Chapter XX: Act III: SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.3170

_A crowd of people; among them_ ARTEMIDORUS _and the_ Soothsayer.
_Flourish. Enter_ CÆSAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS,
METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS,
PUBLIUS, _and others_.[3171]

_Cæs._ The ides of March are come.

_Sooth._ Ay, Cæsar; but not gone.

_Art._ Hail, Cæsar! read this schedule.[3172]

_Dec._ Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 5

_Art._ O Cæsar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Cæsar nearer: read it, great Cæsar.[3173]

_Cæs._ What touches us ourself shall be last served.

_Art._ Delay not, Cæsar; read it instantly.[3174]

_Cæs._ What, is the fellow mad?

_Pub._ Sirrah, give place. 10

_Cas._ What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.

_CÆSAR goes up to the Senate-house, the rest following._[3175]

_Pop._ I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.[3176]

_Cas._ What enterprise, Popilius?

_Pop._ Fare you well.

[_Advances to Cæsar._[3177]

_Bru._ What said Popilius Lena?[3178] 15

_Cas._ He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.[3178]
I fear our purpose is discovered.[3178]

_Bru._ Look, how he makes to Cæsar: mark him.[3178][3179]

_Cas._ Casca,[3178][3180]
Be sudden, for we fear prevention.[3178][3180]
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,[3178][3181] 20
Cassius or Cæsar never shall turn back,[3178][3182]
For I will slay myself.[3178][3183]

_Bru._ Cassius, be constant:[3178]
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;[3178][3184]
For, look, he smiles, and Cæsar doth not change.[3178]

_Cas._ Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus,[3178] 25
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.[3178][3185]

[_Exeunt Antony and Trebonius._

_Dec._ Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,[3178]
And presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.[3178]

_Bru._ He is address'd: press near and second him.[3178]

_Cin._ Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.[3178][3186] 30

_Cæs._ Are we all ready? What is now amiss[3187]
That Cæsar and his senate must redress?

_Met._ Most high, most mighty and most puissant Cæsar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart:-- [_Kneeling._

_Cæs._ I must prevent thee, Cimber.[3188] 35
These couchings and these lowly courtesies[3189]
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,[3190]
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree[3191]
Into the law of children. Be not fond,[3192]
To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood 40
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth fools, I mean, sweet words,
Low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning.[3193]
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 45
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Cæsar doth not wrong, nor without cause[3194]
Will he be satisfied.

_Met._ Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear 50
For the repealing of my banish'd brother?

_Bru._ I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar,
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.

_Cæs._ What, Brutus!

_Cas._ Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon: 55
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,[3195]
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

_Cæs._ I could be well moved, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star, 60
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality[3196][3197]
There is no fellow in the firmament.[3196]
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks;[3196]
They are all fire and every one doth shine;[3196]
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:[3196] 65
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,[3196]
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;[3196]
Yet in the number I do know but one[3196]
That unassailable holds on his rank,[3196][3198]
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he,[3196][3199] 70
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.

_Cin._ O Cæsar,--[3200]

_Cæs._ Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?

_Dec._ Great Cæsar,--[3201]

_Cæs._ Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?[3201][3202] 75

_Casca._ Speak, hands, for me![3203]

[_Casca first, then the other Conspirators and_
_Marcus Brutus stab Cæsar._

_Cæs._ Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Cæsar![3204] [_Dies._

_Cin._ Liberty! freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

_Cas._ Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 80
'Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement!'

_Bru._ People, and senators, be not affrighted;
Fly not; stand still: ambition's debt is paid.

_Casca._ Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

_Dec._ And Cassius too. 85

_Bru._ Where's Publius?

_Cin._ Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.

_Met._ Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cæsar's[3205]
Should chance--

_Bru._ Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; 90
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius.

_Cas._ And leave us, Publius; lest that the people
Rushing on us should do your age some mischief.

_Bru._ Do so: and let no man abide this deed 95
But we the doers.[3206]

_Re-enter_ TREBONIUS.[3207]

_Cas._ Where is Antony?[3208]

_Tre._ Fled to his house amazed:
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run
As it were doomsday.

_Bru._ Fates, we will know your pleasures:[3209]
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time, 100
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.

_Cas._ Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life[3210]
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

_Bru._ Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Cæsar's friends, that have abridged 105
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,[3211]
And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood[3211]
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:[3211]
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,[3211]
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,[3211] 110
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'[3211]

_Cas._ Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence[3212]
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over[3213]
In states unborn and accents yet unknown![3214]

_Bru._ How many times shall Cæsar bleed in sport,[3215] 115
That now on Pompey's basis lies along[3216]
No worthier than the dust![3217]

_Cas._ So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave their country liberty.[3218]

_Dec._ What, shall we forth?

