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Announcer

Funding for APT's "Out of the Woods" is provided by Boardman Clark Law Firm, Arcadia Books, Dane Arts, Nancy A. McDaniel, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Orange Tree Imports, Wilson Creek Pottery, Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programming and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

bird squawking

bugs buzzing

light music

Announcer

This cannot be right. Did I, am I, am I? Okay, okay.

gentle music

Announcer

Uh, can you tell me if the lens is scratched or is that my glasses? Get off the camera. You gotta get off. - I know that's the camera. Son, get off the camera. - I'm about to win!

woman humming

Announcer

I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids, love 'em. Oh, I have a better idea. - Get off of me. Hey, Jimmy.

man groaning

muffled talking

Announcer

Jimmy, are you frozen? Places.

Man

I'm here, I'm here, coming. Places, everyone. This is places.

light dramatic music

Man

I really gotta pee. Oh, what's up, Marcus? How you doing? Good luck, everybody.

light music

bird squawking

Brenda

Hi, everybody. Welcome back. Thank you for joining us tonight once again. Those of you that have been with us for the last four readings on Sunday nights thank you for coming again, and for those of you that haven't, this is four of six of our "Out of the Woods" series and tonight we're reading Julius Caesar. If you haven't been able to see the plays so far, we're excited to be able to tell you that our friends at PBS Wisconsin have partnered with us and they will be streaming them on their website starting on June 5th through July 19th. So, if you want to share that idea of watching these with your friends, please do so. If you want to go back and watch them again or if you missed one please join us on PBS Wisconsin. You can binge watch if that's your thing. It's kind of exciting, they'll keep 'em up. Once we put one of 'em up we'll just keep adding the rest of them and they'll all be up until the 19th of June. I wanna do a shout out tonight. We have family, lots of family watching tonight, so I wanna make sure we say hello to Becca, Michael Broh's daughter is in Barcelona tonight watching. Hi, Becca. Very special guests tonight, Gavin's family in Guyana is watching and Melisa's family in California. So, hello to everybody and thank you for watching across the world. I need to do some shout outs and some thank yous. Julius Caesar is a big play. And our stage management team is working backstage, we call it backstage on Zoom. Jacki Singleton and Evelyn Matten, thank you for your tireless, brilliant work. You are stars, thank you so much. I also wanna thank Jake Penner and Carey Cannon, the artistic team who worked diligently doing everything to get things going and keep me going. Thank you so much. I wanna thank the artistic team. And the artistic team tonight is Stephen Brown-Fried as the director and our voice and text coach is Sara Becker who's in North Carolina right now watching and on standby for us, and Ele Matelan, who is our Foley artist, which is a new thing for us. She's a special and talented person who does Foley work, which is sound effects for stage plays and radio plays, and so she's with us tonight. You'll get to experience her work and she'll be with us during the talk back, you can ask all kinds of questions about what she does and how she does it. It's important to say thank you to our incredibly generous-- when we had to cancel our season we were moved that all of our season sponsors stayed with us and that is amazing and huge and important, and I wanna make sure we say thank you to them tonight. I'm so proud to know so many of them. Stephen and Laurel Brown Foundation, Doug and Sherry Caves, JJJ Productions, Kasieta Legal Group, Sherry and Rick Lundell, Ann and Fred Moore, Nelson-Jameson, Allison and Dale Smith, Steve Brown Apartments, the Mr. and Mrs. CJ Williams Storage Foundation and U.S. Bank. Thank you so much. I'm just gonna take a minute, I don't have good words at my disposal, certainly not adequate words, to just acknowledge where we are right now in the world. And that as I look out the window and it seems like all is right in the world, I am very clear that it is not. So, I wanna just take a second and acknowledge that a lot of people are in pain, suffering and dealing with a lot of hardship, chaos, confusion. All of us here are carrying a very heavy heart. I want to offer our hearts and our work to all of you. Hopefully, we can offer a bit of comfort and clarity perhaps, if we are ambitious to do so. And last but not least, I need to thank our artists, our core company who have worked all week in the shadow of this week, carrying this play on their shoulders with all of its, all of its violence and confusion and with such generous and brilliant talent, they are bringing this to you tonight, this reading. And I hope it pushes you to ask some very deep questions and to have some great conversations, and I look forward to the talk back afterwards. So, thank you so much everyone for being with us. The burden is carried much harder by some than others and I wanna acknowledge that. This reading would not happen without you all, and thank you so much. So, everyone enjoy tonight's reading of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Caesar will pass this way! - Hey, hey. He's coming! - Hey! He will be here. - Here they come. Yeah! - He's coming!

Man

He's just passing the-- Yes. - Hence, hence, hence! I don't wanna do it! - Home, you idle creatures, get you home! Is this a holiday?

whistling

Man

Hey, speak, what trade art thou? Why, sir, a carpenter. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on? You, sir, what trade are you?

carpenter laughing

Man

Truly, ma'am, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly.

cobbler chuckling

Man

A trade, ma'am, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience, which is indeed, ma'am, a mender of bad soles.

cobbler laughing

Man

Thou art a cobbler, art thou? Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl. But wherefore art not in thy shop today? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.

whistling

Man

Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? What tributaries follow him to Rome to grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft have you climbed up to walls and battlements, to towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops to see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew flowers in his way that comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone!

Marullus scoffs

Man

Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, pray to the gods to intermit the plague that needs must light on this ingratitude. Ah,

chuckling

Man

. See where their basest mettle be not moved. Go you down that way towards the Capitol. This way will I. Disrobe the images if you find them decked with ceremonies. May we do so? You know it is the feast of Lupercal. It is no matter. Let no images be hung with Caesar's trophies. These growing feathers plucked from Caesar's wing will make him fly an ordinary pitch. Who else would soar above the view of men and keep us all in servile fearfulness.

bells chiming

Man

Calphurnia. Peace, ho, Caesar speaks. Calphurnia. - Here, my lord. Stand you directly in Antonius' way when he doth run his course. And Antonius. - Caesar, my lord. Forget not in your speed, Antonius, to touch Calphurnia, for our elders say the barren, touched in this holy chase, shake off their sterile curse. I shall remember. When Caesar says "Do this," it is performed. Set on and leave no ceremony out.

Soothsayer

Caesar! Huh? Who calls? Bid every noise be still. Peace, yet again! Who is it in the press that calls on me? Speak, Caesar is turned to hear. Beware the ides of March! What woman is that? A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. Set her before me. Let me see her face. Woman, come from the throng. Look upon Caesar. What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again. Beware the ides of March. She is a dreamer. Let us leave her. Pass. Will you go see the order of the course? Not I. I pray you do. I am not gamesome. I do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires. I'll leave you. Brutus, I do observe you now of late. I have not from your eyes that gentleness and show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand over your friend that loves you. Cassius, be not deceived. If I have veiled my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself. Vexed I am of late with passions of some difference, conceptions only proper to myself, which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors. But let not therefore my good friends be grieved among which number, Cassius, be you one. Nor construe any further my neglect than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, forgets the shows of love to other souls. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion. By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself but by reflection, by some other things. 'Tis just. And it is very much lamented, Brutus, that you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus and groaning under this age's yoke, have wished that noble Brutus had their eyes. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me? Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear. And since you know you cannot see yourself so well as by reflection, I, your glass, will modestly discover to yourself that of yourself which you yet know not of.

crowd shouting over each other

Soothsayer

What means this shouting? I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death in the other and I will look on both indifferently; for no, let the gods so know, as I love the name of honor more than I fear death. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, as well as I do know your outward favor. Well, honor is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other folk think of this life, but for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Caesar, so were you. We both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter's cold as well as he. For once, upon a raw and gusty day, the troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me "Dar'st thou, Cassius, "now leap in with me into this angry flood and swim to yonder point." Upon the word, appareled as I was, I plunged in and bade him follow, so indeed he did. The torrent roared, and we did buffet it with lusty sinews, throwing it aside with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried "Help me, Cassius, or I sink!" I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder the old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber did I the tired Caesar. And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend her body if Caesar carelessly but nod on her. He had a fever when he was in Spain, and when the fit was on him, I did mark how he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake. Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans mark him and write his speeches in their books, "Alas," it cried "Give me some drink, Titinius." As a sick child. You gods, it doth amaze me. A man of such a feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone.

crowd shouting over each other

Woman

And rightfully to take it up! By heaven, you heard him, yes. General shout, I do believe these applauses are for some new honors that are heaped on Caesar. Man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty mice walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves. We at some time are masters of our fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Caesar, what should be in that Caesar? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name. Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well. Weigh them, it is as heavy, conjure with 'em, Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. Now, in the names of all the gods at once, upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed! Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! When went there by an age, since the great flood, but it was famed with more than with one man? When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome, that her wide walks encompassed but one man?

