Cas. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine | Of senators, of prætors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death':
I'll get me to a place more void, and there
Speak to great Cæsar as he comes along.
Por. I must go in.-Ah me! how weak a thing
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cæsar,
The heart of Brutus yearns' to think upon! [Exe.
SCENE III.-The same. A street near the Capi-The heart of woman is! O Brutus!
tol. Enter Artemidorus, reading a paper.
Art. Cæsar, beware of Brutus; take heed of
Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to
Cinna; trust not Trebonius, mark well Metellus
Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou hast
wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind
in all these men, and it is bent against Cæsar.
If thou be'st not immortal, look about you: Secu-
rity gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods
defend thee! Thy lover,2
Artemidorus.
Here will I stand, till Cæsar pass along,
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments, that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.3
If thou read this, O Cæsar, thou may'st live;
If not, the fates with traitors do contrive.
To know my errand, madam. Por. I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there.-
O constancy, be strong upon my side!
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel !-
Art thou here yet?
Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look
well,
For he went sickly forth: And take good note,
What Cæsar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that?'
Luc. I hear none, madam.
Por.
Pr'ythee, listen well;
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capítol.
Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.
Enter Soothsayer.
Por.
Come hither, fellow:
Which way hast thou been?
Sooth.
At mine own house, good lady.
Por. What is't o'clock ?
Sooth.
About the ninth hour, lady.
Por. Is Cæsar yet gone to the Capitol?
Sooth. Madam, not yet; I go to take my stand,
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
Por. Thou hast some suit to Cæsar, hast thou not?
Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cæsar
To be so good to Cæsar, as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to befriend himself.
Por. Why, knowest thou any harm's intended towards him?
-Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I
fear may chance.
Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow:
The throng that follows Cæsar at the heels,
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
Sure, the boy heard me :-Brutus hath a suit,
That Cæsar will not grant.-O, I grow faint:-
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord :--
Say, I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
[Exeunt.
SCENE I.-The same. The Capitol; the senate
sitting. A crowd of people in the street leading
to the Capitol; among them Artemidorus, and
the Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter Cæsar, Bru-
tus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius,
Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, Publius, and
others.
Cæs. The ides of March are come.
Sooth. Ay, Cæsar; but not gone.
Art. Hail, Cæsar! Read this schedule.
Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read,
At your best leisure this his humble suit.
Art. O, Cæsar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Cæsar nearer: Read it, great Cæsar.
Cas. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd.
Art. Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly.
Cas. What, is the fellow mad?
Pub.
Sirrah, give place.
Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
Cæsar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All
the Senators rise.
Pop. I wish, your enterprise to-day may thrive.
Cas. What enterprise, Popilius ?
Pop.
Fare you well. [Advances to Cæsar.
Bru. What said Popilius Lena?
Cas. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.
I fear, our purpose is discovered.
Bru. Look, how he makes to Cæsar: mark him.
Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.-
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Cæsar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes:
For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change.
Cas. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you.
Brutus,
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. Cæsar and the Senators take their seaís, Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.
Bru. He is address'd: press near, and second
him.
Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Cas. Are we all ready? what is now amiss,
That Cæsar and his senate must redress?
Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant
Cæsar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart:-
Re-enter Trebonius.
Cas. Whe e's Antony?
Treb.
Fled to his house amaz'd:
Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.
Cæs.
I must prevent thee, Cimber. But we the ders.
These couchings, and these lowly courtesies,
Might fire the blood of ordinary men;
And turn pre-ordinance, and first decree,
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood,
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth fools; I mean, sweet words,
Low-crook'd curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished;
If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Cæsar doth not wrong; nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear,
For the repealing of my banish'd brother?
Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar;
Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Cas. What, Brutus!
Cas.
Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Cas. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd, and resting quality,
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:
So, in the world; 'Tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;'
Yet, in the number, I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,2
Unshak'd of motion: and, that I am he,
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant, Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Cin. O Cæsar,-
Cæs.
Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? Casca. Speak, hands, for me. [Casca stabs Cæsar in the neck. Cæsar catches hold of his arm. He is then stabbed by several other conspirators, and at last by Marcus Brutus.
Cæs. Et tu, Brute ?-Then, fall, Cæsar.
[Dies. The Senators and People retire
confusion.
Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!-
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!
Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still:-ambition's debt is paid. Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures: That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Cas. Why he that cuts off twenty years of life,
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Cæsar's friends, that have abridg'd
His time of fearing death.-Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry, Peace! Freedom! and Liberty!
Cas. Stoop tl.en, and wash. How many ages
hence,
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over,
In states unborn, and accents yet unknown?
Bru. How man times shall Cæsar bleed in sport,
That now on Pon pey's basis lies along,
No worthier than the dust?
So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave our country liberty.
Dec. What, shall we forth?
