Read the excerpt from Act II of Julius Caesar. Calpurnia: (With horror; pointing off to the city) A li­oness hath whelped in the streets. (She looks at the sky.) Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds, which drizzled blood upon the Capitol. (Clasping her hands in fright) And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

Caesar: (Firmly) Yet Caesar shall go forth.

Calpurnia: (In a desperate voice) When beggars die there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

Announcer 2: But Caesar refuses to die of fright.

Caesar: (Proudly) Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once.

Calpurnia: (Kneeling) Alas, my lord. Do not go forth today. We'll send Mark Antony to the Senate House, and he shall say you are not well today.

Caesar: (Giving in to her plea easily) For thy humor I will stay at home. (He sees Decius enter.) Here's De­cius Brutus. He shall tell them so.

Decius: (Full of hearty smiles) Caesar, all hail! I come to fetch you to the Senate House.

Caesar: Bear my greeting to the senators, and tell them that I will not come today. (Calpurnia rises.)

Decius: (Smoothly covering his surprise) Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.

Caesar: (Stiffly, rather embarrassed) Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, which with an hundred spouts did run pure blood. And many Romans came smiling and did bathe their hands in it. (His wife nods, anx­iously.)

Why does Caesar tell Decius he will not go to the Senate?

Caesar explains that Calpurnia is frightened and does not want him to go.

He explains that believes Calpurnia's dreams are a warning of things to come.

Caesar explains that Marc Antony is more deserving and will be going in his place.

Caesar explains that he is having second thoughts about being chosen as king.