crowd laughing

crowd shouting over each other

Woman

Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough when there is in it but one only man. Oh, you and I have heard our parents say there lived a Brutus once that would have brooked the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous. What you would work me to, I have some aim. 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 entreat you, be any further moved. What you have said I will consider, what 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 than to recount himself a son of Rome under these hard conditions as this time is like to lay upon us. I am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much fire from Brutus. The games are done, Caesar is returning. As they pass by, pluck Caska by the sleeve, and she will, after her sour fashion, tell you what hath proceeded worthy note today. I will do so, but look, Cassius, the angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, and all the rest look like a chidden train. Caska will tell us what the matter is. Antonius. Caesar. -

Caesar clears throat

chew upon this

Let me have men about me that are fat, sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. She thinks too much. Such minds are dangerous. Fear her not, Caesar, she's not dangerous. She is a noble Roman, and well given. Would she were fatter! But I fear her not. Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the soul I should avoid so soon as that spare Cassius. She reads much, she is a great observer, and she looks quite through the deeds of men. She loves no plays, as thou dost, Antony. She hears no music, seldom she smiles, and smiles in such a sort as if she mocked herself. Such souls as she be never at heart's ease while they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be feared than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. Come to my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what thou think'st of her. Caska, Caska! You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me? Ay, Caska. Tell us what hath chanced today that Caesar looks so sad. Why, you were with him, were you not? I should not then ask Caska what had chanced. Why, there was a crown offered him, and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting. What was the second noise for? Why, for that too. They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for? Why, for that too. Was the crown offered him thrice? Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other, and at every putting-by, mine honest neighbors shouted. Who offered him the crown? Why, Antony. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Caska. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It was mere foolery, I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown, yet 'twas not a crown neither; 'twas one of these coronets, and as I told you, he put it by once. But for all that, and to my thinking, he would have fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again, then he put it by again, but to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time. He put it the third time by, and still he refused it. The rabblement hooted and clapped their chapped hands and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused the crown that it almost choked Caesar, for he swooned and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon? He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth and was speechless-- Very like he hath the falling sickness. No, Caesar hath it not, but you and I and honest Caska, we have the falling sickness. I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down. What said he when he came unto himself? Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. And I had been a soul of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried "Alas, good soul!" And forgave him with all their hearts. Oh, but there's no heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. And, after that, he came thus sad away? Ay. Did Cicero say anything? Ay, he spoke Greek. To what effect? Nay, and I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you in the face again. Both those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads. But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. Will you sup with me tonight, Caska? No, I am promised forth. Will you dine with me tomorrow? Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating. Good, I will expect you. Do so. Farewell both. What a blunt speaker is she grown to be! She was quick mettle when she went to school. So is she now in execution of any bold or noble enterprise, however she puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to her good wit, which gives men stomach to digest her words with better appetite. And so it is. For this time I will leave you. Tomorrow, if you please to speak to me, I will come home to you or, if you will, come home to me, and I will wait upon you. I will do so. Till then, think of the world. Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see thy honorable mettle may be wrought from that it is disposed. Therefore 'tis meet that noble minds keep ever with their likes, for who so firm that cannot be seduced? Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus. If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, he should not humor me. I will this night in several hands in at his windows throw, as if they came from several citizens, letters, all tending to the great opinion that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at. And after this, let Caesar seat him sure, for we will shake him, or worse days endure.

thunder booming

rain pattering

chew upon this

Good even, Caska.

Caska sighs

chew upon this

Brought you Caesar home?

Caska panting

chew upon this

Why are you breathless? And why stare you so? Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth shakes like a thing infirm? Oh, Cicero, I have seen tempests when the scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen the ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam to be exalted with the threatening clouds. But never till tonight, never till now, did I go through a tempest dropping fire. Either there is a civil strife in heaven, or else the world, too saucy with the gods, incenses them to send destruction. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? A commoner, you know him well by sight, held up his left hand, which did flame and burn like 20 torches joined, and yet his hand, not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. Against the Capitol I met a lion, who glared upon me and went surly by. When these prodigies do so conjointly meet, let us not say "These are their reasons, they are natural." For I believe they are portentous things unto the climate that they point upon. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time. But we may construe things after our fashion, clean from the purpose of the things themselves. Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow? He doth, for he did bid Mark Antony send word to you that he would be there tomorrow. Well good night then, Caska. This disturbed sky is not to walk in. Farewell, Cicero. Who's there? A Roman. Caska, by your voice. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! A very pleasing night to honest souls. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Those that have known the Earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walked about the streets, submitting me unto the perilous night, and thus unbraced, Caska, have bared my body to the thunder-stone. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the mortal part to fear and tremble when the most mighty gods by tokens send such dreadful heralds to astonish us. You are dull, Caska, and those sparks of life that should be in a Roman you do want, or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, and put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder to see the strange impatience of the heavens. But if you would consider the true cause; why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, why birds and beasts from quality and kind, why old men, fools, and children calculate, why all these things change from their ordinance, to monstrous quality, why, you shall find that the heavens hath infused them with these spirits to make them instruments of fear and warning unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Caska, name to thee a man most like this dreadful night, that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars as doth the lion in the Capitol. A man no mightier than thyself or me in personal action, yet prodigious grown, and frightening, as these strange eruptions are. 'Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius? Let it be who it is. For Romans now have strength and limbs like to their ancestors. But, woe the while, our parents' minds are dead. Indeed, they say the Senators tomorrow mean to establish Caesar as a king,

Cassius scoffs

chew upon this

And he shall wear his crown by sea and land in every place save here in Italy. I know where I will wear my dagger then. Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. Therein, you gods, you make the weak most strong. Therein, you gods, you tyrants do defeat. For life, being weary of these worldly bars, never lacks power to dismiss itself. If I know this, know all the world besides, that part of tyranny that I do bear I can shake off at pleasure. So can I. So every prisoner in their own hand bears the power to cancel their captivity. And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then? Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the Romans are but sheep. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome, what rubbish, and what offal when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as Caesar! But, oh grief, where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this before a willing prisoner, then I know my answer must be made. But I am armed and dangers are to me indifferent. You speak to Caska, and to such a one that is no fleering telltale. Hold my hand. 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 moved already some certain of the noblest-minded Romans to undergo with me an enterprise of honorable-dangerous consequence. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. 'Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait. He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? To find out you. Who's that, Metellus Cimber? No, it is Caska, one incorporate to our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna? Yes, you are. Oh, Cassius, if you could but win the noble Brutus to our party. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, and look you lay it where Brutus may find it and throw this in at his window. All this done, repair to Pompey's Porch, where you shall find us. Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? All but Metellus Cimber, and she's gone to seek you at your house. Well, I will hie and so bestow these papers as you have bade me. That done, repair to Pompey's Theater. Come, Caska, you and I will yet ere day see Brutus at his house. Three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire upon the next encounter yields him ours.

thunder booming

chew upon this

What, Lucius, ho! I cannot from the progress of the stars guess how near to day. Lucius, I say! I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. Lucius? Called you, my lord? Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. When it is lighted, come and call me here. I will, my lord. It must be by his death. And for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general, he would be crowned. How that might change his nature, there's the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, and that bears wary walking. Crown him that, and then I grant we put a sting in him that at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections have swayed more than his reasons. But 'tis a common proof that lowliness is young ambition's ladder, whereto the climber-upward turns his face. But, when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel will bear no color for the thing he is, fashion it thus that what he is, augmented, would run to these and these extremities. And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. Searching the window for a flint, I found this paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure it did not lie there when I went to bed. Get you to bed. It's not day. Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March? I know not, sir. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. I will, sir. These exhalations, whizzing in the air, give so much light that I may read by them. Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself! Shall Rome, et cetera. Speak, strike, redress!

paper crinkling

chew upon this

"Brutus, thou sleep'st, awake." Such instigations have been often dropped where I have took them up. "Shall Rome, et cetera." Thus must I piece it out, shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? My ancestors did from the streets of Rome the Tarquin drive when he would be a king. "Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated to speak and strike? Oh Rome, I make thee promise, if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hand of Brutus. Sir, March is wasted 15 days.

fist knocking

chew upon this

'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks. Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion, all the interim is like a phantasma or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments are then in council, and the state of man, like to a little kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection. Sir, 'tis your cousin Cassius at the door, who doth desire to see you. Is she alone? No, sir, there are more with her. Do you know them? No, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears, and half their faces buried in their cloaks. Okay, let 'em in. They are the faction. Oh, conspiracy. Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, when evils are most free? Oh, then, by day where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough to mask thy monstrous visage? I think we are too bold upon your rest. Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you? No, I have been up this hour, awake all night. Know I these here that come along with you? Yes, every one of them. And no one here but honors you, and every one doth wish you had but that opinion of yourself which every noble Roman bears of you. This is Trebonius. He is welcome. This, Decius. - He is welcome, too. This, Caska, this, Cinna and this, Metellus Cimber. They're all welcome. Shall I entreat a word? Here lies the east, doth not the day break here? No. Oh, pardon, ma'am, it doth, and yon gray lines that fret the clouds are messengers of day. You shall confess that you are both deceived. Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises. By the Capitol, directly here. Give me your hands all over, one by one. And let us swear our resolution. No, no, not a resolution, nor an oath. If not the face we bear, the sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse if these be motives weak, break off betimes and each of us hence to an idle bed. So let high-sighted tyranny range on till each here drop by lottery. But if these, as I am sure they do, bear fire enough to kindle cowards, then, countrymen, what need we any spur but our own cause to prick us to redress? What other bond than secret Romans that have spoke the word and will not palter? And what other oath than honesty to honesty engaged that this shall be or we will fall for it? Swear priests and cowards and men treacherous, old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls that welcome wrongs, unto bad causes swear such creatures as men doubt. But do not stain the even virtue of our enterprise, to think that or our cause or our performance did need an oath, when every drop of blood that every Roman bears, and nobly bears, is guilty of a several bastardy if they do break the smallest particle of any promise that has passed from them. Shall no one else be touched, but only Caesar? Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him a shrewd contriver, and you know, his means, if he improve them, may well stretch so far as to annoy us all. Which to prevent, let Antony and Caesar fall together. No, our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius. To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, like wrath in death and envy afterwards. For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. Let's be sacrificers, but not butchers, Cassius. We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, and in the spirit of men there is no blood. Oh, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit and not dismember Caesar! But, alas, Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully. Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. This shall make our purpose necessary and not envious, which so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be called purgers, and not murderers. And for Mark Antony, think not of him, for he can do no more than Caesar's arm when Caesar's head is off. Yet I fear him, for in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar-- Alas, good Cassius, think not of him. If he love Caesar, all that he can do is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar. And that were much he should, for he is given to sports, and wildness, and much company. There is no fear in him. Not die.

clock chiming

chew upon this

Peace, count the clock.

clock chiming

chew upon this

The clock hath sounded three. 'Tis time to part. - But it is doubtful yet whether Caesar will come forth today or no. The unaccustomed terror of this night, and the persuasion of his augurers may hold him from the Capitol today. Never fear that. If he be so resolved, I can o'ersway him, for he loves to hear that unicorns may be betrayed with trees, lions with toils, and men with flatterers. But when I tell him he hates flatterers, he says he does, being then most flattering. Let me work, for I can give his humor the true bent, and I will bring him to the Capitol. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. By the eighth hour, is that the uttermost? Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, who rated him for speaking well of Pompey. I wonder none of you have thought of him. Now, good Metellus, go along by him. He loves me well, and I have given him reasons. Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. Morning comes upon us. We'll leave you, Brutus. And, friends, disperse yourselves, but all remember what you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. Good citizens, look fresh and merrily. Let not our looks put on our purposes, but bear it, as our Roman actors do, with untired spirits and formal constancy. And so good morrow to you every one. Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter. Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber. Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies which busy care draws in the brains of men. Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. Brutus, my lord. Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now? It is not for your health thus to commit your weak condition to the raw cold morning. Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus, stole from my bed. And yesternight at supper you suddenly arose and walked about, musing and sighing, with your arms across, and when I asked you what the matter was, you stared upon me with ungentle looks. I urged you further, then you scratched your head and too impatiently stamped with your foot. Yet I insisted, yet you answered not, but with an angry wafture of your hand gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, fearing to strengthen that impatience which seemed too much enkindled, and withal hoping it was but an effect of humor, which sometime hath his hour with 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 prevailed upon your condition, I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief. I am not well in health, and that is all. Brutus is wise and were he not in health, he would embrace the means to come by it. Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. Is Brutus sick? And is it physical to walk unbraced and suck up the humors of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick? And will he steal out of his wholesome bed to dare the vile contagion of the night and tempt the unpurged and rheumatic air to add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus, you have some sick offense within your mind, which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of. And upon my knees, I charm you, by my once commended beauty,

laughs

chew upon this

by all your vows of love, and by that great vow which did incorporate and make us one, that you unfold to me, your self, your half, why you are heavy, and who here tonight hath had resort to you. For here have been some six or seven who did hide their faces even from darkness. Kneel not, gentle Portia. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus! Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, is it excepted I should know no secrets that appertain to you? Am I your self but, as it were, in sort or limitation, to keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, and talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus' harlot and not his wife. You are my true and honorable wife, as dear to me as are the ruddy drops that visit my sad heart.

Portia sighs

Brutus hushes

chew upon this

If this were true, then should I know this secret. Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em.

Portia groans

glass shatters

chew upon this

I have made strong proof of my constancy, giving myself a voluntary wound, here, in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience, and not my husband's secrets? Oh, you gods, render me worthy of this noble wife!

fist knocking

chew upon this

Portia. Hark, hark, one knocks. Portia, go in awhile, and by and by the bosom of my heart you shall partake in of all my secrets. Leave me in haste. Lucius! Lucius, Lucius, who's that knocks? Here is a sick man would speak with you. It's Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spoke of. Okay, boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?

Caius

Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. Oh, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, to wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!

Caius groaning

Caius

I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand any exploit worthy the name of honor. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, had you a healthful ear to hear it. By all the gods that Romans bow before, I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome, brave son derived from honorable loins, thou like an exorcist have conjured up my mortified spirit. Now bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible, yea, get the better of them. What's to do? A piece of work that will make sick men whole. But are not some whole that we must make sick? That must we also. What it is, my Caius, I shall unfold to thee as we are going to whom it must be done. Set on your foot, and with a heart new-fired I follow you to do I know not what, but it sufficeth that Brutus leads me on. Follow me then.

thunder booming

Caius

Nor heavens nor Earth have been at peace tonight. Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out, "Help ho, they murder Caesar!"

gong dinging

Caius

Who's within? My lord. Ah. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, and bring me their opinions of success. I will, my lord. What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house today. Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me ne'er looked but on my back. When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, yet now they fright me. There is one within, besides the things that we have heard and seen, recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. A lioness hath whelped in the streets, and graves have yawned and yielded up their dead. Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds in ranks and squadrons and right form of war, which drizzled blood upon the Capitol. Oh, Caesar, these things are beyond all use, and I do fear them. What can be avoided whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions are to the world in general as to Caesar. When beggars die there are no comets seen. The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have ever heard, it seems to me most strange that one should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.

Calphurnia gasps

Caius

What say the augurers? They would not have you to stir forth today. Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, they could not find a heart within the beast. The gods do this in shame of cowardice. Caesar should be a beast without a heart if he should stay at home today for fear. No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he. We are two lions littered in one day, and I the elder and more terrible. And Caesar shall go forth. - Alas, my lord, your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth today. Call it my fear that keeps you in the house, and not your own. We'll send Mark Antony to the Senate House, and he shall say you are not well today. Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. Mark Antony shall say I am not well, and for thy humor I will stay at home. And here's Decius, he shall tell the Senate so. Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar. I come to fetch you to the Senate House. And you are come in very happy time and to bear a greeting to the Senators and tell them that I will not come today. Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser. I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, lest I be laughed at when I tell them so. The cause is in my will. I will not come. That is enough to satisfy the Senate. Fine. But for your private satisfaction, because I love you, I will let you know. Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. She dreamt tonight that she saw my statue, which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, did run pure blood. - Oh. And many lusty Romans came smiling and did bathe their hands in it. And these does she apply for warnings and portents and evils imminent, and on her knee hath begged that I will stay at home today. Well, this dream is all amiss interpreted. It was a vision fair and fortunate. Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, in which so many smiling Romans bathed, signifies that from you great Rome shall suck reviving blood, and that great men shall press for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. This by Calphurnia's dream is signified. And this way have you well expounded it. I have, when you have heard what I can say.

And know it now

the Senate have concluded to give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock apt to be rendered, for someone to say "Break up the Senate till another time, "when Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams."

Decius chuckling

And know it now

If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, "Lo, Caesar is afraid?" How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia! I am ashamed that I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go. And look, Trebonius is come to fetch me. Good morrow, Caesar. Welcome, Trebonius. What, Brutus, are you so early stirred too? And good morrow, Caska. And Caius Ligarius, Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy as that same ague which hath made you lean. What is to clock? Caesar, 'tis strucken eight. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. See, Antony that revels long a-nights is notwithstanding up.

Antony chuckling

And know it now

Good morrow, Antony. So to most noble Caesar. Bid them prepare within. I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna, now, Metellus, and what, Trebonius, I have an hour's talk in store for you. Remember that you call on me today. Be near me that I may remember you. Caesar, I will. And so near will I be that your best friends shall wish I had been further. So, good friends, go in and taste some wine with me, and we, like friends, will straightway go together. That every like is not the same, oh, Caesar, the heart of Brutus yearns to think upon.

dramatic chamber music

And know it now

gong dinging

And know it now

Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heed of Cassius, trust not Trebonius, mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus loves thee not. Thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all of these, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, Artemidorus. If thou read this, oh Caesar, thou mayest live. If not, the fates with traitors do contrive. The ides of March are come. Ay, Caesar, but not gone. Hail, Caesar. Read this paper. Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread, at your best leisure, this his humble suit. Oh, Caesar, read mine first, for mine's a suit that touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar. What touches us ourself shall be last served. Delay not, Caesar, read it instantly. What, is the fellow mad? Sirrah, give place. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. -

whisphering

And know it now

What said Popilius Lena? He wished today our enterprise might thrive. I fear our purpose is discovered. Look how he makes to Caesar. Mark him. Caska, be sudden, for we fear prevention. Brutus, Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, for I will slay myself. Cassius, be constant. Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes, for look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus, he draws Mark Antony out of the way. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let her go and presently prefer her suit to Caesar. She is addressed. Press near and second her. Caska, you are the first that rears your hand. Are we all ready? What is now amiss that Caesar and his Senate must redress? Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat a humble heart. I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies might fire the blood of ordinary men and turn preordinance and first decree into the law of children. No, be not fond to think that Caesar bears such rebel blood that will be thawed from the true quality with that which melteth fools. I mean sweet words, low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banished. If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.

