University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

CALPHURNIA, PORTIA.
PORTIA.
This mournful Grot ne're touch'd my Taste till now:
But present Friends bring Sunshine to the Soul.
And Seats of Horror change to Scenes of Bliss.
'Twas fortunate, thou call'dst thy Portia, hither!
Brutus is sad to-day, and Purposes
Retirement, here, beneath this sullen Shade:
Our Presence will relieve him.

CALPHURNIA.
—Stop him, Portia!
Let me not find him:—save my Eyes that Horror!

PORTIA.
Good Heaven!—what has he done?

CALPHURNIA.
Stay not, to ask:
Even that lost Moment may be fatal to him.
Go; bid him guard his Ear from cruel Cassius:
Time will permit no more; go warn him—save him.—
If thou delay'st a Moment, Fate o'ertakes him;
And staying but, till Cassius comes—he dies.

PORTIA.
Be clear in Pity to my beating Heart;
Brutus has been traduced.—He loaths all Falsehood:

CALPHURNIA.
Shunning the Falsehood loath'd, he may be safe.

PORTIA.
He comes.—Now, hear him justify his Fame,
From this foul Charge—and vindicate thy Goodness.

CALPHURNIA.
No.—Tis thy Weight must shake his concious Soul.
Save his endanger'd Name, and bless my Notice.

PORTIA.
I cannot move:—forgive my trembling Knees,
My Heart restrains their Power.

CALPHURNIA.
Alas! I pity Thee:
Rest, and recall thy Spirits, and receive him.
[Aside.]
Now, to my fatal Post.—

[Exit.