But yesterday, the word of Cesar might Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will, the will; we will hear Cesar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cesar lov'd you. 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 Cesar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! Cit. The will! the testament! * The meanest man is now too high to do reverence to Cesar. † Handkerchiefs. 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 Cesar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? Ånd will you give me leave? Cit. Come down. 2 Cit. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cesar put it on; 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent; Look: in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through; For when the noble Cesar saw him stab, * Statua, for statue, is common among the old writers. T 弊 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about,seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!-let not a traitor live. 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; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, I tell you that, which you yourselves do know; mouths, And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, ACT IV. CEREMONY INSINCERE. Ever note, Lucilius, When love begins to sicken and decay, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Make gallant show and promise of their mettle: * Grievances. THE TENT SCENE BETWEEN BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear in this: You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Bru. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? Cas. Brutus, bay not me, Bru. Go to; you're not, Cassius. Cas. I am. *Trifling. † Bait, bark at. Limit my authority. § Terms, fit to confer the offices at my disposal. Bru. I say you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. Is't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all this Bru. All this? ay, more: Fret, till your proud heart break; Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well: For mine own part, Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I Bru. say, better? If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cesar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not thus have tempt ed him. Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What? durst not tempt him? Bru. For your life you durst not. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love, I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats: |