That made them do it: they are wise and honour

able,

And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.

I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts
I am no orator, as Brutus is;

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him:
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;

220

I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show 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
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Cæsar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.

All. We'll mutiny.

First Cit. We 'll burn the house of Brutus.

230

Third Cit. Away, then! come, seek the conspira

tors.

Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen ; yet hear me speak. All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!

Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:

Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves?

Alas, know not: I must tell

you

you,

You have forgot the will I told you of.

then :

All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear

the will.

Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal

240

To every Roman citizen he gives,

To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

Sec. Cit. Most noble Cæsar! We'll revenge his

death.

Third Cit. O royal Cæsar!

Ant. Hear me with patience.
All. Peace, ho!

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 forever, common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Cæsar! when comes such another?
First Cit. Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place,

And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.

Sec. Cit. Go fetch fire.

Third Cit. Pluck down benches.

250

Fourth Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any

thing. [Exeunt Citizens with the body. Ant. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, 261 Take thou what course thou wilt!

Enter a Servant.

How now, fellow !

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:

243. seventy-five drachmas. A drachma was in nominal value equal to about eighteen cents, or a franc; but the difference between the real value of money then and now is so great that seventy-five drachmas was equal to at least two hundred. dollars, an impossible sum for Cæsar to have left to every Roman citizen.

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.
Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people,
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius.

SCENE III. A street.

Enter CINNA the poet.

270

[Exeunt.

Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy:

I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

Enter Citizens.

First Cit. What is your name ?
Sec. Cit. Whither are you going?

Third Cit. Where do you dwell?

Fourth Cit. Are you a married man or a bachelor?

Sec. Cit. Answer every man directly.

First Cit. Ay, and briefly.

Fourth Cit. Ay, and wisely.

Third Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best.

10

Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

Sec. Cit. 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. 20 First Cit. As a friend or an enemy?

Cin. As a friend.

Sec. Cit. That matter is answered directly.

18. [That is, “you'll win a blow from me."]

Fourth Cit. For your dwelling, — briefly.

Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
Third Cit. Your name, sir, truly.

Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna.

First Cit. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. Fourth Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator.

31

Fourth Cit. It is no matter, his name 's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

Third Cit. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho! fire-brands to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go!

[Exeunt

ACT IV

SCENE 1. A house in Rome.

ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table.

Ant. These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.

Oct. Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?

Lep. I do consent,—

Oct.

Prick him down, Antony.

Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live,

Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.

Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damr him.

34. [turn him going =

send him packing.]

1. prick'd = marked with a prick or point, checked.

4. Publius, etc.: a mistake: it was Lucius, Antony's mater nal uncle.

6. damn condemn.

But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house;

Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.

Lep. What, shall I find you here?
Oct. Or here, or at the Capitol.

Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man,

Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,

10

[Exit Lepidus

The three-fold world divided, he should stand
One of the three to share it?

Oct.
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 sland'rous 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.

Oct.

You may do your will;

But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that
I do appoint him store of provender:
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,
His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit.
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;

He must be taught and train'd and bid go forth;
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

A Latinized phrase, as

aut. aut.]