Know

Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause will he be satisfied. Is there no voice more worthy than my own to sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear for the repealing of my banished brother? I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, desiring thee that Publius Cimber may have an immediate freedom of repeal. What, Brutus? Pardon, Caesar, Caesar, pardon! As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall to beg deliverance of Publius Cimber. I could be well moved, if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the Northern Star, on whose true fixed and resting quality, there is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks; they are all fire, and every one doth shine. But there's but one in all doth hold his place. So in the world, 'tis furnished well with men, and men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive. Yet in the number I do know but one that unassailable holds on his rank, unshaked of motion, and that I am he. Let me a little show it, even in this. That I was constant Cimber should be banished and constant do remain to keep him so. Oh, Caesar. Hence, wilt thou lift up Olympus? Great Caesar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? Speak, hands, for me!

Caska grunting

Know

Ow!

all shouting

Caesar groaning

Caesar panting

Know

Et tu, Brute?

Brutus grunting

Caesar groaning

Know

Then fall, Caesar.

Caesar sighs

Know

Liberty, freedom, tyranny is dead! Run hence, pray proclaim it, cry it in the streets. Some to the common pulpits and cry out "Liberty, freedom, tyranny is dead!" Get people, Senators, be not affrighted. It's a fly not, stand still. Ambition's debt is paid. Oh, go to the pulpit, Brutus. And Cassius too. - Yeah. Where's Publius? Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's should chance upon our-- - Talk not of standing. Where is Antony? Fled to his house amazed. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run as it were doomsday. Fates, we will know your pleasures. That we shall die we know, but 'tis the time, and drawing days out, that we stand upon. Why, he that cuts off 20 years of life cuts off so many years of fearing death. Aye, grant that, and then is death a benefit. So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged his time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood. Up to the elbows and besmear our swords. And then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, and waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry "Peace, freedom, liberty!" Stoop then, and wash.

blood squishing

Know

Oh. How many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn and accents yet unknown! What, shall we forth? Ay, every one away. Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels with the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony!

Antony gasping

Know

Oh mighty Caesar, dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. I know not, gentle friends, what you intend, who else must be let blood, who else is rank. If I myself, there is no hour so fit as Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument of half that worth as those your swords made rich with the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech you, if you bear me hard, now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, fulfill your pleasure. Good oh, Antony, beg not your death of us! Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, as by our hands and this our present act you see we do, yet see you but our hands and this the bleeding witness we have done. Our hearts you see not, they are pitiful. And pity to the general wrong of Rome hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, to you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's in the disposing of new dignities. Only be patient till we have appeased the multitude, besides themselves with fear, and then we will deliver you the cause. Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, have thus proceeded. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each here render me their bloody 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.

Antony sighs

Know

Gentles all, alas,

laughs

Know

what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground that one of two bad ways you must conceit me, either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Caesar, oh, 'tis true. Oh, if then thy spirit look upon us now, shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death to see thy Antony making his peace, shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes most noble in the presence of thy corpse? Oh, pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed, brave hart, here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy death. Mark Antony. - Pardon me, Caius Cassius. The enemies of Caesar shall say this. Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. I blame you not for praising Caesar so. But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be pricked in number of our friends, or shall we on and not depend on you? Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all and love you all, upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. Or else were this a savage spectacle. Our reasons are so full of good regard that were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, you should be satisfied. That's all I seek. And am, moreover, suitor that I may produce his body to the marketplace, and in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of his funeral. Yes you shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do. Do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people may be moved by that which he will utter? By your pardon, I myself will into the pulpit first and show the reason for our Caesar's death. What Antony shall speak I will protest he speaks by leave and by permission, and that we are contented Caesar shall have all true rites and ceremonies. It shall advantage us more than do us wrong. I know not what may fall. I like it not. Mark Antony. Here, take you Caesar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, but speak all good you can devise of Caesar and say you do it by our permission, else shall you have no hand at all about his funeral. And you shall speak in the same pulpit whereto I am going, after my speech is ended. Be it so. I do desire no more. Prepare the body, then, and follow us.

Antony sighs

Know

Oh, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am meek and gentle with these butchers. Thou art the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips to beg the voice and utterance of my tongue. A curse shall light upon the limbs of men. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife shall cumber all the parts of Italy. Blood and destruction shall be so in use and dreadful objects so familiar that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quartered with the hands of war, all pity choked with custom of fell deeds. And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, with Ate by his side come hot from hell, shall in these confines with a monarch's voice cry "Havoc!" And let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men groaning for burial. You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? I do, Mark Antony. Ah, Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. He did receive his letters and is coming, and bid me say to you by word of mouth. Oh, Caesar! Ha, thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching. Is thy master coming? He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome. Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, no Rome of safety for Octavius yet. Hie hence and tell him so.

Antony stammering

Know

Yet stay awhile. Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse into the marketplace. There shall I try, in my oration, how the people take the cruel issue of these bloody men, according to the which thou shalt discourse to young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand.

Man

We will be satisfied!

Woman

Let us be satisfied!

crowd yelling

Man

The noble Brutus is ascended. You ruin us! - The noble Brutus ascends.

crowd yelling

Man

Be patient till the last. Romans.

Woman

Ah no! Countrymen, lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to my honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to you I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than yours. Ah. - Take the murderer! I don't know. - If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.

crowd laughing

Woman

Oh, my Lord.

crowd yelling over each other

Woman

Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all chattel, than that Caesar were dead, and live all freemen? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him. As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As he was valiant, I honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death, death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

Man

None, Brutus, none. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol, his glory not extenuated wherein he was worthy, nor his offenses enforced for which he suffered death. Here comes his body. No. - Oh, no. Mourned by Mark Antony, who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth, as which of you shall not?

With this I depart

that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.

Woman

Live, Brutus!

Man

Bring him with triumph home unto his house. Brutus, live! Good countrymen, let me depart alone.

woman gasping

Man

And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. I do entreat you, not a soul depart, save I alone, till Antony have spoke. Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony!

man scoffs

Man

For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.

Woman

What does he say of Brutus?

Man

He says for Brutus' sake he finds himself beholding to us all.

Woman

Ah!

Man

'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.

Woman

This Caesar was a tyrant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that we do lives after us, the good is oft interred with our bones. So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious. Aye. - Aye. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answered it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, for Brutus is an honorable man, so are they all, all honorable souls, come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me, but Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man.

Man

Aye. But he hath brought many captives home to Rome, whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, but here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, and not without cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? Oh, judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, and we have lost all reason! Oh. Ah. Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come back to me.

Woman

Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

Man

Marked you his words? He would not take the crown. Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

Woman

Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping. But yesterday the word of Caesar might have stood against the world. Now lies he there, and none so poor to do him reverence. Oh, masters, if I were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong. Who, you all know, are honorable. I will not do them wrong. I rather choose to wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, than I will wrong such honorable names. But here is a parchment with the seal of Caesar. I found it in his closet. 'Tis his will.

man gasps

Woman

Let but the commons hear this testament, which, pardon me, I do not mean to read, and they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds. We'll hear that will.

Man

Read it, Mark Antony. Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but human. And, being such, hearing the will of Caesar, it will inflame you, it will make you mad. 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs, for if you should, oh, what would come of it? Hm? - Read the will! Let's hear it, Antony. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? - Aye. I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honorable souls whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it. They were traitors.

Woman

They were villains, murderers. The will, the will! - Read the will. Do it! - Read the will. You will compel me, then, to read the will? Aye. - Aye. Aye - Come hither, aye. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle. I remember the first time ever I saw Caesar put it on. 'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent, that day he overcame the Nervii. Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Caska made. Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed, and as he plucked his cursed steel away, mark how the blood of Caesar followed it, as if rushing out of doors to be resolved if Brutus so unkindly knocked or no. For as you know, Brutus was Caesar's angel. Judge, oh you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart, and in his mantle, muffling up his face, even at the base of Pompey's statue, which all the while ran with blood, great Caesar fell. Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I and you and all of us fell down, whilst bloody treason flourished over us.

woman crying

Woman

Oh, oh, now you weep, and I perceive you feel the dint of pity. These are gracious drops. Oh, kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here, here is himself, marred as you see with traitors.

Man

Piteous spectacle!

Woman

Oh, noble Caesar!

Man

We will be revenged. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up to such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honorable. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts. I am no orator, as Brutus is, but as you know me all, a plain blunt man that loved my friends, my friend, and that they know full well that gave me public leave to speak of him. I tell you that which you yourselves do know, show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, and bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, and Brutus Antony, there were an Antony would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue in every wound of Caesar that should move the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny! We'll mutiny. We'll burn the house of Brutus. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? You have forgot the will I told you of.

