The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)
Page 546
If you have any tears, prepare to shed them now. You all know this robe. I remember the first time I saw him put it on. It was on a summer’s evening in his tent the day he conquered Nervii. Look, this is where Cassius’s dagger went through his body. See the whole Casca made. Here is where the beloved Brutus stabbed him and pulled his sword out. Look at how Caesar’s blood rushed out as if to ask for forgiveness. Brutus, Caesar’s angel, because you know how much Caesar loved him, caused the deadliest cut of all. The cut of ingratitude burst his heart. Great Caesar died at the base of Pompey’s statue, where all his blood flowed out. I see you are touched and weep for him now, while you see what the traitors did to him.
First Citizen
O piteous spectacle!
What a pitiful sight!
Second Citizen
O noble Caesar!
Oh, noble Caesar!
Third Citizen
O woeful day!
What a terrible day!
Fourth Citizen
O traitors, villains!
Oh, traitors! Villains!
First Citizen
O most bloody sight!
This is the bloodiest sight!
Second Citizen
We will be revenged.
We will seek revenge.
All
Revenge,--about,--seek,--burn,--fire,--kill,--slay,--let not a traitor live!
Revenge! Burn! Fire! Kill! Let not one traitor live!
Antony
Stay, countrymen.
Stop, countrymen.
First Citizen
Peace there! hear the noble Antony.
Be quiet! Listen to the noble Antony.
Second Citizen
We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
Let’s hear him and follow him. We’ll die with him.
Antony
Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they're wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him: For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men's blood: I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue In every wound of Caesar, that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
Good friends, don’t let me stir you up to the point of mutiny. Those who committed this act are honorable men with private grief. I don’t know why they did it, but they are wise and honorable, and will give you their reasons. Don’t let me change your hearts. I’m no orator like Brutus. I am just a plain man who loved his friend, and they allowed me to speak here today. I am not capable of stirring me to action. I’m only here to tell you what happened and show you Caesar’s wounds, which speak for themselves. If I were Brutus, I might be able to cause a stir among you.
All
We'll mutiny.
We’ll mutiny.
First Citizen
We'll burn the house of Brutus.
We’ll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Citizen
Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
Let’s go! Seek the conspirators.
Antony
Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
Listen to me countrymen. Hear me speak.
All
Peace, ho! hear Antony; most noble Antony!
Shh! Listen to Antony! Most noble Antony!
Antony
Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not; I must tell you then: You have forgot the will I told you of.
You don’t know what you are doing. You must know how Caesar deserved your love. You have forgotten about the will.
All
Most true; the will!--let's stay, and hear the will.
True! The will! Let’s stay and hear the will.
Antony
Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Here is the will bearing Caesar’s seal. to every Roman citizen he gives seventy-five drachmas.
Second Citizen
Most noble Caesar!--we'll revenge his death.
Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge your death.
Third Citizen
O, royal Caesar!
Oh, royal Caesar!
Antony
Hear me with patience.
Listen to me. Be patient.
All
Peace, ho!
Be quiet!
Antony
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbors, and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber: he hath left them you, And to your heirs forever; common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
He also left you his land, including his trees and orchards on this side of the river Tiber. He has left them to you to enjoy, to walk among, and to pass along to your children. Here was a Caesar! I don’t know if there will ever be another.
First Citizen
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.
Never, never! Let’s go! We’ll burn his body in the holy place, and carry the fire to the traitors’ houses. Pick up the body.
Second Citizen
Go, fetch fire.
Go get the fire.
Third Citizen
Pluck down benches.
Get some wood. Take down the benches.
Fourth Citizen
Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
Take down the window, the doors, anything.
Exit Citizens with the body.
Antony
Now let it work.--Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!--
Now let come what may. Mischief, you are at work. Let your course begin.
Enter a Servant
How now, fellow?
How are you, fellow?
Servant
Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Sir, Octavius is ready to come to Rome.
Antony
Where is he?
Where is he?
Servant
He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.
He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.
Antony
And thither will I straight to visit him: He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us any thing.
I will go visit him. He is an answer to my prayers. Fortune is on our side and will give us whatever we want.
Servant
I heard 'em say Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius are like madmen.
Antony
Belike they had some notice of the people, How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
The people are just as mad. Did you see how I moved them? Bring me to Octavius.
Exit.
Enter Cinna the poet
Cinna the poet
I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy: I have no will to wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth.
I dreamed tonight that I ate with Caesar,
And unlucky things ran through my fantasy:
I have no desire to enter the door,
Yet, something leads me forward.
Enter Citizens.
First Citizen
What is your name?
What’s your name
?
Second Citizen
Whither are you going?
Where are you going?
Third Citizen
Where do you dwell?
