Romans, countrymen, and lovers
Marcus Brutus
Romans, countrymen, and lovers,Exordium hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me
for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor
that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom,
and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.Epanalepses & Isocolon
There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune;
honor for his valor; and death for his ambition.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear
friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love
to Caesar was no less than his. HypophoraIf then that friend
demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my
answer: AlliosisNot that I lov'd Caesar less, but that I lov'd
Rome moreAnaphora & Isocolon. Had you rather Caesar were living, and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all
freemen?Alliosis As Caesar lov'd 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.Anaphora & Isocolon
There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor
for his valor; and death for his ambition.Isocolon Who is
here so base that would be a bondman? If any,
speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude
that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him
have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not
love his country? If any, speak, for him have I
offended.Pysma, Anaphora & Isocolon I pause for a reply.
All Plebeians
None, Brutus, none.
Marcus Brutus
Then none have I offended. I have done no
more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The
question of his death is enroll'd in the Capitol: his
glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor
his offenses enforc'd, for which he suffer'd death.Isocolon
Enter Mark Antony and others with Caesar's body.
Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony,
who, though he had no hand in his death, shall
receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the
commonwealth, as 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.
Plebeians
Live, Brutus, live, live!
First Plebeian
Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Second Plebeian
Give him a statue with his ancestors.
Third Plebeian
Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Plebeian
— Caesar's better parts
Shall be crowned in Brutus.
First Plebeian
We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors.