The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar.Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the NorthHe first presents his fire, and the high EastStands as the Capitoll, directly heere.Bru.
[705]
Giue me your hands all ouer, one by one.Cas.And let vs sweare our Resolution.Brut.No, not an Oa
: if not the Face of men,
The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,
[710]
And euery man hence, to his idle bed:So let high‑sighted‑Tyranny range on,Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these(As I am sure they do) beare fire enoughTo kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour
[715]
The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,What neede we any spurre, but our owne causeTo pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,And will not palter? And what other Oath,
[720]
Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,That this shall be, or we will fall for it.Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men CautelousOld feeble Carrions, and such suffering SoulesThat welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare
[725]
Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staineThe euen vertue of our Enterprize,Nor th'insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,To thinke, that or our Cause, or our PerformanceDid neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
[730]
That euery Roman beares, and Nobly bearesIs guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,If he do breake the smallest ParticleOf any promise that hath past from him.Cas.But what of
Cicero? Shall we sound him?
[735]
I thinke he will stand very strong with vs.Cask.Let vs not leaue him out.Cyn.No, by no meanes.Metel.O let vs haue him, for his Siluer hairesWill purchase vs a good opinion:
[740]
And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,Our youths, and wildenesse, shall no whit appeare,But all be buried in his Grauity.Bru.O name him not; let vs not breake with him,
[745]
For he will neuer follow any thingThat other men begin.Cas.Then leaue him out.Cask.Indeed, he is not fit.Decius.Shall no man else be toucht, but onely
Cæsar?
Cas.
[750]
Decius well vrg'd: I thinke it is not
meet,
Marke Antony, so well belou'd of
Cæsar,
Should out‑liue
Cæsar, we shall
finde of him
A shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanesIf he improue them, may well stretch so farre
[755]
As to annoy vs all: which to preuent,Let
Antony and
Cæsar fall together.
Bru.Our course will seeme too bloody,
Caius
Cassius
,
To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:
[760]
For
Antony, is but a Limbe of
Cæsar.
Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers
Caius:
We all stand vp against the spirit of
Cæsar,
And in the Spirit of men, there is no blood:O that we then could come by
Cæsars
Spirit,
[765]
And not dismember Cæsar! But (alas)Cæsar must bleed for it. And gentle
Friends,
Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:
[770]
And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall makeOur purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.Which so appearing to the common eyes,
[775]
We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.And for
Marke Antony, thinke not of him:
For he can do no more then
Cæsars
Arme,
When
Cæsars head is off.
Cas.Yet I feare him,
[780]
For in the ingrafted loue he beares to
Cæsar.
Bru.Alas, good
Cassius, do not thinke of him:
If he loue
Cæsar, all that he can
do
Is to himselfe; take thought, and dye for
Cæsar,
And that were much he should: for he is giuen
[785]
To sports, to wildenesse, and much company.Treb.There is no feare in him; let him not dye,For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.Clocke strikes.Bru.Peace, count the Clocke.Cas.The Clocke hath stricken three.Treb.
[790]
'Tis time to part.Cass.But it is doubtfull yet,Whether
Cæsar will come forth to day,
or no:
For he is Superstitious growne of late,Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,
[795]
Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:It may be, these apparant Prodigies,The vnaccustom'd Terror of this night,And the perswasion of his Augurers,May hold him from the Capitoll to day.Decius.
[800]
Neuer feare that: If he be so resolu'd,I can ore‑sway him: For he loues to heare,That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.
[805]
But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,He sayes, he does; being then most flattered.Let me worke:For I can giue his humour the true bent;And I will bring him to the Capitoll.Cass.
[810]
Nay, we will all of vs, be there to fetch him.Bru.By the eight houre, is that the vttermost?Cin.Be that the vttermost, and faile not then.Met.Caius Ligarius doth beare
Cæsar hard,
Who rated him for speaking well of
Pompey;
[815]
I wonder none of you haue thought of him.Bru.Now good
Metellus go along by him:
He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him.Cas.The morning comes vpon's:
[820]
Wee'l leaue you
Brutus,
And Friends disperse your selues; but all rememberWhat you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans.Bru.Good Gentlemen, looke fresh and merrily,Let not our lookes put on our purposes,
[825]
But beare it as our Roman Actors do,With vntyr'd Spirits, and formall Constancie,And so good morrow to you euery one.Exeunt.Manet Brutus.Boy:
Lucius: Fast asleepe? It is no
matter,
Enioy the hony‑heauy‑Dew of Slumber:
Actus Secundus.
[Act 2, Scene 1]
Enter Brutus in his
Orchard.
Brut.What
Lucius, hoe?
[590]
I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres,Giue guesse how neere to day——
Lucius, I say?
I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.When
Lucius, when? awake, I say: what
Lucius?
Enter Lucius.Luc.Call'd you, my Lord?Brut.