Where do you live?
Fourth Citizen
Are you a married man or a bachelor?
Are you married or single?
Second Citizen
Answer every man directly.
Answer each man.
First Citizen
Ay, and briefly.
Yes, but brief.
Fourth Citizen
Ay, and wisely.
And choose your words wisely.
Third Citizen
Ay, and truly; you were best.
Yes and be honest.
Cinna the Poet
What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly. Wisely I say I am a bachelor.
What is my name? Where am I going? Where do live? Am I married or single? Well, to answer each of you directly and briefly, wisely and honestly, then I say wisely, “I am a bachelor.”
Second Citizen
That's as much as to say they are fools that marry; you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.
Are you saying it is foolish to marry? Careful, you are stepping on my toes. Go on.
Cinna the Poet
Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
Honestly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.
First Citizen
As a friend, or an enemy?
Are you a friend or enemy?
Cinna the Poet
As a friend.
I am a friend.
Second Citizen
That matter is answered directly.
You answered that well.
Fourth Citizen
For your dwelling,--briefly.
And, where do you live? Be brief.
Cinna the Poet
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
I live near the Capitol.
Third Citizen
Your name, sir, truly.
Tell us your name. Don’t lie.
Cinna the Poet
Truly, my name is Cinna.
I am Cinna, honestly.
First Citizen
Tear him to pieces! he's a conspirator.
Tear him to pieces for he is one of the conspirators.
Cinna the Poet
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
I am Cinna the poet! I am Cinna the poet.
Fourth Citizen
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
Kill him for his bad verses. Kill him for his bad verses.
Cinna the Poet
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Citizen
It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
It doesn’t matter. His name’s Cinna. Pluck his name right out of his heart.
Third Citizen
Tear him, tear him! Come; brands, ho! firebrands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's, some to Ligarius': away, go!
Kill him! Kill him! Come, bring your fire. Let’s go to Brutus’s, Cassius’s, and burn them all. Some of you go to Decius’s house and some got to Casca’s and Ligarius’s. Get going!
Exit.
Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus sit at a table.
Antony
These many then shall die; their names are prick'd.
These men will die. Their names are listed.
Octavius
Your brother too must die: consent you, Lepidus?
Your brother must die, too. Are you okay with that, Lepidus?
Lepidus
I do consent,--
I am.
Octavius
Prick him down, Antony.
Write his name down, too, Antony.
Lepidus
--Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
On one condition. Publius, your sister’s son, must also die, Mark Antony.
Antony
He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house; Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine How to cut off some charge in legacies.
He shall not live. Look, I have written down his name to be damned. Lepidus, go to Caesar’s house and get his will so we can figure out how to handle it.
Lepidus
What, shall I find you here?
Will you be here when I return?
Octavius
Or here, or at the Capitol.
Here or in the Capitol.
Exit Lepidus.
Antony
This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it?
This man is only fit to be sent on errands. The world is about to be divided. Should he be one of the three to share in this?
Octavius
So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and proscription.
You thought he was when you started to name the men who should die.
Antony
Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And, though we lay these honors on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears And graze in commons.
Octavius, I am older than you, and although, we give this man the job to ease our burden, he will bear it like a donkey bears gold. He will groan and sweat. He will be led or driven, and once we are finished with him, we will take his load and turn him loose to graze in the fields.
Octavius
You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
Do what you want, but he’s a honorable and courageous soldier.
Antony
So is my horse, Octavius;and for that I do appoint him store of provender: It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth: A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds On objects, arts, and imitations, Which, out of use and staled by other men, Begin his fashion: do not talk of him But as a property. And now, Octavius, Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius Are levying powers: we must straight make head; Therefore let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, our means stretch'd; And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclosed, And open perils surest answered.
So is my horse, Octavius, and for that I give him food. He is someone who needs to be taught and directed to go forward. He is unspirited and feeds on stale traditions. Now, Octavius, listen. Brutus and Cassius are putting armies together. We must form an alliance and begin to prepare.
Octavius
Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bay'd about with many enemies; And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischiefs.
Let’s get started for our lives are at stake. We are surrounded by enemies with mischief in their hearts who smile in our face.
Exit.
Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and Soldiers. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.
Brutus
Stand, ho!
Stop!
Lucilius
Give the word, ho! and stand.
Tell everyone to stop!
Brutus
What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?
What’s going on, Lucilius? Is Cassius nearby?
Lucilius
He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master.
He’s nearby, and Pindarus has come to greet you on his behalf.
Brutus
He greets me well.--Your master, Pindarus, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand, I shall be satisfied.
Pindarus, you are a good man, but your master has either changed his mind or been influenced by bad officers. I wish we hadn’t done some of the things we did. I need an explanation.