Cinna's Easy Plays from Shakespeare 5

THE NOBLEST ROMAN

SCENE l

(CAESAR, ANTHONY and OCTAVIUS enter. The conspirators enter on other side.)

Conspirators: Hail, Caesar.

Caesar: Ah, Brutus, my friend. Are you coming with us ?

Anthony: Caesar is going to the Olympic Games.

Brutus: I am not much interested in sports, Caesar.

Caesar: But you should be, Brutus! Many people will be running and Anthony intends to win.

Brutus: Anthony is younger than me.

Anthony: But you are stronger; I have seen you fight.

Casca: Nobody should go.

Caesar: Nobody ? Why, Casca ?

Casca: Tomorrow is the Ides of March, and the Ides of March is always a dangerous day.

Caesar: Today is not the Ides of March.

Casca: I still say you are in danger.

Anthony : Why should Caesar be in danger, Casca ?

Casca: I see the future, Anthony. Many people wish to murder Caesar. It is easy to murder in the middle of a great crowd at the games.

Caesar: A11 my life people have wished to murder me. Let them try. The Ides of March will be like any other day.

Octavius: And remember that my father has many faithful friends.

Caesar: I hope so.

Octavius: They will protect him against murder.

Caesar: Enough of this foolish talk ! The people are waiting. Let us go along.

Octavius: Yes, father.

(Exit CAESER, ANTHONY and OCTAVIUS.)

Cassius: Why don't you go, Brutus ?

Brutus: No, Cassius, I don't want to.

Cassius: You should. Caesar was right.

Brutus: No, I do not like crowds of people.

Cassius: Maybe, but Caesar loves them.

Brutus: Yes, he does, it is his only weakness.

Casca: You think he has no other weakness ?

Brutus: He is a man, and all of us are partly weak and partly strong. The people of Rome love Caesar, so they do not see his weakness. Love is blind.

Cassius: Certainly everybody loves Caesar, and that is why he is the most powerful man in Rome. But tell me something, Brutus, can you see your face ?

Brutus: My face, Cassius ? No, of course I cannot see it without a mirror.

Cassius: Then I will be your mirror. What is in your face? It, also, is a face that the people of Rome love. Oh, yes they do. Of course they love Caesar first, but they love Brutus next. Remember that Caesar is old, and people's feelings change.

Brutus: Flattery ! Flattery !

Cassius. Flattery ? Casca. Do I flatter Brutus ?

Casca: That's hard to say.

Cassius: Once I told Caesar that he hated flattery. He said it was true, being then most flattered. (Noise of shouting.) What's that noise ?

Casca: I'll go and see.

(Exit CASCA.)

Cassius: Perhaps Anthony has won his race.

Brutus: The people like Anthony, also. I wonder what they think of you, Cassius ?

Cassius: Me? They hate me. I am lucky.

Brutus: That's a strange idea. If they hate you, why do you say you are lucky ?

Cassius : Because love often changes to hate, but if you begin with hate, you have nothing to lose. People may wish to murder Caesar, but who wants to murder me ?

Brutus: You are a strange cold man, Cassius. (Noise of shouting.) There is that noise again Shall we go and see what's happening .

Cassius: Casca will tell us about it, and, anyway, I like the games no more than you do.

Brutus: What do you like, Cassius? You never laugh. You never smile. Do you like music ? I don't think so. You don't eat much. You never drink, do you ?

Cassius: They are foolish things.

Brutus: Anthony does them.

Cassius: And how do they help him ? I study people. I study their weaknesses especially.

Brutus: Why ?

Cassius: The weakness of one man creates the power of another. I am interested in power. Caesar is the most powerful man in Rome because all others are weak.

Brutus: Yes, I suppose you might say many people are weak. I am fairly weak, perhaps. But you, Cassius, you are not weak.

Cassius: You are wrong. I am weak because I see the dangerous future awaiting Rome, and I do nothing.

Brutus: Does Rome have a dangerous future ?

Cassius: If one man becomes too powerful, then he becomes a tyrant ; and if tyranny comes to Rome, then, yes, we shall have a dangerous future. (Noise of shouting) More shouting !

Brutus: They must be murdering Caesar.

(Enter CASCA)

Brutus: It sounds like a war. What's happening in there ?

