The multitude, beside themselves with fear; Why I, that did love Cajar when I ftrook him, Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand; That I did love thee, Cafar, oh, 'tis true; (12) And crimson'd in thy Death.] All the old Copies, that I have feen, read, Lethe. The Dictionaries, indeed, acknowledge no fuch Word: and as the L might have miftakingly been form'd from an obfcure D, not taking the Ink equally in all Parts, I have fuffer'd the more known Word to ftand in the Text; tho', indeed, I am not without Sufpicion of our Poet's having either coin'd the other Term, or copied it from fome abfolete Author, who had adopted it from the Lethum of the Latines; which, 'tis well known, was used for Death, as well as Deftruction, Ruin, Havock, &c. How How like a deer, ftricken by many Princes, Caf. Mark Antony Ant. Pardon me, Caius Caffius : The enemies of Cæfar fhall say this: Then, in a friend, it is cold modefty. Caf. I blame you not for praising Cefar so, But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends, Or fhall 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 Cafar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all; Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons, Ant. That's all I feek; And am moreover fuitor, that I may do; do not confent, That Antony fpeak in his funeral : Know you, how much the People may be mov'd Bru. By your pardon, I will myself into the Pulpit first, [Afide. And fhew the reason of our Cæfar's death. You You fhall not in your funeral fpeech blame us, Ant. Be it fo; I do defire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. Manet Antony. [Exeunt Confpirators. Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth! That I am meek and gentle with these butchers. Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand, that shed this costly blood! (Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; That mothers fhall but fmile, when they behold Enter Octavius's Servant. You ferve Octavius Cæfar, do you not? Ant. Cafar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming; And bid me fay to you by word of mouth O Cæfar! [Seeing the Body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep; Paffion I fee is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing thofe Beads of forrow stand in thine, Serv. He lies to-night within feven leagues of Rome. Ant. Poft back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of fafety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him fo. Yet ftay a while; [Exeunt with Cæfar's body. SCENE changes to the Forum. Enter Brutus, and mounts the Roftra; Caffius, with the Pleb. Plebeians. E will be fatisfied; let us be fatisfied. W Bru. Then follow me, and give me audi ence, friends. Caffius, go you into the other ftreet, And part the numbers: Thofe that will hear me fpeak, let 'em ftay here; Of Cafar's death. 1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus fpeak. 2. Pleb. I will hear Caffius, and compare their reafons, When fev'rally we hear them rendered [Exit Caffius, with fome of the Plebeians. 3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is afcended: filence! Bru. Be patient 'till the laft. Romans, Romans, Countrymen, and Lovers! hear me for my caufe; and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have refpect to mine honour, that you may believe. Cenfure me in your wisdom, and awake your fenfes, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this affembly, any dear friend of Cafar's, to him I fay, that Brutus's love to Cafar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rofe against Cæfar, this is my Anfwer: Not that I lov'd Cæfar lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cafar were living, and dye all flaves; than that Cæfar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæfar lov'd 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 flew him. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his ambition. Who's here fo base, that would be a bond-man? if any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo rude, that would not be a Roman? if any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo vile, that will not love his Country? if any, fpeak; for him have I offended I pause for a Reply All. None, Brutus, none. Bru. Then none have I offended. - I have done no more to Cæfar, than you shall do to Brutus, The queftion of his death is inroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death. Enter Mark Antony with Cæfar's body. Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony; who, though he had no hand in his death, fhall receive the be-nefit of his dying, a place in the Commonwealth; as which of you fhall not? With this I depart, that as I flew my beit lover for the good of Rome; I have the fame dagger for myself, when it shall please my Country to need my death. All. Live, Brutus, live! live! 1 Pleb. Bring him with triumph home unto his houfe. VOL. VII. C 2 Pleb L |