Chapter XIX: Act II: SCENE I. Rome. Brutus's orchard.3004

_Enter_ BRUTUS.[3005]

_Bru._ What, Lucius, ho!
I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say!
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
When, Lucius, when? awake, I say! what, Lucius![3006] 5

_Enter_ LUCIUS.

_Luc._ Call'd you, my lord?

_Bru._ Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.

_Luc._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._

_Bru._ It must be by his death: and, for my part, 10
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question:
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?--that;--[3007] 15
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Cæsar,
I have not known when his affections sway'd 20
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;[3008]
But when he once attains the upmost round,[3009]
He then unto the ladder turns his back, 25
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend: so Cæsar may;
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel[3010]
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, 30
Would run to these and these extremities:
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which hatch'd would as his kind grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell.

_Re-enter_ LUCIUS.[3011]

_Luc._ The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 35
Searching the window for a flint I found
This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure
It did not lie there when I went to bed.

[_Gives him the letter._[3012]

_Bru._ Get you to bed again; it is not day.
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March?[3013] 40

_Luc._ I know not, sir.

_Bru._ Look in the calendar and bring me word.

_Luc._ I will, sir. [_Exit._

_Bru._ The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them. 45

[_Opens the letter and reads._

'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake and see thyself.
Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress.[3014]
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.'
Such instigations have been often dropp'd
Where I have took them up.[3015] 50
'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out:[3015]
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?[3016]
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome[3017]
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.
'Speak, strike, redress.' Am I entreated[3018] 55
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,[3019]
If the redress will follow, thou receivest[3020]
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

_Re-enter_ LUCIUS.

_Luc._ Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.[3021]

[_Knocking within._

_Bru._ 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.[3022] 60

[_Exit Lucius._

Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar
I have not slept.
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion all the interim is
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream: 65
The Genius and the mortal instruments[3023]
Are then in council, and the state of man[3024]
Like to a little kingdom suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.

_Re-enter_ LUCIUS.[3025]

_Luc._ Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, 70
Who doth desire to see you.

_Bru._ Is he alone?

_Luc._ No, sir, there are moe with him.[3026]

_Bru._ Do you know them?

_Luc._ No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears,[3027]
And half their faces buried in their cloaks,[3028]
That by no means I may discover them 75
By any mark of favour.[3029]

_Bru._ Let 'em enter. [_Exit Lucius._
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
When evils are most free? O, then, by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;[3030]
Hide it in smiles and affability:[3031]
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,[3032]
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention.[3033] 85

_Enter the conspirators_, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS
CIMBER, _and_ TREBONIUS.[3034]

_Cas._ I think we are too bold upon your rest:
Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?

_Bru._ I have been up this hour, awake all night.
Know I these men that come along with you?[3035]

_Cas._ Yes, every man of them; and no man here 90
But honours you; and every one doth wish
You had but that opinion of yourself
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.

_Bru._ He is welcome hither.

_Cas._ This, Decius Brutus.

_Bru._ He is welcome too. 95

_Cas._ This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.[3036]

_Bru._ They are all welcome.[3037]
What watchful cares do interpose themselves[3038]
Betwixt your eyes and night?

_Cas._ Shall I entreat a word? [_They whisper._[3039] 100

_Dec._ Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?

_Casca._ No.

_Cin._ O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon grey lines
That fret the clouds are messengers of day.

_Casca._ You shall confess that you are both deceived. 105
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises;
Which is a great way growing on the south,
Weighing the youthful season of the year.
Some two months hence up higher toward the north
He first presents his fire, and the high east 110
Stands as the Capitol, directly here.

_Bru._ Give me your hands all over, one by one.

_Cas._ And let us swear our resolution.

_Bru._ No, not an oath: if not the face of men,[3040]
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,--[3041] 115
If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
And every man hence to his idle bed;
So let high-sighted tyranny range on[3042]
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough 120
To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,[3043]
What need we any spur but our own cause
To prick us to redress? what other bond
Than secret Romans that have spoke the word,[3044] 125
And will not palter? and what other oath[3045]
Than honesty to honesty engaged
That this shall be or we will fall for it?[3046]
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls 130
That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear[3047]
Such creatures as men doubt: but do not stain[3048]
The even virtue of our enterprise,
Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
To think that or our cause or our performance 135
Did need an oath; when every drop of blood[3049]
That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,
Is guilty of a several bastardy
If he do break the smallest particle[3050]
Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. 140

_Cas._ But what of Cicero? shall we sound him?
I think he will stand very strong with us.

