Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, 15
As it were dooms-day.

Bru. Fates! we will know your pleasures:
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time,
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.

Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life,
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Cæsar's friends, that have abridg'd
His time of fearing death.-Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Casar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place:
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry, Peace! Freedom! and Liberty!
Cus. Stoop then, and wash.-How many ages
hence,

Shall this our lofty scene be acted over,
In states unborn, and accents yet unknown?
Bru. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey's basis lies along,
No worthier than the dust?

With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.

5

Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.

Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit Servant.'
Bru. I know, that we shall have him well to
friend.

Cus. So oft as that shall be,

So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave their country liberty.
Dec. What, shall we forth?

Cas. Ay, every man away:

Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Sercant.

Cas. I wish we may: but yet have I a mind,
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
Re-enter Antony.

Bru. But here comes Antony.-Welcome,
Mark Antony.

Ant. O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure?-Fare thee well.-
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank2:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit

20

As Cæsar's death's hour; nor no instrument
Of half that worth, as those your swords, made
rich

25 With the most noble blood of all this world.

do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, [smoke,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die:

30

No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.

Bru. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 35 As, by our hands, and this our present act,

You see we do: yet see you but our hands,
And this the bleeding business they have done;
Our hearts you see not, they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome
40(As fire drives out fire, so pity, pity)

Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark
Antony:

Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of An-45
tony's.
[kneel;
Serr. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fali down;
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say,
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Casar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving:
Say, I love Brutus, and I honour him;
Say, I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him, and lov'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolv'd
How Casar hath deserv'd to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Casar dead
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,

Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts,
Of brother's temper, do receive you in,
With all kind love, good thoughts,and reverence'.

Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's,
In the disposing of new dignities.

Bru. Only be patient, 'till we have appeas'd
50 The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.

Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom.

55 Let each man render me his bloody hand:
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ;-
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;-
Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Me-
tellus;-
60lYours, Cinna;-and, my valiant Casca, yours;-

1 This use of two negatives, not to make an affirmative, but to deny more strongly, is common to our ancient writers. i. e. who else is grown too high for the public safety. Brutus' meaning is, Antony, our arms, strong in the deed of malice they have just perform'd, and our hearts, united like those of brothers in the action, are yet open to receive you with all possible affection. 3 C

Though

Though last, not least in love, yours, good Tre- You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, bonius.

Gentlemen, all, alas! what shall I say?

My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward, or a flatterer.-

But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar;
And say, you do 't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all
5 About his funeral: And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.

Ant. Be it so;

10

Manet Antony.

Ant. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meck and gentle with these butchers! 15 Thou art the ruins of the noblest man,

That ever lived in the tide of times.

Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,-
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue;-
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife,
Shall cumber all the parts of italy:
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
25 And dreadful objects so familiar,

Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe 1.20
O world! thou wast the forest to this hart;
And, this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.-
How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie?

Bru. You shall, Mark Antony.
Cas. Brutus, a word with you.—
You know notwhat you do; Do not consent, [Aside.
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 myself into the pulpit first,

And shew the reason of our Cæsar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission;
And that we are contented, Cæsar shall
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

Cas, I know not what may fall: I like it not.
Bru.Mark Antony, here, take you Cæsar's body.

Lethe was a common French word, signifying death or destruction, from the Latin lethum, and used in that sense by many of the old translators of novels. 2i.e. the course of times, 3 D. Johnson proposes to read, "these lymnis of men;" that is, these bloodhounds of men. See note 1, p. 722, Bru

4

Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience,
friends.-

Cassius, go you into the other street,
And part the numbers.—

Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of Cæsar's death.

[reasons,

1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Pleb. I will hear Cassius; and compare their 19 When severally we hear them rendered.

[Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebeians: Brutus goes into the rostrum. 3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! Bru. Be patient 'till the last.

15

3 Pleb. He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself beholden to us all.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for
my cause; 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 20
may the better judge. If there be any in this as-
sembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say,
that Brutus love to Cæsar was no less than his. If
then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against
Cæsar, this is my answer,-Not that I lov'd Cæsar 25I
less, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you ra-
ther Cæsar were living, and die all slaves; than
that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As
Cæsar lov'd me, I weep for him; as he was for-
tunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I ho-30
nour 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 ambi-
tion. Who is here so base, that would be a bond-
man? If any, speak; for him have I offended. 35
Who is here so rude, that would not be a Roman?
If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is
here so vile, that will not love his country? It
any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause
for a reply.

All. None, Brutus, none.

Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Casar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enroll'd in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was 45 worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death.

2 Pleb. Peace; silence! Brutus speaks.
1 Pleb. Peace, ho!

Shall be crowned in Brutus.

1 Pleb. We'll bring him to his house with
shouts and clamours.
Bru. My countrymen,-

Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:
5 Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Cæsar's glories; which Mark Antony
By our permission is allow'd to make.
I do intreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, 'till Antony have spoke.

[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' sake, I am beho den to you. 4 Pleb. What does he say of Brutus?

[here.

