Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
Either a coward or a flatterer. `
` That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true! `
` If then thy spirit look upon us now, `
` Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death `
` To see thy Antony making his peace, `
` Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, `
` Most noble! In the presence of thy corse? `
` Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, `
` 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 bay'd, brave hart, `
` Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, `
` Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy Lethe. `
` O world, thou wast the forest to this hart, `
` And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. `
` How like a deer strucken by many princes `
` Dost thou here lie! `
` CASSIUS. Mark Antony- `
` ANTONY. Pardon me, Caius Cassius. `
` The enemies of Caesar shall say this: `
` Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. `
` CASSIUS. I blame you not for praising Caesar so; `
` But what compact mean you to have with us? `
` Will you be prick'd in number of our friends, `
` Or shall we on, and not depend on you? `
` ANTONY. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed `
` Sway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar. `
` Friends am I with you all and love you all, `
` Upon this hope that you shall give me reasons `
` Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. `
` BRUTUS. Or else were this a savage spectacle. `
` Our reasons are so full of good regard `
` That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, `
` You should be satisfied. `
` ANTONY. That's all I seek; `
` And am moreover suitor that I may `
` Produce his body to the marketplace, `
` And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, `
` Speak in the order of his funeral. `
` BRUTUS. You shall, Mark Antony. `
` CASSIUS. Brutus, a word with you. `
` [Aside to Brutus.] You know not what you do. Do not consent `
` That Antony speak in his funeral. `
` Know you how much the people may be moved `
` By that which he will utter? `
` BRUTUS. By your pardon, `
` I will myself into the pulpit first, `
` And show the reason of our Caesar's death. `
` What Antony shall speak, I will protest `
` He speaks by leave and by permission, `
` And that we are contented Caesar shall `
` Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. `
` 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 Caesar's body. `
` You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, `
` But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, `
` And say you do't by our permission, `
` Else shall you not have any hand at all `
` About his funeral. And you shall speak `
` In the same pulpit whereto I am going, `
` After my speech is ended. `
` ANTONY. Be it so, `
` I do desire no more. `
` BRUTUS. Prepare the body then, and follow us. `
` Exeunt all but Antony. `
` ANTONY. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, `
` That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! `
` Thou art the ruins of the noblest man `
` 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 `
` To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue) `
` A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; `
` Domestic fury and fierce civil strife `
` Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; `
` Blood and destruction shall be so in use, `
` And dreadful objects so familiar, `
` That mothers shall but smile when they behold `
` Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war; `
` All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, `
` And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge, `
` With Ate by his side come hot from hell, `
` Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice `
` Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war, `
` That this foul deed shall smell above the earth `
` With carrion men, groaning for burial. `
` `
` Enter a Servant. `
` `
` You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? `
` SERVANT. I do, Mark Antony. `
` ANTONY. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. `
` SERVANT. He did receive his letters, and is coming, `
` And bid me say to you by word of mouth- `
` O Caesar! Sees the body. `
` ANTONY. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. `
` Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes, `
` Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, `
` Began to water. Is thy master coming? `
` SERVANT. He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome. `
` ANTONY. Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced. `
` Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, `
` No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; `
` Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile, `
` Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse `
` Into the marketplace. There shall I try, `
` In my oration, how the people take `
` The cruel issue of these bloody men, `
` According to the which thou shalt discourse `
` To young Octavius of the state of things. `
` Lend me your hand. Exeunt with Caesar's body. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The Forum. `
` `
` Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. `
` `
` CITIZENS. We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied! `
` BRUTUS. Then 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 CITIZEN. I will hear Brutus speak. `
` SECOND CITIZEN. I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons, `
` When severally we hear them rendered. `
` Exit Cassius, with some Citizens. `
` Brutus goes into the pulpit. `
` THIRD CITIZEN. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence! `
` BRUTUS. Be patient till the last. `
` Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be `
` silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and `
` have `
` respect to mine honor, 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 freemen? As Caesar loved `
` me, I `
` weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was `
` valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. `
` There `
` is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his `
` valor, `
` 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. `
` ALL. None, Brutus, none. `
` BRUTUS. Then 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 offenses enforced, for which he suffered `
` death. `
` `
` Enter Antony and others, with Caesar's body. `
` `
` Here 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. `
` ALL. Live, Brutus, live, live! `
` FIRST CITIZEN. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. `
` SECOND CITIZEN. Give him a statue with his ancestors. `
` THIRD CITIZEN. Let him be Caesar. `
` FOURTH CITIZEN. Caesar's better parts `
` Shall be crown'd in Brutus. `
` FIRST CITIZEN. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and `
` clamors. `
` BRUTUS. My countrymen- `
