Dec. Cæsar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Cæsar: I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Cas. And you are come in very happy time, And tell them, that I will not come to-day : Caes. Shall Cæsar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, Caes. The cause is in my will, I will not come ; But, for your private satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know. Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Caes. And this way have you well expounded it. To give, this day, a crown to mighty Cæsar. [7] This speech, which is intentionally pompous, is somewhat confused. There are two allusions: one to coats armorial, to which princes make additions, or give new tinctures, and new marks of cognizance; the other to martyrs, whose reliques are preserved with veneration. The Romans, says Decius, all come to you as to a saint for reliques, as to a prince for honours. JOHNSON, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Break up Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love Cæs. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia? I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go : Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA. And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Caes. 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. Cæs. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. See! Antony, that revels long o'nights, Is notwithstanding up : Good-morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna :-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! [Aside, Treb. Cæsar, I will:-And so near will I be, 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. Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cæsar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. [8] And reason, or propriety of conduct and language, is subordinate to my love JOHNSON 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! Th 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; SCENE IV. [Exit. 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. O constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! 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: [9] Emulation here, as on many other occasions, is used in an unfavourable sense. somewhat like factious, envious, or malicious rivalry. STEEVENS, I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, Por. Come hither, fellow : Which way hast thou been? Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. 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. Por. I must go in.-Ah me!(how weak a thing The heart of woman is O Brutus ! The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! [Exit. 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 CESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, ME- Cæsar. THE ides of March are come. Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule. 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 serv'd. art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly. Caes. What, is the fellow mad? Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. The senators risc. Pop. Fare you well. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? [Advances to CESAR. Cas. He wish'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; [Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS. Brutus, CESAR 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. 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 : Cas. I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings, and these lowly courtesies, And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree,3 [Kneeling. WARBURTON. |