[595]
Get me a Tapor in my Study,
Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.Luc.I will, my Lord.Exit.Brut.It must be by his death: and for my part,I know no personall cause, to spurne at him,
[600]
But for the generall. He would be crown'd:How that might change his nature, there's the question?It is the bright day, that brings forth the Adder,And that craues warie walking: Crowne him that,And then I graunt we put a Sting in him,
[605]
That at his will he may doe danger with.Th'abuse of Greatnesse, is, when it dis‑ioynesRemorse from Power: And to speake truth of
Cæsar,
I haue not knowne, when his Affections sway'dMore then his Reason. But 'tis a common proofe,
[610]
That Lowlynesse is young Ambitions Ladder,Whereto the Climber vpward turnes his Face:But when he once attaines the vpmost Round,He then vnto the Ladder turnes his Backe,Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degrees
[615]
By which he did ascend: so
Cæsar
may;
Then least he may, preuent. And since the QuarrellWill beare no colour, for the thing he is,Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,Would runne to these, and these extremities:
[620]
And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge,Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischieuous;And kill him in the shell.Enter Lucius.Luc.The Taper burneth in your Closet, Sir:Searching the Window for a Flint, I found
[625]
This Paper, thus seal'd vp, and I am sureIt did not lye there when I went to Bed.Giues him the
Letter.
Brut.Get you to Bed againe, it is not day:Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?Luc.I know not, Sir.Brut.
[630]
Looke in the Calender, and bring me word.Luc.I will, Sir.Exit.Brut.The exhalations, whizzing in the ayre,Giue so much light, that I may reade by them.Opens the Letter,
and reades.
Brutus thou sleep'st; awake, and see thy selfe:
[635]
Shall Rome, &c. speake, strike, redresse. Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.Such instigations haue beene often dropt,Where I haue tooke them vp:Shall Rome, &c. Thus must I piece it
out:
[640]
Shall Rome stand vnder one mans awe? What Rome?My Ancestors did from the streetes of RomeThe
Tarquin driue, when he was call'd a
King.
Speake, strike, redresse. Am I entreated
To speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
[645]
If the redresse will follow, thou receiuestThy full Petition at the hand of
Brutus.
Enter Lucius.Luc.Sir, March is wasted fifteene dayes.Knocke within.Brut.'Tis good. Go to the Gate, some body knocks:Since
Cassius first did whet me against
Cæsar,
[650]
I haue not slept.Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing,And the first motion, all the
Interim is
Like a
Phantasma, or a hideous Dreame:
The
Genius, and the mortall Instruments
[655]
Are then in councell; and the state of a man,Like to a little Kingdome, suffers thenThe nature of an Insurrection.Enter Lucius.Luc.Sir, 'tis your Brother
Cassius at the
Doore,
Who doth desire to see you.Brut.
[660]
Is he alone?Luc.No, Sir, there are moe with him.Brut.Doe you know them?Luc.No, Sir, their Hats are pluckt about their Eares,And halfe their Faces buried in their Cloakes,
[665]
That by no meanes I may discouer them,By any marke of fauour.Brut.Let 'em enter:They are the Faction. O Conspiracie,Sham'st thou to shew thy dang'rous Brow by Night,
[670]
When euills are most free? O then, by dayWhere wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough,To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie,Hide it in Smiles, and Affabilitie:For if thou path thy natiue semblance on,
[675]
Not
Erebus it selfe were dimme enough,
To hide thee from preuention.Enter the Conspirators, Cassius,
Caska, Decius,
Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.
Cass.I thinke we are too bold vpon your Rest:Good morrow
Brutus, doe we trouble you?
Brut.I haue beene vp this howre, awake all Night:
[680]
Know I these men, that come along with you?Cass.Yes, euery man of them; and no man hereBut honors you: and euery one doth wish,You had but that opinion of your selfe,Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.
[685]
This is
Trebonius.
Brut.He is welcome hither.Cass.This,
Decius Brutus.
Brut.He is welcome too.Cass.This,
Caska; this,
Cinna; and this,
Metellus
Cymber
.
Brut.
[690]
They are all welcome.What watchfull Cares doe interpose themseluesBetwixt your Eyes, and Night?Cass.Shall I entreat a word?They whisper.Decius.Here lyes the East: doth not the Day breake
heere?
Cask.
[695]
No.Cin.O pardon, Sir, it doth; and yon grey Lines,That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.Cask.You shall confesse, that you are both deceiu'd:Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises,
[700]
Which is a great way growing on the South,Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the NorthHe first presents his fire, and the high EastStands as the Capitoll, directly heere.Bru.
[705]
Giue me your hands all ouer, one by one.Cas.And let vs sweare our Resolution.Brut.No, not an Oa
: if not the Face of men,
The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,
[710]
And euery man hence, to his idle bed:So let high‑sighted‑Tyranny range on,Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these(As I am sure they do) beare fire enoughTo kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour
[715]
The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,What neede we any spurre, but our owne causeTo pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,And will not palter? And what other Oath,
[720]
Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,That this shall be, or we will fall for it.Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men CautelousOld feeble Carrions, and such suffering SoulesThat welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare
[725]
Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staineThe euen vertue of our Enterprize,Nor th'insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,To thinke, that or our Cause, or our PerformanceDid neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
[730]
That euery Roman beares, and Nobly bearesIs guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,If he do breake the smallest ParticleOf any promise that hath past from him.Cas.But what of
Cicero? Shall we sound him?
