Lend me your hand.

[Exeunt with CcBsar's body off up L^

Scene II. The Forum: or it can he the same

Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of
Citizens from R

Citizens. (R and L). We will be satisfied;

let us be satisfied.
Bru. (R). Then follow me, and give me

audience, friends.
139



There can he another interval previous to this
scene or it can go right on. Antony with Ccesar's
body has gone of up L, through one of the upper
doors; the senators and citizens come on shouting
at the lower entrances R and L. Brutus and
Cassius come from Ri; citizens precede and fol-
low with terrific shouts. This scene can employ
from, ten to one hundred people. In the case of a
small cast all the senators and every one in the cast
of loth sexes should come on this scene; all can be
disguised with caps, cloaks, hoods, etc. This
was done by the famous Saxe Meiningen Players,
one of the greatest Stock Companies of our times.

^Not more than two would follow Cassius; he was
very unpopular. The pulpit can be the balcony
above the Elizabethan stage or a small property,
which can be put on when curtains are mo-
mentarily closed, for the interval. In case of a
stage production; the steps where Ccesar sat, or an
elaborate presentation of the Forum: there is no
limit to scenery — if you have money and the art
to make it. But you must not try to give all the
Shakespeare and the scenery too, or you would
necessitate an all night session.

'^Shouts.

^Murmurs of admiration.
140



JULIUS C^SAR

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 reason shall be rendered
Of Caesar's death.
First Cit. {R to L C). I will hear Brutus

speak.
Sec. Cit. (R). I will hear Cassius; and com-
pare their reasons,
When severally we hear them rendered.
[Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens.^

Brutus goes into the pulpit.
Third Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended;^

silence !
Bru. Be patient till the last.
Romans, countr3mien, and lovers!^ hear me for
my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: be-
lieve 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
141



^Murmur.

The shouts in this scene will he outlined; they
can be used in the discretion of the director. The
citizens must all stand with their faces to Brutus and
Antony, all in front. DonH let people get behind
the pulpit, if possible. Let all shouts increase and
decrease by degrees, not sharp and sudden.

^Murmur.

^Mingled "yeas" and "nays" here, the "yeas"
predominating.

^A decided acquiescence.

^Murmur of approval.

^Pause. No answer.

"^Dead silence.

M great shout here.

^Murmur.



142



JULIUS C^SAR

his. If then that friend demand why Brutus
rose against Csesar, this is my answer: — Not
that I lov'd Ccesar less, but that I lov'd Rome
more.^ Had you rather Caesar were living
and die all slaves, than that Caesar were
dead, to live all free men?^ As Caesar lov'd
me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I
rejoice at it; as he was vaHant, 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 ojff ended.' I pause
for a reply.

All. None, Brutus, none.*

Bru. Then none have I offended. I have
done no more to Caesar than you shall do to
Brutus.^ The question of his death is enroU'd
in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein
he was worthy, nor his offences enforc'd, for
which he suffered death.
143



^He looks of R and sees Ccssar^s body in the
distance. All the citizens look ojff too and are
distracted from Brutus at the sight of a new sen-
sation, the dead body of a martyr, Brutus does
not get their attention again; they only half attend
to him; the shouts for Brutus are strong but seem
a little forced. He goes of, followed to the entrance
L by a few, who then immediately rush back to
see the funeral procession.

^ Enter Antony with six or eight [or four) soldiers
bearing Ccesar^s body. Antony can have a black
toga if desired.

The body of Ccesar is brought on a bier, bearing
a box about the size of a large coffin; the coffin is
covered with Ccesar's cloak, the red one; the outer
pall or covering is the purple Roman robe. These
should both be large and with ample folds and very
carefully arranged so that neither drops of, nor
hangs down on the floor. Please have some reliable
person see to all such things behind the scenes.
An intelligent property man or woman is a most
important post, like the prompter. The stage
manager and assistant, the property man and the
prompter, should possess three indispensable attri-
butes — brains, patience, system. DonH let any
one assume these offices without them.

Murmurs all the time the procession moves.
144



JULIUS C^SAR

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 if 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.

All. Live, Brutus, live, live.

First Cit. Bring him with triumph home
unto his house.

Sec. Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors.

Third Cit. Let him be Caesar. (Shouts.)

