_A street in Rome._
_Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS._
_SCEVINUS._
No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.
I am sworn.
_LATERANUS._
Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet.
_Sce._ I know there’s not a man among you all
Durst risk his life but I. I have made my will:
I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,
Dies by this hand to-day.
_NATALIS._
For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!
Have patience. Piso is unprepared.
_Lat._ Scevinus, 1750
Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voice
Of the party.—We do not choose thee.—
_Sce._ Whóm chóose ye?
_Lat._ No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needs
More judgment than thou usest.
_Nat._ And more caution.
_Sce._ Caution and judgment are for cowards. By God
I have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.
_Nat._ (_to Lat._). We must prevent him.
_Lat._ (_to Nat._). Shall we seize him?
_Sce._ My lords,
I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,
And make him ready: I shall to the palace
To screen my purpose in some usual conduct.
To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well. [_Exit._
_Lat._ Come after him, Natalis: we must make
A show of yielding, and delude him gently
By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all. [_Exeunt._