Hath done this deed on Cafar. For your part, With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Bru. Only be patient 'till we have appeas'd Ant. I doubt not of your wifdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand; Now, Decimus Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus Though laft, not leaft in love, yours, good Trebonius. My credit now ftands on fuch flippery ground, That I did love thee, Cafar, oh 'tis true; In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julins here waft thou bay'd, brave hart, Caf. And Caf. Mark Antony Ant. Pardon me, Caius Caffius; The enemies of Cæfar fhall fay this: Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Caf. I blame you not for praifing Cafar fo, But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends, Or fhall we on, and not depend on you? Ant. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæfar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope, that you fhall give me reasons Why, and wherein Cafar was dangerous. Bru. Or else were this a favage fpectacle. Our reafons are fo full of good regard, That were you, Antony, the fon of Cæfar, You fhould be fatisfied. Ant. That's all I feek; And am moreover fuitor, that I may Caf. Brutus, a word with you — You know not what you do, do not confent That Antony fhall speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. By your pardon, I will my felf into the pulpit first, And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee. Caf. Mark Antony, &c. [Afide. It It fhall advantage more, than do us wrong. Caf. I know not what may fall, I like it not. Ant. Be it fo; I do defire no more. Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt, Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth! That I am meek and gentle with thefe butchers. Thou art the ruins of the nobleft man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! (Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; That mothers fhall but smile, when they behold 3 limbs That That this foul deed fhall fmell above the earth Enter Octavius's Servant. You ferve Octavius Cæfar, do you not? Ant. Cæfar did write for him to come to Rome. O Cefar! [Seeing the body. Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep; Paffion I fee is catching, for mine eyes Seeing those beads of forrow ftand in thine, Begin to water. Is thy mafter coming? Ser. He lyes to-night within feven leagues of Rome.' Ant. Poft back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of fafety for Octavius yet; Hie hence, and tell him fo. Yet ftay a while, [Exeunt with Cæfar's body, Enter Brutus, and mounts the Roftra. Caffius, with the Plebeians. Pleb. WE will be fatisfied; let us be fatisfied. [friends. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, Caffius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers: Thofe Thofe that will hear me fpeak, let 'em ftay here; Of Cafar's death. 1 Pleb. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Pleb. I will hear Caffius, and compare their reafons, When fev'rally we hear them rendered. 3 [Exit Caffius, with fome of the Plebeians. Pleb. The noble Brutus is afcended: filence! Bru. Be patient 'till the laft. Romans, Countrymen, and Friends! hear me for my cause; and be filent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have refpect to mine honour, that you may believe. Cenfure me in your wisdom, and awake your fenfes that you may the better judge. If there be any in this affembly, any dear friend of Cæfar's, to him I fay, that Brutus's love to Cæfar was no lefs than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæfar, this is my anfwer: Not that I lov'd Cafar lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cafar were living, and dye all flaves; than that Cafar were dead, to live all free-men? As Cæfar lov'd 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 flew him. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his ambition. Who's here fo bafe that would be a bond-man? if any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo rude, that would not be a Roman? if any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo vile, that will not love his country? if any, speak; for him have I offended. I paufe for a reply All. None, Brutus, none. Bru. Then none have I offended I have done no more to Cæfar than you fhall do to Brutus. The question of his death is inroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc❜d, for which he suffered death. Enter |