Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.208
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;212
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,216
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,220
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Cæsar was dangerous.
Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle.
Our reasons are so full of good regard224
That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar,
You should be satisfied.
Ant.That's all I seek:
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place,228
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
Bru. You shall, Mark Antony.
Cas.Brutus, a word with you.
206 Sign'd . . . spoil: bearing the bloody mark of thy slaughter
lethe: death (?)
212 this: all that he has just been saying
213 modesty: moderation
216 prick'd in number: marked in the list
224 good regard: what deserves approbation
228 Produce: carry forth
230 order: course
