JULIUS CAESAR by Shakespeare
Adapted by Denise McNee and Dyanne White - members of the Miracle Players
- All rights reserved - www.miracleplayers.org
A street in Rome
FLAVIUS: Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home. Is this a holiday? It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about And drive the vulgar from the streets. (Exit)
Rome. A public place.
CAESAR: Calphurnia.
CASCA: Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
CAESAR: Calphurnia.
CALPHURNIA: Here my lord.
CAESAR: Calphurnia.
CALPHURNIA: HERE MY LORD!
SOOTHSAYER: Caesar!
CAESAR: Ha, who calls?
SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR: What man is that, Brutus?
BRUTUS: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR: He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
(Exit all except Brutus)
CASSIUS: Pssst.
BRUTUS: Into what dangers would you lead me Cassius?
CASSIUS: I do fear the people choose Caesar for their King.
BRUTUS: I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me?
CASSIUS: I was born as free as Caesar and so were you. And this man is now become a god; and Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod at him. Ye Gods! it does amaze me A man of such feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world.
(Shouts)
BRUTUS: Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are for some new honours that are heaped on Caesar.
CASSIUS: What should be in that 'Caesar'? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great. There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a King.
BRUTUS: What you have said I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear; and find a time both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then my noble friend, chew upon this.
CASSIUS: I am glad that my weak words have struck this much show of fire from Brutus.
(re-enter Caesar and his train)
BRUTUS: The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
CASSIUS: Casca will tell us what the matter is.
CAESAR: Antonius!
ANTONY: Caesar?
CAESAR: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
ANTONY: Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous.
CASCA: You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me?
BRUTUS: Ay, Casca; tell us what chanc'd to-day,
CASCA: Why, you were with him, were you not?
BRUTUS: I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd.
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 the people fell a-shouting.
BRUTUS: What was the second noise for?
CASCA: Why, for that too.
CASSIUS: They shouted thrice; what was the last cry for?
CASCA: Why, for that too.
BRUTUS: Was the crown offer'd him thrice?
CASCA: Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by mine honest neighbours shouted.
CASSIUS: Who offer'd him the crown?
CASCA: Why, Antony.
BRUTUS: And after that he came away thus sad?
CASCA: Ay.
CASSIUS: Did Cicero say anything?
CASCA: Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASSIUS: To what effect?
CASCA: It was Greek to me. Farewell, Brutus.
(Brutus exits)
CASCA: Indeed they say the senators tomorrow mean to establish Caesar as a King; And he shall wear his crown by sea and land in very place save here in Italy.
CASSIUS: I know where I will wear this dagger then; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. What trash is Rome, what rubbish, and what offal, when it serves for base matter to illuminate.
CASCA: You speak to Casca, and to such a man that is no fleeting tell-tale. Hold my hand.
CASSIUS: There's a bargain made.
CASCA: Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.
CASSIUS: 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait; He is a friend. Cinna where haste you so?
CINNA: What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
CASSIUS: Come, 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.
(all exit)
Brutus' house.
BRUTUS: It is not day. Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March?
LUCIUS: I know not, sir.
BRUTUS: Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
LUCIUS: I will, sir.
(exit Lucius)
BRUTUS: Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What Rome? My ancestors from the streets of Rome did the Tarquin drive, when he was called a King. 'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I entreated to speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hands of Brutus.
(re-enter Lucius)
LUCIUS: Sir. March is wasted fifteen days.
BRUTUS: 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
(enter conspirators)
BRUTUS: Give me your hands all over, one by one.
CASSIUS: And let us swear our resolution.
DECIUS: Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
CASSIUS: Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
BRUTUS: Think not of Mark Antony; for he can do no more than Caesar's arm when Caesar's head is off. Peace! Count the clock.
CASSIUS: The clock hath stricken three.
TREBONIUS: 'Tis time to part.
CASSIUS: But it is doubtful yet whether Caesar will come forth tomorrow or no; for he is superstitious grown of late.
DECIUS: Never fear that. If he be so resolv'd I can o'ersway him; I will bring him to the capitol.
(exeunt all but Brutus)
PORTIA: Brutus, my lord!
BRUTUS: Portia.
PORTIA: Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
BRUTUS: Good Portia, go to bed!
PORTIA: I grant that I am a woman, but withal a woman that lord Brutus took to wife. You have some sick offence of mind.
BRUTUS: Hark, Hark! one knocks. Portia, go in awhile.
(exeunt)
Caesar's house
CAESAR: Calphurnia…..
CALPHURNIA: Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, yet now they fright me. There is one within besides the things that we have heard and seen, recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. O' Caesar, these things are beyond all use and I do fear then!
CAESAR: Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions are to the world in general as to Caesar. Cowards die many times before their deaths: the
valiant never taste of death but once. And Caesar shall go forth.
