Julius Cæsar Octavius Mark Antony Lepidus Marcus Brutus Caius Cassius Caska Cinna Metellus Cymber Trebonius Caius Ligarius Decius Brutus Publius Popilius Artemidorus Titinius Lievtenant Generall under Cassius Lucilius Cato junior Messala}officers under BrutusVolumnius Clitus Dardanius Strato {followers of BrutusVarrus Claudio}Servants to BrutusPindarus, Bondman to Cassius Lucius. Brutus’s page. Calphurnia Cæsar’s wife Portia: wife to Brutus A Soothsayer Artizans and plebeians Soldiers, Servants. Cicero Flavius Murellus*
The Tragedy of Julius Cæsar
Actꝯus jmus
Scena ja
Stamp: Bibliothèque publique Douai
§
133
Enter flavius Murellus and
Certain commoners over
the Stage;
hence home you idle cre‸atures get you home:
Is this a holyday? wtwhat know you not, being mechanicall (Being mechanicall) you ought not walke
upon a labouring day wthoutwithoutyethe signe
of your profession? Speake what trade art thou?
truly sir all ytthat I live by is yethe aule: I meddle
wthwith no tradesmens busyness: but wthwithall I am indeed sir a sursurgeon geon to old shoreoes: when they are in great danger I
recover them: as proper men as ever trod upon Neats lealeather therhave gone upon my handy worck
wherfor rejoyce?
what conquest brings he home
what tributaries follow him to Rome,
to grace in captive bonds his chariot wheeles?
you blocks you stones you worse than senseless things
o you hard hearts you cruel men of Rome
Knew you not Pompey, many a time and oft
have you clibmbd up to walls and Battlements
to towers and windowes, yea to Chimney tops
your infants in you armes and there have sate
the live-long day wthwith patient expectation
to see great Pompey pass yethe streets of Rome
and when you saw his chariot but appear
have you not made an universall shout
that Tyber trembled underneath her bancks to hear yethe replication of your sounds.
made in her concave shores?
And do you now put on your best attire?
And doe you now cull out a Holyday?
And doe you strew flowers in his way
that comes in triumph over pompey’s blood?
Begone,
Runn you to your houses fall upon your knees
pray to yethe Gods to intermitt the plague
that needs must light on this ingratitude.
Goe goe good countrymen and for this fault
assemble all yethe poor men of your sort;*
134
Draw ’em to Tybers bancks, and weep your tears
into yethe channell till yethe lowest stream do kiss yethe most exalexalted ted shores of all.
Exeunt all yethe Commoners
see where their basest metle benotbe not moved
They vanish tongue tyed in their guiltyness:
Goo you down ytthat way towards yethe Capitoll
This way will I; disrobe yethe images
If you find ‘em deckt wthwith ceremonyes
it is no matter lett no images
Be hung wthwithCæsars trophyes: ’ill about
and drive away yethewvulgar from yethe streets
so do you too where you ꝑpercieve them thick
These growing feathers fpluck’t from cæsars wing
will make him fly an ordinary Pitch
and keep us all who else would sour about yetheviewe of men
and keep us all in servile fearfullness.
Brutus I doe observe you now of late
I have not from your eyes ytthatgentleness
and shew of love ytthat I was wont to have
yo bear too stubborne and too strange a hand
over your friends ytthat love you
Cassius
Be not decieved if I have chang’d my look
I turn yethe trouble of my countenance
135
meerly upon my self: vexed I am
of latewthwith passions of some difference.
conceptions olnly proper to my selfe
which give some soyl perhaps to my behaviour
But lett not therfor my good friends be griev’d
(amongst wchwhich number Cassius you are one)
nor ꝯconstrue any farther my neglect
than ’that poor Brutus wthwith himself att war
forgetts yethe shews of love to other men.
then Brutus I have much mistooke your passion,
by means of which this breast of mine hath buried
thoughts of great value worthy cogitations.
tell me great Brutus can you see your face
’tis just
And it is very much lamented Brutus
ytthat you have no such mirrors as will turne
your hidden worthiness into your eye
that myou might see your shadow
I have heard
when many of yethe best respect in Rome
(except immortall Cæsar) speaking of Brutus
have wish’d ytthat noble Brutus had his eyes
Therfor Good Brutus be prepar’d to hear
and since you know you cannot see your selfe
so well as by reflection, I your glass
will modestly discover to your self.
That of your self wchwhich yet you know not of
And be not Jealous on me gentle Brutus
Were I as common laughter or did use
to stale with ordinary oathʼs my love
to every new protester: If you know
that I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And after Scandall them or if you know
that I profess in Banqueting my favour to all yethe rout, then hold me dangerous.
Floubrish and Shouts
I would not Cassiꝯus: yet I love him well
But wherfore do you hold me here so long
wtwhat is it ytthat you wldwould impart to me?
if it be ought towards yethe generall good
set honour in one eye and Death i’th other
and I will looke on both indifferenly
for lett yethe Gods so speed me as I love
yethe name of honour more ynthan I feare Death
I know ytthat virtue to be in you Brutus
as well as I Do know your outward favor
well, honor is yethe subject of my story:
I cannot tell wtwhat you and other men,
thinck of this life: But by my single self
I had as liefe not be as live. to be
in awe of such a thing as I my self.
I was born free as Cæsar, so were you
we both have feds as well and we can both
endure yethe winters cold as well as he.
For once, upon a raw and Gusty Day
Cæsar sayes odto me Dars’t thou cassius now
(yethe troubled tyber chasing wthwith her shores) leap in with me into this angry flood
136
And swim to yonder point? upon yethe word
accoutred as I was I plunged in
and bad him follow: so indeed he did.
The torrent roared and we did buffet it
wthwith lusty sinews, throwing it aside,
and stemming it wthwith hearts of controversye
but eere we could arrive yethe point proposd
cæsar cry’d. help Cassius or I sinck.
I (as æneeasæneas our great ancestor
Did from yethe from yethe* flames of troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear) so from yethe waves of Tyber
did I yethe tyr’d Cæsar: and this man,
is now become a god and Cassius is
a wretched creature and must bend his body
if Cæsar carelessly but nod to him.
He had a feaver when he went to Spain,
and when yethe fitt was on him I did mark
how hdid shake, tis true this God did shake,
his coward lips did from their colour fly
and ytthat same eye whose bend does awe yethe world
did loose its luster; I did hear him groan:
I and that tongue of his, that bad yethe Romans
mark him, and write his speeches in their Books
alas it cry’d give me some drinck Titinius
as a sick Girle; yethe Gods it doth amaze me
a mamn of such a feeble temper should
so get yethe statrt of yethe majestick world,
and bear yethe palm ‸alone before him
(Shout Again
like some colossus and we petty men,
walk under his huge legs and peep about
to find our selfves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are matsters of their fates.
The fault Deer Brutus is not in our stars
But in our selves ytthat we are underlings.
Brutus and Cæsar wtwhat should be in ytthat Cæsar
why should ytthat name be sounded more than yours
write em togeather, your’s as fine a name
sound them, it doth become yethe mouth as well
weigh ’em it is as heavy. conjure wthwith ’em
Brutus will start a spirit as soon as cæsar.
now in yethe names of all our Gods at once
upon wtwhat meat does this our Cæsar feed
that he is grown so great? age thou art sham’d
Rome thou hast lost yethe breed of noble Bloods.
When went there by an age since yethe the great flood
But it was fam’d wthwith more ynthanwthwith one man
when could they say till now ytthat talkt on Rome
ytthat her wide walls encompass’d but one man.
now is it Rome indeed, and Roome enough
when there is in it but one only man.
o you and I have heard our fathers say
there was a Brutus once ytthat would have brook’d
The æternall divell to keep his state in Rome
as easily as a King.
ytthat you do love me I am nothing jealous
what you would worke me to I have some aym.
How I have thought of this and of these times
I shall recount hereafter. for this present
I would not so (with love I might intreat you)
Be any further moved; wtwhat you have sayd
137
I will consider wtwhat 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
Brutus had rather be a Villager
Then to repute himselfe a Son of Rome
under the hard ꝯconditions wchwhich these times
are like to lay upon us.
I will do so but looke you Cassius
The angry spot does glow on Cæsars brow
and
all yethe rest looke like a chidden train.
Calphurnia’s cheeck is pale and Cicero
look’s wthwith such ferret’s and such fiery eyes
as we have seen him in yethe Capitoll
being crost in conference by some senators
let me have men about me ytthat are fat
sleekheaded men and such as sleep a nights:
yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look
he thincks too much. such men are dangerous
yet if my name were lyable to fear
I doe not know yethe man I would avoyd
so soon as ytthat spare Cassius. he reads much,
He is a great observer and he looks
Quite through yethe deeds of men. He loves no play’s
as thou gdost Anthony; he hears no musick:
Seldome he smiles and spmiles in such a sort
as if he scornd himself and mockd his spirit
ytthat could be moved to smile at any thing
such men as he are never at hearts ease
whilst they behold a greater than themselves
and therfor are they very dangerous.
I rather tell wtwhat is to be feard then wtwhat I fear
For I am alwaies Cæsar
Come on my right hand for this ear is Deaf
and tell me truly wtwhat thou thinckst of him.