_Casca._ Let us not leave him out.

_Cin._ No, by no means.

_Met._ O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
Will purchase us a good opinion 145
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds:
It shall be said his judgement ruled our hands;
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
But all be buried in his gravity.

_Bru._ O, name him not; let us not break with him, 150
For he will never follow any thing
That other men begin.

_Cas._ Then leave him out.

_Casca._ Indeed he is not fit.[3051]

_Dec._ Shall no man else be touch'd but only Cæsar?[3051]

_Cas._ Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet 155
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Cæsar,
Should outlive Cæsar: we shall find of him
A shrewd contriver; and you know his means,
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all: which to prevent, 160
Let Antony and Cæsar fall together.

_Bru._ Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Cæsar: 165
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.[3052]
We all stand up against the spirit of Cæsar,
And in the spirit of men there is no blood:[3053]
O, that we then could come by Cæsar's spirit,[3054]
And not dismember Cæsar! But, alas, 170
Cæsar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,[3055] 175
Stir up their servants to an act of rage
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make[3056]
Our purpose necessary and not envious:
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.[3057] 180
And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
For he can do no more than Cæsar's arm
When Cæsar's head is off.[3058]

_Cas._ Yet I fear him,
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar--[3059]

_Bru._ Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him: 185
If he love Cæsar, all that he can do
Is to himself, take thought and die for Cæsar:[3060]
And that were much he should, for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company.[3061]

_Treb._ There is no fear in him; let him not die; 190
For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.[3062]

[_Clock strikes._

_Bru._ Peace! count the clock.

_Cas._ The clock hath stricken three.[3063]

_Treb._ 'Tis time to part.

_Cas._ But it is doubtful yet
Whether Cæsar will come forth to-day or no;[3064]
For he is superstitious grown of late, 195
Quite from the main opinion he held once[3065]
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies:[3066]
It may be these apparent prodigies,
The unaccustom'd terror of this night
And the persuasion of his augurers, 200
May hold him from the Capitol to-day.

_Dec._ Never fear that: if he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
That unicorns may be betray'd with trees[3067]
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,[3067] 205
Lions with toils and men with flatterers:[3068]
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.
Let me work;[3069]
For I can give his humour the true bent, 210
And I will bring him to the Capitol.

_Cas._ Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.

_Bru._ By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?[3070]

_Cin._ Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.

_Met._ Caius Ligarius doth bear Cæsar hard,[3071] 215
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey:
I wonder none of you have thought of him.

_Bru._ Now, good Metellus, go along by him:[3072]
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons;[3073]
Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. 220

_Cas._ The morning comes upon's: we'll leave you, Brutus:[3074]
And, friends, disperse yourselves: but all remember
What you have said and show yourselves true Romans.

_Bru._ Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;
Let not our looks put on our purposes; 225
But bear it as our Roman actors do,
With untired spirits and formal constancy:
And so, good morrow to you every one.[3075]

[_Exeunt all but Brutus._

Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep! It is no matter;
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber:[3076] 230
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.

_Enter_ PORTIA.[3077]

_Por._ Brutus, my lord!

_Bru._ Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
It is not for your health thus to commit 235
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.[3078]

_Por._ Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,[3079]
Stole from my bed: and yesternight at supper[3080]
You suddenly arose and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across; 240
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks:
I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head[3081]
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot:
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 245
But with an angry wafture of your hand[3082]
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did,
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour, 250
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And, could it work so much upon your shape
As it hath much prevail'd on your condition,
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,[3083] 255
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

_Bru._ I am not well in health, and that is all.

_Por._ Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health,
He would embrace the means to come by it.

_Bru._ Why, so I do: good Portia, go to bed. 260

_Por._ Is Brutus sick, and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,[3084]
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night 265
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;[3085]
You have some sick offence within your mind,
Which by the right and virtue of my place
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,[3086] 270
I charm you, by my once commended beauty,[3087]
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one,
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 275
Have had resort to you; for here have been
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness.

