I shall unfold to thee, as we are going To whom it must be done. Lig. Bru. Follow me, then. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A hall in CESAR's palace. Thunder and lightning. Enter CESAR, in his nightgown. Cas. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night: Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out, "Help, ho! they murder Cæsar!" Who's within? Serv. My lord? Enter a Servant. Cæs. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, And bring me their opinions of success.. Serv. I will, my lord. Enter CALPHURNIA. [Exit. Cal. What mean you, Cæsar? think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house to-day. Cæs. Cæsar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Cæsar, they are vanishèd. Cal. Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead; The noise of battle hurtled in the air, Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan; And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. And I do fear them! Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods? Cal. When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Cæs. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Will come when it will come. Re-enter Servant. What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, They could not find a heart within the beast. Cæs. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: If he should stay at home to-day for fear. That Cæsar is more dangerous than he: We are two lions litter'd in one day, And I the elder and more terrible: And Cæsar shall go forth. Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear That keeps you in the house, and not your own Cæs. Mark Antony shall say I am not well; And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. Enter DECIUS. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. I come to fetch you to the senate-house. worthy Cæsar: Cas. And you are come in very happy time, Cal. Say he is sick. Cæs. tell them so, Decius. Shall Cæsar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far To be afeard to tell graybeards the truth? Dec. Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause, Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so. Cas. The cause is in my will, — I will not come; That is enough to satisfy the senate. But, for your private satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know, - Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, Does she apply for warnings and portents Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Reviving blood; and that great men shall press Cas. And this way have you well expounded it. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Apt to be render'd, for some one to say, "Break up the senate till another time, When Cæsar's wife shall meet with better dreams." If Cæsar hide himself, shall they not whisper, "Lo, Cæsar is afraid"? Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear dear love To your proceeding bids me tell you this; 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, TREBO- And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Cæs. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, As that same ague which hath made you lean. Bru. Cæsar, 'tis strucken eight. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. I have an hour's talk in store for you; Trebonius! Treb. Cæsar, I will: [aside] 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. [aside] That every like is not the same, O Cæsar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. 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 beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, Here will I stand till Cæsar pass along, If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou mayst live; ARTEMIDORUS." [Exit. SCENE IV. The same. Another part of the same street, before the house of BRUTUS. Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS. Por. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone: |