Sec. Cit. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered. 10 [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpit. 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 honor, and have respect to mine honor, 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 honor him : but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor; 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. 33 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. Enter ANTONY and others, with CESAR'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. All. Live, Brutus ! live, live! 46 First Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. Third Cit. Let him be Cæsar. Fourth Cit. Shall be crowned in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts 50 First Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts 55 Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, I do entreat you, not a man depart, 60 [Exit. First Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. Third Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 65 [Goes into the pulpit. Fourth Cit. What does he say of Brutus ? Third Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. Fourth Cit. 'T were best he speak no harm of Brutus here. First Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant. Third Cit. Nay, that 's certain: 70 We are blest that Rome is rid of him. Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him. 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; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Cæsar. The noble Brutus 75 If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Cæsar answered it. 80 Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, So are they all, all honorable men, He was my friend, faithful and just to me: 85 And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? 90 When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal 95 95 I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 100 But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? 105 First Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. Sec. Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. Third Cit. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place. 110 Fourth Cit. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 't is 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. 115 Third Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. Fourth Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Have stood against the world; now lies he there, O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 120 I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, I will not do them wrong; I rather choose I found it in his closet; 't is his will: Let but the commons hear this testament Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read 126 130 And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. All. Ant. 135 141 Fourth Cit. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony. The will! the will! we will hear Cæsar's will. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad: 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For, if you should, O, what would come of it! Fourth Cit. Read the will; we 'll hear it, Antony; Ant. Will you be patient? will you stay awhile? Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar; I do fear it. 145 150 |