_Bru._ Kneel not, gentle Portia.[3088]

_Por._ I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,[3089] 280
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,[3090]
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs[3091] 285
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

_Bru._ You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart. 290

_Por._ If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman, but withal
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:
I grant I am a woman, but withal
A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter.[3092] 295
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so father'd and so husbanded?
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em:[3093]
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound 300
Here in the thigh: can I bear that with patience
And not my husband's secrets?[3094]

_Bru._ O ye gods,
Render me worthy of this noble wife! [_Knocking within._[3095]
Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall partake 305
The secrets of my heart:
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows.
Leave me with haste. [_Exit Portia._] Lucius, who's that knocks?[3096]

_Re-enter_ LUCIUS _with_ LIGARIUS.

_Luc._ Here is a sick man that would speak with you. 310

_Bru._ Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how?[3097]

_Lig._ Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.

_Bru._ O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick! 315

_Lig._ I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour.

_Bru._ Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.[3098]

_Lig._ By all the gods that Romans bow before,[3099] 320
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from honourable loins!
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
And I will strive with things impossible, 325
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?[3100]

_Bru._ A piece of work that will make sick men whole.[3101]

_Lig._ But are not some whole that we must make sick?

_Bru._ That must we also. What it is, my Caius,[3102]
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going[3103] 330
To whom it must be done.[3103]

_Lig._ Set on your foot,
And with a heart new-fired I follow you,
To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on.

_Bru._ Follow me then. [_Exeunt._[3104]

SCENE II. _Cæsar's house._[3105]

_Thunder and lightning. Enter_ CÆSAR, _in his night-gown_.[3106]

_Cæs._ Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:[3107]
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Cæsar!' Who's within?

_Enter a_ Servant.

_Serv._ My lord?

_Cæs._ Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, 5
And bring me their opinions of success.

_Serv._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._

_Enter_ CALPURNIA.

_Cal._ What mean you, Cæsar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.

_Cæs._ Cæsar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me[3108] 10
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Cæsar, they are vanished.

_Cal._ Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 15
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds,[3109]
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 20
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,[3110]
Horses did neigh and dying men did groan,[3111]
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.[3112]
O Cæsar! these things are beyond all use, 25
And I do fear them.

_Cæs._ What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Cæsar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Cæsar.

_Cal._ When beggars die, there are no comets seen; 30
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

_Cæs._ Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear; 35
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.[3113]

_Re-enter_ Servant.

What say the augurers?

_Serv._ They would not have you to stir forth to-day.[3114]
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.[3115] 40

_Cæs._ The gods do this in shame of cowardice:
Cæsar should be a beast without a heart
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Cæsar shall not: danger knows full well[3116]
That Cæsar is more dangerous than he:[3116] 45
We are two lions litter'd in one day,[3116][3117]
And I the elder and more terrible:[3116]
And Cæsar shall go forth.[3116]

_Cal._ Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear 50
That keeps you in the house and not your own.
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house,
And he shall say you are not well to-day:[3118]
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.

_Cæs._ Mark Antony shall say I am not well, 55
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home.

_Enter_ DECIUS.[3119]

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

_Dec._ Cæsar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Cæsar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.

_Cæs._ And you are come in very happy time, 60
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.

_Cal._ Say he is sick.

_Cæs._ Shall Cæsar send a lie? 65
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afeard to tell graybeards the truth?[3120]
Decius, go tell them Cæsar will not come.

_Dec._ Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so. 70

_Cæs._ The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But, for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know.
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: 75
She dreamt to-night she saw my statua,[3121][3122][3123]
Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts[3121][3123][3124]
Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans[3121]
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it:[3121]
And these does she apply for warnings and
portents[3121][3125][3126] 80
And evils imminent, and on her knee[3126]
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.

_Dec._ This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 85
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck[3127]
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press[3128]
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.[3129]
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. 90

_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
To give this day a crown to mighty Cæsar.
If you shall send them word you will not come, 95
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say[3130]
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Cæsar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Cæsar hide himself, shall they not whisper 100
'Lo, Cæsar is afraid'?[3131]
Pardon me, Cæsar, for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
And reason to my love is liable.