Cas.
Ay, every man away:
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down:
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving:
Say, I love Brutus, and I honour him;
Say, I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lov'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolv'd
How Cæsar hath deserv'd to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.
I'll fetch him presently.
[Exit Servant. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank;'
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Cæsar's death's hour; nor no instrument
Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, in-
deed,
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar.
Friends am I with you all, and love you all;
Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons,
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Cæsar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us.
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands, and this our present act,
You see we do; yet see you but our hands,
And this the bleeding business they have done :
Our hearts you see not, they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome
(As fire drives out fire, so pity, pity,)
Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony;
Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts,
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's,
In the disposing of new dignities.
Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand:
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you:-
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna;-and, my valiant Casca, yours ;-
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Tre-
bonius.
Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer.-
That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Most noble! in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better, than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave
hart;
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
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.-
How like a deer, stricken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie?
Cas. Mark Antony,-
Ant.
The enemies of Cæsar shall say this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Why, and wherein, Cæsar was dangerous.
Bru. Or else were this a savage specacle:
Our reasons are so full of good regard,
That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar,
You should be satisfied."
That's all I seek:/
And am moreover suitor, that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
Bru. You shall, Mark Antony.
Cas.
Brutus, a word with you.
You know not what you do; Do not consent,
That Antony speak in his funeral:
Know you how much the people may be mov'd
By that which he will utter?
By your pardon;-
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Cæsar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission;
And that we are contented, Cæsar shall
Have all true rites, and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more, than do us wrong.
Cas. I know not what may fall: I like it not.
Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar;
And say, you do't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral: And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Be it so ;
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.
Wo to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,-
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue ;-
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife,
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy:
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
And dreadful objects so familiar,
That mothers shall but smile, when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds;
And, Cæsar's spirit, ranging for revenge:
With Até by his side, come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice,
Cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
Pardon me, Caius Cassius: With carrion men, groaning for burial.
Enter a Servant.
Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so;
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends;
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
(1) Grown too high for the public safety.
Course. (3) The signal for giving no quarter.
You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not?
Serv. I do, Mark Antony.
Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome.
Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming:
(4) To let slip a dog at a deer, &c. was the technical phrase of Shakspeare's time.
And bid me say to you by word of mouth,-
O Cæsar!
[Seeing the body.
Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching for mine eyes,
Seeing those beards 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 chanc'd:
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;
Thou shalt not back, till I have borne this corse
Into the market-place: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men;
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand. [Exeunt, with Cæsar's body.
SCENE II.-The same. The Forum.
Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens.
Cit. We will be satified; 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
When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens.
Brutus goes into the rostrum.
1 Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant.
3 Cit.
Nay, that's certain:
We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him.
2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say.
Ant. You gentle Romans,-
Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
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 come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If then The evil, that men do, lives after them; that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæsar, The good is oft interred with their bones; this is my answer,-Not that I loved Cæsar less, So let it be with Cæsar. The noble Brutus but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Hath told you, Cæsar was ambitious: Cæsar were living, and die all slaves; than that If it were so, it was a grievous fault; Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it. loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I Here, under leave of Brutus, and the rest, rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, (For Brutus is an honourable man; as he was ambitious, I slew him; There is tears, So are they all, all honourable men ;) for his love; joy, for his fortune; honour, for his Come I to speak in Cæsar s funeral. 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 He hath brought many captives home to Rome, have I offended. Who is here so vile, that will not Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: love his country? If any, speak; for him have Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? offended. I pause for a reply. When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept ; Cit. None, Brutus, none. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: [Several speaking at once. Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done And Brutus is an honourable man. no more to Cæsar, than you should do to Brutus. You all did see, that on the Lupercal, The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol: I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
Has he, masters? I fear, there will a worse come in his place.
4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious.
1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony.
4 Git. 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 poor1 to do him reverence.
O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar,
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament,
(Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,)
And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds,
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.
4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. 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 Cit. 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 o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! Cit. The will! the testament!
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 Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? Cit. Come down.
1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 2 Cit. Room for Antony ;-most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Cit. Stand back! room! "bear back!
Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them
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:
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
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all:
For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart;
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua,
Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you, when you but behold
Our Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
1 Cit. O piteous spectacle!
2 Cit. O noble Cæsar!
3 Cit. O woful day!
4 Cit. O traitors, villains!
1 Cit. O most bloody sight!
2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about,seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!-let not a traitor
1 Cit. Peace there:-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
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; What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honour
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
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
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that, which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb
And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
[He comes down from the pulpit. Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round.
In every wound of Cæsar, that should move
(3) Statua for statue, is common among the old
(1) The meanest man is now too high to do writers.
reverence to Cæsar.
(2) Handkerchiefs,
(4) Was successful, (6) Grievances.
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