[II.173] Scene III Rowe | Scene VII Pope.—A street ... Ff omit.
[II.174] Enter Artemidorus ... In Plutarch, Julius Cæsar, Artemidorus is thus introduced: "And one Artemidorus also, born in the isle of Gnidos, a doctor of rhetoric in the Greek tongue, who by means of his profession was very familiar with certain of Brutus' confederates, and therefore knew the most part of all their practices against Cæsar, came and brought him a little bill, written with his own hand, of all that he meant to tell him. He, marking how Cæsar received all the supplications that were offered him, and that he gave them straight to his men that were about him, pressed nearer to him, and said: 'Cæsar, read this memorial to yourself, and that quickly, for they be matters of great weight, and touch you nearly.'"
[II.175] reading a paper Rowe | Ff omit.
[II.176] security gives way to: false confidence opens a way for.
[II.177] lover: friend. See [note, p. 100, l. 13].
[II.178] emulation: envious rivalry. So in Troilus and Cressida, I, iii, 134: "an envious fever Of pale and bloodless emulation."
[II.179] contrive: plot, conspire. Cf. The Merchant of Venice, IV, i, 360.
[II.180] Scene IV Capell.—Another part ... Capell | Ff omit.
[II.181] The anxiety of Portia is thus described by Plutarch, Marcus Brutus: "For Porcia, being very careful and pensive for that which was to come, and being too weak to away with so great and inward grief of mind, she could hardly keep within, but was frighted with every little noise and cry she heard, as those that are taken and possessed with the fury of the Bacchantes; asking every man that came from the market-place what Brutus did, and still sent messenger after messenger, to know what news."
[II.182] constancy: firmness. Cf. II, i, 299. So in Macbeth, II, ii, 68.