Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war; All pity choked with custom of fell deeds; Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Serv. I do, Mark Antony. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. 1 That is, in the course of times. [Seeing the body. 2 By men, Antony means not mankind in general, but those Romans whose attachment to the cause of the conspirators, or wish to revenge Cæsar's death, would expose them to wounds in the civil wars which he supposed that event would give rise to. 3 Havoc was the word by which declaration was made, in the military operations of old, that no quarter should be given. To let slip a dog was the technical phrase in hunting the hart, for releasing the hounds from the leash or slip of leather by which they were held in hand until it was judged proper to let them pursue the animal chased. and weep. Ant. Thy heart is big; get thee apart Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Began to water. Is thy master coming? Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile: SCENE II. [Exeunt, with CESAR's body. The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers.— Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar'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. 1 This jingling quibble upon Rome and room has occurred before in Act i. Sc. 2. It is deserving of notice on no other account than as it shows the pronunciation of Rome in Shakspeare's time. 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence! Bru. Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honor; and have respect to mine honor, 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 honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honor, for his valor; 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. Cit. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. 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 lover1 for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my 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 Cæsar. 4 Cit. Cæsar's better parts Shall now be crowned in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! 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 Cæsar was a tyrant. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain. We are blessed that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Ant. You gentle Romans, Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. 1 Lover and friend were synonymous with our ancestors. The evil that men do, lives after them; And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 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. |