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. 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. All. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Pleb. Bring him with triumph home unto his house, 2 Pleb. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Pleb, Let him be Cæsar. 1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his house, With shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen- 2 Pleb. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. 1 Pleb. Peace, ho! Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, Do grace to Cæsar's corpse and grace his speech Enter ANTONY and the Body. [Exit. 1 Pleb. Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Pleb. Let him go up into the public chair. We'll hear him: noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Pleb. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Pleb. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain; We are blest, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Pleb. Peace, let us hear what Antony can say. Ant. You gentle Romans All. Peace, ho, let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him : He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cry'd, Cæsar hath wept. Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious, I thrice presented him a kingly crown; Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious, I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, You all did love him once, not without cause; What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? 1 Pleb. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings, If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Pleb. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place. 4 Pleb. Mark'd ye his words? he would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Pleb. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Pleb. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire, with weeping. 3 Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. 4 Pleb. 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, I will not do them wrong: I rather chuse And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the will; read it, Mark Antony. All. The will, the will: we will hear Cæsar's will. 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 ; And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad, 'Tis good you know not, that you are his heirs, For, if you should- -O what would come of it! 4 Pleb. Read the will, we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will, Cæsar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? will you stay a while? (I have overshot myself, to tell you of it) I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar-I do fear it. 4 Pleb. They were traitors-honourable men! All. The will-the testament! 2 Pleb. 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? All. Come down. 2 Pleb. Descend. [He comes down from the Rostrum. 3 Pleb. You shall have leave. 4 Pleb. A ring; stand round. 1 Pleb. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 2 Pleb. Room for Antony-Most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me, stand far off. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle; I remember, Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through :- For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, (Which all the while ran blood) great Cæsar fell. 2 Pleb. O noble Cæsar ! 3 Pleb. O woful day! 4 Pleb. O traitors, villains! 1 Pleb. O most bloody sight! 2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: reveng'd: about— F |