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ARTEMIDORUS:
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“Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not
Trebonius; mark it 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.(5)
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.(10)
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
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ARTEMIDORUS:
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"Caesar, beware of Brutus; be careful of Cassius; don’t come
near Casca; watch Cinna; don’t trust Trebonius; pay attention to
Metellus Cimber; Decius Brutus doesn’t love you; you’ve
sinned against Caius Ligarius. There is only one mind in all these men,
and it is bent against Caesar. If you’re not immortal, look
around you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods
defend you!
Your lover, Artemidorus."
Here I’ll stand here until Caesar passes along,
And as a petitioner, I will give him this note.
My heart is sad that virtue can’t live
Out of the teeth of emulation.—
If you read this, O Caesar, you may live;
If not, the Fates are working against you.
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