Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: John D. Cox
Peer Reviewed

Julius Caesar (Modern)

[4.1]
Enter Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.
Antony
These many then shall die; their names are pricked.
1855Octavius
Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus
I do consent.
Octavius
Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus
Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
1860Antony
He shall not live. Look, with a spot I damn him.
But Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house,
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
Lepidus
What, shall I find you here?
1865Octavius
Or here, or at the Capitol.
Exit Lepidus
Antony
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?
1870Octavius
So you thought him,
And took his voice who should be pricked to die
In our black sentence and proscription.
Antony
Octavius, I have seen more days than you,
And though we lay these honors on this man
1875To 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,
1880Then take we down his load and turn him off,
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears
And graze in commons.
Octavius
You may do your will,
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
1885Antony
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 governed by my spirit.
1890And in some taste is Lepidus but so:
He must be taught, and trained, and bid go forth--
A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds
On objects, arts, and imitations,
Which out of use, and staled by other men,
1895Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him
But as a property. And now, Octavius,
Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
Are levying powers; we must straight make head.
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
1900Our best friends made, our means stretched,
And let us presently go sit in council
How covert matters may be best disclosed,
And open perils surest answerèd.
Octavius
Let us do so, for we are at the stake
1905And bayed about with many enemies,
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.
Exeunt