobbler}. 
 
 12. Answer me directly. That is, explicitly, without ambiguity. Cf. iii. 
 3. 9 below. It is hardly necessary to say that cobbler meant not only a 
 mender of shoes, but a clumsy workman at any trade ; and the latter 
 sense is not wholly unknown even now. 
 
 14. A mender of bad soles. For the quibble, cf. M. of V. iv. I. 123 : 
 " Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew." Malone quotes Fletch- 
 er's Woman Pleased: 
 
 "If thou dost this, there shall be no more shoe-mending; 
 Every man shall have a special care of his own soul, 
 And carry in his pocket his two confessors." 
 
 15. What trade, thou knave ? The folio gives this speech to Flavins, but 
 the "Mend me, thou saucy fellow?" shows that it belongs to Marullus. 
 
 16. Be not out with me, etc. The play upon out witli and out (at the 
 toes} is obvious. 
 
 24. But withal, etc. This is the folio reading, and may well enough 
 be retained. " What the cobbler means to say is, that although he med- 
 dles not with tradesmen's matters or women's matters, he is withal (mak- 
 ing at the same time his little pun) a surgeon to old shoes" (W.). K. 
 and Coll. print "but with all. I am," etc. D., the Camb. ed., and H. 
 have " but with awl. I am," etc. 
 
ACT I. SCENE I. 
 
 127 
 
 25. As proper men, etc. See M. of V. p. 132 (note on A proper mail's 
 picture], and cf. Temp. ii. 2. 62 : "as proper a man as ever went on four 
 legs ;" and Id. ii. 2. 73 : "any emperor that ever trod on neat's leather." 
 
 31. His triumph. This was in honour of his successes in Spain, 
 whence he had returned late in the preceding September, after defeating 
 the sons of Pompey at the battle of Munda (March I7th, B.C. 45). It 
 was Caesar's fifth and last triumph. 
 
 37. Many a time. Trench (English. Past and Present] explains "many 
 a man " as a corruption of " many of men ;" but Abbott (Gr. 85) shows 
 that the "many" is probably used as an adverb. Cf. the German man- 
 cher (adj.) Mann with manch (adv.) ein Mann, etc. In A. S. the idiom 
 was many man, not many a man. Cf. M. of V. p. 135* 
 
 42. Pass the streets. Cf. T. G.of V. iv. 3. 24 : " the ways are dangerous 
 to pass." See Gr. 198. 
 
 43. And when you saw his chariot but appear. That is, saw but his 
 chariot appear. See Gr. 129 and 420. 
 
 45. That Tiber trembled, etc. On this common ellipsis of so before 
 that, see Gr. 283. The river is here personified as feminine; as in i. 2. 
 101 below (see note there). Cf. Milton, P. L. iii. 359 : 
 
128 NOTES. 
 
 "the river of bliss through midst of Heaven 
 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream." 
 
 51. Replication of. Reply to, echo of. 
 
 52. Be gone! On these brief "interjectional lines," see Gr. 1512. 
 
 58. Tiber banks. This use of proper names as adjectives is common 
 in S. Cf. v. 5. 19 below : " Here in Philippi fields." See Gr. 22. 
 
 61. Whether. The folio prints " where " here, as in v. 4. 30 below , but 
 it often has whether when the word is a monosyllable (see on ii. i. 194 
 below). Cf. Gr. 466. Some modern eds. read " whe'r " or " wher." 
 
 Metal. Used interchangeably with mettle in the early eds. See K. 
 John, p. 148. 
 
 65. Deck'd with ceremonies. This is the reading of the folio, and is 
 retained by all the editors except W. and H., who have " ceremony." 
 Ceremonies may mean " honorary ornaments" (Malone), or what are after- 
 wards called "Caesar's trophies," and described as "scarfs" hung on his 
 images. Wr. compares Hen. V. iv. I. 109 : " his ceremonies laid by," etc. 
 
 67. The feast of Lupercal. The Lupercal was a cavern in the Palatine 
 Hill, sacred to Lupercus, the old Italian god of fertility, who came to be 
 identified with Pan. Thus Virgil (sn. viii. 344) speaks of the place as 
 
 " sub rupe Lupercal 
 Parrhasio dictum Panos de more Lycaei." 
 
 Here the feast of the Ltipercalia was held every year, in the month of 
 February. After certain sacrifices and other rites, the Luperci(o\- priests 
 of Lupercus) ran through the city wearing only a cincture of goatskin, and 
 striking with leather thongs all whom they met. This performance was 
 a symbolic purification of the land and the people. The festal day was 
 called dies februata (from febrnare, to purify), the month in which it oc- 
 curred Fehruarius, and the god himself Febrnus. 
 
 73. Pitch. A technical term for the height to which a falcon soars. 
 ^Q Rich. II. p. 153. 
 
 SCENE II. The heading in the folio is, " Enter Casar, Antony for the 
 Course, Calphurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, a 
 Soothsayer : after them Mnrellus and Flauuis." Calphurnia is the name 
 of Caesar's wife throughout the play, and also in N. (eds. of 1579 and 
 1612*), though Craik and W. say that it is Calpurnia in the latter author- 
 ity. Calpurnia was the classical form of the name. 
 
 Decius. His true name was Decimus Brutus. "The error, however, 
 is as old as the edition of Plutarch's Greek text produced by Henry Ste- 
 phens in 1572 ; and it occurs likewise in the accompanying Latin transla- 
 tion, and both in Amyot's and Dacier's French, as well as in North's Eng- 
 lish. It is also found in Philemon Holland's translation of Suetonius, 
 published in 1606. Lord Stirling, in his Julius Ctzsar, probably misled 
 in like manner by North, has fallen into the same mistake" (Craik). It 
 may be noted, also, that it was this Decimus Brutus who had been the 
 special favourite of Caesar, and not Marcus Junius Brutus, as represented 
 in the play. 
 
 * In some later editions (as in that of 1676) the name is changed to Calpurnia. 
 
ACT I. SCENE II. 
 
 129 
 
 3. In Anton'ms 1 way. The folio has " in Antonio's way ;" and in other 
 names ending in -ins it often gives the Italian form in -io, which was more 
 familiar to the actors of the time. 
 
 Antony was the head or chief of a third " college " of Lnperci that had 
 been added to the original two in honour of Caesar. 
 
 4. When he doth run his course. Cf. N.* (Life of Cczsar} : "At that 
 time the feast Lupercalia was celebrated, the which in old time, men say, 
 was the feast of Shepheards or Herdmen, and is much like unto the feast 
 of Lycaeians in Arcadia. But, howsoever it is, that day there are divers 
 noble men's sons, young men (and some of them Magistrates themselves 
 that govern them), which run naked through the City, striking in sport 
 them they meet in their way with Leather thongs, hair and all on, to 
 make them give place. And many noble Women and Gentlewomen 
 also, go of purpose to stand in their way, and do put forth their hands 
 to be stricken, as Scholars hold them out to their Schoolmaster, to be 
 stricken with the ferula ; perswading themselves that, being with Child, 
 they shall have good delivery; and so, being barren, that it will make 
 them to conceive with Child. . . . Antonius, who was Consull at that time, 
 was one of them that ran this holy course." 
 
 ii. Set on. Set out, proceed. Cf. v. 2. 3 below ; and see Hen. VIII. 
 p. 1 80. 
 
 15. Press. Crowd. Cf. R. of L. 1301, 1408, etc. ; also Mark, ii. 4. 
 
 17. Ides of March. In the Roman calendar the Ides fell on the 1 5th 
 of March, May, July, and October, and the I3th of the other months. 
 
 1 8. A soothsayer bids. Some put a comma after soothsayer, as if there 
 were an ellipsis of who (Gr. 244). On the measure, see Gr. 460. 
 
 23. Sennet. A particular set of notes on a trumpet. See Hen. VIII. 
 p. 176. 
 
 27. Quick. Lively, sprightly ; as in Much Ado, ii. i. 399, v. 2. II, etc. 
 30. That gentleness . . . as. See Gr. 280, and cf. 170 below. 
 
 36. Merely npon myself. Altogether upon myself. See Temp. p. in, 
 note on We are merely cheated. Cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. I. 4: "narra- 
 tions which are merely and sincerely natural ;" Id. ii. 25. 9 : " which do 
 make men merely aliens and disincorporate from the Church of God ;'" 
 Essay 27 : "it is a mere and miserable solitude to want true friends." 
 
 37. Passions of some difference. " With a fluctuation of discordant 
 opinions and desires " (Johnson). 
 
 38. Proper to myself. Peculiar to myself; my own. See Gr. 16, and 
 cf. Temp. p. 133, note on Their proper selves. 
 
 39. Behaviours. For the plural, cf. Much Ado, ii. 3. 9, 100, L. L. L. ii. 
 i. 234, etc. 
 
 45. Mistook yonr passion. See M. of V. p. 141 (note on Not undertook] 
 or Gr. 343. Q\\ passion feel ing, see M. of V. p. 157. 
 
 47. Cogitations. Thoughts. Cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. i. introd. : " I may 
 excite your princely cogitations to visit the excellent treasure of your 
 own mind," etc. See also Dan. vii. 28. 
 
 49. The eye sees not itself. Cf. T. and C. iii. 3. 106 : 
 
 * All our quotations from North's Plutarch are from the edition of 1676. 
 
I 3 o NOTES. 
 
 "nor doth the eye itself. 
 That most pure spirit of sense, behold itself." 
 
 Steevens quotes Sir John Davies, Nosce l^ipsum (1599) : 
 
 " the mind is like the eye, 
 
 ****** 
 
 Not seeing itself, when other things it sees.'' 
 
 50. But by reflection by some other things. This is the folio reading, 
 retained by K. and Wr. Pope reads " from some other things ;" D. and 
 H. have "from some other thing;" and W., "by some other thing." 
 If hy is what S. wrote, it is probably equivalent to "by means of" or 
 " from." Cf. the peculiar uses of by noted in Gr. 146. Even now we 
 may say " being reflected by some other thing." 
 
 52. Mirrors. Walker, D., and H. read "mirror." 
 
 55. The best respect. The highest respectability or estimation. Cf. v. 
 5. 45 below. 
 
 62. l^herefore, good Brutus, etc. " The. eager, impatient temper of Cas- 
 sius, absorbed in his own idea, is vividly expressed by his thus continu- 
 ing his argument as if. without appearing to have even heard Brutus's 
 interrupting question ; for such is the only interpretation which his there- 
 fore would seem to admit of" (Craik). 
 
 67. Jealous on me. Distrustful or suspicious of me. See M. of V. p. 
 143 (note on Glad on V), or Gr. 180. 
 
 68. A common laugher. The folio has "common laughter." Pope 
 substituted laugher, which has been adopted by all the more recent edit- 
 ors. Wr., however, thinks "laughter" may be right (--laughing-stock). 
 As Craik remarks, " neither word seems to be perfectly satisfactory." 
 A friend suggests " lover" as being in harmony with the context. 
 
 69. To stale with ordinary oaths, etc. Johnson (followed by W.) ex- 
 plains this, " to invite every new protester to my affection by the stale, or 
 allurement, of customary oaths." On this sense of stale, see Temp. p. 137. 
 But here (as Craik suggests) the word doubtless means "to make stale," 
 or common. Cf. iv. I. 38 below : "stai'd by other men ;" A. and C. ii. 2. 
 240 : " Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety," etc. 
 
 72. Scandal. Defame, traduce. Cf. Cor. iii. 1.44 : " Scandal'd the sup- 
 pliants for the people," etc. See also Temp. p. 136. On the adverbial 
 ifter, see Gr. 26. 
 
 73. Profess myself. "Make protestations of friendship" (Schmidt). 
 
 81. Toward. Wr. believes that the word, when a dissyllable, is always 
 accented by S. on the first syllable ; not only here, but in L. L. L. v. 2. 
 92, M. of V. v. 1.5, and A. and C. iii. 10. 31. 
 
 82. Set honour in we eye, etc. Johnson explains this as follows: 
 "When Brutus first names honour and death, he calmly declares them 
 indifferent, but as ^he image kindles in his mind, he sets honour above 
 life." Coleridge says: " Warburton would read death for both; but I 
 prefer the old text. There are here three things the public good, the 
 individual Brutus's honour, and his death. The latter two so balanced 
 each other that he could decide for the first by equipoise; nay the 
 thought growing that honour had more weight than death. That Cas- 
 sius understood it as Warburton is the beautv of Cassius as contrasted 
 
ACT I. SCENE II. I5I 
 
 with Brutus/' Craik remarks : * J It does not seem to be necessary to 
 suppose any sucli change or growth either of the image or the sentiment. 
 What Brutus means by saying that he will look upon honour and death 
 indifferently, if they present themselves together, is merely that, for the 
 sake of the honour, he will not mind the death, or the risk of death, by 
 which it may be accompanied ; he will look as fearlessly and steadily 
 upon the one as upon the other. He will think the honour to be cheaply 
 purchased even by the loss of life ; that price will never make him falter 
 or hesitate in clutching at such a prize. He must be understood to set 
 honour above life from the first ; that he should ever have felt otherwise 
 for a moment would have been the height of the unheroic." 
 
 On indifferently, cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. introd. : " I for my part shall 
 be indifferently glad either to perform myself, or accept from another, 
 that duty of humanity." See also Cor. ii. 2. 19. 
 
 84. Speed. Prosper ; as in ii. 4. 41 below. 
 
 87. Your outward favour. Your face, or personal appearance. Cf. ii. 
 I. 76 below ; and Bacon, Ess. 27 (ed. of 1625) : " For, as S. James saith, 
 they are as Men, that looke sometimes into a Glasse, and presently forget 
 tlieir own Shape, &* Favour." See also Proverbs, xxxi. 30. 
 
 97. The troubled Tiber chafing, etc. See Gr. 376. Chafe (the Latin 
 calefacere, through the Fr. echauffer and chauffer] meant, first, to warm ; 
 then, to warm by rubbing ; and then simply to rub either literally, as 
 here, or in a figurative sense to irritate; as in Hen. VIII. i. I. 123: 
 " What, are you chaf'd ?" Cf. 2 Sam. xvii. 8. 
 
 Here, as in i. I. 45 above, some editors have changed her to " his," be- 
 cause Tiber is masculine in Latin ; but, as Craik remarks, " this is to give 
 us both language and a conception different from Shakespeare's." It was 
 not the Roman river-god that he had in mind in these personifications of 
 the stream. 
 
 THE RIVER-GOD TIBEK. 
 
132 NOTES. 
 
 104. With lusty sinews. With vigorous sinews. Cr Temp. ii. I. 119 : "in 
 lusty stroke," etc. Lusty is "from the Saxon lustin. its primary sense of 
 eager desire, or intense longing, indicating a corresponding intensity of 
 bodily vigour" (Bible Word-Book}. See Judges, iii. 29. 
 
 105. Hearts of controversy . " With courage that opposed and contend- 
 ed with the violence of the stream" (Wr.). 
 
 106. Arrive. Cf. 3 Hen. VI. v. 3. 8: "have arriv'd our coast;" Mil- 
 ton, P. L. ii. 409 : " Ere he arrive The happy isle." See Gr. 198. 
 
 118. His coivard lips, etc. "There can, I think, be no question that 
 Warburton is right in holding that we have here a pointed allusion to a 
 soldier flying from his colours. . . . The figure is quite in Shakespeare's 
 manner and spirit" (Craik). 
 
 119. And that same eye whose bend, etc. Cf. Cymb. i. I. 13 : "wear 
 their faces to the bent Of the king's looks." Bend occurs elsewhere 
 only in A. and C. ii. 2. 213 (see our ed. p. 183). 
 
 1 20. His lustre. That is, its lustre. See Gr. 228. 
 
 125. Of such a feeble temper. That is, " temperament, constitution" 
 (D.). Cf. M. of V. i. 2. 20 : "a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree," etc. 
 
 131. Man. "Cassius grows more familiar as Brutus is more moved" 
 (Wr.). 
 
 138. What should be in that Ccesar? On should, see Gr. 325. 
 
 139. More than yours. In the folio, "more then yours ;" and then is 
 the invariable form in that edition, as in Bacon, Hooker, etc. Usage 
 had varied. Wiclif has than for both than and then, while Tyndale has 
 then for both. Milton has than for then in the Hymn on the*Nativily, 88 : 
 
 " Full little thought they than 
 
 That the mighty Pan 
 Was kindly come to live with them below."' 
 
 147. Noble bloods. Cf. iv. 3. 260 below : " young bloods ;" K. John, ii. 
 I. 278 : " As many and as well-born bloods," etc. 
 
 148. The great flood. The deluge of Deucalion. Cf. W. T. iv. 4. 442 
 and Cor. ii. i. 102. 
 
 149. Fan? d with. Famed for, or made famous by. Cf. Gr. 193, 194. 
 
 151. Wide walls. The folio has "wide Walkes," which K. and St. re- 
 tain. Coll., D., W., Wr., and H. adopt Rowe's correction of "walls." 
 
 152. Rome indeed and room enough. " Evidence this that ' Rome ' was 
 pronounced room, or 'room' rome" (W.). Cf. below, iii. I. 290: "No 
 Rome of safety for Octavius yet;" K. John, iii. i. 180: "I have room 
 with Rome to curse a while." St. quotes Prime, Commentary on Gala- 
 tians (1587): "Rome is too narrow a Room for the Church of God." 
 In i Hen, VI. iii. I. 51, the Bishop of Winchester says, " Rome shall rem- 
 edy this," and Warwick replies, " Ronm thither then." W. infers from 
 this play upon Rome and ro<nn (together with the fact that room was often 
 spelled rome} that all three words were pronounced with the long sound 
 of o ; but it is not impossible that oa was sometimes pronounced oo. In 
 our day loom is the rustic pronunciation of loam. It is more probable, 
 however, that Craik and Earle (Philology of English Tongue, 1871) are 
 right in assuming that in the time of S. the modern pronunciation of Rome 
 was beginning to be heard, although the other was more common. 
 
ACT /. SCENE //. 
 
 OLD WALLS OF ROME. 
 
 153. But one only man. Cf. Hooker, Eccl. Pol. \. 25 : " one only God ;' 
 i. 10. 14: "one only family," etc. Gr. 130. 
 
 155. There was a Brutus once. Lucius Junius Brutus, who brought 
 about the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus. Cf. i. 3. 145 below. 
 
 156. The eternal devil. Johnson thought that S. wrote " infernal devil." 
 Stee vens explains thus : " L. J. Brutus (says Cassius) would as soon have 
 submitted to the perpetual dominion of a demon as to the lasting govern- 
 ment of a king," Abbott (Gr. p. 16) considers it one of the exceptions to 
 the exactness with which the poet used words that were " the recent in- 
 ventions of the age." Cf. Oth. iv. 2. 130: "eternal villain ;" Ham. v. 2. 
 376: "eternal cell." Wr. compares the Yankee "tarnal." 
 
 Keep his slate. Maintain his dignity ; or, perhaps, keep his throne. 
 Cf. Mticb. p. 214, note on Her state. 
 
 158. Nothing jealous. Nowise doubtful. Cf. 67 above ; and see also 
 T. of S. iv. 5. 76 : " For our first merriment hath made thee jealous," etc. 
 
 159. I have some aim. I can partly guess, or conjecture. Cf. T. G. of 
 V. iii. i. 28 : " fearing lest my jealous aim might err," etc. 
 
134 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 162. So with love. On so ( = if, provided that), see Gr. 133. 
 
 167. Chew upon this. " We have lost the Saxon word in this applica- 
 tion, but we retain the metaphor, only translating chew into the Latin 
 equivalent, ruminate" (Craik). 
 
 168. Brutus had rather be, etc. See M. of V. p. 132, note on 43. The 
 superlative rathest is found in Bacon, Colours of Good and Evil, i. : 
 "whome next themselves they would rathest commend." 
 
 169. Than to repute. See Temp. p. 131 (note on 62), or Gr. 350. 
 
 177. What hath proceeded worthy note. What hath happened. On the 
 ellipsis, see Gr. 198^. 
 
 178. Cassius. Here a trisyllable, as in several other instances. See 
 Gr. 479. 
 
 182. Such ferret and such fiery eyes. The ferret has red eyes. 
 
 183. As we have seen him. That is, seen him look with. See Gr. 
 
 3S4. 
 
 184. Crossed in conference. Opposed in debate. D. and H. read "sen- 
 ator." 
 
 188. Let me have men about me, etc. Cf. N. {Life of Ccesar] : " Casar 
 also had Cassius in great jealousie, and suspected him much : whereupon 
 he said upon a time to his friends, what will Cassius do, think ye ? I like 
 not his pale looks. Another time, when Ccesars friends complained unto 
 him of Antonius and Dolabella, that they pretended some mischief tow- 
 ards him : he answered them again, As for those fat men and smooth 
 combed heads, quoth he, I never reckon of them ; but these pale visaged 
 
 . and carrion lean People, I fear them most, meaning Brutus and Cassius." 
 So also, in Life of Brutus : "For, intelligence being brought him one 
 day that Antonius and Dolabella did conspire against him : he answered. 
 That- these fat long haired men made him not afraid, but the lean and 
 whitely faced fellows, meaning that by Brnlus and Cassius" 
 
 189. (7 nights. The folio has "a-nights." See Gr. 182, and cf. 176 
 and 24. 
 
 190. Yond. Often printed " Yond'," but not a contraction of yonder. 
 See Temp. p. 121, note on 407. 
 
 193. Well given. Well disposed. Cf. 2 Hen. VI. iii. I. 72 : " too well 
 given," etc. In I fieri. IV. iii. 3, we have both "virtuously given" (16) 
 and "given to virtue" (38). 
 
 195. Liable to fear. Liable to the imputation of fear. 
 
 200. He hears no music. Cf. M. of V. v. I. 83 : "The man that hath 
 not music in himself," etc. 
 
 201. Seldom he smiles. He seldom smiles. Cf. just below, "for always 
 I am Caesar," and see Gr. 421. 
 
 204. Such men as he be never at hearfs ease. On be, see M. of V. p. 134 
 (note on 19), and Gr. 300. On at, see Gr. 144. We still say at ease. 
 
 205. Whiles. See M. of V. p. 133, or Gr. 137. 
 
 212. Tell us what haih chanc'd. W. says that the folio has "had 
 chanc'd," but he must have been looking at the next speech of Brutus. 
 Here the folio reading is, " I Caska, tell vs what hath chanc'd to-day;" 
 there, " I should not then aske Caska what had chanc'd." 
 
 213. Sad. Grave, serious. Cf. M. of V. p. 141, note on 179. 
 
ACT I. SCENE //. 
 
 135 
 
 220. Why, there was a crcKvn, etc. The editors generally quote here 
 Plutarch's Life of Ccesar, but it seems to us that the account given in the 
 Life of Antonius is more in keeping with Casca's way of telling the story : 
 " When he [Antony] was come to Ccesar, he made his fellow Runners with 
 him lift him up, and so he did put his Lawrell Crown upon his head, sig- 
 nifying thereby that he had deserved to be King. But Ccesar making as 
 though he refused it, turned away his head. The People were so rejoiced, 
 at it, that they all clapped their hands for joy. Antonius again did put it 
 on his head : Ccesar again refused it ; and thus they were striving off and 
 on a great while together. As oft as Antoniits did put this Lawrell Crown 
 unto him, a few of his followers rejoyced at it : and as oft also as Ccesar 
 refused it, all the People together clapped their hands. . . . C<zsar in a 
 rage arose out of his Seat, and plucking clown the choller of his Gown 
 from his neck, he shewed it naked, bidding any man strike off his head 
 that would. This Lawrell Crown was afterwards put upon the head of 
 one of Ccesar's Statues or Images, the which one of the Tribunes pluckt 
 off. The People liked his doing therein so well, that they waited on him 
 home to his house, with great clapping of hands. Howbeit Ccesar did 
 turn them out of their offices for it." According to the Life of Ctzsar, his 
 " tearing open his Doublet Coller," and offering his throat to be cut, was 
 among his friends in his own house, and on a different occasion, namely, 
 when " the Consuls and Praetors, accompanied with the whole Assembly 
 of the Senate, went unto him in the Market-place, where he was set by 
 the Pulpit for Orations, to tell him what honours they had decreed for 
 him in his absence," and he offended them by " sitting still in his Majes- 
 ty, disdaining to rise up unto them when they came in." The historian 
 adds that, " afterwards to excuse his folly, he imputed it to his disease, 
 saying, that their wits are not perfect which have this disease of the fall- 
 ing-Evill, when standing on their feet they speak to the common People, 
 but are soon troubled with a trembling of their Body, and a suddain dim- 
 ness and giddiness." The Lupercalia and the offering of the crown are 
 then described as occurring after this insult to " the Magistrates of tha 
 Commonwealth." 
 
 224. Ay, many, was V. On marry (Mary], see M. of V. p. 138. 
 
 225. Than other. Cf. C. of E. iv. 3. 86 : " Both one and the other," etc. 
 Or. 12. 
 
 238. 77ie rabblement shouted. The folio has " howted," which is doubt- 
 less a misprint for "showted," as the word is spelled just above in " mine 
 honest neighbours showted." Johnson and K. have " hooted," which is 
 not consistent with the context, as it expresses "insult, not applause." 
 
 241. He swooned. The folio has " hee swoonded," and below, " what, 
 did Ccesar s wound ?" Cf. A*, of L. 1486 (see our ed. p. 195). 
 
 247. ' 7" is very like, etc. Like for likely > as very often. The folio reads, 
 "'T is very like he hath the Falling sicknesse," and Coll. adheres to that 
 pointing. But Brutus knew that Caesar was subject to these epileptic at- 
 tacks. Cf. N.: " For, concerning the constitution of his body, he was lean, 
 white, and soft skinned, and often subject to head-ach, and other while to 
 the falling-sickness (the which took him the first time, as it is reported, 
 in CORDUBA, a City of SPAIN), but yet therefore yielded not to the disease 
 
136 NOTES. 
 
 of his body, to make it a cloak to cherish him withal 1, but contrarily, took 
 the pains of War, as a Medicine to cure his sick body, fighting alwaies 
 with his disease, travelling continually, living soberly, and commonly 
 lying abroad in the Field." 
 
 251. Tag-rag. Cf. Cor. iii. i. 248: "'Will you hence, before the tag 
 return?" Coll. quotes John Partridge, 1566: 
 
 " To walles they goe, both tagge and ragge, 
 Their citie to defende." 
 
 253. No trne man. No honest man. Cf. M.for M. iv. 2. 46 : " Every 
 true man's apparel fits your thief;" L. L. L. iv. 3. 187 : "a true man or 
 a thief;" Cymb. ii. 3. 77 : " hangs both thief and true man," etc. 
 
 256. Pluck \t me ope his doublet. On me^ see M. of V. p. 135 (note on 
 Piird me} and Gr. 220. On ope, see Gr. 343, 290. 
 
 As Wr. remarks, "no doubt on the stage Julius Caesar appeared in 
 doublet and hose like an Englishman of Shakespeare's time." 
 
 257. An I had. The folio has "a-nd I had." See Gr. 101 fol. 
 
 258. A man of any occupation. "A mechanic, one of the plebeians to 
 whom he offered his throat" (Johnson). Cf. Cor. iv. 6. 97: "the voice 
 of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters." W. suggests that it may 
 mean " a man of action, a busy man." As Wr. says, both senses may be 
 combined. 
 
 259. At a word. At his word. Elsewhere the phrase in a word. 
 Cf. Cor. i. 3. 122 : " No, at a word, madam ;" Much Ado, ii. I. 118 : "At 
 a word, I am not." See also M. W. i. i. 109, 2 Hen. IV. iii. 2. 319, etc. 
 Wr. makes the phrase here "at the least hint, quickly." 
 
 273. All Greek to me. Casca is joking here, if we may take Plutarch's 
 testimony concerning his knowledge of Greek. See N., p. 156 below. 
 
 279. / am promised forth. Cf. M. of V. ii. 5. 1 1 : "I am bid forth to 
 supper," and " I have no mind of feasting forth to-night." See Gr. 41. 
 
 286. He was quick mettle. The Coll. MS. has "mettled." W T alker 
 suggests "metal," referring to blunt. See on i. 1.61 above. 
 
 290. This rudeness is a sauce to Jiis good wit, etc. Cf. Lear, ii. 2. 102 : 
 
 "This is some fellow, 
 
 Who, having been prais'd for bluntness, doth affect 
 A saucy roughness." 
 
 300. From that it is disposed. From that to which it is disposed. Cf. 
 iii. 2. 250 below ; and see r. 244 (cf. 394). 
 
 302. So firm that cannot. See Gr. 279. 
 
 303. Doth bear me hard. " Does not like me, bears me a grudge " 
 (CraJk) ; like the Latin aegre ferre (Wr.). Cf. ii. i. 215: "Caius Liga- 
 rius doth bear Caesar hard;" and iii. I. 158: "if you bear me hard." 
 The expression occurs nowhere else in S. Hales quotes B. J., Catiline, 
 iv. 5 : " Ay, though he bear me hard," etc. 
 
 305. He should not humour me. "He (that is, Brutus) should not 
 cajole me as I do him " (\Varb.). " * Caesar loves Brutus, but if Brutus 
 and I were to change places, his love should not humour me,' should not 
 take hold of my affection, so as to make me forget my principles" ( John- 
 ton ). bee Addenda, p. 188. 
 
 306. /// several hands. Referring to writings below. Cf. Gr. 
 
ACT I. SCENE III. 137 
 
 315. Seat him sure. See Gr. 223 and I. On the rhyming couplet at 
 the end of a scene, see Gr. 515. 
 
 SCENE III. i. Brought you Ccesar home? On bring = accompany, es- 
 cort, cf. Oth. iii. 4. 197: "I pray you, bring me on the way a little," etc. 
 See also Gen. xviii. 16, Acts, xxi. 5, ? Cor. i. 16. 
 
 3. The sway of earth. " The whole weight or momentum of this world" 
 (Johnson). "The balanced swing of earth" (Craik). 
 
 4. Unfirm. S. uses both infirm and itnfirm each four times. See 
 M. of V. p. 155 (note on Uncapable] or Gr. 442. 
 
 8. To be exalted with. That is, in the effort to rise to that height ; or, 
 possibly, so as to rise to the clouds. 
 
 10. A tempest dropping fire. The folio has " a Tempest-dropping-fire ;" 
 corrected by Rowe. 
 
 13. Destruction. Here a quadrisyllable. See Gr. 479. 
 
 14. Any thing more wonderful. Abbott (Gr. 6) explains this as " more 
 wonderful than usual ;" Craik, " anything more that was wonderful." Cf. 
 Cor. iv. 6. 62 : 
 
 "The slave's report is seconded, and more, 
 More fearful, is delivered." 
 
 15. You know him well by sight. This is a stumbling-block to some 
 of the commentators. D. suggests (and H. reads) "you'd know him," 
 and Craik "you knew him," in the sense of "would have known him ;" 
 but, as Wr. notes, " the slaves had no distinctive dress." It is nothing 
 strange that both Cicero and Casca should happen to know a particular 
 slave by sight, and it is natural enough that Casca, in referring to him 
 here, should say, And you yourself know the man. "It is simply a 
 graphic touch" (Wr.). 
 
 On this whole passage, cf. N. (Life of C&sar] : " Certainly, destiny may 
 easier be foreseen than avoided, considering the strange and wonder full 
 Signs that were said to be seen before Cczsars death. For, touching the 
 Fires in the Element, and Spirits running up and down in the night, and 
 also the solitary Birds to be seen at noon days sitting in the great Market- 
 place, are not all these Signs perhaps worth the noting, in such a wonder- 
 full chance as happened ? But Strabo the philosopher writeth, that divers 
 men were seen going up and down in fire : and furthermore, that there 
 was a Slave of the Souldiers that did cast a marvellous burning flame out 
 of his hand, insomuch as they that saw it thought he had been burnt : when 
 the Fire was out, it was found he had no hurt. Ccesar self also doing Sac- 
 rifice unto the gods, found that one of the Beasts which was sacrificed had 
 no Heart : and that was a strange thing in nature : how a Beast could 
 live without a Heart." 
 
 20. A lion, Who, etc. See M. of V. p. 144 (note on 4), or Gr. 264. The 
 folio has "glaz'd vpon me." Pope substituted glar\i, and the Coll. MS. 
 has tl.e same. Cf. Lear, iii. 6. 25 : " Look, how he stands and glares !" 
 See also Macb. iii. 4. 96, etc. 
 
 22. Annoying. Cf. Rich. III. v. 3. 156 : " Good angels guard thee from 
 the boor's annoy !" Chaucer (Persones Tale} speaks of a man as annoy- 
 ing his neighbour by burning his house, or poisoning him, and the like. 
 
138 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 'Against the Capitol 1 met a lion.' 1 
 
 Let 
 
 this 
 
 Drawn Upon a heap. Crowded together. Cf. Hen. V. iv. 5. 18 : " 
 Us on heaps go offer up our lives;" Rich. III. ii. I. 53: "Among 
 princely heap," etc. 
 
 30. These are their reasons. Such and such are their reasons. Cf. ii. 
 1.31 below: "Would run to these and these extremities. 1 ' The Coll. 
 MS. has "seasons," which H. adopts. 
 
 32. Climate. Region, clime. Cf. Rich. II. iv. I. 130 : "in a Christian 
 climate ;" and Bacon, Adv. of L. i. 6. 10 : " the southern stars were in 
 that climate unseen." The word is used as a verb in W. T. v. I. 170: 
 "whilst you Do climate here." 
 
 35. Clean from. Quite away from. Cf. Oth. \. 3. 366 : " clean out of 
 the way," etc. See also Ps. Ixxvii. 8, Isa. xxiv. 19, etc. On from, see Gr, 
 158, and cf. 64 below. 
 
 40. Not to walk in. That is, not fit to walk in. See Gr. 405. 
 
 42. What night is this! Craik reads " What a night," but this is a 
 needless marring of the metre. Cf. T. G. of V. i. 2. 53 : 
 
 " What fool is she that knows I am a maid, 
 And would not force the letter to my view!" 
 
 and T. N. ii. 5. 123: 
 
 "Fabian. What dish o' poison has she dressed him! 
 Sir Toby. And with what wing the staniel checks at it!" 
 
 For other examples, see Gr. 86. 
 
 47. Submitting me. Exposing myself. Gr. 223. 
 
 49. The thuiider-stone. " The imaginary product of the thunder, which 
 the ancients called Brontia, mentioned by Pliny (N. H. xxxvii. 10) as a spe- 
 cies of gem, and as that which, falling with the lightning, does the mischief. 
 It is the fossil commonly called the Belemnite, or Finger-stone, and now 
 
ACT I. SCENE HI. 
 
 139 
 
 known to be a shell. We still talk of the thunder-bolt, which, however, is 
 commonly confounded with the lightning. The thundcr-stime was held to 
 be quite distinct from the lightning, as may be seen from Cyinb. iv. 2. 270 ? 
 
 " ' Guiderius. Fear no more the lightning-flash. 
 Arviragus. Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone.' 
 
 It is also alluded to in Oth. v. 2. 235 : 
 
 ' : 'Are there no stones in heaven 
 But what serve for the thunder?' " (Craik) 
 
 60. Case yourself in wonder. The folio has " cast your selfe in wonder,' 1 
 which is retained by Coll., C., St., and the Camb. ed. D., W., and H. 
 have case, which was independently suggested by Swynfen Jervis and 
 M.W.Williams. Cf. Much Ado, iv. 1.146: "attir'd in wonder." Wr. 
 explains " cast yourself in" as =" hastily dress yourself in." 
 
 64. Why birds and beasts, etc. That is, why they change their natures. 
 See on 35 above. Cf. Lear, ii. 2. 104: "Quite from his nature." For 
 kind= nature, see A. and C. p. 216, note on 262. 
 
 65. Why old men fool, etc. " Why old men become fools, and children 
 prudent" (W.). The folio reads, " Why Old men, Fooles, and Children 
 calculate ;" and so K. and Craik. Coll. and St. have " Why old men 
 fools" that is, why we have old men fools. D., W., the Camb. editors, 
 and H. read Why old men fool, which was suggested by Mitford. On fool, 
 see Gr. 290. 
 
 66. Their ordinance. What they were ordained to be. 
 
 71. Some monstrous state. Some monstrous or unnatural state of things. 
 Cf. Lear, ii. 2. 176 : " this enormous state ;" and see our ed. p. 206. 
 
 74. As doth the lion in the Capitol. "That is, roars in the Capitol as 
 doth the lion" (Craik). Wr. thinks that S. imagined lions kept in the 
 Capitol, as in the Tower of London. 
 
 75. Than thyself or me. On me, see Gr. 210. 
 
 76. Prodigious. Portentous; as always in S. except in T. G. of V.\\. 
 3.4: "the prodigious son" (Launce's blunder for "prodigal son"). Cf. 
 B. and F., Philaster, v. I : " like a prodigious meteor ;" and see Gr. p. 13. 
 
 80. Thews and limbs. Here thews means muscular powers, as in the 
 two other instances (2 Hen. IV. iii. 2. 276, and Ham. i. 3. 12) in which S. 
 uses the word. It is from the A. S. theow or theoh, whence also thigh, and 
 must not be confounded with the obsolete thews = manners, or qualities 
 of mind, from the A. S. theaw. This latter thews is common in Chaucer, 
 Spenser, and other early writers ; the former is found very rarely before 
 S.'s day. 
 
 81. Woe the while. Alas for the time ! See Gr. 137 (cf. 230). 
 
 82. Govei ii\i with. On with ( = by) see Gr. 193. 
 
 94. Can be retentive, etc. " Can retain or confine the spirit" (Craik). 
 
 96. Power. Here a dissyllable. Gr. 480. 
 
 IOO. So every bondman, etc. There is a play on bond : as in Rich. III. 
 iv. 4. 77 : " Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray !" Cf. also Cymb. v. 4. 
 28: "And cancel these cold bonds" (that is, his chains]; Macb. iii. 2 49 s 
 
 "And with thy bloody and invisible hand 
 Cancel and tear to pi 
 Which keeps me pah 
 
 Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond 
 " Dale!" 
 
140 NOTES. 
 
 113. My answer must be made. "I shall be called to account, and 
 must answer as for seditious words" (Johnson). 
 
 115. Such a man That is no fleering tell-tale. On such . . . that, see Gr. 
 279. Fleering grinning, sneering. Cf. Much Ado, v. I. 58 : " never fleer 
 and jest at me ;" and see our ed. p. 162. 
 
 116. Hold, my hand. Here, take my hand. St. omits the comma after 
 " Hold." Craik interprets the passage thus : " Have, receive, take hold 
 l(of it) ; there is my hand." But hold is probably a mere interjection, as 
 often in S., and not an imperative with object "understood." Cf. Macb. 
 ii. i. 4 : " Hold, take my sword ;" Rich. II. ii. 2. 92 : " Hold, take my 
 ring," etc. This holdvs of course identical with the reflexive verb which 
 we have below (v. 3. 85): "But hold thee, take this garland," etc. 
 
 117. Be factions, etc. "Factious seems here to mean at five" (John- 
 son). Coleridge says, "I understand it thus: You have spoken as a 
 conspirator; be so in fact, and I will join you." It may, however, have 
 its ordinary meaning (given to faction), as it does in every other in- 
 stance in S. Griefs here ^grievances. Cf. iii. 2. 211 and iv. 2. 42, 46 
 below. 
 
 119. As who goes farthest. On who, see Gr. 257. 
 
 122. Undergo. Undertake. Cf. IV. T. p. 202. 
 
 123. Honourable-dangerous. See Gr. 2. Some print "bloody-fiery" 
 in 129 below. 
 
 125. Pompey's porch. A large building connected with Pompey's The- 
 atre, in the Campus Martius. 
 
 127. The element. The heaven, or sky. Cf. N. (Life of Pomp ey} : " the 
 dust in the element" (that is, in the air) : and the quotation in note on 15 
 above: "the Fires in the Element." See also Milton, Comus, 298 : 
 
 " I took it for a faery vision 
 Of some gay creatures of the element. 
 That in the colours of the rainbow live, 
 And play in the plighted clouds." 
 
 128. In favour '.$ like. In aspect is like. The folio reads, " Is Fauors, 
 like the Worke we haue in hand." Johnson proposed " In favour's." 
 which K., D., W., and the Camb. ed. adopt. Steevens suggested " * It 
 favours,' or 'Is favoured' (so H.) ;" and Reed, "Is fev'rous," quoting 
 in support of it Macb. ii. 3. 66 : " the earth Was feverous, and did 
 shake." 
 
 133. To find out you. To find you out. See Gr. 240. 
 
 134. One incorporate To our attempt. "One united with us in our en- 
 terprise " (Craik). Cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. 2. 12 : " not incorporate into 
 the history." See Gr. 342 and 187. The folio has "To our Attempts," 
 which is retained by K. and the Camb. ed. The correction is Walker's. 
 
 137. There's two or three. See Temp. p. 122 (note on The.re is no more 
 such shapes], or Gr. 335. 
 
 143. Where Brutus may but find it. On but, see Gr. 128. 
 
 145. Upon old Brutus'' statue. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus] : " But for Bm- 
 tus, his friends and Countreymen, both by divers procurements and sun- 
 dry rumors of the City, and by many bills also, did openly call and procure 
 him to do that he did. For under the image of his ancestor Junins Brutus 
 
ACT I. SCENE III. 
 
 141 
 
 (that drave the Kings out of ROME) they wrote : O, that it pleased the 
 gods thou vvert now alive, Brutus I and again, That thou were here among 
 us now ! His tribunal or chair, where he gave audience during the time 
 he was Praetor, was full of such bills : Brutus thou art asleep, and art not 
 Brutus indeed." 
 
 151. Pompey^s theatre. This was the first stone theatre that had been 
 built at Rome, and was modelled after one that Pompey had seen at 
 Mitylene. It was large enough to accommodate forty thousand specta- 
 tors. At its opening in B.C. 55, the games exhibited by Pompey lasted 
 many days, and consisted of dramatic representations, contests of gym- 
 nasts and of gladiators, and fights of wild beasts. Five hundred African 
 lions were killed, and eighteen elephants were brought into the arena, 
 most of which fell before Gaetulian huntsmen. 
 
 153. Three parts of him Is ours. See Gr. 333. 
 
 158. Alchemy. For the allusion to the art of changing base metals to 
 gold, cf. Sonn. 33. 4: "Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy;" 
 and K. John, iii. I. 78 : 
 
 "the glorious sun 
 
 Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, 
 Turning with splendour of his precious eye 
 The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold. ; ' 
 
 161. Conceited. Conceived, imagined ; as in iii. I. 193 below. Cf. Otk. 
 iii. 3. 149: "one that so imperfectly conceits," etc. 
 
1 4 2 NOTES. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I. The heading in the folio is, " Enter Brutus in his Orchard" 
 Orchards S. is "generally synonymous with garden" (D.). The word 
 is the A. S. ortgeard, or wyrlgeard (wort-yard or plant-yard), not a tauto- 
 logical compound of the Latin hortus and the A. S. geard, as Earle (Phi- 
 lology of English Tongue, 1871) and others have made it. The "private 
 arbours and new-planted orchards" of iii. 2. 247 below are the "gardens 
 and arbours " of N. 
 
 I. What, Lucius! See M. of V. p. 141 (note on What, Jessica /), Temp. 
 p. 119 (on Come, thou tortoise! when ?), and Gr. 73*7. Cf. 5 just below. 
 
 3. How near to day. How near it is to day. Gr. 403. 
 
 10. It must be by his death, etc. Coleridge remarks : " This speech is 
 singular at least, I do not at present see into Shakespeare's motive, his 
 rationale, or in what point of view he meant Brutus's character to appear. 
 For surely (this, I mean, is what I say to myself, with my present quan- 
 tum of insight, only modified by my experience in how many instances I 
 have ripened into a perception of'beauties where I had before descried 
 faults) surely nothing can seem more discordant with our historical pre- 
 conceptions of Brutus, or more lowering to the intellect of the Stoico-Pla- 
 tonic tyrannicide, than the tenets here attributed to him to him, the stern 
 Roman republican ; namely, that he would have no objection to a king, 
 or to Caesar, a monarch in Rome, would Caesar but be as good a monarch 
 as he now seems disposed to be ! How, too, could Brutus say that he 
 found no personal cause none in Caesar's past conduct as a man ? Haa 
 he not crossed the Rubicon ? Had he not entered Rome as a conqueror ? 
 Had he not placed his Gauls in the Senate ? Shakespeare, it may be 
 said, has not brought these things forward. True and this is just the 
 ground of my perplexity. What character did Shakespeare mean his 
 Brutus to be ?" As Wr. says, " he was a political theorist." 
 
 12. For the general. " For the community, or the people" (Craik). 
 Cf. M.for M. ii. 4. 27: "the general subject to a well-wish'd king;" 
 Ham. ii. 2. 457 : " caviare to the general," etc. Some make for the gen- 
 eral :"for the general cause" 
 
 15. Crown him ? That. Be that so ; suppose that done. 
 
 17. Do danger. Do what is dangerous, do mischief. Cf. Gr. 303. 
 
 19. Remorse. Mercy, or pity. See M. of V. p. 156, and Temp. p. 140. 
 
 21. Common proof. A thing commonly proved, a common experience. 
 Cf. T. M iii. I. 135 : 
 
 "for 't is a vulgar proof 
 That very oft we pity enemies." 
 
 23. Clitnber-upward. On the " noun-compounds" of S., see Gr. 430. 
 
 24. Upmost. Like inmost, outmost, or utmost, etc. Mrs. Clarke does not 
 give the word, but has utmost in this passage, following what is probably 
 a slip of the type in Knight's ed. We find upmost in Dryden (Wore.). 
 
 26. The base degrees. The lower steps of the ladder. Cf. Hen. VI I L 
 ii. 4* 112: "You have . . . Gone slightly o'er low steps, and now are 
 mounted," etc. 
 
ACT II. SCENE I. 143 
 
 29. Will bear no colour, etc. Can find no pretext in what he now is. 
 On colour, cf. Hen. VIII. p. 1 60. 
 
 33. As his kind. " Like the rest of his species" (Mason). 
 
 34. And kill him in the shell. " It is impossible not to feel the ex- 
 pressive effect of the hemistich here. The line itself is, as it were, killed 
 in the shell" (Craik). 
 
 40. The Ides of March. The folio has " th'e first of March." Theo. 
 made the correction. 
 
 50. Have took. See M. of V. p. 141 (note on Not undertook}, or Gr. 343. 
 
 53. My ancestors. D. and H. read " My ancestor." 
 
 59. March is wasted fifteen days. This is the folio reading, changed to 
 "fourteen days" by Theo. and all the recent editors except W., who re- 
 marks that "in common parlance Lucius is correct" and so in Roman 
 parlance, he might have added. 
 
 65. Phantasma, Vision ; used by S. nowhere else Phantasm (fan- 
 tastical fellow) occurs in L. L. L. iv. i. no: "A phantasm, a Monarcho, 
 and one that makes sport ;" and Id. v. i. 20: "fanatical phantasms." 
 
 66. The genius and the mortal instruments. "The commentators have 
 written and disputed lavishly upon these celebrated words. Apparently, 
 by the genius we are to understand the contriving and immortal mind, 
 and most probably the mortal instruments are the earthly passions. The 
 best light for the interpretation of the present passage is reflected from 
 the one below, where Brutus says : 
 
 " ' Let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 
 Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 
 And after seem to chide 'em.' 
 
 The servants here may be taken to be the same with the instruments in 
 the passage before us. It has been proposed to understand by the mor- 
 tal instruments the bodily powers or organs ; but it is not obvious how 
 these could be said to hold consultation with the genius or mind. Nei- 
 ther could they in the other passage be so fitly said to be stirred up by 
 the heart" (Craik). 
 
 According to Johnson, the poet " is describing the insurrection which a 
 conspirator feels agitating the little kingdom of his own mind ; when the 
 genius, or power that watches for his protection, and the mortal instru- 
 ments, the passions, which excite him to a deed of honour and danger, 
 are in council and debate ; when the desire of action, and the care of 
 safety, keep the mind in continual fluctuation and disturbance." 
 
 Malone endorses Johnson's interpretation, but understands mortal to 
 mean deadly, as often in S. 
 
 A writer in the Edinburgh Review (Oct. 1869) makes genius " the spirit, 
 ruling intellectual power, rational soul, as opposed to the irascible nat- 
 ure," and mortal instruments "the bodily powers through which it works ;" 
 and this is probably correct. We cannot believe \h?A. genius has here the 
 meaning which Johnson ascribes to it, and which it has in some other 
 passages of our poet ; as in C. of E. v. i. 332 : 
 
 "One of these men is genius to the other; 
 And so of these. Which is the natural man, 
 And which the spirit?" 
 
144 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 67. The state of man. The folio has " the state of a man," which K. 
 and Craik retain ; all the other recent editors omit " a." Cf. Macb. i. 3. 
 140. 
 
 On the whole passage, cf. T. and C. ii. 3. 184: 
 
 '"twixt his mental and his active parts 
 Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages, 
 And batters 'gainst himself." 
 
 70. Your brother Cassius. Cassius had married Junia, the sister of 
 Brutus. 
 
 72. Moe. More; as in v. 3. 101 below. See M. of V. p. 129. 
 
 73. Their hats, etc. " S. dresses his Romans in the slouched hats of 
 his own time " ( Wr.). See on i. 2. 256 above. 
 
 75. That. On the ellipsis of so, see on i. T. 45 above. 
 
 76. By any mark of favour. See on i. 2. 87 above. 
 
 78. Sham'st thou, etc. Cf. W. T. ii. I. 91 : " What she should shame 
 to know ;" K. John, i. i. 104: " I shame to speak," etc. 
 
 79. Evils. Evil things ; as in R. of L. 1250, etc. 
 
 83. For if thou path, etc. The 1st folio reads, " For if thou path thy 
 natiue semblance on," which (with a comma after path, as in the 2d folio) 
 may be explained, "If thou walk in thy true form" (Johnson). Drayton 
 uses/tf//$ as a transitive verb in his Polyolbion: ** Where from the neigh- 
 bouring hills her passage Wey doth path," and again in his Epistle from 
 Duke Humphrey, etc. : " Pathing young Henry's unadvised ways." It 
 is possible, however, that path is a misprint here. Southern and Cole- 
 ridge independently suggested "put, "which Walker pronounces " cer- 
 tainly" right, and which D. adopts. W. is inclined to the opinion that 
 S. wrote "hadst." H. reads "pass" (an anonymous conjecture). 
 
 86. We are too bold, etc. " We intrude too boldly or unceremoniously 
 upon your rest" (Craik). 
 
 100. Shall I entreat a word? See p. 13 above. 
 
 104. Fret. Cf. R. and J. p. 192, foot-note. 
 
 107. Which is a great way, etc. Which must be far to the south, when 
 we consider the time of year. On weighing, see Gr. 378. 
 
 112. Your hands all over. " That is, all included" (Craik). 
 
 1 14. No, not an oath. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus] : " The onely name and 
 great Calling of Brutus, did bring on the most of them to give consent 
 to this conspiracy; who having never taken Oaths together, nor taken 
 nor given any caution or assurance, nor binding themselves one to an- 
 other by any religious Oaths, they all kept the matter so secret to them- 
 selves, and could so cunningly handle it, that notwithstanding, the gods 
 did reveal it by manifest signs' and tokens from above, and by Predictions 
 of Sacrifices, yet all this would not be believed." 
 
 Face. The folio reading, retained by K., D., W., H., and the Camb. 
 ed. Warb. proposed " fate," Mason " faith," and Malone " faiths." 
 
 1 15. l^he lime's abuse. The abuses of the time. 
 
 117. Idle bed. Bed of idleness ; as we say " a sick bed." Cf. T. and C. 
 i. 3. 147 : " upon a lazy bed." High-sighted "supercilious " (Schmidt). 
 
 1 19. By lottery. As chance may determine. Steevens thought there 
 might be an allusion to the custom of decimation " the selection by lot of 
 
ACT II. SCENE I. 
 
 MS 
 Cf. T. of A. 
 
 every tenth soldier, in a general mutiny, for punishment," 
 v. 4. 31 : "By decimation, and a tithed death." 
 
 123. What need we, etc. Why need we, etc. Gr. 253. 
 
 125. Thau secret Romans. Than that of Romans pledged to secrecy. 
 
 126. Will not palter. Will not shuffle or equivocate. Cf. A. and C. 
 iii. ll. 63 : "dodge And palter in the shifts of lovvness ;" Cor. iii. i. 58 : 
 " This paltering Becomes not Rome ;" Macb. v. 8. 20 : 
 
 "And be these juggling fiends no more believ'd, 
 That palter with us in a double sense ; 
 That keep the word of promise to our ear, 
 And break it to our hope." 
 
 129. Caiitelons. Wary, crafty, as in Cor. iv. 1.33: " cautelous baits 
 and practice." Cf. the noun cautel in Ham. i. 3. 15 : "no soil nor cautel 
 doth besmirch The virtue of his will." Cotgrave (Fr. Diet. 1611) defines 
 cautelle thus : " A wile, cautell, sleight ; a craftie reach, or fetch, guilefull 
 deuise or endeuor ; also, craft, subtiltie, trumperie, deceit, cousenage." 
 Cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. 21. 9 : "frauds, cautels, impostures." 
 
 133. Even. " Without a flaw or blemish, pure" (Schmidt). Cf. Hen. 
 VIII. iii. i. 37 : "I know my life so even," etc. 
 
 134. Insiippressive. Used in a " passive" sense, = not to be suppressed. 
 Cf. A. Y. L. iii. 2. 10: "The fair, the chaste, and nnexpressive she ;" T. 
 and C. iii. 3. 198: "the nncomprehensive (unknown) deeps;" A. W. i. 2. 
 53 : " his plausive (plausible, specious) words ;" T. G. of V. iv. 4. 200: 
 " I can make respective (respectable) in myself," etc. See Gr. 3. 
 
 135. To think. By thinking. On the infinitive, see Gr. 356. 
 
 136. Did need an oath. Ever could need an oath. Gr. 370. 
 
 138. A several bastardy. " A special or distinct act of baseness, or of 
 treason against ancestry and honourable birth" (Craik). See Temp. p. 
 131, note on Several. 
 
 144. His silver hairs. Cicero was then about sixty years old. There 
 is an obvious play upon silver and purchase. Opinion reputation. 
 
 150. Break with him. Broach the matter to him. See Hen. VIII. p. 
 197. 
 
 Cf. N. (Life of Brutus} : " For this cause they durst not acquaint Cicero 
 with their conspiracy, although he was a man whom they loved clearly, 
 and trusted best ; for they were afraid that he, being a coward by nature, 
 and age also having encreased his fear, he would quite turn and alter all 
 their purpose, and quench the heat of their enterprise, the which specially 
 required hot and earnest execution." 
 
 158. We shall jind of him A shrewd contriver. On of\\\* see Gr. 172. 
 On shrew(i=^v\\ 1 mischievous, see Hen. VIII. p. 202. Wiclif (Gen. vi. 
 12) translates iuiquitate of the Vulgate by "shrewdnes." Cf. Chaucer. 
 Tale of Melibceus: " The prophete saith : Flee shrewdnesse, and do good- 
 nesse ; seek pees, and folwe it, in as muchel as in thee is ;" Id. : " And 
 Seint Poule the Apostle sayth in his Epistle, whan he writeth unto the 
 Romanies, that the juges beren not the spere withouten cause, but they 
 beren it 'to punish the shrewes and miscloers, and for to defende the goode 
 men." Contriver^ plotter ; as in A. Y. L. i. i. 151 (see our ed. p. 139). 
 
 160. Annoy. See on i. 3. 22 above. 
 
 K 
 
146 
 
 AZOTES. 
 
 164. Envy. Malice ; as often. See M. of V. p. 151, note on Envious. 
 
 166. Let us be sacrificers, etc. On the measure, see Gr. 468; and also 
 for j 78 just below. 
 
 177. Make. "Make to seem." Craik and H. adopt the "mark" of 
 the Coll. MS. 
 
 180. Pnrgers. Cleansers or healers (of the land). Cf. Macb. v. 3. 52. 
 
 183. Yet I fear him. Pope reads " do fear," which C. says " improves, 
 if it is not absolutely required by, the sense or expression as well as the 
 prosody." 
 
 187. Take thought and die. Thought used to mean "anxiety, melan- 
 choly ;" and to think, or take thought, " to be anxious, despondent." Cf. 
 A. and C. iii. 13. I : "Cleopatra. What shall we do, Enobarbus ? Euo- 
 barbus. Think, and die ;" Holland, Camdeii's Ireland : "the old man for 
 very thought and grief of heart pined away and died ;" Bacon, Hen. VII. : 
 " Hawis .... dyed with thought, and anguish." See also I Sam. ix. 5, 
 and Matt. vi. 25." 
 
 190. There is no fear in him. That is, nothing for us to fear. Fear is 
 elsewhere used for the cause or object of fear ; as in M. N. D. v. I. 21 : 
 
 " Or in the night, imagining some fear, 
 How easy is a bush suppos'd a bear !" 
 
 192. Count the clock. Of course this is an anachronism, as the clepsydra, 
 or water-clocks, of the Romans did not strike the hours. 
 
 Hath stricken. S. uses struck (or strook}, strucken (or strokeii], and 
 stricken. See Gr. 344. 
 
AC 7" //. SCENE L 
 
 147 
 
 194. Whether. Here the folio prints " Whether," though the word is 
 metrically equivalent to the "where" in i. I. 61 above. 
 
 196. Quite from the main opinion. Quite contrary to the fixed (or pre- 
 dominant) opinion. See on i. 3. 35 above. Mason proposed to read 
 " mean opinion." 
 
 197. Fantasy. "Fancy, or imagination, with its unaccountable an- 
 ticipations and apprehensions, as opposed to the calculations of reason" 
 (Craik). 
 
 Ceremonies. "Omens or signs deduced from sacrifices, or other cere- 
 monial rites" (Malone). Cf. Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. 10. 3: "ceremonies, 
 characters, and charms," where the word means superstitious rites. 
 
 198. These apparent prodigies. These manifest portents. Apparent is 
 used in its emphatic sense {clearly appearing), not in its weaker one 
 (merely appearing, or seeming}. Cf. i Hen. IV. ii. 4. 292 : " this open and 
 apparent shame ;" K. John, iv. 2. 93 : 
 
 "It is apparent foul play; and 't is shame 
 That greatness should so grossly offer it." 
 
 See also Bacon, Ess. 40 (ed. 1625) : " Overt, and Apparent verities bring 
 forth Praise ; But there be Secret and Hidden Vertues, that bring Forth 
 Fortune. 
 
 204. That unicorns, etc. Steevens says : " Unicorns are said to have 
 been taken by one who, running behind a tree, eluded the violent push 
 the animal was making at him, so that his horn spent its force on the 
 trunk, and stuck fast, detaining the beast till he was despatched by the 
 hunter." Cf. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 5. 10: 
 
 "Like as a Lyon, whose imperiall powre 
 A prowd rebellious Unicorn defyes, 
 T' avoide the rash assault and wrathful stowre 
 Of his fiers foe, him to a tree applyes, 
 And when him ronning in full course he spyes, 
 He slips aside ; the whiles that furious beast 
 His precious home, sought of his enimyes. 
 Strikes in the stocke, ne thence can be releast, 
 But to the mighty victor yields a bounteous feast." 
 
