Cas.
Where is Antony?

Tre.
Fled to his house amaz'd.
Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run,
As it were Dooms-day.

Bru.
Fates! we will know your pleasures;
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time,
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.

Cas.
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life,
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

Bru.
Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Cæsar's friends, that have abridg'd
His time of fearing death. ^{2 note}

Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords;
Then walk we forth ev'n to the Market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry, “Peace! Freedom! and Liberty!”

Cas.
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence [Dipping their swords in Cæsar's blood.
Shall this our lofty Scene be acted o'er,
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
The men that gave their country liberty.

Dec.
What, shall we forth?

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; [kneeling.
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say.
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest;
Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal and loving;
Say, I love Brutus, and I honour him;
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:
Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead,
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this untrod State,
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.

Bru.
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;

I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.

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.

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