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 to dispos'd to stir But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar, I found it in his closet, 'tis his will; Let but the commons hear this testament, (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,) And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood: Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 PLEBEIAN. We'll hear the will; read it, Mark Antony. ALL. 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 lov'd you. Read the will, we will hear it, Antony, &c. Will ANTONY. you be patient? will you stay a while? 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 PLEBEIAN. They were traitors, &c. ANTONY. You will compel me then to read the will? Come down. 3 PLEBEIAN. You shall have leave. ANTONY. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You You all do know this mantle; I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on, "Twas on a summer's evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii. Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through; As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd, For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel, Judge, oh you gods! how dearly Cæsar lov'd him: This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquish'd him; then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. O what a fall was there, my countrymen! Our Our Cæsar's vesture wounded! look you here! Here is himself, marr'd as you see by traitors. 1 PLEBEIAN. O piteous spectacle! ANTONY. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up They that have done this deed are honourable. But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Shew you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor, dumb mouths! And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony ALL. ALL. We'll mutiny.. ANTONY. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. ALL. 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. Most noble Cæsar! 2 PLEBEIAN. ANTONY. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, Here was a Cæsar ! Is there any oration extant, in which the topics are more skilfully selected for the minds and temper of the persons, to whom it is spoken? Does it not by the most gentle gradations |