 See also T. of A. iv. 3. 339 : "wert thou the unicorn, pride and wrath 
 would confound thee, and make thine own self the conquest of thy 
 fury." 
 
 "Bears," adds Steevens, "are reported to have been surprised by 
 means of a mirror, which they would gaze on, affording their pursuers 
 an opportunity of taking a surer aim. This circumstance, I think, is men- 
 tioned by Claudian. Elephants were seduced into pitfalls, lightly covered 
 with hurdles and turf, on which a proper bait to tempt them was ex- 
 posed. See Pliny's Natural History, book viii." 
 
 208. Most flattered. " At the end of a line ed is often sounded after er 1 " 1 
 (Gr. 474). On the metre of the next line, see Or. 512. 
 
 212. There. That is, at Caesar's house. 
 
 215. Doth bear Casar hard. See on i. 2. 303 above. On the relations 
 of this Caius (or, rather, Quintus) Ligarius to Caesar, cf. N. (Life of Brti- 
 tus}\ "Now amongst Pompey's friends, there was one called Cains Li- 
 garius, who had been accused unto Casar for taking part with Pompey, 
 
148 NOTES. 
 
 and Casar discharged him. But Ligarins thanked not Casar so much 
 for his discharge, as he was offended with him for that he was brought 
 in danger by his tyrannical! power. And, therefore, in his heart he was 
 alway his mortal! enemy, and was besides very familiar with Brutus, who 
 went to see him being sick in his bed, and said unto him : Ligarius in 
 what a time art thou sick ! Ligarius rising up in his bed, and taking him 
 by the right hand, said unto him : Brutus (said he) if thou hast any great 
 enterprise in hand worthy of thyself, I am whole." 
 
 218. Go along by him. That is, by his house (on your way home). Cf. 
 iv. 3. 205 below. Pope reads " Go along to him." 
 
 219. Reasons. D. and H. read "reason." 
 
 224. Look fresh and merrily. That is, freshly and merrily (or fresh 
 and merry). Cf. T. N. v. I. 135 : "Apt and willingly." Gr. 397. 
 
 225. Let not our looks put on our purposes. That is, "such expression 
 as would betray our purposes." Craik compares the exhortation of Lady 
 Macbeth to her husband (Macb. i. 5. 64) : 
 
 "To beguile -the time, 
 
 Look like the time : bear welcome in your eye, 
 Your hand, your tongue ; look like the innocent flower, 
 But be the serpent under it." 
 
 But the sentiment takes its boldest form from the lips of Macbeth him- 
 self in the first fervour of his weakness exalted into determined wicked- 
 ness (i. 7. 81): 
 
 " Away, and mock the time with fairest show : 
 False face must hide what the false heart doth know." 
 
 227. Formal constancy. " Constancy in outward form or aspect" (Craik) ; 
 "dignified self-possession" (Wr.). 
 
 230. The honey-heavy dew of slumber. See Gr. 430. The folio reads, 
 "the hony-heauy-Dew of Slumber," for which the Coll. MS. substitutes 
 "heavy honey-dew." D. in his 1st edition has "honey heavy clew'' 
 (which he explains as " honeyed and heavy"), but in his 2d he adopts 
 "heavy honey-dew." K., W., H., and the Camb. eel. have honey-heavy 
 dew. W. adds: "that is, slumber as refreshing as dew, and whose 
 heaviness is sweet." " Honey-dew" occurs in T. A. iii. I. 112: 
 
 "the honey-dew 
 Upon a gather d lily almost wither' d.'' 
 
 On the figure in the text, cf. Rich. III. iv. i. 84: "enjoy the golden dew 
 of sleep." 
 
 231. Thou hast no figures, etc. "Pictures created by imagination or 
 apprehension" (Craik). Cf. M. W. iv. 2. 231 : "if it be but to scrape the 
 figures out of your husband's brains." On the double negative, see Gr. 
 406. 
 
 233. Enter PORTIA. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus} : " Now Brutus, who knew 
 very well, that for his sake all the noblest, valiantest, nnd most conragious 
 men of ROME did venture their lives, weighing with himself the greatness 
 of the danger: when he was out of his house, he did so frame and fashion 
 his courflenance and lookes, that no man could discern he had anything 
 to trouble his mind. But when night came that he was in his own house, 
 
ACT II. SCENE I. 
 
 149 
 
 then he was clean changed : for either care did wake him against his will 
 when he would have slept, or else oftentimes of himself he fell into such 
 deep thoughts of this enterprise, casting in his mind all the dangers that 
 might happen : that his Wife lying by him, found that there was some 
 marvellous great matter that troubled his mind, not being wont to.be in 
 that taking, and that he could not well determine with himself. . . . This 
 young Lady being excellently well seen in Philosophy, loving her Husband 
 well, and being of a noble courage, as she was also wise: because she 
 would not ask her Husband what he ay led, before she had made some 
 proof by herself: she took a little Razor, such as Barbers occupy to pare 
 mens nails, and causing her Maids and Women to go out of her Chamber 
 gave herself a great gash withall in her thigh, that she was straight all of 
 a gore bloud : and incontinently after, a vehement Feaver took her, by 
 reason of the pain of her wound. Then perceiving her Husband was 
 marvellously out of quiet, and that he could take no rest, even in her 
 greatest pain of all, she spake in this sort unto him : * I being, O Brutus 
 (said she) the daughter of Cato, was married unto thee ; not to be thy 
 bedfellow, and Companion in bed and at board onely, like a Harlot, but 
 to be partaker also with thee of thy good and evill Fortune. Now for 
 thy self, I can find no cause of fault in thee touching our match : but for 
 my part, how may I show my duty towards thee, and how much I would do 
 for thy sake, if I cannot constantly bear a secret mischance or grief with 
 thee, which requireth secresie and fidelity. I confess, that a Womans wit 
 commonly is too weak to keep a secret safely : but yet (Brutus] good ed- 
 ucation, and the company of vertuous men, have some power to reform 
 the defect of nature. And for my self, I have this benefit moreover, that 
 I am the Daughter of Cato, and Wife of Brutus. This notwithstanding, 
 I did not trust to any of these things before, untill that now I have found 
 by experience, that no pain or grief whatsoever can overcome me.' With 
 ^ those words she shewed him her wound on her thigh, and told him what 
 " she had done to prove her self. Brutus was amazed to hear what she 
 said unto him, and lifting up his hands to Heaven, he besought the god- 
 desses to give him the grace he might bring his enterprise to so good 
 pass, that he might be found a Husband, worthy of so noble a Wife as 
 Porcia : so he then did comfort her the best he could." 
 
 238. Stole. Elsewhere S. has stolen. See Gr. 343. 
 
 240. Anns across. Folded arms ; as in R. of L. 1662. 
 
 246. IVafture. The folio has " vvafter." S. used the word nowhere 
 else. 
 
 248. Impatience. A quadrisyllable. See on i. 3. 13 above. Gr. 479. 
 
 251. His hour. Here ///'-$= its, as often. See on i. 2. 124 above. 
 
 254. Prevailed on your condition. Influenced your temper or state of 
 mind. See M. of V. p. 133, note on Condition. 
 
 255. Dear my lord. See Gr. 13. Cf. the French cher monsieur, etc. 
 
 261. Is Brutus sick? "For sick, the correct English adjective to ex- 
 press all degrees of suffering from disease, and which is universally used 
 in the Bible and by Shakespeare, the Englishman of Great Britain has 
 poorly substituted the adverb ///" (W.). Cf. Gen. xlviii. i. Sam. xix. 14, 
 xxx. 13, etc. 
 
150 NOTES. 
 
 Is it physical? Trench (Glossary, etc.) says : " Though physical has not 
 dissociated itself from physics, it has from physic a.ri&.physician, being used 
 now as simply the equivalent for natural" Cf. the only other instance in 
 which S. uses the word, Cor. \. 5. 19: 
 
 " The blood I drop is rather physical 
 Than dangerous to me." 
 
 262. To walk unbraced. Cf. i. 3. 48 above. 
 
 266. Rheumy. Causing "rheumatic diseases" (M. N. D. ii. I. 105); 
 used by S. only here. 
 
 268. Some sick offence. Some pain, or grief, that makes you sick, 
 
 271. I charm you. I conjure you. Cf. R. of L. 1681. Pope (followed 
 by H.) substituted "charge" a needless and prosaic alteration. 
 
 283. But, as it were, in sort or limitation. Only in a manner, or in some 
 limited sense. 
 
 289. As dear to me, etc. Gray has imitated this in The Bard: " Dear 
 as the ruddy drops that warm my heart." Some critics see here an an- 
 ticipation of Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood ; but 
 vague notions of such a circulation prevailed before Harvey's day. 
 
 295. A woman well reputed, etc. Warb. and St. read, " A woman, well- 
 reputed Cato's daughter ;" that is, daughter of the much-esteemed Cato. 
 
 297. Being so fathered, etc. As Abbott remarks (Gr. 290), " any noun 
 or adjective could be converted into a verb by the Elizabethan authors." 
 
 308. All the charactery, etc. The word charactery occurs also in M. W. 
 v - 5- 77 : " Fairies use flowers for their charactery," and with the same 
 accent as here. 
 
 309. Who V that knocks ? On the ellipsis, see Gr. 244. 
 
 313. Vouchsafe good morrow, etc. Vouchsafe to receive, etc. Gr. 382. 
 
 315. To wear a kerchief. The word kerchief (French couvrir, to cover, 
 and chef, the head) is here used in its original sense of a covering for the 
 head. Cf. M. W. iii. 3. 62 : "A plain kerchief, Sir John ; my bro\vs be-, 
 come nothing else." As Malone remarks, S. here gives to Rome the 
 manners of his own time, it being a common practice in England for sick 
 people to wear a kerchief on their heads. Cf. Fuller, Worthies: "if any 
 there be sick, they make him a posset, and tye a kerchief on his head, 
 and if that will not mend him, then God be merciful to him." 
 
 323. Thou, like an exorcist. " Here, and in all other places where the 
 word occurs in S., to exorcise means to raise spirits, not to lay them" 
 (Mason). See Cymb. iv. 2. 276, A. W. v. 3. 305, and 2 Hen. VI. i. 4. 5. 
 
 324. Mortified spirit. The former word makes/iwr syllables ; the latter, 
 as often, only one (Gr. 463). On mortified^ deadened, cf. Hen. V. i. I. 26 : 
 
 "The breath no sooner left his fathers body, 
 But that his wildness, mortified in him, 
 Seem'd to die too." 
 
 331. To whom it must be done. See Gr. 208, and cf. 394. H. and some 
 other editors put a comma after going, making To whom, etc., a repetition 
 of What it is. 
 
 SCENE II. I. Have been. On the plural verb, cf. Gr. 408. 
 
 2. Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep, etc. Cf. N. (Life of Ccesar} : 
 
ACT II. SCENE II. j^! 
 
 " He heard his wife Calpurnia, being fast asleep, weep and sigh, and put 
 forth many fumbling* lamentable speeches : for she dreamed that Ccesar 
 was slain, and that she had him in her Arms. . . , Insomuch that C&sar 
 rising in the morning, she prayed him if it were possible, not to go out of 
 the doors that day, but to adjourn the Session of the Senate untill another 
 day. And if that he made no reckoning of her Dream, yet that he would 
 search further of the Soothsayers by their Sacrifices, to know what should 
 happen him that day. Thereby it seemed that Ccesar likewise did fear or 
 suspect somewhat, because his Wife Calpurnia untill that time was never 
 given to any fear and superstition : and that then he saw her so troubled 
 in mind with this Dream she had. But much more afterwards, when the 
 Soothsayers having sacrificed many Beasts one after another, told him 
 that none did like them :f then he determined to sendAnfom'us to adjourn 
 the Session of the Senate. But in the mean time came Decius Brutus, 
 surnamed Albinus, in whom C&sar put such confidence, that in his last 
 Will and Testament he had appointed him to be his next Heir, and yet 
 was of the conspiracy with Cassius and Brjitus: he, fearing that if Casar did 
 adjourn the Session that day, the conspiracy would be betrayed, laughed 
 at the Soothsayers, and reproved Ccesar, saying, that he gave the Senate 
 occasion to mislike with him, and that they might think he mocked them, 
 considering that by his commandment they were assembled, and that they 
 were ready willingly to grant him all things, and to proclaim him King of 
 all his Provinces of the Empire of ROME out of ITALY, and that he should 
 wear his Diadem in all other places both by Sea and Land. And further- 
 more, that if any man should tell them from him, they should depart for 
 that present time, and return again when Calpurnia should have better 
 Dreams, what would his Enemies and ill-willers say, and how could they 
 like of his Friends words ?" 
 
 5. Present. Immediate; as in R. of L. 1263: "present death," ete. 
 For presently ^immediately, see M. of V. p. 131. 
 
 6. Success. Probably good-fortune (and so in v. 3. 65 below) ; but ex- 
 plained by Craik as issue. For the latter sense, cf. v. 3. 66 ; also Rich. 
 ///. iv. 4. 236: "dangerous success " (see our ed. p. 232), etc. See also 
 Joshua, i. 8. 
 
 13. / never stood on ceremonies. I neveY regarded auguries. See on 
 ii. I. 197 above. 
 
 19. Fought. The folio has "fight," which K., Craik, and the Camb. 
 ed. retain. Fought was proposed by D., and is adopted by W. and H. 
 
 22. Hurtled. Clashed. See A. Y. L. p. 191 ; and cf. Gray, The Fatal 
 Sisters : 
 
 " Iron sleet of arrowy shower 
 Hurtles in the darken'd air." 
 
 23. Horses did neigh. The ist folio has " Horsses do neigh ;'" corrected 
 in the 2d folio. K. retains " do," on the ground that " the tenses are 
 purposely confounded, in the vague terror of the speaker;" but, as Craik 
 remarks, " no degree of mental agitation ever expressed itself in such a 
 jumble and confusion of tenses as this not even insanity or drunkenness." 
 
 * This is the word in the edition of 1676 ; as quoted by K., it is "grumbling." 
 
 * That is, none of the victims did please them, or give good omens. 
 
152 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 24. And ghosts did shriek, etc. Cf. the passage from Hamlet (i. i) 
 quoted on page 27. 
 
 25. Beyond all use. That is, all that we are used to. 
 
 27. Whose end is purposed. The completion of which is designed. 
 
 31. Blaze forth. Proclaim (cf. R. and J. p. 191) ; with a reference also 
 to the other meaning, as in V. and A. 219 : " Red cheeks and fiery eyes 
 blaze forth her wrong." On the passage cf. I. Hen. VI. i. I. i fol. 
 
 32. Cowards die many times, etc. See p. 17 above. 
 
 38. They would not have yon to stir. For the to, see Gr. 349. 
 
 42. Ccesar should be a beast. On should would, see Gr. 322. 
 
 46. We are two lions. The folio has, " We heare two Lyons." The cor- 
 rection is Upton's, and is generally adopted. Theo. proposed " were." 
 
 67. Afeard. Used by S. interchangeably with afraid. 
 
 72. Enough to satisfy, etc. Enough for me to do towards that end. 
 
 76. To-nigJit. Last night ; as in iii. 3. I below. See M. of V. p. 142. 
 
 In this line the folio has " Statue," and also in iii. 2. 186 below : " Euen 
 at the Base of Pompeyes Statue ;" but in both passages the editors, with 
 very few exceptions, have given statna, a form of the word common in the 
 time of S. both in poetry and prose. Bacon, for example, uses it in Es- 
 says 27, 37, and 45, in Adv. of L. ii. 1.2; 22. i ; 23. 36 (" a statua of Cae- 
 sar's"), and repeatedly (if not uniformly) elsewhere. See Gr. 487. Some 
 print "statue." 
 
 78. Lusty. See on i. 2. 104 above. 
 
 81. And evils imminent. This is the folio reading, altered by Hanmer 
 and the Coll. MS. to "Of evils imminent." D. an,d H. adopt this emen- 
 dation, but K., W., and the Camb. ed. retain And. 
 
 89. For tinctures, stains, etc. " Tinctures and stains are understood both 
 by Malone and Steevens as carrying an allusion to the practice of persons 
 dipping their handkerchiefs in the blood of those whom they regarded as 
 martyrs. And it must be confessed that the general strain of the passage, 
 and more especially the expression ' shall press for tinctures,' etc., will not 
 easily allow us to reject this interpretation. Yet does it not make the 
 speaker assign to Caesar by implication the very kind of death Calphur- 
 nia's apprehension of which he professes to regard as visionary ? The 
 pressing for tinctures and stains, it is true, would be a confutation of so 
 much of Calphurnia's dream as seemed to imply that the Roman people 
 would be delighted with his death 
 
 ' Many lusty Romans 
 Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.' 
 
 Do we refine too much in supposing that this inconsistency between the 
 purpose and the language of Decius is intended by the poet, and that in 
 this brief dialogue between him and Caesar, in which the latter suffers 
 himself to be so easily won over persuaded and relieved by the very 
 words that ought naturally to have confirmed his fears we are to feel 
 the presence of an unseen power driving on both the unconscious prophet 
 and the blinded victim?" (Craik). Cf. iii. 2. 131 below. 
 
 Cognizance (that by which anything is known) is an heraldic term 
 badge. Cf. I Hen. VI. ii. 4. 108 and Cymb. ii. 4. 127. Here the word 
 may be plural. See Gr. 471. 
 
ACT If. SCEA'ES II L AND IV. 153 
 
 97. Apt to be rendered. Likely to be made in reply. H. gives this strange 
 explanation : " It were apt, or likely, to be construed or represented as a 
 piece of mockery." 
 
 103. Love to your proceeding. Affectionate interest in your course of 
 conduct, or career. Cf. R. and J. iii. I. 193 : "I have an interest in your 
 hate's proceeding," etc. 
 
 104. And reason to my love is liable. " ' Reason,' or propriety of con- 
 duct and language, is subordinate to my love" (Johnson) ; or, my love 
 leads me to indulge in a freedom of speech that my reason would restrain. 
 
 114. 'T is strncken eight. See on ii. i. 192 above. 
 
 1 1 8. So to most noble Ccesar. On so, see Gr. 65. 
 
 119. To be thus, etc. In being thus, etc. Gr. 356. 
 
 121. An hour^s talk. Here hour's is a dissyllable. See Hen. VII L p. 
 197, or Gr. 480. 
 
 128. That every like, etc. " That to be like a thing is not always to be 
 that thins;" (Craik). There is a reference to Caesar's " We, like friends." 
 
 129. Yearns to think upon. The folio has " earnes," another form of 
 the same word. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. iii. 10. 21 : " And ever his faint hart 
 much earned at the sight ;" where it is used in the same sense as here. In 
 F. Q. i. i. 3 (" his heart did earr.e To prove his puissance"), i. 6. 25 ("he 
 for revenge did earne"), etc., it is used in its current sense. In S.year/i 
 always means either to pain (transitive) or to be pained, to grieve (intrans- 
 itive). Cf. Hen. V. ii. 3. 3; "For Falstaff he is dead, And we must 
 yearn therefore ;" Id. iv. 3. 26 : "It yearns me not if men my garments 
 wear;" Rich. II. v. 5. 76: " O. how it yearned my heart," etc. On the 
 position of upon, see Gr. 203. 
 
 SCENE III. 6. Look about you. On you following thou, see Gr. 235. 
 
 Security gives way to. Confidence, or carelessness, leaves the way open 
 to. Cf. iv. 3. 39 below ; and Macb. iii. 5. 32 : "security Is mortal's chief- 
 est enemy." 
 
 7. Lcn'er. Friend. See M. of V. p. 153. 
 
 12. Out of the teeth of emulation. Safe from the attacks of envy. Cf. 
 T. and C. ii. 2. 212: "Whilst emulation in the army crept." In the 
 Rheims version of the Bible (1582), Acts vii. 9 reads, " And the patriarchs 
 through emulation sold Joseph into Egypt." Bacon, like S., uses the 
 word in both a good and a bad sense. 
 
 14. Contrive. Plot. Cf. M. of V. iv. I. 360: "Thou hast contriv'd 
 against the very life;" Ham. iv. 7. 136: " Most generous and free from 
 all contriving," etc. See also on contriver, ii. i. 158 above. In T. of S. 
 i. 2. 278 (" Please you we may contrive this afternoon"), contrive is used 
 in the sense of wear away, spend (Latin conterc, contrivi), and Walker 
 makes it have a similar meaning (sojourning, conterentes tempus} in A. 
 and C.\. 2. 189: "our contriving friends in Rome" (but see our ed. p. 
 ."72). Cf. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 9. 48: "Three ages, such as mortall men 
 contrive." 
 
 vScENE IV. 3. To know my errand. Steevens compares Rich. III. iv. 
 4. 444 fol. 
 
I 5 4 NOTES. 
 
 6. Constancy. Firmness ; as in ii. I. 227, 299 above. Cf. KLicb. ii. 2. 
 68 : " Your constancy Hath left you unattended" (that is, your firmness 
 has forsaken you). 
 
 9. To keep counsel. To keep a secret. Cf. Ham. iii. 2. 152 : "the play- 
 ers cannot keep counsel ; they'll tell all ;" A. W. iii. 7. 9 : " what to your 
 sworn counsel (secrecy) I have spoken." See also ii. I. 298 above. 
 
 1 8. A bustling rumour. Here rumour murmur, noise. Cf. K.John, 
 v. 4. 45 : " the noise and rumour of the field." Drayton uses rumorous 
 similarly : " the rumorous sound Of the sterne billowes." 
 
 20. Sooth. In sooth, in truth. See M. of V. p. 127, note on In scoth. 
 
 Enter Soothsayer. Here Rowe (followed by W.) substituted "Artemi- 
 dorus." Tyrwhitt says that it should be." Artemidorus, who is seen and 
 accosted by Portia in his passage from his first stand to one more con- 
 venient." The folio may be wrong, but the case is hardly clear enough 
 to justify a change. 
 
 31. Any harm V intended. Any harm that is intended. Cf. ii. I. 309 
 above. 
 
 37. / * II get me to a place more void. I '11 betake myself to a place more 
 open (as opposed to narrow]. On get me, see Gr. 296, 223. 
 
 39. Ay me ! ' It is "Aye me !" in the folio, but all the editors except 
 Craik and D. have "Ah me !" The latter, as Craik remarks, is a phrase 
 that S. nowhere uses. Cf. Milton, Lycidas, 56, 154, Comus, 511, P. L. iv. 
 86, x. 813, etc. Neither Wore, nor Wb. recognizes this ay. The affirma- 
 tive particle ay or aye is uniformly printed " I" in the folio ; as in the 
 second line of the next scene : " I Ccesar, but not gone." 
 
 42. Brutus hath a suit, etc. " This she addresses in explanation to the 
 boy, whose presence she had for a moment forgotten" (Craik). 
 
 COINS STRUCK ON THE DEATH OF 
 
ACT III. SCENE I. 155 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. Here, as in Ham. and A. and C. (see quotations on pp. 28, 
 29), the death of Caesar is represented as taking place in the Capitol, in- 
 stead of the Curia of Pompey. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus}: "Furthermore, 
 they [the conspirators] thought also that the appointment of the place 
 where the Councill should be kept, was chosen of purpose by divine Prov- 
 idence, and made all for them. For it was one of the Porches about the 
 Theater, in the which there was a certain place full of Seats for men to 
 sit in ; where also was set up the image of Pompey, which the City had 
 made and consecrated in honour of him, when he did beautifie that part 
 of the City with the Theater he built, with divers Porches about it. In 
 this place "was the assembly of the Senate appointed to be, just on the fif- 
 teenth of the Moneth March, which the ROMANS call, Idus Martias : so 
 that it seemed some god of purpose had brought Ccesar thither to be slain, 
 for revenge of Pompey's death." 
 
 See also N. (Life of Ccesar} : "And one Artemidorus also born in the 
 Isle of GNIDOS, a Doctor of Rhetorick in the Greek Tongue, who by means 
 of his Profession was very familiar with certain of Brutus Confederates ; 
 and therefore knew the most part of all their practices against Ccesar, 
 came and brought him a little Bill written with his own hand, of all that 
 he meant to tell him. He marking how Ccesar received all the Supplica- 
 tions that were offered him, and that he gave them straight to his men 
 that were about him pressed nearer to him, and said : Ccesar, read this 
 Memorial to your self, and that quickly, for they be matters of great 
 weight, and touch you nearly. Ccesar took it of him, but could never read 
 it, though he many times attempted it, for the number of People that did 
 salute him." 
 
 8. What touches us our self, etc. The Coll. MS. alters this to "That 
 touches us ? Ourself shall be last serv'd." Craik adopts this " specious 
 but entirely needless change," as W. calls it. 
 
 13. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus} : 
 "Another Senatour called Popilius Lcena, after he had saluted Brutus 
 and Cassius more friendly than he was wont to do, he rounded* softly in 
 their ears, and told them : I pray the goddess you may go through with 
 that you have taken in hand ; but withall, dispatch I readf you, for your 
 enterprise is bewrayed. When he had said, he presently departed from 
 them, and left them' both afraid that their conspiracy would out." 
 
 1 8. Look, hew he makes to Ccesar; mark him. See how he presses 
 towards Caesar. Mark is probably a dissyllable here. Or. 485. 
 
 21. Cassius or Ccesar, etc. This is the folio reading, retained by K M 
 D., H., and the Camb. ed. Malone proposed "Cassius on Caesar," 
 which is adopted by Craik and W. But, as Ritson remarks, "Cassius 
 says, if the plot be discovered, at all events either he or Caesar shall 
 never return alive ; for, if the latter cannot be killed, he is determined to 
 
 * See Hen. VIII. p. 168, foot note. 
 
 t Read, or rede, meant to advise or counsel. We have the noun in Ham. i. 3. 51: 
 " And recks not his own rede." See our ed. p. 188. 
 
I5 6 NOTES. 
 
 slay himself." Craik, commenting on this, says that "to turn back can- 
 not mean to return alive, or to return in any way." But see Rick. III. 
 iv. 4. 184: " Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror ;" T. A. v. 2. 141 : 
 " And tarry wish him till I turn again ;" A. Y. L. iii. I. 7 : 
 
 "Bring him dead or living 
 
 Within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more 
 To seek a living in our territory ;" 
 
 Oth. iv. I. 263 : "you did wish that I would make her turn, "etc. 
 
 22. Cassins, be constant, etc. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus}'. "And when 
 Cassins and certain other clapped their hands on their Swords to draw 
 them, Brutus marking the countenance and gesture of L<zna, and con- 
 sidering that he did use himself rather like an humble and earnest suiter, 
 then like an accuser : he said nothing to his Companion (because there 
 were many amongst them that were not of the conspiracy), but with 
 a pleasant countenance encouraged Cassius. And immediately after, 
 Lcena went from C&sar, and kissed his hand : which shewed plainly that 
 it was for some matter concerning himself, that he had held him so long 
 in talk." 
 
 26. He draws Mark Antony out of the way. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus) : 
 " Trebonius on the other side drew Antonius aside, as he came into the 
 house where the Senate sate, and held him with a long talk without." 
 
 29. He is addressed. He is ready. Cf. M. of V. ii. 9. 19 : " And so have 
 I address'd me" (prepared myself) ; 2 Hen. IV. iv. 4. 5 : " Our navy is 
 address'd ;" M. N. D. v. I. 107 : " the Prologue is address'd," etc. 
 
 30. Cast A, you are the first t/iijt rears your hand. Cf. Temp. ii. I. 295 ' 
 " When I rear my hand." On the construction, see Gr. 247. 
 
 31. Are we all ready? In the folio (so in K. and the Camb. ed.) these 
 words begin Caesar's speech. Ritson proposed to add them to Cinna's 
 speech, but the Coll. MS. assigns them to Casca, "in whose mouth they 
 form a very natural rejoinder to what Cinna has just said." This latter 
 arrangement is adopted by Craik, D., W., and H. 
 
 On the remainder of this scene, cf. N. (Life of Brutus} : " So when he 
 was set, the Conspiratours flocked about him, and amongst them they pre- 
 sented one Titllius Cimber,* \\\\o made humble suit for the calling home 
 again of his Brother that was banished. They all made as though they 
 were intercessours for him, and took Ccesar by the hands, and kissed his 
 head and breast. Ccesar at the first, simply refused their kindness and 
 entreaties : but afterwards, perceiving they still pressed on him, he vio- 
 lently thrust them from him. Then Cimber, with both his hands plucked 
 Ccesar^s Gown over his shoulders, and Casca that stood behind him, drew 
 his Dagger first and strake Ccesar upon the shoulder, but gave him no 
 great wound. Ccesar feeling himself hurt, took him straight by the hand 
 he held his Dagger in, and cried out, in Latine, O traytor Casca, what doest 
 thou? Casca on the other side cried in Greek, and called his Brother to 
 help him. So divers running on a heap together to flie upon Ccesar, he 
 looking about him to have fled, saw Brutus with a Sword drawn in his 
 hands ready to strike at him : then he let Casca^s hand go, and casting his 
 
 * In the Life cf Ccesar he is called Metellus Cimber, and in Suetonius (i. 82) Cimber 
 TvUna. 
 
ACT III. SCENE L 157 
 
 Gown over his face, suffered every man to strike at him that would. Then 
 the Conspiratours thronging one upon another, because every man was 
 desirous to have a cut at him, so many Swords and Daggers lighting upon 
 one body, one of them hurt another, and among them Brutus caught a 
 blow on his hand, because he would make one in murthering of him, and 
 all the rest also were every man of them bloudied. Ccesar being slain in 
 this manner, Brutus standing in the middest of the house, would have 
 spoken and staied the other Senatours that were not of the conspiracy, to 
 have told them the reason why they had done this fact. But they as men 
 both afraid and amazed, fled, one upon anothers neck in hast to get out 
 at the door, and no man followed them. For it was set down, and agreed 
 between them, that they should kill no man but C&sar onely, and should 
 intreat all the rest to look to defend their liberty." 
 
