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 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak. [reasons, 2 Pleb. Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 2 Pleb. I will hear Cassius; and compare their 10 When severally we hear them rendered. 15 [Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebeians : Brutus goes into the rostrum. 3 Pleb. 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 20 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 lov'd Cæsar 25 less, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves; than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar lov'd me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I ho-30 nour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him: There are 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. 35 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? It any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. All. None, Brutus, none. [Exit. 1 Pleb. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Pleb. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him:-Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beho den to you. 4 Pleb. What does he say of Brutus? 3 Pleb. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholden to us all. [here. 4 Pleb. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus 1 Pleb. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain: We are blest, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Pleb. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. All. Peace, ho! let us hear him. [your ears; Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Casar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enroll'd in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was 45 worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death. Enter Mark Antony, &c. with Cæsar's body. Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall 50 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 55 need my death. All. Live, Brutus, live! live! [house. 1 Pleb. Bring himn with triumph home unto his 2 Pleb. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Pleb. Let him be Cæsar. 4 Pleb. Cæsar's better parts Shall be crowned in Brutus. 1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 60 When that the poor have cry'd, Cæsar hath wept; I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts, 1 Pleb. Methinks, there is much reason in his 2 Pleb. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Pleb. Has he, masters? 651 fear, there will a worse come in his place. 3 C 2 4 Pleb 4 Pleb. Mark'd ye his words? He would not 'Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious. [tony. 5 10 You all do know this mantle: I remember If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: 15 For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, 20 Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark AnAll. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. 30 Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. 4 Pub. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. 35 2 Pleb. O noble Cæsar! 3 Pleb. O woeful day! 4 Pleb. O traitors, villains! 2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: Revenge: About,→→ Seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!—let not a trai tor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Pleb. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Pleb. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll 140die with him. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? 2 Pleb. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! [will? Ant. You will compel me then to read the 2 Pleb. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. [body. 1 Pleb. Stand from the hearse, stand from the 2 Pleb. Room for Antony;-most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. All. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears,prepare to shed them now.} 50 Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not They, that have done this deed, are honourable; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, 60 And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue 1i. e. their handkerchiefs.-Napery was the ancient term for all kinds of linen. 2 i. e. the impression of pity. In 1 Pleb. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Pleb. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. 5 Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. [tony. All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble AnAnt. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what : Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not:-I must tell you then:You have forgot the will I told you of. All. Most true;-the will;-let's stay, and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas1. 2 Pleb. Most noble Cæsar!-We'll revenge his 3 Pleb. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. 10 15 [death. 20 Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours, and new planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Cæsar! When comes such another? 1 Pleb. Never, never:-Come, away, away: We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the traitor's houses. Take up the body. 2 Pleb, Go, fetch fire. 3 Pleb, Pluck down benches. 25 30 4 Pleb. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. 35 [Exeunt Plebeians, with the body. Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot. Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow? Enter a Servant. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Ant. Where is he? Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him: He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us any thing. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 40 Ant. Belike, they had some notice of the people, How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Street. Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians. 1 Pleb. What is your name? 3 Pleb. Where do you dwell? 4 Pleb. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 2 Pleb. Answer every man directly. 1 Pleb. Ay, and briefly. 4 Pleb. Ay, and wisely. 3 Pleb. Ay, and truly, you were best, Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married inan, or a bachelor? Then to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly. Wisely I say, I Jam a bachelor. 2 Pleb. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry:-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly, Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral. 1 Pleb. As a friend, or an enemy? Cin. As a friend. 2 Pieb. That matter is answer'd directly. 3 Pleb. Your name, sir, truly, 1 Pleb. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 4 Pleb. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator. 4 Pleb. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 3 Pleb. Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, 45ho! firebrands. To Brutus' and to Cassius', burn all, Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius'! away; go. [Exeunt. A drachma was a Greek coin of the value of seven-pence farthing. little river Rhenus near Bononia, according to Hanmer. meant, who was uncle by the mother's side to Mark Antony. 3 C3 i. e. condemn him. Fetch Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine The three-fold world divided, he should stand Octa. So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and proscription. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze in commons. Octa. You may do your will; But he's a try'd and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and, for that, 5 10 But that my noble master will appear Bru. He is not doubted.-A word, Lucilius;— How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: 20 25 forth:30 His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. Octa. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, 135 Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd; The greater part, the horse in general, Bru. Hark, he is arriv'd: March gently on to meet him. [March within. Enter Cassius, and Soldiers. Cus. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. [mies? Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine ene¡And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides And when you do them-[wrongs; Bru. Cassius, be content, Speak your griefs softly,-I do know you well:— Before the eyes of both our armies here, 40 Which should perceive nothing but love from us, Let us not wrangle: Bid them move away; Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, And I will give you audience. And some, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, 45 50 55 Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off Bru. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man Come to our tent,'till wehave done our conference. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The inside of Brutus' Tent. Enter Brutus, and Cassius. Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, 60 Because I knew the man, was slighted off. [case. 2i. e. small trifling offence. Bru. Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself, Cas. I an itching palm? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, 5 [member! 10 Cas. Brutus, bay not nre, I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Bru. I say, you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health,tempt me no further. Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. Is 't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all this? Go, shew your slaves how cholerick you are, Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say you are a better soldier: Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Cas. What? durst not tempt him? Bru. For your life you durst not. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love, may do that I shall be sorry for. [for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry That they pass by me, as the idle wind, 15 For certain sums of gold, which you deny'd me;- To you for gold to pay my legions, [sius? 30 35 40 Cas. I deny'd you not. Cas. I did not: -he was but a fool, That brought my answer back.-Brutus hath A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could neversee such faults. Cas. Come, Antony, and youngOctavius, come, For Cassius is aweary of the world: I, that deny'd thee gold, will give my heart: Warburton comments on this passage thus: "The poets and common people, who generally think and speak alike, suppose the dog bays the moon out of envy to its brightness; an allusion to this notion makes the beauty of the passage in question: Brutus hereby insinuates a covert accusation against his friend, that it was only envy at Cæsar's glory which set Cassius on conspiring against him; and ancient history seems to countenance such a charge. Cassius understood him in this sense, and with much conscious pride retorts the charge by a like insinuation:-" Brutus, bay not me." 2 i. e. to limit my authority by your direction or censure. That is, to know on what terms it is fit to confer the offices which are at my disposal. Bru. |