SCENE III.
The Same. A Street.
Enter Cinna, the Poet.
Cin.
I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar2 note,
And things unluckily charge my fantasy3 note:
I have no will to wander forth of doors4 note
,
Yet something leads me forth.
Enter Citizens.
1 Cit.
What is your name?
2 Cit.
Whither are you going?
3 Cit.
Where do you dwell?
4 Cit.
Are you a married man, or a bachelor?
2 Cit.
Answer every man directly.
1 Cit.
Ay, and briefly.
4 Cit.
Ay, and wisely.
3 Cit.
Ay, and truly, you were best.
Cin.
What is my name? Whither am I going?
Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a bachelor?
Then to answer every man directly, and
briefly, wisely, and truly. Wisely I say, I am a
bachelor.
2 Cit.
That's as much as to say, they are fools
-- 106 --
that marry:—You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear.
Proceed; directly.
Cin.
Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
1 Cit.
As a friend, or an enemy?
Cin.
As a friend.
2 Cit.
That matter is answered directly.
4 Cit.
For your dwelling,—briefly.
Cin.
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Cit.
Your name, sir, truly.
Cin.
Truly, my name is Cinna.
1 Cit.
Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator.
Cin.
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
4 Cit.
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for
his bad verses.
2 Cit.
It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck
but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
3 Cit.
Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, ho!
fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all.
Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some
to Ligarius': away; go.
[Exeunt.
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
