Julius Caesar Act 2 Scene 3
A street near the Capitol.
The Original
Plain Modern English
Enter Artemidorus, reading a paper.
Artemidorus
'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not
Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal,
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover,
ARTEMIDORUS.'
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
Artemidorus
'Caesar, beware of Brutus. Watch out for Cassius.
Don't go near Casca. Keep an eye on Cinna. Don't trust
Trebonius. Watch Metellus Cimber closely. Decius Brutus
doesn't like you. You've wronged Caius Ligarius.
All these men share one intention, and it's
aimed at Caesar. If you aren't immortal,
look around you. Overconfidence opens the door to conspiracy.
May the mighty gods protect you. Your devoted friend,
ARTEMIDORUS.'
I'll stand here until Caesar comes past,
and hand him this as if I were a petitioner.
My heart grieves that virtue can't survive
out of reach of envy's teeth.
If you read this, Caesar, you may live.
If not, then the Fates are conspiring with traitors.
Exit.