Why, and wherein Cæfar was dangerous. Ant. That's all I feek; And am moreover fuitor, that I may You know not what you do, do not confent That Antony speak in his funeral : Know you how much the people may be mov'd By that which he will utter? Bru. By your pardon, I will my felf into the pulpit first, And fhew the reafon of our Cæfar's death, Ant. Be it fo: I do defire no more. [Afide [Exeunt, Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. SCENE IV. Manet Antony. Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth! That I am meek and gentle with thefe butchers. Thou art the ruins of the nobleft man S 3 That That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that fhed this coftly blood! (Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, my tongue) That mothers fhall but fmile, when they behold Enter Octavius's Servant. You ferve Octavius Cæfar, do you not? Ant. Cæfar did write for him to come to Rome. Q Cæfar! [Seeing the body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep; Paffion I fee is catching, for mine eyes Seeing those beads of forrow stand in thine, Begin to water. Is thy mafter coming? Ser. He lyes to-night within feven leagues of Rome. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of fafety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him fo. Yet stay a while, Το To young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with Cæfar's body. SCENE V. The Forum. Enter Brutus, and mounts the Roftra. Caffius, with Pleb. We will be fatisfied; let us be fatisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends, Caffius, go you into the other fireet, And part the numbers: Thofe that will hear me fpeak, let 'em ftay here; And publick reafons fhall be rendered Of Cæfar's death. 1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak, 2 Pleb. I will hear Caffius, and compare their reasons, When fev'rally we hear them rendered. [Exit Caffius, with fome of the Plebeians. 3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is afcended: filence! Bru. Be patient 'till the last. Romans, Countrymen, and Friends! hear me for my caufe, and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have refpect 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 Cafar's, to him I fay, that Brutus's love to Cæfar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rofe against Caefar, this is my answer: Not that I lov'd Cæfar lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cafar were living, and dye all flaves; than that Cæfar were dead, to live all free-men? As Cafar lov'd 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, fpeak; 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. paufe for a reply. I All All. None, Brutus, none. Bru. Then none have I offended- I have done no more to Cæfar than you fhall do to Brutus. The question of his death is inroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he fuffer'd death. Enter Mark Antony with Cæfar's body. Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony: who though he had no hand in his death, fhall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the common-wealth; as which of you fhall not? With this I depart, that as I flew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the fame dagger for my felf, when it fhall please my country to need my death. All. Live, Brutus, live! 1 Pleb. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. 2 Pleb. Give him a ftatue with his ancestors. 3 Pleb. Let him be Cæfar. 4 Pleb. Cæfar's better parts Shall now be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his house With fhouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen. 2 Pleb. Peace! filence! Brutus fpeaks. Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 1 Pleb. Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Pleb. Let him go up into the publick chair, We'll hear him: noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus fake I am beholden to you. He finds himself beholden to us all. [Exit. 4 Pleb. "Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Pleb. 1 Pleb. This Cæfar was a tyrant. 3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain We are glad 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. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cafar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cry'd, Cæfar hath wept; Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; Was this ambition? Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; bear with me, And |