ACT IV. SCENE I. The same. A Room in Antony's House. ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a Table. Ant. These many then shall die; their names are prick'd: Oct. Your brother too must die; Consent you, Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live,7 Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.8 But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house; Lep. What, shall I find you here? The Capitol. Or here, or at [Exit LEPIDUS. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, The three-fold world divided, he should stand 7 Upon condition Publius shall not live,] Mr. Upton has suffici ently proved that the poet made a mistake as to this character mentioned by Lepidus; Lucius, not Publius, was the person meant, who was uncle by the mother's side to Mark Antony: and in consequence of this, he concludes that Shakspeare wrote; You are his sister's son, Mark Antony. The mistake, however, is more like the mistake of the author, than of his transcriber or printer. STEEVENS. 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: And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous 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. 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 On objects, arts, and imitations; Which, out of use, and stal'd by other men, But as a property. And now, Octavius, Are levying powers: we must straight make head: Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out; And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclos'd, 9 a property.] i. e. as a thing quite at our disposal, and to be treated as we please. And open perils surest answered. 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 mischief. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Before Brutus' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Bru. Stand here. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? To do you salutation from his master. [PINDARUS gives a Letter to BRUtus. 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, 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 receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, As he hath used of old.. Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius, - at the stake,] An allusion to bear-baiting. When love begins to sicken and decay, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Make gallant show and promise of their mettle: Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quar ter'd; The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius. Bru. [March within. Hark, he is arriv'd: March gently on to meet him. Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. Cas. Stand, ho! Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies? And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them Bru. Cassius, be content, Speak your griefs softly,-I do know you well:Before the eyes of both our armies here, Which should perceive nothing but love from us, Let us not wrangle: Bid them move away; Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, And I will give you audience. Cas. Pindarus, your griefs -] i. e. your grievances. Bid our commanders lead their charges off Bru. Lucilius, do the like; and let no man Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. SCENE III. Within the Tent of Brutus. [Exeunt. Lucius and Titinius at some distance from it. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear in this: You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a case. To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm ? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, Bru. Remember March, the ides of March re- 3- every nice offence-] i. e. small trifling offence. |