(For Brutus is an honourable man, So are they all, all honourable men)— (And Brutus is an honourable man.) He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; (And Brutus is an honourable man.) 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, And I must pause till it come back to me. (weeps 2ND CITIZEN. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown : Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1ST CITIZEN. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 2ND CITIZEN. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. ANTONY. But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world: now lies he there, O masters! if I were disposed to stir And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy, unto their issue. 2ND CITIZEN. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony. . CITIZENS. The will! the will! we will hear Cæsar's will. ANTONY. Have patience, gentle friends: I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. N For if you should, O, what would come of it! 1ST CITIZEN. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony ; You shall read us the will!-Cæsar's will. ANTONY. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? 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. Then, make a ring round the corpse of Cæsar, 2ND CITIZEN. CITIZENS. Come down, come down! (ANTONY quits the rostrum and goes to the head of the body.) 1ST CITIZEN. Room for Mark Antony; most noble Antony. CITIZENS. Stand back! room! bear back! ANTONY. 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; away, And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, 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 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! 1ST CITIZEN. O, noble Cæsar! 2ND CITIZEN. We will be revenged! Revenge! live! ANTONY. Stay, countrymen. 1ST CITIZEN. Peace there!-Hear the noble Antony. 2ND CITIZEN. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him! ANTONY. 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; And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. But as you know me all, a plain, blunt man, And bid them speak for me: But, were I Brutu 2ND CITIZEN. We'll burn the house of Brutu 1ST CITIZEN. Away then-come, seek the conspirator ANTONY. Yet hear me, countrymen ; yet hear me spea CITIZENS. Peace, ho! ANTONY. Why, friends, you go to do you know not wha |