Ant. And Cæsar's spirit, ranging for revenge, Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice Act 3, Sc. I. Third 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 honour, and have respect to mine honour, 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 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. I pause for a reply. All. None, Brutus, none. 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.-Act 3, Sc. 2. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; So are they all, all honourable men— He was my friend, faithful and just to me: And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : And Brutus is an honourable man. I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. And I must pause till it come back to me. First Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. Third Cit. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place. Fourth Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. First Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. Sec. Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. Have stood against the world; now lies he there, O masters, if I were disposed to stir But here's a parchment with the seal of Cæsar; Let but the commons hear this testament Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read And they would go and kiss dear dead Cæsar's wound, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue.-Act 3, Sc. 2. Ant. This was the most unkindest cut of all.—Act 3, Sc. 2. Ant. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us anything.-Act 3, Sc. 2. Bru. When love begins to sicken and decay, It useth an enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ; Bru. I had rather be a dog and bay the moon Cas. A friend should bear his friend's infirmities. Act 4, Sc. 3. Bru. There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Is bound in shallows, and in miseries.—Act 4, Sc. 3. Mes. O hateful error, melancholy's child, Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men Act 5, Sc. 3. Bru. The last of all the Romans, fare thee well. Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all : Act 5, Sc. 3. Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar; Act 5, Sc. 5. MACBETH. Ist Witch. When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?—Act 1, Sc. 1. Macbeth. Come what come may; Time of the hour runs through the roughest day. Act 1, Sc. 3. Banquo. What, can the devil speak true?-Act 1, Sc. 3. Malcolm. Nothing in his life Became him, like the leaving of it.-Act 1, Sc. 4. Lady Macbeth. Yet do I fear thy nature : It is too full o' the milk of human kindness. Act 1, Sc. 5. Macb. If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well shoal of time, But in these cases We'd jump the life to come. |