Complete Plays, The Read online

  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 Citizen

  We’ll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.

  All

  The will, the will! we will hear Caesar’s will.

  Antony

  Have 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 Citizen

  Read the will; we’ll hear it, Antony;

  You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will.

  Antony

  Will 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 Citizen

  They were traitors: honourable men!

  All

  The will! the testament!

  Second Citizen

  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?

  Several Citizens

  Come down.

  Second Citizen

  Descend.

  Third Citizen

  You shall have leave.

  Antony comes down

  Fourth Citizen

  A ring; stand round.

  First Citizen

  Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.

  Second Citizen

  Room for Antony, most noble Antony.

  Antony

  Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.

  Several Citizens

  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;

  ’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 Citizen

  O piteous spectacle!

  Second Citizen

  O noble Caesar!

  Third Citizen

  O woful day!

  Fourth Citizen

  O traitors, villains!

  First Citizen

  O most bloody sight!

  Second Citizen

  We will be revenged.

  All

  Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!

  Let not a traitor live!

  Antony

  Stay, countrymen.

  First Citizen

  Peace there! hear the noble Antony.

  Second Citizen

  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 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.

  All

  We’ll mutiny.

  First Citizen

  We’ll burn the house of Brutus.

  Third Citizen

  Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.

  Antony

  Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

  All

  Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!

  Antony

  Why, 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.

  All

  Most true. The will! Let’s stay and hear the will.

  Antony

  Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal.

  To every Roman citizen he gives,

  To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

  Second Citizen

  Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.

  Third Citizen

  O royal Caesar!

  Antony

  Hear me with patience.

  All

  Peace, ho!

  Antony

  Moreover, 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 Citizen

  Ne
ver, 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 Citizen

  Go fetch fire.

  Third Citizen

  Pluck down benches.

  Fourth Citizen

  Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.

  Exeunt Citizens with the body

  Antony

  Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,

  Take thou what course thou wilt!

  Enter a Servant

  How now, fellow!

  Servant

  Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.

  Antony

  Where is he?

  Servant

  He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.

  Antony

  And thither will I straight to visit him:

  He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,

  And in this mood will give us any thing.

  Servant

  I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius

  Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

  Antony

  Belike they had some notice of the people,

  How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.

  Exeunt

  SCENE III. A STREET.

  Enter Cinna the poet

  Cinna The Poet

  I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,

  And things unlucky charge my fantasy:

  I have no will to wander forth of doors,

  Yet something leads me forth.

  Enter Citizens

  First Citizen

  What is your name?

  Second Citizen

  Whither are you going?

  Third Citizen

  Where do you dwell?

  Fourth Citizen

  Are you a married man or a bachelor?

  Second Citizen

  Answer every man directly.

  First Citizen

  Ay, and briefly.

  Fourth Citizen

  Ay, and wisely.

  Third Citizen

  Ay, and truly, you were best.

  Cinna The Poet

  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.

  Second Citizen

  That’s as much as to say, they are fools that marry: you’ll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.

  Cinna The Poet

  Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.

  First Citizen

  As a friend or an enemy?

  Cinna The Poet

  As a friend.

  Second Citizen

  That matter is answered directly.

  Fourth Citizen

  For your dwelling,— briefly.

  Cinna The Poet

  Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

  Third Citizen

  Your name, sir, truly.

  Cinna The Poet

  Truly, my name is Cinna.

  First Citizen

  Tear him to pieces; he’s a conspirator.

  Cinna The Poet

  I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.

  Fourth Citizen

  Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

  Cinna The Poet

  I am not Cinna the conspirator.

  Fourth Citizen

  It is no matter, his name’s Cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

  Third Citizen

  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!

  Exeunt

  ACT IV

  SCENE I. A HOUSE IN ROME.

  Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, seated at a table

  Antony

  These many, then, shall die; their names are prick’d.

  Octavius

  Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?

  Lepidus

  I do consent —

  Octavius

  Prick him down, Antony.

  Lepidus

  Upon condition Publius shall not live,

  Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.

