But Brutus says, he was ambitious;, And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition ? 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. You all did love him once, not without cause; What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? And men have lost their reason!-Bear with me; 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 And, dying, mention it within their wills, * Low. VOL. IV. † Handkerchiefs. D 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; Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while? 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. 2 Cit. Descend. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. [He comes down from the pulpit. 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now, 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; For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitor's arms, Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woeful 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. Art. 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 griefst they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, 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 Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony 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. Most true;-the will;-let's stay, and hear the will. 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, And with the brands fire the traitor's houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, anything. [Exeunt CITIZENS, with the body. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Enter CINNA, the Poet. Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy: 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. [Exeunt, Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I * A Greek coin of the Value of about sevenpence. dwell? Am I a married man, or a 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 answered 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 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 damn* 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 Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, The Capitol. Meet to be sent on errands: Is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand Oct. So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, [Exit LEPIDUS. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you; * Condemn. |