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. 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. 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 fay. Ant. You gentle Romans All. Peace, ho, let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Cæfar, not to praise him. And Brutus is an honourable man. ; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whofe ranfoms did the general coffers fill; Did this in Cæfar feem ambitious? When that the poor have cry'd, Cæfar hath wept; Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; Which he did thrice refufe. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus fays he was ambitious; And fure he is an honourable man. I fpeak not to difprove what Brutus fpoke, I Pleb. Methinks there is much reafon in his fay- [ings. 3 Pleb. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worfe come in his place. 4 Pleb. Mark'd 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 weeping. 3 Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 4 Pleb. Now mark him, he begins to speak. Ant, But yesterday the word of Cæfar might. Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, VOL. VIII. And dying, mention it within their wills, 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 read it; 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 flay a while? I have o'erfhot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honourable men Whofe daggers have ftabb'd Cæfar: I do fear it. 4 Pleb. They were traitors. Honourable men! All. The will! the testament! 2 Pleb. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will! Ant. You will compell me then to read the will? Then make a ring about the corps of Cæfar, And let me fhew you him that made the will. Shall I defcend? and will you give me leave? All. Come down. 2 Pleb. Defcend. [He comes down from the pulpit. Pleb. You fhall have leave. 3 4 Pleb. A ring; ftand round. Pleb. Stand from the hearse, stand from the 'body. 2 Pleb Room for Antony-most noble Antony. Ant. Nay, prefs not fo upon me, ftand far off. All. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to fhed them now. You all do know this mantle; I remember The first time ever Cæfar put it on; 'Twas on a fummer's evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Neryii. Look! in this place ran Caffius' dagger through; Which all the while ran blood, great Cæfar fell. 2 Pleb. O noble Cæfar! 3 Pleb. O woful day! 4 Pleb. O traitors, villains! i Pleb. O moft bloody fight! 2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: revenge: aboutfeek-burn-fire-kill-flay! let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen I Pleb. Peace there. Hear the noble Antony. 2 Pleb. We'll hear him; we'll follow him; we'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, fweet friends, let me not ftir you up To fuch a fudden flood of mutiny: They that have done this deed are honourable. What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they are wife and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reafons anfwer you. I come not, friends, to fteal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man mouths! And bid them fpeak for me. But were I Brutus, 1 Pleb. We'll burn the houfe of Brutus. Wherein has Cæfar thus deferv'd your loves? All. Moft true-the will-Let's ftay and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæfar's feal. To ev'ry Roman citizen he gives, To ev'ry fev'ral man, fev'nty-five drachmas. 2 Pleb. Most noble Cæfar! we'll revenge his death. 2 Pleb. O royal Cæfar! Ant. Hear me with patience. All. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, On that fide Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleafures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Cæfar! when comes fuch another? 1 Pleb. Never, never; come, away, away |