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]