speak; for him have I offended. Who is here So let it be with Cæsar. The noble Brutus

; so rude, that would not be a Roman ? If any, Hath told you, Cæsar was ambitious : speak; for him have I offended. Who is here If it were so, it was a grievous fault; 80 vile, that will not love his country? If any, And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it. speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a Here, under leave of Brutus, and the rest, reply.

(For Brutus is an honourable man ; Cit. None, Brutus, none.

So are they all, all honourable men ;) [Several speaking at once. Come I to speak in Cæsar's funeral. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have He was my friend, faithful and just to me: done no more to Cæsar, than you should do to But Brutus says, he was ambitious; Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled And Brutus is an honourable man. in the Capitol : his glory not extenuated, where- He hath brought many captives home to Rome, in he was worthy; nor his offences enforced, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill : for which he suffer'd death.

Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious ?

When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept; Enter Antony, and Others, with Cæsar's body. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Anto- Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; ny, who, though he had no hand in his death, And Brutus is an honourable man. shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in You all did see, that on the Lupercal, the commonwealth ; As which of you shall not? I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

; With this I depart; That, as I slew my best lo- Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition! ver for the good of Rome, I have the same dag- | Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious ; ger for myself, when it shall please my country And, sure, he is an honourable man. to need my death.

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, Cit. Live, Brutus, live !' live!

But here I am to speak what I do know. i Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his You all did love him once, not without cause; house.

What cause withholds you then to mourn for 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors.

him? 3 Cit. Let him be Cæsar.

O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, 4 Cit. Cæsar's better parts

And men have lost their reason !-Bear with me; Shall now be crown'd in Brutus.

My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts And I must pause, till it come back to me. and clamours.

1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his Bru. My countrymen,

sayings. 2 Cit. Peace; silence ! Brutus speaks.

2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, i Cit. Peace, ho !

Cæsar has had great wrong. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 3 Cit. Has he, masters ? And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: I fear, there will a worse come in his place. Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech 4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not Tending to Cæsar's glories; which Mark Antony,

take the crown; By our permission, is allow'd to make.

Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious. I do entreat you, not a man depart,

1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Erit. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with

1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. weeping.

3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome thau We'll hear him :-Noble Antony, go up.

Antony. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. 4 Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus ?

Ant. But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might 3 Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake,

Have stood against the world: now lies he there, He finds himself beholden to us all.

And none so poor to do him reverence. 4 Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Bru- O masters ! if I were dispos’d to stir tus here.

Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, i Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant.

I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain :

Who, you all know, are honourable men: We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose

3 Cit. Peace ; let us hear what Antony can say. To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, Ant. You gentle Romans,

Than I will wrong such honourable men. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him.

But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar, Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me I found it in his closet, 'tis his will : your ears ;

Let but the commons hear this testament, I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,) The evil, that men do, lives after them ; And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, The good is oft interred with their bones; And dip their naikins in his sacred blood;

a

read it;

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,

Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. And, dying, mention it within their wills, 0, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy,

Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Unto their issue.

Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark 0, now you weep ; and, I perceive, you feel Antony.

The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Cit. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's Kind souls, what, weep you, when you but behold will.

Our Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here, Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors.

1 Cit. O piteous spectacle ! It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar ! You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; 3 Cit. O woeful day ! And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, 4 Cit. O traitors, villains ! It will inflame you, it will make you mad: 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! "Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about,For if you should, 0, what would come of it! seek,-burn,-fire-kill,

--slay!-let not a trai4 Cit. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony: tor live. You shall read us the will ; Cæsar's will.

Ant. Stay, countrymen. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a 1 Cit. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. while?

2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll I have o'ershot myself, to tell you

of it.

die with him. I fear, I wrong the honourable men,

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not Whose daggers have stabb’d Cæsar : I do fear it.

stir you up 4 Cit. They were traitors : Honourable men! To such a sudden flood of mutiny. Cit. The will! the testament !

They, that have done this deed, are honourable ; 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will! What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, read the will!

That made them do it; they are wise and hoAnt. You will compel me then to read the will? nourable, Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. And let me show you him that made the will. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts ; Shall I descend? And will you give me leave ? I am no orator, as Brutus is : Cit. Come down.

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, 2 Cit. Descend.

That love my friend; and that they know full [He comes down from the pulpit. well 3 Cit. You shall have leave.

That gave me public leave to speak of him. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round.

For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, body.

