The evil that men do lives after them; 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; Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? 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. 4 Cit. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 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 disposed to stir 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. Cits. 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 loved 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'll hear it Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Ant. 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 stabbed Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! Cits. 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? Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar, Cits. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears prepare to shed them now. The first time ever Cæsar put it on ; Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through; For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar. 3 Cit. O woful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! [Points behind. 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about-seekburn-fire-kill-slay!-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. Cit. Peace there ;-Hear the noble Antony. Cits. 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; I am no orator, as Brutus is; But as you know me all, a plain blunt man, Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, 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. 1 Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not—I must tell you then :— You have forgot the will I told you of. 2 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. 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, His private arbours, and new planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, Here was a Cæsar! When comes such another? 1 Cit. Never, never!-Come, away, away! We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands, fire the traitors' houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 3 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, anything. [All rush off]. MARINO FALIERO. SHAKESPERE. MARINO FALIERO, Doge; and his Nephew, Ber. F. It cannot be but they will do you justice. Who sent up my appeal unto the Forty, Ber. F. His peers will scarce protect him: such an act Would bring contempt on all authority. Doge. Know you not Venice ? Know you not the Forty? But we shall see anon. Ber. F. [addressing Vincenzo, then entering.] How nowwhat tidings? Vinc. I am charged to tell his highness, that the court Has passed its resolution; and that, soon As the due forms of judgment are gone through, The sentence will be sent up to the Doge; In the meantime, the Forty doth salute The Prince of the Republic, and entreat Doge. Yes; They are wondrous dutiful, and ever humble. Sentence is passed, you say? Vinc. It is, your highness: The president was sealing it when I N |