A street.
Enter Cinna the poet. CINNA I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unluckily charge my fantasy.
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.
Enter Citizens. FIRST CITIZEN What is your name?
SECOND CITIZEN Whither are you going?
THIRD CITIZEN Where do you dwell?
FOURTH CITIZEN Are you a married man or a bachelor?
SECOND CITIZEN Answer every man directly.
FIRST CITIZEN Ay, and briefly.
FOURTH CITIZEN Ay, and wisely.
THIRD CITIZEN Ay, and truly, you were best.
CINNA 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.
SECOND CITIZEN That's as much as to say they are fools that marry.
You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed directly.
CINNA Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
FIRST CITIZEN As a friend or an enemy?
CINNA As a friend.
SECOND CITIZEN That matter is answered directly.
FOURTH CITIZEN For your dwelling, briefly.
CINNA Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
THIRD CITIZEN Your name, sir, truly.
CINNA Truly, my name is Cinna.
FIRST CITIZEN Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator.
CINNA I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
FOURTH CITIZEN Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad
verses.
CINNA I am not Cinna the conspirator.
FOURTH CITIZEN It is no matter, his name's Cinna. Pluck but his
name out of his heart, and turn him going.
THIRD CITIZEN Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho, firebrands. To
Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some
to Casca's, some to Ligarius'. Away, go!
Exeunt.