[A street before the house of Brutus. Enter Portia and Lucius]
PORTIA:
I prithee, boy, run to the Senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why dost thou stay?
Translation:
Please, boy, run to the Senate.
Don’t wait to answer—just go.
Why are you standing here?
Word Meanings:
- Prithee: I beg you
- Get thee gone: Go right now
LUCIUS:
To know my errand, madam.
Translation:
To find out what message I’m supposed to deliver, ma’am.
PORTIA:
I would have had thee there and here again
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
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?
Translation:
I wish you had gone and come back before I even figured out what to tell you.
Oh, self-control, please help me.
Let a big mountain block my heart from speaking.
I have a man’s courage, but only a woman’s strength.
It’s so hard for women to keep secrets!
Why are you still here?
Word Meanings:
- Constancy: Self-control, emotional strength
- Keep counsel: Keep a secret
LUCIUS:
Yes, madam.
PORTIA:
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else.
Return to me with speed, and tell me what
Caesar doth, and what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that?
Translation:
Just run to the Capitol. Then come back quickly and tell me what Caesar is doing, and who’s trying to speak with him.
Wait—what was that noise?
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.
Translation:
Please listen carefully.
I heard some noise—like fighting or commotion—
and it’s coming from the Capitol.
[Enter Soothsayer]
PORTIA:
Art thou here, too? Tell me, is Brutus there?
SOOTHSAYER:
Ay, madam, but not gone to the Capitol.
PORTIA:
Come, I’ll go in and pray that Brutus may
Do well today. The heavens speed him in his enterprise!
Translation:
Come, I’ll go inside and pray that Brutus is safe today. May heaven help him succeed in whatever he’s doing.
[Exit all]
End of Act 2, Scene 4.