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 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. 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 depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech By our permission, is allowed to make. I do entreat you not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [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. 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. 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; Hath told you Cæsar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault; (For Brutus is an honorable man; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept. You all did see, that on the Lupercal, 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. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. Let but the commons hear his testament, 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, 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 ; 1 1 i. e. his guardian angel, or the being in whom he put most trust. |