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

by William Shakespeare

  I know where this dagger will be worn, then. I will not be reined. Nothing can deter me, not even death. Let everyone know that I can shake off the threat of tyranny, when I want.

  Thunder continues.

  Casca

  So can I: So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity.

  So can I. Every man has the strength to overcome bondage.

  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. 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, 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.

  Poor Caesar! He thinks Romans are sheep and he is a wolf. He wouldn’t be a lion, if Rome weren’t acting like a bunch of donkeys. People, who want to make a big fire, start with little sticks. Rome has become complete trash, the way it adores Caesar. But, wait, I may be talking to someone who wants to be a slave. Then, I may be in danger for what I’m saying. It doesn’t matter because I am armed and not afraid.

  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.

  Hey, you’re talking to me. I’m not two-faced. I won’t tell anyone. Let’s shake and join together to right these wrongs. I will go as far as any man.

  Cassius

  There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans To undergo with me an enterprise Of honorable-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 Is favor'd like the work we have in hand, Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.

  That’s a deal. Now, I must tell you, I have already been working on some of the noblest minds in Rome to join with me in overthrowing Caesar. But, it’s going to be dangerous, so we are meeting tonight at Pompey’s porch because no one will be out in this weather.

  Casca

  Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.

  Hang on. Here comes someone now.

  Cassius

  'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; He is a friend.--

  It’s Cinna. I recognize his walk. He is a friend.

  Enter Cinna

  Cinna, where haste you so?

  Cinna, where are you going in such a hurry?

  Cinna

  To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber?

  To find you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber?

  Cassius

  No, it is Casca, one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?

  No, it’s Casca. He is one of us. Are the others ready?

  Cinna

  I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.

  Good, I’m glad. This has been a scary night. There are a couple of guys who have seen some strange sights.

  Cassius

  Am I not stay'd for? tell me.

  Have the people gathered? Tell me.

  Cinna

  Yes, You are. O Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party,--

  Yes, they are. Please bring Brutus to join us.

  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?

  Be patient, good Cinna. Take this paper and put it in the chair where Brutus sits, throw this in his window, and put this on old Brutus’s statue. When you have done all this, go to the theater where we will be. Are 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.

  Everyone is there but Metellus Cimber. He’s gone to your house looking for you. Well, I’ll go deliver these papers as you wish.

  Cassius

  That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.--

  When you’re done, go to Pompey’s theater.

  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.

  Come on, Casca. You and I will go to Brutus’s house. He is three-fourths ours, and I bet after our visit we will have him completely.

  Casca

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

  The people love him. So, with him we can do no wrong in their eyes.

  Cassius

  Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, For it is after midnight; and, ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him.

  You are so right. We need him. Let’s go for it’s almost midnight. We will wake him up.

  Exit.

  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 my fault to sleep so soundly.-- When, Lucius, when! Awake, I say! What, Lucius!

  What’s going on, Lucius? What time is it? I say, Lucius! I can’t believe I slept so soundly. Wake up, Lucius! What time is it? Lucius!

  Enter Lucius

  Lucius

  Call'd you, my lord?

  Did you call, my lord?

  Brutus

  Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here.

  Bring a candle to my study, Lucius, and when it is lit, call me.

  Lucius

  I will, my lord.

  I will, my lord.

  Exit.

  Brutus

  It must be by his death: and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question: It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking. Crown him?--that: And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may do danger with. Th' abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason. But 'tis 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 color 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.

  If Caesar wants to be crowned, despite what may happen, what part do I play? I have no reason to want his death, but Rome’s best interest is at hand. I wonder if it will change his nature. Everyone knows that when one climbs the ladder of success and reaches the top rung, the climber’s back is turned on everyone below him. Caesar may become high-minded and power-hungry. If so, his life must be taken.

  Re-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.

  The candle is lit in your study, sir. While I was looking for the flint, I found this sealed letter. I’m
sure it wasn’t there earlier.

  Brutus

  Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March?

  Go to bed, now. Isn’t tomorrow the Ides of March?

  Lucius

  I know not, sir.

  I don’t know, sir.

  Brutus

  Look in the calendar, and bring me word.

  Look in the calendar, and let me know.

  Lucius

  I will, sir.

  I will, sir.

  Exit.

  Brutus

  The exhalations, whizzing in the air Give so much light that I may read by them.--

  [Opens the letter and reads.] "Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress--! Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!--"

  Such instigations have been often dropp'd Where I have took them up. "Shall Rome, & c." 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 Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.-- "Speak, strike, redress!"--Am I entreated, then, To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, If the redress will follow, thou receivest Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

  The sky is lit by stars and meteors so, I may read this letter.

  Opens the letter and reads.