 33. Puissant. Always a dissyllable in S., though puissance is some- 
 times a trisyllable. Cf. 2 Hen. IV. i. 3. 9 : "Upon the power and puis- 
 sance of the king;" and Id. i. 3. 77 : "And come against us in full puis- 
 sance." In Spenser we find (F. Q. iv. u. 15) "Of puissant Nations 
 which the world possest," and (F. Q. v. 2. 7) " For that he is so puissant 
 and strong." 
 
 36. These couching*. The Coll. MS. has " cronchings," which Craik 
 says " does not admit cf a doubt." But Sr. remarks that "couching had 
 the same meaning as crouching; thus Huloet : 'Cowche, like a dogge ; 
 procumbo,prosterno.' 1 " Cf. also Gen. xlix. 14. K., D., W., H., and the 
 Camb. ed. retain couc kings. 
 
 39. Into the law of children. The folio reads " the lane of Children," 
 a misprint which Johnson corrected. 
 
 Be not fond, etc. Be not so foolish as to think, etc. See M. of V. pp. 
 146, 152, and Gr. 281. On such . . . that, see Gr. 279. 
 
 43. Low-crooked curtsies. The Coll. MS. has "Low-crouched," which 
 Craik adopts. But '''low-crooked is the same as low-crouched ; for Huloet 
 has * crooke-backed or crowcfu- backed* and to crook was to bow" (Sr.). See 
 Temp. p. 1 20, note on Curtsied. 
 
 47' Know C&sar doth not wrong, etc. Ben Jonson, in his Discoveries, 
 speaking of Shakespeare, says : " Many times he fell into those things 
 could not escape laughter ; as when he said in the person of Caesar, one 
 speaking to him, * Caesar, thou dost me wrong,' he replied, ' Caesar did 
 never wrong but with just cause.'" And he ridicules the expression 
 again in his Staple of News : " Cry you mercy ; you never did wrong but 
 with just cause," Craik believes that the words stood originally as Jon- 
 son has given them ; but, as Collier suggests, Jonson was probably speak- 
 ing only from memory, which, as he himself says, was "shaken with age 
 now, and sloth," and 'misquoted the passage. 
 
 51. The repealing of my banished brother. That is, his recall. Both the 
 verb and the noun (see the next speech) are often used by S. in this sense. 
 Cf. Rich. II. iv. i. 87 : " Till Norfolk be repeal'd : repeal'd he shall be ;" 
 Cor. v. 5. 5 : " Repeal him with the welcome of his mother ;" Id. iv. i. 41 : 
 " A cause for thy repeal ;" R. of L. 640 : " I sue for exiled majesty's repeal." 
 
 60. But I am constant, etc. Cf. i. 2, 208 : " But always I am Caesar." 
 
 67. Apprehensive. Endowed with apprehension or intelligence. Cf. 
 
158 NOTES. 
 
 2 Hen. IV. iv. 3. 107 . " Makes it (the brain) apprehensive, quick, forge- 
 tive (inventive);" B. and F., rhilaster,v. I : "as I did grow More and 
 more apprehensive," etc. 
 
 69. Holds on his rank, etc. Continues to " hold his place" (like the 
 star), resisting every attempt to move him. Unshaked of motion might 
 mean unshaken in his motion (Gr. 173), but that would not be in keep- 
 ing with the simile of the pole-star. 
 
 77. Et tn, Brute! "There is no ancient Latin authority, I believe, for 
 this famous exclamation, although in Suetonius, i. 82, Caesar is made to 
 address Brutus Km <ri, TSKVOV; (And thou too, my son?). It may have 
 occurred as it stands here in the Latin play on the same subject which is 
 recorded to have been acted at Oxford in 1582; and it is found in The 
 True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York, first printed in 1595, on which 3 
 Hen. VI. is founded, as also in a poem by S. Nicholson, entitled Acolastns 
 his Afterwit, printed in 1600, in both of which nearly contemporary pro- 
 ductions we have the same line ' Et tu, Brute ? Wilt thou stab Caesar 
 too ?' " (Craik). According to Stokes, it is in the Latin play of 1582. 
 
 90. Cheer. On the literal meaning ( - tace), see M. of V. p. 152. 
 
 93. Lest that. On that as a " conjunctional affix," see Gr. 287. 
 
 95. Abide this deed. That is, answer for it, be held responsible for it. 
 Cf. iii. 2. 1 12 below. Aby \vas used in the same sense ; as in M. N. D. iii. 
 2. 175: "Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear.' This aby is frequent in 
 Spenser. See F. Q. ii. 8. 28 : " His life for dew revenge should deare 
 abye ;" also Id. iii. 4. 38, iii. 10. 3, iv. i. 53, iv. 6. 8, etc. 
 
 96. But we. Cf. Ham. i. 4. 54 : " Making night hideous, and we," etc. 
 Gr. 216. 
 
 99. As it were doomsday. As //"it were. Gr. 107. 
 
 102. Why, he that cuts off, etc. The folio gives this spef ch to Casca, but 
 some of the editors have transferred it to Cassius. As H. remarks, "the 
 sentiment is in strict keeping with what Casca says in i. 3. 100 above : 
 ' So every bondman in his own hand bears,' etc." 
 
 114. /// states unborn. The 1st folio has " Stale," and just below "lye 
 along ;" both corrected in 2d folio. 
 
 1 1 6. On Pompey's basis lies along. Lies prostrate at the base of Pom- 
 pey's statue. Cf. Cor. v. 6. 57 : " When he lies along," etc. See also 
 Judges, vii. 13. 
 
 122. Most boldest. Cf. iii. 2. 181 below : " most unkindest," etc. Gr. u. 
 
 132. Be resolv\l. Have his doubts resolved or removed ; be satisfied. 
 Cf. iii. 2. 177 and iv. 2. 14 below. 
 
 137. Thorough. Through. See M. of V. p. 144, note on Throughfares. 
 
 141. Tell him, so please him come. See Gr. 133, 297, and 349. 
 
 144. We shall have him well to friend. See Temp. p. 124, note on A 
 paragon to their queen. Gr. 189. 
 
 146. My misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. My suspicions 
 are always shrewd enough to hit the mark. On still, see M. of V. p. 128. 
 
 153. Be let blood. Be bled ; that is, put to death. Cf. Rich. III. iii. i. 
 183, T.and C. ii. 3. 222, Cymb. iv. 2. 168, etc. Rank = s\c\i from repletion; 
 as in Sonn. 118. 12 (see our ed. p. 170), 2 Hen. IV. iv. 1.64, etc. 
 
 156. Of half that worth as. See Gr. 280. 
 
ACT ///. SCENE I. 159 
 
 158. / do beseech ye, if yon bear me hard. On the pronouns, see Gr. 
 236. For bear me hard, see on i. 2. 303 above. 
 
 160. Live a thousand years. Cf. AL of V. iii. 2. 61 : " Live thou, I live ;'' 
 and see Gr. 361. 
 
 161. -4/W to die. Ready or disposed to die. 
 
 162. No mean of death. On meaii = means, see Hen. VIII. p. 201. 
 164. The choice and master spirits. Craik thinks that choice may be 
 
 either noun or adjective, but it is pretty certainly the latter. We have 
 the expression " choice spirits" in I Hen. VI. v. 3. 3. 
 
 172. As fire, etc. The firstyfo? is a dissyllable, the second a monosyl- 
 lable. See Gr. 480, and cf. 475. For the simile, cf. I\. and J. i. 2. 46 : 
 "one fire burns out another's burning ;" Cor. iv. 7. 54 : " One fire drives 
 out one fire ;" T. G. of V. ii. 4. 192 : ** Even as one heat another heat ex- 
 pels," etc. 
 
 175. Our arms, in strength of malice, etc. The passage stands thus in 
 
 the tollO: "Our Armes in 'strength of malice, and our Hearts 
 Of Brothers temper, do receiue you in, 
 With all kinde loue, good thoughts, and reuerence." 
 
 Pope reads "exempt from malice;" Capell and D., "no strength of 
 malice;" the Coll. MS. and Craik, "in strength of welcome." Sr. (fol- 
 lowed by H.) suggested "in strength of amity." K., W., and Wr. retain 
 the folio reading, and W. remarks : " The difficulty found in this passage, 
 which even Mr. Dyce suspects to be corrupt, seems to result from a for- 
 getfulness of the preceding context : 
 
 " 'Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 
 As by our hands, and this our present act, 
 You see we do ; yet you see but our hands, 
 And this the bleeding business they have done. 
 Our hearts you see not ; they are pitiful ; 
 And pity to the general wrong of Rome,' etc. 
 
 So (Brutus continues) our arms, even in the intensity of their hatred to 
 C&sar's tyranny, and our hearts in their brotherly love to all Romans, do 
 receive you in." Wr. explains thus: "strong as if nerved by malice 
 against you, the death grip of enemies being stronger than the most lov- 
 ing embrace. See also p. 192 below. 
 
 182. Deliver. Declare, relate. See Temp. p. 144, and Hen. VIII. pp. 
 163, 176. 
 
 185. Render, etc. "Give me back in return for mine" (Craik). 
 
 190. l^Jiongh last, not least in love. Cf. Lear, i. I. 85 (quarto): "Al- 
 though the last, not least in our dear love." Spenser has " though last, 
 not least" in Colin Clout 'j Come Home Agiun, published in 1595. 
 
 193. Conceit. See on {.3. 161 above. 
 
 197. Dearer. More intensely. See Temp. p. 124, note on 133. 
 
 205. Bayed. That is, " brought to bay," or hemmed in by enemies as 
 a hart by the hounds. See Rich. II. p. 186, note on 127. 
 
 207. Crimsoned in thy lethe. " Crimson'd in the stream that bears thee 
 to oblivion" ( W,) The Coll. MS. alters lelhe to " death," which H. adopts. 
 Coll. himself, in his 2d edition, restores lethe, which is also given by K., 
 D., St., and the Camb. ed. 
 
160 NOTES. 
 
 208, 209. O world, etc. Coleridge doubted the genuineness of these 
 two lines, both on account of the rhythm, " which is not Shakespearian," 
 and because they interrupt the sense and connection and " the Shake- 
 spearian link of association." He adds : *" I venture to say there is 
 no instance in Shakespeare fairly like this. Conceits he has; but they 
 not only rise out of some word in the lines before, but also lead to the 
 thought in the lines following. Here the conceit is a mere alien : An- 
 tony forgets an image when he is even touching it, and then recollects it, 
 when the thought last in his mind must have led him away from it." We 
 have the same quibble in A. Y. L. iii. 2. 260 and T. N. i. i. 21. 
 
 210. Strncken. The folio has "stroken," and in 183 " strooke" for struck. 
 
 214. Modesty. Moderation. Cf. T. ofS. ind. 1.68: "If it be husbanded 
 with modesty," etc. 
 
 216. Compact. On the accent, see Gr. 490. 
 
 217. Priced. Marked. Cf. iv. i. i, 3, 16 below. See also 2 Hen. IV. 
 p. 172. 
 
 225. So full of good regard. " So full of what is entitled to favourable 
 regard" (Craik). Cf. iv. 2. 12 below. 
 
 229. Produce. Bear forth, bring out ; as in i Hen. VI. i. 4. 40, Lear, v. 
 3. 230, etc. 
 
 236. By your pardon. By your leave, I will explain. 
 
 242. Have all tme rites. Pope, D., and H. read " due rites," but, as 
 Coll. says, "the change seems rather for the worse." 
 
 258. The tide of times. " The course of times" (Johnson). As Craik 
 remarks, " tide and time properly mean the same thing." Cf. Spenser, 
 F. Q. i. 2. 29: "and rest their weary limbs a tide ;" Id. iii. 6. 21 : "mine 
 may be your paine another tide;" Id. iii. 9. 32: "glad of so fitte tide 
 Him to commend," etc. The word still has this sense in eventide, spring- 
 tide, etc. 
 
 259. Hands. The folio has "hand," which K. retains; but cf. 159 
 above. 
 
 263. The limbs of men. The folio reading, retained by K., W., and H. 
 W., however, is " almost sure" that S. wrote " t\\efonnes of men." Warb. 
 proposed "line," Hanmer "kind," Johnson "lives" or " Ivmms,"* the 
 Coll. MS. "loins" (which Craik adopts), Walker "times," St. "tombs," 
 and Svvynfen Jervis (whom D. follows) "minds." 
 
 269. With the hands. Here with by, as often. Gr. 193. Cf. iii. 2. 
 195 below. See also Hen. VIII. p. 193. 
 
 272. With Ate by his side. Craik remarks that "this Homeric goddess 
 had taken a strong hold of Shakespeare's imagination." See Much Ado, 
 ii. I. 263 : " the infernal Ate ;" L. L. L. v. 2. 694 : " more Ates, more 
 Ates ;" K. John, ii. i. 63 : "an Ate stirring him to blood and strife." 
 
 274. Cry ' Havoc? In old times this cry was the signal that no quar- 
 ter was to be given. Cf. Cor. iii. i. 275 : 
 
 * "That is," he adds. :l these bloodhounds of men." S. uses the word in Lear- iii. 6. 72: 
 " Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim, 
 Hound or spaniel, brach or lym. " 
 
 The old copies have "him'' or "hym," but there can be no doubt that these are mis- 
 prints for "lym." 
 
ACT III. SCENE II. 161 
 
 "Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt 
 With modest warrant." 
 
 The dogs of war. Steele (Tatler, No. 137) suggests that by 'Jthe dogs 
 of war" S. probably meanty;v, sword, a.i\dfarnis;e. Cf. Hen. V. i. chor. 5 : 
 
 "Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, 
 Assume the port of Mars ; and, at his heels, 
 Leash' d in like hounds, should Famine, Sword, and Fire 
 Crouch for employment/' 
 
 See also I Hen. VI. iv. 2. 10 : 
 
 "You tempt the fury of my three attendants, 
 Lean Famine, quartering Steel, and climbing Fire." 
 
 275. That this foul deed. So that, etc. Gr. 283. 
 
 284. Passion, I see, is catching. That is, emotion is contagious. See 
 on i. 2.45 above. 
 
 For mine eyes. The 1st folio has " from mine eyes ;" corrected in 2d 
 folio. D. and H. alter began in the next line to " begin." 
 
 290. No Rome of safety.. See on i. 2. 152 above. 
 
 296. The which. See M. of V. p. 133, on For the which. 
 
 SCENE II. On this scene, and the next, cf. N. (Life of Bruttis): "Now, 
 at the first time when the murther was newly done, there were suddain 
 outcries of People that ran up and down the City, the which indeed did 
 the more increase the fear and tumult. But when they saw they slew no 
 man, neither did spoil nor make havock of anything, then certain of the 
 Senatours, and many of the People emboldening themselves, went to the 
 Capitoll unto them. There a great number of men being assembled to- 
 gether one after another, Brutus made an Oration unto them to win the 
 favour of the People, and to justify that they had done. All those that 
 were by, said they had done well, and cried unto them, that they should 
 boldly come down from the Capitoll : whereupon Brutus and his Com- 
 panions came boldly down into the Market-place. The rest followed in 
 Troop, but Brutus went foremost, very honourably compassed in round 
 about with the noblest men of the City, which brought him from the Cap- 
 itoll, through the Market-place, to the Pulpit for Orations. When the 
 People saw him in the Pulpit, although they were a multitude of rake-hels 
 of all sorts, and had a good will to make some stir : yet being ashamed to 
 do it, for the reverence they bare unto Brutus, they kept silence to hear 
 what he would say : when Brutus began to speak, they gave him quiet 
 audience : Howbeit immediately after, they shewed that they were not all 
 contented with the murther. For when another called Cinna would have 
 spoken, and began to accuse Casar, they fell into a great uprore among 
 them, and marvellously reviled him. Insomuch that the Conspiratours 
 returned again into the Capitoll. There Brutus being afraid to be be- 
 sieged, sent back again the Noblemen that came thither with him, think- 
 ing it no reason, that they which were no partakers of the murther, should 
 be partakers of the danger. . . . 
 
 " Then Antonius thinking good his Testament should be read openly, 
 and also that his body should be honourably buried, and not in hugger 
 
 L 
 
1 62 NOTES. 
 
 mugger,* lest the People might thereby take occasion to be worse offend- 
 ed if they did otherwise : Cassius stoutly spake against it: But Bmtus 
 went with the motion, and agreed unto it : wherein it seemeth he com- 
 mitted a second fault. For the first fault he did, was when he would not 
 consent to his fellow Conspiratours that Antonius should be slain : and 
 therefore he was justly accused, that thereby he had saved and strength- 
 ened a strong and grievous Enemy of their conspiracy. The second fault 
 was, when he agreed that Ccesars Funerals should be as Antonius would 
 have them, the which indeed marred all. For first of all, when Casars 
 Testament was openly read among them, whereby it appeared that he be- 
 queathed unto every Citizen of ROME seventy -five Drachma's a man; 
 and that he left his Gardens and Arbors unto the People, which he had 
 on this side of the River Tyber, in the place where now the Temple of 
 Fortune is built : the people then loved him, and were marvellous sorry 
 for him. Afterwards when Ctzsars body was brought into the Market- 
 pi ace, Antonius making his Funerall Oration in praise of the dead, accord- 
 ing to the ancient Custom of Rome, and perceiving that his words moved 
 the common People to compassion, he framed his Eloquence to make 
 their hearts yearn the more ; and taking Cczsars Gown all bloudy in his 
 hand, he layed it open to the sight of them all, shewing what a number 
 of cuts and holes it had upon it. Therewithall the People fell presently 
 into such a rage and mutiny, that there was no more order kept amongst 
 the common People. For some of them cried out, Kill the murtherers : 
 others plucked up Forms, Tables, and Stalls about the Market-place, as 
 they had done before at the funerals of Clodius ; and having laid them all 
 on a heap together, they set them on fire, and thereupon did put the Body 
 of Cvsar, and burnt it in the middest of the most holy places. And Fur- 
 the v more, when the fire was thoroughly kindled, some here, some there, 
 took burning Fire-brands, and ran with them to the Murtherers houses 
 that killed him, to set them on fire. Howbeit, the Conspiratours foresee- 
 ing the danger, before had wisely provided for themselves, and fled. But 
 there was a Poet called Cmna,\vho had been no partaker of the conspir- 
 acy, but was alway one of Ccesars chiefest friends : he dreamed the night 
 before, that Ccesar bad him to supper with him, and that he refusing to go, 
 C&sar was very importunate with him, and compelled him, so that at length 
 he led him by the hand into a great dark place, where being marvellously 
 afraid, he was driven to follow him in spite of his heart. This dream put 
 him all night into a Feaver, and' yet notwithstanding, the next morning 
 when he heard that they carried Cczsars body to buriall, being ashamed 
 not to accompany his Funerals, he went out of his house, and thrust him- 
 self into the preass of the common People, that were in a great uproar. 
 And because some one called him. by his name, Cinna : the People think- 
 ing he had been that Cinna^ who in an Oration he made, had spoken very 
 ill of C(zsar y they falling upon him in their rage, slew him outright in the 
 Market-plac^." 
 
 4. Part the numbers. "Divide the multitude" (Craik). 
 
 * Cf. Ham. iv. 5. 84 (see our ed. p. 248) : 
 
 "and we have done but greenly 
 In hugger-mugger to inter him." 
 
ACT III. SCENE If. ^3 
 
 7. Rendered. Given. For the trisyllable, see Gr. 474. 
 
 9. And compare. And we will compare. Gr. 399. 
 
 12. Be patient till the last. Many brief quotations from the folio have 
 been given in our notes, but the reader may like to see a longer extract, 
 as an illustration of the orthography and typography of that edition. The 
 speech of Brutus appears there as follows : 
 
 Bru. Be patient till the last. 
 
 Romans, Countrey-men, and Louers, heare mee for my cause, and be silent, that you 
 may heare. Beleeue me for mine Honor, and haue respect to mine Honor, that you 
 may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedom, and awake your Senses, that you may the 
 better ludge. If there bee any in this Assembly, any deere Friend of Ccesars, to him I 
 say, that Brutus loue to Ccesar, was no lesse then his. If then, that Friend demand, 
 why Brutus rose against Ccesar, this is my answer : Not that 1 lou'd Ccesar lesse, but 
 that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Ccesar were liuing, and dye all ^laues ; then 
 that Ccesar were dead, to Hue all Free-men ? As Ccesar lou'd mee, I weepe for him ; as 
 he was Fortunate, I reioyce at it ; as he was Valiant, I honour him : But, as he was 
 Ambitious, I slew him. There is Teares, for his Loue : loy, for his Fortune : Honor, 
 for his Valour : and Death, for his Ambition. Who is heere so base, that would be a 
 Bondman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so rude, that would 
 not be a Roman ? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so vile, that will 
 not loue his Countrey ? If any, speake, for him haue I offended. I pause for a Reply. 
 
 All. None Btutus, none. 
 
 Brutus. Then none haue I offended. I haue done no more to Ccesar, then you shall 
 do to Brutus. The Question of his death, is inroll'd in the Capitoll : his Glory not ex- 
 tenuated, wherein he was worthy ; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death* 
 
 Enter Mark A ntony, with Ccesars body. 
 
 Heere comes his Body, mourn'd by Marke Antony, who though he had no hand in his 
 death, shall receiue the benefit of his dying, a place in the Comonwealth, as which of you 
 shall not. With this I depart, that as I slewe my best Loner for the good of Rome, I 
 haue the same Dagger for my selfe, when it shall please my Country to need my death. 
 
 All. Liue Brutus, Hue, Hue. 
 i. Bring him with Triumph home vnto his house. 
 
 2. Giue him a Statue with his Ancestors. 
 
 3. Let him be Ccesar. 
 
 4. Ccesars better parts, 
 Shall be Crown 'd in Brutus. 
 
 *i. Wee'l bring him to his House, 
 With Showts and Clamors. 
 
 Bru. My Country-men. 
 
 2. Peace, silence, Brutus speakes. 
 
 i. Peace ho. 
 
 Bru. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone, 
 And (for my sake) stay heere with A ntony : 
 Do grace to Ccesars Corpes, and grace his Speech 
 Tending to Ccesars Glories, which Marke A ntony 
 (By our permission) is allow'd to make. 
 I do intreat you, not a man depart, 
 Saue I alone, till A ntony have spoke. Exit 
 
 Upon this speech of Brutus, Knight, after quoting Hazlitt's remark 
 (see p. 13 above) that it is " not so good" as Antony's, comments as fol- 
 lows : "In what way is it not so good? As a specimen of eloquence, put 
 by the side of Antony's, who can doubt that it is tame, passionless, severe, 
 and therefore ineffective? But as an example of Shakespeare's wonder- 
 ful power of characterization, it is beyond all praise. It was the consum- 
 mate artifice of Antony that made him say, * I am no orator, as Brutus is.' 
 Brutus was not an orator. ... He is a man of just intentions, of calm un- 
 
x6 4 NOTES. 
 
 derstanding, of settled purpose, when his principles are to become actions, 
 But his notion of oratory is this : 
 
 " ' I will myself into the pulpit first, 
 
 And show the reason of our Csesar's death.' 
 
 And he does show the reason. . . . He expects that Antony will speak 
 with equal moderation all good of Caesar no blame of Caesar's murder- 
 ers ; and he thinks it an advantage to speak before Antony. He knew not 
 what oratory really is. But Shakespeare knew, and he painted Antony." 
 
 So far as the mere style of the speech is concerned, we think that War- 
 burton was right in considering it an " imitation of his famed laconic brev- 
 ity." Cf. N. (Life of Brutus) : " they do note in some of his Epistles, that 
 he counterfeited that brief compendious manner of speech of the LACE- 
 DEMONIANS. As when the War was begun, he wrote unto the PERGA- 
 MENIANS in this sort : I understand you have given Dolabella money : if 
 you have done it willingly, you confess you have offended me ; if against 
 your wills, show it then by giving me willingly. Another time again unto 
 the SAMIANS : Your counsels be long, your doings be slow, consider the 
 end. And in another Epistle he wrote unto the PATAREIANS : the XAN- 
 THIANS despising my good will, have made their Countrey a grave of 
 despair, and the PATAREIANS that put themselves into my protection, 
 have lost no jot of their liberty : and therefore whilest you have liberty, 
 either chuse the judgement of the PATAREIANS, or the fortune of the XAN- 
 THIANS. These were Brutus manner of letters, which were honoured for 
 their briefness." In the Dialogus de Oratoribus also it is said that Brutus's 
 oratory was censured as " otiosum et disjunctum ;" and, as Verplanck re- 
 marks, "the disjunctum, the broken-up style, without oratorical continu- 
 ity, is precisely that assumed by the dramatist." 
 
 We are not aware that any commentator has called attention to the 
 fact that S. has made Brutus express himself in a somewhat similar style 
 in the speech in i. 2. 158 fol. : "That you do love me I am nothing jeal- 
 ous," etc. 
 
 13. And lovers. See on ii. 3. 7 above. 
 
 15. Have respect to my honour. That is, look to it, consider it. 
 
 Censure me. That is, judge me. See Much Ado, p. 139. Cf. I him. 
 i. 3. 69 : "Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment ;" Bacon, 
 Adv.ofL.\\.\n\.ro<\. 15: "many will conceive and censure that some of 
 them are already done," etc. 
 
 26. There is tears. See Temp. p. 122, note on 476. 
 
 35. The question of his death. A statement of the reasons why he was 
 put to death (the answer to that question). 
 
 37. Enforced. Cf. A. and C. v. 2. 125, where, as here, the word is op- 
 posed to extenuate : "We will extenuate rather than enforce." 
 
 49. Shall IIOT.U be crwurfd. The folio (see extract above) has " Shall 
 be." Pope added now, and the emendation is generally adopted. 
 
 55. Do grace. Show respect, do honour. Cf. the verb in iii. 1.121 above. 
 
 56. Glories. D. and H. adopt Walker's suggestion of "glory." 
 
 59. Save I alone. The expression occurs also in T. N. iii. i. 172. . C 
 v. 5.69 below. Gr. 118. 
 
 63. Beholding. Beholden. See M. of V. p. 135. Gr. 372. 
 
ACT III. SCENE II. 165 
 
 72. Bury. "S. was no doubt thinking of his own time and country. 
 The custom of burning the dead had not been in use in Rome very long 
 before the time of Caesar" (Wr.). 
 
 73. The evil that men do, etc. Cf. Hen. VIII. iv. 2. 45 : 
 
 " Men's evil manners live in brass ; their virtues 
 We write in water." 
 
 9. When that. See on iii. I. 93 above. 
 
 101. To mourn. From mourning. Cf. Gr. 356. 
 
 108. Has he, masters? Capell suggested "my masters," and Craik 
 and H. read " Has he not, masters ?" 
 
 112. Abide it. See on iii. I. 95 above. 
 
 114. A nobler man. W. misprints "a bolder man." 
 
 1 1 8. And none so poor. etc. " The meanest man is now too high to do 
 reverence to Caesar" (Johnson). On the ellipsis of as, see Gr. 281. 
 
 128. The commons. The common people. 
 
 131. Napkins. Handkerchiefs. Cf. L. C. 15 : " Oft did she heave her 
 napkin to her eyne ;" Ham. v. 2. 299 : " Here, Hamlet, take my napkin ; 
 rub thy brows ;" Olh. iii. 3. 290 : " I am glad I have found this napkin" 
 (the " handkerchief" of line 306 just below), etc. Malone says that the 
 word is still used in this sense in Scotland. 
 
 148. / have overshot myself, etc. I have gone too far, etc. On to tell, 
 cf. 101 above. 
 
 165. Stand far off. D. prints "far' off," and far is probably a con- 
 traction of farther, both here and in v. 3. n below: "fly far off." Cf. 
 W. T. iv. 4. 442 : "Far than Deucalion off." So near is often used for 
 nearer. Cf. Rich. II. iii. 2. 64 : " Nor near nor farther off, my gracious 
 lord ;" Id. v. 1.88: "Better far off than near, be ne'er the near." See 
 Walker, vol. i. p. 190 fol., or Gr. 478. 
 
 171. That day he overcame the Nervii. On that day on which, etc. 
 Some eds. make this an independent sentence. The Nervii were the 
 most warlike of the Belgic tribes, and their subjugation (B.C. 57) was one 
 of the most important events in Caesar's Gallic campaigns. 
 
 173. Envious. Malicious. See on ii. i. 164 above. 
 
 177. To be resolv'd. See on iii. 1. 132 above. 
 
 179. C&sar's angel. His alter ego, as it were, or one as intimately con- 
 nected with him as his guardian angel. Boswell asks, " Does it not mean 
 that Caesar put his trust in him as he would in his guardian angel ?" 
 Craik understands it as "simply his best beloved, his darling." 
 
 181. Most nnkindest. See on iii. 1. 122 above. 
 
 1 86. Pompey's stattia. See on ii. 2. 76 above. 
 
 192. The dint of pity. The impression or influence of pity. Cf. V. and 
 A. 354 : " as new-fallen snow takes any dint," etc. 
 
 195. With traitors. See on iii. i. 269 above. 
 
 202. Revenge, etc. The folio gives this to 2 Citizen, but, as W. suggests, 
 it belongs to the citizens generally ; and the same is probably true of 
 206, 207 below. 
 
 211. Private griefs. Personal grievances. See on i. 3. 117 above. 
 
 219. For I have neither wit, etc. The ist folio reads, " For I haue ney- 
 ther writ nor words, nor worth ;" corrected in 2d folio. Johnson explains 
 
1 66 NOTES. 
 