To stir men's blood: I only speak right on; 2 Cit. Room for Antony;-most noble Antony. I tell you that, which you yourselves do know; Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor Cit. Stand back! room! bear back!

dumb mouths, Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, now.

And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony You all do know this mantle : I remember Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue The first time ever Cæsar put it on;

In every wound of Cæsar, that should move 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent; The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny. That day he overcame the Nervii :

Cit. We'll mutiny. Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. See, what a rent the envious Casca made : 3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel

away,

speak. Mark how the blood of Cæsar follow'd it; Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most no ble As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd

Antony. If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no;

Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel:

not what : Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him! Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves ? This was the most unkindest cut of all : Alas, you know not :-I must tçil you then :For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, You have forgot the will I told you of. Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Cit. Most true ;--the will ;---let's stay and Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty hear the will. heart;

Ant. Here is the will, and under Cesar's seal And, in his mantle muffling up his face, To every Roman citizen he gives, Even at the base of Pompey's statua,

To cvery several man, seventy-five drachmas. VOL. II.

X

a

2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar !-we'll revenge his , And things unluckily charge my fantasy: death.

I have no will to wander forth of doors, 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar !

Yet something leads me forth.
Ant. Hear me with patience.
Cit. Peace, ho!

Enter Citizens.
Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 1 Cit. What is your name?
His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, 2 Cit. Whither are you going ?
On this side Tyber ; he hath left them you, 3 Cit. Where do you dwell?
And to your heirs for ever ; common pleasures, 4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.

2 Cit. Answer every man directly. Here was a Cæsar: When comes such another? 1 Cit. Ay, and briefly. 1 Cit. Never, never :--Come, away, away:

4 Cit. Ay, and wisely. We'll burn his body in the holy place,

3 Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best. And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. Cin. What is my name? Whither am I goTake

up
the body.

ing? Where do I dwell ? Am I a married man, 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire.

or a bachelor? Then to answer every man di3 Cit. Pluck down benches.

rectly, and briefly, wisely, and truly. Wisely 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. I say, I am a bachelor.

[Exeunt Citizens, with the body. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, that marry :-You'll bear me a bang for that, I Take thou what course thou wilt !-How now, fear. Proceed; directly. fellow ?

Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral

. 1 Cit. As a friend, or an enemy? Enter a Servant.

Cin. As a friend. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly. Ant. Where is he?

4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly. Sery. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him: 3 Cit. Your name, sir, truly. He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna. And in this mood will give us any thing.

1 Cit. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him

Ant. Belike, they had some notice of the people, for his bad verses.
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator.

[Ereunt. 2 Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna ;

pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn SCENE III.-The same. A street. him going

3 Cit. Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, Enter Cinna, the poet.

ho! fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; Cæsar,

some to Ligarius': away ; go. [Ereunt.

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ACT IV.

SCENE I.-The same. A room in Antony's

house.

ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a

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
The Capitol.

[Erit Lepidzs.
Ant. This is a slight unmeritable inan,
Meet to be sent on errands : Is it fit,
The three-fold world divided, he should

stand
One of the three to share it?

Oct. So you thought him ;

And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, But not with such familiar instances,
In our black sentence and proscription. Nor with such free and friendly conference,

Ant. Octavius, I have seen moredays than you: As he hath us’d of old.
And though we lay these honours on this man, Bru. Thou hast describ'd
To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius,
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, When love begins to sicken and decay,
To groan and sweat under the business, It useth an enforced ceremony.
Either led or driven, as we point the way; There are no tricks in plain and simple faith :
And having brought our treasure where we will, But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Make gallant show and promise of their mettle :
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, But, when they should endure the bloody spur,
And graze in commons.

They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, Oct. You may do your will;

Sink in the trial. Comes his army on? But he's a tried and valiant soldier.

Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be Ant. So is my horse, Octavius ; and, for that, quarter'd; I do appoint him store of provender.

The greater part, the horse in general, It is a creature that I teach to fight,

Are come with Cassius. [March within. To wind, to stop, to run directly on;

Bru. Hark, he is arrived :-
His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. March gently on to meet him.
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;
He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth:

Enter Cassius and Soldiers.
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

Cas. Stand, ho ! On objects, arts, and imitations ;

Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Which, out of use, and stald by other men, Within. Stand. Begin his fashion : Do not talk of him,

Within. Stand. But as a property. And now, Octavius,

Within. Stand. Listen great things.-Brutus and Cassius, Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me Are levying powers: we must straight make head : wrong. Therefore, let our alliance be combin'd,

Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine Our best friends made, and our best means enemies? stretch'd out;

And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? And let us presently go sit in council,

Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides How covert matters may be best disclos’d,

wrongs; And open perils surest answered.