{Exeunt Cæsar
and his train
I can as well be hangd as tell yethe manner of it: it
were mere foolery, I did not mark it. I saw mark Antony
offer him a crown yet twas not a crown neyther, ’twas
one of these coronets and as I told you he put it by once
but for all ytthat to my thincking he wldwould fain have had it. Then
he offr’d it to him again: then he put it by againe: but
to my thincking he was very loath to lay his fingers of it.
and then he offered it yethe third time; he put it by yethe 3d time, and still as he refus’d yethe rablement howted and
clapt their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty
nightcapps, and uttered such a deal of stincking breath,
because Cæsar refusd yethe crown ytthat it had almost choackt
Cæsar : for hee swoonded and fell down at it: and for mine
own part I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my
lips and recieving yethe bad ayer
I know not wtwhat you mean by ytthat But I am sure
Cæsar fell down. If yethe tag rag peopple did cclap him & hiss
him as he pleas’d & displeas’d them as they use to doe yetheplayplayers ers in yethe theater I am no true man.
common heard was glad he refusd yethe crown he pluckt
me ope his doublet, & offerd them his throat to cut, if
I had been as man of any ocupation if I would not have
taken him at his word I would I might goe to hell a-amonst monstyethe rogues, and so he fell. when he came to himselfe
again, he sayd, if he had done of or sayd any thing a-amisse misse he desir’d
their worships to thinck it was his
in-
infirmity.
firmity. 3 or 4 wenches where I
stood, cryed alas good
soule, and forgave him wthwithall their hearts: But there’s no
heed to be taken of them if Cæsar had stabd their momothers - thers they would have done no less.
nay if I tell you that, Ile neer look you in
yethe face again. but those ytthat understood him smild at one
another and shooke their heads, but for my own part it
was Greek to me. I could tell you more newes too Murellus
& Flavius for pulling scarfes of Cæsars images are put
to silence. FareyouFare you well there was more foolery yet if I
cldcould remember it.
so is he now in execution
of any bold or noble enterprize
however he put’s on this tardy forme:
This rudeness is a sawce to his good wit,
which gives men stomack to tdisgest his words
wthwith better appetites.
and so it is:
For this time I will leave you.
to morrow if you please to speak wthwith me
I will come home to you: or if you will
come home to me, and I will waite on you.
I will doe so: till then thinck of yethe world
(exit Brut:
well Brutus thou art noble yet I see
thy honourable mettal may be wrought
from ytthat it is dipos’d to. therfor ’tis meet
ytthat noble minds keepe ever wthwith their likes
for so firm ytthat cannot be seduc’d
Cæsar doth bear me hard, yet he loves Brutus
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius
he should not humour me. I will this night
in severall hands in at yehis windows throw
writings all tellnding to yethe great opinion
(as if they came from severall citizens) ytthatrRome holds of of his name. wherein obscurely
Cæsars ambition shall be glaunced att.
and after this lett Cæsar seat him sure
For we will shake him or worse dayes endure
are you not mov’d
when all yethe sway of earth
shakes like a thing unfirm? o Cicero
I have seen tempests when yethe scolding winds
have splityethe knotty oakes, and I have seen
yethe Ambitious ocean swell, & rage, & foam
to be exalted wthwithyethe threatning clouds
But never till to night, never till now
did I goe through a tempest droppindg fire.
either there is a civill strife in heaven
or else yethe world too sawcy wthwithyethe Gods
incenses them to send destruction.
a common slave you know him well by sight
held up his left hand it did flame and burn,
like 20 torches joyn’d, and yet his hand not not sensible of fire remain’d unscorch’d.
Besides (I have nowt since put up my sword)
against yethe Capitoll I met a Lyon
who gaz’d upon me, but went gently by
wthoutwithout annoying me. and there were drawn
upon a heap a 100 gastly women
transformed wthwith their fear who swore they saw
men all in fire walk up and Down yethe streets.
and yesterday yethe bird of night did sit
Even at
140
Even att noon day upon yethe marketplace
Howting & Sckrieking. when these prodigies
Doe so ꝯconjoyntly meet, let not men say
these are their reasons they are naturall:
For I believe, They are portentous things.
upon yethe clymate ytthat they point upon
indeed it is a strange dispos’d thing time
But men may ꝯconstrue things after their fashion,
cleane from yethe purpose of yethe things themselves.
Comes cæsar to yethe capitoll to morrow?
those who have known yethe Earth so full of faults
For my part I have walkt about yethe streets
submitting me unto yethe perillous night
and thus unbraced Caska as you see
have bared my bosome so yethe thunder stone
and when yethe cross blew lightnëing seem’d to open.
yethe Brest of heaven, dI did present my selfe
even in yethe ayme and very flash of it
but wherfor did you so much tempt yethe heavens
it is yethe part of men to feare and tremble
when yethe most mighty Gods by tokens send
such dreadfull heraulds to astonish us.
And those sparks of life ytthat should be in a Roman,
you doe want or else you use em not.
you look pale and gaze & put on fear,
and cast your self in wonder
to see yethe strange impressions of yethe heavens
But if you would consider yethe true cause
why all these fires why all these gliding ghosts
why birds and beasts from quality and kind
why old men fooles and children calculate
why all these things change from their ordinance
Their natures and preformed faculties
to monstrous quality; why you shall find
ytthat heaven hath infusd them wthwith these spirits
to make em instruments of fear and warning
unto some monstrous state.
now Could I caska name to thee a man
most like this dreadfull night
that thunders lightens opens graves and tears
as doth yethe Lyon in yethe Capitoll:
AmanA man no mightier than thee or me
in personall action; yet prodigious grown
and fearfull as their strange eruptions are.
lett it be who it is: for Romans now
have thyeghs and limbs like to their ancestors
But woe the while our fathers minds are dead
and we are governd by our mothers spirits
our yoak and sufferance shew us womanish.
indeed, they say yethe senators to morrow
mean to establish cæsar as a King
and he shall wear his crown by sea and Land
In every place save here in Italy
I know when I will wear this dagger the Cassius from bondage will deliver cassiꝯus
141
Therein you gods you make yethe weak most strong
Therin gyee gods you tyrants doe defeat
nor stony wall nor towers of beaten brass
nor ayrless dungeons nor strong links of iron
can be retentive to yethe strenth of spirit :
But life being weary of these worldly Barrs
never lacks power to dismiss its selve.
If I know this, know all yethe world beside
That part of tyranny ytthat I do bear
I can shake of at pleasure
and why should cæsar be a tyrant then
poor man I know he would not be a wolfe
but ytthat he sees yethe Romans are but sheep:
he were no lyon, were not LRomans hindes.
Those ytthat with hast will make a mighty fire
Begin it wthwith weak strawes. wtwhat trash is Rome?
wtwhat Rubbish and wtwhat offall? when it serves
for yethe base matter to illuminate
so vile a thing as Cæsar. But o griefe
where hast thou led me. I perhaps speake this
before a willing bondman. then I know
my answer must be made. But I ar‸md
and Danger is to me indifferent.
tyou speak to Caska and to such amana man that is no flearing telltale. hold my hand:
be factious for redress of all these griefs
and I will set this foot of mine as far
as who goes farthest
there’s a bargain made
now know you Caska I have mov’d allready
some certain of yethe noblest minded Romans
to undergoe with me an enterprize
of honourable dangerous ꝯconsequence
and I doe know by this they stay for me
in Pompey’s porch: for now this fearfull night
There is no stirre nor walking in yethe streets;
and yethe complexion of yethe Element
is favours like yethe work we have in hand
most bloody fiery and most terrible
Be you content. good Cinna take this paper
and look you lay it in yethe prætor’s chair
where Brutus may but find it and throw this
in att his window, set this up wthwith wax
upon old Brutus’s statue: all this done
repaire to Pompey’s porch, there you shall find us.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there
ytthat done repayr to Pompey’s Theater
(Ex: Cinna
Come Caska you and I will yet Ere Day
see Brutus at his house: three ꝑpats of him
is ours already; and yethe man entire
o he sits high in all yethe people’s hearts
and that wchwhich would appear offence in us
his countenance like richest Alchemy
will change to vertue and to worthyness.
him and his worth and our great need of him
you have Right well ꝯconceited. lett us goe
For it is after midnight and ere day
we will awake him and besurebe sure of him.
Exeunt
wtwhat Lucius, hoa?
I cannot by yethe progress of yethe starrs
Give ghess how near to day — Lucius I say?
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
when, lucius mwhen? awake I say: wtwhat Lucius
it must be by his death: and for my ꝑpart
I know no personall cause to spurn at him,
But for yethe generall. He would be crown’d
how ytthat might change his nature there’s yethe question?
it is yethe bright day ytthat brings forth yethe Adder
And that craves wary walking: Crown him that
and then I graunt‸ we put a sting in him
That at his will he may doe danger. with:
The abuse of greatness is when it disjoynes
remorse from power: and to speak truth of Cæsar
I have not known when his affections sway’d
more then his reason. But is a common proofe
ytthat Lowly ness is young ambitions ladder
whereto yethe climber upward turns his face
But when he once attains yethe upmost round
he then unto yethe Ladder turn’s his back;
Looks in yethe cloulldsand
scornsyethe base degrees
By which he did ascend: so Cæsar may;
Then least he may prevent: and since yethe quarrell
will bear no colour for yethe thing it is,
Fashion it thus; that wtwhat he is, augmented
would run to these and these extremityes:
and therfor thinck him as a serpents egg
which hatch’d, would as his kind is, grow mischievous;
and kill him in yethe shell.
—( enter Lucius
The taper burneth in your closet sir:
searching your window for a flint, I found
This paper thus seald up and I am sure
it did not ly there when I went to bed
(gives him yethe letter
the exhalations whizzing in yethe ayer
give so much light ytthat I may read by them
(he opens yethe letter and reads)
“Brutus thoug sleep’st awake āand see thy selfe
“Shall Rome &c—speake strike redress
“Brutus tho sleep’st awake
such instigations have been often dropt
where I have took em up.
shall Rome &c Thus must I piece it out
shall Rome stand under one mans awe? what Rome?
my ancestors did from yethe streets of rome
The tarquin drive when he was cald a King.
speak, strike, redress. am I entreated
to speak and strike? O Rome I make yethe promise
143
If yethe redress will follow thou recievest
thy full petition at yethe hand of Brutus
Tis good. goe to yethe gate some body knocks:
since Cassius firs did whet me against Cæsar
I have not slept.
