Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Antony. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Antony. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. Cassius. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; Do not consent, [Aside. That Antony speak in his funeral : Know you how much the people may be mov'd— Brutus. I will myself into the pulpit first, By your pardon; And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: Cassius. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Antony. I do desire no more. Be it so; Brutus. Prepare the body, then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Antony. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! That ever lived in the tide 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? Servant. I do, Mark Antony. Antony. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Servant. He did receive his letters, and is coming: And bid me say to you by word of mouth, O Cæsar! [Seeing the Body. Antony. 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? 1 The signal for giving no quarter. Servant. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Antony. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; Thou shalt not back, till I have borne this corse Into the market-place: there shall I try, The cruel issue of these bloody men; Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with CESAR'S Body. SCENE II.-The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. Citizens. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Brutus. 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; And publick reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. 1 Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Citizen. 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 Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! Brutus. Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers!2 hear me for my cause; and be silent that ye 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 2 Friends. 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. pause for a reply. Citizens. None, Brutus, none. I [Several speaking at once. The Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you should do to Brutus. 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. Citizens. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Citizen. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Citizen. Let him be Cæsar. 4 Citizen. Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts 1 Citizen. We'll bring him to his house with shouts 1 Citizen. Peace, ho! Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, I do entreat you not a man depart, [Exit. 1 Citizen. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Citizen. Let him go up into the publick chair; We'll hear him:-Noble Antony, go up. Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Citizen. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Citizen. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 3 Citizen. Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd that Rome is rid of him. 2 Citizen. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Antony. You gentle Romans, Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. |