[A street near the Capitol. Enter Artemidorus, reading a paper (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 against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, Artemidorus.”
Translation (in simple English):
Caesar, be careful of Brutus. Watch out for Cassius. Stay away from Casca. Keep an eye on Cinna. Don’t trust Trebonius. Pay close attention to Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus doesn’t really love you. You’ve offended Caius Ligarius. All these men are united in one goal—and it’s against you. Unless you’re a god, beware. Feeling safe only makes you more vulnerable to conspiracies. May the gods protect you.
—From your well-wisher, Artemidorus.
Word Meanings:
- Beware / Take heed: Be cautious
- Have an eye to: Watch closely
- Mark well: Pay attention to
- Thou beest not immortal: You are not a god
- Security gives way to conspiracy: Feeling too safe leads to danger
- Thy lover: Your loyal friend or well-wisher
ARTEMIDORUS (to himself):
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 mayest live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
Translation:
I’ll stand here and wait until Caesar walks by,
and I’ll hand him this letter like a person asking for a favor.
It breaks my heart that good people can’t live safely without being envied.
Caesar, if you read this, you might live.
If not, then fate is working alongside the traitors.
Word Meanings:
- Suitor: One who asks for something (not romantic here)
- Virtue: Goodness or moral character
- Emulation: Jealousy or rivalry
- Fates: The powers believed to control destiny
- Contrive: Plot or scheme
[Exit Artemidorus, determined to warn Caesar.]