Julius Caesar

by: William Shakespeare

  Act 2 Scene 2

Original Text

Modern Text
95If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be rendered for someone to say,
“Break up the senate till another time
When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.”
100If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper,
“Lo, Caesar is afraid”?
Pardon me, Caesar. For my dear, dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
And reason to my love is liable.
If you send them word that you won’t come, they might change their minds. Besides, someone’s likely to joke, “Adjourn the senate until some other time, when Caesar’s wife has had better dreams.” If you hide yourself, won’t they whisper, “Caesar is afraid?” Pardon me, Caesar. My high hopes for your advancement force me to tell you this. My love gets the better of my manners.

CAESAR

105How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia!
I am ashamèd I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

CAESAR

How foolish your fears seem now, Calphurnia! I’m ashamed that I yielded to them. Give me my robe, because I’m going.
Enter BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, CINNA, and PUBLIUS
PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA enter.
And look, where Publius is come to fetch me.
And look, here’s Publius, come to fetch me.

PUBLIUS

Good morrow, Caesar.

PUBLIUS

Good morning, Caesar.

CAESAR

110Welcome, Publius.
—What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?
—Good morrow, Casca.—Caius Ligarius,
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
115—What is ’t o'clock?

CAESAR

Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus? Are you up this early too? Good morning, Casca. Caius Ligarius, I was never your enemy so much as the sickness that’s made you so thin. What time is it?

BRUTUS

    Caesar, ’tis strucken eight.

BRUTUS

Caesar, the clock has struck eight.

CAESAR

I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

CAESAR

I thank you all for your trouble and courtesy.
Enter ANTONY
ANTONY enters.
Read the Summary of Act II, scenes ii–iv

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