When severally we hear them rendered.
Third Ple. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Bru. Be patient till the last.12
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 Cæsar's, to him I
say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than20
his. If then that friend demand why Brutus
rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: Not that
I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more.
Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all
slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free
men? As Cæsar 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,28
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 that33
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.37
All. None, Brutus, none.
Bru. Then none have I offended. I have
done no more to Cæsar, than you shall do to
Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled
12 Give me a patient hearing, till I finish
33 rude: uncivilized
41 question of: official inquest into
enrolled: recorded
