battles battalions of soldiers.
answering acting in response or retaliation.
I am in their bosoms I know what they mean to do.
wherefore why.
could be content to visit other places would rather be elsewhere.
fearful bravery a display of courage to hide their fear.
softly here, slowly.
exigent calling for immediate action or attention.
the posture of your blows what sort of blows you will deliver.
Hybla bees bees renowned for the sweetness of their honey. Hybla was in Sicily.
show'd your teeth smiled.
might have rul'd had prevailed.
three and thirty wounds a reference to Christ's age at his death. Antony is suggesting that Caesar has been sacrificed by the conspirators.
a masker and a reveller reference to Antony's fondness for revelry that will become an important element of Antony and Cleopatra.
stomachs desires or inclinations; here, their desire to fight.
on the hazard at stake.
Epicurus Greek philosopher and founder of the Epicurean school, which held that the goal of man should be a life characterized by serenity of mind and the enjoyment of moderate pleasure; Epicureans did not believe in omens and portents.
presage foreshadowing quality
former ensign foremost banner.
fell here, swooped down.
consorted accompanied or escorted.
ravens, crows, and kites eaters of carrion and thus inferior to the nobility of the eagle.
as as if.
The gods to-day stand friendly May the gods be friendly.
lead on our days to age live a long life.
incertain uncertain.
reason with the worst imagine and consider the worst.
philosophy a particular system of principles for the conduct of life; in Brutus' case, stoicism
Cato Brutus' father-in-law who fought for Pompey and committed suicide at Utica. Brutus' stoic philosophy disapproved of suicide.
prevent the time of life cut life short.
stay to wait.
in triumph in ancient Rome, a procession celebrating the return of a victorious general and his army.
