man's whole life to be but a discipline or preparation to die, they must needs make men think that it is a terrible enemy against whom there is no end of preparing."-Advancement of Learning (1603-5).

"He that lives in fear doth die continually."-Letter to Rutland (1596).

Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit; So are we Cæsar's friends, that have abridg'd His time of fearing death.-Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, Let's all cry, Peace! Freedom! and Liberty! Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash.-How many ages hence

Shall this our lofty scene be acted over

In states unborn and accents yet unknown!

Brutus. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in

sport,

That now on Pompey's basis lies along

No worthier than the dust!

Cassius.

So oft as that shall be,

So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave their country liberty.
Decius. What! shall we forth?
Cassius.

Ay, every man away;

Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Enter a Servant.

Brutus. Soft, who comes here? A friend of An

tony's.

Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me

kneel;

Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;

And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.
Say I love Brutus and I honour him;

Say I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lov'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him and be resolv'd

How Cæsar hath deserv'd to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead
So well as Brutus living, but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Through the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;

I never thought him worse.

Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied and, by my honour,

Depart untouch'd.

Servant.

Brutus. I know that we shall have him well to friend.

Cassius. I wish we may; but yet have I a mind That fears him much, and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

Enter ANTONY.

Brutus. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Antony.

Antony. O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank; If I myself, there is no hour so fit

As Cæsar's death's hour, nor no instrument

Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world.

I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,

Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,

I shall not find myself so apt to die;

No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Cæsar and by you cut off,

The choice and master spirits of this age.

Brutus. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, As, by our hands and this our present act, You see we do, yet see you but our hands

And this the bleeding business they have done.
Our hearts you see not: they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome-
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity-

Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony ;*

.*

Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in,

With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
*Cf. Bacon: "Plumbeo jugulare gladio."-Eras. Ad. 490.
(A tame argument. To kill with a leaden sword.)-Prom.
No. 725 (1594).

"You leer upon me, do you? There's an eye
Wounds like a leaden sword."

-L. L. L., V., 2. "Your wit is as blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit and hurt not."-M. Ado, V., 2.

Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's

In the disposing of new dignities.

Brutus. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd The multitude, beside themselves with fear,

And then we will deliver you the cause

Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.

Antony.

I doubt not of your wisdom.

Let each man render me his bloody hand:

First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;—
Next, Cais Cassius, do I take your hand;-

Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metel

lus;

Yours, Cinna;-and my valiant Casca, yours;Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.

Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say?

My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a flatterer.

That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 't is true!

If then thy spirit look upon us now,

Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,

Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,