The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

by William Shakespeare

  Surround me with fat, lazy men. See Cassius over there. He has a hungry look about him, and he thinks too much. Men, like him, are dangerous.

  Antony

  Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman and well given.

  You needn’t fear him. He’s not dangerous. He is a well-known and noble Roman.

  Caesar

  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: Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved 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.

  I don’t fear him, but I wish he were fatter! Cassius, if I were fearful, is the kind of man one should fear. He is well-read and watches everything closely. He has no joys, like plays or music. He rarely smiles, and if he does it’s at something he said. Men, like Cassius, are never at ease, especially around someone greater than themselves. Therefore, they are dangerous. I am just telling you what should be feared; not what I fear, for I am Caesar. Now, come on my right side, because my left ear is deaf and tell me what you think of him.

  Trumpets play. Caesar exits with all his followers except Casca.

  Casca

  You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?

  You tugged on my sleeve. Do you want to speak with me?

  Brutus

  Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced today, That Caesar looks so sad.

  Yes, Casca. Tell us what happened today that made Caesar look so sad.

  Casca

  Why, you were with him, were you not?

  Why? Weren’t you with him?

  Brutus

  I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.

  I wouldn’t have asked if I were.

  Casca

  Why, there was a crown offer'd him; and being offer'd him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.

  Someone offered him a crown and he pushed it aside with the back of his hand, like this. Then, the people started shouting.

  Brutus

  What was the second noise for?

  What was the second shout for?

  Casca

  Why, for that too.

  Same thing.

  Cassius

  They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?

  They shouted three times. What was the last cry for?

  Casca

  Why, for that too.

  Same reason as the first two.

  Brutus

  Was the crown offer'd him thrice?

  Was the crown offered to him three times?

  Casca

  Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbors shouted.

  Yes and each time he turned it down gently, and the crowds started shouting.

  Cassius

  Who offer'd him the crown?

  Who offered him the crown?

  Casca

  Why, Antony.

  Antony.

  Brutus

  Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.

  Tell us how it happened.

  Casca

  I can as well be hang'd, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown;--yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas 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 clapp'd their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, 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.

  I just as soon be hanged as to tell it, it was so foolish. I didn’t pay much attention. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown. It was really just one of those head pieces. Anyway, Caesar turned it down, although I thought he wanted it. Then, Antony offered it to him again, and he pushed it away, but this time his hand stayed on it longer. Then, the third time Antony offered it the crowd went wild throwing up their sweaty hats and yelling that Caesar passed out. As for myself, I didn’t dare laugh, for fear of breathing in the stench.

  Cassius

  But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?

  Tell us again. Did you say Caesar fainted?

  Casca

  He fell down in the market-place, and foam'd at mouth, and was speechless.

  He fell down in the market-place and began foaming at the mouth. He couldn’t even speak.

  Brutus

  'Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness.

  Sounds like he has the falling sickness.

  Cassius

  No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.

  No, Caesar doesn’t have it, but we do.

  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 pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.

  I don’t know what you mean, but I am telling the truth. The crowd responded to him in pleasure and displeasure, just like they do in the theater.

  Brutus

  What said he when he came unto himself?

  What did he say when he came around?

  Casca

  Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck'd me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an I had 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!" and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them: if Caesar had stabb'd their mothers, they would have done no less.

  Before he fell, he opened up his robe and offered them his throat to cut. If I were a different man, I might go to hell with that offer. Then, he fainted. When he came back around, he said it was just his illness. Three or four women by me cried, “Ah, poor soul!” But, they would have done that if Caesar had just stabbed their mothers.

  Brutus

  And, after that he came, thus sad away?

  And after that, he came back looking so sad?

  Casca

  Ay.

  Yes.

  Cassius

  Did Cicero say any thing?

  Did Cicero say anything?

  Casca

  Ay, he spoke Greek.

  Yes, he spoke in Greek.

  Cassius

  To what effect?

  What did he say?

  Casca

  Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but for mine 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 could remember it.

  I don’t know. It was all Greek to me, but I can tell you those who understood him were smiling and shaking their heads. Also, Marullus and Flavius were punished for taking the decorations off the s
tatues of Caesar. There was some more foolishness, but I can’t remember.

  Cassius

  Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?

  Will you have dinner with me tonight, Casca?

  Casca

  No, I am promised forth.

  No, I already have plans.

  Cassius

  Will you dine with me tomorrow?

  How about tomorrow night?

  Casca

  Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating.

  Yes, if I’m alive and you still will have me and of course if the food’s any good.

  Cassius

  Good; I will expect you.

  Good, I’ll be expecting you.

  Casca

  Do so; farewell both.

  You do that. Goodbye, fellows.

  Exit

  Brutus

  What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school.

  What a forward guy he has become! He was always so shy in 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, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite.

  He’s smart though, even if he plays stupid. He comes across as abrasive, but it’s just a way to get people to listen to him.

