Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 3
Enter ARTEMIDORUS.
ARTEMIDORUS [Reading a letter he has written.]
1
'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; 2
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not 3
Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus 4
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. 5
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is 6
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, 7
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
7. security gives way to conspiracy: overconfidence opens the door to conspiracy.
8
The mighty gods defend thee! 9
Thy lover,
9. lover: friend, follower, well-wisher.
10
ARTEMIDORUS.' 11
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 12
And as a suitor will I give him this.
12. suitor: one who has a favor to ask.
13
My heart laments that virtue cannot live 14
Out of the teeth of emulation.
14. Out of the teeth of emulation: out of danger from malicious envy.
15
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live; 16
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
16. contrive: conspire.
Exit.