SCENE III.-Rome. 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 Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS.' Here will I stand till Cæsar pass along, And as a suitor will I give him this. If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live: If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. [Exit. SCENE IV.-Rome. 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! How hard it is for women to keep counsel !- 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, Luc. I hear none, madam. Por. Pr'ythee, listen well; I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, Enter the Soothsayer. Por. 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, [Exit. Por. I must go in.—Ah me, how weak a thing The heart of woman is! O Brutus, Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord; And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt severally. SCENE I.-Rome. ACT III. 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, METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS. POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and others. At Ces. 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'erread, 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 served. Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly. Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. Pop. Fare you well; [Advances to CÆSAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wished to-day our enterprise might thrive. I fear, our purpose is discoveréd. 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 purpose; For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change. |