Woman

Most true.

Man

Let's stay and hear the will.

Woman

Yeah! To every Roman citizen he gives, to every several one, 75 drachmas.

crowd gasping

Woman

Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, his private arbors, and new-planted orchards, on this side Tiber.

woman gasps

Woman

He hath left them you and to your heirs forever. Ah! Here was a Caesar!

man groaning

Woman

When comes such another? Never, never! - Come, away.

Man

Pluck down benches, forms, windows, anything Kill the traitors. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt. How now, fellow? Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Where is he? He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house. And thither will I straight to visit him. I heard him say Brutus and Cassius are rid like madmen through the streets of Rome. Belike they had some notice of the people, how I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius. I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar, and things unluckily charge my fantasy. I have no will to wander forth the doors, yet something leads me forth. What is your name?

Woman

Whither are you going?

Man

Where do you dwell? Answer each of us directly. Ay, and briefly. Ay, and wisely.

Woman

Ay, and truly, you were best. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Then to answer every one directly and briefly,

wisely and truly

wisely I say, I am going to Caesar's funeral.

fist thudding

wisely and truly

As a friend or an enemy? As a friend.

Man

For your dwelling-briefly. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

Woman

Your name, ma'am, truly. Truly, my name is Cinna. Cinna? - Tear her to pieces! She's a conspirator. Oh, I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet!

Man

Tear her for hers bad verses, Tear her for her bad verses! - I am not! I am not Cinna the conspirator. It is no matter, her name's Cinna. Pluck but her name out of her heart, and turn her going.

Woman

Tear her, tear her!

thudding

Cinna groaning

light dramatic music

Woman

These many, then, shall die, their names are writ. Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus? I do consent. Mark him down, Antony. Upon condition Publius shall not live, who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. He shall not live. Look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house. Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine how to cut off some charge in legacies. What, shall I find you here? Or here, or at the Capitol. This is a slight, unmeritable man, meet to be sent on errands. Is he fit the threefold world divided, he should stand one of the three to share it? So you thought him and took his voice who should be marked to die. Octavius, I've seen more days than you, and though we lay these honors on this man to ease ourselves of diverse slanderous loads, he shall but bear them as the ass bears gold; Either led or driven, as we point the way, and having brought our treasure where we will, then take we down his load and turn him off to shake his ears and graze in the commons. You may do your will, but he's a tried and valiant soldier. So is my horse, Octavius, and for that I do appoint him store of provender. And now, Octavius, listen great things. Brutus and Cassius are levying powers. We must make headway. Therefore let our alliance be combined, our best friends made, our means stretched and let us presently go sit in council. Let us do so, for we are at the stake and bayed about with many enemies, and some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, millions of mischiefs.

drums pounding, feet marching

Woman

Stand ho! Stand ho! Give the word, ho, and stand! What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near? She is at hand, and Pindarus is come to do you salutation from his general. Sir. - He greets me well. Your general, Pindarus, in her own change or by ill officers hath given me some worthy cause to wish things done undone, but if she be at hand I shall be satisfied. A word, Lucilius. How she received you. Let me be resolved. With courtesy and respect enough, but not with such familiar instances nor with such free and friendly conference as she hath used of old. Thou hast described a hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, when love begins to sicken and decay it useth an enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith, but hollow minds, like horses hot at hand, make gallant show and promise of their mettle, but when they should endure the bloody spur, they fall their crests and like deceitful jades, sink in the trial.

gravel crunching

Woman

Hark, she is arrived. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong!

Brutus gasps

Woman

Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies? If not so, how should I wrong a friend? That you have wronged me doth appear in this. You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella for taking bribes here of the Sardians, wherein my letters, praying on his side because I knew the man, were slighted off. You wronged yourself to write in such a case. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm. To sell and mart your offices for gold to undeservers. I an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speaks this, or by the gods, this speech were else your last. The name of Cassius honors this corruption, and chastisement doth therefore hide its head. Chastisement? - Remember March? The ides of March, remember. Did not great Julius bleed for justice sake? What villain touched his body that did stab and not for justice? What, shall one of us that struck the foremost man of all this world but for supporting robbers, shall we now contaminate our fingers with base bribes? And sell the mighty space of our large honors for so much trash as may be grasped thus? Good god, I had rather be a dog and bay the moon than such a Roman. Brutus, bait not me. I'll not endure it. You forget yourself to hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, abler than yourself to make conditions. Yeah, go to that you are not, Cassius. I am. - I say you're not. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself. Have mind upon your health. Tempt me no farther. Away slight thing! Is't possible? Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madwoman stares? Oh, you gods, you gods, must I endure all this? All this, ay, more. Fret till your proud heart break. Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch under your testy humor? By the gods, you shall digest the venom of your 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. Is't come to this? You say you are a better soldier. Let it appear so, make your vaunting true, it shall please me well. For mine own part, I shall be glad when I find some noble friends. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus. Did I say better? If you did, I care not. Oh, when Caesar lived he durst not thus have moved me.

Brutus laughing

Woman

Peace, peace! You durst not so have tempted him. I durst not? - No. What? Durst not tempt him? For your life you durst not. Do not presume too much upon my love. I may do that I shall be sorry for. You have done that you should be sorry for! There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, for I am armed so strong in honesty that they pass by me as an idle wind, which I respect not. I did send to you for certain sums of gold, which you denied me, for I can raise no money by vile means. By heaven, I had rather coin my heart and drop my blood for drachmas than to wring from the hard hands of peasants their vile trash by any indirection. I did send to you for gold to pay my legions, which you denied me. Was this done like Cassius? Should I have answered Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous to lock such rascal counters from his friends, be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, dash him to pieces! I denied you not. But you did. - I did not. He was but a fool that brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart. A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, but Brutus makes mine greater than they are. I do not, till you practice them on me. You love me not. I do not like your faults. A friendly eye could never see such faults. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear as huge as high Olympus.

Cassius yelling

Woman

Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come! Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, for Cassius is aweary of the world. Hated by one she loves, braved by her brother, checked like a bondman, all her faults observed, set in a notebook, learned and conned by rote to cast into my teeth. Oh, I could weep my spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger and here my naked breast, within, a heart dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold. If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth. I that denied thee gold will give my heart. Strike as thou didst at Caesar, for I know when thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better than ever thou lovedst Cassius. Sheathe your dagger. Be angry when you will, it shall have scope. Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor. Oh, Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb that carries anger as the flint bears fire, who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark and straight is cold again. Hath Cassius lived to be but mirth and laughter to her Brutus when grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth her? When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. My, my heart too.

Cassius gasps

Woman

What's the matter? Brutus! - What's the matter? Have not you love enough to bear with me when that rash humor which my mother gave me makes me forgetful?

Brutus chuckling

Woman

Yes, yes, Cassius, and from henceforth when you are over-earnest with your Brutus, he'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. Lucilius, Titinius, bid the commanders, prepare to lodge their companies tonight. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you immediately to us. Lucius, a bowl of wine. I did not think you could have been so angry. Oh, Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Of your philosophy you make no use if you give place to accidental evils. Ah, no man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. Huh, Portia? She is dead. How 'scaped I killing when I crossed you so? Upon what sickness? Impatient of my absence, and grief that young Octavius and Mark Antony have made themselves so strong, for that with her death those tidings came, too. With this she fell distract and her attendants absent, swallowed fire.

Cassius gasps

Woman

And died so? Even so. Oh, you immortal gods! Let's speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. Fill, Lucius, till the wine ov' swell the cup. With this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. Ah, welcome, good Messala. Come in, Titinius. Now come, so sit we close about this taper here, and call in question our necessities. Portia, art thou gone? No more, no more of that, I pray you. Messala, I have here received letters from young Octavius and Mark Antony that they are come down upon us with a mighty power, and bearing their expedition toward Philippi. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. Mm-hmm and with what addition? That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus have put to death a hundred senators. Huh, therein our letters do not well agree. Mine speak of 70 senators that died by their proscriptions, Cicero being one. Cicero one? Cicero is dead, and by that order of proscription. Well, to our work alive. Now, what do you think of marching to Philippi presently? I do not think it good. Your reason?

This it is

'Tis better that the enemy seek us, so shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, doing himself offense, whilst we, lying still, are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. Mm-hmm, good reasons must of force give place to better. The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground do stand but in a forced affection, for they did grudge us contribution. The enemy, marching along by them, by them shall make a fuller number up, come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged, from which advantage shall we cut him off if at Philippi we do face him there, these people at our back. Hear me, good brother. Our legions are brim full, our cause is ripe. The enemy increaseth every day. We are at the height and ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their lives are bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves or lose our ventures. Then, with your will, go on. We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. Good. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, and nature must obey necessity, which we will combat with a little rest. There is no more to say. No more. Good night. Early tomorrow will we rise and hence. Lucius, my gown. Oh, my dear brother. This was an ill beginning of the night.

