Act 2 — Scene IV. Another part of the same street, before the house of Brutus.[3154]
Reading edition
Scene IV. Another part of the same street, before the house of Brutus.[3154]
Enter Portia and Lucius.
Por. I prithee, 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. 5 O constancy, be strong upon my side![3155] Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue![3155] I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.[3155][3156] How hard it is for women to keep counsel![3155] Art thou here yet?[3155] Luc. Madam, what should I do? 10 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,[3157] For he went sickly forth: and take good note What Cæsar doth, what suitors press to him. 15 Hark, boy! what noise is that? Luc. I hear none, madam. Por. Prithee, listen well: I heard a bustling rumour like a fray,[3158] And the wind brings it from the Capitol. Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.
Enter the Soothsayer.
Por. Come hither, fellow:[3159][3160]20 Which way hast thou been?[3160][3161] Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. Por. What is't o'clock?[3162] 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. 25 Por. Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not? Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar[3163] To be so good to Cæsar as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself.[3164] Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?[3165]30 Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance.[3166] Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: The throng that follows Cæsar at the heels, Of senators, of prætors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: 35 I'll get me to a place more void and there Speak to great Cæsar as he comes along. [Exit. Por. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing[3167] The heart of woman is! O Brutus,[3168] The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! 40 Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit That Cæsar will not grant. O, I grow faint. Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord; Say I am merry: come to me again, And bring me word what he doth say to thee.[3169] 45
[Exeunt severally.