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

by William Shakespeare

  Antony

  No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. Make forth; the generals would have some words.

  No, Caesar, we wait until they charge. Go forward. The generals want to talk.

  Octavius

  Stir not until the signal.

  Don’t do anything until I give you the signal.

  Brutus

  Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?

  Words before blows. So, that’s how it’s going to be, countrymen.

  Octavius

  Not that we love words better, as you do.

  We don’t love words like you do.

  Brutus

  Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.

  Good words are better than bad fighting, Octavius.

  Antony

  In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying, "Long live! Hail, Caesar!"

  You have good words for your bad deeds. Weren’t you crying out, “Hail, Caesar,” when you were stabbing him?

  Cassius

  Antony, The posture of your blows are yet unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, And leave them honeyless.

  Antony, we don’t know how well you fight, but your words drip with honey.

  Antony

  Not stingless too.

  They don’t sting, though.

  Brutus

  O, yes, and soundless too, For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, And very wisely threat before you sting.

  Your words are not soundless, either. They are very effective, Antony, warning your enemy before you fight.

  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'd like hounds, And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind Struck Caesar on the neck. O flatterers!

  That’s better than what you did when you acted like beasts and killed Caesar, stabbing him in his sides, while Casca struck from behind, you flatterers.

  Cassius

  Flatterers!--Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have ruled.

  Flatterers! We wouldn’t be here were I the ruler.

  Octavius

  Come, come, the cause: if arguing makes us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look,-- I draw a sword against conspirators: When think you that the sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds Be well avenged; or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.

  Come on, get to the point. We aren’t here to argue. I draw my sword against conspirators and keep it up until Caesar’s death is avenged, or until I have been killed by the same traitors.

  Brutus

  Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, Unless thou bring'st them with thee.

  You aren’t going to die at the hands of a traitor, unless you kill yourself.

  Octavius

  So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.

  That’s my hope. I was not born to die on Brutus’s sword.

  Brutus

  O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou couldst not die more honourably.

  You couldn’t die a more honorable death.

  Cassius

  A peevish school boy, worthless of such honour, Join'd with a masker and a reveller!

  You are just a school boy and not worthy of such an honor.

  Antony

  Old Cassius still!

  There’s the old Cassius!

  Octavius

  Come, Antony; away!-- Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: If you dare fight today, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs.

  Come on, Antony. Let’s go! Traitors, if you dare to fight today, come to the field. If not, come when you have the stomachs for it.

  Exit Octavius, Antony, and their armies.

  Cassius

  Why, now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.

  Why now are we having a storm?

  Brutus

  Ho, Lucilius! Hark, a word with you.

  Hey, Lucilius! Listen, I need a word with you.

  Lucilius

  Standing forward.

  My lord?

  I’m listening.

  CASSIUS

  Messala,--

  MESSALA

  What says my General?

  Cassius

  Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day 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; 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, this is my birthday. Give me your hand and be my witness that I am here against my will. I am going to set all of our freedom on the line. You know that believed in Epicurus, but now I have changed my mind. On the way from Sardis, I saw two mighty eagles fall and feed from our soldiers’ hands. They are gone, now, and ravens and crows circle us like we are about to be prey. We seem ready to die.

  Messala

  Believe not so.

  I don’t think so.

  Cassius

  I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved To meet all perils very constantly.

  I believe it partly, because I am ready.

  Brutus

  Even so, Lucilius.

  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 th' 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?

  Now, most noble Brutus, the gods are going to be friendly today so we lovers of peace may live to a ripe old age. But, since we are still unsure how this is going to turn out let’s just say we lose today. What are you going to do then?

  Brutus

  Even by the rule of that philosophy By which I did blame Cato for the death 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.

  I am going to stay the course with patience, unlike Cato who killed himself for fear of the unknown.

  Cassius

  Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome?

  Then, if we lose, you are going to be content to be led through the streets of Rome?

  Brutus

  No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; 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.

  No, Cassius, I don’t think so. Any Roman who thinks I will go into Rome in handcuffs thinks too much of himself. Today, we will finish what was started on March 15th. I don’t know if we will meet again, so let’s say our goodbyes. Farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, let’s smile, and know we parted well.

  Cassius

  For ever and for ever farewell, Brutus! If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.

  If we meet agai
n, Brutus, we will smile, indeed. If not, we did part well.

  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!

  Well, then, let’s go. I wish I knew what is about to happen, but the day will end all the same and then, I’ll know. Let’s go!

  Exit.

  Alarm. Enter Brutus and Messala.

  Brutus

  Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Unto the legions on the other side: Let them set on at once; for I perceive But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing, And sudden push gives them the overthrow. Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.

  Ride, ride, Messala, and give these orders to the men on the other side.

  Loud alarm.

  Let them start at once, because I believe Octavius’s men are not ready. Hurry, Messala, ride. Let them all come down.

