To be afeard to tell grey-beards the truth? Dec. Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause, Lest I be laugh'd at, when I tell them so. Cas. The cause is in my will, I will not come; But, for your private satisfaction, Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Cas. And this way have you well expounded it. When Casar's wife shall meet with better dreams. Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love 1 Handkerchiefs, or other linen, tinged with blood. [J. Cæs. 31] 2c2 To your proceeding bids me tell you this; Cas. How foolish do your fears seem now, CalI am ashamed I did yield to them.— Give me my robe, for I will go: : [phurnia? Enter PUBLIUS, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Cæs. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?- As that same ague which hath made you lean.— Bru. Cæsar, 'tis strucken eight. Cas. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Ant. Cæs. Bid them prepare So to most noble Cæsar. I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna:-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius, Be near me, that I may remember you. Treb. Cæsar, I will:- and so near will I be, [Aside. That your best friends shall wish I had been further. Cas. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go together. Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cæsar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A street near the Capitol. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper. Art. Cæsar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark well Metellus Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Cæsar. If thou be'st not immortal, look about you: Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS. Here will I stand, till Cæsar pass along, If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live; [Exit. SCENE IV.-The same. Another part of the same street, before the house of Brutus. Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS. Por. I pr'ythee, boy, run to the senate-house; Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone: Why dost thou stay? Luc. To know my errand, madam. Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else? [J. Cas. 33] Pcr. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: And take good note, What Cæsar doth, what suitors press to him. Hark, boy! what noise is that? Luc. I hear none, madam. Por. Pr'ythee listen well: I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, Por. Come hither, fellow : At mine own house, good lady. Which way hast thou been? Sooth. Por. What is't o'clock? About the ninth hour, lady. To see him pass on to the Capitol. to take my stand, Por. Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not? Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar To be so good to Caesar, as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself. [ward him? Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended toSooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: [Exit. Por. I must go in.-Ah me! how weak a thing The heart of woman is! O Brutus! The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! These words Portia addresses to Lucius to deceive him, by assigning a false cause for her present perturbation. [J. Cæs. 34] That Cæsar will not grant.-0, I grow faint:- [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-The same. The Capitol; the senate sitting. A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol; Cas. The ides of March are come. At your best leisure, this his humble suit. Art. O, Cæsar, read mine first; for mine's a suit That touches Cæsar nearer: Read it, great Cæsar. Cas. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd. Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly. Cas. What, is the fellow mad? Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise. Pop. I wish, your enterprise to-day may thrive. [J. CES. 35] |