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The conspirators smear their hands and swords with
CAESAR’s blood
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The conspirators smear their hands and swords with
CAESAR’s blood.
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How many ages
hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
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How many years from now will this heroic scene be reenacted in
countries that don’t even exist yet and in languages not
yet known!
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BRUTUS How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
125That now on Pompey’s basis lies along
No worthier than the dust!
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BRUTUS How many times will Caesar bleed again in show, though he now lies
at the base of Pompey’s statue, as worthless as
dust!
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CASSIUS So oft as that
shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be called
“The men that gave their country
liberty.”
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CASSIUS As often as it’s replayed, our group will be hailed as
the men who gave their country liberty.
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DECIUS What, shall we forth?
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DECIUS Well, should we go out?
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CASSIUS Ay, every man
away.
130Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
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CASSIUS Yes, every man forward. Brutus will lead, and we’ll
follow him with the boldest and best hearts of Rome.
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Enter ANTONY'S SERVANT
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ANTONY'S SERVANT
enters.
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BRUTUS Soft! Who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
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BRUTUS Wait a minute. Who’s that coming? It’s a friend
of Antony’s.
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ANTONY'S SERVANT
(kneeling) Thus, Brutus, did my
master bid me kneel.
(falls prostrate) Thus did Mark
Antony bid me fall down,
135And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest.
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.
Say I love Brutus, and I honor him.
Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
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ANTONY'S SERVANT
(kneeling) Brutus, my master
ordered me to kneel like this.
(he kneels, head bowed low) He
ordered me to kneel low, and, from the ground, like this, he ordered
me to say: “Brutus is noble, wise, brave, and honest.
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. Antony loves Brutus and
honors him. Antony feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
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