i For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. Ces. And this way have you well expounded it. Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can say; And know it now: The senate have concluded Apt to be render'd, for some one to say, dreams. If Cesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, Pardon me, Cesar; for my dear, dear love Ces. How foolish do your fears seem now, 1 am ashamed I did yield to them.Give me my robe, for I will go : Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, And look where Publius is come to fetch me. Ces. Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? As that same ague which hath made you lean.- Bru. Cesar, 'tis strucken eight. Ces. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. Enter ANTONY. See! Antony, that revels long o'nights, Is notwithstanding up : Good morrow, Antony. Ant. So to most noble Cesar. Ces. Bid them prepare within : I am to blaine to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna :-Now, Metellus :-What, Trebonius! I have an hour's talk in store for you; Remember that you call on me to-day: Be near me, that I may remember you. Treb. Cesar, I will and so near will I be, That your best friends shall wish I had been farther. [Aside. Ces. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go to gether. Bru. That every like is not the same, O Cesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon! [Exeunt. SCENE 111.-The_same.-A street near the Capitol. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a Paper. Art. Cesar, beware of Brutus; take head of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye on Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark well Metellus Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Cesar. If thou be'st not immortal, look about you: Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy Lover, § ARTEMIDORUS. Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there.constancy, be strong upon my side! Set a huge mountain 'tween any heart and tongue! I have a man's mind, but a woman's might. Luc. Madam, what should I do? Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, For he went sickly forth: And take good note, I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good-morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: The throng that follows Cesar at the heels, Of senators, of prætors, common suitors, Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: I'll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to great Cesar as he comes along. [Exit. Por. I must go in.-Ah me! how weak a thing The heart of woman is! O Brutus! The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! Sure, the boy heard me :-Brutus hath a suit, That Cesar will not grant.-Oh! I grow faint:Run, Lucius, and commend me to iny lord; Say, I am merry: come to me again, And bring me word what he doth say to thee [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE 1.-The same.-The Capitol; the A Crowd of People in the Street leading to Art. O Cesar, read mine first; for mine's a| And men are flesh and blood, and apprehen suit That touches Cesar nearer: Read it, great Cesar. Ces. What touches us ourself, shall be last serv'd. Art. Delay not, Cesar; read it instantly. (es. What, is the fellow mad? Pub. Sirrah, give place. Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. CESAR enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the SENATORS rise. Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. Cas. What enterprise, Popilius ? Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to CESAR. Bru. What said Popilius Lena? Cas. He wish'd, to-day our enterprise might I fear our purpose is discovered. [thrive. Bru. Look, how he makes to Cesar: Mark him. Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear preveution. Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Bru. Cassius, be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For, look, he smiles, and Cesar doth not change. Cas. Trebonius knows his time for, look you, Brutus, He draws Mark Antony out of the way. [Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS. CESAR and the SENATORS take their Seats. Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Cesar. Bru. He is address'd: press near and second him. Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. Ces. Are we all ready? what is now amiss, That Cesar and his senate must redress? Met. Most high, most mighty, aud most puis sant Cesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart : [Kneeling. Ces. I must prevent thee, Cimber. Low-crook'd curt'sies, and base spaniel fawning. Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my To sound more sweetly in great Cesar's ear, Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may Cas. Pardon, Cesar; Cesar, pardon : Ces. I could be well mov'd, if I were as you; • Ready. sive ;* Yet, in the number, I do know but one That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, Ces. Hence! Wilt thou lift Olympus? Ces. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel ? CESAR He is then [CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck. Ces. Et tu, Brute? 1-Then, fall, Cesar. [Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion. Cin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead !— Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement! Bru. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still:-ambition's debt is paid. Casca. Go to the pulpit, § Brutus. Dec. And Cassins too. Bru. Where's Publius? Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cesar's Should chance Bru. Talk not of standing-Publius, good cheer; There is no harm intended to your person, people, [chief. Rushing on us, should do your age some misBru. Do so;-and let no man abide this deed, But we the doers. Re-enter TREBONIUS. Cas. Where's Antony? Tre. Fled to his house amaz'd: Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday. Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures :That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon. Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death. Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er, That now on Pompey's basis lies along, Cas. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call'd Cas. Ay, every man away: Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best bearts of Rome. me | That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a flatterer. Say, I fear'd Cesar, honour'd him, and lov'd That I did love thee, Cesar, oh! 'tis true : Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tel: 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 SERV. 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 Fails shrewdly to the purpose. Re-enter ANTONY. Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Ant. O mighty Cesar! Dost thou lie so low? As Cesar's death hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Our armis, in strength of malice,+ and our hearts, Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand: First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you :Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand ;— Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus : Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cas. I blame you not for praising Cesar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on you? Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cesar. Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle : Ant. That's all I seek: Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. You know not what you do; Do not consent, Bru. By your pardon ; I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Cesar's death: Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Ant. Be it so; I do desire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Yours, Cinna;-and, my valiant Casca, yours ;-(Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips Gentlemen all,-alas! what shall I say? • Grown too powerful for the public safety. Though strong in the deed just performed. And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a SERVANT. You serve Octavius Cesar, do you not? offended. Who is here so vile that would not [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cesar, than you should 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. Ant. Cesar did write for him to come to Rome. who, though he had no hand in his death, shall ing: And bid me say to you by word of mouth.- Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; [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. Cassins, go you into the other street, [here; Those that will hear me speak, let them stay Of Cesar'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. 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 iny death. Cit. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Cit. Let him be Cesar. 4 Cit. Cesar's better parts Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, I do entreat you, not a man depart, [Exit. 1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him :-Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholden to you. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus ? 3 Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Cit. This Cesar was a tyrant. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. your ears; 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! The evil that men do lives after them; I come to bury Cesar, not to praise him.. Bru. Be patient till the last. The good is oft interred with their bones. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for So let it be with Cesar. The noble Brutus my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: be- Hath told you Cesar was ambitious: lieve me for mine honour, and have respect to If it were so, it was a grievous fault, mine honour, that you may believe: censure me And grievously hath Cesar answer'd it. in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, may the better judge. If there be any in this (For Brutus is an honourable man ; assembly, any dear friend of Cesar's, to him I So are they all, all honourable men ;) say, That Brutus' love to Cesar was no less than Come I to speak in Cesar's funeral. his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus He was my friend, faithful and just to me: rose against Cesar, this is my answer :-Not that But Brutus says he was ambitious; I loved Cesar less, but that I loved Rome more. And Brutus is an honourable man. Had you rather Cesar were living, and die all He hath brought many captives home to Rome, slaves, than that Cesar were dead, to live all free-Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: men? As Cesar loved me, I weep for him; As Did this in Cesar seem ambitious? he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was va- When that the poor have cried, Cesar hath wept : liant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: I slew him: There are tears for his love; joy Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death And Brutus is an honourable man. for his ambition. Who is here so base, that You all did see that, on the Lupercal, would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him I thrice presented him a kingly crown, have I offended. Who is here so rude, that would which he did thrice refuse Was this ambition not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have JYet Brutus says he was ambitious; • The signal for giving no quarter. + Fire, sword, and famine. • Friend And sure he is an honourable man. Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in bis Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cesar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he, masters ? I fear there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. 4 Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday, the word of Cesar might Have stood against the world: now lies he there, Aud none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cesar; I found it in his closset; 'tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament, (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,) And they would go and kiss dead Cesar's And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle : I remember And, in his mantle muffling up his face, tors. 1 Cit. O piteous spectacle ! 2 Cit. O noble Cesar! 3 Cit. O woeful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! 2 Cit. We will be revenged : revenge; about, wounds.seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay !-let not a trai Ant. Stay, countrymen. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will! the will! we will hear Cesar's will. Aut. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cesar lov'd you. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! Ant. You wili compel me then to read the will? Then make a ring about the corse of Cesar, [He comes down from the Pulpit. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. 1 Cit. Stand from the herse, stand from the body. 2 Cit. Room for Antony ;-most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Cit. Stand back! room! bear back! All are too proud to shew him any respect. + Said more than I intended. tor live. 1 Cit. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. nourable, And will no doubt, with reasons answer you, But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend: and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him. And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: Wherein hath Cesar thus deserv'd your loves! Alas, you know not :-I must tell yon then :You have forgot the will I told you of. Statua for statue, is common among the old writers. 1 Cesar's blood fell upon the statue, and trickled from i. Wrongs. |