The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

CITIZENS. We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!
BRUTUS. Then follow me and give me audience, friends.
Cassius, go you into the other street
And part the numbers.
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of Caesar's death.
FIRST CITIZEN. I will hear Brutus speak.
SECOND CITIZEN. I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons,
When severally we hear them rendered.

Exit Cassius, with some Citizens

Brutus goes into the pulpit

THIRD CITIZEN. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!
BRUTUS. Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be
silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and
have
respect to mine honor, 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 Caesar's,
to
him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his.
If
then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this
is
my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome
more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves,
than
that Caesar were dead to live all freemen? As Caesar loved
me, I
weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him.
There
is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his
valor,
and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be
a
bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here
so
rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I
offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country?
If
any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
ALL. None, Brutus, none.
BRUTUS. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar
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 offenses enforced, for which he suffered
death.

Enter Antony and others, with Caesar's body.

Here comes his body, mourned 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.
ALL. Live, Brutus, live, live!
FIRST CITIZEN. Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
SECOND CITIZEN. Give him a statue with his ancestors.
THIRD CITIZEN. Let him be Caesar.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Caesar's better parts
Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
FIRST CITIZEN. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and
clamors.
BRUTUS. My countrymen-
SECOND CITIZEN. Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks.
FIRST CITIZEN. Peace, ho!
BRUTUS. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.
Do grace to Caesar's corse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. Exit.
FIRST CITIZEN. Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony.
THIRD CITIZEN. Let him go up into the public chair;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
ANTONY. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.
Goes into the pulpit.
FOURTH CITIZEN. What does he say of Brutus?
THIRD CITIZEN. He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself beholding to us all.
FOURTH CITIZEN. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.
FIRST CITIZEN. This Caesar was a tyrant.
THIRD CITIZEN. Nay, that's certain.