William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (295 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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FIRST PLEBEIAN
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
⌈FOURTHmlk,⌉ PLEBEIAN
If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong.
Caesar has had great wrong.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Has he not, masters?
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown,
Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.
Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.
FIRST PLEBEIAN
If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
THIRD PLEBEIAN
There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
⌈
FIFTH
⌉ PLEBEIAN
FIFTH
⌉ PLEBEIAN
Now mark him; he begins again to speak.
ANTONY
But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
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.
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
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.
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
We’ll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.
ALL THE PLEBEIANS
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, hearing 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?
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing 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?
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
Read the will. We’ll hear it, Antony.
You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will.
You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will.
ANTONY
Will you be patient? Will you stay a while?
I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it.
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar; I do fear it.
I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it.
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar; I do fear it.
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN They were traitors. Honourable men?
ALL THE PLEBEIANS The will, the testament!
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN 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?
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?
ALL THE PLEBEIANS
Come down.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN Descend.
THIRD PLEBEIAN
You shall have leave.
Antony descends from the pulpit
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN A ring.
Stand round.
FIRST PLEBEIAN
Stand from the hearse. Stand from the body.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
Room for Antony, most noble Antony!
⌈
Enter Antony below
⌉
ANTONY
Nay, press not so upon me. Stand farre off.
ALL THE PLEBEIANS 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 stabbed;
And as he plucked his cursèd steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,
As rushing out of doors to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knocked 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 vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart,
And in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey’s statue,
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 flourished 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, marred, as you see, with traitors.
He uncovers Caesar’s body
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 stabbed;
And as he plucked his cursèd steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,
As rushing out of doors to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knocked 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 vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart,
And in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey’s statue,
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 flourished 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, marred, as you see, with traitors.
He uncovers Caesar’s body
FIRST PLEBEIAN
O piteous spectacle!
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN O noble Caesar!
THIRD PLEBEIAN O woeful day!
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
O traitors, villains!
FIRST PLEBEIAN O most bloody sight!
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN We will be revenged.
⌈ALL THE PLEBEIANS⌉
Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live !
Let not a traitor live !
ANTONY Stay, countrymen.
FIRST PLEBEIAN Peace there, hear the noble Antony.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN 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.
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 THE PLEBEIANS
We’ll mutiny.
FIRST PLEBEIAN We’ll burn the house of Brutus.
THIRD PLEBEIAN
Away then! Come, seek the conspirators.
ANTONY
Yet hear me, countrymen, yet hear me speak.
ALL THE PLEBEIANS
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.
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 THE PLEBEIANS
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.
To every Roman citizen he gives—
To every several man—seventy-five drachmas.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN
Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.
THIRD PLEBEIAN
O royal Caesar!
ANTONY Hear me with patience.
ALL THE PLEBEIANS 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?
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 PLEBEIAN
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.
We’ll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors’ houses.
Take up the body.
⌈FOURTH⌉ PLEBEIAN Go, fetch fire!
THIRD PLEBEIAN Pluck down benches!
⌈FIFTH⌉ PLEBEIAN Pluck down forms, windows, anything!
Exeunt Plebeians
⌈
with Caesar’s body
⌉
ANTONY
Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot.
Take thou what course thou wilt.
Enter
⌈
Octavius’
⌉
Servant
Take thou what course thou wilt.
Enter
⌈
Octavius’
⌉
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 anything.
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us anything.
SERVANT
I heard him say Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
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.
3.3How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
Exeunt
Enter Cinna the poet
CINNA
I dreamt tonight 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.
And things unlucky charge my fantasy.
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.
Enter the Plebeians
FIRST PLEBEIAN What is your name?
SECOND PLEBEIAN Whither are you going?
THIRD PLEBEIAN Where do you dwell?
FOURTH PLEBEIAN Are you a married man or a bachelor?
SECOND PLEBEIAN Answer every man directly.
FIRST PLEBEIAN Ay, and briefly.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN Ay, and wisely.
THIRD PLEBEIAN 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.
SECOND PLEBEIAN 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 Directly I am going to Caesar’s funeral.
FIRST PLEBEIAN As a friend or an enemy?
CINNA As a friend.
SECOND PLEBEIAN That matter is answered directly.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN For your dwelling—briefly.
CINNA Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Your name, sir, truly.
CINNA Truly, my name is Cinna.
FIRST PLEBEIAN Tear him to pieces! He’s a conspirator.
CINNA I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
CINNA I am not Cinna the conspirator.
FOURTH PLEBEIAN It is no matter, his name’s Cinna. Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
THIRD PLEBEIAN Tear him, tear him!
⌈
They set upon Cinna
⌉
Come, brands, ho! Firebrands! To Brutus’, to Cassius’!
Burn all! Some to Decius’ house, and some to Casca’s;
some to Ligarius‘. Away, go!
Burn all! Some to Decius’ house, and some to Casca’s;
some to Ligarius‘. Away, go!
Exeunt all the Plebeians, with Cinna
Enter Antony with papers, Octavius, and Lepidus
ANTONY
These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked.
OCTAVIUS
(to Lepidus)
(to Lepidus)
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.
Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.
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