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CASSIUS But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
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CASSIUS But wait a minute, please. Did you say Caesar fainted?
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CASCA
250He fell down in the marketplace, and foamed at mouth, and
was speechless.
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CASCA He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at the mouth and was
speechless.
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BRUTUS 'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness.
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BRUTUS That’s very likely. He has epilepsy, a disease where you
fall down.
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CASSIUS No, Caesar hath it not. But you and I
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
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CASSIUS No, Caesar doesn’t have epilepsy. You and I, and honest
Casca, we have epilepsy—we’ve fallen.
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CASCA
255I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell
down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him
according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to
do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.
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CASCA I don’t know what you mean by that, but I’m sure
Caesar fell down. The rabble applauded and hissed him according to
whether he pleased them or displeased them, just like they do to
actors in the theater. If they didn’t, I’m a
liar.
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BRUTUS What said he when he came unto himself?
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BRUTUS What did he say when he regained consciousness?
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CASCA
260Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common
herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his
doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An I had been a
man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a
word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so
he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had
done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to
think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I
stood cried, “Alas, good soul!” and
forgave him with all
their hearts. But there’s no heed to be taken of them. If
Caesar had stabbed their mothers they would have done no
less.
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CASCA Indeed, before he fell down, when he realized the commoners were
glad he refused the crown, he pulled open his robe and offered them
his throat to cut. If I’d been a common laborer and
hadn’t taken him up on his offer, to hell with me. And so
he fainted. When he regained consciousness again, he said that if
he’d done or said anything wrong, he wanted them to know
that it was all because of his sickness. Three or four women near me
cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave him
with all their hearts. But never mind them—if Caesar had
stabbed their mothers, they would’ve forgiven him.
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BRUTUS And after that he came thus sad away?
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BRUTUS And after that he came back here looking so serious?
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CASCA Ay.
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CASCA Yes.
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