Tre. Fled to his house amazed: Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures:- Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life, Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Cas. Stoop then, and wash.* How many ages hence, Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown? Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, No worthier than the dust? Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd Cas. Ay, every man away: Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels Enter a SERVANT. Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. Say, I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and loved him. I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, * Steep yourselves in Cæsar's blood. Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit SERV. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend. That fears him much: and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Antony. As Cæsar's death hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich I do beseech ye, if ye bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony: With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. In the disposing of new dignities. Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeased The multitude, beside themselves with fear, Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand: First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you :- Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus; *Grown too high. My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true: Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave heart; Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy Lethe. O world! thou wast the forest to this hart; And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.- Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons, Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Our reasons are so full of good regard, Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may You know not what you do; Do not consent, That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved Bru. By your pardon; I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: What Anthony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission; Aside. And that we are contented, Cæsar shall Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. Be it so; I do desire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, 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, Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife, Shall cumber all the parts of Italy: That mothers shall but smile, when they behold 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. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 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 chanced: 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; [Exeunt with CESAR'S body. SCENE II-The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of CITIZENS. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 are 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. Cit. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. "I have done no more to Cæsar, than you should 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. * Friends. |