rwise bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so;
I put it in the pocket of my gown.

[VARRO _and_ CLAUDIUS _lie down_]

[Note: _Re-enter_ LUCIUS, ... Capell | Enter Lucius ... Ff
(after Brutus, l. 236).]

[Note 242, 244, etc.: /Claudius/ Rowe | Claudio Ff.]

[Note 244, 289: /Varro/ Rowe | Varrus Ff.]

[Note 245: Scene VI Pope.--_Enter_ VARRO _and_ CLAUDIUS Rowe |
Enter Varrus and Claudio Ff.]

[Note 253: [VARRO _and_ ...] Ff omit.]

[Note 241: /Poor knave./ Cf. 'Gentle knave,' l. 269. The word
'knave' is here used in the literal sense of 'boy.' It was
used as a term of endearment, or of loving familiarity with
those of lower rank. So in _King Lear_, I, iv,
107.--/o'er-watch'd:/ worn out with keeping awake. So in _King
Lear_, II, ii, 177. Cf. 'o'ershot' in III, ii, 150.]

[Note 252-253: These two simple lines, with the answer of
Lucius, "I was sure your lordship did not give it me," are
among the best things in the play. Consider how much is
implied in them, and what a picture they give of the earnest,
thoughtful, book-loving Brutus. And indeed all his noblest
traits of character come out, "in simple and pure soul," in
this exquisite scene with Lucius, which is hardly surpassed by
anything in Shakespeare. Who could be troubled by the
anachronism in the book being of modern shape? "Brutus was a
careful man, and slept very little, both for that his diet was
moderate, as also because he was continually occupied. He
never slept in the day-time, and in the night no longer than
the time he was driven to be alone, and when everybody else
took their rest. But now whilst he was in war, and his head
ever busily occupied to think of his affairs and what would
happen, after he had slumbered a little after supper, he spent
all the rest of the night in dispatching of his weightiest
causes, and after he had taken order for them, if he had any
leisure left him, he would read some book till the third watch
of the night, at what time the captains, petty captains, and
colonels, did use to come to him."--Plutarch, _Marcus
Brutus_.]

[Page 140]

LUCIUS. I was sure your lordship did not give it me.

BRUTUS. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, 256
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?

LUCIUS. Ay, my lord, an 't please you.

BRUTUS. It does, my boy: