Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; So are they all, all honorable men- And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? And, sure, he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I will not do them wrong; I rather choose But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, 'tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read— And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds And, dying, mention it within their wills, All. The will! the testament! Sec. Cit. They were villains, murderers: the will! read the will! Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? Third Cit. You shall have leave. (Antony comes down.) Fourth Cit. A ring; stand round. First Cit. body. Stand from the hearse, stand from the Sec. Cit. Room for Antony, most noble Antony. Antony. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Several Cit. Stand back; room; bear back. Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on; Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel: Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold Sec. Cit. O noble Caesar! Third Cit. O woeful day! Fourth Cit. O traitors, villains! First Cit. O most bloody sight! Sec. Cit. We will be revenged. All. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live! Antony. Stay, countrymen. First Cit. Peace there! hear the noble Antony. Sec. Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honorable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well I tell you that which you yourselves do know; And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue |