But Brutus says, he was ambitious; He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept : Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition ? And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, You all did love him once, not without cause ; And men have lost their reason!-Bear with me; And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar 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 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, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it 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 Cit. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony ; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? will you stay a while? I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men ! Cit. The will! the testament ! 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! Ant. You will compel me then to read the will? 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 hearse; 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! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on ; '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: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statua,5 Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar ! 3 Cit. O woful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! 2 Cit. We will be revenged: Revenge; about,seek,-burn,-fire,-kill,-slay !-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen, 1 Cit. Peace there: Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll 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 ; [5] I could bring a multitude of instances where statua is used for statue. STEEV. [6] Perhaps Shakspeare meant that the very statue of Pompey lamented the fate of Cæsar in tears of blood. Such poetical hyperboles are not uncom mon. Pope, in his Eloisa, talks of "pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep." Shakspeare has enumerated dews of blood among the prodigies on the prece ding day, and, as I have since discovered, took these very words from Sir T. North's translation of Plutarch: "-against the very base whereon Pompey's image stood, which ran all a gore of blood,till he was slain." STEEV. [7] The dint of pity is the impression of pity. JOHNS. That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; I am no orator, as Brutus is: But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well 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 Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not :-I must tell you then :You have forgot the will I told you of. Cit.Most true;-the will;-let's stay,and hear the will Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.8 2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar !-We'll revenge his death. 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. Cit. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, [8] A drachma was a Greek coin, the same as the Roman denier, of the value of four sesterces, 7d. ob. STEEV. And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. Take up the body. 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. Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. SCENE III.9 The same. A Street. Enter CINNA, the Poet. Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy : I have no will to wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth. Enter Citizens. 1 Cit. What is your name? 2 Cit. Whither are you going? 3 Cit. Where do you dwell? 4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 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, and truly. Wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry :-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. [9] The subject of this scene is taken from Plutarch. STEEV. |