Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 1
Enter BRUTUS in his orchard.
orchard: walled garden. >>>
BRUTUS
1 What, Lucius, ho! 2 I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
2. progress of the stars: apparent movement of the stars around the North Star.
3 Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say!
3. Give . . . day: make a guess about how near it is to daylight.
4 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
4. I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly: I wish I had Lucius' fault of sleeping soundly.
5 When, Lucius, when? awake, I say! what, Lucius! Enter LUCIUS.
LUCIUS
6 Call'd you, my lord? BRUTUS
7 Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
7. Get me a taper in my study: put a candle in my study.
8 When it is lighted, come and call me here. LUCIUS
9 I will, my lord. Exit.
BRUTUS
10 It must be by his death: and for my part,
10. his death: Julius Caesar's death.
11 I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
11. spurn at: kick at something despised; oppose with scorn.
12 But for the general. He would be crown'd:
12. the general: i.e., the common good. He would be: he wants to be.
13 How that might change his nature, there's the question. 14 It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
14. It . . . adder: i.e., we can see what a poisonous politician is really like only when he gets into power.
15 And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
15. craves: calls for. that: i.e., king.
16 And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 17 That at his will he may do danger with. 18 The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins 19 Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar,
19. Remorse: pity, compassion.
20 I have not known when his affections sway'd
20. affections sway'd: pity, passions ruled (him).
21 More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
21. 'tis a common proof: it's something that has often proved to be true.
22 That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
22. lowliness: (pretended) humbleness.
23 Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; 24 But when he once attains the upmost round.
24. upmost round: top rung.
25 He then unto the ladder turns his back, 26 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
26. base degrees: literally, low rungs; metaphorically, humble first steps.
27 By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. 28 Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel 29 Will bear no colour for the thing he is,28-29. since . . . he is: since the case against him will not be persuasive based on what he has actually done so far.
30 Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
30. Fashion it: spin it; justify it.
31 Would run to these and these extremities: 32 And therefore think him as a serpent's egg 33 Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
33. as his kind: as is natural to such creatures. mischievous: dangerous, destructive.
34 And kill him in the shell. Enter LUCIUS.
LUCIUS
35 The taper burneth in your closet, sir.
35. closet: study, private room.
36 Searching the window for a flint, I found
36. flint: stone used to strike a spark to light the taper.
37 This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I am sure,
37. This paper: this letter. thus sealed up: The fact that the wax seal is unbroken means that it is new, not an old one that Brutus read and left in his study.
38 It did not lie there when I went to bed. Gives him the letter.
BRUTUS
39 Get you to bed again; it is not day. 40 Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March?
40. ides: the middle (of any month).
"The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them"
"The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them"
LUCIUS
41 I know not, sir. BRUTUS
42 Look in the calendar, and bring me word. LUCIUS
43 I will, sir. Exit.
BRUTUS
44 The exhalations whizzing in the air
45 Give so much light that I may read by them. Opens the letter and reads.
46 'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. 47 Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!
47. Shall Rome, etc.: Below, starting at line 51, Brutus fills in the blanks suggested by 'etc.'
48 Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!' 49 Such instigations have been often dropp'd 50 Where I have took them up. 51 'Shall Rome, etc.' Thus must I piece it out:
51. piece it out: fill it out, complete the thought.
52 Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?
52. under one man's awe: in awe of one man.
53 My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 54 The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.
54. The Tarquin: Tarquin the Proud, last king of Rome, who was driven out of Rome by Lucius Junius Brutus, ancestor of Brutus.
55 'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I entreated 56 To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise: 57 If the redress will follow, thou receivest
58 Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!
56-58. O Rome . . . at the hand of Brutus!: i.e., O Rome, I promise, if you will right the present wrongs and make sure that Rome remains a republic, I, Brutus, will do everything you're asking for.
Enter LUCIUS.
LUCIUS
59 Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. Knock within.
BRUTUS
60 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. [Exit LUCIUS.]
61 Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
61. whet: sharpen, incite.
62 I have not slept. 63 Between the acting of a dreadful thing 64 And the first motion, all the interim is
64. first motion: first impulse.
65 Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:
65. phantasma: hallucination.