[735]
I thinke he will stand very strong with vs.Cask.Let vs not leaue him out.Cyn.No, by no meanes.Metel.O let vs haue him, for his Siluer hairesWill purchase vs a good opinion:
[740]
And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,Our youths, and wildenesse, shall no whit appeare,But all be buried in his Grauity.Bru.O name him not; let vs not breake with him,
[745]
For he will neuer follow any thingThat other men begin.Cas.Then leaue him out.Cask.Indeed, he is not fit.Decius.Shall no man else be toucht, but onely
Cæsar?
Cas.
[750]
Decius well vrg'd: I thinke it is not
meet,
Marke Antony, so well belou'd of
Cæsar,
Should out‑liue
Cæsar, we shall
finde of him
A shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanesIf he improue them, may well stretch so farre
[755]
As to annoy vs all: which to preuent,Let
Antony and
Cæsar fall together.
Bru.Our course will seeme too bloody,
Caius
Cassius
,
To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:
[760]
For
Antony, is but a Limbe of
Cæsar.
Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers
Caius:
We all stand vp against the spirit of
Cæsar,
And in the Spirit of men, there is no blood:O that we then could come by
Cæsars
Spirit,
[765]
And not dismember Cæsar! But (alas)Cæsar must bleed for it. And gentle
Friends,
Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:
[770]
And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall makeOur purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.Which so appearing to the common eyes,
[775]
We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.And for
Marke Antony, thinke not of him:
For he can do no more then
Cæsars
Arme,
When
Cæsars head is off.
Cas.Yet I feare him,
[780]
For in the ingrafted loue he beares to
Cæsar.
Bru.Alas, good
Cassius, do not thinke of him:
If he loue
Cæsar, all that he can
do
Is to himselfe; take thought, and dye for
Cæsar,
And that were much he should: for he is giuen
[785]
To sports, to wildenesse, and much company.Treb.There is no feare in him; let him not dye,For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.Clocke strikes.Bru.Peace, count the Clocke.Cas.The Clocke hath stricken three.Treb.
[790]
'Tis time to part.Cass.But it is doubtfull yet,Whether
Cæsar will come forth to day,
or no:
For he is Superstitious growne of late,Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,
[795]
Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:It may be, these apparant Prodigies,The vnaccustom'd Terror of this night,And the perswasion of his Augurers,May hold him from the Capitoll to day.Decius.
[800]
Neuer feare that: If he be so resolu'd,I can ore‑sway him: For he loues to heare,That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.
[805]
But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,He sayes, he does; being then most flattered.Let me worke:For I can giue his humour the true bent;And I will bring him to the Capitoll.Cass.
[810]
Nay, we will all of vs, be there to fetch him.Bru.By the eight houre, is that the vttermost?Cin.Be that the vttermost, and faile not then.Met.Caius Ligarius doth beare
Cæsar hard,
Who rated him for speaking well of
Pompey;
[815]
I wonder none of you haue thought of him.Bru.Now good
Metellus go along by him:
He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him.Cas.The morning comes vpon's:
[820]
Wee'l leaue you
Brutus,
And Friends disperse your selues; but all rememberWhat you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans.Bru.Good Gentlemen, looke fresh and merrily,Let not our lookes put on our purposes,
[825]
But beare it as our Roman Actors do,With vntyr'd Spirits, and formall Constancie,And so good morrow to you euery one.Exeunt.Manet Brutus.Boy:
Lucius: Fast asleepe? It is no
matter,
Enioy the hony‑heauy‑Dew of Slumber:
[830]
Thou hast no Figures, nor no Fantasies,Which busie care drawes, in the braines of men;Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.Enter Portia.Por.Brutus, my Lord.
Bru.Portia: What meane you? wherfore rise you
now?
[835]
It is not for your health, thus to commitYour weake condition, to the raw cold morning.Por.Nor for yours neither. Y'haue vngently
BrutusStole from my bed: and yesternight at SupperYou sodainly arose, and walk'd about,
[840]
Musing, and sighing, with your armes a‑crosseAnd when I ask'd you what the matter was,You star'd vpon me, with vngentle lookes.I vrg'd you further, then you scratch'd your head,And too impatiently stampt with your foote:
[845]
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,But with an angry wafter of your handGaue signe for me to leaue you: So I did,Fearing to strengthen that impatienceWhich seem'd too much inkindled; and withall,
[850]
Hoping it was but an effect of Humor,Which sometime hath his houre with euery man.It will not let you eate, nor talke, nor sleepe;And could it worke so much vpon your shape,As it hath much preuayl'd on your
CondltionCondition,
[855]
I should not know you
Brutus. Deare my
Lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of greefe.Bru.I am not well in health, and that is all.Por.Brutus is wise, and were he not in
health,
He would embrace the meanes to come by it.Bru.
[860]
Why so I do: good
Portia go to bed.
Por.Is
Brutus sicke? And is it Physicall
To walke vnbraced, and sucke vp the humoursOf the danke Morning? What, is
Brutus
sicke?