  “Brutus, You are asleep. Wake up and see what is happening to Rome. Speak, strike, help us! Brutus, you are asleep. Wake up and take action. What is going to happen to Rome? Should it be ruled by one man? Our ancestors drove off King Tarquin. Speak, strike, help!” Am I supposed to speak and strike. Oh, Rome, I promise you I will help protect you.

  Re-enter Lucius.

  Lucius

  Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.

  Tomorrow is March fourteenth.

  Knocking within.

  Brutus

  'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks.--

  Good. Go the gate and see who is knocking.

  Exit Lucius.

  Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar 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 and the mortal instruments Are then in council; and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection.

  Since Cassius first told me he wants me to go against Caesar, I haven’t slept. My mind has been filled with thought of taking action against the General. My body and my mind are in turmoil.

  Re-enter Lucius.

  Lucius

  Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you.

  Sir, it’s your brother, Cassius, at the door. He wants to see you.

  Brutus

  Is he alone?

  Is he by himself?

  Lucius

  No, sir, there are more with him.

  No, sir. More men are with him.

  Brutus

  Do you know them?

  Do you know any of 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 favor.

  I can’t see their faces because their hats are pulled down and their faces are half buried in their coats.

  Brutus

  Let 'em enter.--

  Let them come in.

  Exit Lucius.

  They are the faction.--O conspiracy, Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, When evils are most free? O, then, by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy; Hide it in smiles and affability: For if thou pass, thy native semblance on, Not Erebus itself were dim enough To hide thee from prevention.

  They are the conspirators. Only dangerous activities take place by night, when evil is most free. In the day, how will they continue to hide their plans. If they showed their true plans, hell would not be able to hide them from being found.

  Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius Brutus, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius.

  Cassius

  I think we are too bold upon your rest: Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?

  Are we bothering you, Brutus? We are probably disturbing your rest. Good night.

  Brutus

  I have been up this hour, awake all night. Know I these men that come along with you?

  I have been up and awake all night. Do I know your companions?

  Cassius

  Yes, every man of them; and no man here But honors you; and every one doth wish You had but that opinion of yourself Which every noble Roman bears of you. This is Trebonius.

  Yes, you know everyone. All of the men think very highly of you. This is Trebonius.

  Brutus

  He is welcome hither.

  He is welcome here.

  Cassius

  This Decius Brutus.

  This is Decius Brutus.

  Brutus

  He is welcome too.

  He is also welcome.

  Cassius

  This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.

  This is Casca, Cinna, and Metellus Cimber.

  Brutus

  They are all welcome.-- What watchful cares do interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night?

  They are all welcome. What brings you here this time of night?

  Cassius

  Shall I entreat a word?

  I was hoping to have a word with you.

  Brutus and Cassius whisper.

  Decius Brutus

  Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?

  This is the east. Doesn’t the sun rise here?

  Casca

  No.

  No.

  Cinna

  O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon grey lines That fret the clouds are messengers of day.

  Pardon me, sir, it is. The gray line over there is the rising of the sun.

  Casca

  You shall confess that you are both deceived. 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.

  I think you are both wrong. See where I’m pointing my sword. The sun is rising in the south because of the time of year. In two months, it will rise higher in the north. The capitol is over there.

  Brutus

  Give me your hands all over, one by one.

  Give me your hands, one over the other.

  Cassius

  And let us swear our resolution.

  Let’s swear an oath.

  Brutus

  No, not an oath: if not the face of men, The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse-- If these be motives weak, break off betimes, And every man hence to his idle bed; So let high-sighted tyranny range on, Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, As I am sure they do, bear fire enough To kindle cowards, and to steel with valour The melting spirits of women; then, countrymen, What need we any spur but our own cause 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 engaged, That this shall be, or we will fall for it? Swear priests, and cowards, and men cautelous, Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear Such creatures as men doubt: but do not stain The even virtue of our enterprise, Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits, To think that or our cause or our performance Did need an oath; when every drop of blood 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.

  No, not an oath. We don’t need to swear an oath to one another. Oaths are for cowards or old men. We have enough motivation to spur us to action. Our word is good enough.

  Cassius

  But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him? I think he will stand very
strong with us.

  What about Cicero? Should we get him? I think he will support us.

  Casca

  Let us not leave him out.

  Let’s not leave him out.

  Cinna

  No, by no means.

  No, by no means.

  Metellus Cimber

  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 ruled our hands; Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, But all be buried in his gravity.

  Oh, let’s include him. His age and wisdom will make us appear noteworthy and make men listen to us. He will also take the blame for our actions, since we are young.

  Brutus

  O, name him not! let us not break with him; For he will never follow any thing That other men begin.

  I don’t think we should include him. He’ll never go along with anything like this.