Between yethe acting of a dreadfull thing
and yethe first motion all yethe interim is
like a Phantasma or a hideous dreame:
The genius and yethe mortall instruments
are then in councell; and yethe state of man
like to a little councell* kingdom suffers then
yethe nature of an insurrection
let em enter
They are yethe faction. o conspiracye
shamst thou to show thy dangerous brow by night
when evills are most free? o then by day
where wilt thou find a cavern deep enough
to mask thy monstrous visage? seek none ꝯconspiracie
hide it in smiles and affability:
for thou path thy native semblance on
not erebus himselfe were dim enough
to hide ye from prevention
Scen: 2a
Enter Cassius Caska Decius Cinna metellus
and Trebonius.
yes every man of them and no man here
But honors you: & every one doth wish
you had but ytthat opinion of yryour selfe
which every Roman bears of you
This is Trebonius.
you shall confess ytthat you are both decieved:
Here as I point my sword yetheDay‸sun doth rise
which is a great way growing on yethe south
weighing yethe youthfull season of yethe year.
some 2 months hence up higher toward yethe north
he first presents his fire and yethe high east
stands as yethe Capitoll directly here.
no not an oath: if not yethe face of men
The sufferance of our souls, yethe times abuse
if these be motives weak break of by times
and every man hence to his idle bed:
so let high sighted tyranny reign on
till each man drop by lottery. But if these
(as I am sure they do) bear fire enough
to kindle cowards and to steal with valour
yethe melting spirits of women; then country men,
wtwhat need we any spur but bour own cause
to prick us to redress? wtwhat other bond
Then secret Romans that have spoke yethe word
144
And will not palter? and wtwhat other oath
Then honesty to honesty ingag’d
That this shall be or we will fall for it.
swear priest and cowards and men cautelous
old feeble carrions and such suffering soules
that welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
such causes as men doubt; but do not sham The even vertue of our Enterprize
nor yethe insupressive mettle of our spirits
to thinck ytthat or our cause, or our performance
did need an oath. wnwhen every drop of blood
ytthat every Roman bears & nobly bears
is guilty of a severall Bastardy
if dhe do break yethe smallest particle
of any promise ytthat hath past from him
o lett us have him for his silver hairs
will purchase us a good opinion:
and buy mens voices to commend our deeds
it shall be sayed his jugment ruld our hands
our youths and wildness shall no whit appear
But all be buryed in his gravity.
Decius well urg’d: I thinck it is not meet
mark Antony so well belov’d of Cæsar
should outlive Cæsar, we shall find of him
A shrewd ꝯcontriver. and you know his means
if he improve them may well stretch so farr
as to annoy us all: wchwhich to prevent
Let Antony & Cæsar fall togeather
our course will seem too Bloody Caius Cassius
To cut yethe head of and then hack yethe limbs:
like wrath in death and envy afterwards:
For Antony is but a limb of Cæsars.
lett us be sacrificers but not Butchers Caius:
we all stand up against yethe spirit of Cæsar
and yethe spirit of men there is no blood:
o that we then could come by Cæsars spirits
and not dismember Cæsar; but (Alas)
Cæsar must bleed for it: and Gentle friends
lest’s kill him boldly but not wrathfully:
let’s carve him as a dish fit for yethe Gods
not hew him as carkass fit for hounds;
and let our hearts as subtle masters do
stirre up their servants to an act of rage
and after seem to chid em. This shall make
our purpose necessary and not envious.
wchwhich so appearing to yethe common eyes
we shall be cald purgers not murtherers
And for Mark Antony thinck not of him;
for he camcan doe no more than cæsars Arm when Cæsars head is of.
alas good Cassius doe not thinck of him
If he love Cæsar all ytthat he can doe
is to him selfe, take thought and dye for Cæsar.
And ytthat were much He should: for he is given
to sports to wildness and much company:
but is is doubtfull yet
whether Cæsar will come forth dto day or no
For he is superstitious grown of late
Quite from yethe main opinion he held once,
of Fantasie of dreams and ceremonyes:
it may be these apparant prodigies
The unaccostomd terror of this night
And yethe persuasion of his auguresrs may hold him from yethe Capitoll to day
never fear ytthat If he be so resolv’d
I can oresway him, for he loves to hear
that unicorns may be betrayd by trees
and bears wthwith glasses Elephants wthwith holes
Lyons wthwith toiles and men wthwith flatterers.
But I tell him he hates flatterers
He says he does being then most flattered.
lett me work
for I can give his humor the true bent
and I will bring him to yethe Capitoll.
yethe morning come’s upon us
we’ll leave you Brutus
and friends disperse your selves; but all remember
what you have sayd and show your selves true Romans
good gentlemen look fresh and merrily
Let our looks put on our purposes
But bear itasit as our Roman Actors doe
wthwith untir’d spirits and formall constancy
And good morrow to you every one
(exeunt.
mant Brutus.
Boy Lucius: fast asleep? it is no matter
enjoy yethe hony heavy Dew of slumber.
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies
which busie care drawes in yethe brains of men
Therfor thou sleepest sound
nor for yours neither; you have ungently Brutus
stole from my bed; and yesternight
at supper you suddenly arose and walk’d about
& wnnwhen I askd you wtwhatyethe matter was
you star’d upon me wthwith ungentle looks.
I urgd you farther, then you scratchd your head
& too impatiently stampd wthwith your foot:
yet I insisted yet you answerd not,
But wthwith an angry look wafter of your hand
gave sign for me to leave you: so dI did
fearing to strengthen ytthat impatience
wchwhich seemd too much enkindled; & withall
hoping it was but an effect of humor
which some time hath his hower wthwith every man:
It will not let you eat nor talk nor sleep
and could it work so much upon your shape
as it hath much prevaild on your condition
I should not know you Brutus. Dear my LdLord make me acquainted wthwith your cause of grief.
is Brutus sick? and is it Physicall
to walk unbraced & suck up the humors
of yethe dark morning? wtwhat is Brutus sick
and will he steal out of his wholsome bed
& dareyethe vile contagion of yethe night
and tempt yethe Rhewmy and unpurged ayer
to add unto his sickness? no my brutus
you have some sick offence wthwithin yryour mind
wchwhich by yethe right & virtue of my place
I ought to know of: and upon my knees
I charm you by my once commended beauty
By all yryour vowes of love & ytthat great vow
wchwhich did incorporate and make us one
ytthat you unfold to me yryour self: your half
why are you heavy and wtwhat men to night
have had resort to you: for here have bin
some six or seven whod did hide their faces
even from darckness
I should not need if you were gentle Brutus
wthinwithinyethe bond of mariage, tell me Brutus
is it excepted, I should know no secrets
ytthat apertain to you? am I yryour self
But as it were in sort, & limitation?
to keep wthwith you at meals comfort yryour bed
and talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in yethe suburbs
of yryour good pleasure? if it be no more
Portia is Brutus harlot, not his wife.
if this were true than I should know yryour secret
I graunt I am a woman; but wthwithall
a woman ytthatLdLord Brutus took to wife:
I graunt I am a woman: but with all
a woman well reputed; Cato’s Brother Daughter
Thinck you I am no stronger than my sex
being so father’d and so husbanded?
Tell me yryoursecrets I willdnot disclose em.
I have made strong proofe of my constancy
giving my self a voluntary wound
here in my thigh: can I bear ytthatwthwith patiensce and not my husbands secrets?
o ye Gods render me worthy of this noble wife.
heark heark one knocks: Portia goe in a while
and by and by thy bosome shall partake
The secrets of my heart
All my engagements I will construe to thee
all yethe charactery of my sad browes:
Leave me with hast.
(exit portia
by all yethe gods ytthat Romans bow before
I hear discard my sickness. soul of Rome
Brave sonn deriv’d from honourable Loïnes
Thou like an exorcist, hath conjurd up
147
my mortified spirits. now bid me run
and I will strive with things impossible
yea get yethe better of em. wtswhat’s to doe?
Cæsar I never stood on Cerimonies
yet now they fright me: there is one within
besides yethe things ytthat we have heard & seen
recounts most horrid sights seen by yethe watch
A lyoness hath whelped in yethe streets
and graves have yaun’d and yielded up their dead
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon yethe clouds
in ranks and squadrons and right forme of war
wchwhich drizld blood upon yethe Capitoll:
yethe noise of battle hurried in yethe ayre;
Horses did neigh and dying men did groane
and ghost did shriek and squeal about yethe streets.
o Cæsar these things are beyond all use
and I doe fear em
what can be avoyded
whose end is purposd by yethe mighty gods?
yet cæsar shall goe forth for these Predictions
are to yethe world in generall, as to Cæsar.
cowards dye many times before there Death,
yethe valiant never tast of Death but once:
of all yethe wonders ytthat I yet have heard
it seems to me most strange that men should fear
seeing ytthat Death a necessary end
will come wnwhen it will come
enter Servant
wtwhat say yethe Augurers?
the gods doe this in shame of cowardice:
cæsar should be a beast without a heart
if he should stay at home to day for fear:
no Cæsar shall not; danger knows full well
ytthat Cæsar is more dangerous than he
we heard two lyons litterd in one day
and I yethe elder and more terrible,
and Cæsar shall goe forth
your wisdom is consum’d in confidence:
Doe not goe forth to day: call it my fear
that keeps you in yethe house and not your owen.
we’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house
& he shall say your are are not well to day:
lett me upon my knee prevaill in this.
and you are come in very happy time
to bear my greeting to yethe senators
& tell ’em ytthat I will not come to day;
cannot is false: and ytthat I dare not falser:
I will cnot come to day tell em so Decius.
shall Cæsar send a lye?
have I in conquest stretchd my arm so farr
to be afeard to tell gray beards yethe truth
Decius goe tell ’em Cæsar will not come
yethe cause is in my will, I will not come
ytthat is enough to satisfye yethe senate.
but for yryour private satisfaction
because I love you I will lett you know.
