I found it in his closet; 'tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament- And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, Unto their issue. Fourth Citizen. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony. The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will. Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honourable men Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar; I do fear it. Fourth Citizen. They were traitors! Honourable men! All. The will! the testament! Second Citizen. They were villains, murderers! The will! Read the will! Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will. Descend. Second Citizen. Room for Antony!-most noble Antony! Antony. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. All. Stand back! room! bear back! Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through; For, when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Third Citizen. Fourth Citizen. Second Citizen. O noble Cæsar! O traitors, villains! All. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live! Antony. Stay, countrymen. First citizen. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony. Second Citizen. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Antony. 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, What private griefs they have, alas! I know not, But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well I tell you that which you yourselves do know, Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me: but, were I Brutus, And Brutus, Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue All. We'll mutiny. We'll burn the house of Brutus. Third Citizen. Away, then! come, seek the con spirators. Antony. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. Antony. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not!-I must tell you, then. Citizen. Most true;-the will!-let's stay, and hear the will. Antony. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. Second Citizen. his death. Most noble Cæsar!-we'll revenge Third Citizen. O royal Cæsar! Antony. Hear me with patience. All. Peace, ho! Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs forever, common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Cæsar! when comes such another? First Citizen. Never, never!-Come, away, away! We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. Take up the body. Second Citizen. Go, fetch fire. Third Citizen. Fourth Citizen. thing. Pluck down benches. Pluck down forms, windows, any [Exeunt Citizens, with the body. Antony. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot. Take thou what course thou wilt! |