SCENE III.-The same. A Street near the Capitol. Art. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper. 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 beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS. Here will I stand till Cæsar If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou mayst 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, Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 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 hear a bustling rumour, like a fray, Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Por. Is Cæsar yet gone to the Capitol? 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, The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-The same. The Capitol; the Senate sitting. A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol; among them ARTEMIDORUS and the Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter CÆSAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and others. Cæsar. HE ides of March are come. Sooth. Ay, Cæsar; but not gone. Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule. Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread, 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 served. 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 enterprise to-day may thrive. Cas. What enterprise, Popilius? Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CÆSAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wish'd 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 preven tion. 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, Brutus, 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. 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 [Kneeling. Cas. 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 curtsies, 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. Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear, Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Cæs. What, Brutus ! Cas Pardon, Cæsar: Cæsar, pardon : |