66 The Genius and the mortal instruments
67 Are then in council; and the state of man,
66-67. The Genius . . . council: i.e., the person's guiding spirit then debates with his/her physical and mental capabilities about if and how to take action.
68 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 69 The nature of an insurrection.
68-69. suffers . . . insurrection: undergoes a kind of riot.
Enter LUCIUS.
LUCIUS
70 Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,
70. brother: i.e., brother-in-law. Cassius was married to a sister of Brutus.
71 Who doth desire to see you. BRUTUS
Is he alone? LUCIUS
72 No, sir, there are moe with him.
72. moe: more.
BRUTUS
Do you know them? LUCIUS
73 No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears,
73. pluck'd about: pulled down over.
74 And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 75 That by no means I may discover them
75. discover: recognize, identify.
76 By any mark of favour.
76. mark of favour: distinctive appearance.
"half their faces buried in their cloaks"
"half their faces buried in their cloaks"
BRUTUS
Let 'em enter. [Exit LUCIUS.]
77 They are the faction. O conspiracy, 78 Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, 79 When evils are most free? O, then by day
79. free: i.e., free to roam about and have their way.
80 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 81 To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy; 82 Hide it in smiles and affability: 83 For if thou put thy native semblance on,
83. put thy native semblance on: show your natural appearance.
84 Not Erebus itself were dim enough
84. Erebus: the primordial deity of darkness.
85 To hide thee from prevention.
85. from prevention: from being found out and stopped.
Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA,
DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS, and
TREBONIUS.
CASSIUS
86 I think we are too bold upon your rest:
86. I think . . . rest: i.e., I think we may have too boldly intruded on your time of rest.
87 Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you? BRUTUS
88 I have been up this hour, awake all night.
88. this hour: i.e., for at least an hour.
89 Know I these men that come along with you? CASSIUS
90 Yes, every man of them, and no man here 91 But honours you; and every one doth wish 92 You had but that opinion of yourself
93 Which every noble Roman bears of you.
92-93. You had but . . . of you: i.e., you had the same opinion of yourself as does every noble Roman.
Brutus, Cassius, and other conspirators
Brutus, Cassius, and other conspirators
94 This is Trebonius. BRUTUS
He is welcome hither. CASSIUS
95 This, Decius Brutus. BRUTUS
He is welcome too. CASSIUS
96 This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. BRUTUS
97 They are all welcome. 98 What watchful cares do interpose themselves
98. watchful cares: worries that keep one awake.
99 Betwixt your eyes and night?
98-99. interpose . . . and night: keep you from sleeping.
CASSIUS
100 Shall I entreat a word?
100. Shall I entreat a word?: Could I have a private word with you?
They whisper.
DECIUS BRUTUS
101 Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
101. Here lies: This way is. (Decius points.)
"yon gray lines"
"yon gray lines"
CASCA
102 No. CINNA
103 O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines104 That fret the clouds are messengers of day.
104. fret: interlace with.
CASCA
105 You shall confess that you are both deceived.
105. deceived: mistaken.
106 Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,107 Which is a great way growing on the south,
107. a great . . . south: i.e., quite a way south of due east.
108 Weighing the youthful season of the year.
108. Weighing . . . year: i.e., considering that it is still early Spring.
109 Some two months hence up higher toward the north110 He first presents his fire; and the high east
110. high east: due east.
111 Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. BRUTUS
112 Give me your hands all over, one by one.
112. Give me . . . one: i.e., let me shake hands with each of you again.
CASSIUS
113 And let us swear our resolution. BRUTUS
114 No, not an oath: if not the face of men,
114. the face of men: i.e., troubled expressions.
115 The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,—
115. sufferance of our souls: i.e., enduring what we know is wrong. the time's abuse: the corruption of these times.
116 If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
116. betimes: immediately.
117 And every man hence to his idle bed;118 So let high-sighted tyranny range on,118. high-sighted: i.e., looking down, like a bird of prey. range on: stay on the prowl.
119 Till each man drop by lottery. But if these,
119. by lottery: by chance; i.e., at Caesar's whim. these: i.e., all the reasons for action that I have been talking about.
120 As I am sure they do, bear fire enough121 To kindle cowards and to steel with valour122 The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,123 What need we any spur but our own cause,124 To prick us to redress? what other bond
124. prick us: spur us on.
125 Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,126 And will not palter? and what other oath
124-126. what . . . palter?: What other bond do we need if we know that we are Romans who will keep a secret, and not go back on our word?.
127 Than honesty to honesty engaged,128 That this shall be, or we will fall for it?129 Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
129. Swear: i.e., Leave swearing oaths to. cautelous: deceitful, shifty.
130 Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
130. carrions: i.e., half-dead men. suffering souls: i.e., pitiful fools who will put up with anything.
131 That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear132 Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain
132. doubt: suspect of dishonesty.
133 The even virtue of our enterprise,
133. even: steadfast.
134 Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
134. insuppressive mettle: indomitable strength.
135 To think that or our cause or our performance
135. or . . . or: either . . . or.
136 Did need an oath; when every drop of blood137 That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,138 Is guilty of a several bastardy,
138. a several bastardy: its own, individual bastardy.
139 If he do break the smallest particle140 Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. CASSIUS
141 But what of Cicero? shall we sound him?
141. sound him: sound him out.
142 I think he will stand very strong with us. CASCA
143 Let us not leave him out. CINNA
No, by no means. METELLUS CIMBER
144 O, let us have him, for his silver hairs145 Will purchase us a good opinion
145. opinion: reputation.
146 And buy men's voices to commend our deeds:147 It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands;148 Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,
148. no whit: not at all.
149 But all be buried in his gravity. BRUTUS
150 O, name him not: let us not break with him;
150. break with him: tell our secret to him.
151 For he will never follow any thing152 That other men begin. CASSIUS
Then leave him out. CASCA
153 Indeed he is not fit. DECIUS BRUTUS
154 Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
154. touch'd: hit, harmed.
CASSIUS
155 Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet,
155. not meet: not appropriate that.
156 Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,157 Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him
157. find of him: find that he is.
158 A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,
158. shrewd contriver: malicious schemer.
159 If he improve them, may well stretch so far
158-159. his means, / If he improve them: his resources, if he takes advantage of them.
160 As to annoy us all: which to prevent,
160. annoy: harm.
161 Let Antony and Caesar fall together. BRUTUS
162 Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,163 To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
164 Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
164. envy: spite.
165 For Antony is but a limb of Caesar:166 Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.167 We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;168 And in the spirit of men there is no blood:169 O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
169. come by: seize, hold back.
170 And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,171 Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,172 Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;173 Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,174 Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:175 And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
175. subtle: astute, cunning.
176 Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
176. servants: metaphorically, hands or passions.
177 And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make
176-177. Stir . . . 'em: i.e, kill Caesar and pretend we didn't really mean to. >>> make: appear to make.
178 Our purpose necessary and not envious:
178. envious: spiteful.
179 Which so appearing to the common eyes,
179. common eyes: opinion of the general populace.
180 We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.
180. purgers: healers, purifiers. >>>
181 And for Mark Antony, think not of him;182 For he can do no more than Caesar's arm183 When Caesar's head is off. CASSIUS
Yet I fear him;
183. fear him: i.e., fear that he will turn against us.
184 For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar—
184. ingrafted: deep-rooted.
BRUTUS
185 Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:186 If he love Caesar, all that he can do187 Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar:
187. take thought: plunge into melancholy.
188 And that were much he should; for he is given
188. that were much he should: that is much more than he is likely to do.
189 To sports, to wildness and much company. TREBONIUS
190 There is no fear in him; let him not die;
190. There is no fear in him: there is nothing to fear from him.
191 For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. Clock strikes.
Clock strikes: (There were clocks in Shakespeare's England, but not in Caesar's Rome.)
BRUTUS
192 Peace! count the clock.
192. Peace!: Be quiet!
CASSIUS
The clock hath stricken three. TREBONIUS
193 'Tis time to part.
193. part: break up the meeting; depart.
CASSIUS
But it is doubtful yet,194 Whether Caesar will come forth today, or no;195 For he is superstitious grown of late,196 Quite from the main opinion he held once
196. Quite from: quite different from.
197 Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies:
197. ceremonies: rites of divination.
