Cinna the Poet

I dreamed last night that I was feasting with Caesar, and my dream was full of unlucky omens. I don't want to leave home, but something's drawing me out.

First Plebeian

What is your name?

Second Plebeian

Where are you going?

Third Plebeian

Where do you live?

Fourth Plebeian

Are you a married man or a bachelor?

Second Plebeian

Answer every man directly.

First Plebeian

Yes, and briefly.

Fourth Plebeian

And wisely.

Third Plebeian

And you had better do it truthfully.

Cinna the Poet

What is my name? Where am I going? Where do I live? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Well in order to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truthfully: wisely, I say, I'm a bachelor.

Second Plebeian

You're saying that those who are married are fools! You'll get a hit for that insult. Go on, now answer directly.

Cinna the Poet

Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.

First Plebeian

As a friend, or an enemy?

Cinna the Poet

As a friend.

Second Plebeian

That subject is answered directly.

Fourth Plebeian

Briefly, say where you live.

Cinna the Poet

Briefly, I live by the Capitol.

Third Plebeian

And your name, sir, truthfully?

Cinna the Poet

Truthfully, my name is Cinna.

First Plebeian

Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator!

Cinna the Poet

I am Cinna the poet! I am Cinna the poet!

Fourth Plebeian

Tear him to pieces for his bad poetry, tear him to pieces for his bad poetry!

Cinna the Poet

I am not Cinna the conspirator.

Fourth Plebeian

It doesn't matter, your name is Cinna! Just tear his name out of his heart and turn him loose then.

Third Plebeian

Get him, tear him to pieces! Come, get fire! Grab some burning wood! To Brutus' house, to Cassius' house! Burn everything! Some of you go to Decius' house, and some of you go to Casca's. Some of you go to Ligarius' house! Away, go!