Note to JULIUS CAESAR, 3.1.206, 'Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe'

In the language of hunting, "spoil" was a word for all the parts (such as lungs, kidneys, liver) of a quarry that were left behind or fed to the hunting dogs. In the process of butchering the quarry, the hunters were "signed" —marked with blood splatters—which was considered a badge of honor.

As for "crimson'd in thy lethe," I don't have a good explanation. It's clear that the conspirators are "crimson'd" by the blood of Caesar on their hands. However, I don't understand "in thy lethe." In the underworld of Greek mythology, Lethe was the river of forgetfulness. It seems to me that Phlegethon, the river of blood, would be more appropriate.


from Livre de chasse by Gaston III, Count of Foix, c. 1387-89.