The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Por._ Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,[3079]
Stole from my bed: and yesternight at supper[3080]
You suddenly arose and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across; 240
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks:
I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head[3081]
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot:
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 245
But with an angry wafture of your hand[3082]
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did,
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour, 250
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And, could it work so much upon your shape
As it hath much prevail'd on your condition,
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,[3083] 255
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
_Bru._ I am not well in health, and that is all.
_Por._ Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health,
He would embrace the means to come by it.
_Bru._ Why, so I do: good Portia, go to bed. 260
_Por._ Is Brutus sick, and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,[3084]
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night 265
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;[3085]
You have some sick offence within your mind,
Which by the right and virtue of my place
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,[3086] 270
I charm you, by my once commended beauty,[3087]
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one,
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 275
Have had resort to you; for here have been
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness.
_Bru._ Kneel not, gentle Portia.[3088]
_Por._ I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,[3089] 280
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,[3090]
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs[3091] 285
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
_Bru._ You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart. 290
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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