The evil that men do lives after them, He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept; 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 honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 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? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he, masters? I fear, there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown: Therefore, 't is certain, he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. 2 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 4.Cit. Now mark him; he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world: now, lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not read it: It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men, 4 Cit. Read the will! we 'll hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will: Cæsar's will! Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while? I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. All. They were traitors: honourable men! The will! the testament! 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will. Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then, make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? 1 Cit. [He comes down. 2 Cit. Ant. Stand from the hearse; stand from the body. Room for Antony; most noble Antony! Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. All. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on; 'T was on a summer's evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii. Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through: For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Kind souls! what! weep you, when you but behold O noble Cæsar! 2 Cit. 3 Cit. O woful day! 1 Cit. 2 Cit. let not a traitor live. Peace there! hear the noble Antony. We'll hear him, we 'll follow him, we 'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas! I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, 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 I tell you that, which you yourselves do know, Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, 1 Cit. 3 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. Away then! come, seek the conspirators. Alas! you know not: the will: will. All. Most true; then. let's stay, and hear the Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, Here was a Cæsar: when comes such another? And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. |