And by that order of proscription. Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? Mes. 181 That, methinks, is strange. Bru. Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours? Mes. No, my lord. Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 184 Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: With meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to endure it now. 189 Mes. Even so great men great losses should endure. Cas. I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so. 192 Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently? Cas. I do not think it good. Bru. Cas. 196 Your reason? This is it: 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, 200 Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness. Bru. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. 183 Nothing, Messala; cf. n. 190 once: some day 195 alive: which concerns the living 193 art: theory 202 force: necessity The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground For they have grudg'd us contribution: By them shall make a fuller number up, Cas. Bru. Under your pardon. side, 204 209 Hear me, good brother. That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: We, at the height, are ready to decline. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; And we must take the current when it serves, Cas. 212 216 220 Then, with your will, go on; We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi. 224 Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature must obey necessity, Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say? 204 Are friendly to us only under compulsion 208 new-added: newly augmented 213 That we have drawn on our friends to the utmost 219 Omitted: if it is neglected 220 bound in: confined to 223 ventures: investments ence with your will: according to your prefer 227 So to nature's need we will dole out a little rest Cas. No more. Good-night: 228 Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. Bru. Lucius! Enter Lucius. My gown. [Exit Lucius.] Farewell, good Messala: Good-night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, Cas. O my dear brother! Never come such division 'tween our souls! Bru. Cas. Good-night, my lord. 232 Everything is well. Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? Bru. What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er watch'd. Call Claudius and some other of my men; I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. 240 Enter Varro and Claudius. Var. Calls my lord? Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep: 240 knave: boy o'er-watch'd: worn out by lack of sleep 244 It may be I shall raise you by and by Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. Bru. I will not have it so; lie down, good sirs; It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. 248 [Varro and Claudius lie down.] Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; 252 Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? Luc. Ay, my lord, an 't please you. 256 It does, my boy: I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. Luc. It is my duty, sir. Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 260 Bru. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. 264 Music, and a Song. This is a sleepy tune: O murderous slumber, night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. 246 raise: rouse 254 much: very 256 Play a tune or two on thy lute 268 248 watch: wakefully await 266 murderous: because rendering apparently lifeless 267 leaden: dull and heavy mace: bailiff's staff for arresting people Let me see, let me down see; is not the leaf turn'd 272 Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. Enter the Ghost of Cæsar. How ill this taper burns. Ha! Who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Bru. 276 280 Why com'st thou? Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Bru. Well; then I shall see thee again? Ay, at Philippi. 284 [Exit Ghost.] Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest: Luc. The strings, my lord, are false. Bru. He thinks he still is at his instrument. Lucius, awake! 288 Luc. My lord! 292 Bru. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out? Luc. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. Bru. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see anything? Luc. Nothing, my lord. 274 How burns: accepted sign of an apparition's presence 277 upon: towards 296 279 stare: stand on end |