_Cæs._ How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! 105
I am ashamed I did yield to them.[3132]
Give me my robe, for I will go.[3133]

_Enter_ PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS,
_and_ CINNA.[3134]

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.[3135]

_Pub._ Good morrow, Cæsar.

_Cæs._ Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? 110
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,[3136]
Cæsar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
What is't o'clock?

_Bru._ Cæsar, 'tis strucken eight.[3137]

_Cæs._ I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 115

_Enter_ ANTONY.

See! Antony, that revels long o' nights,[3138]
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.

_Ant._ So to most noble Cæsar.

_Cæs._ Bid them prepare within:[3139]
I am to blame to be thus waited for.[3140]
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius! 120
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you.

_Treb._ Cæsar, I will. [_Aside_] And so near will I be,[3141]
That your best friends shall wish I had been further. 125

_Cæs._ Good friends, go in and taste some wine with me;
And we like friends will straightway go together.

_Bru._ [_Aside_] That every like is not the same, O Cæsar,[3142]
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon![3143] [_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _A street near the Capitol._[3144]

_Enter_ ARTEMIDORUS, _reading a paper_.[3145]

_Art._ 'Cæsar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;[3146]
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not[3146]
Trebonius; mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus[3146]
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There[3146][3147][3148]
is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent
against[3146][3148][3149] 5
Cæsar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you: security[3146][3150]
gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend[3146]
thee![3146]

Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS.'

Here will I stand till Cæsar pass along, 10
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.[3151]
If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou mayst live;[3152]
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.[3153] [_Exit._ 15

SCENE IV. _Another part of the same street, before the house of Brutus._[3154]

_Enter_ PORTIA _and_ LUCIUS.

_Por._ I prithee, 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 shouldst do there. 5
O constancy, be strong upon my side![3155]
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue![3155]
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.[3155][3156]
How hard it is for women to keep counsel![3155]
Art thou here yet?[3155]

_Luc._ Madam, what should I do? 10
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,[3157]
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Cæsar doth, what suitors press to him. 15
Hark, boy! what noise is that?

_Luc._ I hear none, madam.

_Por._ Prithee, listen well:
I heard a bustling rumour like a fray,[3158]
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

_Luc._ Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

_Enter the_ Soothsayer.

_Por._ Come hither, fellow:[3159][3160] 20
Which way hast thou been?[3160][3161]

_Sooth._ At mine own house, good lady.

_Por._ What is't o'clock?[3162]

_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. 25

_Por._ Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not?

_Sooth._ That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar[3163]
To be so good to Cæsar as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.[3164]

_Por._ Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?[3165] 30

_Sooth._ None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance.[3166]
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow:
The throng that follows Cæsar at the heels,
Of senators, of prætors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: 35
I'll get me to a place more void and there
Speak to great Cæsar as he comes along. [_Exit._

_Por._ I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing[3167]
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,[3168]
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! 40
Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit
That Cæsar will not grant. O, I grow faint.
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
Say I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.[3169] 45

[_Exeunt severally._

FOOTNOTES:

[3004] ACT II. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Secundus. Ff.

[3005] Rome.... Enter Brutus.] Malone. Enter Brutus in his Orchard. Ff. A garden. Enter Brutus. Rowe. Brutus's Garden.... Theobald.

[3006] _when?_] Ff. _when!_ Delius.

[3007] _him?--that;--_] _him--that--_ Rowe. _him that_, Ff. _him!--that!_ Delius.

[3008] _climber-upward_] Hyphened first by Warburton.

[3009] _upmost_] _topmost_ Anon. conj.

[3010] _lest_] F2 F3 F4. _least_ F1.

_may_] _do_ Seymour conj.

[3011] Enter....] Re-enter.... Capell.

[3012] Gives....] Ff. om. Capell.

[3013] _ides_] Theobald (Warburton). _first_ Ff.

[3014] _Rome, &c._] Ff. _Rome,--_ Rowe.

[3015] _took_] _ta'en_ Seymour conj.

[3016] _What, Rome?_] Rowe. _What Rome?_ Ff.

