If I myself, there is no hour so fit As Cæsar's death's hour! nor no instrument Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech you, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand I shall not find myself so apt to die; years, No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, 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. Let each man render me his bloody hand : First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;— 1 "To you (says Brutus) our swords have leaden points: our arms, strong in the deed of malice they have just performed, and our hearts united like those of brothers in the action, are yet open to receive you with all possible regard." This explanation is offered by Steevens; and yet, perhaps, we should read, as he himself suggested: Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand: Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus ; My credit now stands on such slippery ground, 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, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bayed, brave hart, Dost thou here lie! Cas. Mark Antony Pardon me, Caius Cassius. The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, 2 1 Lethe is used by many old writers for death. It appears to have been used as a word of one syllable in this sense; and is derived from lethum (Lat.). 2 This grammatical impropriety is still so prevalent, that the omission Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons, Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Ant. That's all I seek; may And am moreover suitor, that I Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Cas. Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; do not consent, [Aside. 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; Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so; Bru. Prepare the body, then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. of the anomalous s would give some uncouthness to the sound of an other wise familiar expression. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, That ever lived in the tide of times.1 Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Serv. I do, Mark Antony. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming: And bid me say to you by word of mouth, O Cæsar! 1 That is, in the course of times. [Seeing the body. 2 By men, Antony means not mankind in general, but those Romans whose attachment to the cause of the conspirators, or wish to revenge Cæsar's death, would expose them to wounds in the civil wars which he supposed that event would give rise to. 3 Havoc was the word by which declaration was made, in the military operations of old, that no quarter should be given. To let slip a dog was the technical phrase in hunting the hart, for releasing the hounds from the leash or slip of leather by which they were held in hand until it was judged proper to let them pursue the animal chased. Ant. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Began to water. Is thy master coming? 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, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile : The cruel issue of these bloody men; According to the which, thou shalt discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand. [Exeunt, with CESAR's body. SCENE II. The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.— Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers.— Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. 1 Cit. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Cit. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens; BRUTUS goes into the rostrum. 1 This jingling quibble upon Rome and room has occurred before in Act i. Sc. 2. It is deserving of notice on no other account than as it shows the pronunciation of Rome in Shakspeare's time. |