Casca: The people are shouting for Caesar.

Cassius: Is he running ?

Casca: No, but Anthony offered him a crown.

Brutus: A crown !

Casca: Yes. The people are calling for Ceasar to become king of Rome.

Brutus: King of Rome !

Cassius: Did Caesar agree ?

Casca: No. He thanked them, but refused.

Brutus: What then ?

Casca: Next, Anthony offered him the crown again. The crowd shouted louder than before.

Brutus: And Caesar ?

Casca: Caesar looked at the crown for a few seconds, but then again said no.

Cassius: That was lucky.

Casca: Wait. Anthony offered him the crown once again.

Cassius: Three times ?

Casca: Three times. Caesar took it in his hand. Turned it around slowly and said nothing. I thought he was about to accept, but at last he shook his head and gave it back to Anthony.

Brutus (to CASSIUS) : This is not ambition.

Casca: I wonder. Tomorrow the people may again ask Caesar to be king.

Brutus: There are no games tomorrow.

Cassius: No, but there is a meeting of the senate. :

Brutus: Yes, I forgot. We must vote on the death of the traitor Publius Cimba.

Casca(angry): My brother is no traitor, Brutus.

Brutus: The court has found him guilty.

Casca: If Caesar votes for my brother's death, , then I fear his tyranny. Tomorrow is the Ides of March.

Brutus: You told Ceasar it would be a dangerous day for him. Why?

Casca: Here he comes. Ask him.

(Enter CAESAR and ANTHONY.)

Cassius: You are leaving the games very early, aren't you, Caesar ?

Ceasar: Yes, I am. I feel tired.

Casca: The hot sun ?

Caesar: The people offered me the crown of Rome.

Casca: Anthony offered you the crown of Rome, surely.

Anthony: The hands were mine, yes, but did you not hear thousands of voices shout "Caesar, be our king" ?

Caesar: Anyhow, I refused.

Cassius: But why, Caesar, do you have no ambition ?

Caesar: Yes, Cassius, I have ambition. I am like you, for you also have ambition, do you not ?

Cassius: My ambition is different from yours.

Caesar: I hope so. You and I are different kinds of men. I am fat. You are thin. Everybody understands me, but no one knows what Cassius is thinking. You are a dangerous man, Cassius.

Cassius: Me ? Dangerous ? Why ?

Caesar: You think too much. I like to have men around me who are fat. Anthony sleeps well at night, but you, Cassius, have a lean and hungry look.

Anthony: You are wrong, Caesar, Cassius is not dangerous. He is a noble Roman.

Cassius: Every one here is a noble Roman, Anthony

Brutus: And who is the noblest Roman ?

Caesar: We do not need to ask such questions, Brutus.

Brutus: Perhaps you are right, Cacsar. Good night. I'll see you tomorrow at the senate.

Caesar: Yes, good night.

(Exit BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA.)

Caesar: These are strange men. I fear them.

Anthony: You cannot fear Brutus.

Caesar: I fear him because he is weak. Cassius can charm him as a snake charms a bird. And why does Casca say that tomorrow is the Ides of March, and so will be dangerous ?

Anthony: You have forgotten. At the senate tomorrow we must vote on the death of his brother Publius Cimba.

Caesar: Oh. Yes. I suppose Casca wishes me to have mercy.

Anthony: Publius Cimba was your friend for many years, Caesar.

Caesar (angry) : Yes, but no longer. The court has found him guilty of treachery against Rome, and you know quite well that he deserves to die.

Anthony: Caesar, be merciful.

Caesar: I will not be weak where the safety of Rome is concerned.

Anthony: Where is your heart ?

Caesar: Anthony, I'd kill you with my own hand if I believed you were a traitor to Rome. Our love for Rome is the garden in which our friendship blossoms.

Anthony (smiling) : And tell me, what must I do if I believe Caesar is a traitor?

Caesar: This . (He takes out his dagger and gestures as if stabbing ANTHONY.)

Anthony (laughing) : I will not forget.

Caesar': It's very late, and tomorrow is our dangerous Ides of March. Let us go home and rest.

Anthony: Yes. While we sleep, no doubt Cassius will be thinking too much about some foolishness.

(Exit all.)

SCENE 2

(Enter BRUTUS, yawning.)