  Exit.

  Alarms. 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.

  Oh, look, Titinius. Look, the enemy is fleeing! One of my men tried to turn back, but I killed 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 enclosed.

  Oh, Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early. He thought he had advantage over Octavius, but he was too eager. His soldiers have started looting, and we’re surrounded by Antony.

  Pindarus

  Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord: Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far' off.

  You must flee, my lord, go away. Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord. You must leave.

  Cassius

  This hill is far enough.--Look, look, Titinius; Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?

  I will go to the hills. Are those my tents over there where I see fire?

  Titinius

  They are, my lord.

  They are, my lord.

  Cassius

  Titinius, if thou lovest 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 assured Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.

  Titinius, if you love me, get on my horse and spur him until he has taken you up to the troops and back again, so I may know if the troops are friend or enemy.

  Titinius

  I will be here again, even with a thought.

  I will be right back.

  Exit.

  Cassius

  Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill: My sight was ever thick: regard Titinius, And tell me what thou notest about the field.--

  Pindarus, get higher on that hill and watch Titinius. Tell me what you see on the battlefield.

  Pindarus ascends the hill.

  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?

  This is the first and last day I will breathe. My life has run its course. What news, sir?

  Pindarus

  Above.

  O my lord!

  Oh, my lord!

  Cassius

  What news?

  What is it?

  Pindarus

  Above.

  Titinius is enclosed round about With horsemen, that make to him on the spur: Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him.-- Now, Titinius!--Now some 'light. O, he 'lights too: He's ta'en; [Shout.] and, hark! they shout for joy.

  Titinius is surrounded by men who are chasing him. They are almost on him. Now, Titinius is getting down. They have taken him.

  Shout!

  They are shouting for joy.

  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!

  Come down. Don’t look anymore. Oh, I am such a coward to watch my best friend be taken before my eyes!

  Pindarus descends.

  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; 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 'tis now, Guide thou the sword.--Caesar, thou art revenged, Even with the sword that kill'd thee.

  Come here, sir. I took you prisoner in Parthia, and I swore after I saved your life you had to do whatever I asked. It’s time to keep that oath. Be a freeman and with this sword that killed Caesar, stab me in the heart. Don’t stand there. Take it, and when my face is covered, do it.

  Pindarus stabs him.

  Caesar, you are revenged with the sword that killed you.

  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, Where never Roman shall take note of him.

  So, I am free, but I wouldn’t be if I had way. Oh, Cassius, I am going to run far from here where no Roman can find me.

  Exit.

  Re-enter Titinius with Messala.

  Messala

  It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, As Cassius' legions are by Antony.

  Octavius is overthrown and Antony took Cassius’s men.

  Titinius

  These tidings would well comfort Cassius.

  Cassius will be comforted by this message.

  Messala

  Where did you leave him?

  Where did you leave him?

  Titinius

  All disconsolate, With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.

  He was here on this hill with his slave, Pindarus.

  Messala

  Is not that he that lies upon the ground?

  Isn’t that him on the ground?

  Titinius

  He lies not like the living. O my heart!

  He doesn’t look alive. Oh, my heart!

  Messala

  Is not that he?

  Isn’t that him?

  Titinius

  No, this was he, Messala, But Cassius is no more.--O setting Sun, 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 done this deed.

  Yes, this is him, Messala. Cassius’s life is over like the setting sun, spreading its red light over the earth. Our day is gone and our deeds are done. He didn’t believe I would make it.

  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 conceived, Thou never comest unto a happy birth, But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee!

  He didn’t think you would succeed and his error has cost him his life. Why do men always imagine the worst?

  Titinius

  What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?

  Where is Pindarus? 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.

  Look for him, Titinius, while I go meet Brutus and tell him what has happened. Brutus is not going to like hearing this.

  Titinius

  Hie you, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the while.--

  Hurry, Messala, and I will look for Pindarus.

  Exit Messala.

  Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? Did I not meet thy friends? And did 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 Will do his bidding.--Brutus, come apace, And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.-- By your leave, gods: this is a Roman's part: Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.

  Why did you send me, brave Cassius? Didn’t I meet your friends who gave me this wreath of victory to give to you? Didn’t you hear the cheering? You misunderstood everything! But, take this wreath and wear it like Brutus wanted, so he can see I followed orders. Now, by the gods, I am taking your sword to find my heart.

  Kills himself.

  Alarms. Re-enter Messala with Brutus, Cato, Strato, Volumnius and Lucilius.

  Brutus

  Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?

  Where, Messala, is his body?

  Messala

  Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.

  Over there, with Titinius mourning over it.

  Brutus

  Titinius' face is upward.

  Titinius is lying face up.

  Cato

  He is slain.

  He is dead.

  Brutus

  O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords In our own proper entrails.