My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, 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, 'tis 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 Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. 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? I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! Cit. The will! the testament ! 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? Cit. Come down. 2 Cit. Descend. [He comes down from the Pulpit. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. 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. Cit. 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; 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent; That day he overcame the Nervii: Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through: See, what a rent the envious Casca made: away, Through this, the well beloved Brutus stabb'd; For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statua3, 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about, seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Cit. Peace there: Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we 'll follow him, we 'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up 3 Statua for statue, is common among the old writers. + Impression. To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They, that have done this deed, are honourable; And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, mouths, And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. what : Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? then you : Cit. Most true; the will;-let 's stay, and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal.. 5 Grievances. 1 To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. 2 Cit. Most noble. Cæsar! death. 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. 6 we'll revenge his 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, heirs for ever; common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. And to your 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. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. 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 him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. Ant. Belike, they had some notice of the people. How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt. 6 A Greek coin of the value of seven-pence three-farthings. |