Brutus chuckling

This it is

Never come such division 'tween our souls! Let it not, Brutus. - Yeah, everything is well. Good night, my lord. Good night, dear heart.

Lucius yawning

Brutus clears throat

This it is

Well, give me the gown. Ah, here. Where is thy instrument? Here in the tent. What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art overwatched. Ha, hey look, look, Lucius, here's the book I sought so. I had put it in the pocket of my gown. I was sure your Lordship did not give it me. Bear with me, boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile to play thy instrument a strain or two? Ay, my lord, an't please you. It does, my boy.

gentle guitar music

Brutus humming

This it is

Gentle knave, good night. Hm. Let me see, let me see if not the leaf be turned down where I left reading? Ah, here it is. How ill this taper burns.

ghost deeply breathing

book thudding

Brutus gasping

This it is

Who comes here? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, that mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Why com'st thou? To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Well, then I shall see thee again? Ay, at Philippi. Why then, I will see thee at Philippi, then. Boy, Lucius! What, my lord? - Lucius. Did you see anything? No, nothing, my lord.

Brutus sighs

This it is

Go and commend me to my cousin Cassius. Bid her set on her powers betimes before, and I will follow. It shall be done, my lord.

soldiers marching

This it is

Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. You said the enemy would not come down but keep the hills and upper regions. It proves not so, their battles are at hand. They mean to warn us at Philippi here, answering before we do demand of them. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know wherefore they do it. They could be content to visit other places, and come down with fearful bravery, thinking by this face to fasten in our thoughts that they have courage, but 'tis not so.

Man

Prepare you, generals. The enemy comes on in gallant show. Octavius, lead your battle softly on upon the left hand of the even field. Upon the right hand, I keep thou the left. Why do you cross me in this exigent? I do not cross you, but I will do so.

soldiers marching

Man

Words before blows, is it so, countrymen? Not that we love words better, as you do. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words. Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying "Long live, hail, Caesar!" Antony, the posture of your blows are yet unknown, but for your words, they rob the Hybla bees and leave them honeyless. Not stingless too. Oh yes, and soundless too, for you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, and very wisely threat before you sting. Villains, you did not so when your vile daggers hacked one another in the sides of Caesar. You showed your teeth like apes and fawned like hounds whilst damned Caska, like a cur, behind struck Caesar on the neck. Oh, you flatterers! Flatterers?

scoffs

Man

Now, Brutus, thank yourself! This tongue had not offended so today if Cassius might have ruled. -

yelling

Man

Come, come, the cause! Look, I draw a sword against conspirators. When think you that sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds be well avenged. Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. If you dare fight today, come to the field. If not, when you have stomachs. Ho, Lucilius. Hark, a word with you. My lord? Titinius. What says my general? Titinius... This is my birthday, on this very day was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Titinius. Be thou my witness that against my will as Pompey was, am I compelled to set upon one battle all our liberties. Coming from Sardis, on our former banner two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched, gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands. This morning are they fled away and gone, and in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites fly o'er our heads and downward look on us as we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem a canopy most fatal, under which our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. Believe not so. I but believe it partly, for I am fresh of spirit and resolved to meet all perils very constantly. Even so, Lucilius. Now, most noble Brutus,

Brutus groans

Man

the gods today stand friendly that we may, lovers of peace, lead on our days to age. But since the affairs of war rest still uncertain, let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this the very last time we shall speak together? What are you then determined to do? Even by the rule of that philosophy by which I did blame Cato for the death which he did give himself, I know not how, but I do find it cowardly and vile, for fear of what might be. To prevent the time of life, arming myself with patience to stay the providence of some high powers that govern us all below. Then, if we lose this battle, you are contented to be led in triumph through the streets of Rome? No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman, that ever Brutus will go bound to Rome. He bears too great a mind. But this same day must end that work the ides of March begun. And whether we shall meet again, I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take. Forever and forever farewell, Cassius. If we do meet again, we shall smile. If not, why then this parting was well made. Forever and forever farewell, Brutus. If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed. If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. Well then, lead on. Oh, that we two might know the end of this day's business ere it come! But sufficeth that the day will end, and then the end is known. Come ho, away!

soldiers yelling

weapons clanking

Man

Oh, look, Titinius, look, the cowards fly! Oh, Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, who, having some advantage on Octavius, took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil, whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. Fly further off, for life, fly further off! Mark Antony is in your tents, e'en now. Fly therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius, are those my tents where I perceive the fire? They are. Titinius, if thou lovest me, mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him till he have brought thee up to yonder troops and here again, that I may rest assured whether yond troops are friend or enemy. I will be here again even with a thought. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill. Regard Titinius and tell me what thou not'st about the field. - Aye.

Cassius gasping

Man

This day I breathed first. Time is come round, and where I did begin, there shall I end. My life is run its compass.

Sirrah groaning

Man

Sirrah, what news? Oh, Cassius! - What news?

Sirrah

Titinius is enclosed round about with horsemen that make to her on the spur, yet she spurs on. Oh, now they are almost on her. She's ta'en. And hark, they shout for joy. Come down, behold no more. Coward that I am to live so long to see my best friend ta'en before my face! Come hither, Sirrah. In Parthia did I take thee prisoner, and then I swore thee, saving of thy life, that whatsoever I did bid thee do thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath. And with this sword that ran through Caesar's bowels, search thou this bosom. Stand not to answer. Here, take thou the hilts! And, when my face is covered, as 'tis now, guide thou the sword.

Sirrah grunts

Cassius gasps

Sirrah panting

Sirrah

Oh, Cassius! Far from this country Pindarus shall run, where never Roman shall take note of him. It is but change, Titinius, for Octavius is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, as Cassius' legions are by Antony. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. Where did you leave her? All disconsolate, with Pindarus. Is not that she? She lies not like the living.

Titinius gasping

Sirrah

Oh, my heart! Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. Oh, Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet. Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords into our own proper entrails. The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone. Clouds, dews, and dangers come. Our deeds are done. The last of all the Romans, fare thee well. Friends, I owe more tears to this dear friend than you shall see me pay. I shall find a time, Cassius, I shall find a time. Lucilius, come. Let us to the field, 'tis three o'clock, and Romans, yet ere night we shall try fortune in a second fight.

crowd yelling over each other

Lucilius

I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I! Brutus, my country's friend! Know me for Brutus.

Man

Yield, or thou diest.

Lucilius

Only I yield to die. There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight. Kill Brutus and be honored in his death.

Man

We must not, a noble prisoner! Room, ho! Tell Antony Brutus is ta'en. I'll tell the news, here comes the General. Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. Where is he? Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough. I dare assure you that no enemy shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive or dead, he will be found like Brutus, like himself. This is not Brutus, friends, 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 than enemies. Go on, and see whe'er Brutus be alive or dead, and bring us word unto Octavius' tent how everything hath chanced. Come, come poor friends, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. Statilius showed the torchlight, but, my lord, he came not back. He is or ta'en or slain. Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word, it is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world. Peace, then, no words. I'll rather kill myself. Hark thee, Dardanius. Shall I do such a deed? Oh, Dardanius! Oh, Clitus! What ill request did Brutus make to thee? To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, that it runs over even at his eyes. Come hither, good Volumnius. Volumnius, list a word. What says my lord? Why this, Volumnius. The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me two several times by night, at Sardis once, and this last night here in Philippi fields. I know my hour is come. Not so, my lord. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes. Our enemies have beat us to the pit. It is more worthy to leap in ourselves than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, thou know'st that we two went to school together. And even for that our love of old, I prithee, hold thou my sword hilts whilst I run on it. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. Fly, fly, my lord! There is no tarrying here. Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius. Lucius, thou hast been all this while asleep. Farewell to thee, too, Lucius. Countrymen, my heart doth joy yet, for that in all my life I found no person but they were true to me. I shall have glory by this losing day more than Octavius and Mark Antony by this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once, for Brutus' tongue hath almost ended his life's history. Night hangs upon mine eyes, my bones would rest, that have but labored to attain this hour. Fly, my lord, fly! Hence, I will follow. I will follow. Lucius, stay thou by thy lord. Thou art a fellow of good respect, Lucius. Thy life hath had some smack of honor in it. So hold, then, my sword, And turn away thy face while I do run on it. Wilt thou, Lucius? Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. Farewell, good Lucius.

Brutus groaning

Man

Caesar, now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will. What man is that? My master's man. Lucius, where is thy master? Free from the bondage you are in, Messala. The conquerors can but make a fire of him, for Brutus only overcame himself, and no man else hath honor by his death. How died my master, Lucius? I held the sword, and he did run on it. This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators save only did that they did in envy of great Caesar. He only in a general honest thought and common good to all made one of them. His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world "This was a man." According to his virtue, let us use him with all respect and rites of burial. Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie, most like a soldier, ordered honorably. So call the field to rest, and let's away to part the glories of this happy day.

light dramatic music

Brenda applauding

Brenda

Come on, where is everybody? Hey, Tim. Good job, you guys! Good job, you guys. Good job, you guys. Thank you. Is everybody in? Is everybody in? They're coming, Bren. Hi, guys. Unmute yourself, will ya? Hi, guys. - Hi. Hi, B. - Let in. You got it. - Thank you. Thank you, guys. Really beautiful. Is Stephen in?

