_Cas._ Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet 155 Mark Antony, so well beloved of Cæsar, Should outlive Cæsar: we shall find of him A shrewd contriver; and you know his means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to annoy us all: which to prevent, 160 Let Antony and Cæsar fall together. _Bru._ Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; For Antony is but a limb of Cæsar: 165 Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.[3052] We all stand up against the spirit of Cæsar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood:[3053] O, that we then could come by Cæsar's spirit,[3054] And not dismember Cæsar! But, alas, 170 Cæsar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends, Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds: And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,[3055] 175 Stir up their servants to an act of rage And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make[3056] Our purpose necessary and not envious: Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.[3057] 180 And for Mark Antony, think not of him; For he can do no more than Cæsar's arm When Cæsar's head is off.[3058] _Cas._ Yet I fear him, For in the ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar--[3059] _Bru._ Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him: 185 If he love Cæsar, all that he can do Is to himself, take thought and die for Cæsar:[3060] And that were much he should, for he is given To sports, to wildness and much company.[3061] _Treb._ There is no fear in him; let him not die; 190 For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.[3062] [_Clock strikes._ _Bru._ Peace! count the clock. _Cas._ The clock hath stricken three.[3063] _Treb._ 'Tis time to part. _Cas._ But it is doubtful yet Whether Cæsar will come forth to-day or no;[3064] For he is superstitious grown of late, 195 Quite from the main opinion he held once[3065] Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies:[3066] It may be these apparent prodigies, The unaccustom'd terror of this night And the persuasion of his augurers, 200 May hold him from the Capitol to-day.