And både him follow: so, indeed, he did. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body," He had a fever when he was in Spain, And, when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake : And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Bru. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are For some new honors that are heaped on Cæsar. Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus: and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about Men at sometimes are masters of their fates: But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Cæsar-what should be in that Cæsar? : * Pron. kun'-jur. That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed? O! you As easily as a king. Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous: I will with patience hear, and find a time Both meet to hear, and answer, such high things. 'Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this; Brutus had rather be a villager, Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under such hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us. Cas. I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. LESSON CXCIX. Address of Brutus to the Romans, justifying his assassination of Cæsar.-IBID. 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 demând why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my ǎnswer: 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 freemen? 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 are tears, for his love; joy. for his fortune; honor, for his valor; and death, for his ambition.-Who's here so base that would be a bondman? if any, speak; for him have I offended. Who's here so rude, that would not be a Roman? if any, speak; for him have I offended. Who's here so vile, that will not love his country? if any, speak; for him have I offended.—I pause for a reply None! 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. 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 com'monwealth; 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. LESSON CC. Antony's Address to the Romans, exciting them to revenge the death of Cæsar.—IBID. FRIENDS, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: The noble Brutus : Hath told you, Cæsar was ambitious. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: I thrice presented him a kingly crown; Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? And sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke; You all did love him once, not without cause: Have stood against the world: now lies he there, But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar ; Let but the commons hear this testament, Unto their issue. 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; 'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent: That day he overcame the Nervii : Look! In this place, ran Cassius' dagger through : See, what a rent the envious Casca made- Quite vanquished him! Then burst his mighty heart: Even at the base of Pompey's statua,t Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Good friends! sweet friends! Let me not stir you up They that have done this deed are honorable! What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it! They are wise and honorable, 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, Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor, dumb mouths, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony *This double superlative, like "the most straitest sect of our religion," (Acts xxvi. 5.) was tolerated by the best English writers, two or three centu ries ago. + Statua, for statue, is common among the old writers. |