“Shall Rome stand under one man's
awe?” What, Rome?
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My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive when he was called a king.
—“Speak, strike, redress!” Am
I entreated
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
If the redress will follow, thou receivest
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Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!
BRUTUS
The meteors whizzing in the sky are so bright that I can read by
them. (he opens the letter and reads)
“Brutus, you're sleeping. Wake up and look at
yourself. Is Rome going to … etc. Speak, strike, fix the
wrongs!” “Brutus, you're sleeping.
Wake up.” I've noticed many such calls to
action left where I would find them. “Is Rome going to
… etc.” What does this mean? Will Rome
submit to one man's power? My ancestors drove Tarquin from
the streets of Rome when he was pronounced a king.
“Speak, strike, fix it!” Is this asking me
to speak and strike? Oh, Rome, I promise you, if you're
meant to receive justice, you'll receive it by my
hand!
Enter LUCIUS
LUCIUS enters.
LUCIUS
Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.
LUCIUS
Sir, fifteen days of March have gone by.
Knock within
The sound of a knock offstage.
BRUTUS
'Tis good. Go to the gate. Somebody knocks.
BRUTUS
Good. Go to the gate. Somebody's knocking.
Exit LUCIUS
LUCIUS exits.
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept.
I haven't slept since Cassius first began to turn me
against Caesar.
