Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Cas. Is to himself; take thought, and die for Cæsar: Treb. There is no fear in him; let him not die; Bru. Peace, count the clock. [Clock strikes. The clock hath stricken three. Treb. 'Tis time to part, 9 take thought,] that is, turn melancholy. company.] Company is here used in a disreputable sense. 1 Quite from the main opinion he held once Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies:] Main opinion, is nothing more than leading, fixed, predominant opinion. author's time commonly used for imagination. Fantasy was in our omens or signs deduced from sacrifices, or other ceremonial rites. And the persuasion of his augurers, Dec. Never fear that: If he be so resolv'd, For I can give his humour the true bent; 2 Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him; 3 Cas. The morning comes upon us: We'll leave Brutus: you, And, friends, disperse yourselves: but all remember 2 That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,] 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. Elephants were seduced into pitfalls, lightly covered with hurdles and turf, on which a proper bait to tempt them, was exposed. - by him;] that is, by his house. * Let not our looks-] Let not our faces put on, that is, wear or show our designs. But bear it as our Roman actors do, [Exeunt all but BRUTUS. Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter; Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, Which busy care draws in the brains of men ; Por. Enter PORTIA. 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, You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, Musing, and sighing, with your arms across; I urg'd you further; then you scratch'd your head, But, with an angry wafture of your hand, 5 on your condition,] On your temper; the disposition of your mind. I should not know you, Brutus. Dear, my lord, Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. Bru. Why, so I do:-Good Portia, go to bed. 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 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: grant, I am a woman; but, withal, I A woman well-reputed; Cato's daughter. Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose them: 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. [Exit PORTIA. Enter LUCIUs and Ligarius. Lucius, who's that, knocks? 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. Bru. O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, To wear a kerchief? 'Would you were not sick! Lig. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 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. Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins! |