Act 3, Scene 3

Original Text

*A street. Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians.* 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. FIRST PLEBEIAN. What is your name? SECOND PLEBEIAN. Whither are you going? THIRD PLEBEIAN. Where do you dwell? FOURTH PLEBEIAN. Are you a married man or a bachelor? SECOND PLEBEIAN. Answer every man directly. 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 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. CINNA. Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral. FIRST PLEBEIAN. As a friend or an enemy? CINNA. As a friend. FOURTH PLEBEIAN. Your name, sir, truly. CINNA. Truly, my name is Cinna. FIRST PLEBEIAN. Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator! CINNA. I am Cinna the poet! I am Cinna the poet! FOURTH PLEBEIAN. Tear him for his bad verses! Tear him for his bad verses! CINNA. I am 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. THIRD PLEBEIAN. 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 all the Plebeians, dragging off Cinna.*

Modern English

*A street. Cinna the Poet walks alone. A group of citizens approaches.* CINNA. I dreamed last night that I was dining with Caesar, and the dream fills me with a strange uneasiness. I have no desire to be out on the streets, and yet something compels me to walk. FIRST CITIZEN. What's your name? SECOND CITIZEN. Where are you headed? THIRD CITIZEN. Where do you live? FOURTH CITIZEN. Are you married or single? SECOND CITIZEN. Answer every question. Straight answers. CINNA. My name? Where am I going? Where do I live? Married or single? All right then, to answer every question directly and briefly, wisely and honestly: wisely, I'd say — I'm a bachelor. SECOND CITIZEN. So you're saying married men are fools. You might get a smack for that. Get to the point. CINNA. I'm on my way to Caesar's funeral. FIRST CITIZEN. As a friend of Caesar or an enemy? CINNA. As a friend. FOURTH CITIZEN. Your name? Be honest. CINNA. My name is Cinna. FIRST CITIZEN. Rip him apart! He's one of the conspirators! CINNA. I'm Cinna the poet! I'm Cinna the POET! FOURTH CITIZEN. Tear him up for his terrible poetry! CINNA. I'm NOT Cinna the conspirator! FOURTH CITIZEN. Doesn't matter — his name is Cinna. Rip the name right out of his chest and send him on his way. THIRD CITIZEN. Tear him apart! Grab torches! Firebrands! To Brutus's house! To Cassius's! Burn everything! Some of you go to Decius's, some to Casca's, some to Ligarius's! Go! Move! *The citizens drag Cinna away.*

Julius Caesar

Act 3, Scene 3

Act 3, Scene 3