Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, 170 To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony: With all kind love, good thoughts and reverence. BRUTUS. Only be patient till we have appeas'd The multitude, beside themselves with fear, ANTONY. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand; 180 189 Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. My credit now stands on such slippery ground, Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true: If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Most noble ! in the presence of thy corse? In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 200 Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, CASSIUS. Mark Antony,- Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. CASSIUS. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; 210 ANTONY. Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar. 220 Friends am I with you all and love you all, Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar, ANTONY. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the market-place; 230 BRUTUS. You shall, Mark Antony. CASSIUS. Brutus, a word with you. [Aside to BRUTUS] You know not what you do do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be mov'd BRUTUS. By your pardon; ANTONY. I do desire no more. Be it so ; BRUTUS. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 240 250 [Exeunt all but ANTONY. ANTONY. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! 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, 260 To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue- That mothers shall but smile when they behold Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? I do, Mark Antony. SERVANT. O Cæsar ! 270 281 [Seeing the body. ANTONY. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, SERVANT. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. chanc'd : Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, 290 Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile; Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse Into the market-place: there shall I try, In my oration, how the people take According to the which, thou shalt discourse Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with CÆSAR's body. SCENE II.-The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. CITIZENS. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. BRUTUS. 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 'em stay here; And public reasons shall be rendered [Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the pulpit. THIRD CITIZEN. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence! BRUTUS. 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 |