` SECOND CITIZEN. Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks. `
`
` That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true! `
` If then thy spirit look upon us now, `
` Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death `
` To see thy Antony making his peace, `
` Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, `
` Most noble! In the presence of thy corse? `
` Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, `
` 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 bay'd, brave hart, `
` Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, `
` Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy Lethe. `
` O world, thou wast the forest to this hart, `
` And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. `
` How like a deer strucken by many princes `
` Dost thou here lie! `
` CASSIUS. Mark Antony- `
` ANTONY. Pardon me, Caius Cassius. `
` The enemies of Caesar shall say this: `
` Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. `
` CASSIUS. I blame you not for praising Caesar so; `
` But what compact mean you to have with us? `
` Will you be prick'd in number of our friends, `
` Or shall we on, and not depend on you? `
` ANTONY. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed `
` Sway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar. `
` Friends am I with you all and love you all, `
` Upon this hope that you shall give me reasons `
` Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. `
` BRUTUS. Or else were this a savage spectacle. `
` Our reasons are so full of good regard `
` That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, `
` You should be satisfied. `
` ANTONY. That's all I seek; `
` And am moreover suitor that I may `
` Produce his body to the marketplace, `
` And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, `
` Speak in the order of his funeral. `
` BRUTUS. You shall, Mark Antony. `
` CASSIUS. Brutus, a word with you. `
` [Aside to Brutus.] You know not what you do. Do not consent `
` That Antony speak in his funeral. `
` Know you how much the people may be moved `
` By that which he will utter? `
` BRUTUS. By your pardon, `
` I will myself into the pulpit first, `
` And show the reason of our Caesar's death. `
` What Antony shall speak, I will protest `
` He speaks by leave and by permission, `
` And that we are contented Caesar shall `
` Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. `
` 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 Caesar's body. `
` You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, `
` But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, `
` And say you do't by our permission, `
` Else shall you not have any hand at all `
` About his funeral. And you shall speak `
` In the same pulpit whereto I am going, `
` After my speech is ended. `
` ANTONY. Be it so, `
` I do desire no more. `
` BRUTUS. Prepare the body then, and follow us. `
` Exeunt all but Antony. `
` ANTONY. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, `
` That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! `
` Thou art the ruins of the noblest man `
` 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 `
` To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue) `
` A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; `
` Domestic fury and fierce civil strife `
` Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; `
` Blood and destruction shall be so in use, `
` And dreadful objects so familiar, `
` That mothers shall but smile when they behold `
` Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war; `
` All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, `
` And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge, `
` With Ate by his side come hot from hell, `
` Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice `
` Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war, `
` That this foul deed shall smell above the earth `
` With carrion men, groaning for burial. `
` `
` Enter a Servant. `
` `
` You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? `
` SERVANT. I do, Mark Antony. `
` ANTONY. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. `
` SERVANT. He did receive his letters, and is coming, `
` And bid me say to you by word of mouth- `
` O Caesar! Sees the body. `
` ANTONY. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. `
` Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes, `
` Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, `
` Began to water. Is thy master coming? `
` SERVANT. He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome. `
` ANTONY. Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced. `
` Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, `
` No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; `
` Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile, `
` Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse `
` Into the marketplace. There shall I try, `
` In my oration, how the people take `
` The cruel issue of these bloody men, `
` According to the which thou shalt discourse `
` To young Octavius of the state of things. `
` Lend me your hand. Exeunt with Caesar's body. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The Forum. `
` `
` Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. `
` `
` CITIZENS. We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied! `
` BRUTUS. Then 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 CITIZEN. I will hear Brutus speak. `
` SECOND CITIZEN. I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons, `
` When severally we hear them rendered. `
` Exit Cassius, with some Citizens. `
` Brutus goes into the pulpit. `
` THIRD CITIZEN. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence! `
` BRUTUS. Be patient till the last. `
` Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be `
` silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and `
` have `
` respect to mine honor, 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 freemen? As Caesar loved `
` me, I `
` weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was `
` valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. `
` There `
` is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his `
` valor, `
` 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. `
` ALL. None, Brutus, none. `
` BRUTUS. Then 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 offenses enforced, for which he suffered `
` death. `
` `
` Enter Antony and others, with Caesar's body. `
` `
` Here 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. `
` ALL. Live, Brutus, live, live! `
` FIRST CITIZEN. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. `
` SECOND CITIZEN. Give him a statue with his ancestors. `
` THIRD CITIZEN. Let him be Caesar. `
` FOURTH CITIZEN. Caesar's better parts `
` Shall be crown'd in Brutus. `
` FIRST CITIZEN. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and `
` clamors. `
` BRUTUS. My countrymen- `
` SECOND CITIZEN. Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks. `
`