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 honor; and have respect to mine honor, 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 honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honor, for his valor; 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 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 CÆSAR'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 lover1 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. 4 Cit. Cæsar's better parts Shall now be crowned in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me dẹpart alone, Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech I do entreat you not a man depart, [Exit. 1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him.-Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. 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. 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. Ant. You gentle Romans, Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. 1 Lover and friend were synonymous with our ancestors. The evil that men do, lives after them; He was my friend, faithful and just to me; And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 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, 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. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 2 Cit. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. 4 Cit. Now mark him; he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were disposed to stir But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar ; Let but the commons hear his testament, 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. 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 awhile? I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honorable men, Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar; I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors. Honorable 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. 2 Cit. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 2 Cit. A ring; stand round. 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 2 Cit. Room for Antony ;—most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Cit. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now You all do know this mantle. I remember 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; 1 i. e. his guardian angel, or the being in whom he put most trust. |