Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, in deed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar. all; Friends am I with you all, and love you Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle : Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral. Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Cas. Brutus, a word with you.— [aside. You know not what you do: do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved Bru. By your pardon ;- And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Cæsar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, 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 About his funeral: and you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am going, After my speech is ended. Ant. I do desire no more. Be it so ; Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. [Exeunt all but Antony. Ant. O, pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, That ever lived in the tide 1 of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Blood and destruction shall be so in use, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold 1 Course. And Cæsar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Até by his side, come hot from hell, Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice, Enter SERVANT. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Ser. I do, Mark Antony. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Ser. He did receive his letters, and is coming; And bid me say to you by word of mouth, O Cæsar! [seeing the body. Ant. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Began to water. Ser. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced: Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile: A word, by which declaration was made that no quarter would be granted. |