Brutus: I must go to bed.

(Enter CASSIUS and CASCA)

Cassius: Brutus.

Brutus: Cassius ! What are you doing here ? I'm just going to bed.

Casca: We have a serious matter to discuss with you.

Brutus: Not now ! I am too tired. Tell me in the morning.

Cassius: No, that will be too late.

Brutus: Why ?

Casca: Tomorrow the senate must decide what to do about my brother.

Brutus: Yes, I know.

Cassius: Caesar must not let this man die.

Brutus: He is a traitor. He should die.

Cassius: That's not the point. If Caesar has the power to decide life and death, then he will become a tyrant.

Brutus: But Caesar does not decide this. All the members of the senate must vote.

Casca: Yes, but Caesar is a skillful speaker. He can persuade the other members to vote with him.

Brutus: Caesar can not persuade me against the truth.

Casca: Exactly. That is why we have come to you.

Cassius: You only can persuade Caesar.

Brutus: Persuade him of what?

Cassius: If Caesar can persuade the senate, then Caesar slowly gains the powers of a tyrant. We want you to persuade Caesar to have mercy on Publius Cimba.

Brutus: He won't listen to me. He has already said he will vote for the man's death, and unless Caesar is murdered before the time of the vote, I don't think he will change.

Cassius: Thank you, Brutus. Do you understand him, Casca ?

Casca: He sees that tyranny must be prevented.

Cassius: We who love Caesar must do this for our love of Rome.

Casca: Yes, our love of Rome must come first.

Brutus: What are you talking about ?

Cassius: As you said, unless Caesar is murdered he may become a tyrant.

Casca: If my brother dies tomorrow, which of us will be safe ?

Brutus: You say Caesar should die ?

Cassius: Who do we love more, Caesar or Rome ?

Casca: We understand your feelings.

Cassius: We admire you for putting your duty before your personal feelings.

Brutus: Are you planning to murder Caesar ?

Cassius: No, no, not murder. How can you use such a word, Brutus?

Casca: Tomorrow, first we shall ask Caesar to :pardon my brother.

Cassius: If you cannot persuade him, Brutus, then together we must do our unhappy duty.

Brutus: You mean, with this ?

(Holds up his dagger.)

Casca: You make it very clear. What do you think Cassius ?

Cassius: Brutus has made it crystal clear. Thank you, Brutus. I suppose you are right. We must together kill our friend.

Brutus: Is this necessary ?

Casca: Do you wish to see Rome destroyed by tyranny ?

Brutus: No, of course not.

Cassius: Then have a good night's rest, and tomorrow you will see your duty clearly.

Casca: Your duty is the only thing to consider. Good night.

Brutus: No, don't go.

Cassius: Yes, it's very late. Thank you for helping us decide what to do.

Brutus: Have I helped you ?

Casca: You have helped us tonight, and tomorrow you will help all of Rome. Good night.

(Exit CASSIUS and CASCA one way, BRUTUS the

other. )

SCENE 3

(CAESAR enters one side, ANTHONY the other.)

Anthony: Good morning, Caesar.

Caesar: Hallo, Anthony. You are rather early for the senate meeting.

Anthony: I have something to explain.

Caesar: Oh ?

Anthony: Yesterday the people asked you to become king. l

Caesar: Three times.

Anthony: Today after the senate meeting they are sure to ask you again. Won't you accept today ?

Caesar: I don't know. We have something more urgent to discuss. The vote concerning the traitor Publius Cimba.

Anthony: Yes. His brother Casca is certain to oppose you.

Caesar: Perhaps, but the duty of the senate is very clear.

Anthony: Don't make Casca your enemy, Caesar. Here he comes now. If you intend to vote for his brother's death, this is a good time to make sure that he understands your reasons.

(Enter CASCA, exit ANTHONY.)

Casca: Good morning, Caesar

Caesar: Ah Casca Do you know what today is? The Ides of March have come.

Casca: Yes, Caesar, but not gone.

Caesar: Casca, I fear today as much as I fear any day.

Casca: My brother fears today because he is accused of treachery and today the senate votes on his death.

Caesar: Did the court find your brother guilty ?

Casca: Yes.

Caesar: Then what do you wish me to do ?

Casca: I ask you to show mercy.

