Portia in her gentle way demands to know what is troubling
Brutus. He says he is sick, but Portia does not buy that. She states that he would take
better care of himself were he sick. He would not be in the night air if he were
sick.
Portia reminds Brutus that he once admired her
beauty. she gets on her knees, and Brutus asks her not to do so. He is in a moment of
weakness seeing her on her knees. Nevertheless, he knows he cannot share with her that
with which he is really absorbed.
Portia feels she has a
right to know what is troubling Brutus, "within the bond of
marriage."
Portia promises to keep Brutus' secret, but
Brutus will not share. She suggests that she is no more to Brutus than a harlot because
he will not share his secret. To
quote:
You
are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the
ruddy drops
That visit my sad
heart
If
this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I
am a woman; but withal
A woman that Lord Brutus took to
wife:
I grant I am a woman; but
withal
A woman well-reputed, Cato's
daughter.
Think you I am no stronger than my
sex,
Being so father'd and so
husbanded?
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose
'em:
I have made strong proof of my
constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary
wound
Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with
patience.
And not my husband's
secrets?
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