_Cas._ Ay, every man away:[3219] 120
Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.[3220]

_Enter a_ Servant.[3221]

_Bru._ Soft! who comes here? A friend of Antony's.[3222]

_Serv._ Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;[3223]
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; 125
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:[3224]
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest;
Cæsar was mighty, bold, royal and loving:[3225]
Say I love Brutus and I honour him;
Say I fear'd Cæsar, honour'd him and loved him. 130
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him and be resolved
How Cæsar hath deserved to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Cæsar dead
So well as Brutus living, but will follow 135
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.[3226]

_Bru._ Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.[3227] 140
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.

_Serv._ I'll fetch him presently. [_Exit._[3228]

_Bru._ I know that we shall have him well to friend.

_Cas._ I wish we may: but yet have I a mind[3229] 145
That fears him much, and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.[3230]

_Re-enter_ ANTONY.

_Bru._ But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.[3231]

_Ant._ O mighty Cæsar! dost thou lie so low?[3232]
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 150
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Cæsar's death's hour, nor no instrument[3233] 155
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,[3234]
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 160
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place will please me so, no mean of death,[3235]
As here by Cæsar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.

_Bru._ O Antony, beg not your death of us. 165
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands and this our present act,
You see we do; yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done:
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; 170
And pity to the general wrong of Rome--
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity--
Hath done this deed on Cæsar. For your part,[3236]
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony:[3236]
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts[3237] 175
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in[3238]
With all kind love, good thoughts and reverence.

_Cas._ Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the disposing of new dignities.

_Bru._ Only be patient till we have appeased 180
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause
Why I, that did love Cæsar when I struck him,[3239]
Have thus proceeded.

_Ant._ I doubt not of your wisdom.[3240]
Let each man render me his bloody hand:[3241] 185
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. 190
Gentlemen all,--alas, what shall I say?[3242]
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer.
That I did love thee, Cæsar, O, 'tis true:[3243] 195
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,[3244]
Most noble! in the presence of thy corse?[3244] 200
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;[3245] 205
Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand,
Sign'd in thy spoil and crimson'd in thy lethe.[3246]
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;[3247]
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.[3247][3248]
How like a deer strucken by many princes[3247][3249] 210
Dost thou here lie![3247]

_Cas._ Mark Antony,--

_Ant._ Pardon me, Caius Cassius:[3250]
The enemies of Cæsar shall say this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.

_Cas._ I blame you not for praising Cæsar so; 215
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends,
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

_Ant._ Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
Sway'd from the point by looking down on Cæsar. 220
Friends am I with you all and love you all,
Upon this hope that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Cæsar was dangerous.

_Bru._ Or else were this a savage spectacle:[3251]
Our reasons are so full of good regard 225
That were you, Antony, the son of Cæsar,[3252]
You should be satisfied.

_Ant._ That's all I seek:
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place,
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 230
Speak in the order of his funeral.

_Bru._ You shall, Mark Antony.

_Cas._ Brutus, a word with you.[3253]
[_Aside to Bru._] You know not what you do: do not consent[3254]
That Antony speak in his funeral:
Know you how much the people may be moved 235
By that which he will utter?[3255]

_Bru._ By your pardon:
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Cæsar's death:
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission, 240
And that we are contented Cæsar shall
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.[3256]
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

_Cas._ I know not what may fall; I like it not.[3257]

_Bru._ Mark Antony, here, take you Cæsar's body.[3258] 245
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Cæsar;
And say you do't by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all[3259]
About his funeral: and you shall speak 250
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.

_Ant._ Be it so;
I do desire no more.

_Bru._ Prepare the body then, and follow us.

[_Exeunt all but Antony._[3260]

_Ant._ O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,[3261] 255
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood![3262]
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, 260
Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;[3263]
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; 265
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
And dreadful objects so familiar,
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;[3264]
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds: 270
And Cæsar's spirit ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;[3265]
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 275
With carrion men, groaning for burial.[3266]

_Enter a_ Servant.

You serve Octavius Cæsar, do you not?

_Serv._ I do, Mark Antony.

_Ant._ Cæsar did write for him to come to Rome.[3267]

_Serv._ He did receive his letters, and is coming; 280
And bid me say to you by word of mouth--
O Cæsar! [_Seeing the body._[3268]

_Ant._ Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes,[3269]
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,[3270] 285
Began to water. Is thy master coming?[3271]

_Serv._ He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.