And will he steale out of his wholsome bed
[865]
To dare the vile contagion of the Night?And tempt the Rhewmy, and vnpurged Ayre,To adde vnto
hithis sicknesse? No my
Brutus,
You haue some sicke Offence within your minde,Which by the Right and Vertue of my place
[870]
I ought to know of: And vpon my knees,I charme you, by my once commended Beauty,By all your vowes of Loue, and that great VowWhich did incorporate and make vs one,That you vnfold to me, your selfe; your halfe
[875]
Why you are heauy: and what men to nightHaue had resort to you: for heere haue beeneSome sixe or seuen, who did hide their facesEuen from darknesse.Bru.Kneele not gentle
Portia.
Por.
[880]
I should not neede, if you were gentle
Brutus.
Within
thothe Bond of Marriage, tell me
Brutus,
Is it excepted, I should know no SecretsThat appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe,But as it were in sort, or limitation?
[885]
To keepe with you at Meales, comfort your Bed,And talke to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the SuburbsOf your good pleasure? If it be no more,Portia is
Brutus
Harlot, not his Wife.
Bru.You are my true and honourable Wife,
[890]
As deere to me, as are the ruddy droppesThat visit my sad heart.Por.If this were true, then should I know this secret.I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,A Woman that Lord
Brutus tooke to Wife:
[895]
I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,A Woman well reputed:
Cato's Daughter.
Thinke you, I am no stronger then my SexBeing so Father'd, and so Husbanded?Tell me your Counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
[900]
I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie,Giuing my selfe a voluntary woundHeere, in the Thigh: Can I be
e that with
patience,
And not my Husbands Secrets?Bru.O ye Gods!
[905]
Render me worthy of this Noble Wife.Knocke.Harke, harke, one knockes:
Portia go in a
while,
And by and by thy bosome shall partakeThe secrets of my Heart.All my engagements, I will construe to thee,
[910]
All the Charractery of my sad browes:Leaue me with hast.Exit Portia.Enter Lucius and
Ligarius.
Lucius,who's that knockes.
Luc.Heere is a sicke man that would speak with you.Bru.Caius Ligarius, that
Metellus spake of.
[915]
Boy, stand aside.
Caius Ligarius, how?
Cai.Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.Bru.O what a time haue you chose out braue
CaiusTo weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke.Cai.I am not sicke, if
Brutus haue in hand
[920]
Any exploit worthy the name of Honor.Bru.Such an exploit haue I in hand
Ligarius,
Had you a healthfull eare to heare of it.Cai.By all the Gods that Romans bow before,I heere discard my sicknesse. Soule of Rome,
[925]
Braue Sonne, deriu'd from Honourable Loines,Thou like an Exorcist, hast coniur'd vpMy mortified Spirit. Now bid me runne,And I will striue with things impossible,Yea get the better of them. What's to do?Bru.
[930]
A peece of worke,That will make sicke men whole.Cai.But are not some whole, that we must make sicke?Bru.That must we also. What it is my
Caius,
I shall vnfold to thee, as we are going,
[935]
To whom it must be done.Cai.Set on your foote,And with a heart new‑fir'd, I follow you,To do I know not what: but it sufficethThat
Brutus leads me on.
Thunder.Bru.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1" rend="notPresent">
<head rend="italic center">Actus Secundus.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 2, Scene 1]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Brutus in his Orchard.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="589">What<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>, hoe?</l>
<l n="590">I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres,</l>
<l n="591">Giue guesse how neere to day——<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>, I say?</l>
<l n="592">I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.</l>
<l n="593">When<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>, when? awake, I say: what<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Enter Lucius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="594">Call'd you, my Lord?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="595">Get me a Tapor in my Study,<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>:</l>
<l n="596">When it is lighted, come and call me here.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="597">I will, my Lord.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="598">It must be by his death: and for my part,</l>
<l n="599">I know no personall cause, to spurne at him,</l>
<l n="600">But for the generall. He would be crown'd:</l>
<l n="601">How that might change his nature, there's the question?</l>
<l n="602">It is the bright day, that brings forth the Adder,</l>
<l n="603">And that craues warie walking: Crowne him that,</l>
<l n="604">And then I graunt we put a Sting in him,</l>
<l n="605">That at his will he may doe danger with.</l>
<l n="606">Th'abuse of Greatnesse, is, when it dis‑ioynes</l>
<l n="607">Remorse from Power: And to speake truth of<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>,</l>
<l n="608">I haue not knowne, when his Affections sway'd</l>
<l n="609">More then his Reason. But 'tis a common proofe,</l>
<l n="610">That Lowlynesse is young Ambitions Ladder,</l>
<l n="611">Whereto the Climber vpward turnes his Face:</l>
<l n="612">But when he once attaines the vpmost Round,</l>
<l n="613">He then vnto the Ladder turnes his Backe,</l>
<l n="614">Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degrees</l>
<l n="615">By which he did ascend: so<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>may;</l>
<l n="616">Then least he may, preuent. And since the Quarrell</l>
<l n="617">Will beare no colour, for the thing he is,</l>
<l n="618">Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,</l>
<l n="619">Would runne to these, and these extremities:</l>
<l n="620">And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge,</l>
<l n="621">Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischieuous;</l>
<l n="622">And kill him in the shell.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lucius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="623">The Taper burneth in your Closet, Sir:</l>
<l n="624">Searching the Window for a Flint, I found</l>
<l n="625">This Paper, thus seal'd vp, and I am sure</l>
