The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)
Page 544
Caesar did never wrong but with just cause, 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 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.
I kiss your hand, not out of flattery, but to show my desire that you grant Publius Cimber’s claim to freedom.
Caesar
What, Brutus?
What, Brutus!
Cassius
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Pardon me, Caesar. I bow at your feet to plea for Publius Cimber.
Caesar
I could be well moved, if I were as you; If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, They are all fire, and every one doth shine; But there's but one in all doth hold his place: So in the world; 'tis 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, Unshaked of motion: and that I am he, 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.
I could be convinced if, I were you. But I am as immovable as the North Star. They are all made of fire, but only one remains unmoving. It is the same with men. I am the only one who will not be moved. I remain firm in my decision.
Cinna
O Caesar,--
Oh, Caesar…
Caesar
Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
What do you want me to do? Lift up Mount Olympus?
Decius Brutus
Great Caesar,--
Great Caesar…
Caesar
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Didn’t Brutus beg for him?
Casca
Speak, hands, for me!
Hands, speak for me!
Casca first, then the other Conspirators and Brutus stab Caesar.
Caesar
Et tu, Brute?-- Then fall, Caesar!
And you, Brute! Then, die Caesar!
Dies.
Cinna
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!-- Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run and proclaim it in the streets.
Cassius
Some to the common pulpits and cry out, "Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!"
Go to the commons and cry out, “Liberty, freedom, and democracy!”
Brutus
People and Senators, be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still; ambition's debt is paid.
Don’t be afraid, people and senators. Don’t run off. Stay because Caesar was killed by his ambition.
Casca
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Decius Brutus
And Cassius too.
And Cassius, too.
Brutus
Where's Publius?
Where’s Publius?
Cinna
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
He’s here and quite confused with the mutiny.
Metellus Cimber
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's Should chance--
Stand by each other, or else some friend of Caesar’s may…
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.
Don’t talk like that. Publius, be happy. No harm is meant for you or any other Roman. Tell them Publius.
Cassius
And leave us, Publius; lest that the people Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Leave us, Publius, in case the people coming towards us should harm you.
Brutus
Do so;--and let no man abide this deed But we the doers.
Go ahead. No one will claim this deed except those who did it.
Re-enter Trebonius.
Cassius
Where's Antony?
Where is Antony?
Trebonius
Fled to his house amazed. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday.
He ran to his house, awestruck. Men, wives, and children cry out and run like it is the end of the world.
Brutus
Fates, we will know your pleasures: That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
We will soon know what Fate has in store for us. We will all die someday, although, we will try to postpone it.
Cassius
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
If one cuts off twenty years from his life, that’s twenty years he doesn’t fear 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, Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!"
That’s true, so we are Caesar’s friends because we have shortened his life of fearing death. Bend, gentlemen, and soak your hands in Caesar’s blood up to the elbow. Smear the blood on your sword, and let’s walk to the market-place and cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty.”
Cassius
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er In States unborn and accents yet unknown!
Bend and wash yourselves in Caesar’s blood. How many times will our scene be repeated around the world!
Brutus
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along No worthier than the dust!
How many times will this be replayed even though Caesar now lies in the dirt!
Cassius
So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd The men that gave their country liberty
However many times, we will be the men who freed their fellow countrymen.
Decius Brutus
What, shall we forth?
Shall we go?
Cassius
Ay, every man away: Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Yes, let’s go everyone. Brutus leads and we will follow him, the boldest men in all of Rome.
Enter a servant.
Brutus
Soft, who comes here?
Shh! Who is this? 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; Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving; Say I love Brutus and I honor him; Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and loved him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May safely come to him, and be resolved How Caesar hath deserved 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 of this untrod state With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Brutus, my master told me to kneel. Mark Antony told me to fall down and say, “Brutus is noble wise, valiant, and honest. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. I love Brutus and I honor him. I was afraid of Caesar, but I honored and loved him. If Brutus can promise his safety, Antony will come to him and listen to how Caesar came to deserve to die. Mark Antony will not love Caesar, dead, more than the living Brutus. He will follow Brutus and be faithful to him.”
Brutus
Thy master i
s a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied and, by my honour, Depart untouch'd.
Your master is a wise and brave Roman. I never thought poorly of him. Tell him to come here and he will not be touched.