_Ant._ Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced:[3272]
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;[3273] 290
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse[3274]
Into the market-place: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men; 295
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand. [_Exeunt with Cæsar's body._[3275]

SCENE II. _The Forum._[3276]

_Enter_ BRUTUS _and_ CASSIUS, _and a throng of_ Citizens.[3277]

_Citizens._ We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.[3278]

_Bru._ 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;[3279] 5
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered[3280]
Of Cæsar's death.

_First Cit._ I will hear Brutus speak.

_Sec. Cit._ I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons,
When severally we hear them rendered.[3280][3281] 10

[_Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the
pulpit._

_Third Cit._ The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!

_Bru._ Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause,[3282]
and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour,
and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure 15
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 Cæsar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to[3283]
Cæsar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why
Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: not that I 20
loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you
rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar
were dead, to live all free-men? As Cæsar loved me, I weep[3284]
for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him; but as he was ambitions, I slew him. 25
There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for[3285]
his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base[3286][3287]
that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I[3286]
offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman?[3286]
If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile[3286] 30
that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have[3286]
I offended. I pause for a reply.[3286][3288]

_All._ None, Brutus, none.[3289]

_Bru._ Then none have I offended. I have done no more
to Cæsar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his 35
death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated,
wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which
he suffered death.[3290]

_Enter_ ANTONY _and others, with_ CÆSAR'S _body_.

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who,
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the[3291] 40
benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as[3291]
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.[3292] 45

_All._ Live, Brutus! live, live![3293][3294]

_First Cit._ Bring him with triumph home unto his house.

_Sec. Cit._ Give him a statue with his ancestors.

_Third Cit._ Let him be Cæsar.

_Fourth Cit._ Cæsar's better parts
Shall be crown'd in Brutus.[3295] 50

_First Cit._ We'll bring him to his house with shouts and
clamours.[3296]

_Bru._ My countrymen,--[3297]

_Sec. Cit._ Peace! silence! Brutus speaks.

_First Cit._ Peace, ho!

_Bru._ Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: 55
Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Cæsar's glories, which Mark Antony[3298]
By our permission is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [_Exit._ 60

_First Cit._ Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.[3299]

_Third Cit._ Let him go up into the public chair;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

_Ant._ For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.[3300]

[_Goes into the pulpit._[3301]

_Fourth Cit._ What does he say of Brutus?[3302]

_Third Cit._ He says, for Brutus' sake,[3302][3303] 65
He finds himself beholding to us all.[3300]

_Fourth Cit._ 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.[3304]

_First Cit._ This Cæsar was a tyrant.

_Third Cit._ Nay, that's certain:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.[3305]

_Sec. Cit._ Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. 70

_Ant._ You gentle Romans,--[3294][3306]

_All._ Peace, ho! let us hear him.

_Ant._ Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;[3307] 75
So let it be with Cæsar. The noble Brutus[3308]
Hath told you Cæsar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest,-- 80
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men,--
Come I to speak in Cæsar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious; 85
And Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: 90
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal[3309]
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 95
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know. 100
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgement! thou art fled to brutish beasts,[3310]
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, 105
And I must pause till it come back to me.

_First Cit._ Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

_Sec. Cit._ If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Cæsar has had great wrong.[3311]

_Third Cit._ Has he, masters?[3312][3313]
I fear there will a worse come in his place.[3313] 110

_Fourth Cit._ Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.

_First Cit._ If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

_Sec. Cit._ Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.

_Third Cit._ There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 115

_Fourth Cit._ Now mark him, he begins again to speak.[3314]

_Ant._ But yesterday the word of Cæsar 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 120
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, 125
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Cæsar;
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-- 130
And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,[3315]
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy 135
Unto their issue.

_Fourth Cit._ We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.

_All._ The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will.[3294]

_Ant._ Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. 140
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:[3316]
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs;
For if you should, O, what would come of it! 145

_Fourth Cit._ Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;[3317][3318]
You shall read us the will, Cæsar's will.[3318][3319]

_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 150
Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar; I do fear it.

_Fourth Cit._ They were traitors: honourable men![3320]

_All._ The will! the testament![3294][3320]

_Sec. Cit._ They were villains, murderers: the will! read[3320]
the will. 155

_Ant._ You will compel me then to read the will?[3321]
Then make a ring about the corpse of Cæsar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?

_All._ Come down.[3322] 160

_Sec. Cit._ Descend. [_He comes down from the pulpit._[3323]

_Third Cit._ You shall have leave.

_Fourth Cit._ A ring; stand round.

_First Cit._ Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.

_Sec. Cit._ Room for Antony, most noble Antony. 165

_Ant._ Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.

