Oct. Your brother too must die;2 consent you,

Lepidus?

Lep. I do consent,

Oct.

Prick him down, Antony.

Lep. Upon condition Publius3 shall not live, Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.

Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I

damn him.

But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house;

Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
Lep. What, shall I find you here?
Oct. Or here, or at the Capitol.

10

[Exit Lepidus.

Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,

The three-fold world divided, he should stand
One of the three to share it?

Oct.
So you thought him;
And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,
In our black sentence and proscription.

Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than

you:

2 In this proscription Octavius demanded the life of Paulus Lepidus, one of the conspirators, and Antony, the life of Cicero, his personal enemy. Paulus was the brother of Lepidus and Octavius was under great obligations to Cicero. After delicate negotiation, it was decided that Paulus Lepidus and Ciceró should both die; and, as compensation, that Antony should sacrifice his uncle.

3 If historical accuracy were of any importance in this connection, for Publius we should read Lucius Caesar, and for "sister's son" read "mother's brother."

And though we lay these honours on this man,
To ease ourselves of divers sland'rous loads,
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,
To groan and sweat under the business,
Either led or driven, as we point the way;
And having brought our treasure where we will,
Then take we down his load, and turn him off,
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears,

And graze in commons.1

Oct.

You may do your will;

But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that

I do appoint him store of provender:

It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind to stop, to run directly on,

His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit.
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;

He must be taught and train'd and bid go forth;
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

6

On abjects, orts' and imitations,

Which, out of use and stal'd by other men,
Begin his fashion: do not talk of him,
But as a property. And now, Octavius,
Listen great things:- Brutus and Cassius

20

30

40

4 Lepidus managed to descend safely from his perilous height of power, and ended his days in opulent obscurity.

5 Turn.

6 Things thrown away.

7 Refuse.

8 Made common.

9 Express this in the modern English idiom.

Are levying powers: we must straight make head:
Therefore let our alliance be combin'd,

Our best friends made, our means stretch'd;10

And let us presently go sit in council,

How covert matters may be best disclos'd,

And open perils surest answered.

11

Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake,"

And bay'd about with many enemies;

And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.

10 Scan this line.

11 i. e., Like baited bears.

50

[Exeunt.

SCENE-SETTING.

ACT IV.-SCENE II.-CAMP NEAR SARDIS: BEFORE BRUTUS' TENT.

Note. In this scene, Brutus and Cassius, broken in health and reputation, their ideals and hopes shattered, are introduced as rival revolutionary soldiers.

(1). Setting of the Scene.

The tent of Brutus (not differing essentially from a modern officer's tent) occupies the right front of the stage. In front of it is a square mound of turf with a flat top,-the camp altar. From the altar to the left runs a camp street lined with soldiers' tents which are cloth-covered, peak-roofed huts, gable end to the street. Behind the altar and extending

to the rear of the stage is a cross street, also lined with soldiers' tents. Brutus and Lucius emerge from Brutus' tent and the soldiers fall into line in the cross street, except three sentries on guard in front of the line of tents on the main street. Up this street comes Lucilius, escorting Titinius and Pindarus. He leaves the stage and reappears later escorting Cassius who is leading his troops in line. The three sentries challenge the strangers, but allow them to pass, on recognizing their own officer.

(2). Actors.

Brutus & Cassius, older and more careworn than in previous scenes.

Lucius (2. 1.); Lucilius, an officer of Brutus' army. Pindarus, servant of Cassius; Titinius, an officer of Cassius' army.

(3). Costumes.

Brutus & Cassius wear the costume of a Roman commanding officer,—a corselet of embossed metal hanging from the shoulders and fitting tightly about the body above the hips; a leather fringe hangs from the lower edge of the metal nearly to the knees; below this, the edge of the tunic shows. The legs are bare below the knee, the soles of the feet being protected by sandals bound about the ankle. A short red cloak, fastened on the left shoulder with a gold brooch, hangs over the right shoulder and the back. A short, straight sword in a decorated scabbard hangs on the right side from an embossed metal belt.

The Soldiers wear corselets made of strips of leather and leather helmets with brass trimmings but without crests. Each soldier wears on his left arm a shield of leather with metal trimmings and ornaments which protects his body from shoulders to hips; in his right hand he holds a spear; and at his right side, a short, straight sword hangs from a leather belt.

(4). Time of Action.

A little more than two years after the death of Cæsar; and about six months after the proscription (iv. 1).

SCENE II. Camp near Sardis.1 Before BRUTUS' tent.

Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers; TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them.

Bru. Stand, ho!

Lucil. Give the word, ho! and stand.

Bru. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near? Lucil. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master.

Bru. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

In his own change, or by ill officers,

Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,
I shall be satisfied.

But that my noble master will appear

Such as he is, full of regard and honour.

Bru. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius;

How he received you, let me be resolved.2

Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances,

Nor with such free and friendly conference,

10

1 In Asia Minor, once the capital of the great Lydian monarchy; at this time a Roman provincial town.

2 Informed.