Shakespeare15

Brutus and Caesar's Ghost, illustration to 'Julius Caesar' IV, iii by William Blake

Act IV, Scene 3

Brutus’s tent.

Hamlet and Julius Caesar Around 1599, Shakespeare took a sudden departure from writing comedies to focus on the darker themes of moral ambiguity and corruption, both of the state and the individual. The result was two of his finest works, Hamlet and Julius Caesar, which share many common elements. Both plays revolve around the grave ramifications of "the cease of majesty." Both Hamlet's father and Caesar return as spirits to demand revenge. Both tragic heroes, Hamlet and Brutus, are philosophical men with high moral ideals who are forced out of their element and into action, but fail to act appropriately; Hamlet due to irresolution and Brutus to self-delusion. One could find many more parallels. Interestingly, Shakespeare alludes to Julius Caesar twice in Hamlet, in 1.1: In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. (113-116)

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this: You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella 1980 For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein my letters, praying on his side, Because I knew the man, were slighted off. Brutus. You wronged yourself to write in such a case. Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 1985 That every nice offence should bear his comment. Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers.1990 Cassius. I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.1995 Cassius. Chastisement! Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us 2000 That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 2005 I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Cassius. Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, 2010 Older in practise, abler than yourself To make conditions. Brutus. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Cassius. I am. Brutus. I say you are not.2015 Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Brutus. Away, slight man! Cassius. Is't possible? Brutus. Hear me, for I will speak. 2020 Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this? Brutus. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 2025 And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, 2030 I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish. Cassius. Is it come to this? Brutus. You say you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 2035 And it shall please me well: for mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. Cassius. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus; I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say 'better'?2040 Brutus. If you did, I care not. Cassius. When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. Brutus. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him. Cassius. I durst not! Brutus. No.2045 Cassius. What, durst not tempt him! Brutus. For your life you durst not! Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 2050 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I am arm'd so strong in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: 2055 For I can raise no money by vile means: By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection: I did send 2060 To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 2065 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts; Dash him to pieces! Cassius. I denied you not. Brutus. You did. Cassius. I did not: he was but a fool that brought 2070 My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart: A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me. Cassius. You love me not.2075 Brutus. I do not like your faults. Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 2080 Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is aweary of the world; Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; Cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed, Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 2085 To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger, And here my naked breast; within, a heart Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold: If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth; 2090 I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. Brutus. Sheathe your dagger: 2095 Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb That carries anger as the flint bears fire; Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 2100 And straight is cold again. Cassius. Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him? Brutus. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too.2105 Cassius. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Brutus. And my heart too. Cassius. O Brutus! Brutus. What's the matter? Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 2110 When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? Brutus. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.2115 Poet. [Within] Let me go in to see the generals; There is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet They be alone. Lucilius. [Within] You shall not come to them. Poet. [Within] Nothing but death shall stay me.2120 Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, Tintinius, and LUCIUS Cassius. How now! what's the matter? Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean? Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.2125 Cassius. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme! Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence! Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion. Brutus. I'll know his humour, when he knows his time: What should the wars do with these jigging fools? 2130 Companion, hence! Cassius. Away, away, be gone. Exit Poet Brutus. Lucilius and Tintinius, bid the commanders Prepare to lodge their companies to-night.2135 Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you Immediately to us. Exeunt LUCILIUS and Tintinius Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine! Exit LUCIUS Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry. Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils. Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.2145 Cassius. Ha! Portia! Brutus. She is dead. Cassius. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness?2150 Brutus. Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with 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.2155 Cassius. And died so? Brutus. Even so. Cassius. O ye immortal gods! Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper Brutus. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 2160 In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. Brutus. Come in, Tintinius! 2165 [Exit LUCIUS] [Re-enter Tintinius, with MESSALA] Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities.2170 Cassius. Portia, art thou gone? Brutus. No more, I pray you. Messala, I have here received letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, 2175 Bending their expedition toward Philippi. Messala. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. Brutus. With what addition? Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 2180 Have put to death an hundred senators. Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree; Mine speak of seventy senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. Cassius. Cicero one!2185 Messala. Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription. Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? Brutus. No, Messala. Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?2190 Brutus. Nothing, Messala. Messala. That, methinks, is strange. Brutus. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours? Messala. No, my lord. Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.2195 Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: With meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to endure it now.2200 Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure. Cassius. I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so. Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently?2205 Cassius. I do not think it good. Brutus. Your reason? Cassius. This it is: 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 2210 Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. Brutus. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forced affection; 2215 For they have grudged us contribution: The enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller number up, Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged; From which advantage shall we cut him off, 2220 If at Philippi we do face him there, These people at our back. Cassius. Hear me, good brother. Brutus. Under your pardon. You must note beside, That we have tried the utmost of our friends, 2225 Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: The enemy increaseth every day; We, at the height, are ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 2230 Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.2235 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. 2240 There is no more to say? Cassius. No more. Good night: Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. Brutus. Lucius! [Enter LUCIUS] 2245 My gown. [Exit LUCIUS] Farewell, good Messala: Good night, Tintinius. Noble, noble Cassius, Good night, and good repose.2250 Cassius. O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night: Never come such division 'tween our souls! Let it not, Brutus. Brutus. Every thing is well.2255 Cassius. Good night, my lord. Brutus. Good night, good brother. Tintinius. [with MESSALA] Good night, Lord Brutus. Brutus. Farewell, every one. [Exeunt all but BRUTUS] 2260 [Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown] Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? Lucius. Here in the tent. Brutus. What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. 2265 Call Claudius and some other of my men: I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. Lucius. Varro and Claudius! Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS Varro. Calls my lord?2270 Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by and by On business to my brother Cassius. Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 2275 It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; I put it in the pocket of my gown. VARRO and CLAUDIUS lie down Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me.2280 Brutus. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? Lucius. Ay, my lord, an't please you. Brutus. It does, my boy: 2285 I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. Lucius. It is my duty, sir. Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already.2290 Brutus. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song] This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, 2295 Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee: If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. 2300 Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. [Enter the Ghost of CAESAR] How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 2305 That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.2310 Caesar. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Brutus. Why comest thou? Caesar. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Brutus. Well; then I shall see thee again? Caesar. Ay, at Philippi.2315 Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. [Exit Ghost] Now I have taken heart thou vanishest: Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius!2320 Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false. Brutus. He thinks he still is at his instrument. Lucius, awake! Lucius. My lord? Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?2325 Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. Brutus. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing? Lucius. Nothing, my lord. Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius! [To VARRO] 2330 Fellow thou, awake! Varro. My lord? Claudius. My lord? Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? Varro. [with Claudius] Did we, my lord?2335 Brutus. Ay: saw you any thing? Varro. No, my lord, I saw nothing. Claudius. Nor I, my lord. Brutus. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 2340 And we will follow. Varro. [with Claudius] It shall be done, my lord. [Exeunt]

