Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, No place will please me so, no mean of death, The choice and master spirits of this age. Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. ANT. I doubt not of your wisdom. Now, Decius Brutus, yours ;—now yours, Metellus; My credit now stands on such slippery ground, Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 't is true: If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Most noble! in the presence of thy corse? Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, It would become me better, than to close In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius !-Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; Dost thou here lie! CAS. Mark Antony, ANT. Pardon me, Caius Cassius; all; Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Cæsar was dangerous. BRU. Or else were this a savage spectacle. ANT. That's all I seek: Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do: Do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be mov'd By that which he will utter? [Aside. Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, BRU. Prepare the body then, and follow us. Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Shall cumber all the parts of Italy: That mothers shall but smile when they behold Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? SERV. I do, Mark Antony. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. a We give the line as in the first and second editions. The text is invariably corrupted in all modern editions into "O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth." Havock, according to Sir William Blackstone, was, in the military operations of ancient times, the word by which declaration was made that no quarter should be given. ANT. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. ANT. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. SERV. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. ANT. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd: No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile; [Seeing [Exeunt, with CESAR's body. SCENE II.-The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens 11. 14 CIT. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. BRU. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Caesar'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 free men? 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. 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. 2 Cır. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 CIT. Let him be Cæsar. 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! And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: I do entreat you, not a man depart, 1 CIT. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. ANT. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 4 CIT. What does he say of Brutus? 3 CIT. He says, for Brutus' sake, [Exit. |