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Act 2, Scene 2
Julius Caesar Translation Act 2, Scene 3
ARTEMIDORUS enters, reading a letter.
ARTEMIDORUS
[reads aloud] “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 againstCaesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defendthee! 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
[Reading aloud from the letter]
“Caesar, beware of Brutus. Pay attention to Cassius. Stay away from Casca. Keep an eye on Cinna. Don’t trust Trebonius. Take note of Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus doesn’t love you. You’ve wronged Caius Ligarius. All these men share just one thought, and it’s aimed against Caesar. If you are not immortal, look around you. A sense of security makes you vulnerable to conspiracy. May the mighty gods protect you!
Your friend,
Artemidorus.”
I'll stand here until Caesar passes by, and I’ll give him this as if I'm asking for a favor. My heart is sad that good men aren’t safe from the bite of bitter jealousy. Caesar, if you read this, you will live. If not, the Fates are on the side of the traitors.
He exits.