Calphurnia here my wife stayes me at home
she dream’t to night she saw my statue
wchwhich like a fountain with a 100 spouts
did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
came smiling and did bath their hands in it:
and these does she apply for warnings and portents
and evills eminent and on her knee
this dream is all amiss interpreted
it was a vision fair and fortunate.
yryour statue spouting blood in many pipes
in wchwhich so many smiling Romans bathd
signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
reviving blood & ytthat great men shall press
for tincturs, stains, relique and cognisance.
This by calphurnias dream is signified
I have, when you have heard wtwhat I can say
and know it now yethe Senate have concluded
to give this day a crown to migty Cæsar.
if you shall send em word you will not come
their minds may change. Besides it were a mock,
apt to be renderd, for some men to say
Break up yethe senat till some other time,
when Cæsars wife shall meet with better dreams:
If Cæsar hide him selfe shall they not whisper
Loe Cæsar is affraid?
Pardon me cæsar for my dear dear love
to yryour proceedings bids me tell you thus:
And reason to my love is lyable.
welcome Publius.
wtwhat Brutus are you stir’d so early too?
good morrow Caska: Caius Ligarius
Cæsar was ne’re so much yryour enemy
as that same ague ytthat hath made you lean
bid em prepare within:
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
now Cinna, now
tmetellus: wtwhat Trebonius,
I have a haveours talk in store for you:
remember ytthat you call on me to day:
be near me ytthat I may remember you.
Cæsar beware of Brutus; take heed of cassius; come
not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not
Trebonius; mark well metellus Cymber, Decius Brutus
loves thee not; thou has wrong’d Caius Ligarius: There
is but one mind in all, and it is bent against Cæsar
if thou beest not immortall, look about thee: secusecurity =ity gives way to conspiracy: the mighty Gods defend
thee
Thy lover Artemidorus.* Here will I stand till Cæsar pass along
And as a sutor will I Give him this
my heart laments ytthat vertue cannot live
out of yethe teeth of emulation
If thou read this Cæsar thoumayestthou mayest live;
if not yethe fates with trators doe contrive
I would have had thee there & here again
ere I cantellcan tell thee what thou shouldst do there:
O Constancy be strong upon my side
set a huge mountain twixt my heart & tongue
I have a mans mind but a womans might:
how hard it is for women to keep counsail.
Art thou here yet?
yes bring me word boy if thy LdLord look well
for he went sickly forth; and take good note
wtwhat Cæsar doth, wtwhat sutors press to him.
Heark boy wtwhat noise is ytthat?
none ytthat I know will be
much ytthat I fear may chance:
Good morrow to you: heer the street is narrow:
yethe throng ytthat follows cæsar at yethe heels
of senators of prætors, common sutors,
will crowd a feeble man almost to Death:
Ill gett me ‸to a place more voyd, and there
speak to Great Cæsar as he comes along.
(exit
I must Go in.
Ay me! how weak h a thing
The heart of woman is? o Brutus
The heavens speed thee in thy enterprize.
sure yethe boy heard me: Brutus hath a sute
ytthat Cæsar will not grant. o I grow faint
Run Lucius and commend me to my LdLord Say I am merry, come to me again
and bring me word what nhe doth say to thee
I must prevent thee Cymber
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
might fire yethe blood of ordinary men
and turn preordinance and first decre
into a
lane of children. Be not fond
to thinck ytthat Cæsar bears such rebell blood
ytthat ’twill be thaw’d from yethe true quality
wthwithytthatwchwhich melteth fools, I mean sweetwordssweet words low crooked cursies and like spaniell fawning:
thy brother by decree is banished
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him
I spurn thee like a curr out of my way
Know Cæsar doth not wrong nor wthoutwithout cause
will he be satisfyed
I could be well mov’d if I were as you
If I could pray to move Prayers would move me
But I am constant as yethe northern starr
of whose true fixd and resting quality
There is no fellow in yethe firmament.
The skies are painted wthwith numbred starrs They are all fire & every one doth shine
but theres but one in all ytthat holds his place
so in yethe world tis furnishd well wthwith men
and men are flesh and blood and apprehensive
yet in yethe number I doe know but one
ytthat unassailable holdsoutholds outyethe rank
unshakd of motion; and ytthat I am he
lett me a little shew it even in this:
That I was constant Cymber should be banished
& constandt doe remain to keep him so
grant ytthat and then death is a benefitt
so are we Cæsars friends ytthat have abridgd
his time of fearing death. Stoop Romans stoop
and lett us bath our hands in Cæsars fblood
up to yethe elbowes and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth even to yethe market place
& waving our red weapons ore our heads
lets all cry peace freedome and liberty.
thus Brutus did my master bid me kneel
Thus did mark Antony bid me fall down
& being prostrate thus he bid me say
Brutus is noble valiant wise and honest
Cæsar was mighty, Royall bold and loving
say I love Brutus & I honour him
say I feard cæsar honourd him and lov’d him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe, ytthat Antony
may safely come to him, and be resolvd
how cæsar hath deservd to lye in death
mark Antony shall not love cæsar Dead
so well as Brutus living; but will follow
yethe fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
thoroug yethe hazards of this untrod state
wthwith all true faith. so sayes my master Antony.
thy master is a wise and valiant Roman
I never thought him worse
tell him so please him come unto this place
he shall be satisfyd, and by mine honour
depart untouch’d
O mighty cæsar! dost thou lye so low?
are all thy conquests, glories triumphs, spoils
shrunk to this little measure? fare the well.
I know not Gentle men wtwhat you intend
who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
if I my self there is no hour so fit
as Cæsars deaths hour; nor no instrument
of half ytthat worth as those yryour swords made rich
wthwithyethe most noble blood of all yethe world.
I doe beseech you if you bear me hard
now while your purpled hands doe reek and smoak
fullfill yryour pleasure. live I 1000 year I shall not find my self so apt to dye.
no place will please me so, no mean of Death
as here by Cæsar and by you cut off
yethe choice and master spirits of this age.
o Antony beg not yryour death of us
Though now we must apear bloody and cruel
as by our hands, and this our present act
you see we do: yet see you but our hands
and this yethe bleeding business they have done:
our hearts you see not they are pittyfull:
and pitty to yethe generall wrong of Rome
(as fire drives out fire so pitty, pitty)
hath done this deed on Cæsar. for yryour part
to you our swords have leaden points Mark Antony
our arms in strength of malice, & our hearts
of Brothers temper doe recieve you in
with all kind love good thoughts and reverence
only be patient till we have appeasd
yethe multitud besides themselves with fear
and then we will deliver you yethe cause
why I ytthat did love Cæsar, when wI I struck him
Have thus proceeded
I doubt not of yryour wisdome
let each man render me his bloody hand
153
Gentlemen all, alas wtwhat shall I say
my credit now stands on such slippery ground
ytthat one of 2 bad wayes you must concieeit me
either a coward or a flatterer.
ytthat I did love thee Cæsar o tis true;
if then thy spirit look upon us now
shall it not grieve thee neererynthan thy death
to see thy Antony making his peace
shaking yethe bloody fingers of thisy foes?
most noble in yethe presence of thy coarse
Had I as many wounds eyes as thou hast wounds
weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood
It would becom me better ynthan to close
in tearmes of friendship wthwith thy enemies.
Pardon me Julius here wast thou bay’d brave heart.
here didst thou fall and here thy hunters stand
Sign’d in thy spoile and crimson’d in thy Lethe.
o world thou wast yethe forrest to this heart
and this indeed o world yethe hart to thee
how like a Deer stricken by many princes
dost thou lye here?
I blame you not for praising Cæsar so
But wtwhat compact mean you to have wthwith us?
will you be prickd in number of our friends
or shall we on and not depend on you?
therfor I took yryour hands, but was indeed
swayd from yethe point by looking down on Cæsar.
Friends I am with you all & love you all
upon this hope ytthat you shall give me reason
why and wherein Cæsar was dangerous.
ytsthat’s all I seek
and am moreover sutor ytthat I may
produce his body to yethe market place
and in yethe pulpit as becomes a friend
speak in yethe order of his funerall.
Brutus a word with you:
you know not wtwhat you doe; do not consent
ytthat Antony speak in his funerall
know you how much yethe people may be mov’d
by ytthatwchwhichwhe will utter.
by yryour pardon
I will my self into yethe pulpit first
and shew yethe reason of our Cæsars Death
wtwhat Antony shall speak I will protest
he speaks by leave and by permission:
and ytthat we are contented Cæsar shall
have all true rights and lawfull ceremonyes
It shall advantage more than doe us wrong
Mark Antony here take you Cæsars Body
you shall not in yryour funerall speech blame us
but speak all good you can devise of him
and say you do’t by our ꝑpermission
else shall you not have any hand at all
in cæsar’s funerall. and you shall speake
in yethe same pulpit wherto I am going
after my speech is ended.
o pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
ytthat I am meek and Gentle wthwiththy Butchers.
Thou art yethe ruines of yethe noblest man
ytthat ever lived in yethe tide of timees.
woe to yethe hand ytthat shed this costly blood.
over thy wounds now doe I prophesye
(wchwhich like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
to beg yethe voice and utterance of my tongue)
a curse shall light upon yethe limbs of men
Domestick fury and feerce civil strife
shall cumber all yethe parts of Italy.
Blood and destruction shall be so in use
& dreadfull objects so familiar
ytthat mothers shall but smile, when they behold
their infants quartered wthwithyethe hands of war
all pitty choakd wthwith custom of fell deeds
& Cæsars spirit ranging for revenge
(Alecto* by his side, come hot from hell)
shall in these confines wthwith a monarchs voyce
cry havok and lett slip the doggs of warr
ytthat this foul deed shall smell above yethe earth
wthwith carrion men, groaning for Buriall.