198 It may be, these apparent prodigies,
198. apparent prodigies: strange omens now appearing.
199 The unaccustom'd terror of this night,200 And the persuasion of his augurers,
200. augurers: priests who interpret omens.
201 May hold him from the Capitol today. DECIUS BRUTUS
202 Never fear that: if he be so resolved,203 I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
203. o'ersway him: persuade him to change his mind.
204 That unicorns may be betray'd with trees,
204. betray'd: captured by trickery.
205 And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,
205. glasses: mirrors. holes: pitfalls.
206 Lions with toils and men with flatterers;
206. toils: nets.
204-206. unicorns . . . bears . . . elephants . . . Lions:
204-206. unicorns . . . bears . . . elephants . . . Lions:
207 But when I tell him he hates flatterers,208 He says he does, being then most flattered.209 Let me work;210 For I can give his humour the true bent,
210. humour: disposition. true bent: right direction.
211 And I will bring him to the Capitol. CASSIUS
212 Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. BRUTUS
213 By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost?
213. the eighth hour: 8 a.m. the uttermost: the deadline.
CINNA
214 Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
214. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then: i.e., yes, that will be the deadline, and don't miss it.
METELLUS CIMBER
215 Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,
215. doth bear Caesar hard: holds a grudge against Caesar.
216 Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey:
216. rated: berated, rebuked.
217 I wonder none of you have thought of him. BRUTUS
218 Now, good Metellus, go along by him:
218. go along by him: go to wherever he is.
219 He loves me well, and I have given him reasons;
219. given him reasons: i.e., done him favors that give him reason to love me.
220 Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him.
220. fashion him: shape him (to our purposes).
CASSIUS
221 The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, Brutus.222 And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember
222. disperse yourselves: (So that they won't walk out as a group, looking like they are up to something.)
223 What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. BRUTUS
224 Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;225 Let not our looks put on our purposes,
225. Let . . . purposes: i.e., don't skulk about, looking like you are guilty of something.
226 But bear it as our Roman actors do,227 With untired spirits and formal constancy:
227. formal constancy: consistent adherence to the proper forms of behavior.
228 And so good morrow to you every one. Exeunt. Manet BRUTUS.
Manet BRUTUS: Brutus remains where he is (Latin).
229 Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter;230 Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber:231 Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
232. figures: imaginings.
232 Which busy care draws in the brains of men;233 Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
233. busy care: insistent worries.
PORTIA
PORTIA
Enter PORTIA.
PORTIA
Brutus, my lord! BRUTUS
234 Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?235 It is not for your health thus to commit
235. for: good for.
236 Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
236. weak condition: poor health.
PORTIA
237 Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
237. ungently: discourteously, unkindly.
238 Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper,239 You suddenly arose, and walk'd about,240 Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
240. arms across: arms folded across the chest.
241 And when I ask'd you what the matter was,242 You stared upon me with ungentle looks;243 I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head,
243. I urged you further: I asked you again, with more urgency.
244 And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot;245 Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
245. Yet . . . not: i.e., I kept asking what was wrong, and you never said a word.
246 But, with an angry wafture of your hand,
246. wafture: wave.
247 Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did;248 Fearing to strengthen that impatience249 Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal250 Hoping it was but an effect of humour,
250. humour: i.e., moodiness.
251 Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
251. his: its.
252 It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,253 And could it work so much upon your shape
253. shape: physical appearance.
254 As it hath much prevail'd on your condition,
253. condition: state of mind.
255 I should not know you Brutus. Dear my lord,
255. I should not know you Brutus: I wouldn't recognize you as Brutus.
"Make me acquainted
with your cause of grief"
"Make me acquainted
with your cause of grief"
256 Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. BRUTUS
257 I am not well in health, and that is all. PORTIA
258 Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health,259 He would embrace the means to come by it.
259. He . . . it: i.e., he would do whatever was required to restore himself to health.
BRUTUS
260 Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. PORTIA
261 Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
261. physical: healthful.
262 To walk unbraced and suck up the humours262. unbraced: without a jacket humours: i.e., mists.
263 Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,264 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,265 To dare the vile contagion of the night
265. dare: risk.
