JULIUS CÆSAR. BY SHAKESPEARE. [WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was born 1564, and died 1616.] ACT III. Brutus -SCENE I. AFTER THE MURDER. Let no man abide this deed, But we the doers. Cassius Where's Antony? Trebonius Reënter TREBONIUS. Fled to his house amazed: Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, Brutus Fates! we will know your pleasures: That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon. 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 Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence, In states unborn, and accents yet unknown! How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport, So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be called Decius What, shall we forth? Cassius 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. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Say, I feared Cæsar, honored him, and loved him; Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied; and, by my honor, I'll fetch him presently. 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 But here comes Antony.- Welcome, Mark Antony. Antony O mighty Cæsar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, [Exit. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: As Cæsar's death's hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth, as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfill 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, O Antony! beg not your death of us. And this the bleeding business they have done: Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony: With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's, Brutus Only be patient, till we have appeased The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 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:Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand; Now, Decius Brutus, yours;-now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna;-and, my valiant Casca, yours;Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Gentlemen all, -alas! what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, 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, Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, 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; 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 compáct mean you to have with us? Therefore I took your hands; but was, indeed, Brutus Or else were this a savage spectacle: Our reasons are so full of good regard, That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar, Antony That's all I seek: And am moreover suitor, that I may Brutus You shall, Mark Antony. Cassius Brutus, a word with you. — You know not what you do; Do not consent, That Antony speak in his funeral: Know you how much the people may be moved Brutus By your pardon; I know not what may fall; I like it not. Mark Antony, here, take you Cæsar's body. - [Aside. [Exeunt all but ANTONY. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife, |