Stephen

Yeah, I'm here.

Hey. - Brenda

Hi, hi, Stephen. Thank you, thank you so much.

all applauding

Hey. - Brenda

Thank you for your work. Ele's called Foley. Hi, Ele, how are you?

Ele

Good, how are you? Good, thank you, everybody. Ah, we have some questions. Carey, you wanna start out with some questions? How's everybody doing, we okay? Thanks. Sara Becker, you look like you're a 1940s starlet.

all chuckling

Ele

Someone in our chat said. Carey, is there any questions out there?

Carey

Yeah, we started early with a question for Ele about the tools that she used as a Foley artist from Sherry Lundell.

Brenda

So, Ele, you wanna talk a little bit about what you do? Because it's really unusual for us and we've never experienced your work before. So, do you wanna talk a little about what it is that you're doing back there behind the scenes?

Ele

Sure, so, the basic definition would be that Foley is the practical implementation of sound effects. We take that term from film. It's named after a practitioner from the 1920s that worked at Universal Studios named Jack Foley. Mm-hmm. - And he was originally a film director, but in 1928, that was when the first talkies started happening and he kinda got drafted into service because before he worked at Universal, he was a radio man. Uh huh. - And so, we get a lot of relationship crossover between the disciplines in film and in radio before that, and radio was pulling from the same sound palette in vaudeville and the silents and in commedia further and further down the line. So, a couple of the tools that I have that are unique to this particular production. I'm not sure if you can see it right now, but this is my marching machine. This is what we were using for the military sounds in act three when we go to war. And you walk it back and forth like so.

instrument thudding

Brenda laughing

Brenda

That's amazing. - Yeah. Did you make that or did you?

Ele

I did not, I had this commissioned. I am crafty, but I am not handy.

all laughing

Ele

And just like everything else and this is a new discipline for all us, working on Zoom, where you figure out a lot of what the opportunities are and the liabilities are in this craft based on what kind of space you have. So, it's very popular in Foley to have pits that have different textiles in them that you can use for different kinds of footsteps. Oh, yeah. As the talent has seen already, one of the ways that I was allowing folks to walk through the battlefield was with this bead ball.

bead ball crunching

Ele

Sounds of footsteps because having gravel pits in my third floor walk-up in Chicago probably wasn't going to work. Right. - But another--

Brenda

So, what's the sound that you use to like, at the end of the act when they were tearing Cinna apart. What was that sound?

Ele

That is a super combo, the viscous beating. That included, but was not limited to, let's see... A boxing glove for the body blows.

glove thudding

Ele

And we also used a lot of vegetables in tonight's show. So,

when-- - Brenda

This is surreal. This is so surreal.

It was vegan. - Ele

Yes, there you go.

Brenda

Is that celery?

Ele

This is celery.

celery crunching

Ele

Am I ruining vegetables for you?

Brenda

That's amazing.

Ele

Any of the gore effects we use a soaked chamois cloth. This is one of the mainstays in any violence design in film, radio or in video games these days.

cloth squishing

Brenda

Okay, that's disgusting.

Thank you. - Brenda

Thank you so much.

Ele

I do wanna steal-- a second for a story because the thunder we're using in act one for the storm.

tube rumbling

Ele

This is a thunder tube and it's a fairly recent adaptation for this medium and unique to, the story as I was saying about everything kind of growing off of each other and everyone being magpies and stealing from history. Uh huh. - Back in Shakespeare's day, thunder was probably most often created through the sounds of either a rolling cart or a drum. Now, in 1709, there was a playwright named John Dennis who wrote a play no one liked. What they did like was the way he created thunder for this production, which was a thin metal sheet.

That was the original-- - Brenda

Oh, yeah, yeah, right. We've seen that, yeah.

Ele

There you go and so, when it was shortly co-opted for a production of "Macbeth" nearby him, that is where we get the expression stealing my thunder.

Brenda

Oh, wow!

Ele

Yes!

Brenda

Fantastic. - Boom! All right, well, okay. You could talk all night, I have no doubt you have more interesting stories.

So we probably will be back-- - Nate

She loved that.

So much. - Brenda

We loved that story.

all laughing

So much. - Brenda

Thank you so much, Ele, it's amazing. Thank you. Carey, talk to me.

Carey

Yep, our own Jennifer Vosters would like to know what were some of the decisions and considerations, Stephen, that you made to help adapt this story to this medium?

Stephen

Well, I mean, a lot of them were made easy for me because of this incredible company and these guys, you know, over the course of this reading series have grown to know the ins and outs of this medium so well, that it was just amazing working with them this past week because they know what can work in different places or not. I think one of the things that was unique to this play is that crowds are a big part of "Julius Caesar," and figuring out how to handle the crowd scenes I think was one of the big kind of puzzles of this. And so, as you noticed there were many places where people were doing things with their videos turned off. I think, you know, the play has, Carey, you can chime in. How many named roles are in this play? It's like well over 45, right?

Carey

Oh, good lord, I'd have to lean on Sara Becker, who, yeah, there's a lotta folks.

Brenda

I think it's 50, is it 54? I don't know, that number stuck with me.

Stephen

Yeah, I mean it's a lot of people and they all have confusing Roman names and so, figuring out how to make this magnificent company that's not like 54 people able to tell the story involved sometimes figuring out, oh, well, we can do this with the camera turned off. And oh, maybe in this part where we would see a group, we don't need to see the full group. I think that was a lot of what the thinking had to do with.

Brenda

And also, I mean, your cutting is, I mean this is a really lean cut. I mean and when you decided to cut, when we talked about you doing it for this format, I wanted to know like what were you trying to preserve? Like what was the most important through line you were trying to preserve?

Stephen

I think you know, I mean to me the spine of the play is really Brutus' journey as this individual who is desperately trying to uphold nobility while figuring out what to do in the face of daunting circumstances for his country. So, I think that through line was central and then for me it's always keeping the story clear. What's hard when you have to cut a Shakespeare play heavily is oftentimes all the poetry goes away, so you wanna try to preserve that. Mm-hmm. - I think that the most painful cut, I mean maybe, I don't know, Kelsey, who did such a magnificent job as Titinius, in the uncut version has a considerably worse end than she did in this play. Right, right. There's a big scene where in grief over Cassius' end, Titinius ends her life and as I, we talked and I'll share that story with, the Joe Dowling story that actually a friend of mine who was directing "Julius Caesar" went to discuss it with the great director Joe Dowling, who had apparently directly the play like six times in his career, was an expert on "Julius Caesar." And he said to Joe, like Joe, what's your guidance for "Julius Caesar?" And what all apparently that Joe Dowling said to him was, get to the tent scene, which is the big final fight between Brutus and Cassius, make the tent scene as good as it can possibly be and then get the play ended as quickly as you possibly can after that. And so, I sort of followed that guidance and so Titinius' big suicide scene unfortunately had to go, but it's a wonderful scene that I encourage you all to read.

Kelsey

I acted it out in my living room.

all laughing

Carey

There was a question about what everybody's favorite passages are and why.

Brenda

Oh, anyone wanna take that one? I mean, I know some of you are very much in love with some of this poetry and had a lot of feelings about what you wanted to do. Anybody wanna talk a little about what passages are sticking with you tonight? Are you in your mind? Brian?

Brian

Um, the sheer arrogance of Caesar in the "I am constant as the Northern Star." The fact that everything else is just little lights, little flashing lights below him, that he is the one. I love it for its purity, but the arrogance of it, it drips with it, so I'd think that's one of my favorite passages because it's so pure.

Brenda

Anybody, anybody? Gavin, you have anything in this play? Any parts of your pieces that you were speaking tonight, anything in there that you liked? I know you like Mark Antony.

Gavin

Pardon, I don't know, I really don't have an answer right now, I'm kinda whirling.

Brenda

I hear you, I hear you.

Yeah. - Brenda

It was a big night. It feels a little bit like everything I was hearing tonight was going through the lens of what was going on. I mean, everything I was hearing. I couldn't listen to Brian's character without thinking about the leadership. I couldn't listen to the crowd scene without worrying about our futures. I couldn't listen to what is your line about with these butchers? "Be gentle with these butchers."

I just feel as-- - Melisa

Yeah, so beautiful.

Brenda

It feels so exhausting to even venture watching, let alone doing, so I admire your tenacity tonight. I think one-- - Yes, Brian?

Stephen

I think one of the crazy things for me is that I find different passages of the play erupt based on the moment that we're listening to the play. Yep, yep. - And like, until, it's so crazy, I mean it's so obviously, like until watching it tonight, the fact that the play opens with two people breaking up a public demonstration. Yes. - I hadn't like stopped and thought like, oh, I'm watching two people breaking up a public demonstration, what is that about? You know, and-- - Yeah. It's just crazy how where we are as a society so affects what we hear in this play.

Brenda

Yeah, I feel I wish it had, it doesn't have any conclusions. You wish there was clarity every day, right? You wish you had some clarity, yeah?