 " writ" as " penned or premeditated oration," and Malone as " writing." 
 The latter adds that " the editor of the 2d folio, who altered what- 
 ever he did not understand, substituted wit for writ" K., though he 
 gives wit, thinks that "writ may be explained as a prepared writing." 
 On the meaning of wit in S., see Hen. VIII. p. 182. 
 
 241. Every several man. On several separate, see Temp. p. 131. 
 
 Seventy-five drachmas. The drachma was a Greek coin worth very 
 nearly the same as the French franc, or 18.6 cents. Plutarch gives sev'- 
 enty-five drachmas as the Greek equivalent for three hundred Roman 
 sesterces, which was the amount named in the will. The sesterce (before 
 the time of Augustus) was worth a little more than four cents. It must 
 be borne in mind, however, that the value (or "purchasing power") of 
 money was then much greater than now. 
 
 248. On this side Tiber. See Gr. 202. Caesar's gardens were beyond 
 the Tiber, as a Roman would say, or on the right bank of the river. Cf. 
 Horace, Sat. i. 9. 18 : " Trans Tiberim longe cubat is prope Caesaris hor' 
 tos." S. copied the error from N., as will be seen above. 
 
 Left them yon. Thejjw/ is emphatic, which explains the inversion. 
 
 250. To walk abroad. For walking, etc. Cf. 101 and 148 above. 
 
 254. Fire. A dissyllable ; as in iii. I. 172 above. 
 
 260. Fellow. Possibly accented on the second syllable ; but see Gr. 
 
 453- 
 
 265. Upon a wish. Cf. K. John, ii. i. 50: " upon thy wish," etc. 
 
 267. I heard him say. The folio reading. Capell and the Coll. MS. 
 (followed by Craik) read " them ;" and D. and H. have '"em." K., W., 
 and the Camb. ed. retain him. 
 
 269. Belike. Probably ; often used by S., but now obsolete. 
 
 Some notice of the people. Some information respecting (not from) the 
 people. 
 
 SCENE III. 2. Things nnlucky. The folio has "things vnluckily." 
 Warb. substituted unlucky, and is followed by D., St., H., W., and the 
 Camb. ed. The Coll. MS. gives "unlikely," which Craik adopts. K. 
 retains "unluckily," and W. is "not quite sure" that a change is called 
 for. " The poet may mean that many things besides his dream of the 
 feast charge his fancy unluckily." On the passage, cf. M. of V. ii. 5. 
 II fol. 
 
 3. Forth of doors. Cf. Temp. v. I. 160 : "thrust forth of Milan;" 3 
 Hen. VI. ii. 2. 157 : " forth of France," etc. Gr. 156. 
 
 9. Answer every man directly. See on i. I. 12 above. 
 
 12. You were best. Originally t\\z you was dative (fo you it were best), 
 but it came to be regarded as a nominative. Hence we find in S. " I 
 were better" (2 Hen. IV. i. 2. 245), " 1 were best" (i Hen. VI. v. 3. 82), 
 " She were better" ( T. A 7 , i. 2. 27), " Thou'rt best" ( Temp. i. 2. 366), etc. 
 See Gr. 230, 352, and cf. 190. For a similar change in an old idiom, see 
 M. of V. p. 134, note on If it please yon. 
 
 1 8. Bear me a bang. Get a blow from me. See on i. 2. 256 above. 
 
 27. My name is Cinna. Helvius Cinna. The conspirator was Cor- 
 nelius China. 
 
ACT IF. SCENE I. 
 
 167 
 
 34. Turn him going. Send him packing. Cf. A.Y.L. iii. I. 38 : " Do 
 this expediently, and turn him going." 
 
 26 7b Brutus', to Cassius\ That is, to Brutus's house, etc. The folio 
 print's- "to Brutus, to Cassius, burne all. Some to ZVaw.y House, and 
 some to CaskJ* ; some to Ligarius : Away, go." Note also the repeat- 
 ed " Casars" in the extract from the folio, p. 163 above. W., however, 
 chooses to print " To Brutus, to Cassius," and " to Ligarius." 
 
 ANTONY'S H A OUSE. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I. The Same. A Room in Antony 's House. The heading in the 
 folio is simply "Enter Antony, Octauius, and Lepidus" That the scene is 
 laid at Rome is evident from the fact that Lepidus is sent to Caesar's house 
 for the will, and told that on his return he will find Antony and Octavius 
 " Or here, or at the Capitol." Their actual place of meeting, however, 
 was on a small island in the river Rhenus (now the Reno], near Bononia 
 (Bologna). 
 
 Cf. N. (Life of Antony]', "thereupon all three met together (to wit, 
 Ccesar, Antonius and Lepidus] in an Island environed round about with a 
 little River, and there remained three days together. Now as touching 
 all other matters, they were easily agreed, and did divide all the Empire 
 of ROME between them, as if it had been their own Inheritance. But yet 
 they could hardly agree whom they would put tt> death : for every one 
 
1 68 NOTES. 
 
 of them would kill their Enemies, and save their Kinsmen and friends. 
 Yet at length, giving place to their greedy desire to be revenged of their 
 Enemies, they spurned all reverence of Blood, and holiness of friendship 
 at their feet. For Casar left Cicero to Antonius will, Antonius also for- 
 sook Lucius Ccesar, who was his Uncle by his Mother : and both of them 
 together suffered Lepidus to kill his own Brother Paulus. Yet some 
 Writers affirm, that Casar and Antonins requested Paulus might be slain, 
 and that Lepidus was contented with it. In my Opinion there was never 
 a more horrible, unnatural, and crueller change then this was. For thus 
 changing murther for murther, they did as well kill those whom they did 
 forsake and leave unto others, as those also which others left unto them 
 to kill : but so much more was their wickedness and cruelty great unto 
 their friends, for that they did put them to death being innocents, atfd 
 having no cause to hate them." AuL^ 
 
 I. Their names are prick\i. See on iii. I. 217 above. SW^t/r^ 
 
 5. Who is your sisters son. According to Plutarch, the person was 
 Lucius Caesar, and Mark Antony was his sister's son. Upton suggested 
 that S. wrote u You are his sister's son," but this is not at all probable. 
 
 12. Unmeritable. Without merit, undeserving. Cf. Rich. III. iii. 7. 
 155 : " my desert Unmeritable shuns your high request." Gr. 3. 
 
 22. Business. Here, as not unfrequently, a trisyllable. Cf. Rich. 7/.ii. 4 
 I. 217 : " To see this business. To-morrow next," etc. Gr. 479. On the 
 passage, cf. Oth. i. i. 44 fol. Steevens quotes M. for M. iii. i. 25 fol. 
 
 27. In commons. The Coll. MS. has "on," which Craik adopts. 
 
 28. Soldier. A trisyllable ; as in iv. 3. 51 below. Gr. 479. 
 
 32. Wind. Cf. the 'transitive use in I Hen.IV.'w. 1.109: "To turn 
 and wind a fiery Pegasus." 
 
 34. /// some taste. In some measure or degree. 
 
 37. On objects, arts, and imitations, etc. The folio has a period after 
 " imitations." K. substituted a comma, and thus made the passage plain 
 enough. Antony says that " Lepidus feeds not on objects, arts, and im- 
 itations' generally, but on such of them as are out of use and staled (or 
 worn out) by other people, which, notwithstanding, begin his fashion (or 
 with which his following the fashion begins)." Theo. proposed " On ab- 
 ject orts and imitations," which D. adopts. St. has "abjects, orts, and 
 imitations," defining abjects as " things thrown away as useless." The 
 Camb. ed. adopts this reading. Coll., Craik, W., and H. follow K. 
 
 40. A property. " A thing quite at our disposal, and to be treated as 
 we please" (Steevens). Cf. M. W. iii. 4. 10. 
 
 41. Listen. Cf. Much Ado, iii. i. 12 : "To listen our purpose," etc. Gr. 
 199. 
 
 42. Powers. That is, forces. Both power and powers were used in this 
 sense. Cf. iv. 3. 167, 304, and v. 3. 52 below. Puissance was used in the 
 same sense ; as in K. John, iii. i. 339 : " Cousin, go draw our puissance 
 together," etc. 
 
 44. Our best friends made, our means stretch'' d. " A mutilated line, for 
 which the 2d folio gives 'Our best friends made, and our best means 
 stretch'cl out ;' and Mwlone, with equal authority, if not equal fitness, 
 'Our best friends made, our means stretch'd to the utmost 1 " (W.). 
 
ACT IV. SCENE II. 1 60 
 
 45. Go sit in council. Cf. i. 2. 24 above : "go see," etc. Gr. 349. 
 
 47. Answered. Faced, met ; as in K. John, v. 7. 60, 2 Hen. IV. iv. 5. 
 197, Lear, iii. 4. 106, etc. 
 
 49. Bay\i, etc. See on iii. I. 205 above ; and cf. Macb. v. 7. I (see our 
 ed. p. 252). 
 
 SCENE II. 5. To do you salutation. Cf. Rich. III. v. 3. 210 : "done 
 salutation ;" Hen. V. iv. I. 26 : "Do my good-morrow to them," etc. See 
 Gr. 303. 
 
 6. He greets me well. This seems to mean, His greeting is friendly. 
 
 7. /;/ his own change, etc. Either because of some change in himself, 
 or through the misconduct of his officers. Warb. suggested " his own 
 charge," and Johnson " ill offices." 
 
 12. Full of regard. Cf. iii. i. 225 above. 
 14. Let me be resolv'd. See on iii. i. 132 above. 
 
 1 6. Instances. As D. remarks, "instance is a word used by S. with 
 various shades of meaning, which it is not always easy to distinguish 
 ' motive, inducement, cause, ground ; symptom, prognostic ; information, 
 assurance ; proof, example, indication.' " Here Craik explains it as "as- 
 siduities," and Schmidt as "proofs of familiarity." 
 
 23. Hot at hand. " That is, apparently, when held by the hand, or led ; 
 or rather, perhaps, when acted upon only by the rein" (Craik). Cf. Hen. 
 VIII. v. 2. 22 : 
 
 "those that tame wild horses 
 Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle, 
 But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur 'em, 
 Till they obey the manage." 
 
 26. Fall their crests. Cf. T. and C. i. 3. 379 : " make him fall His crest," 
 etc. Craik says that this transitive use of fall "is not common in S. ;" 
 but it occurs sixteen times. See Temp. pp. 127, 140, and M. of V. p. 
 
 !35- 
 
 Jades. Worthless or vicious nags. Cf. Hen. V.\\\. 7.26: "he is, in- 
 deed, a horse ; and all other jades you may call beasts," etc. 
 
 41. Be content. That is, contain (or restrain) yourself. 
 
 46. Enlarge your griefs. Set forth fully your grievances. On griefs, 
 cf. i. 3. 117 and iii. 2.211 above. 
 
 50. Lucius, do you the like. The folio reads as follows : 
 
 " Litcillius, do you the like, and let no man 
 Come to our Tent, till we haue done our Conference. 
 Let Lucius and Titinius guard our doore." 
 
 Craik was the first to transpose Lticins and Lucilius, which both mends 
 the measure and removes the absurdity of associating a servant-boy and 
 an officer of rank in the guarding of the door. Cassius sends his servant 
 Pindarus with a message to his division of the army, and Brutus sends 
 his servant Lucius on a similar errand. The folio itself confirms this cor- 
 rection, since it makes Lucilius oppose the intrusion of the Poet, and at 
 the close of the conference Brutus addresses "Lucilius and Titinius," who 
 had evidently remained on guard together all *the while. K. and the 
 Camb. editors, however, retain the folio reading. 
 
170 
 
 NDTES. 
 
 SCENE III. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus}: "Therefore, before they fell in 
 hand with any other matter, they went into a little Chamber together, and 
 bade every man avoid, and did shut the doors to them. Then they began 
 to pour out their complaints one to the other, and grew hot and loud, ear- 
 r nestly accusing one another, and at length fell both a weeping. Their 
 friends, that were without the Chamber, hearing them loud within and 
 angry between themselves, they were both amazed and afraid also, lest 
 it would grow to further matter : but yet they were commanded, that no 
 man should come to them. Notwithstanding, one Marcus Phaonius [Favo- 
 nius], that had been a friend and follower of Cato while he lived, and took 
 upon him to counterfeit a Philosopher, not with wisdom and discretion, 
 but with a certain bedlam and frantick motion : he would needs come 
 into the Chamber, though the men offered to keep him out. But it was 
 no boot to lett Phaonius, when a mad mood or toy took him in the head : 
 for he was a hot hasty man, and suddain in all his doings, and cared for 
 never a Senatour of them all. Now, though he used this bold manner of 
 speech after the profession of the Cynick Philosophers, (as who would say, 
 Dogs,) yet his boldness did no hurt many times, because they did but 
 laugh at him to see him so mad. This Phaonius at that time, in despite 
 of the Door-keepers, came inco the Chamber, and with a certain scoffing 
 and mocking gesture, which he counterfeited of purpose, he rehearsed the 
 Verses which old Nestor said in Homer: 
 
 " 'My Lords, I pray you Jtearken both to me, 
 For I have seen mce years than suchie three? 
 
 Cassius fell a laughing at him : but Brutus thrust him out of the Cham- 
 ber, and called him Dog and counterfeit Cynick. Howbeit his coming in 
 brake their strife at that time, and so they left each other." 
 
 Coleridge says : " I know no part of Shakespeare that more impresses 
 on me the belief of his genius being superhuman than this scene between 
 Brutus and Cassius." 
 
 2. You have condemn 'd and 'noted Lucius Pella. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus] : 
 " The next day after, Bruhis upon complaint of the SARDIANS, did con- 
 demn and note Lucius Pella for a defamed Person, that had been a Praetor 
 of the ROMANS, and whom Brutus had given charge unto : for that he was 
 accused and convicted of robbery, and pilfery in his Office. This judge- 
 ment much misliked Cassius, because he himself had secretly (not many 
 days before) warned two of his friends, attainted and convicted of the like 
 offences, and openly had cleared them : but yet he did not therefore leave 
 to employ them in any manner of service as he did before. And there- 
 fore he greatly reproved Brutus, for that he would shew himself so straight 
 and severe, in such a time as was meeter to bear a little, then to take 
 things at the worst. Brutus in contrary manner answered, that he should 
 remember the Id's of March, at which time they slew Julius Casar, who 
 neither pilled nor polled* the Countrey, but onely was a favourer and 
 
 * To pill is to pillage or rob, and to poll is to strip or plunder. Cf. Rich. II. ii. i. 
 246: "The commons hath he pill'd -,' 1 Spenser, State of Ireland: "They will poll and 
 spoyle soe outragiously, as the verve Eneniye cannot doe much woorse." The two words 
 are often joined, as here Cf^ Spenser, F. Q. v. 2. 6 : ' Which pols and pils the poore in 
 piteous wize;'' Holinshed, History oj Ireland: " Kildare did use to pill and poll his 
 friendes, tenants, and reteyners." 
 
ACT IV. SCENE III. 
 
 171 
 
 suborner of all them that did rob and spoil, by his countenance and Au- 
 thority." 
 
 4. Wherein my letter, etc. This is the reading of the 2d folio, and fur- 
 nishes the simplest correction of the ist, which gives 
 " Wherein my Letters, praying on his side. 
 Because I knew the man was slighted off." 
 
 K., D., H., and the Camb. ed. read " letters . . , were slighted ;" W., 
 as in the text. 
 
 8. That every nice offence, etc. That every petty offence should' bear 
 Us comment, or criticism. 
 
 9. Let me tell you, Cassius. Abbott (Gr. 483) makes you a dissyllable 
 here. Capell (followed by D. and H.) reads " And let." 
 
 10. Condemn 'd to have. Condemned as having, accused of having. Gr. 
 356. 
 
 11. Mart. Market, trade. Cf. W. T. iv. 4. 363 : " You have let him 
 go, and nothing marted with him." See also Cymb. i. 6. 151. 
 
 13. Brutus that speaks this. Pope, reads "speak." 
 
 19. For justice sake. The folio prints "for Justice sake." Cf. Cor. ii. 
 3. 36 : " conscience sake ;" and see our ed. p. 231. Gr. 217. 
 
 20. What villain, etc. That is, who that touched his body was such a 
 villain that he stabbed, etc. Cf. v. 4. 2 below. 
 
 28. Brutus, bay not me. The folio has " Brutus, baite not me ;" cor- 
 rected by Theo. It is evident that S. intended Cassius to echo the word 
 used by Brutus. K. and Wr. read "bait." 
 
 32. To make conditions. " To arrange the terms on which offices should 
 be conferred" (Craik). For^ to, see M. of. V. p. 136. 
 
 36. Have mind upon your health. Look to your safety. 
 
 37. Slight man. Cf. iv. i. 12 above. 
 
 38. Is ''t possible? This interruption does not break the measure of 
 what Brutus is saying. See Gr. 514. 
 
 45. Observe you. Treat you with reverence, be obsequious to you. Cf. 
 2 Hen. IV. iv. 4. 30 : " For he is gracious, if he be observ'd," etc. See also 
 Mark,M\. 20, where most of the early versions have "gave him reverence." 
 
 51. Soldier. A trisyllable ; as in iv. i. 28 above. 
 
 54. I shall be glad to learn of noble men. This is the folio reading, fol- 
 lowed by K., St., W., and others. The Coll. MS. alters noble to " abler," 
 which D. and H. adopt, referring to what Cassius has said " Older in 
 practice, abler than yourself," etc. " Brutus says noble because it is what 
 he wishes Cassius to be" (Wr.). 
 
 69. Respect not. Regard not, care not for. Cf. T. G. of V. i. 2. 134, 
 Cymb. i. 6. 155, etc. 
 
 73. Than to wring. Cf. i. 2. 172 above ; and see Gr. 350. 
 
 75. By any indirection. By "indirect crooked ways" (2 Hen. IV. iv. 5. 
 185) or dishonest practice. Cf. K. John, iii. i. 276. 
 
 80. Rascal counters. Puttenham (Arte of English Poesie, 1582) says : 
 " Rasktill is properly the hunter's term given to young deer, lean and out 
 of season, and not to people." Cf. Drayton, Polyolbion, Song 13 : " The 
 bucks and lusty stags among the rascals strewed**? Counters were round 
 pieces of metal used in casting accounts. Cf. W. T. iv. 3. 38 : " I cannot 
 
I 7 2 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 do 't without counters ;" Cymb. v. 4. 174 : " pen, book, and counters," etc. 
 Here the word is used contemptuously for money. 
 
 81. Be ready, gods, etc. The folio reads and points thus : 
 " Be ready Gods with all your Thunder-bolts, 
 
 Dash him to peeces." 
 
 The modern editors generally retain the comma after "thunderbolts," but 
 Coll. and'W. omit it. Craik thinks that dash is "probably to be under- 
 stood as the infinitive," with to omitted, but we believe it to be the im- 
 perative : Be ready with all your thunderbolts, and dash him to pieces. 
 
 90. Do appear. The Coll. MS. alters do to "did." 
 
 93. Alone on Cassius. On Cassius only. Cf. R. of L. 1480. 
 
 94. Aweary of the world. Cf. Macb. v. 5. 49 : " I gin to be aweary of 
 the sun." Abbott (Gr. 24) considers the a- in aweary "a corruption of 
 the A. S. intensive of" 
 
 96. Checked like a bondman. Cf. Lear, ii. 2. 149 : " his master Will check 
 him for 't." The noun also is used in the sense of rebuke, reproof. Cf. 
 Cymb. iii. 3. 22 : " attending for a check" (that is, dancing attendance only 
 to be paid with reproof); Oth. iii. 3. 67 : "a fault To incur a private 
 check," etc. 
 
 101. Dearer than Plutus* mine. The folio has "Deerer then Plutfs 
 Mine," and in T. and C. iii. 3. 197 : "euery graine of Plutoes gold." 
 
 102. If that thou beest. On that, see Gr. 287, and on beest, Gr. 298. 
 
 108. Dishonour shall be humour. "Any indignity that you offer shall 
 be regarded as a mere caprice of the moment" (Craik). Both Craik and 
 \V. suggest that S. may have written " honour." 
 
 109. With a lamb. The lamb is Brutus. Pope has " with a man." 
 no. As the flint bears fire. Cf. i. 2. 172 above. 
 
 in. Who. See Gr. 264. 
 
 1 1 8. Have not you, etc. The folio reading. Pope gives " Have you not." 
 L3O. For I have seen more years, I 'M sure, than ye. Plutarch makes 
 Favonius exclaim, in the words of Nestor (Iliad, book i.), 
 
 " 'AXXfi -jriOeffO' ' a/M$cu 6e i/ewrtpto e<rroi/ ejueio." 
 
 For North's translation, see the extract above. 
 133. Fashion. A trisyllable. See on 51 above. 
 
 135. These jibing fools. These rhyming fools. Jig used to mean "a 
 metrical composition, as well as a dance" (Malone). 
 
 136. Companion, hence ! On this contemptuous use of companion, see 
 Temp. p. 1 3 1, note on Your feilmv. 
 
 148. How scap\l I killing. Scape is commonly printed as a contraction 
 of escape, but we find it also in prose ; as in Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. 14. 9 : 
 "such as had scaped shipwreck," etc. S. uses it much oftener than es- 
 cape. See Wb. s. v. 
 
 150. Upon what sickness ? Cf. Much Ado, iv. I. 225 : " When he shall 
 hear she died upon (that is, in consequence of) his words." See Gr. 191. 
 Bacon often uses upon in this sense. Cf. Ess. 48 : " Factious Followers 
 are worse to be liked, which Follow not upon Affection to him, with whom 
 they range Themselves, but upon Discontentment Conceived against some 
 Other ;" Adv. of L. ii. 23. 18: "there are few men so true to themselves 
 and so' settled, but that, sometimes upon heat, sometimes upon bravery, 
 
ACT IV. SCENE III. 
 
 173 
 
 sometimes upon kindness, sometimes upon trouble of mind and weak- 
 ness, they open themselves," etc. 
 
 Impatient of my absence, etc. " This speech is throughout a striking 
 exemplification of the tendency of strong emotion to break through the 
 logical forms of grammar, and of how possible it is for language to be 
 perfectly intelligible, sometimes, with the grammar in a more or less cha- 
 otic or uncertain state" (Craik). 
 
 153. Tidings. Like news, used by S. both as singular and as plural. 
 Cf. v. 3. 54 below. 
 
 With this she fell distract. See p. 33 above. For the form distract, see 
 Gr. 342. S. also uses the obsolete distraught : as in K.and J. iv. 3. 49 : 
 "Or, if I wake, shall I not be distraught." 
 
 154. Her attendants absent, etc. See Gr. 380. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus) : 
 "And for Porcia, Brutus Wife, Nicolaus the Philosopher, and Valerius 
 Maximus do write, that she determining to kill herself (her Parents and 
 friends carefully looking to her to keep her from it) took hot burning 
 coals and cast them into her mouth, and kept her mouth so close that 
 she choaked herself." 
 
 163. Cull in question. Consider, discuss. 
 
 168. Bending their expedition. Directing their march "perhaps im- 
 plying that they were pressing on" (Craik). Cf. Rich. III. iv. 4. 136. 
 
 169. Tenour. The folio has " Tenure ;" as in A . Y. L. iv. 3. w. 
 
 171. That by proscription, etc. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus}-. "After that, 
 these three Octavius Ccesar, Antonius and Lepidns made an agreement be- 
 tween themselves, and by those Articles divided the Provinces belonging 
 to the Empire of ROME among themselves, and did set up Bills of Pro- 
 scription and Outlawry, condemning two hundred of the noblest men of 
 ROME to suffer death ; and amongst that number, Cicero was one." 
 
 177. Cicero one. Abbott (Gr. 486) makes one a dissyllable. Steevens 
 inserted "Ay" before the second Cicero. 
 
 181. Nor nothing. Cf. iii. 1.92, 155 above. 
 
 189. With meditating, etc. On wifh, see Gr. 193. Here once some 
 time or other. Cf. M. W. iii. 4. 103 : " I pray thee, once to-night Give my 
 sweet Nan this ring." See also Hen. VIII. p. 163, note on Once weak ones. 
 
 192. / have as much of this in art as you, etc. "/ art Malone inter- 
 prets to mean * in theory.' It rather signifies by acquired knowledge, or 
 learning, as distinguished from natural disposition" (Craik). 
 
 194. Our work alive. That is, the work that we the living have to do. 
 
 201. Of force. Of necessity ; as in M.of V. iv. i. 421, etc. Cf. Bacon, 
 Adv. of L. ii. 5. 2 : "their inquiries must of force have been of a far other 
 kind." Cf. n\so perforce, which is frequent in S., and is still used in poetry. 
 
 207. Come on refreshed, new-added, etc. The folio reading, retained by 
 St., W., and the Camb. ed. " New-aided" was independently suggested 
 by D. and Sr., and is adopted by H. The Coll. MS. (followed by Craik) 
 has "new-hearted." New-added reinforced. 
 
 218. Omitted. Neglected. See Temp. p. 125, and Hen. VIII. p. 183. 
 
 222. Ventures. See M. of V. p. 128, note on Had I such venture forth. 
 
 226. Niggard. Craik remarks that this is probably the only instance 
 'In the language of niggard as a verb ; but cf. Sonn. I. 12. Gr. 290. 
 
J74 NOTES. 
 
 229. Farewell^ good Messala. Craik regards this as a hemistich ; Abbott 
 (Gr. 480) makes it complete the line, counting Farewell as a trisyllable. 
 Walker suggests "Fare you well," and Hanmer "Now, farewell." 
 
 239. Poor knave. That is, poor boy. See M. of V. p. 137. On the 
 passage, see page 13 above. 
 
 O'erwatch'd. Worn out with watching. Cf. Lear, ii. 2. 177: "All 
 wenry and o'erwatch'd." See Gr. 374 (cf. 295). In M. N. D. v. i. 373, 
 we have it in its active form : 
 
 " I fear we shall outsleep the coming morn 
 As much as we this night have overwatch'd." 
 
 240. Some other of my men. On other = others, see M. of V. p. 128. 
 242. Varro and Claudius. The folio has " Varrns\ and Ciaudio" and 
 
 also in the stage-direction that follows. 
 
 254. Canst thou hold up, etc. The 2d folio gets the passage "some- 
 what mixed :" 
 
 " Canst thou hold up thy instrument a straine or two, 
 And touch thy heavy eyes a- while." 
 
 260. I know yonng bloods. See on i. 2. 147 above. 
 
 262. It was well done. The Var. of 1821 has " It is well done. 1 ' 
 
 266. Thy leaden mace. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 4. 44 : 
 
 " But whenas Morpheus had with leaden mace 
 Arrested all that courtly company." 
 
 In both cases, the mace is the club borne by an officer of justice, not, as 
 Steevens and H. explain it, the sceptre of a monarch. Cf. C. of E. iv. 3. 
 28 : " he (the officer) that sets up his rest (with a play on rest and arrest} 
 to do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike." It means sceptre 
 in Hen. V. iv. I. 278: "The sword, the mace, the crown imperial." 
 
 268. So much wrong to wake thee. On the ellipsis of as, see Gr. 281. 
 
 269. If thou dost nod, thou break" st. On the tenses, see Gr. 363, 371. 
 
 272. Where I left reading. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus} : " Brutus was a care- 
 ful* man, and slept very little, both for that his Diet was moderate, as also 
 because he was continually occupied. He never slept in the'day time, and 
 in the night no longer then the time he was driven to be alone, and when 
 every body else took their rest. But now whilest he was in War, and his 
 head over-busily occupied to think of his affairs, and what would happen, 
 after he had slumbered a little after supper, he spent all the rest of the 
 night in dispatching of his weightiest Causes ; and after he had taken 
 order for them, if he had any leasure left him, he would read some Book 
 till the third Watch of the night, at what time the Captains, petty Captains 
 and Colonels, did use to come to him. So, being ready to go into EU- 
 ROPE, one night very late (when all the Camp took quiet rest) as he was 
 in his Tent with a little light, thinking of weighty matters, he thought he 
 heard one come in to him, and casting his eye towards the door of his 
 Tent, that he saw a -wonderfull strange and monstrous shape of a body 
 coming towards him, and said never a word. So Brutus boldly asked 
 what he was, a God or a man, and what cause brought him thither. The 
 
 * That is, full of care. Cf. C. of E. v. i. 298: " careful hours ;" Rich. III. i. 3- 83 : 
 
 "By Him that rais'd me to this careful height 
 
 From that contented hap which I enjoy'd." 
 
ACT V. SCENE I. 
 
 175 
 
 Spirit answered him, I am thy evill Spirit, Brutus: and thou shalt see me 
 by the City of PHILIPPES. Bnttus being no otherwise afraid, replied again 
 unto it : Well, then I shall see thee again. The Spirit presently vanished 
 away : and Brutus called his men unto him, who told him that they heard 
 no noise, nor saw any thing at all." 
 
 See also the Life of C&sar : " he thought he heard a noise at his Tent 
 door, and looking towards the light "of the Lamp that waxed very dim, he 
 saw a horrible Vision of a man, of a wonderfull greatness, and dreadful 1 
 look, which at the first made him marvellously afraid. But when he saw 
 that it did him no hurt, but stood by his bed-side, and said nothing ; at 
 length he asked him what he was. The Image answered him : I am thy 
 ill Angel], Brutus, and thou shalt see me by the City of PHILIPPES. Then 
 Brutus replied again, and said, Well, I shall see then. Therewithal!, the 
 Spirit presently vanished from him." 
 
 On the introduction of the ghost here, see p. 20 above. 
 
 273. How ill this taper burns ! Because of the appearance of the ghost. 
 Cf. Rich. III. v. 3. 181 : "The lights burn blue ;" and see our ed. p. 241. 
 Here the poet follows N. 
 
