I, as Æneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body 4. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Aye, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans 5. Ye gods, it doth amaze me, Brutus and Cesar!-What should be in that Cesar? 6. Now in the name of all the gods at once, Upon what meats doth this our Cesar feed, That he has grown so great? Age, thou art sham'd, Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods. When went there by an age, since the great flood, But it was fam'd with more than with one man? When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome, That her wide walls encompass'd but one man? Oh! you and I have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once, that would have brook'd Th' infernal devil, to keep his state in Rome, As easily as a king. * Æneas, a Trojan prince, son of Anchises and Venus. LESSON CXLIX. Brutus* Speech on the Death of Cesar.-TRAGEDY of Julius CESAR. 1. ROMANS, Countrymen, and Lovers,-Hear me, for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me, for mine honor; and have respect for mine honor, that you may believe. Censure me, in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 2. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cesar, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cesar was no less than his, If then, that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Cesar, this is my answer; not that I loved Cesar less, but that I love Rome more. 3. Had you rather Cesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cesar were dead, to live all freemen? As Cesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. 4. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who's here so base, that he would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. 5. Who's here so rude, that he would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who's here so vile, that he will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. 6. None? Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Cesar, than you should do to Brutus. And as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I reserve the same dagger for myself, whenever it shall please my country to need my death. * Marcus Brutus, a brave, virtuous, and honorable Roman-but a blind politician. He was the dupe of Cassius' flattery and art, and was instigated by him, to join the conspiracy against Cesar, that his virtues and popularity might sanction the atrocious deed. Cesar was Brutus' best and most intimate friend. After the assassination of Cesar, Brutus fled with the other conspirators, collected an army, was defeated at the decisive battle of Philippi, fell upon his sword, and died B. C. 42. 25* LESSON CL. Antony's Speech over the Body of Cesar.-TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CESAR. 1. FRIENDS, Romans, Countrymen!-Lend me your ears. I come to bury Cesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do, lives after them: The good is oft interred with their bones: So let it be with Cesar! 2. Noble Brutus Hath told you Cesar was ambitious. 3. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cesar seem ambitious? 4. When that the poor hath cried, Cesar hath wept! Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; You all did see, that, on the Lupercal,† Which he did thrice refuse: Was this ambition? And sure he is an honorable man. 5. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke; But here I am to speak what I do know. * Marcus Antony, a brave, ambitious, artful, and designing Roman. He was warmly attached to Cesar, and after his assassination he resolved to seize the opportunity for raising himself to power. He artfully procured a public funeral for Cesar, and took this occasion to harangue the soldiers and populace in his favor, and he inflamed them so much against the conspirators, that Brutus and Cassius were obliged to leave the city. He led an army against the conspirators, and defeated them at Philippi. He obtained a share of the Roman empire in the triumvirate which he formed with Augustus Cesar and Marcus Lepidus. But dissensions arising between these three, a civil war commenced, and Antony, defeated at the battle of Actium, fled to Egypt, and killed himself, B. C. 30 + Lupercal, a feast among the Romans. You all did love him once; not without cause; 6. But yesterday, the word of Cesar might Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I will not do them wrong-I rather choose 7. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cesar I found it in his closet: 'tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 8. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cesar 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- 9. This, this was the unkindest cut of all. *Pronounced Nér-ve-i, a warlike people of Gaul, whom Cesar attacked and totally defeated. F'en at the base of Pompey's statue, (Which all the while ran blood,) great Cesar fell. 11. Good friends' Sweet friends! Let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny! They that have done this deed are honorable! What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it! They are wise and honorable, 12. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts! I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain, blunt man, That love my friend—and that they knew full well, 13. I only speak right on, I tell you that which you yourselves do know Show you sweet Cesar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony 'LESSON CLI. Othello's Apology for his Marriage.—TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO 1. Most potent, grave and reverend seigniors: My very noble and approv'd good masters: That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, The |