Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true: Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, in deed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar. Upon tifs hope, that you shall give me reasons, Our reasons are so full of good regard, Ant. That's all I seek: . And am moreover suitor, that I may And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Cas. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; Do not consent, That Antony speak in his funeral: [Aside. Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. I will myself into the pulpit first, By your pardon ; And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. I desire no more. Be it so ; Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but Antony. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, 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, ⚫ Course. A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Serv. I do, Mark Antony. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He did receive his letters, aud is coming: And bid me say to you by word of mouth, O Cæsar! [Seeing the body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chauc'd: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay a while; The signal for giving no quarter. To let slip a dog at a deer, &c. was the technical phrase of Shakspeare's time. In my oration, how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men; According to the which, thou shalt discourse SCENE II. The same. The Forum. Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citi zens. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. 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; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And publick reasons shall be rendered - Of Cæsar's death. 1 Cit. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Cit. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! 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, Islew 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. Cit. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you should 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. Enter Antony and others, with Cæsar'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. Cit. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. • Friend. |