See, what a rent the envious Casca made : For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statua, 5 Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell.6 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! 2 Cit. We will be revenged: Revenge; about,seek,—burn,—fire,—kill,-slay !—let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen, 1 Cit. Peace there: Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They, that have done this deed, are honourable ; [5] I could bring a multitude of instances where statua is used for statue. STEEV. [6] Perhaps Shakspeare meant that the very statue of Pompey lamented the fate of Cæsar in tears of blood. Such poetical hyperboles are not uncommon. Pope, in his Eloisa, talks of pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep." Shakspeare has enumerated dews of blood among the prodigies on the prece ding day, and, as I have since discovered, took these very words from Sir T. North's translation of Plutarch: "-against the very base whereon Pompey's image stood, which ran all a gore of blood,till he was slain." STEEV. The dint of pity is the impression of pity. JOHNS. 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 I tell you that, which you yourselves do know ; And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 3 Cit. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. Cit. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what : Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not :-I must tell you then :You have forgot the will I told you of. Cit.Most true;-the will;-let's stay,and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.8 2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar !-We'll revenge his death. 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. Cit. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, [8] A drachma was a Greek coin, the same as the Roman denier, of the value of four sesterces, 7d. ob. STEEV. And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [Exeunt Citizens, with the body, Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow? Enter a Servant. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. SCENE III.9 The same. A Street. Enter CINNA, the Poet. Cin. I dreamt to-night, that I did feast with Cæsar And things unluckily charge my fantasy: I have no will to wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth. Enter Citizens. 1 Cit. What is your name? 2 Cit. Whither are you going? 3 Cit. Where do you dwell? 4 Cit. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 2 Cit. Answer every man directly. 1 Cit. Ay, and briefly. 4 Cit. Ay, and wisely. 3 Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best. Cin. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man, or a bachelor? Then to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly. Wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say, they are fools that marry-You'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. [9] The subject of this scene is taken from Plutarch. STEEV. Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral. 1 Cit. As a friend, or an enemy? Cin. As a friend. 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly.. 4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly. Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.. 3 Cit. Your name, sir, truly. Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna. 1 Cit. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator. Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 4 Cit. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. 2 Cit. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 3 Cit. Tear him,tear him. Come,brands,ho! fire-brands. To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius' :-away; go. ACT IV. [Exeunt. SCENET. The same. A Room in ANTONY'S House. Antony. AN THESE many men shall die; their names are prick'd. Oct. Your brother too must die ; consent you, Lepidus? Lep. I do consent. Oct. Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live," Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house; Fetch the will hither, and we will determine: How to cut off some charge in legacies. Lep. What, shall I find you here? Oct. Or here, or as The Capitol. [Exit LEPIDUS. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands: Is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it ? [1] Lucius, not Publius, was the person here meant, who was the uncle by the mother's side to Mark Antony. This mistake, however, is more like the mistake of the author, who has already substituted Decius in the room of Decimus, than of his transcriber or printer. STEEV. Oct. So you thought him; And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you : Oct. You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and, for that, It is a creature that I teach to fight, His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth : On objects, arts, and imitations; Which, out of use, and stal'd by other men, But as a property. And now, Octavius, Listen great things.-Brutus and Cassius Are levying powers: we must straight make head : Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out; How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answered. Oct. Let us do so; for we are at the stake, And bay'd about with many enemies ; And some, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischief. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Before BRUTUS' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers : TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Bru. Stand here. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. |