[3017] _ancestors_] _ancestor_ Dyce (ed. 2).

[3018] _Speak, ... entreated_] Printed as two lines by Craik.

_entreated_] _entreated then_ Pope.

[3019] _thee_] F1 F4. _the_ F2 F3.

[3020] _receivest_] Ff. _receiv'st_ Rowe.

[3021] _fifteen_] Ff. _fourteen_ Theobald (Warburton). _now, full fourteen_ Seymour conj.

Knocking within.] Collier. Knocke within. F1 F2. Knock within F3 F4. Knocking without. Staunton.

[3022] [Exit Lucius.] Theobald. om. Ff.

[3023] _instruments_] _instrument_ Smith conj. ap. Grey.

[3024] _man_] F2 F3 F4. _a man_ F1.

[3025] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

[3026] _moe_] Ff. _more_ Rowe.

[3027] See note (II).

[3028] _cloaks_] _cloakes_ F1. _cloathes_ F2. _cloaths_ F3 F4.

[3029] _'em_] F1 F2 F3. _them_ F4.

[3030] _Seek_] om. Seymour conj.

[3031] _it in_] _in it_ Reed (1803).

[3032] _path, thy ... on_,] F2. _path thy ... on,_ F1 F3 F4. _hath thy ... on_, Quarto (1691). _march, thy ... on_, Pope. _put thy ... on,_ Dyce, ed. 2 (Southern MS., Long MS., and Coleridge conj.). _put'st thy ... on_, Singer conj. _hadst thy ... on,_ Grant White conj. _pall thy ... o'er,_ Heraud conj. _walk, thy ... on_, Sawyer conj. _pass, thy ... on_, Anon. conj. ('Footsteps of Shakspere', p. 32). _parle, thy ... on_, Nicholson conj. _pace, thy ... on,_ Anon. conj.

[3033] the conspirators] om. Rowe.

[3034] SCENE II. Pope.

[3035] [Aside. Rowe.

[3036] _This ... Cimber._] Two lines in Rowe.

_This ... Cinna_] _This valiant Casca; Cinna, this_ Seymour conj.

_this, Cinna_] _Cinna, this_, Capell.

[3037] _all welcome_] _welcome, all_ Seymour conj.

[3038] _themselves_] om. Steevens conj., ending the line _betwixt._

[3039] [They whisper.] Ff. Converse apart. Capell.

[3040] _if not the face_] _if that the face_ Theobald. _if that the fate_ Warburton. _if not the faith_ Mason conj. _if not the faiths_ Malone conj. _if not the fate_ Keightley.

[3041] _abuse,--_] Theobald. _abuse_; Ff.

[3042] _high-sighted_] _high-sieged_ Warburton conj. (withdrawn). _high-seated_ Theobald conj.

[3043] _women, then_] _women; Then_ F2 F3 F4. _women. Then_ F1.

[3044] _Romans_] _Romans'_ Anon. conj.

[3045] _palter_] _faulter_ Long MS.

[3046] _it?_] Theobald. _it._ Ff.

[3047] _That_] _As_ Seymour conj.

[3048] _stain_] _strain_ Warburton conj.

[3049] _Did_] _Doth_ Hanmer.

_oath; when_] Capell. _oath: when_ Hanmer. _oath. When_ Ff.

[3050] _do_] _doth_ F4.

[3051] _Indeed ... Cæsar?_ Given to 'Dec.' by Hanmer.

[3052] _Let us ... Caius._] Theobald. _Let's ... Caius._ Ff. _Let's ... Cassius._ Rowe. _Let us ... butchers._ Pope (omitting _Caius_).

[3053] _men_] _man_ Pope.

[3054] _spirit_] F1. _spirits_ F2 F3 F4.

[3055] _And_] _Nor_ Seymour conj.

[3056] _'em_] _them_ F4.

_make_] _mark_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[3057] _We ... purgers_] _Purgers we shall be call'd_ Seymour conj.

_call'd purgers_] _purgers call'd_ Staunton conj.

[3058] _fear_] _do fear_ Pope.

[3059] _in_] om. Pope.

_Cæsar--_] Rowe. _Cæsar._ Ff.