Caesar: Mercy !

Casca: Yes.

Caesar: Casca, Casca, Casca! If you believed that I was a traitor to Rome, what would you do ?

Casca: That's a foolish question.

Caesar: Then give me a wise answer.

Casca: You give one to me, Caesar.

Casca (kneels) : I ask you to show mercy to my brother. This is a time for us to be wise.

(Enter CASSIUS and BRUTUS)

Caesar: Get up, Casca. You are wasting time and being something less than wise. The court has come to its decision. Today the senate votes on the sentence. I don't decide this. I have only one vote.

Cassius (kneeling) : But you are the strongest man in Rome, Caesar. The others will vote as you vote.

Caesar: No, each man will vote as he thinks best.

Brutus (kneeling) : We ask you to vote to free him.

Caesar: Brutus, if any man could persuade me to do wrong, it is you.

Brutus: I ask you again, then. I kiss your hand, but not in flattery.

Caesar: No, no, stand up. :

Casca: You will not change your mind ?

Caesar: I will not.

Casca: Then my hands must speak for me.

(CASCA stabs CAESAR, then CASSIUS stabs, then BRUTUS)

Caesar: Et tu, Brute ? Then fall, Caesar.

(CAESAR falls, and dies.)

Casca: Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead.

Cassius: Tell all of Rome.

Casca: Tell everybody the tyrant has gone.

Cassius: Brutus, make a speech to the people.

(A crowd of people enter.)

Brutus: I am not much of a speaker.

Casca: You are one of the finest in Rome !

Brutus: My heart is heavy.

Cassius: Then lighten it by telling all these good people how we have saved them.

Casca: Let us wash our hands in Caesar's blood.

Cassius: History will call us the man who brought liberty to Rome.

Casca: Caesar should be grateful to us. We have taken from him many years of fearing death.

(Enter a SERVANT.)

Brutus: Who are you ?

Servant: I am the servant of Anthony. (Servant kneels.) He told me to kneel and say this :

"Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest.

Caesar was mighty, bold, royal and loving.

Say I love Brutus and honour him.

I feared Caesar, loved and honoured him.

But as Caesar is dead, Anthony will love

the living Brutus more than the dead Caesar."

This is my message from Anthony.

Cassius: Anthony understands the wisdom of our act.

Brutus: He is a noble Roman. Ask him to come here and I will show my love for him. (Exit SERVANT) This is a surprise. I did not think Anthony would support us.

Casca: It is very lucky that he does so. He is a clever young man, and would be a dangerous enemy

Cassius: We must be as friendly as possible with Anthony

(Enter ANTHONY.)

Brutus: Here he comes. Welcome, Anthony.

Anthony (looking at body of CAESAR) : Oh mighty Caesar, do you lie so low ? Have all your triumphs, all your glories shrunk to this ? I know not gentlemen what you intend, who else must die. If perhaps you wish to kill me too, then there can be no better time than this. And surely no instrument more convincing than one used to murder Caesar. If I live another thousand years, there could never be a better time.

Brutus: No, Anthony, of course, we wish nothing of the sort. The death of Caesar must have seemed a cruel and surprising thing to you, but if you pity Caesar you must pity more, then, the men who had to do the deed.

Anthony: Had to ?

Casca: It was our duty, Anthony.

Cassius: We have brought freedom and liberty to Rome.

Anthony: Ah, yes, I see.

Brutus: Let me explain why I, who loved Caesar, had to strike him.

Anthony: No, no, it is not necessary. I have no doubt of your motive. I do not doubt your wisdom. But let me shake your hands, first, the loving Brutus.

Brutus: Thank you.

Anthony (shaking hands) : Your hand is slippery with blood. And now the brave Cassius. And the good Casca

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Anthony: Yes, I think you need have no doubts of me.

Brutus: Good, but I should explain fully why we acted so.

Anthony: Yes, tell Rome why Caesar was a danger.

Brutus: You shall be satisfied, Anthony.

Casca: Many citizens are here, Brutus. Make a speech and tell all of Rome.

Anthony: And let me have Caesar's body for burial.

Brutus: Of course.

Anthony: And perhaps I may speak after you.

Brutus: Certainly.

Cassius (to BRUTUS) : No, Brutus, no.

