Page 2166 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Who offered him the crown?

CASCA
Why, Antony.

BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.

CASCA
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It was mere foolery; I did not
mark it. I saw Mark Antony [235] offer him a crown − yet ’twas not a crown
neither, ’twas one of these coronets − and, as I told you, he put it by once;

but for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it
to him again; then he put it by again; but, to my thinking, he was very loath
to lay his [240] fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it

the third time by; and still as he refused it the rabblement hooted, and
clapped their chopped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and
uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused the crown
[245] that it had almost choked Caesar, for he swooned and fell down at it.
And for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and

receiving the bad air.

CASSIUS
But soft, I pray you; what, did Caesar swoon?

CASCA
He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at [250] mouth, and was
speechless.

BRUTUS
’Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness.

CASSIUS

No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.

CASCA