ANTONY | |
Octavius, I have seen more days than you: | |
| | And though we lay these honours on this man, | 20 |
| | 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, | 25 |
| | Then take we down his load, and turn him off, | |
| | Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, | |
| | And graze in commons. | |
ANTONY | |
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. | 35 |
| | 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, | 40 |
| | 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, | 45 |
| | 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. | |
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