[3060] _himself, take_] _himself take_ Pope.

[3061] _to wildness_] See note (III).

[3062] _this_] See note (III).

[3063] _stricken_] Ff. _strucken_ Steevens (1778).

[3064] _Whether_] _If_ Pope. _Whe'r_ Capell.

[3065] _main_] _mean_ Mason conj.

[3066] _fantasy_] _fantasies_ Hanmer.

[3067] _trees ... glasses ... holes_] _stoles ... glas ... trees_ Smith, ap. Grey, conj.

[3068] _flatterers_:] _flatterers._ Ff. _flatterers_; Craik.

[3069] _Let me work_] _Leave me to work_ Pope. _Let me to work_ Steevens conj. _Let me work on him; I can humour him_ Seymour conj.

[3070] _eighth_] F4. _eight_ F1 F2 F3.

[3071] _hard_] F1. _hatred_ F2 F3 F4.

[3072] _by him_] _to him_ Pope.

[3073] _reasons_] _reason_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.).

[3074] _The ... Brutus_:] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

_upon's_] _upon us_ Capell.

[3075] [Exeunt....] Exeunt. Manet Brutus. Ff.

[3076] _honey-heavy dew_] _hony-heavy-Dew_ Ff. _honey heavy dew_ Johnson. _heavy honey-dew_ Collier (Collier MS. and Singer MS.).

[3077] SCENE III. Pope.

[3078] _raw cold_] _raw-cold_ Steevens (1793).

[3079] _You've_] Rowe. _Y'have_ Ff. _You have_ Steevens.

[3080] _Stole_] _Stol'n_ Johnson.

[3081] _further_] _farther_ Collier.

[3082] _wafture_] Rowe. _wafter_ Ff.

[3083] _you, Brutus_] F4. _you Brutus_ F1 F2 F3.

[3084] _dank_] _danke_ F1. _darke_ F2. _dark_ F3 F4.

[3085] _his_] _hit_ F1.

[3086] [Kneeling. Collier (Collier MS.).

[3087] _charm_] F3 F4. _charme_ F1 F2. _charge_ Pope.

[3088] [raising her. Capell.

[3089] _the_] _tho_ F1.

[3090] _comfort_] _consort_ Theobald.

[3091] _sometimes_] om. Pope.

[3092] _reputed, Cato's_] _reputed: Cato's_ Ff. _reputed Cato's_ Warburton.

[3093] _'em_] _them_ F4.

[3094] _secrets_] _secret_ Capell conj.

[3095] [Knocking within.] Malone. Knock within. Capell. Knocke F1 F2. Knock. F3 F4.

[3096] _who's that_] _who's there that_ Pope. _who's that that_ Capell. _who is that_ Steevens. _who is't that_ Collier (one volume edition).

Re-enter....] Dyce. Enter Lucius and Ligarius. Ff (after 'Exit Portia').

[3097] [Exit Luc. Capell.

[3098] _a_] _an_ F4.

[3099] _that Romans_] _the Romans_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3100] _Yea_] _Yet_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3101] _A ... whole._] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

[3102] _must we_] _we must_ Theobald (ed. 2).

[3103] _going To_] Craik. _going, To_ Ff.

[3104] [Exeunt.] Pope. Thunder. Exeunt. Ff.

[3105] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE IV. Pope.

Cæsar's house.] Cæsar's Palace. Rowe. A room in Cæsar's Palace. Capell.

[3106] Enter Cæsar....] Enter Julius Cæsar.... Ff.

in his night-gown] om. Pope.

[3107] _Nor ... to-night_] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

[3108] _threaten'd_] _threaten_ S. Walker conj.

[3109] _fight_] _fought_ Grant White (Dyce, ed. 2). _did fight_ Keightley.

[3110] _hurtled_] F1. _hurried_ F2 F3 F4.

[3111] _did neigh_] _do neigh_ F1.

[3112] _ghosts_] _ghost_ F4.

[3113] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

_augurers_] _augurs_ Pope. _augures_ S. Walker conj.

[3114] _to stir_] _stir_ F4.

[3115] [Exit Servant. Theobald.

[3116] _No ... forth._] Put in the margin by Pope.

