You all did love him once, not without cause;
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,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his
sayings.

2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong.

3 Cit.

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 Cit. 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 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 napkins2 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 Caesar'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.

2 Cit. Descend.

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

now.

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,3
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.4
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dints 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

live.

Ant. Stay, countrymen.

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-
able,

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 Caesar's wounds, poor, poor
dumb
mouths,

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.
(5) Grievances.

(5) Impression.

The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
Cit. We'll mutiny.

1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators.
Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me
speak.

Cit. Peace,ho! Hear Antony,most noble Antony.
Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not
what:

Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves?
Alas, you know not:-I must tell you then: -
You have forgot the will I told you of.

Cit. Most true;-the will;-let's stay, and hear
the will.

Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives,

To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. ' 2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar!-we'll revenge his death.

3 Cit. O royal Cæsar!

Ant. Hear me with patience.

Cit. Peace, ho!

Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbours, and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tyber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Cæsar: When comes such another?
1 Cit. Never, never:-Come, away, away:
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.

2 Cit. Go, fetch fire.

3 Cit. Pluck down benches.

4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [Exeunt Citizens, with the body. Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow?

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Ant. Where is he?

Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house.
Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him:
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing.

Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Ant. Belike, they had some notice of the people,
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.-The same. A street. Enter
Cinna, the Poet.

bachelor? Then to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly, Wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry:-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.

Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
1 Cit. As a friend, or an enemy?
Cin. As a friend.

2 Cit. That matter is answer'd directly.
4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly.
Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Cit. Your name, sir, truly.

Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna.

1 Cit. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

2 Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

3 Cit. Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, ho! fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius':-away; go. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I-The same. A room in Antony's house. Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, seated at a table.

Ant. These many then shall die; their names
are prick'd.

Oct. Your brother too must die; Consent you,
Lepidus?

Lep. I do consent.

Oct.
Prick him down, Antony.
Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I
damn3 him.

But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house;
Fetch the will hither, and we will determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies.
`Lep. What, shall I find you here?
Oct.

Or here, or at
The Capitol.
[Exit Lepidus.
Meet to be sent on errands: Is it fit,
Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man,

The three-fold world divided, he should stand
One of the three to share it?

Oct.
So you thought him,
And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,

Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with In our black sentence and proscription.

Cæsar,

And things unluckily charge my phantasy:

I have no will to wander forth of doors,

Yet something leads me forth.

Enter Citizens.

1 Cit. What is your name?

2 Cit. Whither are you going?

3 Cit. Where do you dwell?

4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?

2 Cit. Answer every man directly.

1 Cit. Ay, and briefly.

4 Cit. Ay, and wisely.

3 Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best.

Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a (1) Greek coin.

VOL. II.

Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you
And though we lay these honours on this man,
To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads,
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold;
To groan and sweat under the business,
Either led or driven, as we point the way;
And having brought our treasure where we will,
Then take we down his load, and turn him off,
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears,
And graze in commons.

Oct.

You may do your will,
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and, for that,
I do appoint him store of provender.
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on;

And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
Cas. Chastisement!

Bru. Remember March, the ides of March re
member!

Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world, But for supporting robbers; shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes? And sell the mighty space of our large honours, For so much trash, as may be grasped thus?I had rather be a dog, and bays the moon, quar-Than such a Roman. Cas.

Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs,
Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use,

Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, If you give place to accidental evils.

246

Bru.

Impatient of my absence;
And grief, that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong;-for with her
death

That tidings came ;-With this she fell distract,
And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire.
Cas. And died so?

Bru. Even so.

Cas. O ye immortal gods!

Enter Lucius, with wine and tapers. Bru. Speak no more of her.-Give me a bowl of wine:

That we have try'd the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe :
The enemy increaseth every day,
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows, and in miseries.
Mes-On such a full sea are we now afloat;

In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. [Drinks.
Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge:-
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup;
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. (Drinks.
Re-enter Titinius, with Messala.

Bru. Come in, Titinius :-Welcome, good
sala.-

No more,

pray you.

Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities.
Cas. Portia, art thou gone?
Bru.
Messala, I have here received letters,
That young Octavius, and Mark Antony,
Come down upon us with a mighty power,1
Bending their expedition towards Philippi.

Mes. Myself have letters of the self-same tenor.
Bru. With what addition?

Mes. That by proscription, and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus,
Have put to death a hundred senators.

Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree;
Mine speak of seventy senators, that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
Cas. Cicero one?

Mes.

Ay, Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.

Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Bru. No, Messala.

Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
Bru. Nothing, Messala.
Mes.
That, methinks, is strange.
Bru. Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in
yours?

Mes. No, my lord.

And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.

Cas.
Then, with your will, go on;
We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity;

Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?

Cas.

No more.

Good night;

Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence.
Bru. Lucius, my gown. [Exit Lucius.] Farewell,
good Messala;-

Good night, Titinius:-Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night, and good repose.

Cas.
O my dear brother!
This was an ill beginning of the night:
Never come such division 'tween our souls!
Let it not, Brutus.

Bru.

Every thing is well.
Cas. Good night, my lord.

Bru.

Good night, good brother.

Tit. Mes. Good night, lord Brutus.
Bru.

Farewell, every one.
[Exeunt Cas. Tit. and Mes.
Re-enter Lucius, with the gown.
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Luc. Here in the tent.
Bru.

:Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd.
What, thou speak'st drowsily?
Call Claudius, and some other of my men;
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
Luc. Varro, and Claudius!

Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
Bru. Why, farewell, Portia.-We must die,
Messala:

With meditating that she must die once,2
I have the patience to endure it now.

Mes. Even so great men great losses should en-
dure.

Cas. I have as much3 of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so.

Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you

Bru. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs;
It may be, I shall otherwise bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so;
I put it in the pocket of my gown.

[Servants lie down. Luc. I was sure, your lordship did not give it me. Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.

Bru. Good reasons must, of force, give place to Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes a while,

better.

The people, 'twixt Philippi and this ground,

(1) Force. (2) At some time. (3) Theory.

And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
Luc. Ay, my lord, an it please you.
Bru.
It does, my boy:
trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.