Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true: Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death, In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius!-Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; O world! thou wast the forest to this hart; Dost thou here lie! Cas. Mark Antony, Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cas. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick'd in number of our friends; Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 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, 5 crimson'd in thy lethe.] Lethe is used by many of the old translators of novels, for death. Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle: Ant. That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you.— You know not what you do; Do not consent, Know you how much the people may be mov'd Bru. [A side. By your pardon ;— Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 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 meck and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man, Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold 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, 7 6 in the tide of times.] That is, in the course of times. let slip] This is a term belonging to the chase. Slips were contrivances of leather by which greyhounds were restrained till the necessary moment of their dismission. By the dogs of war, as Mr. Tollet has observed, Shakspeare probably meant fire, sword, and famine. Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc'd : 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 According to the which, thou shalt discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. [Exeunt, with CESAR'S Body. 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; 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 reasons When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the Rostrum. 3 Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended: Silence! Bru. Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour; and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: : censure me in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer,-Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves; than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him: There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honour, for his valour; and death, for his ambition. Who is here so base, that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude, that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile, that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Cit. None, Brutus, none. [Several speaking at once. Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you should do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death. Enter ANTONY and Others, with CESAR'S Body. Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony; who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; As which of you shall not? With this I depart; That, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the as I slew my best lover -] This term, which cannot but sound disgustingly to modern ears, as here applied, Mr. Malone 8 |