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, I 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. 376. Cit. None, Brutus, none. 377. [Several speaking at once. I have done no more to Bru. Then none have I offended. 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. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Cit. Let him be Cæsar. 382. 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, 2 Cit. Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! 387. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony : 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. [Exit. 3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him :-Noble Antony, go up. 390. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus ? 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. 1 Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 395. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are blest that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace, let us hear what Antony can say. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. 399. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears He was my friend, faithful and just to me: And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see, that on the Lupercal 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, What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he not, master? fear, there will a worse come in his place. 403. 4 Cit. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 404. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. Oh masters! if I were disposed to stir Let but the commons hear this testament (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read), And dip their napkins in his sacred blood; Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will, the will: we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men ; And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad. 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For if you should, O, what would come of it! 412. 4 Cit. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; you shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. 413. 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! 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. Shall I descend? And will you give me leave? Cit. Come down. 419. 2 Cit. Descend. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. [He comes down from the pulpit. 422. 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 426. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. The first time ever Cæsar put it on; 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii : Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through: Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabbed; For, when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquished him then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woeful day! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! 2 Cit. We will be revenged; revenge; about,-seek,— burn,— fire,-kill,-slay!-let not a traitor live. 433. Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Cit. Peace there :--Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. 436. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable; What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That gave me public leave to speak of him. I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me: But, were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue In every wound of Cæsar, that should move 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Cit. Away, then, come, seek the conspirators. |