My credit now stands on such slippery ground, Bru. Prepare the body, then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers. [Turning to the Body, and bending over it.' Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, If, then, thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, hart; That ever lived in the tide of times. Cas. Mark Antony ! 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. Our reasons are so full of good regard, Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; Brutus, a word with you. According to the which, thou shalt discourse You know not what you do: do not consent, [Apart. Cas. I know not what may fall: I like it not. Ant. I do desire no more. 1 Not in f. e. Be it so; you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If, then, that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæsar? this is my answer,-not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved 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 slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base, that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude, that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile, that will not love his country? If any, speak; 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 Cæsar, than you shall 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. Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the 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 my death. All. Live, Brutus ! live! live! 1 Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. Peace! silence! Brutus speaks. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! I do entreat you, not a man depart, 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. [Exit. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus ? 3 Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. 4 Cit. 'T were best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Cit. This Cæsar 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. ears: I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones: I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar 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, 't is 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 Cæsar might Have stood against the world: now, lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, I will not do them wrong: I rather choose 4 Cit. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony. All. The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not read it: It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while? 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will. Ant. 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. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse; stand from the body. 2 Cit. Room for Antony;-most noble Antony! Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. All. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on; 'T was on a summer's evening, in his tent, Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through: If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woful day! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! All. We will be revenged. Revenge! about,-seek, -burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. [They are rushing out.1 1 Cit. Peace there! hear the noble Antony. Ant. 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 : I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, I tell you that, which you yourselves do know, And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. All. Most true;-the will:-let's stay, and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. 2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar!-we 'll revenge his death. 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. All. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, On this side Tyber: he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Cæsar: when comes such another? 1 Cit. 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. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [Exeunt Citizens, with the Body. Ant. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt.-How now, fellow! Enter a Servant. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Serv. I heard them say, Brutus and Cassius 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we 'll follow him, we 'll die | How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The Same. A Street. Enter CINNA, the Poet. Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unlikely' charge my fantasy. I have no will to wander forth of doors, Enter Citizens. 1 Cit. What is your name? 2 Cit. Whither are you going? 3 Cit. Where do you dwell? 4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 2 Cit. Answer every man directly. 1 Cit. Ay, and briefly. 4 Cit. Ay, and wisely. 3 Cit. Ay, and truly; you were best. Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly, wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools that 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly. 4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly. Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 3 Cit. Your name, sir, truly. Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna. 1 Cit. Tear him to pieces: he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna, the poet; I am Cinna, the poet. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses; tear him for his bad verses. Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator. 2 Cit. It is no matter; his name 's Cinna: pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 3 Cit. Tear him, tear him! Come: brands, ho! firebrands! To Brutus, to Cassius; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius. Away! go! [Exeunt, forcing out ČINNA. 2 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. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit, He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth. Are levying powers: we must straight make head; Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out ;3 .3 And let us presently go sit in council, Oct. Let us do so, for we are at the stake, The threefold world divided, he should stand Oct. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you : And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze on commons. Oct. You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I do appoint him store of provender; It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit: Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meet them.. Bru. Stand, ho! Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? To do you salutation from his master. [PINDARUS gives a Letter to BRUtus. Bru. He greets me well.-Your master, Pindarus, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish I do not doubt, But that my noble master will appear Bru. He is not doubted.-A word, Lucilius: 1 unluckily in f. e. 2 The rest of this direction is not in f. e. 3 So the folio, 1632; first folio gives the line: Our best friends made, our means stretch'd. But not with such familiar instances, Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, When love begins to sicken and decay, It useth an enforced ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ; Make gallant show and promise of their mettle, Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd: The greater part, the horse in general, Bru. March gently on to meet him. [March within. Hark! he is arriv'd. Bid our commanders lead their charges off Bru. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Within the Tent of BRUTUS. Cas. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this: Bru. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. Cas. In such a time as this, it is not meet That every nice2 offence should bear his comment. Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm ? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember. 1 Not in f. e. 2 Trifling. 3 noble: in f. e. Cas. Is 't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted, when a madman stares? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all this? Bru. All this? ay, more. Fret, till your proud heart break; Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, Cas. Is it come to this? I shall be glad to learn of abler3 men. Cas. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, I said, an older soldier, not a better : Bru. If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. Bru. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What! durst not tempt him? I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, To you for gold to pay my legions, |