But what compact mean you to have with us? Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Ant. That's all I seek; And am moreover fuitor, that I may Caf. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do ; do not confent, [Afide. Know you, how much the People may be mov'd Bru. By your pardon, I will myfelf into the Pulpit firft, And fhew the reafon of our Cæfar's death. Caf. I know not what may fall, I like it not. In In the fame Pulpit whereto I am going, Ant. Be it fo; I do defire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. Ant. SCENE [Exeunt Confpirators. IV. Manet Antony. Pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth! That I am meek and gentle with thefe butchers. Thou art the ruins of the nobleft man, That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand, that shed this coftly blood! (Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, * Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; That mothers fhall but fmile, when they behold Enter Octavius's Servant. You ferve Odavius Cæfar, do you not? * ——upon the Limbs of men ;] We fhould read, Warb. Ant. Ant. Cafar did write for him to come to Rome.Ser. He did receive his letters, and is coming; And bid me fay to you by word of mouth O Cæfar! [Seeing the Body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep; Paffion I fee is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing thofe Beads of forrow ftand in thine, Ser. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Poft back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him fo. Yet flay a while; [Exeunt with Cæfar's body. SCENE V. Changes to the Forum. Enter Brutus, and mounts the Roftra; Caffius, with Pleb. W the Plebeians. E will be fatisfied; let us be fatisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Caffius, go you into the other ftreet, And part the numbers : Thofe, that will hear me speak, let 'em ftay here; Of Cafar's death. I Pleb. 1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Pleb. I will hear Caffius, and compare their reafons, When fev'rally we hear them rendered. [Exit Caffius, with fome of the Plebeians. 3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is afcended: filence ! Bru. Be patient 'till the laft. Romans, Countrymen, and Lovers! hear me for my cause; and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe. Cenfure me in your wifdom, and awake your fenfes, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this affembly, any dear friend of Cafar's, to him I fay, that Brutus's love to Cafar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæfar, this is my Answer: Not that I lov'd Cæfar lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cæfar were living, and die all flaves; than that Cæfar were dead, to live all free-men? As Cafar lov'd 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 flew him. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his ambition. Who's here fo bafe, that would be a bond-man? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who's here fo rude, that would not be a Roman? if any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo vile, that will not love his Country? if any, speak; for him have I offended--I paufe for a reply All. None, Brutus, none. Bru. Then none have I offended-I have done no more to Cæfar, than you fhall do to Brutus. The queftion of his death is inroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he fuffered death. Enter Enter Mark Antony with Cæfar's body. Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony; who, though he had no hand in his death, fhall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the Commonwealth ; as which of you fhall not? With this I depart, that as I flew my beft lover for the good of Rome; I have the fame dagger for myself, when it fhall 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 ftatue with his Ancestors. 3 Pleb. Let him be Cæfar. 4 Pleb. Cæfar's better Parts Shall be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My Countrymen 2 Pleb. Peace! filence! Brutus fpeaks. f Bru. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone, Do grace to Cæfar's corps, and grace his fpeech I do intreat you, not a man depart, [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 fake, I am beholden to you. 4 Pleb. What does he fay of Brutus? 3 Pleb. |