And this the bleeding business they have done : For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony: With all kind love, good thoughts and reverence. Bru. Only be patient till we have appeased Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus ; Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. 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, In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart O world, thou wast the forest to this hart; Cas. Mark Antony,— Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Ant. That's all I seek: Cas. Brutus, a word with you. [Aside to Bru.] You know not what you do: do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved By that which he will utter? Bru. By your pardon: And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: Be it so ; I do desire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but Antony. Ant. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips That mothers shall but smile when they behold Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Serv. I do, Mark Antony. [Seeing the body. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile; Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse [Exeunt with Caesar's body. According to the which, thou shalt discourse SCENE II The Forum. Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; 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, [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into Third Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence! Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect for 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 Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cæsar loved 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 slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his 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 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. Enter Antony and others, with Cæsar's body. 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! First Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. Third Cit. Let him be Cæsar. Fourth Cit. Shall be crown'd in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts First Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and Bru. My countrymen, Sec. Cit. First Cit. Peace, ho! [clamours. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good Countryman, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: I do entreat you, not a man depart, Fourth Cit. What does he say of Brutus? [Exit. [Goes into the pulpit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. Third Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are blest that Rome is rid of him. Sec. Cit. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. All. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; |