In favour's like the work we have in hand, Most bloody-fiery and most terrible. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cass. 'Tis Cinna, - I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Enter CINNA. Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? To our attempt. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? Cin. I'm glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cass. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. Cin. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party Yes, you are. Cass. Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. Cin. All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone Come, Casca, you and I will yet, ere day, Upon the next encounter, yields him ours. [Exit Cinna. 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. Cass. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited. Let us go, We will awake him, and be sure of him. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. Rome. BRUTUS's orchard. Enter BRUTUS. Bru. 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. Luc. Call'd you, my Enter LUCIUS. lord? Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my lord. Bru. 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; that; Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Cæsar, young More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof, [Exit. By which he did ascend: so Cæsar may; Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous; Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. It did not lie there when I went to bed. Bru. Get you to bed again; it is not day. Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March? Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the air, [Exit. [Opens the paper and reads. "Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. 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 ancestor did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. "Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! Re-enter LUCIUS. Luc. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. [Knocking within, 244 Bru. "Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing [Exit Lucius. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, Who doth desire to see you. Bru. Luc. Bru. Luc. Is he alone? No, sir, there are more with him. Do you know them? 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. They are the faction. O conspiracy, [Exit Lucius. Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, 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 put thy native semblance on, Not Erebus itself were dim enough To hide thee from prevention. Enter CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMBER, and TREBONIUS. Cass. I think we are too bold upon your rest: Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you? Bru. I have been up this hour; awake all night. Cass. Yes, every man of them; and no man here Which every noble Roman bears of Bru. you. He is welcome hither. Cass. This, Decius Brutus. Bru. He is welcome too. Cass. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. Bru. They are all welcome. What watchful cares do interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night? Cass. Shall I entreat a word? [Brutus and Cassius whisper. Cin. O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines Casca. You shall confess that you are both deceiv'd. Bru. Give me your hands all over, one by one. Bru. No, not an oath: if not the face of men, |