— 3.—

and directing them to present their petitions at the Capitol. In this session Caesar refuses to recall Metellus Cimber's brother out of exile, upon which Casca draws his sword, and stabs him. Caesar, catching hold of Casca's arm, is then stabbed repeatedly by the conspirators who are pressing round him, and he receives his last wound from Marcus Brutus. Antony cowardly flees at first, and later on dissembling honest and loyal feelings towards the con- spirators, he succeeds in deceiving the noble-minded Brutus, who, though having been warned by Cassius, then consents to Antony's making Caesar's funeral speech publicly in the Market-place after him. Scene the Second.

This scene is chiefly illustrative of both the great selfsufficiency and inconsistency of a great and free nation. After having applauded the calm, dispassionate speech of Brutus, merely stating the facts, the crowd just as eagerly listens to Antony, who ascends the pulpit and makes a brilliant speech, enticing and speculating on both the good and evil propensities of the people. He succeeds in frustrating the conspirators of the reward of their bloody deed, by which they had hoped to deliver the Republic from an insufferable tyranny. The conspirators are compelled instantly to leave Rome for fear of the enraged populace, thus leaving the field free to Antony, Octavius and Lepidus, the three most powerful friends of the

murdered hero. Scene the Third.

We see the poor poet Cinna's life endangered on account of his rejoicing in the same name as one of the conspirators. This little episode gives a striking illustration of the rage of the people; their enthusiasm for their noble Caesar is pitched up to such a height, that they are even going to pull down the mansions of his merciless murderers.

Act the Fourth. Scene the First.

The three Triumvirs are trembling for their usurped power, so they point out their most dangerous opponents to be equally put to death. They send Lepidus to Caesar's house to fetch his will, purposing to make some alterations in his legacies. During his absence Antony proposes to shake off Lepidus as a worthless creature, to which Octavius after some hesitation consents. Antony also communicates to Octavius, that Brutus and Cassius are raising an army, and they both agree on meeting them with strong forces at the earliest possible.

Scene the Second. Brutus and Cassius meet with their armies near Sardis. We see the two most in- timate friends at difference. After coolly saluting each other, they proceed to Brutus's tent, where they continue their conference.

Scene the Third. Cassius upbraids Brutus for having disregarded his interceding in favour of Lucius Pella, who was accused of having been bribed by the Sardians. Brutus in return censures Cassius, whom he likewise suspects of having contaminated himself with bribes. After long unpleasant quarrelling, their noble feelings at last predominate and putting those paltry

differences aside, they get reconciled, and affectionately shake hands, foreseeing their being 1*