Julius Caesar: Act 3, Scene 3
Enter CINNA the poet,
and after him the PLEBIANS.
after him: i.e., moments later. The Plebians are not chasing Cinna; they just happen upon him.
CINNA
1
I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
1. to-night: last night.
2
And things unlucky charge my fantasy:
2. things . . . fantasy: dark forebodings fill my imagination.
3
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
3. will: wish, inclination. forth of doors: out of doors.
4
Yet something leads me forth.
First Plebeian
5
What is your name?
Second Plebeian
6
Whither are you going?
Third Plebeian
7
Where do you dwell?
Fourth Plebeian
8
Are you a married man or a bachelor?
Second Plebeian
9
Answer every man directly.
9. directly: straightforwardly.
First Plebeian
10
Ay, and briefly.
Fourth Plebeian
11
Ay, and wisely.
Third Plebeian
12
Ay, and truly, you were best.
12. you were best: i.e., you'd better, or else.
CINNA
13
What is my name? Whither am I going? Where 14
do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? 15
Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, 16
wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.
16. wisely I say, I am a bachelor: I believe Cinna is making a small joke, the point of which is that it is very wise to be a bachelor.
.
Second Plebeian
17
That's as much as to say, they are fools that 18
marry: you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear.
18. bear me a bang: get a beating from me.
19
Proceed directly.
19. Proceed directly: i.e., Go on with your answers to our questions, and do it without any jokes, etc.
CINNA
20
Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
20. Directly: right now and by the shortest route. Cinna the poet doesn't seem to be able to stop playing with words.
First Plebeian
21
As a friend or an enemy?
CINNA
22
As a friend.
Second Plebeian
23
That matter is answered directly.
Fourth Plebeian
24
For your dwelling,briefly.
24. For your dwelling: i.e., answer the question about where you dwell.
CINNA
25
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Plebeian
26
Your name, sir, truly.
CINNA
27
Truly, my name is Cinna.
First Plebeian
28
Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
CINNA
29
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
Fourth Plebeian
30
Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for 31
his bad verses.
CINNA
32
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Plebeian
33
It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but
34
his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
33-34. pluck . . . going: just rip his name out of his heart and send him on his way.
Third Plebeian
35
Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! 36
fire-brands: to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: 37
some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; 38
some to Ligarius': away, go!
Exeunt all the Plebeians
[dragging off Cinna].