Original
Modern English
These many, then, shall die; their names are prick’d.
So, these people will die; their names are marked.
Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
Your brother has to die too; do you agree, Lepidus?
I do consent--
I agree--
Prick him down, Antony.
Write him down, Antony.
Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.
On the condition that Publius doesn’t live, He’s your sister’s son, Mark Antony.
He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house; Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine How to cut off some charge in legacies.
He won’t live; look, I condemn him with this mark. But, Lepidus, go to Caesar’s house; Bring the will here, and we’ll decide How to reduce the amount of the bequests.
What, shall I find you here?
What, should I find you here?
Or here, or at the Capitol.
Either here, or at the Capitol.
This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it?
This is a worthless, unworthy man, Good only for running errands: is it right, That, with the world divided into three parts, he should be One of the three to share it?
So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick’d to die, In our black sentence and proscription.
That’s what you thought; And you took his vote to decide who should be marked for death, In our harsh judgment and banishment.
Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze in commons.
Octavius, I’ve lived longer than you: And even though we place these honors on this man, To relieve ourselves of various slanderous burdens, He’ll only carry them like a donkey carries gold, Groaning and sweating under the load, Either led or driven, as we show him the way; And once we’ve brought our treasure where we want, We’ll take off his burden, and turn him loose, Like an empty donkey, to shake his ears, And graze with the common animals.
You may do your will; But he’s a tried and valiant soldier.
You can do what you want; But he’s a proven and brave soldier.
So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I do appoint him store of provender: It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion govern’d by my spirit. And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; He must be taught and train’d and bid go forth; A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds On abjects, orts and imitations, Which, out of use and staled by other men, Begin his fashion: do not talk of him, But as a property. And now, Octavius, Listen great things:--Brutus and Cassius Are levying powers: we must straight make head: Therefore let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, our means stretch’d And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclosed, And open perils surest answered.
So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I give him plenty of food: He’s a creature I teach to fight, To turn, to stop, to run straight ahead, His body’s movements controlled by my will. And, in a way, Lepidus is the same; He must be trained and told to go forward; A weak-minded guy; one who feeds On scraps, leftovers, and copies, Which, when no longer used and worn out by others, Become his style: don’t talk about him, Except as a tool. And now, Octavius, Listen to big news:--Brutus and Cassius Are raising armies: we must act quickly: So let’s unite our forces, Make our best friends loyal, stretch our resources And let’s go sit down and discuss, How secret matters can be revealed most safely, And how open threats can best be dealt with.
Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bay’d about with many enemies; And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischiefs.
Let’s do that: because we’re at risk, Surrounded by enemies; And some who smile I fear have, Deep down, many evil plans.