 278. And my hair to stare. Cf. Temp. i. 2. 213 : " With hair up-staring, 
 then like reeds, not hair." 
 
 304. Set on his powers. See on i. 2. n and iv. I. 42 above. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I. 4. Their battles. Their battalions, or forces. Cf. Hen. V. 
 iv. chor. 9 : " Each battle sees the other's umber'd face ;" Bacon, Ess. 58 : 
 "they were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battailes, etc." 
 
 5. Warn. Summon. Cf. Rich. III. i. 3. 39 : * to warn them to his royal 
 presence ;" K. John, ii. I. 201 : " warn'd us to the walls," etc. 
 
 10. With fearful bravery. " With a gallant show of courage carrying 
 with it terror and dismay" (Malone) : with " bravery in show or appear- 
 ance, which yet is full of real fear or apprehension" (Craik). The latter 
 interpretation agrees better with what follows. For bravery bravado, cf. 
 Bacon, Ess. 57: "To seek to extinguish anger utterly, is but a bravery 
 of the Sloicks" For fearful timorous, faint-hearted, see V. and A. 677 : 
 " Pursue these fearful creatures o'er the downs" the creatures being " the 
 timorous flying hare" (called " the fearful flying hare" in 3 Hen. VI. ii. 5. 
 130), the fox, and the roe. See also Judges, vii. 3, Matt. viii. 26, etc. 
 
 14. Their bloody sign of battle. Cf. N. (Life of Bruttis] : " The next 
 morning by break of clay, the Signall of Battell was set out \\\ Brutus and 
 Cassius Camp, which was an arming Scarlet Coat." 
 
 19. Exigent. Exigency. Cf. H. and C.\v. 14.63: "when the exigent 
 should come." In the only other instance in which S. uses the word (I 
 Hen. VI. ii. 5. 9), it means end : 
 
 "These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent, 
 Grow dim, as drawing to their exigent." 
 
 24. Answer on their charge. Await their onset. 
 
 25. Make forth. " Step forward" (Craik). 
 
i 7 6 
 
 NOTES, 
 
 ROMAN SOLDIERS. 
 
 33. The posture of your blows are yet unknown. See Gr. 412. 
 
 34. The Hykla bees. Hybla in Sicily was famous for its honey. Cf, 
 I Hen. IV. i. 2. 47 : " the honey of Hybla." 
 
 44. O,youflatterers. On the measure, see Gr. 482. 
 
 49. The proof of it. The proof of the arguing; that is, "the arbitra- 
 ment of the sword, to which it is the prologue or prelude" (Craik). 
 
 52. Cesar's three and thirty wounds. Theo. changed this to " three and 
 twenty," the number given in Plutarch and Suetonius ; but this is to deal 
 with poetry in too arithmetical a way. 
 
 54. Have added, etc. Have added another victim to your traitorous 
 swords. The Coll. MS. has "word" for sword. 
 
 58. Strain. Race. Cf.Afuch Ado, ii. 1.394 : "he is of a noble strain ;" 
 Per. iv. 3. 24 : " To think of what a noble strain you are ;" Spenser, F. Q. 
 iv. 8. 33 : " Sprung of the auncient stocke of Princes straine," etc. 
 
 59. Honourable. Thus in the folio, but possibly a misprint for "hon- 
 ourably" ("honourablie"), which W. substitutes. 
 
 60. A peevish schoolboy. " Peevish appears to have generally signified, 
 during S.'s days, * silly, foolish, trifling,' etc., though no doubt the word 
 
ACT V. SCENE I. * l ^ 
 
 was formerly used, as now, in the sense of 'pettish, perverse,' etc." (D.). 
 Cf. C. of E. iv. i. 93 : " How now ! a madman ! Why, thou peevish sheep, 
 What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?" 3 Hen. VI. v. 6. 18: " Why, 
 what a peevish fool was that of Crete, That taught his son the office of a 
 fowl !" Rich. III. iv. 2. 100 : " When Richmond was a little peevish boy." 
 Trench (Glossary, etc.) thinks that the word meant "self-willed, obsti- 
 nate," rather than " foolish," but the latter seems the only meaning pos- 
 sible in some of the passages just cited, and in several others in S. Could 
 v\e substitute "self-willed" or "obstinate" for peevish in the following dia- 
 logue from i Hen. VI. v. 3. 181 fol. ? 
 
 " Suffolk. No loving token to his majesty? 
 
 Mtirgaret. Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart, 
 Never yet taint with love, I send the king. 
 
 Siiffolk. And this withal. {Kisses her. 
 
 Margaret. That for thyself: I will not so presume 
 To send such peevish tokens to a king." 
 
 Se2 also Hen.V. p. 171. 
 
 70. As this very day. See Temp. p. 113, note on As at that time. 
 
 72. Be ihou, etc. On the change from thou to you, see Or. 233. 
 
 According to N. (Life of Brutus}, Cassius said, " Messala, I protest unto 
 thee, and make thee my Witness, that I am compelled against my mind 
 and will (as Pompey the Great was) to jeopard the liberty of our Coun- 
 fcrey to the hazard of a Battell." 
 
 78. Coming from Sardis, etc. On coming^tt Gr. 379. 
 
 Our former ensign. The Coll. MS. has "forward," but the original 
 reading is well enough, and Coll. himself retains it. Cf. N. \Life of Bru- 
 tus] : " When they raised their Camp, there came two Eagles that flying 
 with a marvellous force, lighted upon two of the foremost Ensigns, and 
 always followed the Sotildiers, which gave them Meat, and fed them, un- 
 till they came near to the City of PHILIPPES; and there one day onely 
 before the Battel, they both flew away." 
 
 81. Who to Philippi here consorted us. On who, see on i. 3. 20 above. 
 On the transitive use of consort, cf. C. ofE.\.2. 28 : " And afterwards con- 
 sort you till bed-time," etc. S. also uses consort with ; as in R. and J. 
 lii. i. 48 : " thou consort'st with Romeo," etc. 
 
 83. /// their steads. Cf. T. of A. iv. i. 6 ; and see Rich. II. p. 206, note 
 on Sights. 
 
 85. As we were, etc. As ?/we were, etc. Gr. 107. Cf. iii. i. 99 above. 
 
 91. Constantly. Firmly. Cf. the adjective in iii. 1.22.60, 72 above. 
 
 93. Lovers. See on ii. 3. 7 above. 
 
 94. Rest still incertain. The folio reads "rests still incertaine;" cor- 
 rected by Rowe. See M. of V. p. 155, note on Uncapable. Gr. 442. 
 
 ^95. Let 's reason with the worst, etc. Cf. N. (Life of Brtttus} : " There 
 Cassius began to speak first, and said : The gods grant us O Brnttts, that 
 this day we may win the Field, and ever after to live all the rest of our 
 iife quietly one with another. But sith the gods have so ordained it, that 
 the greatest and chiefest things amongst men are most uncertain, and that 
 if the Battell fall out otherwise to day then we wish or look for, we shall 
 hardly meet again, what art thou then determined to do, to flie, or die? 
 
 M 
 
I7 8 NOTES. 
 
 Bnitus answered him, being yet but a young man, and not over greatly 
 experienced in the world, I trust* (I know not how) a certain rule of Phi- 
 losophy, by the which I did greatly blame and reprove Cato for killing 
 himself, as being no lawfull nor godly act, touching the gods : nor con- 
 cerning men, valiant ; not to give place and yeeid to divine Providence, 
 and not constantly and patiently to take whatsoever it pleaseth him to 
 send us, but to draw back and flie : but being now in the midst of the 
 danger, I am of a contrary mind. For, if it be not the will of God that 
 this Battell fall out fortunate for us, I will look no more for hope, but will 
 rid me of this miserable world, and content me with my fortune.'' 
 99. Even t>y the rnle, etc. The passage stands thus in the folio : 
 
 " Euen by the rule of that Philosophy, 
 By which I did blame Cato, for ihe death 
 Which he did giue himselfe, I know not how: 
 But I do finde it Cowardly, and vile, 
 For feare of what might fall, so to preuent 
 The time of life, arming my selfe with patience, 
 To stay the prouidence of some high Powers, 
 That gouerne vs below." 
 
 The meaning apparently is, I am determined to do by (that is, act in 
 accordance with, govern myself by) the rule of that philosophy, by which 
 I did blame Cato, etc. K., D., and H. make "I know not how . . . the 
 time of life" a parenthesis. Coll. and W. put a period after himself ; 
 and that pointing, since it gives the same meaning without the long pa- 
 renthesis, is, on the whole, to be preferred. Craik connects " I know not 
 how," etc., with what precedes ("I know not how it is, but I do find it, 
 by the rule of that philosophy, etc., cowardly and vile"), and the Camb. 
 ed. adopts that arrangement. 
 
 103. To prevent The time of life. Johnson and Steevens take prevent in 
 its ordinary meaning ; Malone, D., and H., in its primary sense of antici- 
 pate. S. uses the word several times in the latter sense, and we prefer 
 that interpretation here. The time of life is the full time or natural pe- 
 riod of life. The Coll. MS. changes time to " term," and in the next line 
 *ome to "those ;" and Craik adopts both emendations. 
 
 105. To stay the providence. To await it (not to hinder or delay it) ; as 
 in i Hen. IV. i. 3. 258 : " We '11 stay your leisure." 
 
 108. Thorough the streets. See on iii. i. 137 above. 
 
 109. No, Cassius, no, etc. " There has been some controversy about 
 the reasoning of Brutus in this dialogue. Both Steevens and Malone 
 conceive that there is an inconsistency between what he here says and 
 his previous declaration of his determination not to follow the example 
 of Cato. But how did Cato act? He slew himself that he might not 
 witness and outlive the fall of Utica. This was, merely 'for fear of what 
 might fall,' to anticipate the end of life. It did not follow that it would 
 be wrong, in the opinion of Brutus, to commit suicide in order to escape 
 any certain and otherwise inevitable calamity or degradation, such as 
 being led in triumph through the streets of Rome by Octavius and An- 
 tony" (Craik). 
 
 * This is an old form of the past tense, and trusted- Cf Cymb- iv. 2. 347 : " I fast 
 and pray'd," etc Gr. 341. 
 
ACT V. SCENE II. 
 
 I 79 
 
 is at first inclined to wait patiently for better times, but is 
 the idea of being 'led in triumph,' to which he will never sub- 
 
 " Brutus 
 
 roused by the L _ . . . . 
 
 mit. The loss of the battle would not alone have determined him to kill 
 himself, if he could have lived free" (Ritson). 
 
 ROMAN STANDARD-BEARERS. 
 
 SCENE II. On this scene, and the following ones, cf. N. (Life of Brutus] j 
 "Ifhen^mAtf prayed Cassius he might have the leading of the right Wing, 
 the which men thought was far meeter for Cassius, both because he was 
 the elder man, and also for that he had the better experience. But yet 
 Cassius gave it him, and willed that Messala (who had charge of one of 
 the warlikest Legions they had) should be also in that Wing with Brutus. 
 ... In the mean time Brutus, that led the right Wing, sent little Bills to 
 the Colonels and Captains of private Bands, in the which he wrote the 
 word of the Battell." 
 
 " First of all he (Cassius) was marvellous angry to see \uw Brutus men 
 ran to give charge upon their Enemies, and tarried not for the word of the 
 Battell, nor commandment to give charge : and it grieved him beside, that 
 
i8o NOTES. 
 
 after he had overcome them, his men fell straight to spoil, and were not 
 carefull to compass in the rest of the Enemies behind : but with tanying 
 too long also, more then through the valiantness or foresight of the Cap- 
 tains his Enemies, Cassius found himself compassed in with the right wing 
 of his Enemies Army. Whereupon his horsemen brake immediatly, and 
 fled for life towards the Sea. Furthermore, perceiving his Footmen to 
 give ground, he did what he could to keep them from flying, and took an 
 Ensign from one of the Ensign-Bearers that fled, and stuck it fast at his 
 feet : although with much ado he could scant keep his own Guard togeth- 
 er. So Cassius himself was at length compelled to flie, with a few about 
 him, unto a little Hill, from whence they might easily see what was done 
 in all the plain : howbeit Cassius himself saw nothing, for his sight was 
 very bad, saving that he saw (and yet with much ado) how the Enemies 
 spoiled his Camp before his eyes. He saw also a great Troop of Horse- 
 men, whom Brutus sent to aid him, and thought that they were his Ene- 
 mies that followed him : but yet he sent Titinnius, one of them that was 
 with him, to go and know what they were. Brutus horsmen saw him 
 coming afar off, whom when they knew that he was one of Cassius chief- 
 est friends, they shouted out for joy, and they that were familiarly ac- 
 quainted with him, lighted from their Horses, and went and embraced 
 him. The rest compassed him in round about on horse-back, with Songs 
 of Victory, and great rushing of their Harress, so that they made all the 
 Field ring again for joy. But this marred all. For Cassius thinking in- 
 deed that Titinnius was taken of the Enemies, he then spake these words : 
 Desiring too much to live, I have lived to see one of my best friends taken, 
 for my sake, before my face. After that, he got into a Tent where no body 
 was, and took Pindarus with him, one of his Bondmen whom he reserved 
 ever for such a pitch, since the cursed battle of the PARTHIANS where 
 Crassus* was slain, though he notwithstanding scaped from that over- 
 throw : but then casting his cloak over his head, and holding out his bare 
 neck unto Pindarus, he gave him his head to be stricken off. So the 
 head was found severed from the body : but after that time Pindarus was 
 never seen more. Whereupon, some took occasion to say that he had 
 slain his master without his commandment. By and by they knew the 
 horsemen that came towards them, and might see Titinnius crowned with 
 a Garland of triumph, who came before with great speed unto Cassius. 
 But when he perceived, by the cries and tears of his friends which tor- 
 mented themselves, the misfortune which had chanced to his Captain 
 Cassius by mistaking, he drew out his sword, cursing himself a thousand 
 times that he had tarried so long, and slew himself presently in the field. 
 Brutus in the mean time came forward still, and understood also that 
 Cassius had been overthrown : but he knew nothing of his death, till he 
 came very near to his Camp. So when he was come thither, after he had 
 \amented the death of Cassius, calling him the last of all the ROMANS ; 
 being impossible that ROME should ever breed again so noble and val- 
 iant a man as he : he caused his body to be buried, and sent it to the city 
 of THASSOS, fearing lest his funerals within the Camp should cause great 
 disorder," . . . 
 
 * Misprinted "Cassius" in the ed. of 1676. 
 
ACT V. SCENE II. 181 
 
 "There was the son of Marcus Cato slain, valiantly fighting among the 
 lusty youths. For, notwithstanding that he was very weary and over- 
 harried, yet would he not therefore fly, but manfully fighting and laying 
 about him, telling aloud his name, and also his fathers name, at length he 
 was beaten down among many other dead bodies of his enemies which he 
 had slain round about him. So there were slain in the field, all the chief- 
 est Gentlemen and Nobility that were in his Army, who valiantly ran into 
 any danger to save Brutus life : amongst whom there was one of Brutus 
 friends called Lucilius, who see a troop of barbarous men, making no 
 reckoning of all men else they met in their way, but going altogether 
 right against Brutus, he determined to stay them with the hazard of life, 
 and being left behind, told them that he was Brutus : and because they 
 should believe him, he prayed them to bring him to Antonius, for he said 
 he was afraid of Casar, and that he did trust Antonius better. These bar- 
 barous men being very glad of this good hap, and thinking themselves 
 happy men, they carried him in the night, and sent some before unto An- 
 tonius to tell him of their coming. He was marvellous glad of it, and 
 went out to meet them that brought him. ... In the meantime Lucilius 
 was brought to him, who with a bold countenance said : Antonius, I dare 
 assure thee, that no enemy hath taken, or shall take Marcus Brutus alive : 
 and I beseech God keep him from that fortune : but wheresoever he be 
 found, alive or dead, he will be found like himself. . . . Lucilius words 
 made them all amazed that heard him. Antonius on the other side, look- 
 ing upon all them that had brought him, said unto them : My friends, I 
 think ye are sorry you have failed of your purpose, and that you think 
 this man hath done great wrong : but I assure you, you have taken a 
 better booty then that you followed. For, instead of an Enemy, you have 
 brought me a friend : and for my part, if you had brought me Bruttis alive, 
 truly I cannot tell what I should have done to him. For I had rather 
 have such men as this my friends then my enemies. Then he embraced 
 Lucilius, and at that time delivered him to one of his friends in custody; 
 tt\& Lucilius ever after served him faithfully, even to his death." 
 
 " Furthermore, Brutus thought that there was no great number of men 
 slain in battle : and, to know the truth of it, there was one called Statilius, 
 that promised to go through his Enemies, for otherwise it was impossible 
 to go see their Camp : and thereupon if all were well, he would lift up a 
 torch-light in the Air, and then return again with speed to him. The 
 torch-light was lift up as he had promised, for Statilius went thither : and 
 a good while after Brutus seeing that Statilius came not again, he said : 
 \iStatilius be alive he will come again. But his evil fortune was such 
 that, as he came back, he fell into his Enemies hands and was slain. Now 
 the night being far spent, Brutus as he sate bowed towards Clitus one of 
 his men, and told him somewhat in his ear : the other answered him not, 
 but fell a weeping. Thereupon he proved Dardanus, and said somewhat 
 also to him : and at the last he came to Volumnius himself, and speaking 
 to him in Greek, prayed him, for the studies sake which brought them ac- 
 quainted together, that he would help him to put his hand to his sword, 
 to thrust it in him to kill him. Volumnius denied his request, and so did 
 many others : and amongst tfye rest, one pf them said, there was no tarry 
 
1 82 NOTES. 
 
 ing for them there, but they must needs fly. Then Brutus rising up, said, 
 We must fly indeed, but it must be with our hands, not with our feet. 
 Then taking every man by the hand, he said these words unto them with 
 a chearful countenance : It rejoyceth my heart, that none of my friends 
 hath failed me at my need, and I do not complain of my fortune, but onely 
 for my countries sake : for as for me, I think my self happier than they 
 that have overcome, considering that I have a perpetuall fame of vertue 
 and honesty, the which our Enemies the Conquerors shall never attain 
 unto by force nor money ; neither can let* their posterity to say, that they 
 being naughty and unjust men, have slain good men, to usurp tyrannicall 
 power not pertaining to them. Having so said, he prayed every man to 
 shift for himself, and then he went a little aside with two or three onely, 
 among the which Strato was one, with whom he came first acquainted by 
 the study of Rhetorick. He came as near to him as he could, and taking 
 his sword by the hilt with both his hands, and falling down upon the point 
 of it, ran himself through. Others say that not he, but Strato (at his re- 
 quest) held the sword in his hand, and turned his head aside, and that 
 Brians fell down upon it, and so ran himself through, and died presently. 
 Messala, that had been Bmtus great friend, reconciled afterwards to be 
 Octavius Casals friend, and shortly after, Casar being at good leisure, he 
 brought Strato, Brutus friend unto him, and weeping said : Qzsar, behold, 
 here is he that did the last service to my Brutus. Then Ccesar received 
 him, and afterwards he did as faithfull service in all his affairs, as any 
 GRECIAN else he had about him, untill the Battle of ACTIUM." 
 
 SCENE III. 3. I slew the coward, and did take it from him. That is, 
 took the ensign from him. Ensign means either the standard or the 
 standard-bearer, and here it may be said to be used for both. 
 
 7. Took it too eagerly. Followed up the advantage too eagerly. 
 
 II. Far. See on iii. 2. 165 above. 
 
 18. Yond. See on i. 2. 190 above. 
 
 32. Ntnv some light. W. and H. print " 'light," but the word (A. S. 
 lihtan} is not a contraction of alight, and is common enough in prose. 
 See the description of this scene in N., quoted above ; and cf. Gen. xxiv. 
 64, 2 Kings, v. 21, etc. 
 
 38. Saving of thy life. See Gr. 178. 
 
 43. The hilts. 'Cf. Rich. III. i. 4. 160: "with the hilts of thy sword." 
 S. uses hilts of a single weapon five times, ///'// three times. 
 
 51. But change. "Only a succession of alternations or vicissitudes" 
 (Craik). 
 
 Thou dost sink to night. Some print " to-night ;" but, as Craik re- 
 marks, " a far nobler sense is given to the words by taking sink to night 
 to be an expression of the same kind with sink to rest." The folio reads 
 " thou doest sink to night;" and elsewhere doest and dost are used indis- 
 criminately. Cf. i. i. 8 above. We find didest in Ham. iv. 7. 58. 
 
 65. Mistrust* of my success. See ii. 2. 6 above. Bacon (Adv. of L. ii. 
 4. 2) speaks of " the successes and issues of actions." 
 
 85. But hold ihee. See i. 3. 116 above. Gr. 212. 
 * That is, hinder. 
 
AC7 V. SCENE II f. 
 
 183 
 
 -x^t 
 
 tWJ s / 
 
 /Swfo^v 
 
 < W-X.T* "- ; /y/'' ^ 
 ^ /^- -../ / 6- x 
 <?- 
 
 "Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill'' (v. 3. 20). 
 
 86. Bid. S. often uses &V/ for both bade and bidden. \ fe has /W^ fre* 
 quently, but bidden only once (Much Ado, iii. 3. 32). Cf. Gr. 342, 343. 
 
 96.' / ?//;- own proper entrails. On /// - into, see Gr. 159. For proper, 
 see on i. 2. 38 above. Cf. A. W. iv. 2. 49. 
 
 97. Whether. See on i. i. 61 above. 
 
 99. The last of all t/ie Romans. Ro\ve reads " Thou last ;" but N. has 
 the expression (see extract above), and S. probably copied it. Gr. 13. 
 
 101. Moe. See on ii. i. 72 above. 
 
 104. Thassos. The folio has "T/iarsus" a misprint for the "T/iassos" 
 of N. Theo. made the correction. The Camb. ed. gives "Thasos," the 
 classical form of the name. 
 
 105. His funerals. See Temp. p. 143, note on The nuptial. WTsays that 
 "the plural was the commoner form in S.'s day, and is generally used by 
 him." S.usesfit?tern/s only twice (not counting a third instance, in M.N.D. 
 i. i. 14, .where it is a true plural), while he has///;/m?/ some fifteen times. 
 The latter occurs five times (as a noun) in act iii. of the present play. 
 
 108. Labeo and Flavins. The folio has " Labio and ftatito. See on 
 i. 2. 3 above. 
 
184 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 SCENE IV. 2. What bastard doth not? See on ii. i. 138 and iv. 3. 20 
 above. 
 
 12. Only I yield to die. For the transposition, see Gr. 420. 
 
 13. There is so much, etc. So much money, on condition that thou wilt 
 kill me at once. The meaning seems plain enough, but Warb. mistook it. 
 
 17. / '// tell the news. The folio has " lie tell thee newes ;" corrected 
 by Pope. 
 
 SCENE V. 9. Hark thee. Here thee is a corruption for thou. See Gr. 212. 
 
 14. That it runs over. So that, etc. Gr. 283. 
 
 19. And, this last night, here in Ph ilippi fidds. Cf. N. (Life of Casar) : 
 "The second Battell being at hand, this Spirit appeared again unto him, 
 but spake never a word. Thereupon Brutus knowing that he should die, 
 did put himself to all hazard in Battell, but yet fighting could not be slain." 
 See also Life of Brutus : "The ROMANS called the Valley between both 
 Camps, the PHILIPPIAN Fields." Gr. 22. 
 
 23. Have beat us. Cf. Cor. \. 6.40: " had beat you," etc. Gr. 343. 
 
 33. Farewell to thee, too, Strata. The folio reads, "Farewell to thee, 
 to Strata, Countrymen ;" corrected by Theo. For the change from you, 
 (" Farewell to you," etc.) to thee, see Gr. 232. 
 
ACT V. SCENE V. 185 
 
 35. I found no man but, etc. For but, see Gr. 123. 
 38. Shall attain unto. For unto, see Gr. 457^. 
 
 45. Of a good respect. Cf. i. 2. 54 above. 
 
 46. Some smutch. The folio reading. Smatch is only another form of 
 smack, which S. uses elsewhere, and which W. substitutes here. 
 
 60. I will entertain them. I will take them into my service. Cf. Lear, 
 iii. 6. 83 : " You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred," etc. 
 
 61. Bestow thy time with me. " Give up thy time to me" (Craik). 
 
 62. Av, (f Messala will prefer me to thee. "Prefer seems to have been 
 the established phrase for recommending a servant" (Reed). Cf. Bacon, 
 Adv. of L. ii. 21, I : " And if it be said, that the cure of men's minds be- 
 longeth to sacred divinity, it is most true ; but yet moral philosophy may 
 be preferred unto her as a wise servant and humble handmaid." Here 
 Craik thinks it means "to transfer, or hand over," but it merely implies 
 the transfer. Messala, of course, could not recommend his servant to a 
 new master without giving up his own claim upon him. 
 
 68. This was the noblest Roman, etc. Cf. N. (Life of Brutus] : " For it 
 was said that Antonins spake it openly divers times, that he thought, that 
 of all them that had slain Ccesar, there was none but Bnttns onely that 
 was moved to do it, as thinking the act commendable of it self: but that 
 all the other Conspiratours did conspire his death for some private malice 
 or envy, that they otherwise did bear unto him/' 
 
 69. Save only he. See on iii. 2. 59 above. 
 
 71. He only, in a general honest thought, etc. The folio reading, retained 
 by all the editors except Coll. and Craik, who adopt the emendation of 
 the Coll. MS. : u He only in a generous honest thought 
 Of common good," etc. 
 
 D. prints "general-honest," which Abbott (Gr. 2) is disposed to favour. 
 
 73. His life was gentle, etc. This passage resembles one which appears 
 in the revised edition of Drayton's poem of The Barons'' Wars, published 
 in 1603, and it has been a matter of dispute among the critics which poet 
 was the borrower. If either, it must have been Drayton, since we know 
 that Julius Ccesar was written before 1601 (see p. 8 above) ; but there 
 may have been no imitation on either side. "The notion that man was 
 composed of the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water, and that the 
 well-balanced mixture of these produced the perfection of humanity," 
 was then commonly accepted, and often appears in the writers of the 
 period (W.). Cf. B.'j., Cynthia's Revels, ii. 3 : " A creature of a most per- 
 fect and divine temper, one in whom the humours and elements are peace- 
 ably met, without emulation of precedency." 
 
 The following is Ifce form in which the passage in Drayton appears in 
 the edition of 1603, and in five subsequent editions published during the 
 next ten years : 
 
 " Such one lie was, of him we boldly say, 
 In whose rich soul all sovereign powers did suit, 
 In whom in peace th' elements all lay 
 So mixt. as none could sovereignty impute ; 
 As all did govern, yet all did obey : 
 His lively temper was so absolute, 
 
1 86 ADDENDA. 
 
 That 't Deemed when heaven his model first began, 
 In him it showed perfection in a man." 
 
 In the edition of 1619 it is recast as follows : 
 
 " He was a man (then boldly dare to say) 
 In whose rich soul the virtues well did suit, 
 In whom so mixt the elements did lay 
 That none to one could sovereignty impute ; 
 As all did govern, so did all obey : 
 He of a temper was so absolute, 
 As that it seemed, when Nature him began, 
 She meant to show all that might be in man." 
 
 8l. To part the glories, etc. That is, to share or divide them. See Hen. 
 VII L p. 199, note on They had parted. Cf. Matt, xxvii. 35. 
 
 ADDENDA. 
 
 THE "TIME- ANALYSIS" OF THE PLAY. This is summed up by Mr. 
 P. A. Daniel (Trans, of New Shaks. Soc. 1877-79, p. 199) thus : 
 
 "Time of the Play, 6 days represented on the stage ; with intervals. 
 Day I. Act I. sc. i. and ii. 
 
 Interval one month.* 
 " 2. Act I. sc. iii. 
 " 3. Acts II. and III. 
 
 Interval. 
 " 4. Act IV. sc. i. 
 
 Interval* 
 " 5. Act IV. sc. ii. and iii. 
 
 Interval one day at least. 
 _< : 6. Act V. 
 
 " * The real length of time in Julius Ctssar is as follows : About the mid- 
 dle of February A.u.C. 709, a frantic festival, sacred to Pan, and called 
 Lupercalia, was held in honour of Caesar, when the regal crown was of- 
 fered to him by Antony. On the 15 March in the same year, he was 
 slain. November 27, A.U.C. 710, the triumvirs met at a small island, 
 formed by the river Rhenus, near Bononia, and there adjusted their cruel 
 proscription. A.U.C. 711, Brutus and Cassius were defeated near Phi- 
 lippi' (Upton)." 
 
 SHAKESPEARE'S USE OF NORTH'S PLUTARCH. Archbishop Trench, 
 in his Lectures on Plutarch, referring to North's translation of the Lives, 
 says : 
 
 " But the highest title to honour which this version possesses has not 
 
 * An interval is required historically, but Mr. Furnivall says: "Note how the even- 
 ing of March 14 is seemingly made one with that of Feb. 15 by Cicero's ' Casca, broupht 
 you Czesar home?' (i. 3. T), as if from the Lupercalia of Feb. 15, B.C 44 But as on the 
 latter day S. has put the triumph of Caesar \\hich took place early in the October before 
 (B c 45), he may have meant to annihilate the one month. Feb.-March, 44 (not directly 
 mentioned in Plutarch's three source-Lives) as he did the four months.. Oct. 45~Feb. 44." 
 
ADDENDA. 187 
 
 hitherto been mentioned, namely, the use which Shakespeare was con- 
 tent to make of it. Whatever Latin Shakespeare may have had, he cer- 
 tainly knew no Greek, and thus it was only through Sir Thomas North's 
 translation that the rich treasure-house of Plutarch's Lives was accessible 
 to him. Nor do I think it too much to affirm that his three great Ro- 
 man plays, reproducing the ancient Roman world as no other modern 
 poetry has ever done I refer to Coriolanus, Julius Ccmar, and Antony 
 and Cleopatra would never have existed, or, had Shakespeare lighted by 
 chance on these arguments, would have existed in forms altogether dif- 
 ferent from those in which they now appear, if Plutarch had not written, 
 and Sir Thomas North, or some other in his place, had not translated. 
 We have in Plutarch not the framework or skeleton only of the story, no, 
 nor yet merely the ligaments and sinews, but very much also of the flesh 
 and blood wherewith these are covered and clothed. 
 
