And that which would appear offence in us,
His countenance, like richest alchemy,
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.160
Cas. Him and his worth and our great need of him
You have right well conceited. Let us go,
For it is after midnight; and ere day
We will awake him and be sure of him.164
Exeunt.
ACT SECOND
Scene One
Enter Brutus in his Orchard.
Bru. What, Lucius! ho!
I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say!
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.4
When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! what, Lucius!
Enter Lucius.
Luc. Call'd you, my lord?
Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.8
Luc. I will, my lord.Exit.
Bru. It must be by his death: and, for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:12
How that might change his nature, there's the question:
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
159 countenance: patronage, support
alchemy: pseudo-science of transmuting metals
162 conceited: expressed figuratively
Scene One S. d. Orchard: garden
5 When: exclamation of impatience
11 spurn at: oppose vindictively
12 general: people's sake, public welfare
