Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice, SCENE V. Brutus's Speech to the People. If there be any in this affembly, any dear friend of Cafar's, to him I fay, that Brutus's love to Cafar was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rofe against Cefar, this is my anfwer; not that I lov'd Cæfar lefs, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Cafar were living, and die all flaves; than that Cæfar were dead, to live all free-men? As Cæfar lov'd 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 flew him. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his ambition. Who's here fo base, that would be a bondman? If any, fpeak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo rude, that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here fo vile, that will not love his country? If any, fpeak; for him have I offended. SCENE VI. Antony's Funeral Oration. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Cafar, 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 Cafar! noble Brutus Hath There is fomething very great and astonishing in the following paffage from Ben Jonson, though not very famous for fuch daring flights. Catiline fays to his foldiers, Methinks I fee death, and the furies waiting What we will do, and all the heaven at leifure For the great spectacle. Draw then your fwords, &c. Hath told you Cafar was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cefar seem ambitious? When that the poor hath cry'd, Cæfar hath wept ; Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious, Was this ambition? Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious, I fpeak not to difprove what Brutus fpoke; You all did love him once, not without caufe: -Bear with me, My heart is in the coffin there with Cæfar, * * * * * * * * * * * * * But yesterday the word of Cafar might Το Το wrong the dead, to wrong myfelf and you, Let but the commons hear this teftament, Unto their iffue. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the will; read it, Mark An All. The will; the will: we will hear Cæfar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it ; It is not meet you know how Cefar lov'd you; 4 Pleb. Read the will, we will hear it, Antony: You fhall read us the will, Cafar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? will you stay a while? (I have o'er-fhot myfelf, to tell you of it.) fear I wrong the honourable men, Whofe daggers have stabb'd Caefar-I do fear it. Ant. You will compel me then to read the will! 2 Pleb. Defcend. [He comes down from the pulpit. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. G4 You You all do know this mantle; I remember, Look in this place, ran Caffius' dagger through;- For, when the noble Cafar faw him stab, (Which all the while ran blood) great Cæfar fell. 2 Plab. We will be reveng'd; revenge; aboutfeck-burn-fire-kill-flap! let not a traitor live. Bat. Good friends, fweet friends, let me not ftir you up To fuch a fudden flood of mutiny : They, (11) This, &c.] Upton vulg. bis. "The action and the emphafis is highly improved by this eafy change." The Reader may fee a fevere comment on a note of Mr. Warburton's, concerning this mantle in the 14th page of the preface to Upton's obfervations on Shakespear. They, that have done this deed, are honourable. But, as you know me all, a plain, blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well, mouths! And bid them fpeak for me. But were I Brutus ACT IV. SCENE II. Ceremony infincere. -Ever note Lucilius, When love begins to ficken and decay, There are no tricks in plain and fimple faith; Make gallant fhew and promife of their mettle; |