Re-enter TREBONIUS. Cas. Where's Antony? Tre. Fled to his house amaz’d: Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures:- Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Cas. Stoop then, and wash.-How many ages hence, Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown? Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, No worthier than the dust? Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd The men that gave our country liberty. Dec. What, shall we forth? Cas. Ay, every man away: Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. Enter a Servant. Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down : And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say. Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: Say, I love Brutus, and I honour him; Say, I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lov'd him. If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony May safely come to him, and be resolv'd How Cæsar hath deserv'd to lie in death, Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus, Thorough the hazards of this untrod state, With all true faith. So says my master Antony. Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, Depart untouch'd. Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit Servant. Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to friend. Cas. I wish, we may: but yet have I a mind, That fears him much; and my misgiving still Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony.---Welcome, Mark Ant. O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low? I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 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 ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, No place will please me so, no mean of death, Bru. O, Antony! beg not your death of us. (As fire drives out fire, so pity, pity,) Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony: In the disposing of new dignities. Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 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 : 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 bay'd, brave hart; O world! thou wast the forest to this hart; And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.--- Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. 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, Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 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 mov'd By that which he will utter? Bru. By your pardon ;-- I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: What Antony shall speak, I will protest |