Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. 365. Ant. Be it so; I do desire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a SERVANT. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. [Seeing the Body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Began to water. Is thy master coming? Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Y Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; [Exeunt with CÆSAR's body. SCENE II.-The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of CITIZENS. 370. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. 375. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.- And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here ; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. 1 Cit. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Cit. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit CASSIUS with some of the CITIZENS. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! Bru. Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour; and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If, then, that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer;-Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cæsar loved me, weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honour, for his valour; and death, for his ambition. Who is here so base, that would be a bondman ? If any, speak ; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude, that would not be a Roman ? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile, that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Cit. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death. Enter ANTONY and others, with CESAR'S Body. Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart; That, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. Cit. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 380. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3'Cit. Let him be Cæsar. 4 Cit. Cæsar's better parts Shall now be crowned in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 385. 2 Cit. Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech I do entreat you, not a man depart, 1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 395. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are blessed, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; [Exit. I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition ? And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause; What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? And men have lost their reason!--Bear with me; And I must pause till it come back to me. 400. 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he not, masters? I fear, there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 405. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 410. O masters! if I were disposed to stir I will not do them wrong; I rather choose Let but the commons hear this testament And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; 4 Cit. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; you shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while? I have overshot myself, to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! 415. Cit. The will! the testament! 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will, read the will! Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will. Oit. Come down. 2 Cit. Descend. 420. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. [He comes down from the pulpit. 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 425. Cit. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. |