Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: Julius Caesar (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: John D. Cox

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-366-3

    Copyright John D. Cox. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: John D. Cox
    Peer Reviewed

    Julius Caesar (Folio 1, 1623)

    Actus Quartus.
    Enter Antony, Octauius, and Lepidus.
    Ant. These many then shall die, their names are prickt
    1855Octa. Your Brother too must dye: consent you Lepidus?
    Lep. I do consent.
    Octa. Pricke him downe Antony.
    Lep. Vpon condition Publius shall not liue,
    Who is your Sisters sonne, Marke Antony.
    1860Ant. He shall not liue; looke, with a spot I dam him.
    But Lepidus, go you to Caesars house:
    Fetch the Will hither, and we shall determine
    How to cut off some charge in Legacies.
    Lep. What? shall I finde you heere?
    1865Octa. Or heere, or at the Capitoll. Exit Lepidus
    Ant. This is a slight vnmeritable man,
    Meet to be sent on Errands: is it fit
    The three-fold World diuided, he should stand
    One of the three to share it?
    1870Octa. So you thought him,
    And tooke his voyce who should be prickt to dye
    In our blacke Sentence and Proscription.
    Ant. Octauius, I haue seene more dayes then you,
    And though we lay these Honours on this man,
    1875To ease our selues of diuers sland'rous loads,
    He shall but beare them, as the Asse beares Gold,
    To groane and swet vnder the Businesse,
    Either led or driuen, as we point the way:
    And hauing brought our Treasure, where we will,
    1880Then take we downe his Load, and turne him off
    (Like to the empty Asse) to shake his eares,
    And graze in Commons.
    Octa. You may do your will:
    But hee's a tried, and valiant Souldier.
    1885Ant. So is my Horse Octauius, and for that
    I do appoint him store of Prouender.
    It is a Creature that I teach to fight,
    To winde, to stop, to run directly on:
    His corporall Motion, gouern'd by my Spirit,
    1890And 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 Obiects, Arts, and Imitations.
    Which out of vse, and stal'de by other men
    1895Begin his fashion. Do not talke of him,
    But as a property: and now Octauius,
    Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
    Are leuying Powers; We must straight make head:
    Therefore let our Alliance be combin'd,
    1900Our best Friends made, our meanes stretcht,
    And let vs presently go sit in Councell,
    How couert matters may be best disclos'd,
    And open Perils surest answered.
    Octa. Let vs do so: for we are at the stake,
    ll2 And
    124The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
    1905And bayed about with many Enemies,
    And some that smile haue in their hearts I feare
    Millions of Mischeefes. Exeunt
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC