Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Caius Cassius: Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so, Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle. Ant. That's all I seek: that I may Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you. · You know not what you do: do not consent, Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. By your pardon; I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: He speaks by leave and by permission; Cas. I know not what may fall: I like it not. Bru. Prepare the body, then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Ant. 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, A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; That mothers shall but smile, when they behold That this foul deed shall smell above the earth Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. [Seeing the Body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. Began to water. Is thy master coming? Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet: Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; According to the which, thou shalt discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. [Exeunt, with CÆSAR's Body. SCENE II. The Same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a Throng of Citizens. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; And public 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. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 3 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. 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. Live, Brutus! live! live! Bring him with triumph home unto his house. All. 1 Cit. 2 Cit. 3 Cit. Let him be Cæsar. 4 Cit. Cæsar's better parts Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone; I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. 1 Cit. 3 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 4 Cit. 3 Cit. He finds himself beholding to us all. [Exit. He says, for Brutus' sake, 4 Cit. 'T were best he speak no harm of Brutus here. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 1 Cit. 3 Cit. We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Nay, that's certain. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. Ant. You gentle Romans, Cit. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. |