Enter Octavio’s servant.
you serve Octavius doe you not
thy heart is big: get thee a-part and weep
passion I see is catching for my eyes
seeing those Beads of sorrow stand in thyne
began to water. is thy master coming
post back wthwith speed
and tell him wtwhat hath chancd:
Here is a mourning Rome a dangerous Rome
no Rome of safety for Octavius yet
Hie hence and tell him so. yet stay a while
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this tcoarse
into yethe market; there shall I try
in my oration how yethe people take
yethe cruell issue of these bloody men
according to yethewchwhich thou shalt discourse
to young octavius of yethe state of things.
lentn me yryour hand.
(exeunt
Scen 4a
Enter Brutus & goes into yethe pulpit, and
Cassius with yethe Plebeians.
then follow me & give me audience friends
Cassius goo you into yethe other street
& part yethe numbers.
Those ytthat will hear me speak, let ’em stay here
Those ytthat will follow Cassius, go with him
and publik reasons shall be rendered
of Cæsar’s Death.
Be patient to yethe last
Romans, countrymen and lovers, hear mee for
my cause, and be silent ytthat you may hear me. believe
me for mine honour, and have respect for my honour
ytthat you may believe censure me in yryour wisdom, and awake
your senses ytthat you yethe better Jugdge. If their be any in
this assembly, any Dear friend of Cæsars to them I say
ytthat Brutus’s love to Cæsar, was no less than his. if then
155
that friend demand why Brutus rose against Cæsar this
is my answer: not ytthat I lov’d Cæsar less, but ytthat I lovd—
Rome more. had you rather Cæsar were living and dye
all slaves ynthanytthat Cæsar was dead to live all freedmen? as
Cæsar lov’d me I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I
rejoyce at it; as he was valiant I honour him: But as
he was ambitious I slew him. There is tears for his love
Joy for his fortune; honour for his valour: and Death
for his ambition. who is here so base as would be a bond
man? if any speak for him I have offended who is here
so rude ytthat would not be a roman? if any speak for him
I have offended who is here so vile ytthatdoes not love his—
country? if any speak for him I have offended. I pause
for a reply.
then non I have offended I have done no more
to Cæsar than you shall doe to Brutus. yethe question
of his death is inrolld in yethe Capitoll: his glory not
extenuated in wtwhat he was worthy nor his offences infrc’d
for wtwhat he sufferd Death.
Enter Mark Antony wthwith Cæsars body.
Heer comes his body mournd by Mark Antony who tho
he had no hand in his death shall recieve yethe benefitt
of his dying a place in yethe commonwealth as wchwhich of you shall not. with this I depart, ytthat as I slew my
best lover for yethe good of Rome, I have yethe same dagdagger ger for my selfe when it shall please my country to
need my Death
Good countrymen lett me depart alone
and for my sake stay here with Antony
doe grace to cæsars corps and grace his speech
tending to Cæsars glory why which mark Antony
(by our permission) is allow’d to make.
I do intreat you not a man depart
save I alone till Antony has spoke.
(Exit
friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me yryour ears
I come to bury Cæsar not to praise him:
The evill ytthat men doe lives after them
yethe good is oft interred with their bones
so lett it be wthwith Cæsar. the noble Brutus
hath told you Cæsar was Ambitious
if it were,
156
if it wer seo it was a grievous fault,
and greevously hath cæsar answerd it.
here under leave of Brutus and yethe rest,
(for Brutus is an honourable man
and so are all yethe rest honourable men)
Come I to speak in Cæsars funerall.
he was my friend, faithfull, and just to me;
But Brutus sayes he was Ambitious,
and Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
whose ransomes did yethe generall coffers fill:
did this in Cæsar seem Ambitious?
when ytthatyethe poor hath cry’d Cæsar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stutff:
yet Brutus sayes he was ambitious:
& Brutus is an honourable man.
you all did see ytthat on yethe Lupercall,
I thrice presented him a royal crown,
wchwhich he did thrice refuse, was this Ambition?
yet Brutus sayes he was ambitious: a and sure he is an honourable man.
I speake not to disprove wtwhat Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak wtwhat I doe RKnow.
you all did love him once not wthoutwithout cause
wtwhat cause wthholdswithholds you then to mourn for him?
o Judgment thou art fled to Brutish beasts,
& men have lost their reason. Bear with me
my hearte is in yethe Coffin there with Cæsar
& I must pause till it come back again.
but yesterday yethe word of Cæsar might
Have stood against yethe world : now lies he there
& none so poor to do him reverensce.
o masters If I were disposd to stir
yryour hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should doe ABrutus wrong and Cassius wrong:
who (you all know* are honourable men. But heres a parchment wthwithyethe seal of Cæsar,
I found it in his closset tis his will:
lett but yethe commons hear this testament:
which (pardon me) I doe not mean to read
and they would goe and kiss dead Cæsars wounds,
and dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
yea beg a hair of him for memory,
and dying mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich Legacye,
unto their issue.
have patience gentle friends w I must not read it,
it is not meet: you know* how Cæsar lovd me,
you are not wood, you are not stones, but men,
& being men hearing yethe will of Cæsar,
it will enflame you, it will make you mad;
tis good you know not ytthat you are his heirs,
for if you should, o wtwhat would come of it.
will you be patient? will you stay a while,? I have oreshot my self to tell you of it,
I fear I wrong yethe honourable men
whose daggers have stabd Cæsar. I doe fear it.
you will compell me then to read yethe will,
Then make a Ring about yethe corps of cæsar,
and let me show you him ytthat made yethe will:
shall I descend? and will you give me leave?
If you have tears prepare to shed em now.
you all doe know this mantle, I remember
yethe first time ever Cæsar put it on,
twas on a summer evening in his tent,
that day he overcame yethe nervij.
looke in this place ran Cassius dagger through;
see wtwhat a rent yethe envious Caska made;
through thiswchwhich the well beloved Brutus stab’d,
and as he pluckd his cursed steel away,
mark how yethe blood of Cæsar followed it,
as rushing out of dores to be resolv’d,
if Brutus so unkindly knockt or no:
for Brutus as you know was Cæsars Angell.
Judge you o Gods how deerly Cæsar lov’d him,
This was yethe most unkindest cut of all:
for when yethe noble Cæsar saw him stab,
Ingratitude more strong than traytors armes
Quite wvanquishd him: then burst his mighty heart
and‸wthwith his mantle muffling up his face,
even adtyethe Base of Pompeys statue,
(which all ye while ran blood) great Cæsar fell.
o! wtwhat a fall was there my country men?
Then I and you and all of us fell down
whilst bloody treason flourishd over us.
o now you weep and I ꝑpercieve you feel
yethe dint of pitty: These are gracious drops.
Kind soules wtwhat weep you when you but behold
our Cæsars vesture wounded? looke you here
here is himselfe mar’d as you wthwith traytors.
Good friends, sweet friends, lett me not stirr you up
to such a sudden flood of mutiny,
they ytthat have done this deed are honourable,
wtwhat private griefs they have, alas, I know not
ytthat made ’em do it: they are wise and honourable
& will no doubt wthwith 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,
ytthat love my friend, and ytthat they know full well,
ytthat give me publick leave to speak of him:
for I have neither witt, nor words, nor worth,
action, nor utterance, nor yethe power of speech
to stirr mens blood I only speak right on,
I tell you ytthatwchwhich you yryour selves doe know;
shew you sweet cæsars wounds, poor poor Dumb mouths
and bid them speak for me: for were I Brutus
and Brutus Antony there were an Antony
158
would ruffle up yryour spirits & put a tongue
in every wound of cæsar, that should move
the stones of Rome to rise & mutiny.
why friends you goe to doe you know not wtwhat wherein hath Cæsar thus deservd yryour loves
Alas you know not I must tell you then:
you have forgot yethe will I told you of.
moreover hath left you all his walks
His privat arbors and new planted orchards
on this side Tyber, he hath left’ em you
and to yryour heyres for ever: common pleasures
to walk abroad and recreate yryour selves.
Here was a Cæsar: when comes such another?
I dreamt to night ytthat I did feast wthwith Cæsar
and things unluckly charge my fantasie:
I have no will to wander out of dores
yet something leads me forth.
wtswhat’s my name; where am I a-going? where do I
dwell? Am I a married man or a batchelour? then to ananswer swer every man directly, Briefly, wisely and truly: wisewisely ly I say I am Batchelour
He shall not live look wthwith a spot I dam him.
But Lepidus goe you to Cæsars house
fetch yethe will hither and we shall determine
How to cut of some charge in legacies.
Octavius I have seen more dayes than you
and though we lay these honours on this man
to ease our selves of divers slaundrous Loads
he shall but bear em as yethe ass bears Gold
to groan and sweat under yethe busyness
either led or driven as we print yethe way;
and haveing brought our treasure where we will
Then take we down his load and turn him of
(like to yethe empty ass) to shake his ears
and graze in Commons.
so is my horse, Octavius and forthisfor this I doe appoint him store of provender.
it is a creature ytthat I teach to fight
to wind to stop, to run directly on:
His corporall motion governd by my spirit
and some tast is Lepidus but so.
He must be taught and traind and bid goe forth:
a barren spirited fellow; one ytthat feeds
on objects, arts and imitations.
which out of use, and stall’d by other men
Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him
but as a propertie: and now Octavius
listen great gthings. Brutus and Cassius
Are levying powers; we must streight make head:
Therfor lett our alliance be combin’d
our best friends made & our best means stretc’d out
and lettuslet us presently goe sitt in counsell
how covert matters may be best disclos’d
how open perills surest answered.
he greets me well: yryour master Pindarus
in his own change or in his officers hath givemn me some worthy cause to wish
Things done, undone: but if he be att hand
I shall be satisfy’d
Thou has describd
a hot friend cooling. ever not Lucilius
when love begins to sicken and decay
it useth and unforcd Ceremony.
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith.
But hollow men like horse hot att hand
make gallant shew and promise of their mettle
(low march wthinwithin But when they should endure yethe bloody spur
They fall their crest and like deceitfull Jades
sink in yethe tryall. Comes his army on.
Cassius be content
speak yryour griefs softly, I do know you well.
before yethe eyes of both our armies here
(which should ꝑpercieve nothing but love from us)
let us not wrangle. bid’em march away
Then in my tent Cassius enlarge yryour griefs
and I will give you audience.
ytthat you have wrongd me doth appear in this
you have condemnd and noted lucius polla
for taking bribes here of yethe Sardians
wherein, my letter, praying on his side
because I knew yethe man was slighted of
remember March yethe Ides of march remember
did not great Julius bleed for Justice sake?
wtwhat villaine touchd his body ytthat did stab
and not for Justice? wtwhat shall one of us
ytthat struck yethe formost man of all this world
but for supporting robbers, shall we now
contaminate our fingers wthwith base bribes!
and sell yethe mighty space of our large honours
for so much trash as may be grasped thus?
I had rather be a dog and baite yethe moon.
Then such a Roman.
Brutus baite not me
I’ll not endure it, you forget yryour selfe
to hedge me in, I am a souldiour, I,
older in practise, abler than yryour selfe
to make conditions.
all this? I more. fret till yryour proud heart breake
Go shew yryour slaves how cholerik you are
and make yryour bondmen tremble. must I boudge
must I observe you? must I stand & crouch
under yryour testie humour? by yethe Gods
you shall digest yethe venom of yryour spleen
though it do split you. for from this day forth
I’ll use you for my mirth yea for my laughter
when you are waspish.
you say you are a better soldier
lett it appear so; make yryour vaunting true
and it shall please me well. for mine own part
I shall be glad to learn of noble
you have done ytthat you should be sorry for
There is no terror Cassius in yryour threats.
162
for I am armd so strong in honesty
ytthat they pass by as an idle wind
which I respect not. I did send to you
for certain summs of Gold wchwhich you deny’d me
for I can raise no money by vile means
By heaven, I had rather coyne my heart
and drop my blood for drachmae’s, then to wring
from yethe hanrd hands of peasants, their vile trash
by any indirection I did send
to you for Gold to pay my Legions
which you deni’d me was ytthat done like cassius?
should I have Asnwered Caius Cassius so?
when Marcus Brutus grow’s so covetous
to lock such raskall counters from his friend.
Be ready gods wthwith all yryour thunderbolds,
dash him to pieces
I did not. he was but a fool
ytthat broughght my answer back. Brutus hath torne my heart
a friend should bear his friends infirmities
and Brutus makes mine greater then they are
Come Antony and young Octavius come
Revenge yryour selves alone on Cassius
for Cassius is aweary of yethe world
hated by one he loves brav’d by his brother,
checkd like a bondman all his faults observd
set in a note-booke learn’d and con’d by roate
to cast into my teeth. O I could weep
my spirit from my eyes: There is my dagger
here my naked breast: wthinwithin a heart
Deerer then pluto’s mine; Richer than Gold
If ytthat thou beest a roman take it forth.
I ytthat deny’d the gold will give my heart
strike as thou didst at Cæsar for I know
when thou didst hate him worst thou lov’dst him better
Then ere thou lovedst Cassius
Sheath yryour dagger:
Be angry when you will you shall have scope
doe wtwhat you will, dishonour shall be humor.
o Cassius you are yoaked wthwith a Lamb
ytthat carries anger as yethe flint bears fire
who much enforced shews a hasty Spark
and strait is cold agen
yes Cassius & from henceforth
when you are over earnest wthwith your Brutus
He’ll thinck your mother chides and leave you so
They come forward.* Lucilius and Titinius bid yethe commanders
impatient of my absence
and greef ytthat youndg octavius and mark Antony
have made themselves so strong: for wthwith her Death
ytthat tidings came. wthwith this she fell distract
and her attendants absent swallowed fire
no more I pray you
messala, I have here recieved letters
ytthat youngd Octavius and Mark Antony
come down upon us with a mighty power
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
Tis better ytthatyethe enemye seek us
So shall he wast his means, weary his soldiers
Doing himself offence whilst we lying still
are full of rest defence and nimbleness.
Good reasons must of force give place to better
yethe people twixt Philippi and this place
doe yield us but a forcd affection.
for they have grudg’d us contribution,
yethe enemye marching all along by them.
By them shall make a fuller number up
com on refresh’d new added and encourag’d;
from which advantage we shall cut him of
if at Philippi we do face him there
These people adt our backs.
under yryour pardon. you must note besides
ytthat we have tryd yethe utmost of our friends.
our Legions are brimfull, our cause is ripe
yethe enemy encreaseth every day
we at yethe height are ready to decline.
There is a tide in yethe affaires of men,
which taken at yethe flood leads on to fortune
omitted, all yethe voyage of their lives
is bound in shallows and in miseries.
on such a full sea are we now a-float
and we must take yethe current when it serves
or loose our ventures.
wtwhat thou speakst drowsily?
poor knave I blame thee not thou are orewatch’d
Call claudio and some other of my men.
I’ll have them sleep in cushions in my tent
I’ll not have it: lye down good sirs
It may be I shall otherwise bethinck you me
Look Lucius here’s yethe book I sought for so
I put it in yethe pocket of my gown.
it was well done and thou shall sleep again,
I will not hold thee long. If I doe live
I will be good to thee
Musick and a song
This is a sleepy tune: o Murdrous Slumber
layst thou thy leaden mace upon my pay* That plays thee musick? Gentle knave good night
I will not doe the so much wrong to wake thee
I thou dost not thou breakst thy instrument
I’ll take it from thee, and good boy good night.
lett me see let me see? is not yethe leaf turnd down
where I left Reading? here it is I thinck.
Enter yethe Ghost of Cæsar
How ill this taper burns? ha who comes here
I think it is yethe weakness of mine eyes
ytthat shapes this monstrous apparition.
it comes upon me: art thou any thing?
art thou some god some angell or some Divell
that makes my blood cold and my hair to stair
speake to me wtwhat thou art.
why I will see thee at Philippi then
[Ghost descends* now I have taken heart thou vanishest?
ill spirit I would hold more talk wthwith thee
Boy Lucius, varrus, claudio, sirs awake
Claudio
now Antony our hopes are answered
you sayd yethe enemie would not come down
But keep yethe hills and upper regions:
it proves not so: their battailes are att hand
They mean to warn us at Philippi here:
Answering before we do demand of them.
tut I am In their bosomes and do know
wherfor they doe it: They could be content
to visit other places and come down
wthwith fearfull bravery, thinking by this face
to fasten in our thoughts ytthat they have courage
But tis not so.
villains you did not so when yryour vile daggers
hackd one another in yethe side of Cæsar
you showd yryour teeth like apes
and fawnd like hounds
and bowd like bondmen kissing Cæsars feet
whilst damned Caska like a cur behind
Struck Cæsar on yethe neck. o ye flatterers
come come yethe cause, if arguing make us sweat
The proof of it will turn to redder drops
look I draw a sword against conspirators.
when thinck you ytthat the sword goes up again?
never till Cæsars 33 wounds
be well aveng’d or till another Cæsar
have added slaughter to yethe sword of traytors
Messala this is my birthday: as this very day
was Cassius born: Give me thy hand Messala
be thou my wittness ytthat against my will
(as pompey was) I am compeld to set
upon one battaile all our liberties.
you know ytthat I held Epicurus strong
and his opinion: now I change my mind
and partly credit things ytthat doe presage
Comming from sardis on our former ensign
2 mighty eagles fell and there they pearched
Gorging and feedind from yethe souldiers hands.
who to Philippei here consorted us.
This morning are they fled away and Gone
and in their steads doe Ravens crows and kites
Fly ore our heads and downward look upon us
as we were sickly prey: their shadows seem
a Canopy most fatall under wchwhich our Army lyes ready to give up yethe Ghost
now most noble Brutus yethe Gods to Day stand friendly ytthat we may
lovers in peace lead on our dayes to age.
But since yethe affaires of men Rests still uncertain
Lets reason with yethe worst that may befall.
If we doe loose this Battail then is this
yethe very last time we shall speake togeather:
wtwhat are you then determined to do?
even by yethe Rule of ytthat Philosophy
by wchwhich I did blame Cato for yethe Death
which he did give himselfe; I know not how;
But I doe find it cowardly and pv vile
for fear of wtwhat might fall, so to prevent
yethe time of life arming myself wthwith patience
to stay yethe providence of some higher powers
that govern us below
No Cassius no:
Think not thou noble Roman
That ever Brutus will goe bound to Rome
he bears too great a mind; but this same day
must end yethe work ytthat th’ Ides of March began:
and whether we shall meet again I know not
Therfor our everlasting farewell take:
for ever and for ever farwell Cassius
if we do meet again, why we shall smile
if not why then this parting was well made
Ride ride Messala, Ride and give these bills
unto yethe legions on yethe other sid
(Lowd alarum
Let em sett on at once: for I percieve
But cold demeanor in Octavioʼs wing
one suddain push gives them yethe overthrow
Ride ride messala lett em all come down
(Exeunt
o Look Titinius looke yethe villains fly
my self have to my own turnd enemie.
This ensign here of mine was turning back
I slew yethe coward, & did take it from him.
O Cassius Brutus gave yethe word too early
who having some advantage on Octavius
took it too eagerly his soldiers took to spoyl
whilst we by Antony are all inclosd.