_All._ 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; 170
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii:
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:[3324]
See what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; 175
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 resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no:
For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: 180
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Cæsar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;[3325]
For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,[3326]
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; 185
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua,[3327][3328]
Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell.[3327]
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 190
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[3329]
Our Cæsar's vesture wounded? Look you here, 195
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.[3330]

_First Cit._ O piteous spectacle![3331]

_Sec. Cit._ O noble Cæsar![3331]

_Third Cit._ O woful day![3331]

_Fourth Cit._ O traitors, villains![3331] 200

_First Cit._ O most bloody sight![3331]

_Sec. Cit._ We will be revenged.[3331][3332]

_All._ Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay![3331][3333]
Let not a traitor live![3331][3333]

_Ant._ Stay, countrymen.[3331][3334] 205

_First Cit._ Peace there! hear the noble Antony.[3335]

_Sec. 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. 210
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,[3336]
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.[3337]
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: 215
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:[3338]
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,[3339] 220
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, 225
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.[3340] 230

_First Cit._ We'll burn the house of Brutus.[3340]

_Third Cit._ Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.

_Ant._ Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

_All._ Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!

_Ant._ Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: 235
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.

_All._ Most true: the will! Let's stay and hear the will.

_Ant._ Here is the will, and under Cæsar's seal. 240
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy five drachmas.

_Sec. Cit._ Most noble Cæsar! we'll revenge his death.

_Third Cit._ O royal Cæsar!

_Ant._ Hear me with patience. 245

_All._ Peace, ho!

_Ant._ Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbours and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,[3341]
And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, 250
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Cæsar! when comes such another?

_First Cit._ Never, never. Come, away, away![3342]
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.[3343] 255
Take up the body.

_Sec. Cit._ Go fetch fire.

_Third Cit._ Pluck down benches.[3344]

_Fourth Cit._ Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.[3344]

[_Exeunt Citizens with the body._[3345]

_Ant._ Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,[3346] 260
Take thou what course thou wilt.[3347][3348]

_Enter a_ Servant.[3349]

How now, fellow![3348]

_Serv._ Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.[3350]

_Ant._ Where is he?

_Serv._ He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house.[3351]

_Ant._ And thither will I straight to visit him: 265
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing.

_Serv._ I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius[3352]
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

_Ant._ Belike they had some notice of the people, 270
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.[3353] [_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _A street._[3354]

_Enter_ CINNA _the poet_.[3355]

_Cin._ I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Cæsar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy:[3356]
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

_Enter_ Citizens.[3357]

_First Cit._ What is your name? 5

_Sec. Cit._ Whither are you going?[3358]

_Third Cit._ Where do you dwell?[3359]

_Fourth Cit._ Are you a married man or a bachelor?

_Sec. Cit._ Answer every man directly.

_First Cit._ Ay, and briefly. 10

_Fourth Cit._ Ay, and wisely.

_Third Cit._ Ay, and truly, you were best.

_Cin._ What is my name? Whither am I going? Where[3358]
do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to
answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: 15
wisely I say, I am a bachelor.[3360]

_Sec. Cit._ That's as much as to say, they are fools that
marry: you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed;[3361]
directly.[3361]

_Cin._ Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral. 20

_First Cit._ As a friend or an enemy?

_Cin._ As a friend.

_Sec. Cit._ That matter is answered directly.

_Fourth Cit._ For your dwelling, briefly.

_Cin._ Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 25

_Third Cit._ Your name, sir, truly.

_Cin._ Truly, my name is Cinna.

_First Cit._ Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.

_Cin._ I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.

_Fourth Cit._ Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his 30
bad verses.

_Cin._ I am not Cinna the conspirator.[3362]

_Fourth Cit._ It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but[3363]
his name out of his heart, and turn him going.

_Third Cit._ Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho!
firebrands:[3364] 35
to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius'[3364][3365]
house, and some to Casca's; some to Ligarius': away, go![3364][3366]

[_Exeunt._[3367]

FOOTNOTES:

[3170] ACT III. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Tertius. Ff.]

Rome. Before....] Capell, substantially. The Capitol. Rowe. The Street before the Capitol; and the Capitol open. Theobald. The Street leading to the Capitol. Jennens.

[3171] A crowd of people ... Popilius, Publius, and others.] Malone, after Capell. Flourish. Enter Cæsar ... Artemidorus, Popilius, and the Soothsayer. Ff (Artimedorus, Publius, F1).

and the Soothsayer.] om. Rowe (ed. 1). and the Soothsayers. Rowe (ed. 2).

[3172] _schedule_] F3 F4. _scedule_ F1 F2.

[3173] _nearer_] _near_ Anon. conj.

