1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus fpeak. 2 Pleb. I will hear Caffius, and compare their reaWhen feverally we hear then rendered. [fous, [Exit Caffius, with fome of the Plebeians. 3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is afcended: filence! Bru. Be patient 'till the last. Romans, countrymen and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have respect 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 Cæfar's, to him I fay, that Brutus' love to Cæfar was no lefs than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rofe against Cæfar, this is my answer: not that I loved Cæfar lefs, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæfar were diving, and die all flaves, than that Cæfar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæfar 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 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, fpcak; 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 paufe for a reply All. None, Brutus, none. Bru. Then none have I offended.—I have done no more to Cæfar, than you fhall do to Brutus. The queftion of his death is inrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was VOL. X. Ο worthy; nor his offences enforced, for which he fuffered death. Enter MARK ANTONY, with Cæfar's Body. Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who though he had no hand in his death, fhall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart, that as I flew my best 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! 2 Pleb. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Pleb. Give him a ftatue with his ancestors. 4 Pleb Cæfar's better parts Shall be crowned in Brutus. 1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his houfe With fhouts and clamours. Bru. My Countrymen 2 Pleb. Peace! filence! Brutus fpeaks. 1 Pleb. Peace, ho! Bru. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my fake, ftay here with Antony; Do grace to Cæfar's corps, and grace his fpeech I do intreat you, not a man depart, [Exit. 1 Pleb. Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Pleb. Let him go up into the public Chair, We'll hear him: noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' fake, I am beholden to you. 4 Pleb. What does he fay of Brutus? 3 Pleb. He fays, for Brutus' fake He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Pleb. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Pleb. This Cæfar was a tyrant. 3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain; We are bleft that Rome is rid of him. 2 Pleb. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Ant. You gentle Romans All. Peace, ho, let us hear him. [ears. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæfar feem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæfar hath wept; Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; I thrice presented him a kingly crown; Which he did thrice refufe. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious, And, fure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to difprove what Brutus spoke, I Pleb. Methinks there. is much reafon in his If thou confider rightly of the matter, [fayings. Cæfar has had great wrong. 3 Pleb. Has he, Mafters? I fear there will a worfe come in his place. 4 Pleb. Marked ye his words? he would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious. 1. Pleb. If it be found fo, fome will dear abide it. 2 Pleb. Poor foul! his eyes are red as fire with 3 weeping. Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 4 Pleb Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæfar might Have ftood against the world; now lyes he there, And none fo poor to do him reverence. O mafters! if I were difpofed to ftir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, And they would go and kifs dead Cæfar's wounds, And dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their illue. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the will, read it, Mark Antony. All. The will, the will; we will hear Cæfar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not It is not meet you know how Cæfar lov'd you. 4 Pleb. Read the will, we will hear it, Antony: You fhall read us the will, Cæfar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? will you stay a while? (I have o'er-fhot myfelf, to tell you of it.) fear I wrong the honourable men, Whofe daggers have stabbed Cæfar -I do fear it. 2 Pleb. They were traitors-honourable men! All. The will! the teftament! 2 Pleb. They were villains, murderers; the will! read the will! Ant. You will compel me then to read the will? 2 Pleb. Defcend. [He comes down from the Pulpit. 3 4 Pleb. A ring; ftand round. 1 |