For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.1 Cæs. And this way have you well expounded it. Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can say; And know it now. The senate have concluded you To give, this day, a crown to mighty Cæsar; Break up the senate till another time, When Casar's wife shall meet with better dreams. Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love To your proceeding bids me tell you this; Cæs. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them.- Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, Casca, TREBONIUS, and CINNA. And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Pub. Good morrow, Cæsar. Cæs. Welcome, Publius.— What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?— As that same ague which hath made you lean.- Bru. 1 At the execution of several of the ancient nobility, martyrs, &c., handkerchiefs were tinctured with their blood, and preserved as memorials. 2 "And reason, or propriety of conduct and language, is subordinate to my love." Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. Cæs. Bid them prepare within : I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna;-now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! Remember that you call on me to-day: you. Be near me, that I may remember [Aside. That your best friends shall wish I had been further. Cæs. 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, Out of the teeth of emulation.1 If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou mayst live; If not, the fates with traitors do contrive.2 [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? To know my errand, madam. Luc. Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. O constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! How hard it is for women to keep counsel!- Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else? Por. 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 rumor, like a fray, Por. Enter Soothsayer.3 Come hither, fellow: Which way hast thou been? 1 Emulation is here used in its old sense of envious or factious rivalry. 2 «The fates join with traitors in contriving thy destruction.” 3 Mr. Tyrwhitt says, "The introduction of the soothsayer here is VOL. VI. 6 Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Por. What is't o'clock? Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Por. Is Cæsar yet gone to the Capitol? Sooth. Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol. 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 Cæsar, as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself. Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him? Sooth. None that I know will be; much that I fear may chance. Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow; 1 [Exrt. Por. I must go in.-Ah me! how weak a thing And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. unnecessary and improper. All that he is made to say should be given to Artemidorus; who is seen and accosted by Portia in his passage from his first stand to one more convenient." 1 These words Portia addresses to Lucius, to deceive him, by assigning a false cause for her present perturbation. ACT III. SCENE I. The same. The Capitol; the Senate sitting. A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol; Cæs. The ides of March are come. Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule. 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. Cæs. What touches us ourself, shall be last served. Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly. Cæs. What, is the fellow mad? Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cæs. 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. Cas. What enterprise, Popilius? Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CÆSAR Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wished to-day our enterprise might thrive I fear our purpose is discovered. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cæsar. Mark him. Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Cæsar never shall turn back. For I will slay myself. |