Julius Caesar: Act 4, Scene 1

           Enter ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS.

      ANTONY
  1   These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.

1. prick'd: i.e., check marked.

"Your brother too must die"

      OCTAVIUS
  2   Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?

      LEPIDUS
  3   I do consent—

      OCTAVIUS
                            Prick him down, Antony.

      LEPIDUS
  4   Upon condition Publius shall not live,

4. Publius: This Publius must be a different person than the old man who we see briefly just after Caesar is murdered. The historical Mark Antony was 39 at this time , and it doesn't seem probable that his nephew would be an old man.

  5   Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.

      ANTONY
  6   He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.

6. spot: i.e., a mark made on the list of those who are being considered for elimination. damn: condemn.

  7   But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house;
  8   Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
  9   How to cut off some charge in legacies.

9. charge in legacies: i.e., expenses incurred in fulfilling the promises made in Julius Caesar's will.

LEPIDUS
10 What, shall I find you here?

10. shall I find you here?: i.e., will you be here when I come back?

OCTAVIUS
11 Or here, or at the Capitol.

11. Or . . . or: either . . . or

           Exit LEPIDUS.

      ANTONY
12   This is a slight unmeritable man,

12. slight unmeritable: insignificant and undeserving.

13 Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,

13. Meet: suitable.

14 The three-fold world divided, he should stand

14. The three-fold world divided: i.e., when Roman possessions are divided into three major pieces. >>>

15   One of the three to share it?

      OCTAVIUS
                                                   So you thought him;
16   And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,

16. took his voice: accepted his opinions about.

17 In our black sentence and proscription.

17. black sentence: death sentence. proscription: an offer of a reward for the murder of anyone on a list. >>>

ANTONY
18 Octavius, I have seen more days than you:

18. I . . . you: I am older and more experienced than you.

19 And though we lay these honours on this man,
20 To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads,

20. To . . . loads: i.e., put the blame on Lepidus for the wrongs that we do.

21   He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,
22   To groan and sweat under the business,
23   Either led or driven, as we point the way;
24   And having brought our treasure where we will,
25   Then take we down his load, and turn him off,

25. turn him off: i.e., put him out to pasture.

26 (Like to the empty ass) to shake his ears,

26. empty: relieved of his load; vacant, stupid.

27 And graze in commons.

27. in commons: on the common pasture.

      OCTAVIUS
                                           You may do your will;
28   But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

28. tried: tested.

      ANTONY
29   So is my horse, Octavius; and for that
30   I do appoint him store of provender:

30. appoint him: provide him with. store of provender: supply of fodder.

31 It is a creature that I teach to fight,
32 To wind, to stop, to run directly on,

32. wind: turn. directly on: straight ahead.

33 His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit.

33. corporal: bodily. govern'd: directed.

34 And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;

34. in some taste: to some degree. is Lepidus but so: Lepidus is just the same.

35   He must be taught and train'd and bid go forth;
36   A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds
37   On objects, arts and imitations,

37. objects . . . imitations: curiosities, contrivances, counterfeits.

38 Which, out of use and staled by other men,
39 Begin his fashion: do not talk of him,

38-39. Which . . . fashion: which, discarded and made stale by others, are for him the height of fashion.

40 But as a property. And now, Octavius,

40. property: tool.

41 Listen great things:—Brutus and Cassius

41. Listen great things: Attend to truly important matters.

42 Are levying powers: we must straight make head:

42. levying powers: raising armies. straight make head: immediately begin operations.

43 Therefore let our alliance be combined,
44 Our best friends made, our means stretch'd

44. Our . . . stretch'd: our supporters confirmed and all of our resources put to use.

45   And let us presently go sit in council,
46   How covert matters may be best disclosed,
47   And open perils surest answered.

45-47. let us . . . answered: let's immediately consider how to bring to light hidden dangers and deal with known ones.

      OCTAVIUS
48   Let us do so: for we are at the stake,
49   And bay'd about with many enemies;

48-49. at the stake . . . enemies: i.e., we're surrounded by enemies. >>>

50 And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
51 Millions of mischiefs.

51. mischiefs: malicious intents.

Exeunt.