Servant
I'll fetch him presently.
I will go get him right now.
Exit.
Brutus
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
It will benefit us to have him as a friend.
Cassius
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
I hope so, but I am afraid of him.
Brutus
But here comes Antony.--
Here he comes.
Re-enter Antony.
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Antony
O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 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 hour so fit As Caesar's death-hour, nor no instrument Of half that worth 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, Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place will please me so, no means of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age.
Oh mighty Caesar! You lie so low. All of your triumphs and glories have some to this. Goodbye. I do not know what you gentlemen are thinking, but who else has to die? Me? If so, now’s the time. Do it with those swords drenched in noble blood. I beg you, if you have something against me, take care of it now. If I live a thousand years, I will not be more prepared to die as I am right now. No place will please me more, as to die by Caesar.
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 you see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of Rome-- As fire drives out fire, so pity pity-- Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; Our arms in strength of amity, and our hearts Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Oh, Antony, don’t beg us to kill you. I know we must appear bloody and cruel, but you do not know our hearts. They are sad and sad for Rome. You see our swords, Mark Antony, and you see malice, but we receive you with love and acceptance.
Cassius
Your voice shall be as strong as any man's In the disposing of new dignities.
You will be as strong as any man in the development of a new senate.
Brutus
Only be patient till we have appeased The multitude, beside themselves with fear, And then we will deliver you the cause Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, Have thus proceeded.
Only be patient while we take care of the people who are beside themselves with fear. Then, we will tell you why we killed Caesar.
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, 'tis true: If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death 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'd in thy death.-- O world, thou wast the forest to this hart; And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.-- How like a deer strucken by many princes, Dost thou here lie!
I don’t doubt your wisdom. Let me shake each of your hands, first, Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius. Now, Decius Brutus give me your hand and Metellus. Let me shake yours, Cinna and brave Casca. Last but not least, give me your hand Trebonius. What can I say, gentlemen? You must be unsure of how to take me, coward or flatterer. I did love Caesar, and if his spirit is watching us now, I hope he is not grieved by me making peace with his enemies. If I had as many eyes as you have wounds, I would still look better than the act of becoming friends with your murderers. Forgive me, Julius! Here, you were hunted and killed like a deer, stabbed by the swords of many princes!
Cassius
Mark Antony,--
Mark Antony…
Antony
Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Caesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Forgive me, Caius Cassius. Even the enemies of Caesar would say the same thing.
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?
I don’t blame you for praising Caesar, but what is your purpose? Are you our friend or can’t we depend on you.
Antony
Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
I took your hands in friendship, but lost my focus when I saw Caesar. I am with you all, and I love you. I hope you can entrust in me your reasons for killing Caesar.
Brutus
Or else were this a savage spectacle: Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, You should be satisfied.
We had such noble intentions, that even if you were Caesar’s son you’d be pleased.
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, Speak in the order of his funeral.
That’s all I want to know, and I’d like to take his body to the pulpit, like a friend would, and speak at his funeral.
Brutus
You shall, Mark Antony.
You will, Mark Antony.
Cassius
Brutus, a word with you.
Brutus, can I have a word with you.
Aside to Brutus.
You know not what you do; do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved By that which he will utter?
You don’t know what you are doing. Don’t allow Antony to speak at his funeral. You don’t know how the people will be affected by what he will say.
Brutus
By your pardon: I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar's death: What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission; And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
I beg your pardon, but I will speak first and tell everyone why we killed Caesar. I will counter anything Antony will say, but we must allow Caesar to have all the ceremony and rites of someone in his position. It will be to our advantage.
Cassius
I know not what may fall; I like it not.
I don’t know what will happen, and I don’t like it at all.
Brutus
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of C
aesar; And say you do't by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral: and you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am going, After my speech is ended.
Mark Antony, take Caesar’s body. You may not blame us in your funeral speech. Speak well of Caesar, and let everyone know we’ve given you permission to speak or else you won’t be able to speak at all. You are going to speak after me.
Antony
Be it so; I do desire no more.
That’s fine. That’s all I want.
Brutus
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exit all but Antony.
Antony
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand 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; Domestic fury 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'd with the hands of war; All pity choked with custom of fell deeds: And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate' by his side 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.--