Julius Caesar Paraphrase: Act II, Scene 4

Act II, Scene 4

In front of Brutus' house

[Enter Portia and Lucius.]

Portia.
I beg you, boy, run to the Senate House.
Don't wait to answer me, but get going!
Why are you waiting?

Lucius.
To find out what you want me to do, madam.

Portia.
I would have had you run there and back again
Before I told you what you should do there.
O firmness of purpose, be strong beside me;
Put a huge mountain between my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's strength.
How hard it is for women to keep secrets!
Are you still here?

Lucius.
Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you and nothing else?

Portia.
Yes, let me know, boy, if your master looks well,
For he was sickly when he left; and notice
What Caesar does, what suitors stand near him.
Listen, boy! What is that noise?

Lucius.
I don't hear anything, madam.

Portia.
I ask you, listen well.
I heard a commotion like a battle,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

Lucius.
Truthfully, madam, I hear nothing.

[Enter the Soothsayer.]

Portia.
Come here, fellow. Where have you been?

Soothsayer.
At my own house, good lady.

Portia.
What time is it?

Soothsayer.
About the ninth hour, lady.

Portia.
Has Caesar gone to the Capitol yet?

Soothsayer.
Madam, not yet. I am going to take my place,
To see him go to the Capitol.

Portia.
You have some favor to ask of Caesar, don't you?

Soothsayer.
Yes, I do, lady. If it will please Caesar
To do himself a favor and listen to me,
I shall beg him to act as his own friend.

Portia.
Why, do you know of any harm planned toward him?

Soothsayer.
None that I am certain of, much that I am afraid may happen.
Good day to you. Here the street is narrow.
The crowd that follows at Caesar's heels,
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death.
I'll move to a more open place and there
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

[Exit.]

Portia.
I must go in. Ay, me, how weak
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
The heavens help you in your enterprise--
Surely the boy heard me. Brutus has a request
That Caesar will not grant.--O, I grow faint.--
Run, Lucius, and give my husband my good wishes;
Say I am happy. Come back to me
And tell me what he says to you.

[Exit in different directions.]