Fourth Cit. Caesar's better parts

Shall be crown'd in Brutus. (Shouts.)

First Cit. We'll bring him to his house

With shouts and clamours. (Shouts.)

Bru. My countrymen,

Sec. Cit. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.

First Cit. (Hushing them.) Peace, ho!

Bru. 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.^
145



^The citizens are moving about and the funeral
procession has to push its way almost.

^-Antony has his eyes cast down and takes in the
whole situation. His first words are a master
stroke.

^The murmurs keep up all the time. The citi-
zens are both men and women, and these very
important parts should he carefully distributed.

'^Tremendously loud here.

^This speech is hardly heard; emphasize the
''gentle.''

^Each word has a pause for quiet in between, and
the appeal for silence is almost pitiful.



146



JULIUS C^SAR

I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Exit of L
{CcBsar's body is brought on here. Not before
Brutus leaves; the people are all looking of R.)

First Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark

Antony.^
Third Cit. Let him go up into the public chair ;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.^
Ant.^ For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to

you. [Goes into the pulpit.

Fourth Cit.^ What does he say of Brutus?
Third Cit.^ He says, for Brutus' sake, ,-
He finds himself beholding to us all.
Fourth Cit.^ 'Twere best he speak no harm

of Brutus here.
First Cit.^ This Caesar was a tyrant.
Third Cit.^ Nay, that's certain:

We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
Sec. Cit.^ Peace! let us hear what Antony

can say. {Antony is ready to begin.)
Ant.^ You gentle Romans —
Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him.
Ant.^ Friends, Romans, countr3maen, lend

me your ears;

147



'^Emphasize "bury," as there's no indication yet
of the praise. The reverse was really Antonyms
intention, as at the end of the scene he practically
leaves the body to bury itself.

^Strong assent from the crowd.

^Antony knows he can get at the crowd through
praise of their idol.

^"J^aithful and just" {murmurs) "to me!"

^He appeals to their pockets now.

^The murmurs get cooler, less demonstrative.
Antony at once notices this and presses home his
cause.

''This is a great point to make.



148



JULIUS C^SAR

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 Cassar was ambitious :

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath C£esar 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 cri'd, 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?^
149



^Very small murmur.

^The crowd are now not quite sure if he is!

^Very emphatic!

'^Here the crowd almost begin to turn round to
Coesar; the bier stands in the middle; they are all
around it looking up at Antony.

^Here Antony becomes excited; the crowd mis-
take it for impudence or hysteria.

^He here turns away and buries his face in his
drapery.

''The citizens assemble together in front to com-
pare notes. Antony watches them out of the cor-
ner of his eye^.



ISO



JULIUS C^SAR

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?

judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.^ Bear with me ;
My heart is in the coflQn there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.®

First Cit. (C). Methinks there is much rea-
son in his sayings.'^

Sec. at. (R C). If thou consider rightly of
the matter,
Cassar has had great wrong.

Third Cit. (L C). Has he, masters?

1 fear there will a worse come in his place.
Fourth Cit. (R). Mark'd ye his words? He

would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
First Cit. If it be found so, some will dear

abide it.
Sec. Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire

with weeping.



^The crowd separates again and Antony re-
covers himself, to speak again.

^The women begin to sob. Antony knows he has
gained an advantage.

^Murmurs.

^He throws these words at them. They groan.

^A II repeat ' ' Ccesar's seal. ' ' They all stretch for-
ward, murmur of disappointment.

^In places where crowds shout and speak, be sure
and use di^erent tones; don't let all the ''extras''
shout on one note, as they do on the professional
stages; let every person use his own natural voice for
shouts, laughs, murmurs, etc. (This is not an
opera. Only Richard Wagner realized the absurdity
of the one-note-pistol-shot shout. Listen to his
choruses in "Tristan,'' "Dutchman," and " Cot-
ter dammerung." Then compare the anvil chorus in
" II Trovatore.")

"^ These are all spoken as phrases to catch the
crowd. Tremendous intensity and energy required
here. Antony's voice the loudest.



152



JULIUS C^SAR

Third Cit. There's not a nobler man in

Rome than Antony.
Fourth Cit. Now mark him, he begins again

to speak. ^
Ant. But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world; now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.^

masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,

1 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.

