Bru. Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: hence, How many ages Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown? Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, No worthier than the dust? Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd Cas. 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. 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: And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say, Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; 2 Stoop then, and wash.] To wash does not mean here to cleanse, but to wash over, as we say, washed with gold; for Cassius means that they should steep their hands in the blood of Cæsar. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Tell him, so please him come unto this place, Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit Servant. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend. That fears him much; and my misgiving still Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony. 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 3 who else is rank:] Who else may be supposed to have overtopped his equals, and grown too high for the publick safety. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, In the disposing of new dignities. Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you:- 4 Our arms, in strength of malice,] i. e. To you (says Brutus) our swords have leaden points: our arms, strong in the deed of malice they have just performed, and our hearts united like those of brothers in the action, are yet open to receive you with all possible regard. VOL. VII. E Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true: Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. How like a deer, stricken by many princes, Dost thou here lie! Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on you? Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all; Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons, crimson'd in thy lethe.] Lethe is used by many of the old translators of novels, for death. Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle : Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; Do not consent, Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. [Aside. By your pardon ;- And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. In the same pulpit whereto I am going, Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so ; Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! |