Treb. Cæsar, I will:-[Aside] and so near will I be, Bru. [Aside] That every like is not the same, O Cæsar, The heart of Brutus yearns* to think upon? [Exeunt. PART II. SCENE-ROME. BEFORE THE CAPITOL; THE SENATE SITTING Enter CESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TRE- CÆSAR goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following. Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to Cæsar. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Bru. Look, how he makes to Cæsar: mark him. For I will slay myself. Bru. Cassius be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change. Cas. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus, He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 10 [Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. Dcc. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar. Bru. He is addressed: press near and second him. C'œs. What is now amiss That Cæsar and his senate must redress? Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant* Cæsar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart, 20 [Kneeling. Cæs. I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings* and these lowly courtesies To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood That will be thawed from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words, Thy brother by decree is banished: If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Cæsar doth not wrong, nor without cause Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar; Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Cas. Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon : As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me; That I was constant Cimber should be banished, Cin. O Cæsar, Cœs. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus? 70 Doth not Brutus bootless* kneel? Dec. Great Cæsar,- [Casca first, then the other Conspirators and Cæs. Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Cæsar! [Dies. Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, Dec. Bru. Where's Publius? And Cassius too. Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Bru. Talk not of standing.-Publius, good cheer; Cas. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people, Re-enter ANTONY. Welcome, Mark Antony. Ant. O mighty Cæsar! dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. 80 90 I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, If I myself, there is no hour so fit 100 As Cæsar's death hour, nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live I a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony, beg not your death of us. 110 Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony : 120 Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts, With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's In the disposing of new dignities. Bru. Only be patient till we have appeased Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor that I may Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you. [Aside to Bru.] You know not what you do: do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved By that which he will utter? Bru. By your pardon; Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so; Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 130 140 150 160 [Exeunt all but Antony. Ant. Oh, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Which, like dumb mouths, do ope* their ruby lips, 170 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? Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. 180 [Seeing the body. 190 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. 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 awhile; Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse 200 [Exeunt with Caesar's body. SCENE THE FORUM. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. Citizens. 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 'em stay here Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; 210 |