STRA. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
OCT. Do so, good Messala.

MES. How died my master, Strato?

STRA. I held the sword, and he did run on it. MES. Octavius, then take him to follow thee, That did the latest service to my master.

ANT. This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators, save only he,

Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar;
He only, in a general honest thought

And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements

So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world "This was a man!"

OCT. According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably.
So call the field to rest, and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.

[Exeunt.

62 prefer] recommend; commonly used of masters recommending servants

for service.

71-72 in a general. . . to all] out of an honest regard for the public good and for the general welfare.

81 part] divide, distribute.

80

Ο

PHELIA.

"Take these again; for to the noble mind

Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind:""

ACT IH, SCENE 1, line 1997