1 will not palter ? and what other oath, at this shall be, or we will fall for it? r the insuppressive mettle of our spirits, > think, that, or our cause, or our performance, he do break the smallest particle any promise that hath pass'd from him. Cas. But what of Cicero ? Shall we sound him? think, he will stand very strong with us. Casca. Let us not leave him out. Cim. No, by no means, Met. O let us have him; for his silver hairs ill purchase us a good opinion, nd buy men's voices to commend our deeds: shall be said, his judgment rul'd our hands; ur youths, and wildness, shall no whit appear, t all be buried in his gravity. Bru. O, name him not: let us not break with him : or he will never follow any thing hat other men begin. Cas. Then leave him out. Casca. Indeed, he is not fit. Dec. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Cæsar ? Cas. Decius, well urg'd :—I think it is not meet, ark Antony, so well belov'd of Cæsar, hould outlive Cæsar: We shall find of him shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means, he improves them, may well stretch so far, s to annoy us all which to prevent, et Antony, and Cæsar, fall together. Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, o cut the head off, and then hack the limbs ; ike wrath in death, and envy afterwards :7 or Antony is but a limb of Cæsar. 15) Will not fly from his engagements. MALONE. [6] Bulloker, in his English Expositor, 1616, explains cautelous thus, "Warie, cirmspect." MALONE. [7] Envy is here, as almost always in Shakespeare's plays, malice. MALONE Let us be sacrificers, but no butchers, Caius. Cas. Yet do I fear him : For in the ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar,- Cas. The clock hath stricken three. Cas. But it is doubtful yét, If Cæsar will come forth to-day, or no : 8 Dec. Never fear that: If he be so resolv'd, I can o'ersway him for he loves to hear, : That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, [8] Company is here used in a disreputable sense. HENLEY. [9] Ceremonies means omens or signs deduced from sacrifices, or other ceremowial rites. MALONE. And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,' For I can give his humour the true bent; Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him : Cas. The morning comes upon us: We'll leave you, Brutus: : And, friends, disperse yourselves but all remember 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; Enter PORTIA. Por. 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 bed: And yesternight, at supper, [1] Unicorns are said to have been taken by one who, running behind a tree, eluded the violent push the animal was making at him, so that his horn spent its force on the trunk, and stuck fast, detaining the beast till he was despatched by the hunter. Bears are reported to have been surprised by means of a mirror, which they would gaze on, affording their pursuers an opportunity of taking the surer aim. This circumstance, I think, is mentioned by Claudian. Elephants were seduced into pit-falls, lightly covered with hurdles and turf, on which a proper bait to tempt them, was exposed. STEEVENS. MALONE. [2] That is, by his house. You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, I urg'd you further; then you scratch'd your head. Which seem'd too much enkindled; and, withal, Which sometime 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 [S] On your temper, the disposition of your mind. That appertain to you? Am I yourself, To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 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 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 : Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose them : Giving myself a voluntary wound Here, in the thigh: Can I bear that with patience Bru. O ye gods, Render me worthy of this noble wife! [Knocking within. Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in a while ; And by and by thy bosom shall partake The secrets of my heart. All my engagements I will construe to thee, All the charactery of my sad brows :— Leave me with haste. Enter LUCIUS and LIGARIUS. Lucius, who is there that knocks? [Exit PORTIA. Luc. Here is a sick man, that would speak with you. Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. Boy, stand aside.-Caius Ligarius! how? Lig. Vouchsafe good-morrow from a feeble tongue. To wear a kerchief? 'Would you were not sick! 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, I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome! Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins! |