Colleen

Exciting part of the two parts in the many probably more than that, but two points in there where Brutus wrestled with knowing the future--

Brenda

You're cutting out.

Colleen

One time, I'm cutting out?

Brenda

Yeah, a lot. But,

of course. - Brenda

Go ahead, try again.

Colleen

Hold on. I'll speak so slowly.

Brenda

There you go.

Colleen

There are two points where Brutus is wrestling with an unknown future and I really, you know, one time he's alone and he's thinking about Caesar and he's saying, what Caesar might be. Should we kill him because what he might be? And I think that's really interesting. I think Brutus is a really truly honorable man, and he's trying to decide what to do now because of something that might happen when he talks about you know, kill the egg, kill the serpent in the egg. And then much later when a great battle has already happened I love that he says, "If only we could know "what the end of the day will bring, "but we never know "and the end of the day will come."

Brenda

Yeah,

it will come. - Colleen

I just find that so, to be so human and so powerless and he still has to act knowing that he's really powerless to know the future, he has to make decisions now.

Brenda

Yeah, it's interesting. I had some, go ahead, Carey, there was some--

Carey

Yeah, well I just wanted to share, Alys Dickerson shared a line that, one of Antony's lines that is "Friends, I'm with you all and love you all, "upon this hope that you shall give me reasons." And I think that that probably resonated with us. There's also-- Jan Gist talked about in this medium how we work on partnering dialog. How we are able to listen to each other when we're not in the space with each other. Is there, it's all different, right? I mean... Yes. Nobody has anything about that?

all laughing

Carey

I'm interested in Marco Lama.

Brenda

I'm sorry, no, I'm sorry.

Carey

Great to see Marco back with you.

Brenda

Everybody froze on my screen so, I apologize.

Carey

Oh, I'm sorry, I was waiting. Please introduce--

Brenda

Everybody froze, sorry.

Carey

Marco Lama is not known to some of our audience.

So we'd like people-- - Marco

Hello.

Carey

To say hi to Marco whose been--

Brian

They should know Marco. - Yes!

Carey

We'd like to know whether Marco enjoyed working in the Zoom? Who played Lucio? Marco, are you enjoying yourself? It's great to see Marco back with you. We've lots of Marco fans in the audience tonight.

all applauding

Carey

Yeah!

Nate

Go, Marco.

Carey

We join you in our admiration.

Stephen

On the question of partnering and the timing in this medium, I'm not sure if the audience is aware that many of the actors when they're playing scenes with other actors can't actually see the person that they're playing the scene with depending on the configuration of your screen and so, oftentimes the actors are having to base everything they're doing on what they're hearing and the timing said around the words and play almost as though they had a blindfold on.

Brenda

Yeah, how is that? How is that?

Colleen

Weird.

Brenda

Jimmy DeVita, how is that? Yeah, put your mic on. Can't hear you. I go up there and you're like in the corner of this room. If they could see the room you're in, it's such a hovel, it's so crazy that you're acting in that corner of that room. It looks like an attic up there.

Jim

It is. What was the question, I'm sorry.

Brenda

How is it when you can't see anyone? How is it when you can't see anyone?

Jim

Um, no, it just makes, I won't go into it, it just makes me appreciate my friends and my fellow actors because I know whatever success I've had has been from other people. I respond to other actor's great choices and I do stuff and it looks like that's my choice, but it's really from listening to my partners. And Colleen, I've worked with everybody, but when people do things to me and I respond as the actor and not having that, is like just me, and I just realize how much I rely on my fellow actors. And how much they are a part of everything I've ever done. So, this is of its own beast. It's something, it's a nice in that moment, it's a stopgap I hope, obviously, but I miss my fellow actors a lot. But I think, you know, this is my first real opening. I had a small part in "Love's Labors," so this is the first time. I almost started to really listen a couple of times. It's fun when you can, I don't know if you know, but like we're doing stuff like this, I'm scrolling through here and I'm picking up a spoon over here that I'm gonna need a knife and then I'm clicking on and I'm just not good enough yet to truly listen to my fellow actors all the time. I think if I had another two weeks and this became second nature, maybe, but. So, it's interesting. It's challenging.

Carey

Brian, there's a question about what it's like to revisit this role that you played for us on stage.

Brian

Well, the production that we did many years ago could not be more different than the one we just did tonight. Because, whoa, there are fireworks going on outside my house, I hope. I hope those are fireworks; I don't know.

Brenda

Wow, do you need to go? Feel free.

popping

Brenda

Yeah, I think you should go Bri and just--

Brian

Okay, I'm gonna leave for a moment.

Brenda

Yeah.

Carey

What are you gonna do the next season? There is a question and did you do it now because you fear the immediacy might be gone after the election?

Brenda

Yeah, I absolutely. We chose this play because of, you know, we think and talk about leadership in the time of an election year you say, okay, let's examine what power and what leadership and what everyone says about leadership, which is that it corrupts and it seems as if the Greeks were on to something, right? And I feel like we wanted to talk about what happens when you feel like the country is shifting and changing? And there's no central integrity or core to it anymore. And I feel like that's what this play talks about, but it doesn't give us any answers. There's no clear villains and there's no clear, I don't know, saviors and it feels really unsatisfying but incredibly human. I mean, incredibly human and I wanted us to examine the fact that I think that it's extraordinary actors who can make us sit and contemplate and in storytelling like this, the kind of distance, the safety of sitting in our homes and listening to this play right now. Like, sitting in our homes and having you guys do this to us, with us and watch it, we get to contemplate these ideas safe, you know? There's no real consequences. So, that is a real privilege and I just hope that the pit in my stomach makes me think harder and longer and make some decisions and some choices about the way to move through the world. And that's what we were hoping when we did this play that it would make people stop and think. And then when we weren't gonna be able to do it this summer we all said that it would be a travesty not to get this conversation out there, the listening of this. I wish I had the lines in my head as I go through and I write down, oh, my god, that's the line, that's the line that reminds of today. And that's a line that reminds me, I wish I had them all. It's dark in my room, but I know you all know. I would love to ask the audience if there were things that they heard tonight that they've never heard before in this play? 'Cause every time I heard it this weekend, the day would shift to what I heard next and I find that fascinating. I know Jennifer Vosters loves this play and she kept saying, we were talking the other night how it must feel to be in it right now. Yeah, we chose to do it because we wanted to. Go ahead.

Carey

Just appreciation from the audience about the words and about what this medium does to distill the center of these stories. We also, Lou Ann Lewis Jackson from Guyana says just to know we're reaching people, "Excellent, you fed my soul. "I can only imagine seeing this "in the flesh with costumes and set. "All the best to you." So, to know that your words are going out to people and they are resonating. There's a lot of those in the feedback and in the Q and A. Not so much Qs or As, but gratitude to be included in this circle of storytelling. There were some, there was a Dennis Cohen early on wrote a very long commentary about Brutus and whether or not he was honorable. The end of the play Antony says of Brutus, "This was the noblest Roman of them all." Did Antony believe that? Did Shakespeare believe that? Did you believe that? And about his motives for killing Caesar, which seems like an essay question. There's lots more to say about that I'm sure.

Brenda

Yeah. Anybody else have anything they'd like to add tonight? D.D., Colleen? You guys always have something to say.

Colleen

I do, I always do, but I do appreciate everybody who tuned in to watch. It's-- - Yep. You know, it's breadcrumbs compared to what we're used to, but it's-- selfishly, it's so important for me and for us who are artists to be able to be making something, and it makes us I think feel slightly connected even though we can't actually see your faces. So, I think you so, so much for tuning in.

We have a line-- - Brenda

Yeah, thank you.

Carey

Todd Perkins says, "I know he would not be a wolf, "but that he sees the Romans are but sheep. If he were no lion, were not Romans hinds." Alys would like to know-- - Okay. What has this medium taught you about your strengths and weaknesses on stage? Is there any moment up the hill that you wish you could return to? I know there's some I wish I could watch again.

Brenda laughing

Tim

God, I'm glad I can't watch it again.

Brenda

There we go. Sarah Day, take that question. What moment would you like to return to on stage right now if you could be out in the wilderness with us on the hill--

Colleen

From this play?

Brenda

Acting again. You have to unmute. No, Sarah Day, not this play. Anytime on the hill that you'd like to revisit, Sarah. Unmute, Sarah. - You gotta unmute.

Sarah

Um, I don't know.

Brenda

First one that comes to mind.

Sarah

Tartuffe.

woman laughing

Brenda

Oh, that was a good one.

Kelsey

I think anytime I ever hugged someone is what I would like to return to.

Aw. - Nate

Hell yeah, that's real.

Yes. - Brenda

All right, I think on that note, I love you all. Let's go and take a day off and take care of yourselves, okay, everybody? - Yep.

Brenda

Take care of yourselves. Everybody, thank you for watching. Good night, everyone.

Thank you. - Nate

Bye.

Woman

Bye.

Announcer

Funding for APT's "Out of the Woods" is provided by Boardman Clark Law Firm. Arcadia Books, Dane Arts, Nancy A. McDaniel, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Orange Tree Imports, Wilson Creek Pottery, Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programming and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.