<l n="626">It did not lye there when I went to Bed.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Giues him the Letter.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="627">Get you to Bed againe, it is not day:</l>
<l n="628">Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="629">I know not, Sir.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="630">Looke in the Calender, and bring me word.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="631">I will, Sir.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="632">The exhalations, whizzing in the ayre,</l>
<l n="633">Giue so much light, that I may reade by them.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Opens the Letter, and reades.</stage>
<lg rend="italic">
<l n="634">Brutus thou sleep'st; awake, and see thy selfe:</l>
<l n="635">Shall Rome, &c. speake, strike, redresse.</l>
<l n="636">Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.</l>
</lg>
<l n="637">Such instigations haue beene often dropt,</l>
<l n="638">Where I haue tooke them vp:</l>
<l n="639">
<hi rend="italic">Shall Rome, &c</hi>. Thus must I piece it out:</l>
<l n="640">Shall Rome stand vnder one mans awe? What Rome?</l>
<l n="641">My Ancestors did from the streetes of Rome</l>
<l n="642">The<hi rend="italic">Tarquin</hi>driue, when he was call'd a King.</l>
<l n="643">
<hi rend="italic">Speake, strike, redresse</hi>. Am I entreated</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="644">To speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,</l>
<l n="645">If the redresse will follow, thou receiuest</l>
<l n="646">Thy full Petition at the hand of<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lucius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="647">Sir, March is wasted fifteene dayes.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Knocke within.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="648">'Tis good. Go to the Gate, some body knocks:</l>
<l n="649">Since<hi rend="italic">Cassius</hi>first did whet me against<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>,</l>
<l n="650">I haue not slept.</l>
<l n="651">Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing,</l>
<l n="652">And the first motion, all the<hi rend="italic">Interim</hi>is</l>
<l n="653">Like a<hi rend="italic">Phantasma</hi>, or a hideous Dreame:</l>
<l n="654">The<hi rend="italic">Genius</hi>, and the mortall Instruments</l>
<l n="655">Are then in councell; and the state of a man,</l>
<l n="656">Like to a little Kingdome, suffers then</l>
<l n="657">The nature of an Insurrection.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lucius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="658">Sir, 'tis your Brother<hi rend="italic">Cassius</hi>at the Doore,</l>
<l n="659">Who doth desire to see you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="660">Is he alone?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="661">No, Sir, there are moe with him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="662">Doe you know them?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="663">No, Sir, their Hats are pluckt about their Eares,</l>
<l n="664">And halfe their Faces buried in their Cloakes,</l>
<l n="665">That by no meanes I may discouer them,</l>
<l n="666">By any marke of fauour.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="667">Let 'em enter:</l>
<l n="668">They are the Faction. O Conspiracie,</l>
<l n="669">Sham'st thou to shew thy dang'rous Brow by Night,</l>
<l n="670">When euills are most free? O then, by day</l>
<l n="671">Where wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough,</l>
<l n="672">To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie,</l>
<l n="673">Hide it in Smiles, and Affabilitie:</l>
<l n="674">For if thou path thy natiue semblance on,</l>
<l n="675">Not<hi rend="italic">Erebus</hi>it selfe were dimme enough,</l>
<l n="676">To hide thee from preuention.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Caska, Decius,
<lb/>Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="677">I thinke we are too bold vpon your Rest:</l>
<l n="678">Good morrow<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>, doe we trouble you?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="679">I haue beene vp this howre, awake all Night:</l>
<l n="680">Know I these men, that come along with you?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="681">Yes, euery man of them; and no man here</l>
<l n="682">But honors you: and euery one doth wish,</l>
<l n="683">You had but that opinion of your selfe,</l>
<l n="684">Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.</l>
<l n="685">This is<hi rend="italic">Trebonius</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="686">He is welcome hither.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="687">This,<hi rend="italic">Decius Brutus</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="688">He is welcome too.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="689">This,<hi rend="italic">Caska</hi>; this,<hi rend="italic">Cinna</hi>; and this,<hi rend="italic">Metellus
<lb/>Cymber</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="690">They are all welcome.</l>
<l n="691">What watchfull Cares doe interpose themselues</l>
<l n="692">Betwixt your Eyes, and Night?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="693">Shall I entreat a word?</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">They whisper.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-dec">
<speaker rend="italic">Decius.</speaker>
<l n="694">Here lyes the East: doth not the Day breake
<lb/>heere?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-csc">
<speaker rend="italic">Cask.</speaker>
<l n="695">No.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cin">
<speaker rend="italic">Cin.</speaker>
<l n="696">O pardon, Sir, it doth; and yon grey Lines,</l>
<l n="697">That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-csc">
<speaker rend="italic">Cask.</speaker>
<l n="698">You shall confesse, that you are both deceiu'd:</l>
<l n="699">Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises,</l>
<l n="700">Which is a great way growing on the South,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0725-0.jpg" n="115"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="701">Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.</l>
<l n="702">Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the North</l>
<l n="703">He first presents his fire, and the high East</l>
