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!
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!
Art thou here yet?

Luc. ; Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Por. Yes, bring ine 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, ,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.,

Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

Por.

Enter Soothsayer.

Come hither, fellow:
Which way hast thou been?
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:

The throng that follows Cæsar at the heels,
Of senators, of prætors, common suitors,
Will croud a feeble man almost to death:
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.-Ah me! how weak a thing
The heart of woman is! O Brutus!
The heaven speed thee in thine enterprize!
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.

[Exeunt.

ACT II. SCENE I. The same. The Capitol; the Senate sitting,

A Croud of People in the Street leading to the

Capitol; among them ARTEMIDORUS, and the
Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter CÆSAR, BRUTUS,
Cassius, Casca, Decius, METELLUS, TREBO-
NIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUB-
LIUS, and Others.
Cæs. The ides of March are come.
Sooth. Ay, Cæsar; but not gone.
Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule.

Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read,
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.

Ces. What touches us ourself, shall be last sery'd.
Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly.
Cæs. What, is the fellow mad?
Pub.

Sirrah, give place.
Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
CÆSAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. All

the Senators rise.
Pop. I wish, your enterprize to-day may thrive.
Cas. What enterprize, Popilius?
Pop.

Fare you well.

[Advances to CÆSAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena?

Cas. Hewish'd, to-day our enterprize 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. Bru.

Cassius, be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change. · Cas. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you,

Brutusus know

He dra

He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

[Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS. CÆSAR

and the Senators take their. Seats. Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.

Bru. He is address'd :: press near, and second him.
Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

s Ile is address'd;] i, e. he is ready.

Cæs. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cæsar, and his senate, must redress? ✓ Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant

Cæsar, .
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart:-

[Kneeling. Cæs.

I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings, and these lowly courtesies, Might fire the blood of ordinary men; And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree, Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood, That will be thaw'd from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words, Low-crooked curt’sies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banished; If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Cæsar doth not wrong; nor without cause Will he be satisfied. Live Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear, For the repealing of my banish'd brother?

Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar; Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal.

Cæs. What, Brutus !

Cas... Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon: As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

Cees. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you; If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fix'd, and resting quality,

And turn pre-ordinance,] Pre-ordinance, for ordinance already established.

of motion.ds on his

Let me

There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd' sparks,
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:
So, in the world; 'Tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;?
Yet, in the number, I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshak'd of motion :8 and, that I am he,
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant, Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.

Cin. O Cæsar,
Cæs. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus ?
Dec. Great Cæsar,
Cæs.

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Casca. Speak, hands, for me.
[CASCA stabs CÆSAR in the Neck. CÆSAR

catches hold of his Arm. He is then stabbed
by several other Conspirators, and at last by

MARCUS BRUTUS.'
Cæs. Et tu, Brute?—Then fall, Cæsar.
Dies. The Senators and people retire in

confusion.
Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!-
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out,
Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!

Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still :-ambition's debt is paid.

Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus.