Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2

We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.

We want an explanation; let us have an explanation.

Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. Cassius, go you into the other street And part the numbers. Those that will hear me speak, let ’em stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Caesar’s death.

Then follow me, and listen to me, friends. Cassius, you go into the other street and split the crowd. Those who want to hear me speak, let them stay here; those who want to follow Cassius, go with him; and the public reasons for Caesar's death will be given.

I will hear Brutus speak.

I'll hear Brutus speak.

I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, When severally we hear them rendered.

I'll hear Cassius; and I'll compare their reasons when we've heard them each separately.

The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!

The noble Brutus has gone up: quiet!

Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 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. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears, for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death, for his ambition. 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. I pause for a reply.

Be patient until the end. Romans, countrymen, and friends who love me, hear me explain my cause; and be silent, so that you can hear. Believe me because of my honour, and respect my honour, so that you can believe. Judge me with your good sense, and wake up your senses, so that you can judge better. If there is anyone in this gathering, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus's love for Caesar was no less than his own. If that friend then demands why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Would you rather have Caesar alive, and all of you die slaves, than have Caesar dead, and all of you live as free men? Because Caesar loved me, I weep for him; because he was fortunate, I am glad of it; because he was brave, I honour him; but because he was ambitious, I killed him. There are tears for his love; joy for his good fortune; honour for his bravery; and death for his ambition. Who here is so low that he would want to be a slave? If anyone, speak; because I have wronged him. Who here is so uncivilised that he would not want to be a Roman? If anyone, speak; because I have wronged him. Who here is so vile that he will not love his country? If anyone, speak; because I have wronged him. I'll wait for an answer.

None, Brutus, none.

No one, Brutus, no one.

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 offences enforc’d, for which he suffered death.

Then I have wronged no one. I have done no more to Caesar than you will do to Brutus. The record of his death is entered in the Capitol, with his glory not played down where he deserved it, nor his offences exaggerated, for which he was put to death.

Here comes his body, mourned 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.

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, though he had no part in his death, will receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the state; as which of you will not? With this I leave you: that as I killed my best friend for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger ready for myself, whenever my country chooses to need my death.

Live, Brutus! live, live!

Long live Brutus! Live, live!

Bring him with triumph home unto his house.

Carry him home to his house in triumph.

Give him a statue with his ancestors.

Give him a statue alongside his ancestors.

Let him be Caesar.

Let him be Caesar.

Caesar’s better parts Shall be crown’d in Brutus.

Caesar's better qualities will be crowned in Brutus.

We’ll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours.

We'll take him to his house with shouting and cheering.

My countrymen,—

My countrymen—

Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks.

Quiet! Silence! Brutus is speaking.

Peace, ho!

Quiet there!

Good countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech Tending to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony, By our permission, is allow’d to make. I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

Good countrymen, let me go away alone, and, for my sake, stay here with Antony. Pay respect to Caesar's body, and show respect to Antony's speech about Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony, with our permission, is allowed to make. I beg you, let no man leave except me alone, until Antony has spoken.

Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.

Stay, there! And let us hear Mark Antony.

Let him go up into the public chair. We’ll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

Let him go up into the public chair. We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

For Brutus’ sake, I am beholding to you.

For Brutus's sake, I am grateful to you.

What does he say of Brutus?

What does he say about Brutus?

He says, for Brutus’ sake He finds himself beholding to us all.

He says that for Brutus's sake he finds himself grateful to us all.

’Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here!

He'd better not say anything bad about Brutus here!

This Caesar was a tyrant.

This Caesar was a tyrant.

Nay, that’s certain. We are blest that Rome is rid of him.

No question about that. We're lucky Rome is rid of him.

Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.

Quiet! Let's hear what Antony has to say.

You gentle Romans,—

You kind Romans—

Peace, ho! let us hear him.

Quiet there! Let's hear him.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, 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 Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, For Brutus is an honourable man, So are they all, all honourable men, Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me; But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And sure he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause; What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, give me your attention. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do goes on living after them; the good is often buried with their bones. So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus has told you Caesar was ambitious. If that was so, it was a serious fault, and Caesar has paid for it seriously. Here, with the permission of Brutus and the rest — for Brutus is an honourable man, and so are they all, all honourable men — I come to speak at Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, loyal and fair to me. But Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. He brought many prisoners home to Rome, and their ransoms filled the public treasury. Did this make Caesar look ambitious? When the poor cried out, Caesar wept. Ambition ought to be made of harder material. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. You all saw that at the feast of Lupercal I offered him a king's crown three times, and three times he refused it. Was that ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and certainly he is an honourable man. I am not speaking to disprove what Brutus said, but I'm here to say what I know. You all loved him once, and not without reason. What reason holds you back now from mourning for him? Oh judgement, you have run away to brute animals, and men have lost their reason. Be patient with me. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must stop until it comes back to me.

Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

It seems to me there's a lot of sense in what he says.

If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong.

If you think about the matter properly, Caesar has been badly wronged.

Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place.

Has he, friends? I'm afraid someone worse will come in his place.

Mark’d ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.

Did you notice what he said? He wouldn't take the crown; so it's certain he wasn't ambitious.

If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

If that turns out to be true, some people will pay dearly for it.

Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.

Poor man, his eyes are as red as fire from crying.

There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

There isn't a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

Now mark him; he begins again to speak.

Now pay attention to him; he's starting to speak again.

But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! If I were dispos’d to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men. I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar, I found it in his closet; ’tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament, Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read, And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood; Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue.

Only yesterday a word from Caesar could have stood against the whole world; now he lies there, and no one is so poor that he'll show him respect. Oh, my friends! If I wanted to stir your hearts and minds to riot and rage, I would be wronging Brutus and wronging Cassius, who, as you all know, are honourable men. I won't wrong them; I would rather wrong the dead man, wrong myself and you, than wrong such honourable men. But here is a parchment with Caesar's seal on it — I found it in his private room; it's his will. If only the common people could hear this testament — which, forgive me, I don't intend to read — they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds and dip their handkerchiefs in his sacred blood; yes, and beg a hair of his as a keepsake, and when they died mention it in their own wills, leaving it as a rich inheritance to their children.

We’ll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

We want to hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

The will, the will! We will hear Caesar’s will.

The will, the will! We want to hear Caesar's will.

Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; And being men, hearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad. ’Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For if you should, O, what would come of it?

Be patient, kind friends, I mustn't read it. It isn't right that you should know how much Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; and being men, if you hear Caesar's will it will set you on fire, it will drive you mad. It's better that you don't know you are his heirs; because if you did, oh, what would come of it?

Read the will! We’ll hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will!

Read the will! We want to hear it, Antony. You shall read us the will, Caesar's will!

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 stabb’d Caesar; I do fear it.

Will you be patient? Will you wait a while? I've gone too far in telling you about it. I'm afraid I wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar; I really am afraid of that.

They were traitors. Honourable men!

They were traitors. Honourable men, indeed!

The will! The testament!

The will! The testament!

They were villains, murderers. The will! Read the will!

They were villains, murderers. The will! Read the will!

You will compel me then to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?

So you'll force me to read the will? Then form a circle around Caesar's body, and let me show you the man who made the will. Shall I come down? And will you give me permission?

Come down.

Come down.

Descend.

Come down.

You shall have leave.

You have our permission.

A ring! Stand round.

A circle! Stand round.

Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.

Move away from the bier, move away from the body.

Room for Antony, most noble Antony!

Make room for Antony, most noble Antony!

Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.

No, don't crowd in on me like this; stand further back.

Stand back; room! bear back.

Stand back; make room! Move back.

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle. I remember The first time ever Caesar 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: See what a rent the envious Casca made: Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; And as he pluck’d his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolv’d If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov’d him. This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart; And in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey’s statue Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 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 Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors.

If you have tears, get ready to shed them now. You all know this cloak. I remember the very first time Caesar put it on; it was on a summer evening, in his tent, the day he defeated the Nervii. Look, in this spot Cassius's dagger went through. See what a tear the spiteful Casca made. Through this one the much-loved Brutus stabbed, and as he pulled his cursed blade away, notice how Caesar's blood followed it, as if it were rushing out of doors to find out whether it really was Brutus who knocked so unkindly; for Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him. This was the unkindest cut of them all; for when the noble Caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, stronger than traitors' weapons, completely overcame him. Then his mighty heart burst, and covering his face with his cloak, right at the base of Pompey's statue, which was running with blood all the while, great Caesar fell. Oh, what a fall that was, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, while bloody treason triumphed over us. Oh, now you weep, and I see that you feel the stroke of pity. These are generous tears. Kind souls, are you weeping when all you look at is our Caesar's wounded clothing? Look here: here is the man himself, ruined, as you see, by traitors.

