University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Antony, who stands over the Body of Cæsar alone.
ANTONY.
Pity indeed! but what a wretched change,
That thou should'st move it! Thou, whose wondrous Soul
Was high as e'er Humanity attain'd;
Yet gentle as the humblest of Mankind.
(Enter some Friends of Antony.
Thy vast Ambition was but just, and like
The Element of Fire when first created,
Which soar'd above the rest, to shine more glorious,
And chear the under World with Light and Heat.
Thou still shalt shine a Comet, and portend
A black and bloody Scene of Civil War.
These Wounds inspire me with prophetick Skill,
Which like dumb Mouths op'ning their bloody Lips,
Seem to entreat the utt'rance of my Tongue.
Now the whole World disturb'd, will miss thee soon;
Men shall bemoan their Master, beat their Breasts,
And lay upon thy Death all their Misfortunes.
Wars, Bloodshed, Massacres, such horrid Deeds,
And fatal Fury, shall be so familiar,
That Custom shall take off all sense of Crime,
And Shame and Guilt shall be but Words forgot,
Lost in the boundless Licence of the Times.
Come, let us bear him to the Market-place.
This is a Jewel yet, tho' drop'd by Fortune;
With which we'll purchase Popularity,
And set up for our selves in this new World.
Our Tears and Grief will soften their hard Hearts,
Fit to receive impression from our words.
And when Crowds listen once, there is no Fear,
They have the People's Hearts, who have their Ear.

(Exeunt with the Body of Cæsar.