Oct. Stir not until the signal.[3529]
Bru. Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
Oct. Not that we love words better, as you do.
Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: 30
Witness the hole you made in Cæsar's heart,
Crying 'Long live! hail, Cæsar!'
Cas. Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;[3530]
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,[3531]
And leave them honeyless.
Ant. Not stingless too.[3532] 35
Bru. O, yes, and soundless too;[3533]
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,[3533]
And very wisely threat before you sting.[3533]
Ant. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers
Hack'd one another in the sides of Cæsar:[3534] 40
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds,[3535]
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Cæsar's feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind[3536]
Struck Cæsar on the neck. O you flatterers![3537][3538]
Cas. Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself:[3538][3539] 45
This tongue had not offended so to-day,
If Cassius might have ruled.