 " How noticeable in this respect is the difference between Shakespeare's 
 treatment of Plutarch and his treatment of others, upon whose hints, more 
 or less distinct, he elsewhere has spoken. How little is it in most cases 
 which he condescends to use of the materials offered to his hand. Take, 
 for instance, his employment of some Italian novel, Bandello's or Cin- 
 thio's. He derives from it the barest outline a suggestion perhaps is 
 all, with a name or two here and there, but neither dialogue nor charac- 
 ter. On the first fair occasion that offers he abandons his original alto- 
 gether, that so he may expatiate freely in the higher and nobler world of 
 his own thoughts and fancies. But his relations with Plutarch are differ- 
 ent different enough to justify, or almost to justify, the words of Jean 
 Paul, when in his 7Htan he calls Plutarch 'der biographische Shakespeare 
 der Weltgeschichte.' What a testimony we have to the true artistic sense 
 and skill, which with all his occasional childish simplicity the old biogra- 
 pher possesses, in the fact that the mightiest and completest artist of all 
 times should be content to resign himself into his hands, and simply to 
 follow where the other leads ! 
 
 " His Julius Ccesar will abundantly bear out what I have just affirmed 
 a play dramatically and poetically standing so high that it only just 
 falls short of that supreme rank which Lear and Othello, Hamlet and 
 Macbeth claim for themselves, without rival or competitor even from 
 among the creations of the same poet's brain. It is hardly an exagger- 
 ation to say that the whole play and the same stands good of Corio- 
 lamis no less is to be found in Plutarch. Shakespeare indeed has 
 thrown a rich mantle of poetry over all, which is often wholly his own ; 
 but of the incident there is almost nothing which he does not owe to 
 Plutarch, even as continually he owes the very wording to Sir Thomas 
 North." 
 
 Have wish\i that noble Brutus had his eyes (i. 2. 58). It is a question 
 whether his refers to Brutus, or is their, referring to the subject of Have. 
 Delius gives the former explanation ; but Wr. makes out a plausible case 
 in favour of the latter: "The speakers wished Brutus to see himself as 
 they saw him, and to recognize his own importance at such a crisis (see 
 ii. i. 92, 93). This see.rns to be the whole point of Cassius' appeal." For 
 the other sense in other passages, cf. M. of V. ii. 2. 79: " Nay, indeed, if 
 
1 88 ADDENDA. 
 
 you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me ;" and A. Y, L. i. 2. 
 185 : "If you saw yourself with your eyes, or knew yourself with your 
 judgment," etc. 
 
 / had as lief not be as live to be (i. 2. 91). The quibble illustrates the 
 old pronunciation of lief, which was often printed lieve. See A. Y. L. p. 
 139, note on 133. 
 
 For once upon a raw and gusty day, etc. (i. 2. 96). Caesar was famous 
 as a swimmer. Wr. quotes Suetonius (y. C. 64) : " At Alexandria being 
 busie about the assault and winning of a bridge where by a sodaine sal- 
 lie of the enemies he was driven, to take a boat, & many besides made 
 hast to get into the same, he lept into the sea, and by swimming almost 
 a quarter of a mile recouered cleare the next ship : bearing up his left 
 hand all the while, for feare the writings which he held therein should 
 take wet, and drawing his rich coate armour after him by the teeth, be- 
 cause the enemie should not have it as a spoyle." Plutarch's account 
 makes the feat still more difficult : " The third danger was in the battel 
 by sea, that was fought by the tower of Phar : where meaning to helpe 
 his men that fought by sea, he leapt from the peere into a boate. Then 
 the ^Egyptians made towards him with their oares on euery side : but 
 he leaping into the sea, with great hazard saued himselfe by swimming. 
 It is said, that then holding diuers books in his hand, he did neuer let 
 them go, but kept them always vpon his head aboue water, and swam 
 with the other hand, notwithstanding that they shot maruellously at him, 
 and was driuen somtime to ducke into the water; hovvbeit y e boate was 
 drowned presently." 
 
 The eternal devil (p. 133). Wr. believes that eternal was probably used 
 "to avoid coming under the operation of the Act of James I. 'to restrain 
 the abuses of players' in the use of profane language." He notes that 
 while we find infernal in Much Ado, 2 Hen. IV., and T. A., all of which 
 were printed in 1600, eternal is used as the equivalent for that word in 
 Hamlet, Othello, and J. C., which were probably produced after 1600. 
 As Weever alludes to J. C. in 1601 (see p. 8 above), the play must have 
 been brought out that very year, if this inference is a sound one. 
 
 He should not humour me (p. 136). Wr. is inclined to agree with War- 
 burton, because "Cassius is all along speaking of his own influence over 
 Brutus, notwithstanding the difference of their characters, which made 
 Caesar dislike the one and love the other." The chief objection to War- 
 burton's explanation, in our opinion, is that it seems to leave the mention 
 of Caesar unconnected with what follows. We fancy that this occurred 
 to Wr., and that what we have just quoted is an attempt to meet the ob- 
 jection ; but, to our thinking, it is far from successful. If we accept John- 
 son's interpretation, he should not humour me naturally follows what pre- 
 cedes, and is naturally followed by what comes after : Caesar should not 
 cajole me as he does Brutus ; and I am going to take measures to coun- 
 teract the influence Caesar has over him. 
 
 Remorse (p. 142). Wr. explains this as =" tender feeling, pity; not 
 necessarily compunction for what has been done ;" and this, we think, 
 is the meaning. H. defines remorse as " conscience, or conscientious- 
 ness;" and reason in 21 is " used in the same sense," the conscience be- 
 
ADDENDA. ^9 
 
 ing, " in a philosophical sense, the moral reason." This seems to us 
 "reading into" the passage a meaning that is not there. Brutus simply 
 says that power is liable to become arbitrary and merciless; in its am- 
 bition to rise yet higher, it thinks only of itself and forgets the claims of 
 others. Cf. what Prospero says to Antonio in Temp. v. I. 76: 
 "You, brother mine, that entertaiu'd ambition, 
 Expell'd remorse and nature ;" 
 
 that is, pity and natural feeling. Remorse is the mercy of Portia's famous 
 plea (M. of V. iv. I. 184 fol.), which is "enthroned in the hearts of kings" 
 and "seasons," or tempers, even "justice." Brutus goes on to say that, 
 to speak truth of Caesar, he has not yet allowed his passions to prevail 
 over his reason, and to lead him to abuse his greatness. His ambition is 
 still under the control of his better judgment ; it has not yet expelled re- 
 morse and nature. Craik paraphrases the passage very well : " The abuse 
 to which greatness is most subject is when it deadens in its possessor 
 the natural sense of humanity, or of that which binds us to our kind ; 
 and this I do not say that it has yet done in the case of Caesar ; I have 
 never known that in him selfish affection, or mere passion, has carried 
 it over reason." 
 
 Coleridge was perplexed by what follows, and asks, " What character 
 did Shakespeare mean his Brutus to be?" H. thinks that "the poet 
 must have regarded him simply as a well-meaning, but conceited and 
 shallow idealist." As an idealist, indeed, but not as " conceited and shal- 
 low." That was not Shakespeare's conception of " the noblest Roman 
 of them all." He w r as one of the types of " the scholar in politics." As 
 Dowden says in his Primer : "Brutus . . . acts as an idealizer and the- 
 orizer might, with no eye for the actual bearing of facts, and no sense of 
 the true importance of persons. Intellectual doctrines and moral ideals 
 rule the life of Brutus ; and his life is most noble, high, and stainless, but 
 his public action is a series of mistakes. Yet even while he errs we ad- 
 mire him, for all his errors are those of a pure and lofty spirit. . . . All 
 the practical gifts, insight, and tact, which Brutus lacks, are possessed by 
 Cassius ; but of Brutus's moral purity, veneration of ideals, disinterest- 
 edness, and freedom from unworthy personal motive, Cassius possesses 
 little." 
 
 Coleridge asks, " How could Brutus say that he found no personal 
 cause none in Caesar's past history as a man? Had he not passed the 
 Rubicon? Had he not entered Rome as a conqueror?" etc. But by 
 personal cause, as Bishop Wordsworth replies, S. evidently meant "what 
 concerned himself (Brutus) personally." The acts to which Coleridge 
 refers all come under the exception which Brutus had named but for 
 the general. 
 
 Paul Stapfer remarks : " The death of Brutus was not merely the pen- 
 alty he paid for a series of imprudent and mistaken actions, but was also 
 the expiation of a great crime. . . . He would have tried by suppressing 
 present evil to assure the well-being of the future. But what did he 
 know, and what certitude could he have that he was making no mistake ? 
 He was not in the secret of the universe ; for who has known the thought 
 of the Lord, or been the counsellor of the Most High?" 
 
I9 o ADDENDA. 
 
 High-sighted tyranny (ii. i. 118). Wr. remarks : "There seems to be 
 an implied comparison of tyranny to an eagle or bird of prey, whose 
 keen eye discovers its victim from the highest pitch of its flight. We 
 have the same figure in the first scene of the play (1. 73, etc.), and al- 
 though the primary meaning of high-sighted may be 'proud, supercilious,' 
 there is a secondary meaning in keeping with the comparison of tyranny 
 to a bird of prey. That this comparison is intended, appears to me to 
 be confirmed by the occurrence of the word range which is technically 
 used of hawks and falcons flying in search of game. Turbervile ( The 
 Booke of Falconrie, p. 23) says of eagles: ' In like sort they take other 
 beastes, and sundry times doe roue and range abroad to beat and seaze 
 on Goates, Kiddes, and Fawnes.' " 
 
 O name him not, etc. (ii. I. 150-153). As Wr. says, " S. had read Cic- 
 ero's character with consummate ability;" and he quotes Merivale, 
 Hist, of the Romans under the Empire, iii. 187: "All men and all par- 
 ties agreed that he could not be 'relied upon to lead, to co-operate, or 
 to follow. In all the great enterprises of his party, he was left behind, 
 except that which the nobles undertook against Catilina, in which they 
 rather thrust him before them than engaged with him on terms of mutual 
 support. When we read the vehement claims which Cicero put forth to 
 the honour of association, however tardy, with the glories and dangers 
 of Caesar's assassins, we should deem the conspirators guilty of a mon- 
 strous oversight in having neglected to enlist him in their design, were 
 we not assured that he was not to be trusted as a confederate either for 
 good or evil." 
 
 For he is superstitions grown of late (ii. I. 195). Here again Wr. quotes 
 Merivale, 15.446: "Caesar himself professed without reserve the princi- 
 ples of the unbelievers. The supreme pontiff of the commonwealth, the 
 head of the college whence issued the decrees which declared the will of 
 the gods, as inferred from the signs of the heavens, the flight of birds 
 and the entrails of victims, he made no scruple of asserting in the as- 
 sembled senate that the immortality of the soul, the recognized founda- 
 tion of all religion, was a vain chimera. Nor did he hesitate to defy the 
 omens which the priests were especially appointed to observe. He de- 
 cided to give battle at Munda in despite of the most adverse auspices, 
 when the sacrificers assured him that no heart was found in the victim. 
 * I will have better omens when I choose,' was the scornful saying with 
 which he reassured his veterans on another similar occasion. He was 
 not deterred from engaging in his African campaign either by the fortu- 
 nate name of his opponent Scipio, or by the unfavourable auspices which 
 were studiously reported to him. Yet Caesar, freethinker as he was, could 
 not escape from the universal thraldom of superstition in which his 
 contemporaries were held. We have seen him crawling on his knees 
 up the steps of the Capitoline temple to appease the Nemesis which 
 frowns upon human prosperity. When he stumbled at landing on the 
 coast of Africa, he averted the evil omen with happy presence of mind, 
 looking at the handful of soil he had grasped in his fall, and exclaiming, 
 ' Africa, thou art mine !' In a man who was consistent in his incredulity 
 this might be deemed a trick to impose on the soldiers' imagination ; but 
 
ADDENDA. 191 
 
 it assumes another meaning in the mouth of one who never mounted a 
 carriage without muttering a private charm. Before the battle of Phar- 
 salia Caesar had addressed a prayer to the gods whom he denied in the 
 senate, and derided in the company of his literary friends. He appealed 
 to the divine omens when he was about to pass the Rubicon. He car- 
 ried about with him in Africa a certain Cornelius Salutio, a man of no 
 personal distinction, to neutralize, as he hoped, the good fortune of the 
 Cornelii in the opposite ranks." 
 
 The watch (ii. 2. 16). " S. was thinking of his own London, not of an- 
 cient Rome, where the night watchmen were not established before the 
 time of Augustus" (Wr.). 
 
 Know Ccesar doth not wrong, etc. (p. 157). H. adopts the reading sug- 
 gested by Tyrvvhitt : 
 
 " Metellus. Caesar, thou dost me wrong. 
 Ccssar. Know, Caesar doth not wrong, but with just cause, 
 Nor without cause will he be satisfied/' 
 
 Wr. says: "I am not convinced that any change is necessary. Caesar 
 claims infallibility in his judgments, and a firmness of temper in resisting 
 appeals to his vanity. Metellus bending low before him begins a flatter- 
 ing speech. Caesar, knowing that his object was to obtain a reversal of 
 the decree of banishment which had been pronounced against his brother, 
 abruptly interrupts him. To appeal against the decree implied that the 
 decree was unjust ; to demand his brother's recall without assigning a 
 cause was to impute to Caesar that fickleness of purpose which he dis- 
 dains in such strong terms. If it had not been for Ben Jonson's story, 
 no one would have suspected any corruption in the passage. The ques- 
 tion is whether his authority is sufficient to warrant a change. Gifford 
 thinks that he gave Shakespeare's genuine words, and that what appears 
 in the text is the players' ' botchery.' If the lines stood as Jonson quotes 
 them, we must suppose one of two things : either that, in consequence 
 of the ridicule they excited, Shakespeare himself altered them ; or that 
 they were altered by the players who edited the first folio, as Gifford be- 
 lieved. The former supposition is not probable, because if Jonson's re- 
 marks are hypercritical and the lines yield a tolerable sense, Shakespeare 
 would have been aware of this as well as any of his commentators, and 
 is not likely to have made a change which is confessedly unnecessary. 
 On the other hand, if the players introduced the alteration, it is not easy 
 to see why they should have left out the words which Jonson puts into the 
 mouth of Metellus,' Caesar, thou dost me wrong;' nor why they should 
 have written, * Know, Caesar doth not wrong' instead of * Caesar did never 
 wrong.' The argument that the passage is obviously corrupt because it 
 ends with an imperfect line is of no weight, because it would apply equal- 
 ly to the proposed restoration, in which another imperfect line is intro- 
 duced. On the whole, I am disposed to believe that Ben Jonson loved 
 his jest better than his friend, and repeated a distorted version of the 
 passage without troubling himself about its accuracy, because it afforded 
 him an opportunity of giving a hit at Shakespeare. It is worth while to 
 remark that for Metellus to interrupt Caesar with the petulant exclama- 
 
192 
 
 ADDENDA. 
 
 tion * Caesar, thou dost me wrong,' is out of character with the tone of 
 his speeches before and after, which is that of abject flattery." 
 
 Mr. Fleay, who believes that J. C. in its present form is a play of 
 Shakespeare's revised by Ben Jonson, takes this to be one of Ben's " cor- 
 rections ;" but Mr. Hales (quoted by Furnivall in Trans, of New Shaks. 
 Soc. 1874, p. 504) remarks that if Ben Jonson had really revised Shake- 
 speare's Jniiiis Ccrsar, he would certainly have told us that he, the great 
 Ben, had set his friend's 'ridiculous' passages all right. Jonson was not 
 the man to hide his light under a bushel." 
 
 Our arms, in strength of malice, etc. (p. 159). Wr. adds: " The same 
 apparently contradictory figure is used by S. in Polonius's advice to 
 Laertes, Ham. i. 3. 63 : 
 
 'The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, 
 Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel ;' 
 
 where grapple naturally describes a hostile and not a friendly act. There 
 is something of the same idea in the speech of Aufidius to Coriolanus 
 (Cor. iv. 5. 112) : 
 
 ' Let me twine 
 
 Mine arms about that body, where against 
 
 My grained ash an hundred times hath broke, 
 
 And scarr'd the moon with splinters : here 1 clip 
 
 The anvil of my sword, and do contest 
 
 As hotly and as nobly with thy love 
 
 As ever in ambitious strength I did 
 
 Contend against thy valour.' 
 
 Singer reads * In strength of amity;' which, if any change be necessary, 
 is the best that has been proposed, malice and amitie being words which 
 might be confounded by a printer. But it gives a rather feeble sense, and 
 I prefer to leave the text as it stands, although the figure may be a vio- 
 lent one. It is singular that one of the passages which has been quoted 
 in support of Singer's emendation is really in favour of the text as it is. 
 ID A. and C. iii. 2. 61, Antony, taking leave of Caesar, says : 
 ' I '11 wrestle with you in my strength of love ;' 
 
 the vehemence of his embrace had a hostile character; his strength of 
 love was employed in an act of malice. Here the figure is reversed, and 
 the strength of malice is employed in an act of love." 
 
 Beholding (p. 164). Wr. states that " beholden" is found in the 5th 
 and 6th quartos of Rich. III. in iii. i. 107. It is also the form in Baret's 
 Alvearie\\$T$} and Cotgrave's Fr. Diet. (1611). 
 
 Yon know not what yon do (iii. I. 233). " Brutus's plan, if he had one, 
 was of such an abstract and Utopian nature, that it was equivalent to 
 having none at all, and was based upon a complete misconception of the 
 circumstances and needs of the time. It was the plaYi of an idealist, who 
 fancied himself living in the Republic of Cato, instead of being in all the 
 tumult of a town in revolution. This plainly shows itself after Caesar's 
 death, when Brutus commits the enormous imprudence of allowing An- 
 tony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius at once measured the conse- 
 quences of this error, and says to Brutus Yon know not what you do 1 ' 
 (Paul Stapfer). 
 
ADDENDA. 
 
 193 
 
 Friends, Romans, countrymen, etc. (iii. 2. 71 fol.). "There is no rea- 
 son to suppose that Shakespeare went beyond North's Plutarch for hints 
 when he wrote the speeches of Brutus and Antony. Those which are 
 put into their mouths by Appian, and of which there was a translation in 
 English published in 1578, have no points of resemblance to these. Like 
 Brutus, Antony speaks under constraint, but for a different reason. The 
 object of Brutus was to convince the people by argument that Caesar 
 was justly slain, and to avoid exciting their passions. Antony endeav- 
 oured to excite their passions without seeming to do so, or offending the 
 conspirators, and while appearing to speak within the limits allowed him 
 by Brutus. He therefore proceeds with great caution, speaks touchingly 
 of his affection for Caesar, of Caesar's liberality to the people, incidentally 
 disproves the charge of ambition, and then overcome by his feelings he 
 breaks off to see the effect produced by his speech. By this time he has 
 secured the attention of the fourth citizen, who is the strong partisan of 
 Brutus. Beginning again, he works upon the compassion of his hearers, 
 and then gradually excites their curiosity about Caesar's will until they 
 insist upon having it read, and give Antony an opportunity for the pow- 
 erful appeal which stirred them to such a sudden flood of mutiny that it 
 swept everything before it, the fourth citizen being now foremost in the 
 work of destruction" (Wr.). 
 
 Pompey^s statua (iii. 2. 186). This statue has come down to our time 
 as the weight of evidence seems to prove and is still to be seen in the 
 Spada Palace at Rome. Its identity has been disputed by a few eminent 
 antiquarians and' art critics, but the majority of them believe it to be the 
 veritable Pompey>s statua of the play. It was dug up in 1553 in a spot 
 which exactly corresponds to its location in the time of Augustus, who 
 removed it from the Curia to the front of the neighbouring basilica. It 
 is eleven feet high, and of Greek marble. It holds a globe in the left 
 hand, which has led some to consider it a statue of Augustus rather than 
 of Pompey ; but the head is not like any of the busts of Augustus, and, 
 as Lord Broughton has suggested, the globe " may not have been an ill- 
 applied flattery to him who found Asia Minor the boundary, and left it the 
 centre of the Roman Empire." The history of the statue is somewhat 
 curious. When discovered, it was lying across the boundary line of two 
 estates, the owners of which quarrelled for its possession. At last they 
 were on the point of settling the dispute after a precedent established by 
 Solomon, by cutting the marble in two and carrying off the halves. Car- 
 dinal Capo di Ferro happened to come along just at this moment, and 
 prevented the bisection ; in recognition of which service to art and his- 
 tory Pope Julius III. bought the statue for 500 crowns and presented it 
 to the cardinal. When the French were in Rome, the figure actually 
 suffered a surgical operation for another purpose. It was determined to 
 have a performance of Voltaire's Brutus in the Coliseum, and it was 
 thought to be a pretty bit of stage effect to have the mimic Caesar fall, as 
 his great prototype had done, " at the base of Pompey's statua." This 
 thoroughly " Frenchy" idea was carried out, and to facilitate the removal 
 of the colossal figure, the right arm was temporarily amputated. Byron 
 apostrophizes the statue thus in Childe Harold: 
 
 N 
 
I 9 4 ADDENDA. 
 
 "And thou, dread statue! yet existent in 
 The austerest form of naked majesty, 
 Thou who beheldest mid the assassins' din, 
 At thy bath'd base the bloody Caesar lie, 
 Folding his robe in dying dignity, 
 An offering to thy altar from the queen 
 Of gods and men, great Nemesis ! did he die, 
 And thou too perish, Pompey? Have ye been 
 Victors of countless kings, or puppets of a scene ?" 
 
 A red stain on the left leg and foot of the statue is believed by some 
 credulous folk to be the veritable blood of the mighty Julius, but scep- 
 tical critics say that it is one of those stains produced by iron compounds 
 which not unfrequently occur in certain varieties of Greek marble. If 
 that be not the true explanation, we should suspect that the mark was 
 due to the French theatrical blood poured out in the Coliseum on the 
 occasion referred to above. 
 
 Blood ill-temper" d (iv. 3. 114). As Wr. notes, Burton, in his Anat. of 
 Melancholy, describes the four humours, blood, phlegm, choler, and mel- 
 ancholy, corresponding to the four elements, upon the tempering or mix- 
 ing of which depended the " temperament" of a man's body. See also 
 Trench's Select Glossary, under the words Humour and Temper, and 
 Davies of Hereford's Microcosmos (ed. Grosart), p. 30, of the various 
 complexions or temperaments : 
 
 " Well-tempred, is an equal counterpoise 
 Of th' Elements' forementioned qualities .... 
 Ill tempred's that where some one Element 
 Hath more dominion then it ought to haue ; 
 For they rule ill that haue more regiment 
 Then nature, wisdome, right, or reason gaue."' 
 
 What, thou speak 'st drowsily? etc. (iv. 3. 238 fol.). "Brutus, with his 
 beautiful freedom from the petty self-interests of daily life, is gentle and 
 considerate towards every one. The servants have lain down. Lucius 
 drops away into the irresistible sleep of boyhood. Brutus, who at the 
 call of duty could plunge his dagger into Caesar, cannot wake a sleeping 
 boy. , . . He gently disengages the instrument from the hand of Lucius, 
 and continues his' book where he had left it off last night There is 
 nothing more tender in the plays of S. than this scene. The tenderness 
 of a man who is s'tern is the only tenderness which is wholly delicate and 
 refined" (Dowden). 
 
 I do not cross you ; but I will do so (v. 1. 20). H. explains thus : " That 
 is, ' I will do as I have said,' not ' I will cross you.' At this time Octa- 
 vius was but twenty-one years old, and Antony was old enough to be his 
 father. . . , The text gives the right taste of the man, who always stood 
 firm as a post against Antony, till the latter finally knocked himself to 
 pieces against him." Wr. also believes that the passage is intended "to 
 bring out the character of Octavius, which made Antony yield." We 
 may be alone in our opinion (the editors generally make no comment 
 here), but we believe that both H. and Wr. are wrong. We can see nei- 
 ther truth nor point in saying " I do not cross you, but I will do what you 
 say crosses you." We take it that Octavius yields to Antony, and does 
 it readily, with a play upon cross : " I do not cross you (in Antony's sense 
 
ADDENDA. 
 
 195 
 
 of the word), but I will cross you (in the sense of crossing over to the 
 other side of the field) ;" and with the word he does cross over. Accord- 
 ing to Plutarch he commanded the left wing, and this makes the play 
 agree with the history. It is also confirmed by the context. So far from 
 setting himself in opposition to Antony, Octavius in his very next speech 
 asks the former whether they shall give sign of battle, and when Antony 
 says no he at once accepts this decision and gives orders accordingly. 
 
 In 18 Ritson proposed to change thou to "you;" but Wr. says that 
 thou "gives a touch of imperiousness to Octavius' speech." But thou 
 was often used in requests and appeals (Gr. 234) ; as in Rich. III. \. 4. 273 : 
 
 " Come tho^^ on my side, and entreat for me 
 As you would beg were you in my distress." 
 
 See also 71 below: "Give me thy hand," etc. 
 
 Our former ensign (p. 177). For the use Q{ former, Ritson quotes Ad- 
 lington's Apuleius, 1596: "First hee instructed me to sit at the table 
 vpon my taile, and howe I should leape and daunce, holding up my former 
 feete ;" and Harrison, Description of Britaine, 1577 : " It [brawn] is made 
 commonly of the fore part of a tame Bore ... of his former partes is our 
 Brawne made." Cf. also Spenser, F. Q. vi. 6. 10 : 
 
 "Yet did her face and former parts professe 
 A faire young Mayden, full of comely glee ; 
 But all her hinder parts did plaine expresse 
 A monstrous Dragon, full of fearefull uglinesse " 
 
 ROMAN TOMB. 
 
ANCIENT ARCH ON ROAD LEADING INTO ROME. 
 
INDEX OF WORDS AND PHRASES 
 EXPLAINED. 
 
 abide, 158, 165. 
 
 blood ill-tempered, 194. 
 
 crimsoned in thy lethe, 159. 
 
 aby, 158. 
 
 bloods, 132, 174. 
 
 cross (play upon), 194. 
 
 addressed (=ready), 156. 
 
 bond (play upon), 139. 
 
 crossed in conference, 134. 
 
 afeard, 152. 
 
 bravery (^bravado), 175. 
 
 cry ' Havoc!' 160. 
 
 aim (=guess), 133. 
 
 break with, 145. 
 
 curtsy, 157. 
 
 alchemy (figurative), 141. 
 
 bring (=accompany), 137. 
 
 
 an (if), 136. 
 
 business (trisyllable), 168- 
 
 dear, 159. 
 
 angel, 165. 
 
 but, 127, 140, 185. 
 
 dear my lord, 149. 
 
 annoy, 137, 145- 
 
 but one only man, 133. 
 
 Decius Brutus, 128. 
 
 answer on their charge, 175. 
 
 by, 148. 
 
 degree (step), 142. 
 
 answered, 169. 
 
 
 deliver (declare), 159. 
 
 Antonio (=Antonius), 129. 
 
 call in question (discuss), 
 
 destruction (quadrisyllable), 
 
 apparent (manifest), 147- 
 
 173- 
 
 .137- 
 
 apprehensive (^intelligent), 
 1 57- 
 
 Calpurnia (spelling), 128. 
 careful (full of care), 174. 
 
 dint, 165. 
 directly (explicitly), 126, 
 
 apt to be rendered, 153. 
 
 case yourself in wonder, 139. 
 
 166. 
 
 apt to die, 159. 
 
 Cassius (trisyllable), 134 
 
 dishonour shall be humour, 
 
 arms across, 149. 
 
 cautelous,'i45. 
 
 172. 
 
 arrive (transitive), 132. 
 art (=acquired knowledge', 
 
 censure (=judge), 164. 
 ceremonies, 128, 147, 151. 
 
 distract (^distracted), 173. 
 distraught, 173. 
 
 173. 
 
 chafe, 131. 
 
 do danger, 142. 
 
 ,as, 129, 144, 158, 165, 174, 177. 
 
 charactery, 150. 
 
 do grace, 164. 
 
 as his kind, 143 
 
 charm (= conjure), 150. 
 
 do salutation, 169. 
 
 as this very day, 177. 
 
 check (=rebuke), 172. 
 
 dogs of war, 161. 
 
 at a word (in a word), 136. 
 
 cheer, 158. 
 
 dost (=doest), 182. 
 
 at heart's ease, 134. 
 
 chew upon this, 134. 
 
 drachma, 166. 
 
 Ate, 1 60. 
 
 choice and master spirits, 
 
 drawn upon a heap, 138. 
 
 aweary, 172. 
 
 159. 
 
 
 ay me! 154. 
 
 clean (=quite), 138. 
 
 earn (=yearn), 153. 
 
 
 climate (=region), 138. 
 
 element (air, sky), 140. 
 
 bastardy, 145. 
 battle (battalion), 175. 
 
 climber-upward, 142. 
 cogitations ( = thoughts ), 
 
 emulation (=envy), 153. 
 enforced, 164. 
 
 bayed, 159, 169. 
 
 129. 
 
 enlarge your griefs, 169. 
 
 be (=are), 134. 
 
 cognizance, 152. 
 
 ensign, 182. 
 
 bear me a bang, 166. 
 
 colour (^pretext), 143. 
 
 entertain, 185. 
 
 bear me hard, 136, 147, 159. 
 
 common laugher, 130. 
 
 envious (=malicious), 165. 
 
 beat (=beaten), 184. 
 
 commons, 165. 
 
 envy (malice), 146. 
 
 beest, 172. 
 
 compact (accent), 163. 
 
 et tu, Brute, 158. 
 
 behaviours, 129. 
 
 companion, 172- 
 
 eternal ( ^infernal ? ), 133, 
 
 beholding (beholden), 164, 
 
 conceit(=conceive), 141, 159. 
 
