| [Enter CINNA the poet] | |
| CINNA THE POET | I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar, And things unlucky 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 THE POET | 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 THE POET | Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral. |
| First Citizen | As a friend or an enemy? |
| CINNA THE POET | As a friend. |
| Second Citizen | That matter is answered directly. |
| Fourth Citizen | For your dwelling,--briefly. |
| CINNA THE POET | Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. |
| Third Citizen | Your name, sir, truly. |
| CINNA THE POET | Truly, my name is Cinna. |
| First Citizen | Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator. |
| CINNA THE POET | 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 THE POET | 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! fire-brands: to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go! |
| [Exeunt] |