CALPHURNIA: Do not go forth today. Call it my fear that keeps you in the house, and not your own.
DECIUS: Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar. I come to fetch you to the senate house.
CAESAR: Tell them I will not come today.
CALPHURNIA: Say he is sick.
DECIUS: And know it know; the senate have concluded to give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, their minds may change.
CAESAR: Give me my robe, for I will go.
(exeunt)
Rome. The Capitol.
CAESAR: The ides of March are come.
SOOTHSAYER: Ay, Caesar but not gone.
ARTEMIDORUS: Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
CINNA: Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
CAESAR: Are we all ready?
BRUTUS: I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery Caesar.
CASCA: Speak hands, for me!
(Thy strike Caesar)
CAESAR: Et tu, Brute? - Then fall, Caesar!
(Dies)
CINNA: Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
CASCA: Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
DECIUS: And Cassius too.
CASSIUS: Where is Antony?
TREBONIUS: Fled to his house amaz'd. Men, wives and children, starte, cry out, and run, as it were doomsday.
BRUTUS: 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 marketplace, and waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry 'Peace, freedom, and liberty!' But here comes Antony.
ANTONY: O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low? Fare thee well. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend , who else must be let in blood?
BRUTUS: O Antony! beg not your death of us. Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of Rome.
CASSIUS: Your voice shall be as strong as any man's in the disposing of new dignities.
BRUTUS: Only be patient till we have appeas'd the multitude, beside themselves with fear.
ANTONY: I doubt not of your wisdom. That I did love thee, Caesar, O; 'tis true! If then thy spirit look upon us now, shall it not grieve thee dearer to see Antony making his peace with thy foes.
CAESAR: Shaking thy bloody fingers with my foes and over my corpse.
ANTONY: Excuse me!
CASSIUS: Have you finished you're aside yet?
ANTONY: Yes. All I seek is that I may produce his body to the marketplace and, in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in order of his funeral.
BRUTUS: You shall, Mark Antony.
CASSIUS: Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do. Do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people may be mov'd by that which he will utter.
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 permission.
CASSIUS: I know not what may fall. I like it not.
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 Caesar; and say you do't by our permission; else shall you not have hand at all about his funeral.
ANTONY: Be it so; I desire no more.
(exeunt all but Antony)
ANTONY: O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth.
ROME. The Forum.
CITIZENS: We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!
BRUTUS: Then follow me, and give me audience friends.
PLEBIAN: The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!
BRUTUS: Romans, countrymen and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor. If there be any in this assembly , any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer. Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him I have offended. Who here is so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him I have offended. I pause for reply.
ALL: None Brutus, none.
BRUTUS: Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.
ALL: Live, Brutus! Live, live!
PLEBIAN: Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
PLEBIAN: Give him a statue with his ancestors.
PLEBIAN: Let him be Caesar.
PLEBIAN: Caesar's better parts shall be crown'd in Brutus.
PLEBIAN: We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours.
BRUTUS: My countrymen -
PLEBIAN: Peace, silence. Brutus speaks.
PLEBIAN: Peace, ho!
BRUTUS: Good countrymen, let me depart alone. Here come's his body mourned by Antony. I do entreat you, not a man depart save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
(exit Brutus)
PLEBIAN: Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
PLEBIAN: Let him go up into the public chair. We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
ANTONY: For Brutus' sake I am beholding to you.
PLEBIAN: What does he say of Brutus?
PLEBIAN: He says, for Brutus' sake he finds himself beholding to us all.
PLEBIAN: 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.
PLEBIAN: This Caesar was a tyrant.
PLEBIAN: Nay that's certain. We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
PLEBIAN: Peace! Let us hear what Antony can say.
ANTONY: You gentle Romans -
PLEBIAN: Peace, Ho! let us hear him.
ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is of't interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you that Caesar were ambitious.
if it were so, it was a grievous fault;
And grievously hath Caesar answered it.
Here, under the leave of Brutus and the rest -
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men -
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me;
But Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honourable man,
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill;
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a Kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambitious?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And sure he is an honourable man.
PLEBIAN: Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
PLEBIAN: If thou consider rightly of the matter Caesar has had great wrong.
PLEBIAN: Has he, masters! I fear there will a worse come in his place.
PLEBIAN: Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain that he was not ambitious.
PLEBIAN: If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
PLEBIAN: Poor soul! his eyes are as red as fire with weeping.
PLEBIAN: There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
PLEBIAN: Now mark him; he begins again to speak.
ANTONY: But yesterday the word of Caesar might have stood against the world: now lies he there and none so poor do him reverence. But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet - 'tis his will.
PLEBIAN: We'll hear the will. Read it Mark Antony.
ALL: The will, the will. We will hear Caesar's will.
ANTONY: Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it.
PLEBIAN: Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony! You shall read us the will - Caesar's will.
