SCENE.The Forum. PART II. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. 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 ex Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satis- tenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his fied. offences enforced, for which he suffered Bru. Then follow me, and give me audi- death. ence, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers. Enter ANTONY and others, with CESAR'S body. Those that will hear me speak, let 'em Here comes his body, mourned by Mark stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; 1st Cit. When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the pulpit. 3rd 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 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 free men? | 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 are 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. 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! 1st Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2nd Cit. Give him a statue with his an 1st Cit. We'll bring him to his house With shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen,2nd Cit. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks. 1st Cit. Peace, ho! 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 Tending to Cæsar's glories; which Mark By our permission, is allowed to make. 3rd Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. [Goes into the pulpit. 4th Cit. What does he say of Brutus? 3rd Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. 4th Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1st Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 3rd Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd that Rome is rid of him. 2nd 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; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. Have stood against the world: now lies he And none so poor to do him reverence. Who, you all know, are honourable men: Than I will wrong such honourable men. I found it in his closet-'tis his will: And dip their napkins in his sacred blood; He hath brought many captives home to Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 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. 1st Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. 2nd Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 4th Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæsar might Unto their issue. 4th Cit. We'll hear the will: read it, All. The will, the will! we will hear Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved 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! 4th Cit. Read the will; we'll 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: 4th Cit. They were traitors: honourable All. The will! the testament! 2nd 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, Several Cit. Come down. 2nd Cit. Descend. 3rd Cit. You shall have leave. [Antony comes down. 4th Cit. A ring; stand round. 1st Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 2nd Cit. Room for Antony, most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Several 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: 1st Cit. O piteous spectacle ! 4th Cit. O traitors, villains! Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1st Cit. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony. 2nd 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 honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. See what a rent the envious Casca made: stabbed; And as he plucked his cursed steel away, Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 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; Quite vanquished him: then burst his Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 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, marred, as you see, with traitors. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you Here was a Cæsar! When comes such anknow not what : Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserved your Alas, you know not: I must tell you, then: All. Most true. The will! Let's stay Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drach mas. 2nd Cit. Most noble Cæsar!-we'll revenge his death. 3rd Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. All. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, sures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. other? 1st 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... [Exeunt Citizens with the body. Ant. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt! Enter a Servant. How now, fellow? Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Ant. Where is he? Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's Ant. And thither will I straight to visit He comes upon a wish. And in this mood will give us any thing. PART III. Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, assume the government of Rome. They are opposed by Brutus and Cassius, who levy powers to make war on the triumvirate, Bru. Under your pardon. You must What do you think That we have tried the utmost of our friends, "Tis better that the enemy seek us : Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground From which advantage shall we cut him off, Which we will niggard with a little rest. Cas. Hear me, good brother. No more. Good night: Cas. Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS. Var. Calls my lord? Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by and by Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. 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. [Var. and Clau. lie down. Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? Lue. It is my duty, sir. Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. Luc. I have slept, my lord, already. Bru. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song. This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber! Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, That plays thee music? good night; Gentle knave, I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee: If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; I'll take it from thee: and, good boy, good night. Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turned down Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. Enter the Ghost of CÆSAR, How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art. Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Bru. Well; then I shall see thee again? Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. [Exit Ghost. Now I have taken heart thou vanishest: Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. Boy, Lucius ! awake! Luc. My lord? Var. My lord? Clau. My lord? Varro Claudius! Sirs, Bru. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? Var., Clau. Did we, my lord? Bid him set on his powers betimes before, Var., Clau. It shall be done, my lord. [Exeunt. defeated at They perish [BRUTUS and CASSIUS are the battle of Philippi. by their own hands. The drama ends with the following eulogium on BRUTUS by ANTONY and OCTAVIUS:] Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all: All the conspirators save only he Oct. According to his virtue let us use |