Act IV, Scene 3 Brutus’s tent.

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this: You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella 1980 For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein my letters, praying on his side, Because I knew the man, were slighted off. Brutus. You wronged yourself to write in such a case. Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 1985 That every nice offence should bear his comment. Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers.1990 Cassius. I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.1995 Cassius. Chastisement! Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us 2000 That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 2005 I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Cassius. Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, 2010 Older in practise, abler than yourself To make conditions. Brutus. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Cassius. I am. Brutus. I say you are not.2015 Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Brutus. Away, slight man! Cassius. Is't possible? Brutus. Hear me, for I will speak. 2020 Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this? Brutus. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 2025 And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, 2030 I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish. Cassius. Is it come to this? Brutus. You say you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 2035 And it shall please me well: for mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. Cassius. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus; I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say 'better'?2040 Brutus. If you did, I care not. Cassius. When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. Brutus. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him. Cassius. I durst not! Brutus. No.2045 Cassius. What, durst not tempt him! Brutus. For your life you durst not! Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 2050 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I am arm'd so strong in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: 2055 For I can raise no money by vile means: By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection: I did send 2060 To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 2065 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts; Dash him to pieces! Cassius. I denied you not. Brutus. You did. Cassius. I did not: he was but a fool that brought 2070 My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart: A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me. Cassius. You love me not.2075 Brutus. I do not like your faults. Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 2080 Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is aweary of the world; Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; Cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed, Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 2085 To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger, And here my naked breast; within, a heart Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold: If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth; 2090 I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. Brutus. Sheathe your dagger: 2095 Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb That carries anger as the flint bears fire; Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 2100 And straight is cold again. Cassius. Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him? Brutus. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too.2105 Cassius. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Brutus. And my heart too. Cassius. O Brutus! Brutus. What's the matter? Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 2110 When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? Brutus. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.2115 Poet. [Within] Let me go in to see the generals; There is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet They be alone. Lucilius. [Within] You shall not come to them. Poet. [Within] Nothing but death shall stay me.2120 Enter Poet, followed by LUCILIUS, Tintinius, and LUCIUS Cassius. How now! what's the matter? Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean? Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.2125 Cassius. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme! Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence! Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion. Brutus. I'll know his humour, when he knows his time: What should the wars do with these jigging fools? 2130 Companion, hence! Cassius. Away, away, be gone. Exit Poet Brutus. Lucilius and Tintinius, bid the commanders Prepare to lodge their companies to-night.2135 Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you Immediately to us. Exeunt LUCILIUS and Tintinius Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine! Exit LUCIUS Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry. Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils. Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.2145 Cassius. Ha! Portia! Brutus. She is dead. Cassius. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness?2150 Brutus. Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with 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.2155 Cassius. And died so? Brutus. Even so. Cassius. O ye immortal gods! Re-enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper Brutus. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 2160 In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. Brutus. Come in, Tintinius! 2165 [Exit LUCIUS] [Re-enter Tintinius, with MESSALA] Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities.2170 Cassius. Portia, art thou gone? Brutus. No more, I pray you. Messala, I have here received letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, 2175 Bending their expedition toward Philippi. Messala. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. Brutus. With what addition? Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 2180 Have put to death an hundred senators. Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree; Mine speak of seventy senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. Cassius. Cicero one!2185 Messala. Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription. Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? Brutus. No, Messala. Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?2190 Brutus. Nothing, Messala. Messala. That, methinks, is strange. Brutus. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours? Messala. No, my lord. Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.2195 Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: With meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to endure it now.2200 Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure. Cassius. I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so. Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently?2205 Cassius. I do not think it good. Brutus. Your reason? Cassius. This it is: 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 2210 Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. Brutus. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forced affection; 2215 For they have grudged us contribution: The enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller number up, Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged; From which advantage shall we cut him off, 2220 If at Philippi we do face him there, These people at our back. Cassius. Hear me, good brother. Brutus. Under your pardon. You must note beside, That we have tried the utmost of our friends, 2225 Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: The enemy increaseth every day; We, at the height, are ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 2230 Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.2235 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. 2240 There is no more to say? Cassius. No more. Good night: Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. Brutus. Lucius! [Enter LUCIUS] 2245 My gown. [Exit LUCIUS] Farewell, good Messala: Good night, Tintinius. Noble, noble Cassius, Good night, and good repose.2250 Cassius. O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night: Never come such division 'tween our souls! Let it not, Brutus. Brutus. Every thing is well.2255 Cassius. Good night, my lord. Brutus. Good night, good brother. Tintinius. [with MESSALA] Good night, Lord Brutus. Brutus. Farewell, every one. [Exeunt all but BRUTUS] 2260 [Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown] Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? Lucius. Here in the tent. Brutus. What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. 2265 Call Claudius and some other of my men: I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. Lucius. Varro and Claudius! Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS Varro. Calls my lord?2270 Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by and by On business to my brother Cassius. Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 2275 It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; I put it in the pocket of my gown. VARRO and CLAUDIUS lie down Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me.2280 Brutus. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? Lucius. Ay, my lord, an't please you. Brutus. It does, my boy: 2285 I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. Lucius. It is my duty, sir. Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already.2290 Brutus. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song] This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, 2295 Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee: If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. 2300 Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. [Enter the Ghost of CAESAR] How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 2305 That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.2310 Caesar. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Brutus. Why comest thou? Caesar. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Brutus. Well; then I shall see thee again? Caesar. Ay, at Philippi.2315 Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. [Exit Ghost] Now I have taken heart thou vanishest: Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius!2320 Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false. Brutus. He thinks he still is at his instrument. Lucius, awake! Lucius. My lord? Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?2325 Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. Brutus. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing? Lucius. Nothing, my lord. Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius! [To VARRO] 2330 Fellow thou, awake! Varro. My lord? Claudius. My lord? Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? Varro. [with Claudius] Did we, my lord?2335 Brutus. Ay: saw you any thing? Varro. No, my lord, I saw nothing. Claudius. Nor I, my lord. Brutus. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 2340 And we will follow. Varro. [with Claudius] It shall be done, my lord. [Exeunt]