THE KING IN HAMLET. III. 3. O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; And what's in prayer, but this two-fold force,— Or pardoned, being down? Then I'll look up; Art more engaged! Help, angels, make essay ! Bow stubborn knees! and, heart, with strings of steel, Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe ! All may be well! BRUTUS AFTER THE DEATH OF CESAR. Julius Cæsar. III. 2. 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 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. None. 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. 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. ANTONY'S FUNERAL ORATION ON CESAR. Julius Cæsar. III. 2. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; So are they all, all honourable men,— And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept ; Yet Brutus says he was ambitious And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see, that, on the Lupercal, I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 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; Antony's Funeral Oration on Cæsar. But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. Look! In this place ran Cassius' dagger through : 25 For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 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 ;- I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, I tell you that, which you yourselves do know ; And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, HOTSPUR. In Henry IV. I. 3. I remember when the fight was done, When I was dry with rage, and extreme toil, Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword; Came there a certain lord, neat, trimly dressed, Fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin, new reaped, Shewed like a stubble-land at harvest-home; |