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Julius Caesar

Act 3, Scene 3

Enter CINNA THE POET, and after him the PLEBEIANS	CINNA THE POET enters, followed by 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 I dreamed last night that I feasted with Caesar, and unlucky signs overwhelmed my imagination. I have no desire to go outside, yet something leads me there.
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 a married man or a bachelor?
SECOND PLEBEIAN Answer every man directly.	SECOND PLEBEIAN Answer all of us, now.
FIRST PLEBEIAN Ay, and briefly.	FIRST PLEBEIAN Yes, and be brief.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN Ay, and wisely.	FOURTH PLEBEIAN Yes, and be wise.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Ay, and truly, you were best.	THIRD PLEBEIAN Yes, and be truthful, if you know what’s good for you.
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 What’s my name? Where am I going? Where do I live? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man briefly, wisely, and truthfully—wisely I say, I am 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 You imply that married men are fools. You’ll get a blow from me for that, I think. Go on with what you were saying—right this instant.
CINNA THE POET Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.	CINNA THE POET Right this instant, 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 He answered that question straight.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN For your dwelling—briefly.	FOURTH PLEBEIAN As for where you live, tell us quickly—get to the point.
CINNA THE POET Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.	CINNA THE POET Getting right to the point, I live near the Capitol.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Your name, sir, truly.	THIRD PLEBEIAN Tell us 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 am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet!
FOURTH PLEBEIAN Tear him for his bad verses! Tear him for his bad verses!	FOURTH PLEBEIAN Tear him apart for his bad verses, tear him up!
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. Pull only his name out of his heart and let him go.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Tear him, tear him!	THIRD PLEBEIAN Tear him apart, tear him up!
PLEBEIANS attack CINNA THE POET	The PLEBEIANS attack CINNA THE POET.
ALL Come, brands, ho, firebrands. To Brutus’, to Cassius’, burn all. Some to Decius’ house and some to Casca’s. Some to Ligarius’. Away, go!	ALL Come, firebrands, over here! To Brutus’, to Cassius’, let’s burn them all. Some of you go to Decius’ house and some to Casca’s. Some to Ligarius’. Go!
Exeunt PLEBEIANS dragging CINNA THE POET	The PLEBEIANS exit, dragging CINNA THE POET.