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-Bra. Then follow me, and give me audience,

friends.

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

Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,

And, for my fake, ftay here with Antony:

Caffius, go you into the other street,

And part the numbers.

Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; 5 Do grace to Cæfar's corpse, and grace his speech Those that will follow Caffius, go with him;

And publick reafons shall be rendered

Of Cæfar's death,

1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak.
[reasons,
2 Pleb. I will hear Caffius; and compare their 10
When severally we hear them rendered.

[Exit Caffius, with some of the Plebeians:
Brutus goes into the roftrum.

3 Pleb. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence!
Bru. Be patient 'till the laft.

15

Tending to Cæfar's glories; which Mark Antony
By our permiffion 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' fake, I am beholden to you. 4 Pleb. What does he say of Brutus? 3 Pleb. He says, for Brutus' fake,

He finds himself beholden to us all.

[here.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for
my cause; and be filent, 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 af-
fembly, any dear friend of Cæfar's, to him I say,
that Brutus' love to Cæfar was no less than his. If
then that friend demand, why Brutus rofe againft
Cæfar, this is my answer, -Not that I lov'd Cæfar 25 I come to bury Cæfar, not to praife him.

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

lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you ra-
- ther Cæfar were living, and dye all Aaves; than
that Cæfar were dead, to live all free men? As
Cæfar 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 flew 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 bafe, 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? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

All. None, Brutus, none.

40

Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done
no more to Cæfar, than you shall do to Brutus.
The question of his death is enroll'd in the Capi-
tol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was wor-45
thy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he fuf-
fered death.

Enter Mark Antony, &c. with Cæfar's body.
Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony:

We are blest, 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.

[ears;

Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your

The evil, that men do, lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Cæfar! The noble Brutus
Hath told you, Cæfar was ambitious:
If it were fo, it was a grievous fault;
And grievously hath Cæfar anfwer'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 Cæfar'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,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Cæfar feem ambitious?

When that the poor have cry'd, Cæfar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.

You all did fee, that, on the Lupercal,
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious;

who, though he had no hand in his death, shall re- 50 And sure, he is an honourable man.

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4 Pleb

4 Pleb. Mark'd ye his words? He would not You all do know this mantle: I remember

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 5 Look! in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through:

The first time ever Cæfar put it on;
'Twas on a fummer's evening, in his tent;
That day he overcame the Nervii :-

weeping. [Antony. 3 Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than 4 Pleb. Now mark him, he begins again to fpeak. Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæfar might

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 Cæfar follow'd it;

If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;

Have stood against the world: now lies he there, 10 As rushing out of doors, to be refolv'd

And none so poor to do him reverence.

O masters! if I were difpos'd to ftir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Caffius 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 fuch honourable men.
But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæfar,
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this teftament,
(Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read)
And they would go and kiss dead Cæfar's wounds,
And dip their napkins in his facred blood;
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy,

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For Brutus, as you know, was Cæfar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæfar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all:
15 For when the noble Cæfar faw him ftab,
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 Cæfar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilft 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 fouls, what, weep you, when you but behold
Our Cæfar's vesture wounded? Look you here!
Here is himself, marr'd, as you fee, with traitors.
Pleb. O piteous spectacle!

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

read it;

It is not meet you know how Cæfar lov'd you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cæfar,
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 Pich. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæfar's will.

Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while?
I have o'er-shot myself, to tell you of it!
I fear, I wrong the honourable men,

Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæfar: I do fear it.

2 Pleb. O noble Cæfar!

3 Pleb. O woeful day!

4 Pleb. O traitors, villains!

1 Pleb. O most bloody fight!

2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: Revenge: About,35 Seek, burn, -fire, -kill,-flay !-let not a traitor live.

Ant. Stay, countrymen.

I Pleb. Peace there: -Hear the noble Antony. 2 Picb. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll

40 die with him.

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not ftir you up To fuch a fudden flood of mutiny.

They, that have done this deed, are honourable;

4 Pleb. They were traitors: Honourable men! 45 What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, All. The will! the teftament!

2 Pleb. 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 corpfe of Cæfar,
And let me shew you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
Al'. Come down.

2 Plab. Defcend. [He comes down from the pulpit.
3 Plieb. You shall have leave.
4 Pleb. A ring; stand round.

Pleb. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
2 Pich. Room for Antony; -most noble Antony.
Ast. 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.

That made them do it; they are wife, 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:

50 But, 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 fpeech,
55 To ftir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that, which you yourselves do know;
Shew you sweet Cæfar's wounds, poor, poor

dumb mouths!

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

* i. e. their handkerchiefs. Napery was the ancient term for all kinds of linen. i. c. the impression of pity.

In

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Wherein hath Cæfar thus deserv'd your loves?
Alas, you know not:-I 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.

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Enter Cinna the Poet, and after bim the Plebeians.
Cin. I dreamt to night, that I did feast with
And things unluckily charge my fantasy: [Cæfar,

101 have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

15

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[death. 20

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25

And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.

Here was a Cæfar: When comes fuch another?

I 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 up the body.

2 Pleb. Go, fetch fire.

3 Pleb. Pluck down benches.

30

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?

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Ant. Where is he?

Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæfar's house.
Ant. And thither will I straight to v.fit him:
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing.

Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Caffius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

40

I Pleb. What is your name?

2 Pleb. Whither are you going?

3 Pleb. Where do you dwell?

4 Pleb. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?

2 Picb. Answer every man directly.

I Pleb. Ay, and briefly.

4 Pleb. Ay, and wifely.

3 Pl.b. 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, wifely, and truly. Wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

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 Cæfar's funeral.
1 Pleb. As a friend, or an enemy?
Cin. As a friend.

2 Pleb. That matter is answer'd directly.
4 Pleb. For your dwelling, briefty.
Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Pleb. Your name, fir, truly.
Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna.

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

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 Caffius', burn all. Some to Decius' house, and fome to Cafca's, some to Ligarius'! away; 50. Exeunt.

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And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, 10 A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius,
In our black fentence 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 flanderous 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;
And having brought our treafure 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.

Ota. You may do your will;
But he's a try'd and valiant foldier.

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,

To wind, to stop, to run directly on;

His corporal motion govern'd by my fpirit.

And, in fome taste, is Lepidus but fo;

When love begins to ficken and decay,
It useth an enforced ceremony.
There are no tricks in plain and fimple faith:
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
15 Make gallant shew and promife of their mettle;
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades,
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?

20

25

He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth: 30

Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be
quarter'd;

The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Caffius.

Bru. Hark, he is arriv'd:

March gently on to meet him.

[March witbin.

Enter Caffius, and Soldiers.

Caf. Stand, ho!

Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along.

Within. Stand.

Within. Stand.

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A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

On objects, arts, and imitations;

Which, out of use, and stal'd by other men,
Begin his fashion: Do not talk of him,

Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine eneAnd, if not fo, how should I wrong a brother?

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35 Caf. Brutus, this fober form of yours hides
And when you do them-
Bru. Caffius, be content,
Speak your griefs softly, I do know you well :-
Before the eyes of both our armies here,

[wrongs;

And let us presently go fit in council,

How covert matters may be best disclos'd,

Ota. Let us do fo: for we are at the stake,

And open perils surest answered.

And bay'd about with many enemies;

40 Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
Let us not wrangle: Bid them move away;
Then in my tent, Caffius, enlarge your griefs,
And I will give you audience.

Caf. Pindarus,

And fome, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, 45 Bid our commanders lead their charges off
Millions of mifchief.

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Bru. Let me tell you, Caffius, you yourfelf
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm;
To fell and mart your offices for gold,
To undeservers.

Caf. I an itching palm ?

You know, that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were elfe your last.
Bru. The name of Caffius honours this corruption,

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Caf. Do not prefume too much upon my love,

Caf. Chastisement!

[member! ro

1

Bru. Remember March, the ides of March re

Did not great Julius bleed for justice' fake?
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab,

And not for justice? What, shall one of us,

But for fupporting robbers; shall we now

And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.

I may do that I shall be forry for.

Bru. You have done that you should be forry for.
There is no terror, Caffius, in your threats;
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty,
That they pass by me, as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you

That ftruck the foremost man of all this world, 15 For certain fums of gold, which you deny'd me;

Contaminate our fingers with base bribes?

And fell the mighty space of our large honours,
For so much trash, as may be grasped thus ?-
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon',
Than fuch a Roman.

Caf. Brutus, bay not me,

I'll not endure it: you forget yourself,
To hedge me in2; I am a foldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself

To make conditions 3.

Bru. Go to; you are not, Caffius.

Caf. I am.

Bru. I fay, you are not.

For I can raife no money by vile means:

By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,

And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peafants their vile trash,

20 By any indirection. I did fend

To you for gold to pay my legions,

Which you deny'd me: Was that done like Caffius?
Should I have answer'd Caius Caffius fo?

When Marcus Brutus grows fo covetous,

25 To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Dash him to pieces!

Caf. I deny'd you not.

Bru. You did.

Caf. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; 30 Caf. I did not :- he was but a fool,

Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.

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Though it do fplit you: for, from this day forth, 45 Check'd like a bondman; all his faults observ'd,

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Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote,
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes!--There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
50 Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold:
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth;
I, that deny'd thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike, as thou didít at Cæfar; for, I know, [better
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov dit him

55 Than ever thou lov'dst Caffius.

Warburton comments on this paffage thus: "The poets and common people, who generally think and speak alike, suppose the dog bays the moon out of envy to its brightness; an allufion to this notion makes the beauty of the paffage in question: Brutus hereby infinuates a covert accufation against his friend, that it was only envy at Cæfar's glory which fet Caffius on confpiring against him; and ancient history seems to countenance such a charge. Caffius understood him in this sense, and with much confcious pride retorts the charge by a like infinuation" Brutus, bay not me." i. e. to limit

my authority by your direction or cenfure.

the offices which are at my difpofal.

3 That is, to know on what terms it is fit to confer

3C4

Bru.

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