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 To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 280 284 And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. Bru. You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 288 That visit my sad heart. Por. If this were true then should I know this secret. I grant I am a woman, but, withal, 292 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife; I grant I am a woman, but, withal, A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter. Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 296 Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em. Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience Bru. 300 O ye gods, Knock [within]. Hark, hark! one knocks. Portia, go in awhile; 304 And by and by thy bosom shall partake The secrets of my heart. 283 in... limitation: only after a fashion or with restrictions 292 withal: with this saving reservation 295 Cato: Marcus Porcius Cato, 'of Utica' All my engagements I will construe to thee, 308 Exit Portia. Lucius, who's that knocks? Leave me with haste. Enter Lucius and Ligarius. Luc. Here is a sick man that would speak with you. Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spoke of. Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how? 312 Lig. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick! 317 Bru. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, 321 325 Bru. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. Lig. But are not some whole that we must make sick? Bru. That must we also. What it is, my Caius, I shall unfold to thee as we are going To whom it must be done. 328 307 engagements: undertakings that I stand committed to construe: explain 309 who's: who is it 308 charactery: writing, message 313 Vouchsafe: vouchsafe to receive 315 kerchief: swathing for the head of the sick 323 exorcist: magician 331 To whom: to him to whom 324 mortified: deadened Lig. Set on your foot, 332 Thunder. Follow me then. Exeunt. And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you, Bru. Scene Two [Cæsar's House] Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Cæsar in his night-gown. Cas. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to night: Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, Serv. My lord! Cæs. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, And bring me their opinions of success. Serv. I will, my lord. Enter Calpurnia. Exit. Cal. What mean you, Cæsar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 8 Cæs. Cæsar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see Cal. Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, Scene Two S. d. night-gown: dressing-gown 5 present: immediate 13 stood on ceremonies: laid stress on omens 12 6 success: the future Yet now they fright me. There is one within, Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 17 And graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead; In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, The noise of battle hurtled in the air, Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, 21 And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 24 O Cæsar, these things are beyond all use, And I do fear them. Cæs. What can be avoided Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods? 28 Cal. When beggars die there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Cas. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Will come when it will come. Enter a Servant. 32 36 What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, 20 right form: regular formations 22 hurtled: emitted sounds of conflict, clashed 25 use: previous experience 27 end: accomplishment 29 Are to: are as applicable to They could not find a heart within the beast. Cæs. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: Cal. 40 44 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; Enter Decius. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. Dec. Cæsar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Cæ sar: I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Cæs. And you are come in very happy time Cæs. 60 64 68 56 humour: whim, caprice |