And when you do them-
Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, Bru. Cassius, be content,
And bay'd about with many enemies ;

Speak your griefs softly,—I do know you well:And some, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, Before the eyes of both our armies here, Millions of mischief.

[Exeunt. Which should perceive nothing but love from us,

Let us not wrangle: Bid them move away : SCENE II.-Before Brutus' Tent, in the Camp Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, near Sardis.

And I will give you audience.

Cas. Pindarus, Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, Bid our commanders lead their charges off

and Soldiers : TITINIUS and PINDARUS, meet- A little from this ground. ing them.

Bru. Lucilius, do the like ; and let no man Bru. Stand here.

Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. Bru. What now, Lucilius ? is Cassius near ?

[Exeunt. Luc. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master.

SCENE III.-Within the tent of Brutus. Lu[Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus. cius and TITINIUS at some distance from it. Bru. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

Enter Brutus and CASSIUS. In his own change, or by ill officers,

Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear Hath given me some worthy cause to wish

in this : Things done, undone : but, if he be at hand, You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella, I shall be satisfied.

For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Pin. I do not doubt,

Wherein,

my letters, praying on his side, But that my noble master will appear

Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
Such as he is, full of regard, and honour. Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such

Bru. He is not doubted.--A word, Lucilius :
How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Cas. In such a time as this, it is not meet

Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; | That every nice offence should bear his comment.

a case.

tempted him.

sorry for.

Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have Are much condemn': to have an itching palm ; To sell and mart your offices for gold,

Cas. I durst not? To undeservers.

Bru. No. Cas. I an itching palm ?

Cas. What? durst not tempt him? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, Bru. For your life you durst not. Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; Bru. The name of Cassius honours this cor- I may do that I shall be sorry for. ruption,

Bru. You have done that, you should be And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cas. Chastisement !

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats ; Bru. Remember March, the ides of March For I am arm’d so strong in honesty, remember!

That they pass by me, as the idle wind, Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? Which I respect not. I did send to you What villain touch'd his body, that did stah, For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;And not for justice? What, shall one of us, For I can raise no money by vile means: That struck the foremost man of all this world, By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, But for supporting robbers; shall we now And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring Contaminate our fingers with base bribes ? From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash And sell the mighty space of our large honours, By any indirection. I did send For so much trash, as may be grasped thus ?- To you for gold to pay my legions, I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Which you denied me: Was that done like Than such a Roman.

Cassius? Cas. Brutus, bay not me,

Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? I'll not endure it : you forget yourself, When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To hedge me in ; I am a soldier, I,

To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Older in practice, abler than yourself

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, To make conditions.

Dash him to pieces ! Bru. Go to; you're not, Cassius.

Cas. I denied you not. Cas. I am.

Bru. You did. Bru. I say, you are not.

Cas. I did not:-he was but a fool, Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; That brought my answer back.—Brutus hatlı Have mind upon your health, tempt me no fur- riv'd my heart : ther.

A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, Bru. Away, slight man !

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Cas. Is't possible ?

Bru. I do not, till you practice them on me. Bru. Hear me, for I will speak.

Cas. You love me not. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Bru. I do not like your faults. Shall I be frighted, when a madman stares? Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all Bru. A flatterer's would not, though they do this.?

appear Bru. All this? ay, more: Fret, till your As huge as high Olympus. proud heart break;

Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? For Cassius is aweary of the world:
· Must I observe you ? Must I stand and crouch Hated by one he loves ; brav'd by his brother ;

Under your testy humour? By the gods, Check'd like a bondman; all his fáults observ'd,
· You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Set in a note-book, learn’d and conn’d by rote,
Though it do split you ; for, from this day forth, To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, My spirit from mine eyes !—There is my dagger,
When you are waspish.

And here my naked breast; within, a heart Cas. Is it come to this?

Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold: Bru. You say, you are a better soldier : If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth; Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: And it shall please me well : For mine own part, Strike, as thou didst at Cæsar; for, I know, I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lor'dst Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong

him better me, Brutus;

Than ever thou lov’dst Cassius. I said, an elder soldier, not a better:

Bru. Sheath your dagger: Did I say, better?

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope ; Bru. if you did, I care not.

Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. Cas. When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb, have mov'd me.

That carries anger, as the flint bears fire;