ght
him a little bill, written with his own hand, of all that he
meant to tell him. He, marking how Caesar received all the
supplications that were offered him, and that he gave them
straight to his men that were about him, pressed nearer to
him, and said: 'Caesar, read this memorial to yourself, and
that quickly, for they be matters of great weight, and touch
you nearly.'"]

[Note 6-7: /security gives way to:/ false confidence opens a
way for.]

[Note 8: /lover:/ friend. See note, p. 100, l. 13.]

[Note 12: /emulation:/ envious rivalry. So in _Troilus and
Cressida_, I, iii, 134: "an envious fever Of pale and
bloodless emulation."]

[Note 14: /contrive:/ plot, conspire. Cf. _The Merchant of
Venice_, IV, i, 360.]

[Note 1: The anxiety of Portia is thus described by Plutarch,
_Marcus Brutus_: "For Porcia, being very careful and pensive
for that which was to come, and being too weak to away with so
great and inward grief of mind, she could hardly keep within,
but was frighted with every little noise and cry she heard, as
those that are taken and possessed with the fury of the
Bacchantes; asking every man that came from the market-place
what Brutus did, and still sent messenger after messenger, to
know what news."]

[Page 76]

LUCIUS. To know my errand, madam.

PORTIA. I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. 5
O constancy, be strong upon my side!
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!
Art thou here yet?

LUCIUS. Madam, what should I do? 10
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?

PORTIA. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. 15
Hark, boy! what noise is that?

LUCIUS. I hear none, madam.

PORTIA. Prithee, listen well:
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

LUCIUS. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 20

[Note 18: /bustling/ Rowe | bussling Ff.]

[Note 6: /constancy:/ firmness. Cf. II, i, 299. So in
_Macbeth_, II, ii, 68.]

[Note 18: A loud noise, or murmur, as of stir and tumult, is
one of the old meanings of 'rumor.' So i