Cannot, is false; and that I dare not, falser; Cas. Shall Cæsar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, Cas. The cause is in my will, I will not come; But, for your private satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know, Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Cæs. And this way have you well expounded it. And know it now; The senate have concluded Break up the senate till another time, When Casar's wife shall meet with better dreams. Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love Cas. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphur- I am ashamed I did yield to them.-- Give me my robe, for I will go :-- Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA. And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Pub. Good morrow, Cæsar. Cas. Welcome, Publius.-- What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?--- Cæsar was ne'er so much your enemy, 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, Is notwithstanding up : Good morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. Cas. Bid them prepare within :-- I am to blame to be thus waited for.-- Now, Cinna :--Now, Metellus :---What, Trebonius! I have an hour's talk in store for you; Remember that you call on me to-day: 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. [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 Casar. 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, My heart laments, that virtue cannot live If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live; If not, the fates with traitors do contrive. [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, Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there.-- O, constancy, be strong upon my side! 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 rumour, like a fray, Enter Soothsayer. Por. Come hither, fellow : Which way hast thou been? Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. 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: I'll get me to a place more void, and there [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 enterprize! |