Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus are coming up with a list of senators to assassinate, including a Lepidus' brother and Antony’s nephew. When Lepidus leaves, Antony expresses his disdain for him, to Octavius’ surprise. Antony explains that he plans to use Lepidus when fighting against Brutus and Cassius, but to deny him any real power once the conflict is over.
Antony
These people will be killed, then; their names have been marked.
Octavius
Your brother has to die too. Do you agree, Lepidus?
Lepidus
I do agree.
Octavius
Mark him down, Antony.
Lepidus
On the condition that Publius, your nephew, Mark Antony, also dies.
Antony
He will not live. Look, with a spot of ink I condemn him to death. Lepidus, go to Caesar's house and bring us his will. We'll figure out how to reduce some of the will's gifts to the public so we can use that money for our purposes.
Lepidus
Will you still be here?
Octavius
Either here, or at the Capitol.
Antony
He's a scrawny worthless man, fit only for running our errands. Is it appropriate that we divide the Roman world in thirds, and that he gets to rule one of the thirds?
Octavius
You thought he was worthy, and accepted his opinion on who we we're sentencing to death.
Antony
Octavius, I'm much older than you, and I can tell you that although we're giving this man the honor of ruling one third of the empire in order to deflect some possible accusations against us, in reality he's going to serve us like a donkey carrying our gold. He'll work hard to carry do his work in whichever direction we steer him. Then, having gotten the treasure to where we wish it, we'll unload him of it, and turn him loose like a unloaded ass to graze with the pasture.
Octavius
You can do what you want, but he's a battle-tested and brave solider.
Antony
So is my horse, Octavius, and for that service I give him plenty of oats. Lepidus is like that, a creature that I'll teach to fight, to turn, to stop, to run forward, his body guided by my mind. He must be taught, and trained, and sent into action. He's an empty-headed fellow, someone who values trinkets, tricks, and manners that others deem out of date and worthless. Just consider him a piece of our property. And now, Octavius, listen to some important news. Brutus and Cassius are raising armies. We must immediately advance our forces to confront them.
Therefore, let's combine our forces, solicit our allies, and share our resources. Let's soon meet again to discuss how best to discover what they're planning, and how to best to address these threats.
Octavius
Let's do so. It’s as though we're the bear tied to the stake, surrounded by many snarling dogs; and there are others around us who, though they wear smiles, I fear they have harmful intent in their hearts.
