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Friar Laurence

The gray-eyed morning is spreading streaks of sunlight on the gloomy night, and darkness is stumbling out of the path of the sun’s chariot like a drunk. Now I have to fill this basket with medicinal plants before the sun dries up the morning dew and gets too high in the sky. Earth is both life’s mother and life’s tomb, and thus many different plants are born from nature.

Romeo

How can I go with my friends when my heart is still here at the Capulet’s house? I should turn around and go back to Juliet, that’s where I’m drawn.

[He climbs the wall, and leaps down the other side. Enter Benvolio and Mercutio]

Benvolio

Romeo! My cousin Romeo!

Mercutio

He’s smart, and I bet my life that he snuck home and went to bed.

Claudius

Welcome, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. I really wanted to see you while you’re here at Elsinore, but I also need your help. That’s why I’ve sent for you. You’ve heard of Hamlet’s “transformation” – let’s call it that. He doesn’t look or act like he used to. I can’t imagine what’s caused this change, other than his father’s death.

Since you know him so well, having grown up with him, I would prefer if you two would stay here a little longer and hang out with him. Find out if anything is bothering him that, if I knew about it, I could fix.

Polonius

Reynaldo, when you get to Paris, give this money and these letters to Laertes. [He gives some money and papers to Reynaldo.]

Reynaldo

I will, my lord.

Polonius

It would be a good idea if, before you visit my son, you ask around about his behavior.

Reynaldo

My lord, that’s what I intended to do.

Artemidorus

'Caesar, beware of Brutus. Be careful of Cassius. Don't go near Casca. Look out for Cinna. Don't trust Trebonius. Watch out for Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus is not a friend to you. You have wronged Caius Ligarius. All these men are of one mind, and it is turned against you. If you're not immortal, watch out. Overconfidence leads the way to conspiracy. May the mighty gods defend you!

With love,

Artemidorus'

Caesar

Neither heaven nor earth have been quiet tonight. Calpurnia cried out three times in her sleep "Oh no, they're murdering Caesar!"—Who's there?

[Enter a Servant]

Servant

My lord?

Caesar

Go tell the priests to perform an animal sacrifice immediately, read the signs in its internal organs, and report to me whether or not this bodes success for my endeavors.

Servant

I will, my lord.

Brutus

[To Lucius] Hey, Lucius, hello! [Aside to himself] I can't tell by the position of the stars how close it is to dawn. Lucius, I say! I wish my vice was sleeping too well. When are you getting here, Lucius? [To Lucius] Wake up, I say! Hey, Lucius!

[Enter Lucius]

Lucius

Did you call, my lord?

Brutus

Get me a candle for my office, Lucius. When it's lit, come and call me.

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