Brutus (to CASSIUS) : Why not?

Cassius: This is exceedingly dangerous. Don't you know what a clever speaker Anthony is ? If he speaks to the people, he may persuade them against us !

Brutus: But he is friendly !

Cassius: Is he ?

Brutus: Anyhow, it would be more dangerous to stop him speaking.

Cassius: I don't like it. There will be trouble.

Brutus: Don't worry, Cassius, let me tell the people why this strange deed was necessary.

Anthony: Silence, please. Brutus will speak to us.

Brutus: Romans (All sit.) , countrymen, lovers. Please be silent. I want you to hear my reasons for the death of Caesar. I want you to believe in my honour. I loved Caesar. Did any man love him more than I did? I think not. But if I loved Caesar, why did I kill him ? I loved Caesar, but I loved Rome more: and I feared Caesar was becoming a danger to Rome. If Caesar had lived, I fear that all of us would soon have become slaves. He was ambitious. Yesterday he almost became the king of Rome. Today you are free citizens of Rome, but under a king would you not soon become slaves ? Do you wish to be slaves ? If so, tell me; I will wait for your answer.

All (ad lib) : No, we do not wish to be slaves. We are free.

Brutus: If you do not wish to be slaves, then I have offended no one. There is no more to be said. Let us bury Caesar. There is his body, and Anthony stands beside it. Anthony had no hand in the death of Caesar, but he will benefit from it, as will all Romans. I am finished. Anthony, come here and tell the free people of Rome why I killed my best friend. Remember, everybody, that I shall keep the same dagger for myself, if Rome ever needs my death.

(BRUTUS sits. All stand and applaud.)

All (ad lib) : Live ! Brutus, live ! We do not want your death. Caesar was a tyrant. Let Brutus be the new Caesar.

Brutus: Thank you, friends, but I do not wish to be a Caesar. Please be quiet and listen to Anthony, whom I have asked to speak to you.

Anthony(standing) : Brutus says that I may speak.

All (ad lib): Say nothing against Brutus! We know Caesar was ambitious ! Brutus is the friend of Rome ! (etc.)

( They throw fruit at ANTHONY.)

Anthony: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them, the good is often buried with their bones. So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus has told you Ceasar was ambitious. If so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously has Caesar answered it. Now, by permission of Brutus and the rest, for Brutus is an honourable man, I speak before we bury Caesar. He was my friend, faithful and just to me. But Brutus said he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. Caesar's wars did make Rome rich. Was this ambition ? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. At the games yesterday, you saw me offer Caesar the crown of Rome three times. Three times Caesar did refuse. Was this ambition ? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. Forgive me, I weep. My heart is there with Caesar, and I must wait until it comes back to me.

All (ad lib ! confused in their minds) : There is much truth in this. Perhaps Caesar has been wronged. Has he ? I fear a man worse than Caesar will come next. He refused the crown. This was not ambition. Poor Anthony. He weeps. He can hardly speak. He is the noblest man in Rome. Ssh ! Ssh ! He speaks.

Anthony: I have here a paper, but I must not read it to you. If I read it, you would become angry against Brutus and Cassius who are, as you must know, honourable men. And I must not wrong them. Indeed, I would wrong myself, or the dead Caesar, before I wronged such honourable men, for this paper is the will of Caesar. If you knew what was in it, you would go on your knees and kiss the body of Caesar there. It is his will.

All: Read it! Read it! We must hear Caesar's will.

Anthony: Patience, patience, gentle friends. I must not. It would make you mad. Caesar has made the people of Rome his heirs. You will receive all his money.

All: Read the will, Anthony.

Anthony: No, no, I have said too much. Indeed I already fear the honourable daggers of those lovers of Caesar there.

(He points at BRUTUS, CASSIUS and CASCA.)

All (ad lib) : Traitors. Murderers. They are not honourable. We will protect you. Read the will.

Anthony: Must I? Will you force me? Then, look first at the body of Ceasar. (ANTHONY walks to the body.) If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You know this coat. I remember the first time that Caesar ever put it on. It was after the battle near Phillipi. Look, in this place the friendly dagger of Cassius entered. And here the noble Casca cut , his hole. And here the well-beloved Brutus stabbed. You know how Caesar loved Brutus, don't you ? This was the unkindest cut of all. When Caesar saw that Brutus also murdered him, he fell and died.: Died, not of daggers, but of ingratitude. When Caesar fell, we all fell ; but treason stands above us.

