Thus I am doubly arm'd. My death and life, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds. XVI.-Lady Randolph's Soliloquy, lamenting the Death of her Husband and Child. YE woods and wilds, whose melancholy gloom Buried, my Douglass, in thy bloody grave. XVII-Speech of Henry V. to his Soldiers, at the Siege of Harfleur. ONCE more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, Or close the wall up with the English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard favour'd rage: Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let it pry o'er the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it, F f Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostrils wide; Have in these parts from morn till even fought, That those whom you call fathers did beget you. And teach them how to war. And you, good yeomen, That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not; Cry, God for Harry, England, and St. George! XVIII.-Speech of Henry V. before the Battle of Agincourt, on the Earl of Westmoreland's wishing for more Men from England. WHAT's he that wishes more men from England? To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, throughout my host, 3 We would not die in that man's company. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, And say, to-morrow is St. Crispian : Then will he strip his sleeve, and show his scars. Old men forget, yet shall not all forget. But they'll remember, with advantages, What feats they did that day. Then shall our names, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Glo'ster, From this time to the ending of the world, We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me, 1 This day shall gentle his condition, And gentlemen in England, now abed, Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here; XIX.-Soliloquy of Dick the Apprentice. THUS far we run before the wind.-An apothecary!— Make an apothecary of me!What, cramp my genius over a pestle and mortar; or mew me up in a shop, with an alligator stuffed, and a beggarly account of empty boxes! To be culling simples, and constantly adding to the bills of mortality!-No! No! It will be much better to be pasted up in capitals, THE PART OF ROMEO BY A YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO NEVER APPEARED ON ANY STAGE BEFORE! My ambition fires at the thought.-But hold; mayn't I run some chance of failing in my attempt? Hissed-pelted― laughed at-not admitted into the green room;—that will never do-down, busy devil, down, down; try it againloved by the women-envied by the men-applauded by the pit, clapped by the gallery, admired by the boxes. "Dear colonel, is'nt he a charming creature? My lord, don't you like him of all things?-Makes love like an angel?—What an eye he has !Fine legs!I shall certainly go to his benefit.". -Celestial sounds!- -And then I'll get in with all the painters, and have myself put up in every print-shop -in the character of Macbeth!" This is a sorry sight." (Stands in an attitude.) In the character of Richard, "Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!" These will do rarely.- -And then I have a chance of getting well married.- -Oh glorious thought! I will enjoy it, though but in fancy. But what's o'clock ?-it must be almost nine. I'll away at once; this is club night-the spouters are all met-little think they I'm in town-they'll be surprised to see me -off I go;-and then for my assignation with my naster Gargle's daughter. Limbs, do your office, and support me well; XX.-Cassius instigating Brutus to join the Conspiracy against Cæsar. HONOUR is the subject of my story.- In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Cæsar; so were you : The troubled Tiber chafing with his shores, And swim to yonder point?"-Upon the word, And bade him follow; so indeed he did. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake: 'tis true; this god did shake: And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans A man of such a feeble temper should And bear the palm alone. Brutus and Cæsar!-What should be in that Cæsar? That he has grown so great? Age, thou art asham'd; Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods. XXI.—Brutus' Harangue on the Death of Cæsar. Believe me ROMANS, Countrymen, and Lovers!-Hear me for my cause; and be silent that you may hear. 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 Cæsar's, to him, I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If, then, that friend demand why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved .Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves; than that Cæsar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cæsar 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 are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his ambition.-Who's here so base that would be a bondman? if any, speak; for him I have offended. Who's here so rude, that would not be a Roman? if any, speak; for him I have of fended. Who's here so vile, that will not love his country? if any, speak; for him I have offended.-I pause for a re- ply None! Then none have I offended.-I have done no more to Cæsar 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. Here comes his body, mourn'd 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. |