153



^Every hand in the crowd must go up here,
^The excitement of the crowd knows no hounds.
^Shout "No" here quite as one voice. It re-
quires the gunshot efect.

^Repeat "Mad" — The crowd sways.

^Strong movement.

^All hands up each time they call for the will.

"^Shouts.



154



JULIUS C^SAR

Fourth at. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark

Antony.^
All. The will, the will! we will hear Ctesar's

will.
Ant. 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!^
Fourth at. Read the will; we'll hear it,
Antony;
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
Ant. 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 {Murmurs.)
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
Fourth at. They were traitors: honourable

men!
All. The will!^ the testament!^
Sec. at. They were villains, murderers: the
will! read^ the will.^



^They shout a big '^yes" and "the will."

This inflames the crowd almost to the killing
point — Antony sees his advantage and plays
upon it. Shouts: hands up almost regret-
fully as if he was afraid there might be some
feeling against senators.

^Here the crowd has to he policed by the citizens;
— they do make a ring, standing away so that
Antony holds the stage with the body of Caesar in
front of him.

^The citizens here almost drag him out of the
pulpit; he doesnH like the general smell of the crowd
and shakes them of. The crowd gradually gets
quiet and Antony, waiting for it, slowly proceeds
to withdraw the head end (C to R) of the outer
purple drapery. A big shudder goes all through
the crowd. Antony leans on the coffin and speaks
over it to the people. Be sure the legs of the bier
are strong. It should have bars fore and aft, by
which it is carried.

^A point in Ccesar's favour — a victory.

^He points to imaginary holes in the robe be-
cause, of course, he doesn't know; this shows, I
think, how Shakespeare means Antony to be a
humbug to gain his point, his love for Ccesar com-
pelling him to get justice for his memory.

^The crowd shudders.

is6



JULIUS CiESAR

Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the
willPi
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?

Several Cit. Come down. (Shouts)

Sec. Cit. Descend.^

Third Cit. You shall have leave.

[Antony comes down

Fourth Cit. A ring; stand round.

First Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from
the body.

Sec. Cit. Room for Antony, most noble
Antony.

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

Several Cit. Stand back; room; bear back.

Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them
now. (Lifts outer drapery.)
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;^

IS7



^The crowd weeps.

^Shudder.

^This is a great point, as crowds are generally
hysterical and superstitious.

^They all sink on their knees sobbing.

^Antony looks on at the sobbing crowd with con-
tempt.

^He almost puts Ms hands on their heads in
sympathy.

"^The over mantle is held up with the red one as
if to show the crowd the face of Ccesar. They all
go round in two or three big circles, as if to get a
peep into the very coffin.



158



JULIUS C^SAR

And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,

Mark how the blood of Caesar foUow'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 Csesai lov'd him:

This was the most unkindest cut of all;

For when the noble Csesar saw him stab,^

Ingratitude, more strong than traitor's 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

ielU
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 be-
hold
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,

[Lifting CcBsar's mantle
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.^

159



^These murmurs are all mixed voices and in
undertones of indignation, vengeance, and sorrow.

^When the crowd has gone all round once slowly,
the second citizen should stop where he began to
move, and make these shouts from R C.

^The crowd disperses and rushes wildly back-
ward and forward to R and L. Every one of
them practically changing places across stage.

'^Antony gets out of the crowd and rushes into the
pulpit to get the advantage.

^The more orderly citizens try to appease the
more ignorant.

^The second citizen is a fanatic.

"^Here Antony apologizes to them.

^ Yells of derision!

^More derision.

^°0h, no — of course not!



1 60



JULIUS C^SAR

First at. O piteous spectacle!^

Sec. at. noble Caesar!^

Third at. O woful dayl^

Fourth at. traitors, villains!^

First at. O most bloody sight !^

Sec.^ at. We will be reveng'd.

All.^ Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire!
Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live.

Ant.^ Stay, coantrymen.

First at.^ Peace there! hear the noble An-
tony.

Sec. at.^ We'll hear him, we'll follow him,
we'll die with him.

Ant."^ 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 are wise and honour-
able,
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,

i6i



^The "but^' here is a big one.

^Emphasize the "stones" and ''rise.**

^Very strong feeling among the crowd.

^Antony shouts to stop them from rushing of
right there.

^This is his final stroke.

