Cinna's Easy Plays from Shakespeare 5
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Cassius:
Tell us Anthony, what are your intentions ? Are you one of us ? Can we
depend on you ?
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 |