Plebeians.
Cin.
I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar,
And things unluckily charge my fantasy,
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.
1 Pleb.
What is your name?
2 Pleb.
Whither are you going?
3 Pleb.
Where do you dwell?
4 Pleb.
Are you a married man, or a bachelor?
2 Pleb.
Answer every man, directly.
1 Pleb.
Ay, and briefly.
4 Pleb.
Ay, and wisely.
3 Pleb.
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 Pleb.
That's as much as to say, they are fools
-- 68 --
that marry; you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear.
Proceed. Directly.
Cin.
Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
1 Pleb.
As a friend, or an enemy?
Cin.
As a friend.
2 Pleb.
That matter is answer'd directly.
4 Pleb.
For your dwelling. Briefly.
Cin.
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Pleb.
Your name, Sir. Truly.
Cin.
Truly, my name is Cinna.
1 Pleb.
Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator.
Cinna.
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
4 Pleb.
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for
his bad verses.
Cin.
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
4 Pleb.
It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck
out his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
3 Pleb.
Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, ho, firebrands.
To Brutus, to Cassius, burn all. Some to Decius's house,
And some to Casca's, some to Ligarius. Away. Go.
[Exeunt.
-- 69 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
