_Casca._ Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds 5 Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, To be exalted with the threatening clouds; But never till to-night, never till now, Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.[2955] 10 Either there is a civil strife in heaven, Or else the world too saucy with the gods Incenses them to send destruction. _Cic._ Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? _Casca._ A common slave--you know him well by sight--[2956] 15 Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand Not sensible of fire remain'd unscorch'd. Besides--I ha' not since put up my sword--[2957] Against the Capitol I met a lion, 20 Who glared upon me and went surly by[2958] Without annoying me: and there were drawn Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women[2959] Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. 25 And yesterday the bird of night did sit Even at noon-day upon the market-place, Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies[2960] Do so conjointly meet, let not men say 'These are their reasons: they are natural:'[2961] 30 For, I believe, they are portentous things Unto the climate that they point upon. _Cic._ Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time:[2962] But men may construe things after their fashion, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 35 Comes Cæsar to the Capitol to-morrow?[2963] _Casca._ He doth; for he did bid Antonius[2964] Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. _Cic._ Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky[2965] Is not to walk in.[2965] _Casca._ Farewell, Cicero. [_Exit Cicero._ 40 _Enter_ CASSIUS.[2966] _Cas._ Who's there? _Casca._ A Roman. _Cas._ Casca, by your voice. _Casca._ Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this![2967] _Cas._ A very pleasing night to honest men. _Casca._ Who ever knew the heavens menace so?[2968] _Cas._ Those that have known the earth so full of faults. 45 For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, Submitting me unto the perilous night, And thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 50 The breast of heaven, I did present myself Even in the aim and very flash of it.