 1 88. 
 
 192. 
 
 condition (temper), 149. 
 
 even (=pure), 145- 
 
 belike, 166. 
 
 consort, 177. 
 
 evils (=evil things), 144. 
 
 bend (of the eye), 132. 
 
 constancy (^firmness), 154. 
 
 exigent, 175. 
 
 bending their expedition, 
 
 content, be, 169. 
 
 exorcist, 150. 
 
 '73- 
 
 contrive, 153. 
 
 
 best, you were, 166. 
 
 couch (=crouch), 157. 
 
 factious, 140. 
 
 bestow, 141, 185. 
 
 counsel (secret), 154. 
 
 fall (transitive), 169. 
 
 bid(^bade), 183. 
 
 counters, 171. 
 
 fantasy, 147. 
 
198 INDEX OF WORDS AND PHRASES EXPLAINED. 
 
 far (^farther), 165, 182. 
 
 incorporate to our attempt, 
 
 near (=nearer), 165. 
 
 farewell (trisyllable ?), 174. 
 
 140. 
 
 needs, 128. 
 
 fashion (trisyllable), 172. 
 
 indifferently (^impartially), 
 
 new-added, 173. 
 
 father (verb), 150. 
 
 *st. 
 
 nice offence, 171. 
 
 favour (=face), 131, 140, 144. indirection, 171. 
 
 niggard (verb), 173. 
 
 tear (=cause of fear), 146. i instance, 169. 
 
 nothing (adverb), 133. 
 
 fearful (timorous), 175. 
 
 insuppressive, 145. 
 
 
 fellow (accent), 166. 
 
 is (=are), 140, 141, 164. 
 
 observe, 171. 
 
 figures, 148. 
 
 
 occupation, 136. 
 
 find out you, 140. 
 
 jade, 169. 
 
 o'ershot, 165. 
 
 fire (dissyllable*, 159, 166. 
 
 jealous, 133. 
 
 o'erwatched, 174. 
 
 fleering, 140. 
 
 jigging (=rhyming\ 172. 
 
 of(=about), 166. 
 
 fond (=foolish), 157. 
 
 justice sake, 171. 
 
 of (=in), 145. 
 
 for this present, 134. 
 
 
 of (omitted), 166. 
 
 formal (^outward), 148. 
 
 keep his state, 133. 
 
 of force (=of necessity), 173 
 
 former (forward), 177, 195 
 
 kerchief, i co. 
 
 o' nights, 134, 153. 
 
 forth, 136, 175. | kind (^nature), 139. 
 
 omitted (=neglected), 173. 
 
 forth of, 166. ! kind (species), 143. 
 
 on (of), 130. 
 
 fresh (=freshly), 148. | knave (=boy), 174. 
 
 once, 173. 
 
 from (away from), 138,139, j 
 
 one (dissyllable?), 173. 
 
 147. j labouring, etc, 126. 
 
 one only, 133. 
 
 full of good regard, 160. last, not least, 159. 
 funerals (funeral), 183. let blood, 158. 
 
 only (transposed), 184. 
 ope, 136. 
 
 lethe, 159. 
 
 opinion (reputation), 145* 
 
 general (= community), 142. liable, 153. 
 
 orchard (^garden), 142. 
 
 genius, 143. lie along, 158. 
 
 ordinance, 139. 
 
 get me, 154. lief (play upon), 188. 
 
 other (Bothers*, 174. 
 
 give way to, 153. j light (=alight), 182. 
 
 out (play upon), 126. 
 
 given (^disposed), 134. 
 
 like (=likely), 135. 
 
 
 go along by, 148. 
 
 like (=please), ici. 
 
 palter, 145. 
 
 go to, 171. listen (transitive), 168. 
 
 part (=share, divide), 186. 
 
 griefs(=grievances),i4o,i65, lottery, 144. 
 
 part the numbers, 163. 
 
 169. i lover(=friend), im, 164, T 77 . 
 
 pass the streets, 127. 
 
 
 low-crooked, 157. 
 
 passion (--feeling), 129, 161. 
 
 hark thee, 184. 
 
 Lupercal, 128. 
 
 path (verb), 144. 
 
 have respeet to (^consider), 
 
 lusty, 132, 152. 
 
 peevish (foolish), 176. 
 
 164. 
 
 lym, 1 60. 
 
 perforce, 173. 
 
 heap (of persons), 138. 
 
 
 phantasma, 143. 
 
 hearts of controversy, 132. 
 
 mace, 174. 
 
 physical, 150. 
 
 high-sighted, 144, 190. 
 
 make conditions, 171. 
 
 pill (=pillage), 170. 
 
 hilts, 182. 
 
 make forth, 175. 
 
 pitch (in falconry), 128. 
 
 his (=its), 132, 149, 171. 
 
 many a, 127. 
 
 Plutus, 172. 
 
 hold ( interjectional ), 140, 
 
 mark (dissyllable), 155 
 
 poll (plunder), 170. 
 
 182. 
 
 marry, 135. Pompey's basis, 158. 
 
 honey-dew, 148- 
 
 mart (verb), 171. 
 
 Pompey's porth, 140. 
 
 honey-heavy, 148. 
 
 Marullus (spelling), 125. 
 
 Pompey's statua, 152, i6t 
 
 honourable-dangerous, 140. 
 
 may (=can), 144. 
 
 i93- 
 
 hot at hand, 169. 
 
 me (expletive), 136, 220. 
 
 Pompey's theatre, 141. 
 
 hour (dissyllable), T 53- 
 
 me (reflexive), 138, 154. 
 
 power (dissyllable), 139. 
 
 hugger-mugger, 162. 
 
 mean (=means), 159. 
 
 power (=forces), 168, 175. 
 
 humour, 136. 
 hurtle, 151. 
 
 mechanical, 125. 
 merely (^absolutely), 129. 
 
 prefer (^recommend), 185 
 present (immediate*, 151. 
 
 Hybla, 176. 
 
 mettle (spelling), 136. 
 
 press (=crowd), 129. 
 
 
 mistook (^mistaken), 129. 
 
 prevent (^anticipate), 178. 
 
 I ( me^, x64. 
 
 modesty(=moderation), 160. 
 
 prick, 1 60, 1 68- 
 
 Ides, 129. 
 
 moe (more), 144, 183. 
 
 proceeding, 153. 
 
 idle bed, 144. 
 
 monstrous state, 139. 
 
 prodigious (^portentous), 
 
 if (omitted), 158, 177. 
 
 mortal instruments, 143. 139. 
 
 impatience (quadrisyllable), 
 
 mortified, 150. ! produce (=bear forth), 160. 
 
 149. 
 
 most boldest, 158. profess myself, 130. 
 
 in (=mto), 183. 
 
 j promised forth, 136. 
 
 in some taste, 168. 
 
 napkin ( = handkerchief ), 
 
 proof (^experience), 142. 
 
 incertain, 177. 
 
 165- 
 
 proper, 127, 129, 183. 
 
INDEX OF WORDS AND PHRASES EXPLAINED. 
 
 199 
 
 property, 168. 
 
 soles (play upon), 126. 
 
 to (omitted), 126, 136, 168. 
 
 puissance (forces), 168. 
 
 sooth, 154. 
 
 to-night (=last night), 152. 
 
 puissant (dissyllable), 157. 
 
 speed (^prosper), 131, 
 
 took (:=taken), 143. 
 
 purchase (play upon). 145. 
 
 spirit (monosyllable), 150. 
 
 toward (accent), 130. 
 
 purgers, 146. 
 
 stains, 152. 
 
 trade, 126. 
 
 
 stale (verb), 130. 
 
 true (=honest), 136. 
 
 question, 164. 
 
 stare, 175. 
 
 trust (= trusted), 178. 
 
 quick, 129. 
 
 state of man, 144. 
 
 turn (=return), 156. 
 
 
 statua, 152, 165. 
 
 turn him going, 167. 
 
 rank, 158. 
 
 stay (await), 178. 
 
 
 rascal, 171. 
 
 stole (=stolen), 149. 
 
 undergo, 140. 
 
 rather, 134. 
 
 strain (race), 176. 
 
 unfirm, 137. 
 
 rathest, 134. 
 
 strength of malice, 159- 
 
 unmeritable, 168. 
 
 read (or rede), 155. 
 
 stricken, 146. 
 
 unshaked of motion, 158. 
 
 rears your hand, 156. 
 
 strucken, 153, 160. 
 
 unto (accent), 185. 
 
 remorse (=pity), 142, 188. 
 
 success (=issue), 151, 182. 
 
 upmost, 142. 
 
 render, 152, 159, 163. 
 
 such . . . that, 140. 
 
 upon a wish, 166. 
 
 repeal (=recall), 157. 
 
 sway of earth, 137. 
 
 upon sickness, 172. 
 
 replication, 128. 
 
 swooned (spelling), 135. 
 
 use (=precedentj, 152. 
 
 resolved ( satisfied), 158, 
 
 
 
 165, 169. 
 
 tag-rag, 136. 
 
 venture, 173. 
 
 respect (=regard), 171. 
 
 take thought and die, 146. 
 
 void, 154. 
 
 respect (estimation), 130. 
 
 temper ( temperament ), 
 
 vouchsafe good morrow, 150. 
 
 retentive, 139. 
 
 132. 
 
 
 rheumy, 150. 
 
 tenure (=tenour), 173. 
 
 wafture, 149. 
 
 Rome (pronunciation), 132, 
 
 than, 132. 
 
 warn (summon), 175. 
 
 161. 
 
 Thassos, 183. 
 
 were best, you, 166. 
 
 rumour (noise), 154. 
 
 that (affirmative), 142. 
 
 well given, 134. 
 
 
 that ( conjunctional affix ), 
 
 what (=what a), 138. 
 
 sad (=serious), 134. 
 
 158, 165, 172. 
 
 what (=why), 145. 
 
 save he, 185. 
 
 that ... as, 129. 
 
 what (impatient), 142. 
 
 save I, 164. 
 
 that ( = so that), 127^ 144, 
 
 when (impatient), 142. 
 
 scandal (verb), 130. 
 
 161, 184. 
 
 whether (monosyllable), 128. 
 
 scape, 172. 
 
 the (omitted), 135. 
 
 147, 183. 
 
 security, 153. 
 
 thee (=thou), 184. 
 
 which, the, 161. 
 
 sennet, 129. 
 
 then (r=than), 132. 
 
 whiles, 134. 
 
 set on. 129, 175. 
 
 thews, 139. 
 
 who (omitted), 129. 
 
 several (separate), 145, 
 
 thorough (through), 158, 
 
 who (=he who), 140. 
 
 1 66. 
 
 178. 
 
 who (=which), 137, 177. 
 
 shame (intransitive), 144. 
 
 thou, 136, 153, 177, 184. 
 
 wind (transitive), 168. 
 
 should, 132, 152. 
 
 thought (^anxiety), 146, 
 
 with (by), 139, 160, 165, 
 
 shrewd, 145. 
 
 thunder-stone, 138. 
 
 173- 
 
 sick, 149. 
 
 Tiber (adjective), 128. 
 
 with (=for), 132. 
 
 sick offence, 150. 
 
 Tiber (feminine), 127, 137. 
 
 withal (play upon), 126. 
 
 silver (play upon), 145. 
 
 tide (=time), 160. 
 
 woe the while, 139. 
 
 smatch, 185. 
 
 tidings (number), 173. 
 
 work alive, 173. 
 
 so (=also), 153. 
 
 tinctures, 152. 
 
 
 so (if), 134, 158. 
 so (omitted), 127. 161, 184. 
 
 to (=for), 158. 
 to ( inserted ), 134, 152, 
 
 yearn, 153. 
 yond, 134, 182. 
 
 soldier (trisyllable), 168, 171. 
 
 171. 
 
 you, 153, 171, 177, 184. 
 
AUGUR'S STAFF. 
 
SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 WITH NOTES BY WM. J. ROLFE, Litt.D. 
 
 The Merchant of Venice. 
 
 The Tempest. 
 
 Julius Caesar. 
 
 Hamlet. 
 
 As You Like It. 
 
 Henry the Fifth. 
 
 Macbeth. 
 
 Henry the Eighth. 
 
 A Midsummer -Sight's Dream, 
 
 Richard the Second. 
 
 Richard the Third. 
 
 Much Ado About Nothing. 
 
 Antony and Cleopatra. 
 
 Romeo and Juliet. 
 
 Othello. 
 
 Twelfth Night. 
 
 The Winter's Tale. 
 
 King John. 
 
 Henry IV. Part I. 
 
 Henry IV. Part II. 
 
 King Lear. 
 
 The Taming of the Shrew. 
 
 All's Well That Ends Well. 
 
 Coriolanus. 
 
 Comedy of Errors. 
 
 Cymbeline, 
 
 Merry Wives of Windsor. 
 
 Measure for Measure. 
 
 Two Gentlemen of Verona, 
 
 Love's Labor 's Lost. 
 
 Timon of Athens. 
 
 Henry VI. Part I. 
 
 Henry VI. Part II. 
 
 Henry VI. Part 111. 
 
 Troilus and Cressida. 
 
 Pericles, Prince of Tyre. 
 
 The Two Noble Kinsmen. 
 
 Poems. 
 
 Sonnets. 
 
 Titus Andronicus. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo, Cloth, 56 cents per vol. ; Paper, 40 cents per vol. 
 
 FRIENDLY EDITION, complete in 20 vols., i6mo, Cloth, $30 oo ; 
 
 Half Calf, $60 oo. (Sold only in Sets.} 
 
 In the preparation of this edition of the English Classics it has been 
 the aim to adapt them for school and home reading, in essentially the 
 same way as Greek and Latin Classics are edited for educational pur- 
 poses. The chief requisites are a pure text (expurgated, if necessary), 
 and the notes needed for its thorough explanation and illustration. 
 
 Each of Shakespeare's plays is complete in one volume, and is pre- 
 ceded by an Introduction containing the " History of the Play," the 
 "Sources of the Plot," and " Critical Comments on the Play." 
 
 From HORACE HOWARD FURNESS, Ph.D., LL.D., Editor of the -"New 
 Variorum Shakespeare." 
 
 No one can examine these volumes and fail to be impressed with the 
 conscientious accuracy and scholarly completeness with which they are 
 edited. The educational purposes for which the notes are written Mr. 
 Rolf e never loses sight of, but like ' ' a well-experienced archer hits the 
 mark his eye doth level at." 
 
Rolfe s Shakespeare. 
 
 From F. J. FURNIVALL, Director of the New Shakspere Society, London. 
 
 The merit I see in Mr. Rolfe's school editions of Shakspere's Plays 
 over those most widely used in England is that Mr. Rolfe edits the plays 
 as works of a poet, and not only as productions in Tudor English. Some 
 editors think that all they have to do with a play is to state its source 
 and explain its hard words and allusions ; they treat it as they would a 
 charter or a catalogue of household furniture, and then rest satisfied. 
 But Mr. Rolfe, while clearing up all verbal difficulties as carefully as any 
 Dryasdust, always adds the choicest extracts he can find, on the spirit 
 and special ** note " of each play, and on the leading characteristics of its 
 chief personages. He does not leave the student without help in getting 
 at Shakspere's chief attributes, his characterization and poetic power. 
 And every practical teacher knows that while every boy can look out 
 hard words in a lexicon for himself, not one in a score can, unhelped, 
 catch points of and realize character, and feel and express the distinctive 
 individuality of each play as a poetic creation. 
 
 From Prof. EDWARD DOWDEN, LL.D., of the University of Dublin, 
 
 A uthor of ' ' Shakspere : His Mind and A rt. ' ' 
 
 I incline to think that no edition is likely to be so useful for school 
 and home reading as yours. Your notes contain so much accurate in- 
 struction, with so little that is superfluous ; you do not neglect the aes- 
 thetic study of the plays ; and in externals, paper, type, binding, etc. , you 
 make a book " pleasant to the eye " (as well as "to be desired to make 
 one wise ") no small matter, I think, with young readers and with old. 
 
 From EDWIN A. ABBOTT, M. A., Author of " Shakespearian Grammar.'" 
 
 I have not seen any edition that compresses so much necessary infor- 
 mation into so small a space, nor any that so completely avoids the 
 common faults of commentaries on Shakespeare needless repetition, 
 superfluous explanation, and unscholar-like ignoring of difficulties. 
 
 From HIRAM CORSON, M.A., Professor of Anglo-Saxon and English 
 Literature, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
 
 In the way of annotated editions of separate plays of Shakespeare for 
 educational purposes, I know of none quite up to Rolfe's. 
 
Rolfe's Shakespeare. 
 
 From Prof. F. J. CrtiLD, of Harvard University. 
 
 I read your " Merchant of Venice" with my class, and found it in 
 every respect an excellent edition. I do not agree with my friend White 
 in the opinion that Shakespeare requires but few notes thai is, if he is 
 to be thoroughly understood. Doubtless he may be enjoyed, and many 
 a hard place slid over. Your notes give all the help a young student 
 requires, and yet the reader for pleasure will easily get at just what he 
 wants. You have indeed been conscientiously concise. 
 
 Under date of July 25, 1879, Pro ^ CHILD adds : Mr. Rolfe's editions 
 of plays of Shakespeare are very valuable and convenient books, whether 
 for a college class or for private study. I have used them with my 
 students, and I welcome every addition that is made to the series. They 
 show care, research, and good judgment, and are fully up to the time in 
 scholarship. I fully agree with the opinion that experienced teachers 
 have expressed of the excellence of these books. 
 
 From Rev. A. P. PEABODY, D.D. , Professor in Harvard University. 
 
 I regard your own work as of the highest merit, while you have turned 
 the labors of others to the best possible account. I want to have the 
 higher classes of our schools introduced to Shakespeare chief of all, and 
 then to other standard English authors ; but this cannot be done to 
 advantage unless under a teacher of equally rare gifts and abundant 
 leisure, or through editions specially prepared for such use. I trust that 
 you will have the requisite encouragement to proceed with a work so 
 happily begun. 
 
 From the Examiner and Chronicle, N. Y. 
 
 We repeat what we have often said, that there is no edition of Shake- 
 speare which seems to us preferable to Mr. Rolfe's. As mere specimens 
 of the printer's and binder's art they are unexcelled, and their other 
 merits are equally high. Mr. Rolfe, having learned by the practical 
 experience of the class-room what aid the average student really needs 
 in order to read Shakespeare intelligently, has put just that amount of 
 aid into his notes, and no more. Having said what needs to be said, he 
 stops there. It is a rare virtue in the editor of a classic, and we are 
 proportionately grateful for it. 
 
Rolfes Shakespeare. 
 
 From the N. Y. Times. 
 
 This work has been done so well that it could hardly have been done 
 better. It shows throughout knowledge, taste, discriminating judgment, 
 and, what is rarer and of yet higher value, a sympathetic appreciation 
 of the poet's moods and purposes. 
 
 From the Pacific School Journal, San Francisco. 
 
 This edition of Shakespeare's plays bids fair to be the most valuable 
 aid to the study of English literature yet published. For educational 
 purposes it is beyond praise. Each of the plays is printed in large clear 
 type and on excellent paper. Every difficulty of the text is clearly ex- 
 plained by copious notes. It is remarkable how many new beauties one 
 may discern in Shakespeare with the aid of the glossaries attached to 
 these books. . . . Teachers can do no higher, better work than to incul- 
 cate a love for the best literature, and such books as these will best aid 
 them in cultivating a pure and refined taste. 
 
 From the Christian Union, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. W. J. Rolfe's capital edition of Shakespeare ... by far the best 
 edition for school and parlor use. We speak after some practical use of 
 it in a village Shakespeare Club. The notes are brief but useful ; and 
 the necessary expurgations are managed with discriminating skill. 
 
 From the Academy, London. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe's excellent series of school editions of the Plays of Shake- 
 speare. . . . They differ from some of the English ones in looking on the 
 plays as something more than word -puzzles. They give the student 
 helps and hints on the characters and meanings of the plays, while the 
 word-notes are also full and posted up to the latest date. . . . Mr. Rolfe 
 also adds to each of his books, a most useful "Index of Words and 
 Phrases Explained." 
 
 PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 
 
 F- The above works are for sale by all booksellers, or they will be sent by HARPER 
 & BROTHERS to any address on receipt of ' prij& as qiwted. If ordered sent by 
 mail, 10 per cent, should be added to the price tpcoiier cost of postage. 
 
THOMAS GRAY. 
 
 SELECT POEMS OF THOMAS GRAY. Edited, with 
 Notes, by WILLIAM J. ROLFE, AM,, formerly Head 
 Master of the High School, Cambridge, Mass. Illus- 
 trated. Square i6mo, Paper, 40 cents ; Cloth, 56 cents 
 {Uniform with Rolfe's Shakespeare^) 
 
 Mr. Rolfe has done his work in a manner that comes as near to per- 
 fection as man can approach. He knows his subject so well that he is 
 competent to instruct all in it ; and readers will find an immense amount 
 of knowledge in his elegant volume, all set forth in the most admirable 
 order, and breathing the most liberal and enlightened spirit, he being a 
 warm appreciator of the divinity of genius. Boston Traveller. 
 
 The great merit of these books lies in their carefully edited text, and in 
 the fulness of their explanatory notes. Mr. Rolfe is not satisfied with 
 simply expounding, but he explores the entire field of English literature, 
 and therefrom gathers a multitude of illustrations that are interesting in 
 themselves and valuable as a commentary on the text. He not only in- 
 structs, but stimulates his readers to fresh exertion ; and it is this stimu- 
 lation that makes his labor so productive in the school-room. Saturday 
 Evening Gazette, Boston. 
 
 Mr. William J. Rolfe, to whom English literature is largely indebted 
 for annotated and richly illustrated editions of several of Shakespeare's 
 Plays, has treated the " Select Poems of Thomas Gray " in the same way 
 just as he had previously dealt with the best of Goldsmith's poems. 
 Philadelphia Press. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe's edition of Thomas Gray's select poems i%marked by the 
 same discriminating taste as his other classics. Springfield Republican. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe's rare abilities as a teacher and his fine scholarly tastes ena- 
 ble him to prepare a classic like this in the best manner for school use. 
 There could be no better exercise for the advanced classes in our schools 
 than the critical study of our best authors, and the volumes that Mr. Rolfe 
 has prepared will hasten the time when the study of mere form will give 
 place to the study of the spirit of our literature. Louisville Courier- 
 Journal. 
 
 An elegant and scholarly little volume. Christian Intelligencer > N. Y 
 
 PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 
 
 W* The above works are for sallby all booksellers, or they will be sent by HARPER 
 & BROTHERS to any addressTJ^ receipt of price as quoted. If ordered sent b? 
 'mail, 10 per cent, should be added to the price to cover cost of postage. 
 
OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 
 
 SELECT POEMS OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Edited, 
 with Notes, by WILLIAM J. ROLFE, A.M., formerly Head 
 Master of the High School, Cambridge, Mass. Illus- 
 trated. i6mo, Paper, 40 cents ; Cloth, 56 cents. (Uni- 
 form with Rolfe's Shakespeare^) 
 
 The careiully arranged editions of " The Merchant of Venice " and 
 other of Shakespeare's plays prepared by Mr. William J. Rolfe for the 
 use of students will be remembered with pleasure by many readers, and 
 they*will welcome another volume of a similar character from the same 
 source, in the form of the " Select Poems of Oliver Goldsmith," e'dited 
 with notes fuller than those of any other known edition, many of them 
 original with the editor. Boston Transcript. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe is doing very useful work in the preparation of compact 
 hand-books for study in English literature. His own personal culture 
 and his long experience as a teacher give him good knowledge of what 
 is wanted in this way. The Congregationalist, Boston. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe has prefixed to the Poems selections illustrative of Gold- 
 smith's character as a man, and grade as a poet, from sketches by Ma- 
 caulay, Thackeray, George Colman, Thomas Campbell, John Forster, 
 and Washington Irving. He has also appended at the end of the 
 volume a body of scholarly notes explaining and illustrating the poems, 
 and dealing with the times in which they were written, as well as the 
 incidents and circumstances attending their composition. Christian 
 Intelligencer, N. Y. 
 
 The notes are just and discriminating in tone, and supplv all that is 
 necessary either for understanding the thought of the several poems, or 
 for a critical study of the language. The use of such books in the school- 
 room cannot but contribute largely towards putting the study of English 
 literature upon a sound basis ; and many an adult reader would find in 
 the present volume an excellent opportunity for becoming critically ac- 
 quainted with one of the greatest of last century's poets. Appletoifs 
 Journal, N. Y. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 
 
 IP* The above works are for sale by all booksellers, or they will be sent by HARPER 
 & BROTHERS to any address on receipt of price as quoted. If ordered sent by 
 Mail, 10 per cent, should be added to the price to cover cost of postage. 
 
AFTERNOONS WITH THE POETS. 
 
 AFTERNOONS WITH THE POETS. By C. D. DESHLER. 
 
 Post 8vo, Cloth, $i 75. 
 
 This pleasing work is made up of citations from the poets, accom- 
 panied with easy and familiar discussions of their merits and peculiari- 
 ties. Seven afternoons are thus agreeably occupied, and take the shap'j 
 of as many interesting chapters. The participants are the " Professor" 
 and his pupil, who are represented as on terms of the utmost intimacy, 
 and express their sentiments to each other with perfect freedom. * * * 
 Mr. Deshler has happily selected the sonnet, and confined his view of 
 the poets to their productions in this single species of verse. * * * The 
 author's extensive research has been accompanied by minute scrutiny, 
 faithful comparison, and judicious discrimination. His critical observa- 
 tions are frank, honest, good-natured, yet just, discreet, comprehensive, 
 and full of instruction. It would be difficult to find a volume that in so 
 small a compass offers equal aid for the cultivation of literary taste, and 
 for reaching an easy acquaintance with all the great poets of the Eng- 
 lish tongue. The style is pure and transparent, and though colloquial 
 in form, it is exceedingly correct and elegant, embodying every chaste 
 adornment of which language is capable. Boston Transcript. 
 
 A very unconventional and pleasant book. N. Y. Herald. 
 
 The substance of the book is decidedly meritorious, far better than 
 most of the criticism published in these days. It shows careful study, 
 extensive reading, a nice taste and discrimination, and also a genuine 
 appreciation and insight which are rare. N. Y. Evening Express. 
 
 A volume of much literary interest, and is very pleasantly written.* * * 
 Mr. Deshler's discussions of literature are extremely interesting. * * * It 
 will be a source of enjoyment to all who have a taste for poetry, and can. 
 appreciate the highest triumphs of poetic art as displayed in the sonnet. 
 Hartford Post. 
 
 We have to thank Mr. Deshler for a collection of some of the most 
 exquisite sonnets in the English language, with an animated, apprecia- 
 tive, and suggestive comment which shows a fine poetical taste and is an 
 interesting and instructive guide in a charming field. N. Y. Mail. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 
 
 The above work is for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent by the publishers, 
 Postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, on receipt 
 of price. 
 
ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. 
 
 EDITED BY JOHN MORLEY. 
 
 The following volumes are now ready : 
 
 SAMUEL JOHNSON By LESLIE STEPHEN 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON By J. C. MORISON, 
 
 SIR WALTER SCOTT By R. H. HUTTON, 
 
 PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY By J. A. SYMONDS. 
 
 DAVID HUME By T. H. HUXLEY. 
 
 OLIVER GOLDSMITH By WILLIAM BLACK. 
 
 DANIEL DEFOE By WILLIAM MINTO. 
 
 ROBERT BURNS By Principal SHAIRP. 
 
 EDMUND SPENSEP By R. W. CHURCH. 
 
 WILLIAM M. THACKERAY By ANTHONY TROLLOPE. 
 
 EDMUND BURKE By JOHN MORLEY. 
 
 JOHN MILTON By MARK PATTISON. 
 
 NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE By HENRY JAMES, Jr. 
 
 ROBERT SOUTHEY By EDWARD DOWDEN. 
 
 GEOFFREY CHAUCER By A. W. WARD. 
 
 JOHN BUNYAN By J. A. FROUDE. 
 
 WILLIAM COWPER ;. .By GOLDWIN SMITH. 
 
 ALEXANDER POPE . .By LESLIE STEPHEN. 
 
 LORD BYRON By JOHN NICHOL. 
 
 JOHN LOCKE By THOMAS FOWLER. 
 
 WILLIAM WORDSWORTH .By F. W. H. MYERS. 
 
 JOHN DRYDEN By G. SAINTSBURY. 
 
 WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR By SIDNEY COLVIN. 
 
 THOMAS DE QUINCEY By DAVID MASSON. 
 
 CHARLES LAMB By ALFRED AINGER. 
 
 RICHARD BENTLEY By R. C. JEBB. 
 
 CHARLES DICKENS By A. W. WARD. 
 
 THOMAS GRAY By E. W. GOSSE. 
 
 JONATHAN SWIFT By LESLIE STEPHEN. 
 
 LAURENCE STERNE By H. D. TRAILL. 
 
 THOMAS B. MACAULAY By J. C. MORISON. 
 
 HENRY FIELDING By AUSTIN DOBSON. 
 
 RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN By Mrs. OLIPHANT. 
 
 JOSEPH ADDISON. . # By W. J. COURTHOPE. 
 
 LORD BACON By R. W. CHURCH. 
 
 SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE By H. D. TRAILL. 
 
 SIR PHILIP SIDNEY By J. A. SYMONDS. 
 
 JOHN KEAT*S By SIDNEY COLVIN. 
 
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