N. B. — Where the numbers of the notes are re-
peated, it is to indicate that the stage " business "
is repeated.



162



JULIUS C^SAR

That love my friend; and that they know full

well
That gave me public leave to speak of him :
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor, poor
dumb mouths, [Murmur

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.
All^ We'll mutiny.

First Cit.^ We'll bum the house of Brutus.
Third Cit.^ Away, then! come, seek the con-
spirators.
Ant.'^ Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me

speak.
All. Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble

Antony!
Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know
not what:
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves?
Alas, you know not: I must tell you, then:
You have forgot the will I^ told you of.
163



^The biggest shout of all here; all hands up.
You almost need to make the audience rush on to
the stage here.

^Murmur "CcBsar^s seal;" shout ''yes" at each
pause.

^Antony has a difficulty to hold the crowd till
he finishes.

'^Hands, hats, caps, thrown in the air; the
crowd is beside itself with joy.

^They have almost forgotten Antony.

^The crowd is moving R and L.

''Their joy is unbounded, the children are held
up above the crowd.

^The shouts at each sentence and at the end the
crowd mixes, rushes offi R and L, shouting for
some time. The six soldiers take up the bier and
go of with the crowd Ri. As the body goes of
Antony rushes out of the pulpit and shouts with
victorious laughter. The fool multitude is once
more gained over by popular appeal, chiefly to the
pockets.



164



JULIUS C^SAR

All. Most true. The will!^ Let's stay and
hear the will.

Ant. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seaP
To every Roman citizen he gives — ^
To every several man — seventy-five drachmas.

Sec. Cit.^ Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge
his death.

Third Cit. O royal Caesar!

Ant.^ Hear me with patience.

All.^ Peace, ho!

Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his
walks,^
His private arbours 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 Cit. 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. {They lift it.)

Sec. Cit. Go fetch fire.

Third Cit. Pluck down benches.

Fourth Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any
thing, [Exeunt Citizens with the body

i6s



^The curtain can fall at the end of Antonyms
" oration," making an effective " situation," so
much beloved of the actor, and also of the audience.
If Antony stands on the steps of the Forum waving
his black drapery — donned for the funeral — and
shouts a laugh of victory, he can hardly fail — un-
less he is an awfully bad actor — to bring down
the house! Don't let Antony weep; he should be
defiant. If an Elizabethan stage the same servant
enters. He now belongs to Antony, with whom
Fortune is merry. They go of together L; Antony
goes to visit Octavius, not to bury Julius.

M pause for Antony to get of.



i66



JULIUS C^SAR

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

Enter a Servant R

How now, fellow!
Serv. (R) Sir, Octavius is already come to

Rome.
Ant. (L C) Where is he?
Serv. (C) He and Lepidus are at Caesar's

house.
Ant. 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.

Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Ant. Be like they had some notice of the
people,
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius.

[Exeunt Li^

Enter Cinna the poet from Li

Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with
Caesar,
And things unluckily charge my fantasy:
167



'^The scene with Cinna is only played on the
Elizabethan stage; it is richly humorous and
shows what a master craftsman Shakespeare was
to relieve the tension of the previous scenes.

^The citizens, men and women, rush on seeking
for prey, they catch Cinna, surrounding him R and
L.

^Each time they reecho his words with significant
expressions.



i68



JULIUS CiESAR

I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth. ^

Enter Citizens L and R

First at. (R). What is your name?^

Sec. at. (L). Whither are you going?

Third at. (R). Where do you dwell?

Fourth at. (L). Are you a married man or
a bachelor?

Sec. at. Answer every man directly.

First at. Ay, and briefly.

Fourth at. Ay, and wisely.

Third at. Ay, and truly, you were best.

an. (C). What is my name?^ Whither am
I going? Where do I dwell?^ Am I a married
man or bachelor?^ Then, to answer every man
directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I
say, I am a bachelor.

Sec. at. That's as much as to say, they are
fools that marry: you'll bear me a bang for that,
I fear. Proceed; directly.

an. (C). Directly, I am going to Caesar's
funeral.

First at. As a friend or an enemy?

an. As a friend.

169



"^The scene must he made very funny.

"^They are just going to do it.

^Cinna is a very thin, long-nosed, pompous,
quiet gentleman, and is highly indignant at the
treatment he receives.

^the women of the crowd practically lift him
bodily and carry him of R.