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. Ces. 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; Re-enter a Servant. What say the augurers? Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, They could not find a heart within the beast. Ces. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: We were two lions litter'd in one day, And Cæsar shall go forth. Cal. Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. Alas, my lord, my fear, Do not go forth to-day: Call it my That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 9 in shame of cowardice:] The ancients did not place cou rage but wisdom in the heart. JOHNSON. Cæs. Mark Antony shall say, I am not well; And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. Enter DECIUS. Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. I come to fetch you to the senate-house. Cæs. And you are come in very happy time, And tell them, that I will not come to-day: Cæs. Dec. Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause, Lest I be laugh'd at, when I tell them so. Ces. 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. Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck 1 Ces. And this way have you well expounded it. When Cæsar's wife shall meet with better dreams. Pardon me, Cæsar; for my dear, dear love 2 Ces. How foolish do your fears seem now, Cal- I am ashamed I did yield to them.- go: For tinctures, stains, relicks, and cognizance.] 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 relicks are preserved with veneration. But Messrs. Malone and Steevens think that tinctures has no relation to heraldry, but means merely handkerchiefs, or other linen, tinged with blood. At the execution of several of our ancient nobility, martyrs, &c. we are told that handkerchiefs were tinctured with their blood, and preserved as affectionate or salutary memorials of the deceased. 2 And reason, &c.] And reason, or propriety of conduct and language, is subordinate to my lovę. Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Ces. Welcome, Publius.- As that same ague which hath made you lean.- Bru. Cæsar, 'tis strucken eight. Cæs. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o'nights, Is notwithstanding up: Good morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cæsar. Ces. Bid them prepare within: I am to blame to be thus waited for. - Now, Cinna:-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! Treb. Cæsar, I will:-and so near will I be, [Aside. That your best friends will wish I had been further. Cas. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go together. Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cæsar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Street near the Capitol. Enter ARTEMIDORUS reading a Paper. Art. Cæsar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye on 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, 3 If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live; The same. SCENE IV. 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: emulation.] Here, as on many other occasions, this word is used in an unfavourable sense, somewhat like-factious, envious, or malicious rivalry. 4 the fates with traitors do contrive.] The fates join with traitors in contriving thy destruction. |