  Brutus

  And so it is. For this time I will leave you: Tomorrow, 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.

  You’re probably right. I’ve got to go, though. If you want to talk tomorrow, you can come to my house, or I will go to yours.

  Cassius

  I will do so: till then, think of the world.--

  Sounds good. Till then, think about the world.

  Exit Brutus.

  Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honorable metal may be wrought, From that it is disposed: therefore 'tis meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduced? Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus; If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humor 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: And after this let Caesar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure.

  Well, Brutus, you are noble, but not so noble that you can’t be swayed. That’s why we must stick together. Caesar may not like me, but he loves Brutus. Now, if I was Brutus and he was me, he wouldn’t have listened to me tonight. So, I will write several letters in different handwriting to disguise their true sender to convey the feelings of Rome; Brutus is loved and Caesar is too ambitious. After that, let’s see how long Caesar keeps his throne or worse.

  Exit.

  Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca with his sword drawn opposite of Cicero.

  Cicero

  Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home? Why are you breathless, and why stare you so?

  Good evening, Casca. Are you coming from Caesar’s house? Why are you breathless and bewildered?

  Casca

  Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Have rived the knotty oaks; and I have seen Th' ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, To be exalted with the threatening clouds: But never till tonight, never till now, Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. Either there is a civil strife in heaven, Or else the world too saucy with the gods, Incenses them to send destruction.

  Aren’t you moved when all of the earth is shaking? Oh Cicero, I have seen storms when the winds broke old oak trees and I have seen the ocean swell and rage with foam, but I have never seen a storm that dropped fire like rain. Not until tonight, not until now. Either there is a storm in heaven or the world is about to come to an end.

  Cicero

  Why, saw you anything more wonderful?

  What have you seen so strange?

  Casca

  A common slave--you'd 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 remain'd unscorch'd. Besides,--I ha' not since put up my sword,-- Against the Capitol I met a lion, Who glared 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 marketplace, Howling and shrieking. When these prodigies Do so conjointly meet, let not men say "These are their reasons; they are natural"; For I believe they are portentous things Unto the climate that they point upon.

  I saw a familiar slave hold up his hand. It was on fire, but it didn’t get burned. Then, when I took out my sword, I saw a lion that looked at me but didn’t attack. Later, there were a hundred women who swore they saw men on fire walking down the streets. Yesterday, the night owl was I the marketplace hooting at noon. When these things take place, we must pay attention. They are an omen of bad things to come.

  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 tomorrow?

  That is certainly strange, but men sometimes see things they want to see that aren’t actually correct. Is Caesar coming to the Capitol tomorrow?

  Casca

  He doth, for he did bid Antonius Send word to you he would be there to-morrow.

  He is because he told Antony to tell you he would be there tomorrow.

  Cicero

  Good then, Casca: this disturbed sky Is not to walk in.

  Good night then, Cicero. This is not a good night to walk around according to the sky.

  Exit Cicero.

  Enter Cassius.

  Cassius

  Who's there?

  Who’s there?

  Casca

  A Roman.

  A Roman.

  Cassius

  Casca, by your voice.

  I recognize your voice, Casca.

  Casca

  Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this!

  You’ve got a good ear, Cassius! What a night this has been!

  Cassius

  A very pleasing night to honest men.

  It has been a good night for honest men.

  Casca

  Who ever knew the heavens menace so?

  Who knew the heavens could be so menacing?

  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 bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open The breast of heaven, I did present myself Even in the aim and very flash of it.

  Those that have known the earth’s faults, like me. I walked about the streets welcoming the thunder and the lightning.

  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.

  Why would you tempt the heavens like that? Most men would tremble with fear when the gods send us such astonishing sights.

  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 cast yourself in wonder, To see the strange impatience of the Heavens: But if you would consider the true cause Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, Why birds and beasts,from quality and kind; Why old men, fools, and children calculate;-- Why all these things change from their ordinance, Their natures, and preformed faculties To monstrous quality;--why, you shall find That Heaven hath infused them with these spiri
ts, To make them instruments of fear and warning Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, Name to thee a man most like this dreadful night; That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars, As doth the lion in the Capitol; A man no mightier than thyself or me In personal action; yet prodigious grown, And fearful, as these strange eruptions are.

  You are dumb, Casca. You lack the characteristics of a Roman, or else you aren’t showing them. If you think about all of these strange occurrences, you would realize, it’s the gods foreshadowing some awful things to come. Right now, I can think of an ordinary man in the Capitol who, like these strange occurrences, performs unbelievable acts.

  Casca

  'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius?

  You’re talking about Caesar, aren’t you, Cassius?

  Cassius

  Let it be who it is: for Romans now Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors; 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.

  Whoever. We may look like our Roman forefathers, but we are acting like our mothers.

  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.

  True. They say the senators are planning on making Caesar king, tomorrow. He will wear his crown everywhere, except 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; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat: 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 all the world besides, That part of tyranny that I do bear I can shake off at pleasure.