Titinius if thou lovdst me
mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him
till he have brought thee up to yonder troupes
and here again ytthat I may rest assur’d
whether yond troupes are friends or enemies.
goe Pindarus get thither on that hill
my sight was ever thick regard Titinius
and tell me wtwhat thou not’st about yethe field.
This day I breathed first, time is come round
and where I did fe begin there shall I end
my life is run its compass. Sirra wtwhat newes
wthwith horsmen ytthat make to him on yethe spur
yet he spurs on now they are almost on him:
Now Titinius; now some light: o he lights too
He’s tane –
(Showt
and heark they shout for yjoy
Come down behold no more
O Coward ytthat I am to live so Long
to see my best friend tane before my face
Pindarus descends
Come hither sirrah; In Parthia did I take thee prisoner
and then I sware thee sparing of thy life
ytthatwtwhatsoever I did bid thee doe
thou shouldst attempt it : come now keep thy oath
now be a freeman and wthwith this good sword
that ran through Cæsars bowells search this bosom
stand not to answer; here take thou yethe hilt
and when my face is covered as tis now
Guide thou yethe sword—— Cæsar thou art revengd
Even wthwithyetheyethe sword ytthat kild thee
(Dyes stabd by Pindarus
so, I am free
yet would not so have bene
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius
farr from this country Pindarus shall run
where never Roman shall take note of him.
(Exit
no this was he messala
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun
as in thy red rayes thou dost sink to night
so in his red blood cassius day is set:
yethe son of Rome is set: our day is Gone
clowds dewes and dangers come our deeds are done
mistrust of my success hath done this deed
mistrust of good success hath done this deed
o hatefull error melancholies child
why dost thou show to yethe apt thoughts of men
yethe things ytthat are not? o error soone conceiv’d
thou neves comest unto a happy birth
but kills yethe mother ytthat engendred thee
seek him Titinius whilst I goe to meet
the noble Brutus thrusting this report into into his eares I may say thrusting it
for piercing steel and Darts invenomed
shall be as welcom to yethe ears of Brutus
as tidings of this sight.
Hye you Messala
and I will seek for Pindarus yethe while
(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 doe his bidding. Brutus Comes apace
and see how I regarded Cassius:
By yryour leave Gods: this is a Romans part
Come Cassius sword, & find Titinius heart
(Dies
Sc: 6a
Alarum. Enter Br: Mess: yong Cato strato
volumnius and Lucilius.
are yet two Romans Living such as these?
The last of all yethe Romans fare thee well
it is impossible that ever Rome
should breed thy fellow: friends I ow more tears
to this dead man then you shall see me pay.
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
Come therfor and to tharsus send his body
his funeralls shall not be in our Ca‸mpe
least it discomfort us. Lucilius Come
and Come young Cato, let us to yethe field
Labio and flavius set your battails on
’tis three a clock, and Romans yet ere nigh
we shall try fortune in a second fight.
(Exeunt
Sce: 7a
Allarūm. Enter Brutus Messala, Cato
Lucilius and Flavius.
wtwhat bastard doth not? who will goe with me?
I will proclaim my name about yethe field
I am yethe son of Marcus Cato. hoa
a foe to tyrants and my country’s friends.
I am yethe son of Marcus Cato hoa
{Enter soldiers and fight
safe Antony Brutus is safe enough
I dare assure thee ytthat no enemye
shall ever take alive yethevaliant Brutus
The Gods defend him from so great a shame
when you doe find him or alive or dead
he will be found like Brutus: Like himself.
this is not Brutus friend, but I assure you
a prize no less in worth; keep this man safe
Give him all kindness. I had rather have
such men my friends then enemies. Goe on
and see whether Brutus be alive or Dead,
and bring unto us at Octavius tent
Howe every thing hath chanc’d
(Exeunt
nay I am sure its is Volumnius.
Thou seest the world Volumnius how is goes
our enemies have betat us to yethe pit:
it is more worthy to leap in our selves
Then tarry till they push us Good Volumnius
thou knowst ytthat we two went to school togeather
even forthatfor that ‸our love of old I prethee
hold thou my sword hilts till I run upon it
farewell to you and you and you Volumnius
Strato thou hast been all this while asleep
farewell to thee too Strato; Countrymen
my heart doth joy ytthat yet in all my life
I found no man, but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this loosing day
more than Octaviꝯus and Mark Antony
by this vile conquest shall attain unto
so fare you well att once for Brutus tongue
hath almost ended his life’s history
night hangs upon my eyes my bones would rest
ytthat have but labour’d to attain this hour.
Hence I will follow:
I prethee Strato stay thou by thy LdLord Thou art a fellow of a good respect
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in’t
hold then my sword and turn away thy face
while I doe run upon it wilt thou Strato?
free from yethe bondage you are in Messala
yethe Conquerors can but make a fire of him
for Brutus only overcame himselfe
and no man else hath honour by his death.
this was yethe noblest Roman of them all
All yethe conspirators save only he
did wtwhat they did in envy of great Cæsar
He only in a generall honest thought
and common good to all made one of them
His life was gentle and yethe elements
so mixt in him ytthat nature might stand up
and say to all yethe world, this was a man.
according to his vertues lett us use him
wthwithallwith all respect and rites of buriall.
wthinwithin my tent this night his bones shall lye
most like a souldier orderd honourably
so call yethe field to rest, and lets away
to part yethe glories of this happy day
(Exeunt omnes
Finis
1694
Annotations
assemble … sort;
MS annotation in left-hand margin by a later hand: x (cross).
Enter … Flavius
MS annotation in left-hand margin by a later hand: x (cross).
Scene 2a
Scene numbers not in F2. The scribe adds scene numbers throughout the play.
lett … you
MS annotation in left-hand margin by a later hand: x (cross).
Manent
The Douai scribe shows a scrupulousness about entries and exits which (here and elsewhere
in this act) makes him specify that Brutus and Cassius need to remain on stage during
the next scene.
councell
Erroneous repetition of the word councell (the scribe’s eye was obviously drawn to the previous line) – not in F2.
Scen: 5a
Numbering error for Scene 4. Number 4 is simply skipped.
Caesar … contrive
Speech attribute missing, as in F2 where the letter is presented in italics after
the stage directions. Letter and speech spoken by Artemidorus.
Alecto
This original emendation substitutes Alecto, one of the Erinyes of Greek mythology,
the goddesses responsible for punishing wrongdoing, for Ate, the goddess of mischief,
ruin, and rash action.
know
Closing parenthesis missing.
not meet: you know
No colon in F2. By punctuating this line differently, the Douai editor introduces
a different nuance.
stand
Speech attribute 1 Soldier missing, as in F2.
stand
Speech attribute 2 Soldier missing, as in F2.
stand
Speech attribute 3 Soldier missing, as in F2.
They come forward.
They in the stage directions must refer to Titinus and Lucilius whose entries are are
otherwise not indicated. The comic scene of the visit of the Cynick poet is entirely
excised here, perhaps because it is a distraction from the main action. It is the
most significant cut in this play which otherwise follows the text very closely.
force
This word at the end of the page was accidentally omitted by the Douai scribe and
added by a later hand, different from the one that adds several stage directions in
the margins.
upon my pay
pay is a transcription error for Boy; this intriguing slip could indicate that the Douai manuscript might have been copied,
at least in part, from an intermediary manuscript source (as suggested by G. Blakemore Evans in 1962), and perhaps not from F2 directly throughout, although there are no other
instances of this.
I know not sir.
Lucius’s cue, which must have been accidentally left out by the scribe, was added
on a second reading on the same line as Brutus’s cue; the scribe also corrected the
speech attribution of the following line, which he had first attributed to Lucius.
And look where Publius is come to fetch me
This line is a continuation of Caesar’s speech. The scribe adds a scene break in the
middle of a speech without indicating that Caesar remains on stage and continues to
speak.
[Ghost descends
This stage direction is one of several that were added by a later second hand, usually
in the right margin. It points to an interesting stage business which makes Caesar’s
ghost descends from where it had first appeared, i.e. above, perhaps on a gallery
or on a balcony.
Murellus
This word, written in the bottom margin, was half cut at the binding stage.
The Douai scribe corrects an incomplete line in F2 (which omitted myself after profess) by adding my favour, although the line is slightly irregular as a consequence.
Emendation which could also be a scribal error. To have Caska disagree with the others
introduces an interesting dissensus (and anticipates the direction the conversation
takes after this line).
hand. / First Marcus Brutus will I shake with you; / Next Caius Cassius do I take
your hand; / Now Decius Brutus yours, now yours Metellus; / Yours Cinna; and my valiant
Caska, yours; / Though last, not least in love, yours good Trebonius,
men. / I will not do them wrong, I rather choose / To wrong the dead, to wrong my
selfe and you, / Then I will wrong such Honourable men.
Three lines missing: perhaps the scribe’s eye was caught by the repetition at the
end of the line Honourable men, which might have made him skip the lines.
Enter a Poet. / Poet. Let me goe in to see the Generals, / There is some grudge betweene
em, tis not meete / They be alone. / Luci. You shall not come to them. / Poet. Nothing
but death shall stay me. / Cassi. How now? Whats the matter? / Poet. For shame you
Generals? what doe you meane? / Love, and be friends, as two such men should be, /
For I have seene more yeeres Ime sure then yee. / Cassi. Ha, ha, how vildely doth
this Cynicked rime: / Bru. Get you hend sirrah: Sawcy fellow, hence. / Cassi. Beare
with him Brutus, tis his fashion, / Brut. Ile know his humour, when he knowes his
time: / What should the Warres doe with these ligging fooles? / Companion, hence.
/ Cassi. Away, away be gone. Exit Poet.
The scene with the poet is entirely excised, perhaps for dramatic efficiency. See
annotation.
Ada Souchu is an MA student at Sorbonne Université in Early Modern English literature.