4 Pleb. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus
1 Pleb. This Cæsar was a tyrant.
3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain:

We are blest, 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. [your ears;
Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me
come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him.
The evil, that men do, lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Cæsar! The noble Brutus
Hath told you, Casar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault;
And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus, and the rest,
(For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men)
Come I to speak in Cæsar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.

He hath brought many captives home to Rome, 40 Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious?

When that the poor have cry'd, Cæsar hath wept;
Ambition should be made sterner stuff;
Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see, that, on the Lupercal,
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And sure, he is an honourable man.

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause;
What cause with-holds you then to mourn for
him?

O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason!--Bear with me:
My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar,
And I must pause 'till it come back to me.

60

1 Pleb. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings.

2 Pleb. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Pleb. Has he, masters?

651 fear, there will a worse come in his place. 3 C 2

4 Pleb.

4 Pleb. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown:

5

'Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious.
1 Pleb. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
2 Pleb. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with
weeping.
[Antony.
3 Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than
4 Pleb. 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,
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 Cæsar,
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament,
(Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read)
And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar'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.

You all do know this mantle: I remember
The first time ever Cæsar put it on;

[tony.

4 Picb. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark AnAll. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. 30 Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;

35

It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
"Tis good you know not that you are his heirs;
For if you should, O, what would come of it!

4 Pub. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will.

2 Pleb. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. 3 Pleb. You shall have leave.

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:
Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Cæsar follow'd it;
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Casar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all:

10

4 Pleb. A ring; stand round.

1 Pleb. Stand from the hearse, stand from the
2 Pleb. Room for Antony;-most noble Antony.
Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.
All. Stand back! room! bear back!
Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

15 For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart;
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,

20

Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
25 The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you, when you but behold
Our Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here!
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors,
1 Pleb. O piteous spectacle!

2 Pleb. O noble Cæsar!

3 Pleb. O woeful day!

Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?
I have o'er-shot myself, to tell you of it!
I fear, I wrong the honourable men,
Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it.
4 Pleb. They were traitors: Honourable men! 45
All. The will! the testament!

2 Pleb. They were villains, murderers: The
will! read the will!
[will-
Ant. You will compel me then to read the
Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar,
And let me shew you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
All. Come down.

tor live.

Ant. Stay, countrymen.

1 Pleb. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Pleb. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll 140 die with him.

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not
stir you up

To such a sudden 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 wise, and honour-
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. [able,
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts;
I am no orator, as Brutus is:
50But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,

That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
55 To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
[body.

tell you that, which you yourselves do know; Shew you sweet Casar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths!

4 Pleb. O traitors, villains!

1 Pleb. O most bloody sight!

2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: Revenge: About,→→ Seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay!—let not a trai

And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, 60 And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue

1i. e. their handkerchiefs.-Napery was the ancient term for all kinds of linen. 2 i. e. the impression of pity.

In

Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves?
Alas, you know not:-1 must tell you then:-
You have forgot the will I told you of.

:

All. Most true;-the will;-let's stay, and hear the will.

15

Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas'. 2 Pleb. Most noble Cæsar!-We'll revenge his 3 Pleb. O royal Cæsar! [death. 20

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 this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Cæsar! When comes such another?
1 Pleb. Never, never:-Come, away, away:
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitor's houses.
Take the body.

Ant. Belike, they had some notice of the people, How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt.

Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians.
Cin. I dreamt to night, that I did feast with
And things unluckily charge my fantasy: [Cæsar,
I have no will to wander forth of doors,

10

30

up

2 Pleb, Go, fetch fire.

3 Pleb, Pluck down benches.

4 Pleb. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. 35 [Exeunt Plebeians, with the body. Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot. Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow?

3 Pleb. Where do you dwell?

4 Pleb. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 2 Pleb. Answer every man directly.

1 Pleb. Ay, and briefly.

4 Pleb. Ay, and wisely.

3 Pleb. Ay, and truly, you were best,

Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married inan, or a bachelor? Then to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly. Wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

25

2 Pleb. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry:-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.

Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
1 Pleb. As a friend, or an enemy?
Cin. As a friend.

SCENE III.
A Street.

Yet something leads me forth.

1 Pleb. What is your name?

2 Pleb. Whither are you going?

2 Picb. That matter is answer'd directly.
4 Pleb. For your dwelling,-briefly.
Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Pleb. Your name, sir, truly,

Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna,

1 Pleb. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet, 4 Pleb. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

40

Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator.

4 Pleb. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

3 Pleb. Tear him, tear him. Come, brands, 45 ho! firebrands. To Brutus' and to Cassius', burn all, Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius'! away; go. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

On a small Island near Mutina2.
Enter Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.

Ant. THESE many then shall die; their names
are prick'd. [Lepidus 60
Octa. Your brother too must die; Consent you,

Lep. I do consent.

Octa. Prick him down, Antony.

[him.

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 damu
But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house;

4

2 A small island in the Lucius, not Publius, was the person i. e. condemn him.

Fetch

'A drachma was a Greek coin of the value of seven-pence farthing. little river Rhenus near Bononia, according to Hanmer. meant, who was uncle by the mother's side to Mark Antony.

3C 3