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Act Three
Scene One. Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting.
A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol. Flourish. Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Artemidorus, Publius, Popilius and the Soothsayer.
Caesar:
The Ides of March are come.
Soothsayer:
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Artemidorus:
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
Decius:
Trebonius doth desire you to o’er-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
Artemidorus:
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit
That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
Caesar:
What touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.
Artemidorus:
Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.
Caesar:
What, is the fellow mad?
Publius:
Sirrah, give place.
Cassius:
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
Popilius:
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
Cassius:
What enterprise, Popilius?
Popilius:
Fare you well.
(Advances to Caesar.)
Brutus:
What said Popilius Lena?
Cassius:
He wish’d today our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
Brutus:
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
Cassius:
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.