[3117] _are_] Capell (Upton conj.). _heare_ F1 F2. _hear_ F3 F4. _heard_ Rowe. _were_ Theobald.

[3118] _shall_] _will_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3119] SCENE V. Pope.

[3120] _afeard_] _afraid_ F4.

[3121] Malone conjectures that the lines should end _statue, which ... run ... came ... these ... portents_.

[3122] _to-night_] _to nigh_ F2. _last night_ Rowe.

[3123] _statua, Which like_] Steevens (1793). _statue, Which like_ Ff. _statue, which Like to_ Hanmer. _statue, Decius, Which, like_ Capell.

[3124] _an_] _a_ Collier.

[3125] _And ... apply_] _These she applies_ Pope.

[3126] _and portents And_] _and portents Of_ Hanmer. _portents Of_ Capell.

[3127] _great Rome_] _our Rome_ Capell conj.

[3128] _press_] After this Warburton marks an omission of some lines.

[3129] _cognizance_] _cognisances_ Hanmer.

[3130] _render'd_] _rendered_ Craik.

[3131] _Lo_,] _Lord_ Anon. conj.

[3132] _ashamed_] _asham'd_ Warburton.

[3133] [to an Att. Capell.

[3134] Enter Publius, Brutus, ... and Cinna.] Malone, after Capell. Enter Brutus, ... Cynna, and Publius. Ff.

[3135] SCENE VI. Pope.

[3136] _Caius_] _Oh Caius_ Hanmer.

[3137] _o'_] Theobald. _a_ Ff.

_strucken_] _stricken_ Johnson.

[3138] _See!_] _See_, F1 F2. _See_ F3 F4.

_o' nights_] Theobald. _a-nights_ Ff.

[3139] _Bid ... within_] _Bid prepare_ Seymour conj.

[to an Att. Capell.

[3140] _to blame_] F3 F4. _too blame_ F1 F2.

[3141] [Aside] Rowe. om. Ff.

[3142] [Aside] Pope. om. Ff.

[3143] _yearns_] Capell. _earnes_ F1 F2 F3. _earns_ F4. _yerns_ Theobald.

[3144] SCENE III.] Rowe. SCENE VII. Pope. SCENE V. Jennens.

A street ...] Theobald. The Street. Rowe.

[3145] reading a paper] Rowe. om. Ff.

[3146] _Cæsar ... thee!_] As nine lines of verse, S. Walker conj.

[3147] _thou hast_] _th' hast_ S. Walker conj.

[3148] _There is_] _There's_ S. Walker conj.

[3149] _against_] _'gainst_ S. Walker conj.

[3150] _you_] _thee_ Rowe.

[3151] _teeth_] _reach_ Anon. conj.

[3152] _mayst_] _may'st_ Rowe. _mayest_ Ff.

[3153] [Exit.] Rowe. om. Ff. Scene closes. Jennens conj.

[3154] SCENE IV.] Capell. Rowe and Pope continue the Scene. SCENE VI. Jennens.

Another ...] Capell.

[3155] _O ... counsel!_] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[3156] _might_] _heart_ Capell.

[3157] _boy_] om. F4.

[3158] _heard_] _hear_ Knight (National ed.).

_bustling_] Rowe. _bussling_ Ff.

[3159] Enter the Soothsayer.] Ff. Enter Artemidorus. Rowe.

[3160] _Come ... been?_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3161] Sooth.] Art. Rowe.

[3162] _o'_] Theobald. _a_ Ff.

[3163] _lady: if ... me_,] _lady. If ... me,_ Johnson. _lady, if ... me_: Ff.

[3164] _befriend_] _defend_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3165] _Why ... him?_] Printed as prose in Ff.

_harm's_] _harm_ Pope.

[3166] _None ... chance_] One line in Pope, omitting _may chance_. Two lines in Ff.

_much ... chance_] _much, fear, will chance_ Seymour conj.

[3167] _I must ... thing_] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

_Ay_] _Aye_ Ff. ah Johnson.

[3168] _Brutus_,] _Brutus! Brutus!_ Pope.

[3169] [Exeunt severally.] Theobald. Exeunt. F1. om. F2 F3 F4.