ANTONY: Will you be patient? will you stay awhile? I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
PLEBIAN: They were traitors. Honourable men!
ALL: The will! The testament!
PLEBIAN: They were villains, murderers. The will! Read the will.
ANTONY: You will compel me, then, to read the will?
PLEBIAN: Descend.
PLEBIAN: You shall have leave.
PLEBIAN: Room for Antony, most noble Antony!
ANTONY: Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal: To every Roman citizen he gives, to every several man, seventy-five dracmas.
PLEBIAN: Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
PLEBIAN: O royal Caesar.
ANTONY: Hear me with patience.
ALL: Peace, ho!
ANTONY: Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, his private arbors, and newly planted orchards, on the side Tiber; he hath left them you, and to you heirs for ever - common pleasures to walk abroad and recreate yourselves. Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
PLEBIAN: Never, never! Come away, away! We'll burn his body in the holy place, and with the brands fire the traitors houses. Take up the body.
PLEBIAN: Go, fetch fire.
PLEBIAN: Pluck down benches.
PLEBIAN: Pluck down forms, windows, anything.
(Exeunt plebs, with body)
ANTONY: Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou will.
ROME: Antony's house.
ANTONY: These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.
OCTAVIUS: Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidius?
LEPIDIUS: I do consent.
OCTAVIUS: Prick him down, Antony.
LEPIDIUS: Upon condition Publius shall not live, who is your sister's son Mark Antony.
ANTONY: He shall not live; look with a spot I damn him. Octavius I have seen more days than you. Brutus and Cassius are levying powers; we must straight make head.
OCTAVIUS: Let us do so; for we are at the stake, and bay'd about with many enemies.
(all exit)
Camp near Sardis.
BRUTUS: Portia is dead.
CASSIUS: Ha, Portia.
BRUTUS: She is dead. Impatient of my absence and grief that young Octavius and Mark Antony have made themselves so strong; for with her death that tidings came. With this she fell distract, and, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire.
CASSIUS: And died so?
BRUTUS: Even so?
CASSIUS: O ye immortal gods!
BRUTUS: Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. I have received letters that young Octavius and Mark Antony come down upon us with a mighty power bending their expedition towards Philippi.
CASSIUS: Then with your will, go on; We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi.
BRUTUS: The deep of night is crept upon our talk, and nature must obey necessity, which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say?
CASSIUS: No more. Good night.
(Exit Cassius)
BRUTUS: How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes that shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou some God, some angel, or some
devil, that mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art?
GHOST: Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
BRUTUS: Why com'st thou?
GHOST: To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
BRUTUS: Well, then I shall see thee again?
GHOST: Ay, at Philippi.
BRUTUS: Why, I will see thee at Philippi then.
Near Philippi.
OCTAVIUS: Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. You said the enemy would not come down, but keep the hills and upper regions; It proves not so. Their battles are at hand.
ANTONY: Octavius, lead your battle softly on, upon the left hand of the even field.
OCTAVIUS: Upon the right hand I: keep thou the left. Shall we give sign of battle?
ANTONY: No Caesar, we will answer on their charge. Make forth the generals would have some words.
BRUTUS: Words before blows. Is it so countrymen?
ANTONY: In your bad strokes, Brutus, you gave good words; Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, crying 'Long Live! Hail, Caesar!
OCTAVIUS: Look, I draw a sword against conspirators; when think you that the sword goes up again? Never till Caesar's thirty-three wounds have
been aveng'd.
CASSIUS: A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour.
OCTAVIUS: Come, Antony, away!
BRUTUS: O that a man might know the end of this days business ere it come! But it sufficeth that the day will end, and then the end is known. Come, ho! away!
Field of Battle.
BRUTUS: Ride, ride, Titinius, ride and give these bills to the legions on the other side.
Another part of the field.
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.
CASSIUS: Titinius, if thou lovest me, mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him.
(Titinius leaves)
CASSIUS: What news?
PINDARUS: 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 tak'en. And hark! They shout for joy.
CASSIUS: O, coward that I am to live so long to see my best friend ta'en before my face! Guide thou the
sword (Pindarus stabs him) Caesar thou art reveng'd, even with the sword that kill'd thee. (dies)
PINDARUS: So I am free.
RE-ENTER TITINIUS
TITINIUS: He lies not like the living. O, my heart! And see now how I regarded Caius Cassius. By your leave, gods. This is a Roman's part. Come Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. (dies)
BRUTUS: Titinius' face is upward
CATO: He is slain.
BRUTUS: Are yet two Romans living such as these? The last of all the Romans fare thee well.
Come poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me last night here in Philippi fields. I know my hour is come. Farewell (dies)
ANTONY: This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only in a general thought
And common good to all made one of them.
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man'.
The End
Adapted by Denise McNee and Dyanne White - members of the Miracle Players
- All rights reserved - www.miracleplayers.org
