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CASSIUS I blame you not for praising Caesar so.
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be pricked in number of our friends?
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
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CASSIUS I don’t blame you for praising Caesar like this, but what
agreement do you intend to reach with us? Will you be counted as our
friend, or should we proceed without depending on you?
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ANTONY
230Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all and love you all
Upon this hope: that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
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ANTONY I took your hands in friendship, but, indeed, I was distracted
when I looked down at Caesar. I am friends with you all and love you
all, on one condition—that you prove to me that Caesar
was dangerous.
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BRUTUS
235Or else were this a savage spectacle!
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
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BRUTUS Without that proof, this would’ve been a savage action!
Our reasons are so well considered that even if you, Antony, were
Caesar’s son, you would be satisfied with them.
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ANTONY That’s
all I seek.
And am moreover suitor that I may
240Produce his body to the marketplace,
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
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ANTONY That’s all I ask—and that you let me carry
his body to the marketplace and, as a friend ought to do, stand on
the platform and give a proper funeral oration.
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BRUTUS You shall, Mark Antony.
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BRUTUS You may, Mark Antony.
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CASSIUS Brutus, a word
with you.
(aside to
BRUTUS) You know not what you do.
245Do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral.
Know you how much the people may be moved
By that which he will utter?
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CASSIUS Brutus, may I have a word with you?
(speaking so that only BRUTUS
can hear) You don’t know
what you’re doing. Don’t let Antony speak at his
funeral. Don’t you know how much the people could be
affected by what he says?
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BRUTUS
(aside to
CASSIUS) By
your pardon.
250I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar’s death.
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BRUTUS
(speaking so that only CASSIUS
can hear) With your permission,
I’ll stand on the platform first and explain the reason for
Caesar’s death.
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