<l n="704">Stands as the Capitoll, directly heere.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="705">Giue me your hands all ouer, one by one.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="706">And let vs sweare our Resolution.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Brut.</speaker>
<l n="707">No, not an Oa<gap extent="2"
unit="chars"
reason="illegible"
agent="stain"
resp="#LMC"/>: if not the Face of men,</l>
<l n="708">The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;</l>
<l n="709">If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,</l>
<l n="710">And euery man hence, to his idle bed:</l>
<l n="711">So let high‑sighted‑Tyranny range on,</l>
<l n="712">Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these</l>
<l n="713">(As I am sure they do) beare fire enough</l>
<l n="714">To kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour</l>
<l n="715">The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,</l>
<l n="716">What neede we any spurre, but our owne cause</l>
<l n="717">To pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,</l>
<l n="718">Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,</l>
<l n="719">And will not palter? And what other Oath,</l>
<l n="720">Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,</l>
<l n="721">That this shall be, or we will fall for it.</l>
<l n="722">Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men Cautelous</l>
<l n="723">Old feeble Carrions, and such suffering Soules</l>
<l n="724">That welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare</l>
<l n="725">Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staine</l>
<l n="726">The euen vertue of our Enterprize,</l>
<l n="727">Nor th'insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,</l>
<l n="728">To thinke, that or our Cause, or our Performance</l>
<l n="729">Did neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood</l>
<l n="730">That euery Roman beares, and Nobly beares</l>
<l n="731">Is guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,</l>
<l n="732">If he do breake the smallest Particle</l>
<l n="733">Of any promise that hath past from him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="734">But what of<hi rend="italic">Cicero</hi>? Shall we sound him?</l>
<l n="735">I thinke he will stand very strong with vs.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-csc">
<speaker rend="italic">Cask.</speaker>
<l n="736">Let vs not leaue him out.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cin">
<speaker rend="italic">Cyn.</speaker>
<l n="737">No, by no meanes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-met">
<speaker rend="italic">Metel.</speaker>
<l n="738">O let vs haue him, for his Siluer haires</l>
<l n="739">Will purchase vs a good opinion:</l>
<l n="740">And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:</l>
<l n="741">It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,</l>
<l n="742">Our youths, and wildenesse, shall no whit appeare,</l>
<l n="743">But all be buried in his Grauity.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="744">O name him not; let vs not breake with him,</l>
<l n="745">For he will neuer follow any thing</l>
<l n="746">That other men begin.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="747">Then leaue him out.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-csc">
<speaker rend="italic">Cask.</speaker>
<l n="748">Indeed, he is not fit.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-dec">
<speaker rend="italic">Decius.</speaker>
<l n="749">Shall no man else be toucht, but onely<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="750">
<hi rend="italic">Decius</hi>well vrg'd: I thinke it is not meet,</l>
<l n="751">
<hi rend="italic">Marke Antony</hi>, so well belou'd of<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>,</l>
<l n="752">Should out‑liue<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>, we shall finde of him</l>
<l n="753">A shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanes</l>
<l n="754">If he improue them, may well stretch so farre</l>
<l n="755">As to annoy vs all: which to preuent,</l>
<l n="756">Let<hi rend="italic">Antony</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>fall together.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="757">Our course will seeme too bloody,<hi rend="italic">Caius Cassius</hi>,</l>
<l n="758">To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:</l>
<l n="759">Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:</l>
<l n="760">For<hi rend="italic">Antony</hi>, is but a Limbe of<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>.</l>
<l n="761">Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers<hi rend="italic">Caius</hi>:</l>
<l n="762">We all stand vp against the spirit of<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>,</l>
<l n="763">And in the Spirit of men, there is no blood:</l>
<l n="764">O that we then could come by<hi rend="italic">Cæsars</hi>Spirit,</l>
<l n="765">And not dismember Cæsar! But (alas)</l>
<l n="766">
<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>must bleed for it. And gentle Friends,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="767">Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:</l>
<l n="768">Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,</l>
<l n="769">Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:</l>
<l n="770">And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,</l>
<l n="771">Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,</l>
<l n="772">And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall make</l>
<l n="773">Our purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.</l>
<l n="774">Which so appearing to the common eyes,</l>
<l n="775">We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.</l>
<l n="776">And for<hi rend="italic">Marke Antony</hi>, thinke not of him:</l>
<l n="777">For he can do no more then<hi rend="italic">Cæsars</hi>Arme,</l>
<l n="778">When<hi rend="italic">Cæsars</hi>head is off.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="779">Yet I feare him,</l>
<l n="780">For in the ingrafted loue he beares to<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="781">Alas, good<hi rend="italic">Cassius</hi>, do not thinke of him:</l>
<l n="782">If he loue<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>, all that he can do</l>
<l n="783">Is to himselfe; take thought, and dye for<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>,</l>
