3 Pleb. He fays, for Brutus' fake He finds himself beholden to us all. 4 Peb.'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. i Pleb. This Cæfar was a Tyrant. 3 Pleb. Nay, that's certain; We are bleft, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Pleb. Peace; let us hear what Antony can fay. Ant. You gentle Romans All. Peace, ho, let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cafar, not to praise him. And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæfar feem ambitious? When that the poor have cry'd, Cafar hath wept; Ambition fhould be made of fterner ftuff. Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. Was this ambition ? Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious; But But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: 1 Pleb. Methinks, there is much reafon in his fayings. If thou confider rightly of the matter, 3 Pleb. Has he, Mafters ? I fear there will a worfe come in his place. 4 Pleb. Mark'd ye his words? he would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious. 1 Pleb. If it be found fo, fome will dear abide it. 2 Pleb. Poor foul! his eyes are red as fire with 3 weeping. Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome than 4 Pleb. Now, mark him, he begins to speak. Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Yea, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, Unto their iffue. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the Will, read it, Mark Antony. All. The Will, the Will; we will hear Cæfar's Will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not It is not meet you know how Cæfar lov'd you. Ant. Will you be patient? will you ftay a while? (I have o'er-fhot myfelf, to tell you of it.) I fear, I wrong the honourable men, Whofe daggers have ftabb'd Cafar-I do fear it. 4 Pleb. They were traitors- -honourable men! All. The Will! the Teftament! 2 Pleb. 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 corps of Cafar, And let me fhew you him, that made the Will. Shall I defcend? and will you give me leave? All. Come down. 2 Pleb. Defcend. 3 [He comes down from the pulpit. Pleb. You fhall have leave. 4 Pleb. A ring; stand round. 1 Pleb. Stand from the hearfe, ftand from the body.. 2 Pleb. Room for Antony-moft noble Antony. Ant. Nay. prefs not fo upon me, stand far off. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. H You You all do know this mantle; I remember, Look in this place, ran Caffius' dagger through ;- O what a fall was there, my countrymen! 2 Pleb. O noble Cafer! 3 Pleb. O woful day! i Pleb. O mof bloody fight! 2 Pleb. We will be reveng'd: revenge: about→→ feek-burn-fire-kill-flay! let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, Countrymen 1 Pleb. Peace there, hear the noble Antony. 2 Pleb. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Ant. Ant. Good friends, fweet friends, let me not ftir you up To fuch a fudden flood of mutiny: They, that have done this deed, are honourable. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, mouths ! And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, 1 Pleb. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Pleb. Away then, come, feek the confpirators. Ant. Yet hear me, Countrymen; yet hear me fpeak. All. Peace, ho, hear Antony, moft noble Antony. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what. Wherein hath Cafar thus deferv'd your loves? Alas, you know not; I must tell you then: You have forgot the Will, I told you of. All. Most true--the Will-let's ftay and hear the Will. Ant. Here is the Will, and under Cæfar's feal. To ev'ry Roman citizen he gives, To ev'ry fev'ral man, fev'nty five drachma's. 2 Pleb. Most noble Cafar! we'll revenge his death. 3 Pleb. O royal Cæfar! H 2 Ant. |