BRUTUS has faid it, I muft fay it too;
For BRUTUS is a Man of ftricteft Honour.
Thousands of Captives CASAR brought to Rome,
Whofe Ranfom often fill'd the Publick Coffers.
Was this Ambition? BRUTUS fays it was:
And BRUTUS is an honourable Man.
When wretched Orphans cry'd, CESAR Would weep;
So weep for them, that they have wept no more :
Ambition feldom is so tender-hearted.
You all have feen how at the Publick Sports,
Out of a foolish and too forward Love,
He was prefented with a Kingly Crown,
Which he then thrice refus'd; was this Ambition?
Yet BRUTUS fays he was Ambitious,
And BRUTUS is a Man we all muft honour.
I speak not to difprove what BRUTUS spoke,
But muft as little wrong this dead, good Man.
You all did love him once not without caufe:
And will you hate him dead whom you lov❜d living?
O Juftice, Juftice! whither art thou fled?
For Men have loft their Reafon, Bear with me;
My Heart's bencath that Mantle there with CESAR ;
And I must paufe a while till it comes back. [Weeps.
Methinks there's much of Reason in his Sayings,
If you confider rightly of the matter.
CÆSAR has had fome wrong.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Has he, my Mafters?
They will have much ado to make amends to him, I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Mark'd you hisWords? he would not take the Crown, Therefore 'tis certain he was not Ambitious.
FIRST CITIZEN.
If it be found fo, fome fhall pay dear for it.
SECOND CITIZEN.
See, if good ANTONY can speak for weeping!
THIRD CITIZEN.
There's not a nobler Man in Rome than ANTONY.
SECOND CITIZEN.
But mark him, he begins again to speak.
But yesterday the Word of CÆSAR might
Have pass'd through all the World: Now he lies there,
And none fo low to do him reverence.
Oh Romans, if I were difpos'd to move
Your Hearts and Minds to Mutiny and Rage,
I fhould do BRUTUS wrong, and CASSIUS wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable Men.
Yet here's a Parchment with the Seal of CÆSAR,
I found it in his Clofet; 'tis his Will:
Let but the Commons hear this Teftament,
(Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read)
And they would run and kifs dead CÆSAR'S Wounds,
And dip their Napkins in his facred Blood;
Nay, beg a Hair of his for Memory,
And dying, mention it within their Wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich Legacy
FOURTH CITIZEN.
We'll hear this Will: read it MARC ANTONY.
The Will, the Will, we must hear CÆSAR's Will.
Have patience, gentle Friends; I must not read it ;
It is not fit you know how CESAR lov'd 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 well, you know not that you are his Heirs,
For if you did, oh what might come of it?
THIRD CITIZEN.
Read the Will, ANTONY, for we will hear it.
Will you be patient? will you ftay a while?
I have o'erfhot my felf to tell you of it;
I fear I wrong the Honourable Men,
Whofe Daggers ftabb'd the undefended CASAR.
FIRST CITIZEN.
Traytors and Rogues! they honourable Men?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Villains and Murderers! Come, read the Will.
ANTONY.
You will compel me then to read the Will.
Then make a Ring about the Corps of CÆSAR,
And let me fhew you him that made the Will.
Shall I defcend? and will you give me leave?
THIRD CITIZEN.
Stand off a while; ftand from the Body there.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Make room for ANTONY, moft noble ANTONY.
Nay, prefs not fo upon me, gentle Friends.
you have Tears, prepare to shed 'em now. You all have seen this Mantle; I remember
The first time ever CÆSAR put it on ;
'Twas on a Summer's Evening in his Tent,
After a glorious Fight against your Foes.
Look! in this place ran CASSIUS' Dagger through!
See what a Rent the envious CASCA made!
Here, here, the well-beloved BRUTUS stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his curfed Steel away,
Mark how the Blood of CÆSAR follow'd it!
As rufhing out abroad, to be refoly'd
If it were BRUTUS fo unkindly ftruck?
For BRUTUS, as you know, was CESAR's Fav'rite; Judge, O you Gods, how dearly CÆSAR lov'd him This, this was the unkindeft Stroke of all!
For when undaunted CÆSAR saw him ftab,
Ingratitude, more ftrong than Traytor's Arms,
Quite vanquish'd him. Then burft his mighty Heart ;
Then in his Mantle muffling up his Face,
Under a croud of Villains, CÆSAR fell.
Oh what a Fall was there, my Countrymen!
Then I, and you, and Rome itself too fell,
While bloody Treason flourish'd o'er our Heads.
Oh now you weep, and I perceive you feel
The dint of Pity, thefe are worthy drops.
Kind Souls, what weep you when you but behold
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