After a BA in Classics in 2021, they are currently doing an MA on Latin and Greek
sources in Early Modern theatre. They are a junior transcriber on the Douai Shakespeare
Manuscript Project.
Béatrice Rouchon
Béatrice Rouchon is a PhD candidate at Sorbonne Université. Her research interests
lie in authorial strategies and paratexts in early modern England. She is currently
working on the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project.
Côme Saignol
Côme Saignol is a PhD candidate at Sorbonne University where he is preparing a thesis
about the reception of Cyrano de Bergerac. After working several years on Digital
Humanities, he created a company named CS Edition & Corpus to assist researchers in classical humanities. His interests include: eighteenth-century
theatre, philology, textual alignment, and XML databases.
Emma Bartel
Emma Bartel is a transcriber with the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project.
Eric Rasmussen
Eric Rasmussen is Regents Teaching Professor and Foundation Professor of English at
the University of Nevada. He is co-editor with Sir Jonathan Bate of the RSC William Shakespeare Complete Works and general editor, with Paul Werstine, of the New Variorum Shakespeare. He has received the Falstaff Award from PlayShakespeare.com for Best Shakespearean Book of the Year in 2007, 2012, and 2013.
Janelle Jenstad
Janelle Jenstad is a Professor of English at the University of
Victoria, Director of The Map
of Early Modern London, and Director of Linked Early Modern Drama
Online. With Jennifer Roberts-Smith and Mark Kaethler, she
co-edited Shakespeare’s Language in Digital Media: Old
Words, New Tools (Routledge). She has edited John Stow’s
A Survey of London (1598 text) for MoEML
and is currently editing The Merchant of Venice
(with Stephen Wittek) and Heywood’s 2 If You Know Not
Me You Know Nobody for DRE. Her articles have appeared in
Digital Humanities Quarterly, Elizabethan Theatre, Early Modern
Literary Studies, Shakespeare
Bulletin, Renaissance and
Reformation, and The Journal of Medieval
and Early Modern Studies. She contributed chapters to Approaches to Teaching Othello (MLA); Teaching Early Modern Literature from the Archives
(MLA); Institutional Culture in Early Modern
England (Brill); Shakespeare, Language, and
the Stage (Arden); Performing Maternity in
Early Modern England (Ashgate); New
Directions in the Geohumanities (Routledge); Early Modern Studies and the Digital Turn (Iter);
Placing Names: Enriching and Integrating
Gazetteers (Indiana); Making Things and
Drawing Boundaries (Minnesota); Rethinking
Shakespeare Source Study: Audiences, Authors, and Digital
Technologies (Routledge); and Civic
Performance: Pageantry and Entertainments in Early Modern
London (Routledge). For more details, see janellejenstad.com.
John Delsinne
John Delsinne is a PhD candidate at Sorbonne Université where he is preparing a dissertation
on the staging and representation of battles in Shakespeare’s history plays. He seeks
to determine how the historical sources were adapted and tries to reconsider the vision
of military history that arises from the plays. He is both an encoder and a transcriber
with the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project.
Line Cottegnies
Line Cottegnies teaches early-modern literature at Sorbonne Université. She is the
author of a monograph on the politics of wonder in Caroline poetry, LʼÉclipse du regard: la poésie anglais du baroque au classicisme (Droz, 1997), and has co-edited several collections of essays, including Authorial Conquests: Essays on Genre in the Writings of Margaret Cavendish (AUP, 2003, with Nancy Weitz), Women and Curiosity in the Early Modern Period (Brill, 2016), with Sandring Parageau, or Henry V: A Critical Guide (Bloomsbury, 2018), with Karen Britland. She has published on seventeenth-century
literature, from Shakespeare and Raleigh to Ahpra Behn and Mary Astell. Her research
interests are: early-modern drama and poetry, the politics of translation (between
France and England), and women authors of the period. She has also developed a particular
interest in editing: she had edited half of Shakespeareʼs plays for the Gallimard
bilingual complete works (alone and in collaboration), and, also, Henry IV, Part 2, for The Norton Shakespeare 3 (2016). With Marie-Alice Belle, she has co-edited two Elizabethan translations of
Robert Garnier (by Mary Sidney Herbert and Thomas Kyd), published in 2017 in the MHRA
Tudor and Stuart Translation Series as Robert Garnier in Elizabethan England. She is currently working on an edition of three Behnʼs translations from the French
for the Cambridge edition of Behn’s Complete Works
Louise Fang
Louise Fang is a Lecturer in English Literature at the Université Sorbonne Paris Nord.
She has published a monograph on Shakespeare and games (Shakespeare et les jeux, Classiques Garnier, 2021) and is working on early modern drama. She is a transcriber
and an editor in the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project.
Mahayla Galliford
Research assistant, remediator, encoder, 2021–present. Mahayla Galliford is a fourth-year
student in the English Honours and Humanities Scholars programs at the University
of Victoria. She researches early modern drama and her Jamie Cassels Undergraduate
Research Award project focused on approaches to encoding early modern stage directions.
Navarra Houldin
Project manager 2022–present. Textual remediator 2021–present. Navarra Houldin (they/them)
completed their BA in History and Spanish at the University of Victoria in 2022. During
their degree, they worked as a teaching assistant with the University of Victoriaʼs
Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies. Their primary research was on gender and
sexuality in early modern Europe and Latin America.
Nicolas Thibault
Nicolas Thibault is a former student of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (Paris) and is
currently completing a PhD on counsel and counsellors in late Elizabethan and early
Jacobean English history plays at Sorbonne Université under the supervision of Line
Cottegnies. He has recently published an article on The Intelligibility of History and the (In)visibility of the Bruised Bodies in Sir Thomas More in a 2021 issue of the Sillages Critiques journal (VALE, Sorbonne University). From 2018 to 2021, he taught English and American
literature and British history at Sorbonne Université. Since 2022, he has been a research
and teaching assistant at the Languages Department of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne Université.
His areas of interest include early modern drama, political history, and the representation
of counsel.
Hedbäck, Ann-Mari.
The Douai Manuscript Reexamined.Papers of the Bibliographical Society
of America, 73.1 (1979), 1–18.
OED: The Oxford English
Dictionary. 2nd ed.
Oxford: Oxford
University Press,
1989.
Shakespeare, William. Mr William Shakespeares
Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies.
London: Robert
Allot, 1632. STC 22274. ESTC S111233.
Orgography
Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes Valmore (DOUA2)
Bibliothèque municipale de Douai (DOUA2)
https://www.bm-douai.fr/
Formerly known as Bibliothèque municipale de Douai.
LEMDO Team (LEMD1)
The LEMDO Team is based at the University of Victoria and normally comprises the project
director, the lead developer, project manager, junior developers(s), remediators,
encoders, and remediating editors.
Witnesses
Douai MS 787 as transcribed by Line Cottegnies and the Sorbonne team.
Shakespeare, William. Mr William Shakespeares
Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies.
London: Robert
Allot, 1632. STC 22274. ESTC S111233.
Notes on scribal hands
The primary scribal hand used in the Douai MS, which is MS 787 in the
Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes-Valmore repository. The scribe made changes
and additions at a later stage.
A second, later hand is used in the Douai MS, which is MS 787 in the
Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes-Valmore repository. It is responsible
for the insertion of stage directions. This later hand is smaller,
thinner, and more slanting than the main scribal hand. It does not appear in
Macbeth.
A word by a third hand is added to the text of Julius
Caesar in the Douai MS, which is MS 787 in the Bibliothèque
Marceline Desbordes-Valmore repository.
Metadata
Authority title
Julius Caesar: Semi-Diplomatic Edition
Type of text
Primary Source Text
Short title
Douai JC
Publisher
Sorbonne Université and University of Victoria on the Linked Early Modern Drama Online
Platform
Series
Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project
Source
Editorial declaration
Edited according to the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Projectʼs Editorial Procedures
Edition
Released with The Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project 1.0
Sponsor(s)
The Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project
Anthology Lead: Line Cottegnies. The project is a scientific collaboration between Sorbonne Université and the University
of Victoria.
Encoding description
Encoded in TEI P5 according to the LEMDO Customization and Encoding Guidelines
Document status
published, peer-reviewed
License/availability
Intellectual copyright in this edition is held by the editor, Line Cottegnies. The
XML file of the modern text is licensed for reuse under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license,
which means that it is freely downloadable without permission under the following
conditions: (1) credit must be given to the editor, the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript
Project, and LEMDO in any subsequent use of the files and/or data; (2) derivatives
(e.g., adapted scripts for performance) must be shared under the same CC BY-NC-SA
4.0 license; and (3) commercial uses are not permitted without the knowledge and consent
of the editor, the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project, and LEMDO. The critical paratexts
are licensed under a CC BY-NC_ND 4.0 license, which means that they are freely downloadable
without permission under the following conditions: (1) credit must be given to the
editor, the Douai Shakespeare Manuscript Project, and LEMDO in any subsequent use
of the files and/or data; (2) the content cannot be adapted or repurposed (except
for quotations for the purposes of academic review and citation); and (3) commercial
uses are not permitted without the knowledge and consent of the Douai Shakespeare
Manuscript Project, the editor, and LEMDO. This license allows for pedagogical use
of the critical paratexts in the classroom.
Images provided by the Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes-Valmore are licensed under
a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. They can be downloaded and reproduced in scholarly publications
and presentations provided that credit is included. Credit must include the phrase:
Used by kind permission of the Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, Douai, and
must include the shelfmark MS 787 and the folio numbers. We ask that a copy of any
scholarly publication be sent to the Douai library via email attachment to the Curator,
currently Jean Vilbas at jvilbas@ville-douai.fr, or via mail to the following address:
Bibliothèque Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, 61 Parvis Georges Prêtre, BP 20625, 59506
Douai cedex, France.