SCENE FROM "ROMEO AND JULIET." BY SHAKESPEARE. MERCUTIO. ROMEO. Mercutio. O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate stone Her collars of the moonshine's watery beams; Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, Romeo. Thou talk'st of nothing. Mer. True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, SCENE FROM "JULIUS CÆSAR" BY SHAKESPEARE. BRUTUS. MARK ANTONY. CITIZENS. Brutus. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour; and have respect to mine honour, that 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. Citizens. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. I have done no Bru. Then none have I offended. 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. Cits. Live, Brutus, live! live! I Cit. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 3 Cit. Let him be Cæsar. 4 Cit. Shall be crown'd in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. I Cit. Peace, ho! Peace; silence! Brutus speaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech [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. Antony. 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. I 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. Ant. You gentle Romans, Cits. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. The good is oft interred with their bones; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? |