266 And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
266. rheumy and unpurged air: i.e., unhealthy air. >>>
267 To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;268 You have some sick offence within your mind,
268. sick offence: disorder, disease.
269 Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
269. by . . . place: by the rights I have as your wife.
270 I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,271 I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,
271. charm: conjure.
272 By all your vows of love and that great vow
272. that great vow: Brutus' wedding vow.
273 Which did incorporate and make us one,274 That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
274. unfold: reveal. me, yourself: me who is yourself.
275 Why you are heavy, and what men tonight
275. heavy: depressed, melancholy.
276 Have had to resort to you: for here have been
274. Have had to resort to you: have sought you out.
"Kneel not, gentle Portia"
"Kneel not, gentle Portia"
277 Some six or seven, who did hide their faces278 Even from darkness. BRUTUS
Kneel not, gentle Portia. PORTIA
279 I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.280 Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,281 Is it excepted I should know no secrets
281. Is it excepted: Is it stated as a condition of our marriage?
282 That appertain to you? Am I yourself283 But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
283. in sort or limitation: in a sort of a way, with limitations.
284 To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,285 And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs286 Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,287 Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
285-287. the suburbs . . . harlot: In Shakespeare's time, prostitutes frequented the suburbs of London, including Southwark, where the Globe theater was.
BRUTUS
288 You are my true and honourable wife,289 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
289. the ruddy drops: i.e., red drops of blood.
290 That visit my sad heart
290. sad: depressed, troubled.
PORTIA
291 If this were true, then should I know this secret.292 I grant I am a woman; but withal
292. withal: nevertheless.
293 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:294 I grant I am a woman; but withal295 A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter.
295. Cato's daughter: Cato the Younger, Portia's father, was famous for his integrity and Stoicism. >>>
296 Think you I am no stronger than my sex,297 Being so father'd and so husbanded?298 Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
298. counsels: secret plans.
299 I have made strong proof of my constancy,
299. constancy: Stoicism, trustworthiness.
"Here, in the thigh"
"Here, in the thigh"
300 Giving myself a voluntary wound301 Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience.302 And not my husband's secrets? BRUTUS
O ye gods,303 Render me worthy of this noble wife!
303. Render me worthy: make me worthy.
Knock.
304 Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;305 And by and by thy bosom shall partake
305. partake: share.
306 The secrets of my heart.307 All my engagements I will construe to thee,
307. engagements: plans, commitments. construe: explain.
308 All the charactery of my sad brows:
308. the charactery of my sad brows: the significance of my furrowed brow.
309 Leave me with haste. Exit PORTIA.
Lucius, who's that knocks? Enter LUCIUS and LIGARIUS.
LUCIUS
310 He is a sick man that would speak with you. BRUTUS
311 Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.312 Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how?
312. how?: i.e., what's up? or how are you doing?
LIGARIUS
313 Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.
313. Vouchsafe good morrow: please accept a 'good morning'.
BRUTUS
314 O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
314. brave: noble.
315 To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
315. wear a kerchief: i.e., be sick. >>>
LIGARIUS
316 I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand317 Any exploit worthy the name of honour. BRUTUS
318 Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,319 Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. LIGARIUS
320 By all the gods that Romans bow before,321 I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!322 Brave son, derived from honourable loins!323 Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
323. exorcist: a magician who drives out evil spirits. conjured up: magically raised.
324 My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,
323. exorcist: a magician who drives out evil spirits. mortified: deadened.
325 And I will strive with things impossible;326 Yea, get the better of them. What's to do? BRUTUS
327 A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
327. whole: healthy. Brutus means that they will rid Rome of the sickness of Caesar's tyranny.
LIGARIUS
328 But are not some whole that we must make sick? BRUTUS
329 That must we also. What it is, my Caius,330 I shall unfold to thee, as we are going
330. unfold: reveal, explain.
331 To whom it must be done. LIGARIUS
Set on your foot,
331. Set on your foot: lead on.
332 And with a heart new-fired I follow you,333 To do I know not what: but it sufficeth334 That Brutus leads me on. BRUTUS
Follow me, then. Exeunt.