Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

Dec.
Cæsar, all hail! good-morrow, worthy Cæsar,
I come to fetch you to the Senate-house.

Cæs.
And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the Senators,
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser;
I will not come to-day; tell them so, Decius.

Cal.
Say he is sick.

Cæs.
Shall Cæsar send a lie?
Have I in conquest strecht mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell grey-beards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Cæsar will not come.

Dec.
Most mighty Cæsar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laught at when I tell them so.

Cæs.
The cause is in my will, I will not come;
That is enough to satisfie the Senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know.
Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt last night she saw my statue,
Which like a fountain, with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.
These she applies for warnings and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.

Dec.
This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relicks, and cognisance.

This by Calphurnia's dream is signify'd.

Cæs.
And this way have you well expounded it.

Dec.
I have, when you have heard what I can say;
And know it now, the Senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Cæsar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say,
&plquo;Break up the Senate 'till another time,
&plquo;When Cæsar's wife shall meet with better dreams:
If Cæsar hide himself, shall they not whisper,
Lo, Cæsar is afraid!
Pardon me, Cæsar, for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this:
And reason to my love is liable.

Cæs.
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia?
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go:

Previous section

Next section