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