All (ad lib ; throwing fruit at BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA) : Treason ! Murder ! Kill them! Burn their houses !

(Exit BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA.)

Anthony: Peace, my friends quiet, I pray you.

All: Quiet. Anthony wishes to speak again.

Anthony: My dear, good friends. You must be calm. You must not become angry with these honourable men. What private reasons they had to murder Caesar I do not know, but they are wise and honourable and will, no doubt, answer your questions. But, as for me, who am I ? I am no speaker. I am just a plain, blunt fellow, one that loved his friend. Brutus let me speak, because he well knows I speak so poorly. I have no brain, no wit, no word, no action, utterance, no power of speech. I only speak right on. I tell you nothing that you do not know before, and as I cannot speak, I must show you Caesar's wounds, and let them speak for me. (He removes CAESAR's cloak and exposes body : Reaction.) , But were I Brutus, and he Anthony ! Why ! There were such an Anthony that would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue in every wound of Caesar, that should move the very stones of Rome to rise and mutiny .

All (ad lib) : We'll mutiny !

Anthony: No, friends, no, you must not mutiny. Caesar was a lover of peace. Have you forgotten? And have you forgotten Caesar's will? Good. It is better not to read it.

All: The will ! The will ! Read the will !

Anthony: If you insist. Here it is. Caesar has left to every man in Rome 75 pieces of gold.

All: Oh ! Noble Caesar !

Anthony: Wait. And his house and gardens he leaves to you as a place to walk and play. Here was a Caesar. (He covers the body.) When comes such another?

All (ad lib) : Never. Never. Catch the murderers. Traitors. Burn. Kill. (All exit.)

Anthony (laughs) : And who is the noblest Roman now, I wonder ? (Messenger runs on.) What is it ?

Messenger: Brutus and his friends have hurried from Rome.

Anthony: Are they alone ?

Messenger: Crowds of people are chasing them.

Anthony: I see. How about the army ? Have the men gone with Brutus?

Messenger: No, they have stayed in Rome, and are faithful to you.

Anthony: Brutus will probably raise a new army, and come back to attack Rome. We must prepare.

(They exit.)

SCENE 4

(BRUTUS and CASSIUS enter separately.)

Cassius (angry) : You have done me wrong, Brutus.

Brutus (surprised) : Me ?

Cassius : Yes, you. I am trying to raise an army against Anthony, and you accept bribes from his friends.

Brutus: I do nothing of the kind. However, I hear that you are asking people to give you money.

Cassius: Do you suppose that story is true ?

Brutus: If it is not true, then show me the truth.

Cassius: That's an insult! I should make you pay for it.

Brutus: Make me pay? Don't be ridiculous. While the famous name of Cassius is covering up corruptions, I don't see who is going to punish Brutus for anything.

Cassius: Corruption !

Brutus: Yes, corruption. Where is the money to pay our men? Allow me to remind you of the Ides of March. On that day we killed Caesar because we feared his tyranny. But what are we becoming ?

Cassius: Brutus, do not anger me. I am an older soldier, and a wiser one.

Brutus: Tush. You are not Cassius.

Cassius: I am.

Brutus: I say you are not.

Cassius (drawing his dagger) : If you taunt me any more, you will follow Caesar.

Brutus (laughing) : Go home to bed, little man.

Cassius: Is it possible for the great Brutus to attack his friends ?

Brutus: Don't shout at me. Go home and frighten your slaves.

Cassius: Is it come to this ?

Brutus: You say you are better soldier. Well, prove it. I am always glad to learn from a better man.

Cassius: You wrong me, Brutus, I said older, I did not say better. Did I say better ?

Brutus: I have no interest in what you said.

Cassius: Caesar never dared to insult me like this.

Brutus: You never dared to insult Caesar like this.

Cassius: I did not dare ?

Brutus: No.

Cassius: I did not dare to speak against Caesar ?

Brutus: You decided to kill him, but you feared to do so alone. Therefore you came for help. Is that a lie ?

Cassius: Don't go too far, Brutus, or you may regret it.

