And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Enter a SERVANT. You serve Octavius Cesar, do you not? offended. Who is here so vile that would not [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cesar, than you should 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. Ant. Cesar did write for him to come to Rome. Sere. He did receive his letters, and is com-receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the ing: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony : And bid me say to you by word of mouth.— [Seeing the Body. Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie bence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while; [Exeunt with CESAR's Body. SCENE II.-The same.-The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of CITIZENS. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satised. Cassius, go you into the other street, [here; Those that will hear me speak, let them stay Of Cesar'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. (Erit CASSIUS, with some of the CITIZENS. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! Bru. Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my canse, and be silent, that you may hear: be lieve me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, 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 Cesar's, to him I say, That Brutus' love to Cesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cesar, this is my answer :-Not that I loved Cesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cesar were dead, to live all freeThen? As Cesar 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 slew him: There are tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; 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 • The signal for giving no quarter. + Fire, sword, and famine. commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for this I depart; That, as I slew my best lover for myself, when it shall please my country to need iny 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 Cesar. 4 Cit. Cesar's better parts Shail now be crown'd in Brutus. 1 Cit. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. Bru. My countrymen, 2 Cit. 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 (it. This Cesar was a tyrant. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We are bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace; let us hear what Antony can say. Cit. Peace, ho! let us hear him. your ears; The evil that men do lives after them; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, • Friend Was this ambition And sure he is an honourable man. Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cesar 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 Cesar 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, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cesar; I found it in his closset; 'tis his will: Let but the commons bear this testament, (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,) And they would go and kiss dead Cesar's wounds. And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue. It is not meet you know how Cesar lov'd you. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! Ant. You wili compel me then to read the will ? Then make a ring about the corse of Cesar, 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 herse, 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! All are too proud to shew him any respect. Sad inore than I intended. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle : I remember And, in his mantle muffling up his face, And will no doubt, with reasons answer you, But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That gave me public leave to speak of him. 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. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: Wherein hath Cesar thus deserv'd your loves Alas, you know not:-1 must tell yon then :You have forgot the will I told you of. • Statua for statue, is common among the old writers. Cesar's blood fell upon the statue, and trickled from i. 1 Wrongs. Cit. Most true;--the will;-let's stay, and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cesar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.⚫ 2 Cit. Most noble Cesar !-we'll revenge his death. 3 Cit. O royal Cesar! Ant. Hear me with patience. Cit. Peace, ho! pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 3 Cit. Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, ho! fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Cas[Exeunt. ca's; some to Ligarius': away; go. ACT IV. Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, SCENE I.-The same.-A room in ANTONY'S His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, On this side Tyber; he hath left them you, House. And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, † ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Cesar: 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 traitor's houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [Exeunt CITIZENS, with the Body. Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow ? Enter a SERVANT. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Ant. Where is he? Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cesar's house. Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him: He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us any thing. Sere. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassins Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. Aut. Belike, they had some notice of the people, How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt. SCENE 111.-The same.-A street. Cin. I dreamt to night, that I did feast with And things unluckily charge my fantasy: § Enter CITIZENS. 1 Cit. What is your name? 2 Cit. Whither are you going? 3 Cit. Where do you dwell? Table. Lep. I do consent. Oct. Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Cesar's house; The Capitol. [Exit LEPIDUS. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: Is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it? Oct. So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and proscription. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you; And though we lay these honours on this man; To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold; To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; Aud, having brought our treasure where we will Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze in commons. Oct. You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and, for that, I do appoint him store of provender. It is a creature that I teach to fight, 4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. 2 Cit. Answer every man directly. 1 Cit. Ay, and briefly. 4 Cit. Ay, and wisely. 3 Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best. Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a bachelor? Then to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, aud truly. Wisely I say, am a bachelor. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools that inarry:-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. Cin. Directly, I am going to Cesar's funeral. 1 Cit. As a friend, or an enemy ? Cin. As a friend. 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly. 4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly. Cia. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 3 Cit. Your name, Sir, truly. Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna. 1 Cit. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cia. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. 2 Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; • A drachma is 7d. sterling---2. 3. 4d. + Pleasuregrounds. 1 His coming is the very thing I wished for, My mind is oppressed with ill-omens. forth; And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; And let us presently go sit in council, Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, SCENE II-Before BRUTUS' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. Drum.-Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers : TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? Luc. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master. Are much condemn'd to have an itching pain Cas. I an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, [PINDARUS gives a letter to BRUTUS. Bru. He greets me well.-Your master, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand, I shall be satisfied. Pin. I do not doubt But that my noble master will appear Bru. He is not doubted.-A word, Lucilius: Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd ; The greater part, the horse in general, Bru. Hark, he is arriv'd:--March gently on to meet him. [March within. Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. Cas. Stand, ho! Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong mine enemies? And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? Bru. Cassins, be content, Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off Bru. Lucilius, do the like; and let no man Come to our tent till we have done our coufer SCENE III-Within the tent of BRUTUS.-LUCIUS and TITINIUS at some distance from it. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear in this : You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, Fer taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein, my letters, praying on his side, Because I knew the man, were slighted off. ruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cas. Chastisement 1 Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well: For mine owu part I shall be glad to learn of nobler men. Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, I said an elder soldier not a better: Bru. If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cesar liv'd be durst not thus have moy'd me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What? durst not tempt him? Cus. Do not presume too much upon my love, I may do that I shall be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats: Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a For certain sums of gold, which you denied me ; Cas. I did not:-he was but a fool, That brought my answer back.-Brutus hath riv'd my heart: A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, But Brutus inakes mine greater than they are. Bru. I do not, till you practise them on me. Cas. You love me not. Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults, Bru. A flatterer's would not though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, Hated by one he loves; brav'd by his brother; Than ever thou lov'st Cassius. Bru. Sheath your dagger: Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; O Cassins, you are yoked with a lamb Cas. Hath Cassius liv'd To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him? Bru. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. Cas. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Bru. And my heart too. Cas. O Brutas! Bru. What's the matter? me, Cas. Have you not love enough to bear with [me, When that rash humour which my mother gave Makes me forgetful? Bru. Yes, Cassius! and, henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. [Noise within. Poet. Within.] Let me go in to see the generals ; There is some grudge between them, 'tis not meet They be alone. Luc. [Within.] You shall not come to them. Poet. [Within.] Nothing but death shall stay ine. Enter POET. Cas. How now? What's the matter? Poet. For shame, you generals: What do you mean? Love, and be friends, as two such men should be ; For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye. Cas. Ha, ha; how vilely doth this cynic rhyme ! Bru. Get you hence, Sirrah: saucy fellow, hence. Cas. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion. • Rent. Re-enter TITINIUS, with MESSALA. Bru. Come in, Titinius-Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities. Cas. Portia, art thou gone? Bru. No more, I pray you.Messala, I have here received letters, That young Octavius, and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, Bending their expedition toward Philippi. Mess. Myself have letters of the self-same tenour. Bru. With what addition? Mess. That by proscription, and bills of ontOctavius, Antony, and Lepidus, [lawry, Have put to death a hundred senators. Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree; Mine speak of seventy senators, that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. Cas. Cicero one? Mess. Ay, Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription,- Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? Bru. Nothing, Messala. Mess. That, methinks, is strange. Jig, signified a metrical composition. A term of reproach. |