1At mention of Antony all go around. "Conspirators are differently disposed toward Antony, but more of them disliked him as vacillating. He was undoubtedly a politician to the backbone. Shakespeare in this play only makes Antony serious on one point; he did love Cæsar genuinely; on almost all other points he was a humbug. This is a pretty good summing up of Antony's character all through his career. Mark Antony,1 so well belov'd of Cæsar, Let Antony and Cæsar fall together. Bru. (L C). Our course will seem too bloody, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Let's be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. 1This clock strike is important; they should be low, slow beats on a well-toned tube; no one must speak or move till the third beat is well over. 2Cassius and the others all go up to R, some crossing stage, putting their togas over heads. We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. For in the ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar Bru. (L C). Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him: If he love Cæsar, all that he can do Is to himself, take thought and die for Cæsar: And that were much he should; for he is given To sports, to wildness and much company. Treb. There is no fear in him; let him not die; For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. Bru. Peace! count the clock. Treb. 'Tis time to part. Cas.2 [Clock strikes1 The clock hath stricken three. But it is doubtful yet, Whether Cæsar will come forth to-day, or no; For he is superstitious grown of late, Quite from the main opinion he held once Dec. Never fear that: if he be so resolved, |