1.Ple. I will heare Brutus speake
2. I will heare Cassius, and compare their Reasons, When seuerally we heare them rendred
3. The Noble Brutus is ascended: Silence
Bru. Be patient till the last. Romans, Countrey-men, and Louers, heare mee for my cause, and be silent, that you may heare. Beleeue me for mine Honor, and haue respect to mine Honor, that you may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedom, and awake your Senses, that you may the better Iudge. If there bee any in this Assembly, any deere Friend of Caesars, to him I say, that Brutus loue to Caesar, was no lesse then his. If then, that Friend demand, why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I lou'd Caesar lesse, but that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were liuing, and dye all Slaues; then that Caesar were dead, to liue all Free-men? As Caesar lou'd mee, I weepe for him; as he was Fortunate, I reioyce at it; as he was Valiant, I honour him: But, as he was Ambitious, I slew him. There is Teares, for his Loue: Ioy, for his Fortune: Honor, for his Valour: and Death, for his Ambition. Who is heere so base, that would be a Bondman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so rude, that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who is heere so vile, that will not loue his Countrey? If any, speake, for him haue I offended. I pause for a Reply
All. None Brutus, none
Brutus. Then none haue I offended. I haue done no more to Caesar, then you shall do to Brutus. The Question of his death, is inroll'd in the Capitoll: his Glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd, for which he suffered death. Enter Mark Antony, with Caesars body.
Heere comes his Body, mourn'd by Marke Antony, who though he had no hand in his death, shall receiue the benefit of his dying, a place in the Co[m]monwealth, as which of you shall not. With this I depart, that as I slewe my best Louer for the good of Rome, I haue the same Dagger for my selfe, when it shall please my Country to need my death
All. Liue Brutus, liue, liue
1. Bring him with Triumph home vnto his house
2. Giue him a Statue with his Ancestors
3. Let him be Caesar
4. Caesars better parts, Shall be Crown'd in Brutus
1. Wee'l bring him to his House, With Showts and Clamors
Bru. My Country-men
2. Peace, silence, Brutus speakes
1. Peace ho
Bru. Good Countrymen, let me depart alone, And (for my sake) stay heere with Antony: Do grace to Caesars Corpes, and grace his Speech Tending to Caesars Glories, which Marke Antony (By our permission) is allow'd to make. I do intreat you, not a man depart, Saue I alone, till Antony haue spoke.
Exit
1 Stay ho, and let vs heare Mark Antony
3 Let him go vp into the publike Chaire, Wee'l heare him: Noble Antony go vp
Ant. For Brutus sake, I am beholding to you
4 What does he say of Brutus? 3 He sayes, for Brutus sake He findes himselfe beholding to vs all
4 'Twere best he speake no harme of Brutus heere? 1 This Caesar was a Tyrant
3 Nay that's certaine: We are blest that Rome is rid of him
2 Peace, let vs heare what Antony can say
Ant. You gentle Romans
All. Peace hoe, let vs heare him