He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept! Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause; What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? And men have lost their reason! - Bear with me; And I must pause, till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks, there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he, masters? I fear, there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown, Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than Antony. 4 Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. O masters! if I were disposed to stir I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, I will not do them wrong; I rather choose 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,) Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. 4 Cit. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Ant. 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 stabbed Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: Honourable men! The will! the testament! Cit. 2 Cit. Ant. They were villains, murderers: The will! read the will! Then make a ring about the corse of Cæsar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? And will you give me leave? 1 Cit. 2 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. Cit. Stand back! room! bear back! Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on. 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent; That day he overcome the Nervii : · For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquished him: then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about, seek, — burn, fire, kill, slay!-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Cit. Peace there:- Hear the noble Antony. - 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Ant. 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 I tell you that, which you yourselves do know; And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny. Cit. We'll mutiny. 1 Cit. 3 Cit. Ant. 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. Away then, come, seek the conspirators. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not - I must tell you then: You have forgot the will I told you of. : Cit. Most true; the will; - let's stay, and hear the will. Ant. Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbors, and new planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, 1 Cit Here was a Cæsar: When comes such another? Ant. Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt! RIENZI TO THE ROMANS. Friends! From "Rienzi."— Mary Russell Mitford. We are slaves! I come not here to talk. Ye know too well But base, ignoble slaves! - slaves to a horde Of petty tyrants, feudal despots; lords, Rich in some dozen paltry villages; Strong in some hundred spearmen; only great In that strange spell-a name! Each hour, dark fraud, Cry out against them. But this very day, An honest man, my neighbor, there he stands, Was struck struck like a dog, by one who wore The badge of Ursini! because, forsooth, The stain away in blood? Men, and wash not I have known deeper wrongs. I, that speak to ye, Full of all gentleness, of calmest hope, Of sweet and quiet joy; there was the look Of Heaven upon his face, which limners give To the beloved disciple. How I loved Parting his innocent lips. In one short hour, |