Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. 121 Enter a Servant. Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; 124 And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Say I love Brutus, and I honour him; 128 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, 132 Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead Tell him, so please him come unto this place, 136 141 Serv. I'll fetch him presently. Exit Servant. Bru. I know that we shall have him well to friend. Cas. I wish we may: but yet have I a mind That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 131 resolv'd: convinced, satisfied 136 Thorough: throughout untrod: novel, precarious 140 so please him: if he is willing to 143 well to friend: as a good friend 145, 146 still purpose: always proves only too well grounded 146 Enter Antony. Bru. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Ant. O mighty Cæsar! dost thou lie so low? 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 ye bear me hard, 151 156 Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. 160 165 169 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 152 let blood: bled, for medical purposes feiting 161 mean: means 159 Live: if I live 173 rank: diseased from sur160 apt: ready, fit 162 by Cæsar: beside Casar 174 malice: power (but not wish) to harm; cf. n. Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Bru. Only be patient till we have appeas'd Ant. 176 180 I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand: 184 Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; 188 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, 192 Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cæsar, O 'tis true: If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, 196 Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Most noble, in the presence of thy corse? Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, It would become me better than to close 200 In terms of friendship with thine enemies. hart; ... 204 202 close: unite 178 disposing . . . dignities: distributing . . . offices 199 corse: corpse 204 bay'd: brought to bay hart: stag (an obvious play on words) Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, Cas. Mark Antony,- 208 Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; 212 216 220 Ant. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle. Ant. Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Cas. 224 228 Brutus, a word with you. 206 Sign'd... spoil: bearing the bloody mark of thy slaughter lethe: death (?) 213 modesty: moderation 212 this: all that he has just been saying 216 prick'd in number: marked in the list 224 good regard: what deserves approbation 228 Produce: carry forth 230 order: course [Aside to Brutus.] You know not what you do; do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be mov'd By that which he will utter? Bru. By your pardon; I will myself into the pulpit first, body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so; 232 236 240 Cæsar's 244 248 252 Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. Exeunt all but Antony. Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers; Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! 235 By... pardon: pardon me a moment, and I'll explain 238 protest: announce 257 tide of times: ebb and flow of human existence 256 |