Brutus: You have made a fool of yourself, Cassius. You make empty threats. Where is the money to pay our men? I sent a messenger for it, and you refused to give it to him. Was this Cassius ? Did the true Cassius ever rob his friends ?

Cassius: I did not refuse the money.

Brutus: So have I stolen it ?

Cassius: No, no, of course not; the messenger was a fool. I told him I would soon bring it to you myself. You now use this small matter to accuse me of every kind of crime. A good friend never increases the weaknesses of his friend. You hate me.

Brutus: I hate your faults.

Cassius: A true friend never sees his friend's faults.

Brutus: A flatterer does not.

Cassius (taking out his dagger) : Very well, then, if Cassius is such a rogue, revenge yourself. Strike me as you struck Caesar. Cassius who took your gold repays you with his blood. When you hated Caesar, then you loved him more than you loved Cassius now.

Brutus: Put away your dagger. You silly fellow. How can we quarrel over trifles like this ? We must fight Anthony.

Cassius: You are cruel because you laugh at an old man. I am a fool because I am angry and unhappy.

Brutus: Forgive me, Cassius, for I also am angry and unhappy.

Cassius: You admit it? Then let us shake hands and be friends again.

Brutus (shaking hands) : Here is my heart.

Cassius: Oh, Brutus, you must laugh when I am angry. My mother gave me a terrible temper.

Brutus: Yes, I know. Next time you are angry I shall know your mother is speaking, and not listen.

 (Exit CASSIUS.)

SCENE 5

Brutus: Lucius ! Lucius !

(A young boy enters.) Are you awake still, Lucius ?

Lucius (very tired) : I was waiting for you, sir.

Brutus: Poor boy, I treat you like a dog.

Lucius: No, sir, I am here to serve you.

Brutus: Then, how about some music ?

Lucius: Shall I play something, sir ?

Brutus: Yes, do. We shall be at war, soon, and I need some rest. (BRUTUS reclines with a book. LUCIUS plays music but soon falls asleep. BRUTUS looks up in surprise) So you are sleeping, little Lucius ? Yes, this is a sleepy tune. Good night, gentle knave. Where was I reading? This light is very bad. (Enter ghost of CAESAR.) I can hardly see anything. What is this ? Who are you ? Are you an angel or a devil? Stop, stop, don't come near me. Tell me who you are.

Ghost: I am your evil spirit, Brutus.

Brutus: Why do you come ?

Ghost: I come to tell you we shall meet at Phillipi.

Brutus: You will come back here ?

Ghost: I shall go to Phillipi and so will you.

Brutus: So we shall meet at Phillipi. That does not frighten me.

(Exit GHOST.)

Brutus: Stop ! don't go ! I want to talk to you. Lucius ! Lucius !

Lucius (waking) : Sir, the instrument is out of tune.

Brutus: He dreams he is playing. Wake up. Lucius.

Lucius: Sir ?

Brutus: Were you dreaming, Lucius ?

Lucius: Did I sleep ?

Brutus: Did you speak of Phillipi ?

Lucius: Phillipi ? No, sir, what do you mean ?

Brutus: Did you see nothing ?

Lucius: See ? No, nothing.

Brutus: Then it was indeed the ghost of Caesar. Go and tell Cassius to prepare his men. Hurry.

(Exit separately.)

SCENE 6

(Enter ANTHONY, OCTAVIUS and others.)

Anthony: Where is their army ?

Octavius: It is beyond that river.

Anthony: I see no river.

Octavius: There. To the south of that hill called Phillipi.

Anthony:Let us meet them at Phillipi, then.

Octavius: When ?

Anthony: We shall advance at once. Prepare your generals and lead your men quietly to the left. I will advance to the right and start the attack. After we begin, you can strike them from the side.

Octavius: Very well.

(Exit all . )

SCENE 7

(Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS.)

Cassius: Anthony's army is across the river, there.

Brutus: So close ? We must prepare to meet him at once.

Cassius: Are your men ready?

Brutus: Of course. But I cannot see your men.

Cassius: They are hidden by the trees on that hill.

Brutus: Where ?

Cassius: There. The big hill they call P1lillipi.

Brutus: Phillipi !

Cassius: Yes. Let us meet Anthony at Phillipi as soon as possible.

Brutus: No, no, impossible. We must get away from here as fast as we can. Tell the men to hurry.

Cassius: Why ? Are you mad ? ,

(Exit BRUTUS, followed by CASSIUS.)

SCENE 8

(Enter ANTHONY and OCTAVIUS.)

Octavius: Brutus sends a message.

Anthony: What is it?

Octavius: Before we fight, he wants to talk.

Anthony: He always like to talk. Tell him to come.

Octavius (shouting) : Tell them to come. (Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS)

Brutus: Words before blows.

Octavius: Yes, but not that we like words better, as you do.

Brutus: Good words are better than bad blows.

Anthony: Brutus, giving a bad blow to Caesar's heart, cried the good words, "Long live Caesar !"

Brutus: We come to fight you Anthony.

Octavius: We come to avenge my father.

Cassius: Be quiet, you foolish young man.

Anthony: So old Mr. Cassius is in a bad temper again, eh ?

Octavius: Come Anthony, do not waste time.

(Exit ANTHONY and OCTAVIUS)

SCENE 9

Brutus: If we lose this fight, we shall never meet again.

Cassius: Lose? We shall win, most noble Brutus.

Brutus: But if we lose, are you content to be led in triumph through the streets of Rome ?

Cassius: Never !

Brutus: Today must end the work started on the Ides of March. If necessary, let this be an ever-lasting goodbye.

Cassius: For ever and for ever, goodbye, Brutus. If we meet again, let us smile.

(Exit BRUTUS.)

SCENE 10

(Enter messenger.)

Messenger: Run, sir, run. Your army is broken. Your men are in retreat. You will be killed if you stay here.

Octavius (entering) : No, Cassius, do not run. I am going to take you.

Cassius: You shall never kill me, Octavius.

Octavius: I do not wish to kill you, yet, Cassius. First I will make you walk through the streets of Rome, before the crowds who loved my father, whom you killed.

Cassius: Never.

Octavius: Put down your dagger.

Cassius: Your father died on this dagger.

Octavius: Then try to kill his son.

Cassius (to messenger) : Hold this. (Makes messenger take the dagger.)

Cassius: Here is your revenge, Caesar. I kill myself with the same dagger that killed you.

(CASSIUS throws himself on the dagger, and dies, exit OCTAVIUS.)

SCENE 11

(Enter BRUTUS.)

Messenger: Hurry, sir, hurry. Your army is beaten and Anthony wishes to capture you.

Brutus: Who lies there ?

Messenger: It is Cassius.

Brutus:Who killed him ?

Messenger: He killed himself.

Brutus: Unhappy Cassius. You died like you lived, in misery. However I suppose you are right.

Messenger: Why do you say so, sir ?

Brutus: This is the revenge of Caesar. We must all die.

Messenger: No, you need not die.

Brutus: I have no reason to live. I killed my best friend. Here, hold this dagger.

Messenger: No, no.

Brutus: Hold it, and Caesar's ghost need move no more. Caesar be still, I killed you not with half so good a will.

(BRUTUS throws himself on dagger and dies. Enter ANTHONY and OCTAVIUS and others.)

Anthony: Did no one see Brutus?

Octavius:This is Cassius. I saw him kill himself.

Anthony: And this ?

Octavius: I don't know.

Anthony: It is Brutus. This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the others killed Caesar from envy, but Brutus truly believed Caesar might become a tyrant. His life was gentle, and the parts of it were mild. In Brutus, we could see both good and bad. The bad part murdered Caesar, and the good now brings death to Brutus. Yet nature may be proud of him and say, "This was a man".

Octavius: Take the bodies and bury them with due respect. The war is finished, and Caesar's murderers have been beaten. Let peace again return to Rome.

(The bodies are taken up and carried off, to the beat of a drum. All file off stage! the last figure to leave is the ghost of CAESAR.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"JULIUS CAESAR"

PLACE: Rome

TIME: 55 BC

ACTORS : 9 boys, no girls, a crowd

PEOPLE IN THE PLAY

CAESAR

ANTHONY, CAESAR's friend

BRUTUS

CASSIUS the conspirators against CAESAR

CASCA

OCTAVIUS, CAESAR's son

LUCIUS, a young boy, servant to BRUTUS

SERVANT TO ANTHONY

MESSENGER