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  • William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene II

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Scene IIThe ForumEnter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of CitizensCitizensWe will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.BrutusThen 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 ’em stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Caesar’s death.First CitizenI will hear Brutus speak.Second CitizenI will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered.Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpitThird CitizenThe noble Brutus is ascended: silence!BrutusBe 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 Caesar’s, to him I say, that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: —Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar 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.AllNone, Brutus, none.BrutusThen none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall 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 Caesar’s bodyHere comes his body, mourned 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 same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.AllLive, Brutus! live, live!First CitizenBring him with triumph home unto his house.Second CitizenGive him a statue with his ancestors.Third CitizenLet him be Caesar.Fourth CitizenCaesar’s better parts Shall be crown’d in Brutus.First CitizenWe’ll bring him to his house With shouts and clamours.BrutusMy countrymen,—Second CitizenPeace, silence! Brutus speaks.First CitizenPeace, ho!BrutusGood countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech Tending to Caesar’s glories; which Mark Antony, By our permission, is allow’d to make. I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.ExitFirst CitizenStay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.Third CitizenLet him go up into the public chair; We’ll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.AntonyFor Brutus’ sake, I am beholding to you.Goes into the pulpitFourth CitizenWhat does he say of Brutus?Third CitizenHe says, for Brutus’ sake, He finds himself beholding to us all.Fourth Citizen’Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.First CitizenThis Caesar was a tyrant.Third CitizenNay, that’s certain: We are blest that Rome is rid of him.Second CitizenPeace! let us hear what Antony can say.AntonyYou gentle Romans,—CitizensPeace, ho! let us hear him.AntonyFriends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest— For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men— Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.First CitizenMethinks there is much reason in his sayings.Second CitizenIf thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong.Third CitizenHas he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place.Fourth CitizenMark’d ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.First CitizenIf it be found so, some will dear abide it.Second CitizenPoor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.Third CitizenThere’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.Fourth CitizenNow mark him, he begins again to speak.AntonyBut yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there. And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. 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 dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue.Fourth CitizenWe’ll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.AllThe will, the will! we will hear Caesar’s will.AntonyHave patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; And, being men, bearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad: ‘Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For, if you should, O, what would come of it!Fourth CitizenRead the will; we’ll hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will.AntonyWill you be patient? will you stay awhile? I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it: I fear I wrong the honourable men Whose daggers have stabb’d Caesar; I do fear it.Fourth CitizenThey were traitors: honourable men!AllThe will! the testament!Second CitizenThey were villains, murderers: the will! read the will.AntonyYou 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?Several CitizensCome down.Second CitizenDescend.Third CitizenYou shall have leave.Antony comes downFourth CitizenA ring; stand round.First CitizenStand from the hearse, stand from the body.Second CitizenRoom for Antony, most noble Antony.AntonyNay, press not so upon me; stand far off.Several CitizensStand back; room; bear back.AntonyIf you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on; ‘Twas on a summer’s evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii: Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made: Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; And as he pluck’d his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel: Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey’s statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish’d over us. O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors.First CitizenO piteous spectacle!Second CitizenO noble Caesar!Third CitizenO woful day!Fourth CitizenO traitors, villains!First CitizenO most bloody sight!Second CitizenWe will be revenged.AllRevenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live!AntonyStay, countrymen.First CitizenPeace there! hear the noble Antony.Second CitizenWe’ll hear him, we’ll follow him, we’ll die with him.AntonyGood friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it: they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him: For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood: I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, 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 In every wound of Caesar that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.AllWe’ll mutiny.First CitizenWe’ll burn the house of Brutus.Third CitizenAway, then! come, seek the conspirators.AntonyYet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.AllPeace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!AntonyWhy, friends, you go to do you know not what: Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not: I must tell you then: You have forgot the will I told you of.AllMost true. The will! Let’s stay and hear the will.AntonyHere is the will, and under Caesar’s seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.Second CitizenMost noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.Third CitizenO royal Caesar!AntonyHear me with patience.AllPeace, ho!AntonyMoreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever, common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?First CitizenNever, never. Come, away, away! We’ll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands fire the traitors’ houses. Take up the body.Second CitizenGo fetch fire.Third CitizenPluck down benches.Fourth CitizenPluck down forms, windows, any thing.Exeunt Citizens with the bodyAntonyNow let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!Enter a ServantHow now, fellow!ServantSir, Octavius is already come to Rome.AntonyWhere is he?ServantHe and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.AntonyAnd thither will I straight to visit him: He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us any thing.ServantI heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.AntonyBelike they had some notice of the people, How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.Exeunt

William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act III

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William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act III

  • William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act III

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  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
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  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales