Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.176
Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the disposing of new dignities.
Bru. Only be patient till we have appeas'd
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,180
And then we will deliver you the cause
Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Ant.I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand:184
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;188
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all,—alas! what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,192
Either a coward or a flatterer.
That I did love thee, Cæsar, O 'tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,196
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Most noble, in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,200
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius. Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;204
178 disposing . . . dignities: distributing . . . offices
199 corse: corpse
202 close: unite
204 bay'd: brought to bay
hart: stag (an obvious play on words)
