Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan; And ghosts did shriek, and squeal about the streets : And I do fear them. Cos. What can be avoided, 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. Caes. 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 a Servant. What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you stir forth to-day. Cal. Alas, my lord, 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. Cas. Mark Antony shall say, I am not well; Enter DECIUS. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. [5] This is a sentence derived from the stoical doctrine of predestination, and is therefore improper in the mouth of Cæsar. JOHNSON. [6] The ancients did not place courage, but wisdom in the heart. JOHNSON 3 VOL. VIII. B2 Dec. Cæsar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Cæsar : I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Caes. And you are come in very happy time, And tell them, that I will not come to-day: Cæs. Shall Cæsar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, Dec. Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause, Caes. 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 a hundred spouts, Caes. And this way have you well expounded it. This speech, which is intentionally pompous, is somewhat confused. There are two allusions: one to coats armorial, to which princes make additions, or give new tinctures, and new marks of cognizance; the other to martyrs, whose reliques are preserved with veneration. The Romans, says Decius, all come to you as to saint for reliques, as to a prince for honours. JOHNSON. Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock When Casar's wife shall meet with better dreams. Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love And reason to my love is liable." 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, And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Cæs. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?— As that same ague which hath made you lean.- Bru. Cæsar, 'tis strucken eight. Cas. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. See! Antony, that revels long o'nights, Is notwithstanding up : Good-morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. Cæs. Bid them prepare within : I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna :-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! Remember that you call on me to-day: Be near me, that I may remember you. [Aside Treb. Cæsar, I will :-And so near will I be, That your best friends shall wish I had been further. Cæs. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go together. [8] And reason, or propriety of conduct and language, is subordinate to my love JOHNSON. SCENE III. The same. A Street near the Capitol. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper. Art. Casar, 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 be'st not immortal, look about you: Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS. Here will I stand, till Cæsar pass along, My heart laments, that virtue cannot live If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live ; SCENE IV. [Exit. The same. Another part of the same Street, before the House of BRUTUS. Enter PORTIA and LUCIUS. Por. I pr'ythee, boy, run to the senate-house; Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone : Why dost thou stay? Luc. To know my errand, madam. Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.-. O constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. How hard it is for women to keep counsel!— Art thou here yet? Luc. Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else? Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: And take good note, What Cæsar doth, what suitors press to him. Hark, boy! what noise is that? Luc. I hear none, madam. Por. Pr'ythee, listen well: [9] Emulation here, as on many other occasions, is used in an unfavourable sense, somewhat like factious, envious, or malicious rivalry. STEEVENS. I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, Por. Come hither, fellow: Which way hast thou been? Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. Por. Is Cæsar yet gone to the Capitol ? Sooth. Madam, not yet; I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol. Por. Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not? Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar To be so good to Cæsar, as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself. Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him? Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance, Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow : Por. I must go in. Ah me! how weak a thing The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! Say, I am merry: come to me again, [Exit. And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. The same. The Capitol; the Senate sitting. Cæsar. THE ides of March are come. |