Copyright 1999-2006

Thomas Gemmell/TheatreFusion

Contact info@theatrefusion.co.uk for details on obtaining script or performance rights


[Off-stage, Caesar is finishing his acceptance speech. Enthusiastic cheers can be heard from the delegates in the auditorium. In the Campaign Room, Cassius continues speaking to Brutus. Caesar can be seen on various television screens in the room]

Cassius
"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 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? Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs, and peep about to find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.

Brutus
Into what dangers would you lead me Cassius?

[Wild applause as Caesar's speech ends. The entourage re-enter providing over-enthusiastic applause for Caesar as he makes an entrance. Calpurnia is helped to a seat by Portia as Calpurnia is heavily pregnant. Brutus moves away from Cassius.]

Cinna
O Cassius, if you could but win the noble Brutus to our party --

Cassius
Three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire upon the next encounter yields him ours.

Cinna
O he sits high in all the people's hearts, and that which would appear offence in us, his countenance, like richest alchemy, will change to virtue and to worthiness.

[Champagne is popped. Brutus proposes a toast to Caesar, who basks in the glory. Caesar pulls Antony to the side.]

Caesar
Yond Cassius hath a lean and hungry look. She thinks too much. That can be dangerous.

Antony
Fear her not, Caesar, she's not dangerous.

Caesar
I fear her not. Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the one I should avoid so soon as that spare Cassius. People like she are never at heart's ease while they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous.

[Caesar grabs a plastic election hat and dons it, pulling the elastic under his chin.]

I rather tell thee what it is to be feared than what I fear; for always I am Caesar!

[Laughs and applause. The entourage exit. Portia waits, confused at Brutus quiet whisperings to Cassius.]

Brutus
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 repute himself a son of Rome under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.

Cassius
I am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus --

Brutus
[Interrupting] --- Tomorrow, if you please to speak to me, come home to me and I will wait for you.

[Brutus leaves with Portia].

Cassius
I will do so, till then, think of the world.

[She grabs a drink.]

Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus. If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, he should not humour me. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, thy honourable metal may be wrought from that it is disposed.

[She turns away, then, spotting an image of Caesar on the TV screen, raises her glass.]




Copyright 1998-2007
Thomas Gemmell/TheatreFusion

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