<l n="784">And that were much he should: for he is giuen</l>
<l n="785">To sports, to wildenesse, and much company.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-tre">
<speaker rend="italic">Treb.</speaker>
<l n="786">There is no feare in him; let him not dye,</l>
<l n="787">For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Clocke strikes.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="788">Peace, count the Clocke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="789">The Clocke hath stricken three.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-tre">
<speaker rend="italic">Treb.</speaker>
<l n="790">'Tis time to part.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="791">But it is doubtfull yet,</l>
<l n="792">Whether<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>will come forth to day, or no:</l>
<l n="793">For he is Superstitious growne of late,</l>
<l n="794">Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,</l>
<l n="795">Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:</l>
<l n="796">It may be, these apparant Prodigies,</l>
<l n="797">The vnaccustom'd Terror of this night,</l>
<l n="798">And the perswasion of his Augurers,</l>
<l n="799">May hold him from the Capitoll to day.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-dec">
<speaker rend="italic">Decius.</speaker>
<l n="800">Neuer feare that: If he be so resolu'd,</l>
<l n="801">I can ore‑sway him: For he loues to heare,</l>
<l n="802">That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,</l>
<l n="803">And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,</l>
<l n="804">Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.</l>
<l n="805">But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,</l>
<l n="806">He sayes, he does; being then most flattered.</l>
<l n="807">Let me worke:</l>
<l n="808">For I can giue his humour the true bent;</l>
<l n="809">And I will bring him to the Capitoll.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cass.</speaker>
<l n="810">Nay, we will all of vs, be there to fetch him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="811">By the eight houre, is that the vttermost?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cin">
<speaker rend="italic">Cin.</speaker>
<l n="812">Be that the vttermost, and faile not then.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-met">
<speaker rend="italic">Met.</speaker>
<l n="813">
<hi rend="italic">Caius Ligarius</hi>doth beare<hi rend="italic">Cæsar</hi>hard,</l>
<l n="814">Who rated him for speaking well of<hi rend="italic">Pompey</hi>;</l>
<l n="815">I wonder none of you haue thought of him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="816">Now good<hi rend="italic">Metellus</hi>go along by him:</l>
<l n="817">He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,</l>
<l n="818">Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-cas">
<speaker rend="italic">Cas.</speaker>
<l n="819">The morning comes vpon's:</l>
<l n="820">Wee'l leaue you<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>,</l>
<l n="821">And Friends disperse your selues; but all remember</l>
<l n="822">What you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="823">Good Gentlemen, looke fresh and merrily,</l>
<l n="824">Let not our lookes put on our purposes,</l>
<l n="825">But beare it as our Roman Actors do,</l>
<l n="826">With vntyr'd Spirits, and formall Constancie,</l>
<l n="827">And so good morrow to you euery one.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Manet Brutus.</stage>
<l n="828">Boy:<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>: Fast asleepe? It is no matter,</l>
<l n="829">Enioy the hony‑heauy‑Dew of Slumber:</l>
<l n="830">Thou hast no Figures, nor no Fantasies,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0726-0.jpg" n="116"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="831">Which busie care drawes, in the braines of men;</l>
<l n="832">Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Portia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="833">
<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>, my Lord.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="834">
<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>: What meane you? wherfore rise you now?</l>
<l n="835">It is not for your health, thus to commit</l>
<l n="836">Your weake condition, to the raw cold morning.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="837">Nor for yours neither. Y'haue vngently<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>
</l>
<l n="838">Stole from my bed: and yesternight at Supper</l>
<l n="839">You sodainly arose, and walk'd about,</l>
<l n="840">Musing, and sighing, with your armes a‑crosse</l>
<l n="841">And when I ask'd you what the matter was,</l>
<l n="842">You star'd vpon me, with vngentle lookes.</l>
<l n="843">I vrg'd you further, then you scratch'd your head,</l>
<l n="844">And too impatiently stampt with your foote:</l>
<l n="845">Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,</l>
<l n="846">But with an angry wafter of your hand</l>
<l n="847">Gaue signe for me to leaue you: So I did,</l>
<l n="848">Fearing to strengthen that impatience</l>
<l n="849">Which seem'd too much inkindled; and withall,</l>
<l n="850">Hoping it was but an effect of Humor,</l>
<l n="851">Which sometime hath his houre with euery man.</l>
<l n="852">It will not let you eate, nor talke, nor sleepe;</l>
<l n="853">And could it worke so much vpon your shape,</l>
<l n="854">As it hath much preuayl'd on your<choice>
<orig>Condltion</orig>
<corr>Condition</corr>
</choice>,</l>
<l n="855">I should not know you<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>. Deare my Lord,</l>
<l n="856">Make me acquainted with your cause of greefe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="857">I am not well in health, and that is all.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="858">
<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>is wise, and were he not in health,</l>
<l n="859">He would embrace the meanes to come by it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="860">Why so I do: good<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>go to bed.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="861">Is<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>sicke? And is it Physicall</l>
<l n="862">To walke vnbraced, and sucke vp the humours</l>
