Into the market-place: there shall I try, [Exeunt with Casar's body. SCENE II. The Forum Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng Citizens. 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 '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, When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpit. Third 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 294. issue, deed (the 'issue' of their minds). 13. lovers, friends. 10 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. 20 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. for a reply. All. None, Brutus, none. I pause 30 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 CESAR'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 43. enforced, exaggerated. 41. enrolled, recorded. 40 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. Sec. Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. Cæsar's better parts 50 Fourth Cit. Shall be crown'd in Brutus. First Cit. We'll bring him to his house My countrymen,— With shouts and clamours. Bru. Sec. Cit. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. Peace, ho! Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Exit. First Cit. Stay, hol and let us hear Mark Antony. Third 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. Third Cit. He finds himself beholding to us all. Fourth Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 68. the public chair, what North calls 'the pulpit for crations,' i.e. the rostra in the Forum. 70. beholding, obliged. 60 70 First Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 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. Ant. You gentle Romans, Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it. So are they all, all honourable men— 80 He was my friend, faithful and just to me: 90 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 ? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 85. answer'd, atoned for. 100. on the Lupercal, on the feast of the Lupercal. 100 And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, First Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his Sec. Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. Third Cit. Has he, masters? Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. First Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. Sec. Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. ΣΤΟ 120 Third Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. Fourth Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world: now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, 130 |