1 Pleb. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Pleb. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Pleb. Has he, masters? I fear, there will a worse come in his place. 4 Pleb. Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown: Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Pleb. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Pleb. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Pleb. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. 4 Pleb. Now mark him! he begins again to speak. 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 Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Pleb. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony. All. The will, the will; we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not read it: It is not meet you know how Cæsar loved you. 4 Pleb. Read the will; we will hear it, Antony: You shall read us the will-Cæsar's will! 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, Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Pleb. They were traitors. Honourable men! All. The will! the testament! 2 Pleb. They were villains-murderers! The will! read the will! Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will? 2 Pleb. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. 3 Pleb. You shall have leave. 4 Pleb. A ring! stand round! 1 Pleb. Stand from the hearse! stand from the body! 2 Pleb. Room for Antony! most noble Antony! 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. 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent: That day he overcame the Nervii. Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: And, as he plucked his cursed steel away, For, when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart; Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell! 2 Pleb. O noble Cæsar! 3 Pleb. O woeful day! 2 Pleb. We will be revenged! Revenge! AboutSeek-burn-fire-kill-slay-let not a traitor live! Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Pleb. Peace, there! Hear the noble Antony. 2 Pleb. 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. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me, all, a plain blunt man, And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, SHAKSPERE. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. ACT I., SCENE 3. Venice.-A Council Chamber. Duke. Fetch Desdemona hither. [Exeunt two or three. Oth. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place. And, till she come, as truly as to heaven [Exit IAGO. Duke. Say it, Othello. Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited me; From year to year; the battles, sieges, fortunes, I ran it through, even from my boyish days, Of hair-breadth 'scapes, i' the imminent deadly breach; And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, Wherein of antres vast, deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks, and hills, whose heads touched heaven, It was my hint to speak, such was the process; The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads Do grow beneath their shoulders. These things to hear But still the house affairs would draw her thence; She'd come again, and with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse. Which I observing, |