<l n="863">Of the danke Morning? What, is<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>sicke?</l>
<l n="864">And will he steale out of his wholsome bed</l>
<l n="865">To dare the vile contagion of the Night?</l>
<l n="866">And tempt the Rhewmy, and vnpurged Ayre,</l>
<l n="867">To adde vnto<choice>
<orig>hit</orig>
<corr>his</corr>
</choice>sicknesse? No my<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>,</l>
<l n="868">You haue some sicke Offence within your minde,</l>
<l n="869">Which by the Right and Vertue of my place</l>
<l n="870">I ought to know of: And vpon my knees,</l>
<l n="871">I charme you, by my once commended Beauty,</l>
<l n="872">By all your vowes of Loue, and that great Vow</l>
<l n="873">Which did incorporate and make vs one,</l>
<l n="874">That you vnfold to me, your selfe; your halfe</l>
<l n="875">Why you are heauy: and what men to night</l>
<l n="876">Haue had resort to you: for heere haue beene</l>
<l n="877">Some sixe or seuen, who did hide their faces</l>
<l n="878">Euen from darknesse.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="879">Kneele not gentle<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="880">I should not neede, if you were gentle<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>.</l>
<l n="881">Within<choice>
<orig>tho</orig>
<corr>the</corr>
</choice>Bond of Marriage, tell me<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>,</l>
<l n="882">Is it excepted, I should know no Secrets</l>
<l n="883">That appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe,</l>
<l n="884">But as it were in sort, or limitation?</l>
<l n="885">To keepe with you at Meales, comfort your Bed,</l>
<l n="886">And talke to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the Suburbs</l>
<l n="887">Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,</l>
<l n="888">
<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>is<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>Harlot, not his Wife.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="889">You are my true and honourable Wife,</l>
<l n="890">As deere to me, as are the ruddy droppes</l>
<l n="891">That visit my sad heart.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="892">If this were true, then should I know this secret.</l>
<l n="893">I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,</l>
<l n="894">A Woman that Lord<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>tooke to Wife:</l>
<l n="895">I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="896">A Woman well reputed:<hi rend="italic">Cato's</hi>Daughter.</l>
<l n="897">Thinke you, I am no stronger then my Sex</l>
<l n="898">Being so Father'd, and so Husbanded?</l>
<l n="899">Tell me your Counsels, I will not disclose 'em:</l>
<l n="900">I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie,</l>
<l n="901">Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound</l>
<l n="902">Heere, in the Thigh: Can I be<gap extent="2"
unit="chars"
reason="illegible"
agent="stain"
resp="#LMC"/>e that with patience,</l>
<l n="903">And not my Husbands Secrets?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="904">O ye Gods!</l>
<l n="905">Render me worthy of this Noble Wife.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Knocke.</stage>
<l n="906">Harke, harke, one knockes:<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>go in a while,</l>
<l n="907">And by and by thy bosome shall partake</l>
<l n="908">The secrets of my Heart.</l>
<l n="909">All my engagements, I will construe to thee,</l>
<l n="910">All the Charractery of my sad browes:</l>
<l n="911">Leaue me with hast.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Portia.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lucius and Ligarius.</stage>
<l n="912">
<hi rend="italic">Lucius</hi>,who's that knockes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-luc">
<speaker rend="italic">Luc.</speaker>
<l n="913">Heere is a sicke man that would speak with you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="914">
<hi rend="italic">Caius Ligarius</hi>, that<hi rend="italic">Metellus</hi>spake of.</l>
<l n="915">Boy, stand aside.<hi rend="italic">Caius Ligarius</hi>, how?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-lig">
<speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
<l n="916">Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="917">O what a time haue you chose out braue<hi rend="italic">Caius</hi>
</l>
<l n="918">To weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-lig">
<speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
<l n="919">I am not sicke, if<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>haue in hand</l>
<l n="920">Any exploit worthy the name of Honor.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="921">Such an exploit haue I in hand<hi rend="italic">Ligarius</hi>,</l>
<l n="922">Had you a healthfull eare to heare of it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-lig">
<speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
<l n="923">By all the Gods that Romans bow before,</l>
<l n="924">I heere discard my sicknesse. Soule of Rome,</l>
<l n="925">Braue Sonne, deriu'd from Honourable Loines,</l>
<l n="926">Thou like an Exorcist, hast coniur'd vp</l>
<l n="927">My mortified Spirit. Now bid me runne,</l>
<l n="928">And I will striue with things impossible,</l>
<l n="929">Yea get the better of them. What's to do?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="930">A peece of worke,</l>
<l n="931">That will make sicke men whole.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-lig">
<speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
<l n="932">But are not some whole, that we must make sicke?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="933">That must we also. What it is my<hi rend="italic">Caius</hi>,</l>
<l n="934">I shall vnfold to thee, as we are going,</l>
<l n="935">To whom it must be done.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-jc-lig">
<speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
<l n="936">Set on your foote,</l>
<l n="937">And with a heart new‑fir'd, I follow you,</l>
<l n="938">To do I know not what: but it sufficeth</l>
<l n="939">That<hi rend="italic">Brutus</hi>leads me on.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Thunder.</stage>
<sp who="#F-jc-bru">
<speaker rend="italic">Bru.</speaker>
<l n="940">Follow me then.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
</div>