Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 4

I pr’ythee, boy, run to the Senate-house; Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. Why dost thou stay?

Please, boy, run to the Senate house. Don't wait to answer me — just go. Why are you still standing there?

To know my errand, madam.

To find out what my errand is, madam.

I would have had thee there and here again, Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. [Aside.] 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?

I wish you could have been there and back again before I could tell you what you should do there. [Aside.] Oh, firmness, be strong on my side, put a huge mountain between my heart and my tongue! I have a man's mind, but a woman's strength. How hard it is for women to keep a secret! Are you still here?

Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? And so return to you, and nothing else?

Madam, what am I supposed to do? Run to the Capitol and nothing more? And then come back to you and nothing more?

Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: and take good note What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. Hark, boy, what noise is that?

Yes, bring me word, boy, whether your master looks well, because he went out unwell. And take careful note of what Caesar does, and which petitioners push their way up to him. Listen, boy — what noise is that?

I hear none, madam.

I don't hear anything, madam.

Pr’ythee, listen well. I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

Please, listen carefully. I heard a confused commotion, like a fight, and the wind carries it from the Capitol.

Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

Truly, madam, I hear nothing.

Come hither, fellow: Which way hast thou been?

Come over here, fellow. Which way have you come?

At mine own house, good lady.

From my own house, good lady.

What is’t o’clock?

What time is it?

About the ninth hour, lady.

About nine o'clock, lady.

Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?

Has Caesar gone to the Capitol yet?

Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol.

Not yet, madam. I'm going to take up my position to watch him pass on his way to the Capitol.

Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?

You have some petition for Caesar, don't you?

That I have, lady, if it will please Caesar To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself.

I do, lady. If it pleases Caesar to be kind enough to Caesar to listen to me, I'll beg him to be a friend to himself.

Why, know’st thou any harm’s intended towards him?

Why, do you know of any harm that's intended against him?

None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow. The throng that follows Caesar at the heels, Of Senators, of Praetors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: I’ll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

None that I know will happen, much that I fear may happen. Good morning to you. The street is narrow here. The crowd that follows at Caesar's heels — senators, praetors, ordinary petitioners — will nearly crush a frail man to death. I'll go to a more open place, and speak there to great Caesar as he comes along.

I must go in. [Aside.] Ay me, how weak a thing The heart of woman is! O Brutus, The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint. Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord; Say I am merry; come to me again, And bring me word what he doth say to thee.

I must go inside. [Aside.] Oh dear, what a weak thing a woman's heart is! Oh Brutus, may the heavens give you success in your undertaking! Surely the boy heard me. Brutus has a request that Caesar won't grant. Oh, I'm growing faint. Run, Lucius, and give my greetings to my lord. Say I am cheerful. Come back to me, and bring me word of what he says to you.