The first time ever Cæsar put it on ;

'T was 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 Cæsar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no ;
For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;

For, when the noble Cæsar 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 Cæsar fell.
Q, 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 Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
I Citizen. O, piteous spectacle!

2 Citizen. O, noble Cæsar!

3 Citizen. O, woful day!

4 Citizen. O, traitors, villains!

I Citizen. O, most bloody sight!

2 Citizen. We will be reveng'd!

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All. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live!

Antony. Stay, countrymen.

I Citizen. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony.

2 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 Cæsar'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 Cæsar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All. We'll mutiny.

I Citizen. We 'll burn the house of Brutus.

3 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 Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas, you know not!-I must tell you, then.

You have forgot the will I told you of.

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All. Most true ;-the will!-let 's stay, and hear the will.

Antony. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal.

To every Roman citizen he gives,

To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

2 Citizen. Most noble Cæsar!—we 'll revenge his death. 3 Citizen. O, royal Cæsar!

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 forever, common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Cæsar! when comes such another?

I Citizen. Never, 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.

2 Citizen. Go, fetch fire.

3 Citizen. Pluck down benches.

4 Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.

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[Exeunt Citizens, with the body.
Mischief, thou art afoot,
wilt!-How now, fellow?

Antony. Now let it work. Take thou what course thou

Enter a Servant.

Servant. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
Antony. Where is he?

Servant. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar'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

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Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Antony. Belike they had some notice of the people,

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How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. A Street.

Enter CINNA the Poet.

Cinna. I dream'd to-night that I did feast with Cæsar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy.

I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

Enter Citizens.

I Citizen. What is your name?

2 Citizen. Whither are you going?

3 Citizen. Where do you dwell?

4 Citizen. Are you a married man, or a bachelor?
2 Citizen. Answer every man directly.

I Citizen. Ay, and briefly.

4 Citizen. Ay, and wisely.

3 Citizen. Ay, and truly, you were best.

Cinna. 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.

Proceed;

2 Citizen. That's as much as to say, they are fools that
marry ;—you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear.
directly.

Cinna. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral.
I Citizen. As a friend, or an enemy?

Cinna. As a friend.

2 Citizen. That matter is answered directly.

4 Citizen. For your dwelling,-briefly.
Cinna. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
3 Citizen. Your name, sir, truly.

Cinna. Truly, my name is Cinna.

I Citizen. Tear him to pieces, he's a conspirator.
Cinna. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.

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III

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

verses.

Cinna. I am not Cinna the conspirator.

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

3 Citizen. Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho! firebrands! To Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away! go!