  Antony

  He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.

  But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house;

  Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine

  How to cut off some charge in legacies.

  Lepidus

  What, shall I find you here?

  Octavius

  Or here, or at the Capitol.

  Exit Lepidus

  Antony

  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?

  Octavius

  So you thought him;

  And took his voice who should be prick’d to die,

  In our black sentence and proscription.

  Antony

  Octavius, I have seen more days than you:

  And though we lay these honours on this man,

  To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads,

  He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,

  To groan and sweat under the business,

  Either led or driven, as we point the way;

  And having brought our treasure where we will,

  Then take we down his load, and turn him off,

  Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears,

  And graze in commons.

  Octavius

  You may do your will;

  But he’s a tried and valiant soldier.

  Antony

  So is my horse, Octavius; and for that

  I do appoint him store of provender:

  It is a creature that I teach to fight,

  To wind, to stop, to run directly on,

  His corporal motion govern’d by my spirit.

  And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so;

  He must be taught and train’d and bid go forth;

  A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds

  On abjects, orts and imitations,

  Which, out of use and staled by other men,

  Begin his fashion: do not talk of him,

  But as a property. And now, Octavius,

  Listen great things:— Brutus and Cassius

  Are levying powers: we must straight make head:

  Therefore let our alliance be combined,

  Our best friends made, our means stretch’d

  And let us presently go sit in council,

  How covert matters may be best disclosed,

  And open perils surest answered.

  Octavius

  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 mischiefs.

  Exeunt

  SCENE II. CAMP NEAR SARDIS. BEFORE BRUTUS’S TENT.

  Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and Soldiers; Titinius and Pindarus meeting them

  Brutus

  Stand, ho!

  Lucilius

  Give the word, ho! and stand.

  Brutus

  What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?

  Lucilius

  He is at hand; and Pindarus is come

  To do you salutation from his master.

  Brutus

  He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

  In his own change, or by ill officers,

  Hath given me some worthy cause to wish

  Things done, undone: but, if he be at hand,

  I shall be satisfied.

  Pindarus

  I do not doubt

  But that my noble master will appear

  Such as he is, full of rega
rd and honour.

  Brutus

  He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius;

  How he received you, let me be resolved.

  Lucilius

  With courtesy and with respect enough;

  But not with such familiar instances,

  Nor with such free and friendly conference,

  As he hath used of old.

  Brutus

  Thou hast described

  A hot friend cooling: ever note, Lucilius,

  When love begins to sicken and decay,

  It useth an enforced ceremony.

  There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;

  But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,

  Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

  But when they should endure the bloody spur,

  They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades,

  Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?

  Lucilius

  They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter’d;

  The greater part, the horse in general,

  Are come with Cassius.

  Brutus

  Hark! he is arrived.

  Low march within

  March gently on to meet him.

  Enter Cassius and his powers

  Cassius

  Stand, ho!

  Brutus

  Stand, ho! Speak the word along.

  First Soldier

  Stand!

  Second Soldier

  Stand!

  Third Soldier

  Stand!

  Cassius

  Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.

  Brutus

  Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies?

  And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?

  Cassius

  Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs;

  And when you do them —

  Brutus

  Cassius, be content.

  Speak your griefs softly: I do know you well.

  Before the eyes of both our armies here,

  Which should perceive nothing but love from us,

  Let us not wrangle: bid them move away;

  Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,

  And I will give you audience.

  Cassius

  Pindarus,

  Bid our commanders lead their charges off

  A little from this ground.

  Brutus

  Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man

  Come to our tent till we have done our conference.

  Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.

  Exeunt

  SCENE III. BRUTUS’S TENT.

  Enter Brutus and Cassius

  Cassius

  That you have wrong’d me doth appear in this:

  You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella

  For taking bribes here of the Sardians;

  Wherein my letters, praying on his side,

  Because I knew the man, were slighted off.

  Brutus

  You wronged yourself to write in such a case.

  Cassius

  In such a time as this it is not meet