To see thy Antony making his peace, Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; 5 Here didst thou fall? and here thy hunters stand, Dost thou here lie? Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on you? Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Our reasons are so full of good regard, Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may S crimson'd in thy lethe.] Lethe is used by many of the old translators of novels, for death. Produce his body to the market-place; Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; Do not consent, That Antony speak in his funeral : [Aside. Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. By your pardon ;I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission; And that we are contented, Cæsar shall Have all true rites, and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more, than do us wrong. Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Bru. Mark Antony, here, take your Cæsar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar; And say you do't by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral: And shall speak you In the same pulpit whereto I am going, Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so; Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, That ever lived in the tide of times." in the tide of times.] That is, in the course 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? O Cæsar! Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming: And bid me say to you by word of mouth,[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. 7-let slip-] This is a term belonging to the chase. Slips were contrivances of leather by which greyhounds were restrained till the necessary moment of their dismission. By the dogs of war, as Mr. Tollet has observed, Shakspeare probably meant fire, sword, and famine. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; SCENE II. The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a Throng of Citizens. 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; 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 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 should 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 |