(For Brutus is an honourable man; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Citizen. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Citizen. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrongs. 3 Citizen. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place. 4 Citizen. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Citizen. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Citizen. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Citizen. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. 4 Citizen. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Antony. 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 dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Citizen. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Citizens. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. 4 Citizen. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Antony. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Citizen. They were traitors: Honourable men! Citizens. The will! the testament ! 2 Citizen. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! Antony. 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. 2 Citizen. Descend. [He comes down from the Pulpit. 3 Citizen. You shall have leave. 4 Citizen. A ring; stand round. 1 Citizen. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 2 Citizen. Room for Antony;-most noble Antony. Antony. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Citizens. Stand back! room! bear back! Antony. 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; That day he overcame the Nervii:— Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statua,3 O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 3 Statua for statue, is common among the old writers. O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel Kind souls; what, weep you, when you but behold 2 Citizen. O noble Cæsar! 3 Citizen. O woful day! 4 Citizen. O traitors, villains! 1 Citizen. O most bloody sight! 2 Citizen. We will be revenged: revenge; about, seek,-burn,-fire,—kill,—slay!-let not a traitor live. Antony. Stay, countrymen. 1 Citizen. Peace there:-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Citizen. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They, that have done this deed, are honourable; I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, * Impression. 5 Grievances. Citizens. We'll mutiny. 1 Citizen. We'll burn the house of Brutus. Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Citizens. Most true; the will;-let's stay, and hear the will. Antony. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas." 2 Citizen. Most noble Cæsar!-we'll revenge his death. 3 Citizen. O royal Cæsar! Antony. Hear me with patience. Citizens. Peace, ho! Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 1 Citizen. Never, never:-Come, away, away: We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 2 Citizen. Go, fetch fire. 3 Citizen. Pluck down benches. 4 Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [Exeunt CITIZENS, with the Body. Antony. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow? Near fifty shillings. |