Peace, ho! hear Antony; most noble Antony!ANTONY.
Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not; I must tell you then:
You have forgot the will I told you of.
CITIZENS.
Most true; the will!—let’s stay, and hear the will.
ANTONY.
Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Most noble Caesar!—we’ll revenge his death.
THIRD CITIZEN.
O, royal Caesar!
ANTONY.
Hear me with patience.
CITIZENS.
Peace, ho!
ANTONY.
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbors, and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber: he hath left them you,
And to your heirs forever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
FIRST CITIZEN.
Never, never.—Come, away, away!
We’ll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors’ houses.
Take up the body.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Go, fetch fire.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Pluck down benches.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.
[Exeunt Citizens, with the body.]
ANTONY.
Now let it work.—Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!—
[Enter a Servant.]
How now, fellow?
SERVANT.
Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.
ANTONY.
Where is he?
SERVANT.
He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.
ANTONY.
And thither will I straight to visit him:
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us any thing.
SERVANT.
I heard ‘em say Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
ANTONY.
Belike they had some notice of the people,
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. The same. A street.
[Enter Cinna, the poet.]
CINNA.
I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unluckily charge my fantasy:
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.
[Enter Citizens.]
FIRST CITIZEN.
What is your name?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Whither are you going?
THIRD CITIZEN.
Where do you dwell?
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Are you a married man or a bachelor?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Answer every man directly.
FIRST CITIZEN.
Ay, and briefly.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Ay, and wisely.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Ay, and truly; you were best.
CINNA. What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly. Wisely I say I am a bachelor.
SECOND CITIZEN. That’s as much as to say they are fools that marry; you’ll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly.
CINNA.
Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.
FIRST CITIZEN.
As a friend, or an enemy?
CINNA.
As a friend.
SECOND CITIZEN.
That matter is answered directly.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
For your dwelling,—briefly.
CINNA.
Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Your name, sir, truly.
CINNA.
Truly, my name is Cinna.
