Bru. Do so; and let no man abide this deed
But we the doers.[Exit Publius.]
Enter Trebonius.
Cas. Where is Antony?
Tre.Fled to his house amaz'd.96
Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.
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.100
Casca. 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'd104
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place;108
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
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over,112
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,116
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:
94 abide: pay the penalty for
97 wives: women
100 drawing . . . out: prolonging their life
stand upon: lay stress on, worry about
115 Pompey's basis: pedestal of Pompey's statue
along: outstretched
117 knot: group
