Decius. Great Cæsar Cæsar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? Casca. Speak, hands, for me. [CASCA stabs CESAR in the neck. CÆSAR catches hold of his arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and at last by MARCUS Brutus. Cæsar. Et tu, Brute !—Then fall, Cæsar. [Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion. Cinna. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. Cassius. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, "Liberty, Freedom, and Enfranchisement!" Brutus. People, and senators! be not affrighted; Decius. And Cassius, too. Brutus. Where's Publius? Cinna. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. Metellus. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cæsar's Should chance- Brutus. Talk not of standing-Publius, good cheer; There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius. Cassius. And leave us, Publius; lest that the people Rushing on us should do your age some mischief. Brutus. Do so;-and let no man abide this deed But we the doers. Re-enter TREBONIUS. Cassius. Where is Antony? Trebonius. Fled to his house amazed. Brutus. Fates! we will know your pleasures: Cassius. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death. Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit; So are we Cæsar's friends that have abridged His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash.-How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown! Brutus. How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along No worthier than the dust! Cassius. So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be called Ay, every man away; Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. Enter a Servant. Brutus. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me knee); Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say : Say I feared Cæsar, honored him, and loved him. Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; Tell him, so please him come unto this place, Depart untouched. Servant. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit Servant. Brutus. I know that we shall have him well to friend. Cassius. I wish we may; but yet have I a mind That fears him much, and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose. Re-enter ANTONY. Brutus. But here comes Antony.-Welcome, Mark Antony. Antony. O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low? I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, As Cæsar's death's hour, nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die; No place will please me so, no mean of death, Brutus. O Antony! beg not your death of us. Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark An tony; Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts Of brothers' temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's In the disposing of new dignities. Brutus. Only be patient till we have appeased Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him, Antony. I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand : First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ;— Now Decius Brutus, yours ;-now yours, Metellus ;— My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true! If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, It would become me better than to close In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius !—Here wast thou bayed, brave hart; O world! thou wast the forest to this hart; Dost thou here lie! Cassius. Mark Antony Antony. Pardon me, Caius Cassius : The enemies of Cæsar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. Cassius. I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Antony. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Swayed 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. Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle. Our reasons are so full of good regard, Antony. That's all I seek; Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. Brutus, a word with you— [Aside.] You know not what you do. That Antony speak in his funeral. Do not consent Know you how much the people may be moved Brutus. By your pardon; It shall advantage more than do us wrong. Cassius. I know not what may fall; I like it not. Brutus. Mark Antony, here, take you Cæsar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar, And say you do't by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all Antony. I do desire no more. Be it so ; |