Julius Caesar

by: William Shakespeare

Act 2 Scene 1

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter BRUTUS in his orchard	BRUTUS enters in his orchard.
BRUTUS What, Lucius, ho!— I cannot by the progress of the stars Give guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!— I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.— 5When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!	BRUTUS Lucius, are you there? I can’t tell by the position of the stars how near it is to daybreak—Lucius, are you there? I wish I had that weakness, to sleep too soundly. Come on, Lucius! Wake up, I say! Lucius!
Enter LUCIUS	LUCIUS enters.
LUCIUS Called you, my lord?	LUCIUS Did you call me, my lord?
BRUTUS Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. When it is lighted, come and call me here.	BRUTUS Put a candle in my study, Lucius. Call me when it’s lit.
LUCIUS I will, my lord.	LUCIUS I will, my lord.
Exit LUCIUS	LUCIUS exits.
BRUTUS 10It must be by his death, and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general. He would be crowned. How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder 15And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with.	BRUTUS The only way is to kill Caesar. I have no personal reason to strike at him—only the best interest of the people. He wants to be crowned. The question is, how would being king change him? Evil can come from good, just as poisonous snakes tend to come out into the open on bright sunny days—which means we have to walk carefully. If we crown him, I have to admit we’d be giving him the power to do damage.

Read the Summary of Act II, scene i

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