Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 3
A street in Rome.
The Original
Plain Modern English
Enter Cinna the poet, and after him the Plebeians.
Cinna the Poet
I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy.
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.
Cinna the Poet
Last night I dreamed I was feasting with Caesar,
and unlucky thoughts weigh on my imagination.
I've no desire to be out of doors,
and yet something draws me out.
First Plebeian
What is your name?
First Plebeian
What's your name?
Second Plebeian
Whither are you going?
Second Plebeian
Where are you going?
Third Plebeian
Where do you dwell?
Third Plebeian
Where do you live?
Fourth Plebeian
Are you a married man or a bachelor?
Fourth Plebeian
Are you married or single?
Second Plebeian
Answer every man directly.
Second Plebeian
Answer everyone straight.
First Plebeian
Ay, and briefly.
First Plebeian
Yes — and briefly.
Fourth Plebeian
Ay, and wisely.
Fourth Plebeian
Yes — and wisely.
Third Plebeian
Ay, and truly, you were best.
Third Plebeian
Yes — and truthfully, you'd better.
Cinna the Poet
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.
Cinna the Poet
My name? Where am I going? Where do I
live? Am I married or single? Well then, to
answer everyone directly and briefly, wisely and
truthfully — wisely I say, I'm a bachelor.
Second Plebeian
That's as much as to say they are fools that marry.
You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed directly.
Second Plebeian
That's as good as saying men who marry are fools.
You'll take a blow from me for that, I'm afraid. Carry on.
Cinna the Poet
Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
Cinna the Poet
Directly, then — I'm going to Caesar's funeral.
First Plebeian
As a friend or an enemy?
First Plebeian
As a friend or an enemy?
Cinna the Poet
As a friend.
Cinna the Poet
As a friend.
Second Plebeian
That matter is answered directly.
Second Plebeian
That's a straight answer.
Fourth Plebeian
For your dwelling, briefly.
Fourth Plebeian
Now your address, briefly.
Cinna the Poet
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Cinna the Poet
Briefly — I live near the Capitol.
Third Plebeian
Your name, sir, truly.
Third Plebeian
Your name, sir. Truthfully.
Cinna the Poet
Truly, my name is Cinna.
Cinna the Poet
Truthfully — my name is Cinna.
First Plebeian
Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator.
First Plebeian
Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator!
Cinna the Poet
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
Cinna the Poet
I'm Cinna the poet! I'm Cinna the poet!
Fourth Plebeian
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
Fourth Plebeian
Tear him up for his bad poetry, then! Tear him up for his bad poetry!
Cinna the Poet
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Cinna the Poet
I'm not Cinna the conspirator!
Fourth Plebeian
It is no matter, his name's Cinna. Pluck but his name
out of his heart, and turn him going.
Fourth Plebeian
It doesn't matter — his name's Cinna. Tear his name
out of his heart and send him on his way. (They know he is innocent. They kill him anyway, for the name and for the poetry. This is what 'liberty' produced.)
Third Plebeian
Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho, firebrands.
To Brutus', to Cassius', burn all. Some to Decius'
house, and some to Casca's, some to Ligarius'. Away, go!
Third Plebeian
Tear him! Tear him! Come on — torches! Firebrands!
To Brutus's house, to Cassius's — burn them all. Some go to Decius's
house, some to Casca's, some to Ligarius's. Go on — move!
Exeunt all with Cinna. — End of Act Three.