_great_] om. Pope.

[3174] _What ... ourself_] _That touches us? Ourself_ Craik (Collier MS.).

[3175] Cæsar....] Steevens, substantially. Artemidorus is push'd back. Cæsar, and the rest, enter the Senate: The Senate rises. Popilius presses forward to speak to Cæsar; and passing Cassius, says, Capell. Omitted in Ff. Exeunt. Scene II. The Capitol.... Jennens.

[3176] [Aside to Cas. Jennens.

[3177] [Advances to Cæsar.] Leaves him, and joins Cæsar. Capell. om. Ff. Follows Cæsar. Jennens.

[3178] _What ... hand._] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[3179] _him_] _him well_ Steevens conj.

[3180] _Casca ... prevention._] As in Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.). One line in Ff.

[3181] _done? If ... known_,] Ff. _done, if ... known?_ Theobald.

[3182] _or_] _on_ Malone conj.

[3183] [Cæsar being arrived at his seat, Popilius whispers him and smiles. Jennens.

[3184] _Lena_] om. Anon. conj.

_purposes_] _purpose_ Theobald.

[3185] [Exeunt Antony....] Exeunt Antony and Trebonius, conversing. Cæsar takes his Seat; the Senate theirs: and Metellus advances towards Cæsar. Capell. om. Ff.

[3186] _rears your_] _rear your_ Capell. _rears his_ Tyrwhitt conj.

[3187] _Are ... ready?_] Given to Cinna, Ritson conj.; to Casca, by Dyce (Collier MS.).

_we_] _you_ Hanmer (ed. 2).

[3188] _heart:--_] Capell. _heart._ Ff.

[Kneeling.] Rowe. om. Ff. Prostrating himself. Capell.

[3189] _couchings_] _crouchings_ Hanmer.

_courtesies_] F1 F2. _curtesies_ F3. _Curtsies_ F4.

[3190] _fire_] _stir_ Warburton.

[3191] _first_] _fix'd_ Craik conj.

[3192] _law_] Malone (Johnson conj.). _lane_ Ff. _line_ Steevens conj. _play_ Mason conj. _bane_ Becket conj. _vane_ Bailey conj.

[3193] _Low-crooked_] _Low, crooked_ Becket conj. _low-crouched_ Craik (Collier MS.).

_spaniel-fawning_] Hyphen inserted by Johnson.

[3194] _wrong, nor_] _wrong, but with just cause; Nor_ Tyrwhitt conj. (from Ben Jonson's quotation in his 'Sylva'). See note (IV).

[3195] _low_] _love_ F2.

[3196] _Of whose ... he_,] Put in the margin by Pope.

[3197] _true-fix'd_] _true-fixt_ Capell. _true fixt_ Ff. _true, fixt_ Rowe.

[3198] _rank_] _race_ Johnson conj.

[3199] _motion_] _notion_ Upton conj.

[3200] Cin.] Cim. Rowe.

[3201] _Cæsar,--_] _Cæsar--_ Rowe. _Cæsar._ Ff.

[3202] _Doth ... kneel?_] _Doth ... kneele?_ F1. _Do ... kneel?_ F2 F3 F4 (_kneele_ F2). _Do ... kneel._ Rowe.

[3203] _Speak, hands_] Capell. _Speak hands_ Ff.

[Casca....] Edd. (Globe ed.). They stab Cæsar. Ff. stabbing him in the Neck. Cæsar rises, catches at the Dagger, and struggles with him: defends himself, for a time, against him, and against the other Conspirators; but, stab'd by Brutus, Capell (from Plutarch).

[3204] [Dies.] Dyes. F1. om. F2 F3 F4. he submits; muffles up his Face in his Mantle; falls, and dies. Senate in Confusion. Capell.

[3205] _friend_] _friends_ Pope (ed. 2).

[3206] [Exeunt all but Conspirators. Capell.

[3207] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

[3208] SCENE II. Pope.

_Where is_] _Where's_ Pope.

[3209] _will_] _well_ Staunton conj.

[3210] Cas.] Pope. Cask. Ff.

[3211] _Stoop ... liberty!_] Given to Casca by Pope.

[3212] [Dipping their swords in Cæsar's blood. Rowe.

[3213] _over_] _o'er_ Pope.

[3214] _states_] _state_ F1.

[3215] Bru.] Casc. Pope.

[3216] _lies_] F3 F4. _lyes_ F2. _lye_ F1.

[3217] Cas.] Bru. Pope.

_So oft_] om. Seymour conj.

_shall be_] om. Steevens conj.

[3218] _their_] _our_ Steevens (1793).

[3219] _What_] _What, what_ Rowe.

_Ay, every man away_:] _Ay, every man: Away!_ Capell conj.

[3220] _boldest and best_] _bold, and the best_ Rowe.

[3221] Enter....] Ff. Transferred by Dyce to follow _here?_ line 123.

[3222] _A friend of Antony's._] Given to the Servant by Pope.

[3223] [Kneeling. Rowe.

[3224] _bade_] Johnson. _bad_ Ff.

[3225] _bold, royal_] _royal, bold_ Pope.

[3226] _my master_] _Mark_ Seymour conj.

[3227] _I ... worse_] om. Seymour conj.

[3228] [Exit.] Exit Servant. Ff.

[3229] _have I_] _I have_ Pope (ed. 2).

[3230] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff. Transferred by Dyce to follow _comes Antony_, line 148.

[3231] SCENE III. Pope.

_But ... Mark Antony._] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

[3232] [Kneeling over the body. Collier (Collier MS.).

[3233] _death's hour_] _death hour_ Collier (one volume ed.).

[3234] _you_] _ye_ Theobald (ed. 2).

[3235] _mean_] _means_ Pope.

[3236] _Cæsar. For ... Antony_] _Cæsar; but for you, Mark Antony, our swords have leaden points_ Seymour conj.

[3237] _in strength of malice_,] _exempt from malice,_ Pope. _no strength of malice;_ Capell. _reproof of malice_, Seymour conj. _instrain'd of malice_, Becket conj. _in strength of welcome_, Craik (Collier MS.). _in strength of amity_, Singer conj. _unstring their malice_, Badham conj. _unfraught of malice_, Anon. conj. _forspent of malice_, Anon. conj.

[3238] _in_] _in them_ Keightley.

[3239] _struck_] Steevens (1778). _strooke_ F1 F2. _strook_ F3 F4.

[3240] _Have thus proceeded_] _Proceeded thus_ Pope.

_wisdom_] F3 F4. _Wisedome_ F1 F2. _wisdoms_ Anon. conj.

[3241] [Taking them one after other. Collier (Collier MS.).

[3242] _all,--_] Rowe. _all_: F1 F2 F3. _all_, F4.

[3243] [Turning to the body, and bending over it. Collier (Collier MS.).

[3244] _foes, ... corse?_] Pointed as in Rowe. _foes?... coarse_, Ff.

[3245] _hart_] F1. _heart_ F2 F3 F4.

[3246] _lethe_] _Lethe_ F2 F3. _Lethe_ (in italics) F4. _Lethee_ F1. _death_ Pope.

[3247] _O world ... lie!_] Put in the margin by Pope.

[3248] _heart_] Theobald. _hart_ Ff.

[3249] _strucken_] Steevens (1778). _stroken_ F1. _stricken_ F2 F3 F4. _strooken_ Capell.

[3250] _Antony,--_] _Antony--_ Rowe. _Antony._ Ff.

_Caius Cassius_] om. Seymour conj., reading _Dost ... me_ as one line.

[3251] _were this_] _this were_ Pope (ed. 2).

[3252] _you, Antony_,] Theobald. _you Antony,_ F1 F2. _you Antony_ F3 F4.

[3253] _with you_] om. Steevens conj.

[3254] [Aside to Bru.] Aside. Rowe. om. Ff.

[3255] _pardon_:] Ff. _pardon_, Rowe.

[3256] _true_] _due_ Pope.

[3257] _fall ... not_] _follow: I not like it_ Seymour conj.

[3258] _you_] _your_ Pope.

[3259] _Else shall you not_] _You shall not else_ Pope.

[3260] [Exeunt ...] Capell. Exeunt. Manet Antony. Ff.

[3261] SCENE IV. Pope. _bleeding piece of_] _piece of bleeding_ Variorum (1803, 1813, 1821).

[3262] _hand_] _hands_ Grant White (Becket conj.). _land_ Becket conj.

[3263] _the limbs_] F3 F4. _the limbes_ F1 F2. _the kind_ Hanmer. _the line_ Warburton. _the lives_ or _these lymmes_ Johnson conj. _these imps_ Jackson conj. _the loins_ Craik (Collier MS.). _the tombs_ Staunton conj. _the sons_ Grant White conj. _the minds_ Dyce, ed. 2 (Jervis conj.). _the times_ S. Walker conj.

[3264] _quarter'd_] Pope. _quartered_ Ff.

_with_] _by_ Pope.

[3265] _Havoc_] _Ha! vous_ Anon. conj. ap. Gent. Mag. Vol. LX. p. 307.

