Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Bru. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand : First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you :- My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, tis true: Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; Ant. Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Cæsar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all; Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons, Why, and wherein, Cæsar was dangerous. Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Our reasons are so full of good regard, That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar, You should be satisfied. Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may 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 mov'dBy that which he will utter ? Bru. By your pardon; And show the reason of our Cæsar's death: hand at all Else shall you not have any 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 tide3 of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue ;- That mothers shall but smile, when they behold 4 That this foul deed shall smell above the earth Enter a Servant. You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not? Serv. I do, Mark Antony. Ant. Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome. Serv. 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. Is thy master coming? Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd: 4 The signal for giving no quarter. 5 To let slip a dog at a deer, &c. was the technical phrase of Shakspeare's time. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay a while ; In my oration, how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men ; SCENE II. The same. The Forum. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a Throng of Citizens. Cit. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And publick reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. 1 Cit. I will hear Brutus speak. 2 Cit. I will hear Cassius; and compare their rea sons, When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 8 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! |