Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. FIRST CIT. I will hear Brutus speak. SEC. CIT. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered. 10 [Exit CASSIUS with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the pulpit. THIRD CIT. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence! Had Romans, Countrymen, and Lovers! hear me for my ALL. None, Brutus, none. 34 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 enroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not ACT III ACT III extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffer'd death. 40 Enter ANTONY and others, with CÆSAR's body. Here comes his body, mourn'd 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! FIRST CIT. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. THIRD CIT. Let him be Cæsar. FOURTH CIT. Shall all be crown'd in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts 50 FIRST CIT. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. BRU. My Countrymen SEC. CIT. FIRST CIT. Peace, ho! Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. BRU. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. FIRST CIT. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 60 [exit. [goes into the pulpit. FOURTH CIT. What does he say of Brutus ? He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. FOURTH CIT. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. FIRST CIT. This Cæsar was a tyrant. THIRD CIT. Nay, that's certain: ACT III We are blest that Rome is rid of him. 71 Peace, ho! let us hear him. Sc. II Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. 100 I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am, to speak what I do know. 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; My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, ACT III FIRST CIT. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. Sc. II SEC. CIT. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. Ay, has he, Masters. I fear there will a worse come in his place. FOURTH CIT. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. FIRST CIT. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. weeping. THIRD CIT. There's not a nobler man in Rome than FOURTH CIT. Now mark him; he begins again to speak. Have stood against the world: now lies he there, Let but the Commons hear this testament And dip their napkins in his sacred blood; Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy, Unto their issue. 120 130 FOURTH CIT. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony. 140 ANT. Have patience, gentle Friends, I must not read it; You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; It will inflame you, it will make you mad. ANT. Will you be patient? will you stay awhile? 150 SEC. 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 shew you him that made the will. 160 Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? SEVERAL CIT. Come down. SEC. CIT. Descend. THIRD CIT. You shall have leave. [ANTONY comes down. FOURTH CIT. A ring! stand round. FIRST CIT. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. SEC. CIT. 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 170 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Cæsar follow'd it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd 180 If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; Judge, O you Gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him! ACT III |