Cas. The clock hath stricken three. Treb. 'Tis time to part. For I can give his humor the true bent; Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. Cas. The morning comes upon us: We'll leave you, Brutus :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: But bear it as our Roman actors do, With untir'd spirits, and formal constancy : And so, good-morrow to you every one. [Exeunt all but BRUTUS. Boy! Lucius!-Fast asleep? It is no matter; Which busy care draws in the brains of men: Por. Enter PORTIA. Brutus, my lord! Bru. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now? It is not for your health, thus to commit Your weak condition to the raw-cold morning. Por. Nor for yours neither. You have ungently, Brutus, Stole from my room: And yesternight, at supper, You suddenly arose, and walked about, Musing and sighing, with your arms across: I urg'd you further; then you scratch'd your head, Which sometimes hath his hour with every man. Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. Bru. Kneel not, gentle Portia. Por. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, Is it excepted, I should know no secrets That appertain to you? Am I yourself, But, as it were, in sort or limitation? Bru. You are my true and honorable wife : As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. 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. Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose them: Giving myself a voluntary wound.— Can I bear that with patience, And not my husband's secrets? Bru. O ye gods Render me worthy of this noble wife! And, by and by thy bosom shall partake All my engagements I will construe to thee, ACT III. On the day arranged by the conspirators, for the assassination of Cæsar, he is persuaded by Calphurnia and the Augurers, not to go forth to the Capitol. He resists all their warnings, and departs with Antony, Brutus, &c., to keep his appointment. SCENE I.-The Capitol; the Senate sitting. XA crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol; among them, ARTEMIDORUS, and the Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter ČESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, PUBLIUS, and others. Cas. The ides of March are come. 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 Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. CESAR 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. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? [Advances to CESAR. 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 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; CESAR and the Senators take Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, Bru. He is address'd: press near, and second him. Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Cæsar, An humble heart : Cæs. 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, If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn, for him, Know, Cæsar doth not wrong: nor without cause 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. Cas. What, Brutus ! Pardon, Cæsar: Cæsar, pardon; To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. their seats. [Kneeling. But I am constant as the northern star, The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, That I was constant, Cimber should be banish'd, Cin. O Cæsar. Cæs. Dec. Great Cæsar, Cas. Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus ? Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? Casca. Speak, hands, for me. [CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck. CESAR catches hold of his arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and at last by MARCUS BRUTUS. Cas. 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. Dec. Bru. Where's Publius? And Cassius too. Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Bru. Talk not of standing;-Publius, good cheer; Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius. Cas. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people, Re-enter TREBONIUS. Fled to his house amaz'd: Cas. Where is Antony? Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday. |