O piteous spectacle!

Oh, what a pitiful sight!

O noble Caesar!

Oh noble Caesar!

O woeful day!

Oh, what a sorrowful day!

O traitors, villains!

Oh, traitors, villains!

O most bloody sight!

Oh, what a bloody sight!

We will be revenged.

We will have revenge.

Revenge,—about,—seek,—burn,—fire,—kill,—slay,—let not a traitor live!

Revenge! Move! Search! Burn! Set fires! Kill! Slaughter! Don't let a single traitor live!

Stay, countrymen.

Wait, countrymen.

Peace there! Hear the noble Antony.

Quiet over there! Listen to the noble Antony.

We’ll hear him, we’ll follow him, we’ll die with him.

We'll listen to him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.

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, That made them do it. They’re wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 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 know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him. For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on. I tell you that which you yourselves do know, Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue In every wound of Caesar, that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.

Good friends, sweet friends, don't let me stir you up into such a sudden flood of rebellion. The men who did this deed are honourable. What personal grievances they had that made them do it, I'm sorry to say I don't know. They are wise and honourable, and they will no doubt give you their reasons. I haven't come, friends, to steal your hearts away. I am no public speaker, as Brutus is, but, as you all know me, a plain, blunt man who loved his friend — and the men who gave me public permission to speak about him know that perfectly well. For I have neither the cleverness, nor the words, nor the standing, nor the gestures, nor the delivery, nor the power of speech to stir men's blood. I only speak straight out. I tell you things you know yourselves; I show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor, poor silent mouths, and tell them to speak for me. But if I were Brutus, and Brutus were Antony, then there would be an Antony who would stir up your spirits and put a tongue in every one of Caesar's wounds — one that would move the very stones of Rome to rise up and rebel.

We’ll mutiny.

We'll rebel.

We’ll burn the house of Brutus.

We'll burn down the house of Brutus.

Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.

Off we go, then! Come on, let's hunt down the conspirators.

Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

Listen to me still, countrymen; still let me speak.

Peace, ho! Hear Antony; most noble Antony.

Quiet, there! Listen to Antony, the most noble 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.

Why, friends, you're going off to do you don't know what. How has Caesar deserved this love of yours? Sadly, you don't know; so I must tell you. You have forgotten the will I mentioned to you.

Most true; the will!—let’s stay, and hear the will.

Quite true — the will! Let's stay and hear the will.

Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

Here is the will, with Caesar's seal on it. To every Roman citizen he gives — to each individual man — seventy-five drachmas.

Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.

What a noble Caesar! We'll take revenge for his death.

O, royal Caesar!

Oh, kingly Caesar!

Hear me with patience.

Listen to me patiently.

Peace, ho!

Quiet, there!

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?

What's more, he has left you all his parks, his private garden retreats and his newly planted orchards, on this side of the Tiber. He has left them to you, and to your heirs forever — public grounds, for you to walk in and enjoy yourselves. This was a Caesar! When will there ever be another like him?

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.

Never, never. Come on, away, away! We'll burn his body in the sacred place, and with the burning torches set the traitors' houses on fire. Pick up the body.

Go, fetch fire.

Go, fetch fire.

Pluck down benches.

Tear down benches.

Pluck down forms, windows, anything.

Tear down benches, window shutters, anything.

Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!

Now let it do its work. Mischief, you are on the move — take whatever course you like!

How now, fellow?

What is it, fellow?

Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.

Sir, Octavius has already arrived in Rome.

Where is he?

Where is he?

He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.

He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house.

And thither will I straight to visit him. He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us anything.

And I'll go there straight away to visit him. He comes just as I was wishing for him. Fortune is in a cheerful mood, and while she's in this mood she'll give us anything.

I heard him say Brutus and Cassius Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

I heard him say that Brutus and Cassius have ridden like madmen out through the gates of Rome.

Belike they had some notice of the people, How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.

Most likely they got some word about the people, and how I had stirred them up. Take me to Octavius.