[3266] _With_] _Of_ Long MS.

Enter a Servant.] Enter Octavio's Servant Ff.

[3267] _for him_] _to him_ Capell.

_to Rome_] F1 F3 F4. _Rome_ F2.

[3268] [Seeing the body.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[3269] _catching, for_] F2 F3 F4. _catching from_ F1.

[3270] _beads_] _beds_ Pope.

[3271] _Began_] _Begin_ Hanmer.

[3272] _Post ... chanced_:] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

[3273] _Rome_] _room_ Upton conj.

[3274] _corse_] Pope. _course_ F1 F2. _coarse_ F3 F4.

[3275] [Exeunt ... body.] Rowe. Exeunt. Ff.

[3276] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE V. Pope. SCENE III. Jennens.

The Forum.] Rowe.

[3277] Enter ... Citizens.] Malone (after Capell). Enter Brutus and goes into the Pulpit, and Cassius, with the Plebeians. Ff.

[3278] Citizens.] Capell. Ple. Ff (and throughout the scene).

[3279] _me speak_] _my speak_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_'em_] _them_ Capell.

[3280] _rendered_] Pope. _rendred_ Ff.

[3281] [Exit ... pulpit.] Edd. (Globe ed.). Exit ... rostrum. Capell. Exeunt Cassius, with some of the Plebeians. Rowe. Exit ... Plebeians. Theobald. Omitted in Ff.

[3282] _lovers_] _friends_ Pope.

[3283] _to him_] F1. _to them_ F2 F3 F4.

_Brutus'_] Capell. _Brutus_ Ff. _Brutus's_ Pope.

[3284] _free-men_] Ff. _free men_ Johnson.

[3285] _There is_] _There are_ Pope.

[3286] _Who ... offended._] As six lines of verse in Johnson.

[3287] _Who is_] _Who's_ Pope.

[3288] _reply._] Ff. _reply--_ Rowe.

[3289] All.] Ff. Cit. Capell. Cit. [several speaking at once. Malone.

[3290] Enter Antony and others, ... body.] Malone. Enter Antony, and certain of his House, bearing Cæsar's body. Capell. Enter Mark Antony, with Cæsars body. Ff.

[3291] _the benefit ... commonwealth_] _place in the commonwealth, and the benefit of his dying_ Seymour conj.

[3292] [comes down. Capell.

[3293] _live, live!_] _live!_ Pope.

[3294] All.] Ff. Cit. Capell.

[3295] _Shall_] _Shall now_ Pope. _Shall all_ or _Shall well_ Staunton conj. om. Anon. conj.

_Shall ... Brutus._] Mitford would add _Live! live! Brutus, live!_

_crown'd_] Ff. _crowned_ Steevens.

[3296] _We'll ... clamours._] One line in Capell. Two, the first ending _house_, in Ff.

[3297] _countrymen,--_] _countrymen--_ F4. _country-men._ F1 F2 F3.

[3298] _glories_] _glory_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.).

[3299] SCENE VI. Pope.

[3300] _beholding_] F1 F2 F3. _beholden_ F4.

[3301] [Goes ... pulpit.] Edd. Goes up. Capell. om. Ff.

[3302] _Brutus'_] Pope. _Brutus_ F1 F2 F3. _Brutus's_ F4.

[3303] _He says_] om. Steevens conj.

[3304] _he_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[3305] _blest_] F1. _glad_ F2 F3 F4. _most blest_ Capell.

[3306] _Romans,--_] _Romans--_ F4. _Romans._ F1 F2 F3.

[3307] _their bones_] _the bones_ F4.

[3308] _The noble_] _Noble_ Pope.

[3309] _on_] _at_ Pope.

[3310] _art_] F2 F3 F4. _are_ F1.

[3311] Sec. Cit.] 2. F1. Omitted in F2 F3 F4.

[3312] See note (IV).

_Has he_] _Ha! has he_ Anon. conj.

_masters_] _my masters_ Capell. _not, masters_ Craik.

[3313] _Has ... place._] Divided as in Capell. One line in Ff. Prose in Pope (ed. 2).

[3314] _again_] om. Theobald (ed. 2).

[3315] _Yea_] _Nay_ Capell.

[3316] _It will_] _I will_ Capell.

[3317] Fourth Cit.] 4. Ff. All. Anon. conj.

_Read_] _Read us_ Anon. conj.

[3318] _Read ... will._] As in Ff. Prose in Craik.

_we'll_] _we will_ Theobald.

[3319] _Cæsar's_] r_ead Cæsar's_ Keightley (Capell conj.).

[3320] _They ... murderers_:] As two lines of verse, Capell MS.

[3321] _will?_] Pope. _will_: F1. _will_; F2 F3 F4.

[3322] All] Ff. First Cit. Edd. conj.

[3323] He ... pulpit.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[3324] _Cassius'_] Pope. _Cassius_ F1 F2 F3. _Cassius's_ F4.

[3325] _This was the most_] _This, this, was the_ Pope.

[3326] _traitors'_] Warburton. _traitors_ Ff.

[3327] _Even ... statua, Which ... fell._] These lines are transposed by Warburton.

_statua, Which ... blood_] _statue, which All ... with blood_ Hanmer.

[3328] _statua_] Steevens, 1793 (Malone conj.). _statue_ Ff. _statuë_ Keightley.

[3329] _what weep_] Ff. _what, weep_ Pope.

[3330] _with_] _by_ Pope.

[3331] _O piteous ... countrymen_] Marked as five lines of verse in Capell MS.

[3332] _We will_] _We'll_ Capell.

[3333] All. _Revenge!... live!_] See note (V).

[3334] [They are rushing out. Collier (Collier MS.).

[3335] _Peace_] _Peace, peace_ Capell conj.

[3336] _do it: they are_] _do't: they're_ S. Walker conj.

[3337] _reasons_] _reason_ Warburton.

[3338] _gave_] F1. _give_ F2 F3 F4.

[3339] _wit_] F2 F3 F4. _writ_ F1.

[3340] All ... First Cit.] All ... 1. Ff. First Cit.... Sec. Cit. Edd. conj.

[3341] _this_] _that_ Theobald.

[3342] _Come, away, away!_] _Come, come, away:_ Capell. _Come, away, away, away!_ Keightley. _Come, come, away, away!_ Anon. conj.

[3343] _brands_] _brands' ends_ Anon. conj.

_fire the_] F1. _fire all the_ F2 F3 F4. _then fire the_ Seymour conj.

[3344] _benches ... windows_] _the benches ... the windows_ Capell, reading _Take ... thing_ as two lines, the first ending _down._

[3345] [Exeunt ...] Exeunt Plebeians with the Body. Rowe. Exit Plebeians. F1. Exeunt Plebeians. F2 F3 F4.

[3346] Ant.] om. Theobald (ed. 2). _afoot_,] _afoot_; Hanmer.

[3347] _Take ... fellow!_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_Take thou_] _Take now_ Craik conj. _Take then_ Anon. conj.

[3348] _Take ... Sir_,] Marked as one line in Capell MS.

[3349] a Servant.] Rowe (ed. 2). Servant. Ff.

[3350] _Sir_,] om. Pope. As a separate line, Anon. conj.

[3351] _He_] _He, sir_, Capell conj. _Sir, he_ or _Both he_ Anon. conj.

_Lepidus_] _Lord Lepidus_ S. Walker conj.

[3352] _him_] _them_ Capell.

[3353] _Octavius_] _Octavus_ F1.

[3354] SCENE III.] Capell. Rowe continues the scene. SCENE VII. Pope. SCENE IV. Jennens.

A street.] Capell.

[3355] Enter Cinna the Poet.] Capell. Enter Cinna the Poet, and after him the Plebeians. Ff.

[3356] _unlucky_] Warburton. _unluckily_ Ff. _unlikely_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[3357] Enter Citizens.] Capell. om. Ff.

[3358] _Whither_] F3 F4. _Whether_ F1 F2.

[3359] _dwell_] _live_ Capell.

[3360] _wisely I_] _wisely, I_ Craik.

[3361] _Proceed; directly_] _Proceed. Directly._ Johnson. _Proceede directly._ F1 F2. _Proceed directly._ F3 F4.

[3362] Cin. _I am ... conspirator._] Omitted in Reed (1803, 1813, 1821).

[3363] _but_] _out_ Johnson.

[3364] _Tear ... go!_] Prose in Ff. Three lines of verse by Rowe, ending _firebrands: ... house ... go._ Capell prints _Tear ... firebrands_ only as verse.

[3365] _Brutus'_] Capell. _Brutus_ Ff.

_Cassius'_] Capell. _Cassius_ Ff.

_Decius'_] Capell. _Decius_ F1 F2 F3. _Decius's_ F4. _Decimus's_ Hanmer.

[3366] _house_] F1. _houses_ F2 F3 F4.

_Ligarius'_] Capell. _Ligarius_ Ff.

[3367] [Exeunt.] Exeunt all the Plebeians. Ff. Exeunt, forcing out Cinna. Collier (ed. 2).